Been thinking about that one Reve snippet where a chargentstep poly romanced Argent urges Step to confess to Ortega about being the villain, because its only going to be worse the longer they wait, and I want to write it so bad. Tegan confesses in the car in his guilty endings so I think he would, especially if he has Argent as backup.
But I'm so torn between making it serious or silly (maybe both?) because I can see it so strongly in my head, Tegan, not even fully healed from his injuries, confessing flat out saying he's Retribution and the tension is immediately disrupted by Argent's snort laugh and her "Did you really just lower your voice to say Retribution?" To which Tegan will vehemently deny (he's lying) and Ortega's just left wondering if he's the butt of a very bad joke.
Then they have to no actually its the truth tho Ortega, please don't electrocute or break anything. He's gonna be big mad because not only will he feel obviously betrayed by Tegan but that fact that Argent knew, for a while even, and never said anything is just extra coating on this really bad pill he's being forced to swallow. I can definitely see it as a storms out of his own apartment moment.
DISCLAIMER: Everything below belongs to Malin Rydén and @kittlesandbugs, whose Sidestep I have poached for this hellish little adventure.
CONTEXT: A Christmas gift inspired by Riley’s good and less good decisions in Retribution.
WHAT TO EXPECT: A LOT of spoilers for Retribution: if you haven’t finished the book, don’t go further. Other than that, a lovely Christmas dinner in Los Diablos, circa 2020. Four chapters, four point of views, all published.
Chapter 1: Ricardo.
December 24th, 2020
23:15
RICARDO
Don’t look at me like that.
I know what I saw.
I wish they all stopped kidding themselves. Nothing escapes me.
Now, climb up and follow me.
Under my grip the bike finally glides to a stop water-like and water-like too melts into the night-shadows. Jump down, helmet off, mods on. The crzzzrackle climbs up my spine, a graze of nails, a flicker of light. Down the cliffwall, the villa is quiet, lit and candled, a peaceful home on Christmas Eve.
Of course.
Of course, façades and masks. Nothing good enough to trick me. What’s the saying? Can’t teach an old dog new tricks. Guess I’m an old dog nowadays; but not old enough to let them get away with this.
Not this time.
Not anymore.
“Are you sure, Ortega?”
My fist closes on mounting current. Wish for a drink wish for a smoke. Wish for a face to hit. A jaw to split. A mirror to break. I know the face, you know the face. Familiar. Same eyes, same nose, wider at the neck, harder at the mouth.
“Don’t look at me like that,” I throw, annoyed. “I know what I saw.”
Angie is good that way: she might doubt me, but she’s already clawing down the steep pathway, eyes trained on the house.
“How did you even see it?”
That’s not the right question; just a bit to the left. I activate the thermal sensors and follow.
“I rigged the surveillance cam in her neighborhood months ago.”
“You know where she lives?”
There we go: something there, on the rim of her voice, just close to spilling. Not jealousy, no. More than curiosity, yes. When our eyes meet, she looks away first.
I wish they both stopped kidding themselves. Nothing escapes me.
“She’s slumming it in an old factory of some kind. You didn’t know?”
“Interesting,” she dodges. “And they came for her there?”
Here is the ridiculously large collection of one shots I’ve written, most featuring my very gnc female Sidestep, Riley Owens.
Pairings are Chargestep, Argentstep, and Chargentstep. Please mind the warnings for each one. Stories below are listed in chronological-ish order for Riley’s timeline.
Total as of 5/13/23, 76 fics, ~60k words
PRE-SIDESTEP DAYS
Approval
Rating: T for violence, weird self-dehumanization. ~300 words
Pairing: None
Summary: Prompt: write a short snippet featuring your Sidestep doing (or discovering!) something that makes them happy at the farm, before they escaped for the first time.
Sidestep fights for the approval of her handler.
(3/6/22) (Read on Tumblr) (Read on AO3)
THE SIDESTEP DAYS
Guilt
Rating: G, no warnings. ~300 words.
Pairing: Pre-Ricardo Ortega/Sidestep
Summary: Prompt: How would they react to injury/misfortune befalling their partner? Do they feel at fault?
Sidestep apologizes to Ortega for failing to protect him in a fight.
(1/25/22) (Read on Tumblr) (Read on AO3)
Too Close
Rating: T for gratuitous swearing and blood/medical stuff. ~3.6k words
Pairing: Ricardo Ortega/Sidestep
Summary: Sidestep barely survived the fight with Psychopathor and now she needs to deal with her wounds.Oh, and the fact that Ortega kissed her. Fuck.
(07/26/21) (Read on Tumblr) (Read on AO3)
Unaired Interview
Rating: G for everyone. ~300 words
Pairing: Ricardo Ortega/Sidestep
Summary: Prompt: Sidestep gets interviewed (Except not LOL)
(06/16/21) (Read on AO3)
Carry You Home
Rating: T for drinking I guess lol. ~300 words.
Pairing: Pre-Ricardo Ortega/Sidestep
Summary: Prompt: '“I’m not carrying you”(and then yes they did carry them)’
Riley goes out drinking with Ortega.
(08/16/21) (Read on Tumblr) (Read on AO3)
Unwanted Ambulance Ride
Pairing: There’s is only fear and anger here lol (but technically Chargestep)
Rating: G/T? ~150 words
Summary: Prompt: Scare Sidestep Shitless in ten sentences or less
(06/05/21) (Read on AO3)
Nickname
Pairing: Ricardo Ortega/Sidestep
Rating: T for blood/injury. ~400 words
Summary: Prompt: Use the words trembling, blue, seconds.
Sidestep takes care of Ortega after the Catastrofiend guts him.
(05/30/21) (Read on Tumblr) (Read on AO3)
Frustrated kisses
Pairing: Ricardo Ortega/Sidestep
Rating: G, no warnings. ~300 words
Summary: Prompt: Random number selection from kiss prompt list, 400 words/30 minute timer. “Frustrated kisses”
Sidestep pulls a too-dangerous stunt and Ortega isn’t impressed.
(2/14/22) (Read on Tumblr) (Read on AO3)
Sweet Tooth
Pairing: Ricardo Ortega/Sidestep
Rating: G for fluffy times. ~350 words
Summary: Prompt: Write a little something inspired by your Sidestep's primary vice .
Ortega has a surprise for Sidestep for her “birthday”.
(12/11/2021) (Read on Tumblr) (Read on AO3)
Stopping the Surge
Pairing: Ricardo Ortega/Sidestep
Rating: T for blood, canonical minor character death. ~1.6k words
Summary: Prompt: holding onto the other’s shoulders for support
Ortega thought he and everyone else on that beach was a goner. That the city was next. No way to defend against the Nanovores. And then they just stopped. (Ricardo POV)
(10/11/21) (Read on Tumblr) (Read on AO3)
Rideaway Relief
Pairing: Ricardo Ortega/Sidestep
Rating: T for blood and swearing. ~2k words
Summary: Sidestep needs to get out of the city after the Nanosurge has left her mental shields completely wrecked and ask Ortega for help. Ortega takes the opportunity to scold her for being stubborn and reckless with her health (again.)
(05/30/21) (Read on Tumblr) (Read on AO3)
Messy Stakeout
Pairing: Ricardo Ortega/Sidestep
Rating: G for goofballs. ~400 words
Summary: Prompt: “putting a hand over the other’s mouth to shut them up” for Ric and Riley!
A stakeout goes sideways when Sidestep tries to get Ortega to shut up.
(12/30/21) (Read on Tumblr) (Read on AO3)
Dance with me
Pairing: Ricardo Ortega/Sidestep
Rating: G for everyone. ~1.1k words
Summary: Prompt: Dancing with each other.
Sidestep is over at Ortega's apartment for dinner and he talks her into dancing with him. It doesn't take much to convince her.
(06/25/21) (Read on Tumblr) (Read on AO3)
No interruptions
Pairing: Ricardo Ortega/Sidestep
Rating: G for everyone. ~500 words
Summary: Prompt: Pre-HB years. You just jammed the door of the HQ office supply closet with a screwdriver because you need to be alone with Ortega far from the cameras and augh, far from Steel’s shifty eyes. The door clicks locked. Ortega turns to you. Write / draw the scene that follows from your Sidestep’s POV.
(05/10/23) (Read on Tumblr) (Read on AO3)
Exaggerating for kisses
Pairing: Ricardo Ortega/Sidestep
Rating: T for alcohol. ~500 words
Summary: Prompt: “I’ve had a terrible day at work so just kiss me”
Ricardo maybe exaggerates about how bad his day was for smooches.
(08/21/21) (Read on Tumblr) (Read on AO3)
Electric Touch
Pairing: Ricardo Ortega/Sidestep
Rating: T for alcohol. ~400 words
Summary: Prompt: something short (<400 words) and horny (it’s about the anticipation). Challenge: no use of hands, mouth, blush.
Sidestep and Ricardo get a little handsy after drinking.
(07/13/22) (Read on Tumblr) (Read on AO3)
Skin deep
Pairing: Ricardo Ortega/Sidestep
Rating: T for blood, self-hatred. ~1.4k words
Summary: Sidestep hangs out with Steel and Ortega as they talk about old missions, and Ortega says something she wishes she could un-hear.
(12/16/21) (Read on Tumblr) (Read on AO3)
Seeing ghosts
Pairing: Ricardo Ortega/Sidestep
Rating: T for unreality, blood. ~300 words
Summary: During a debrief in the hospital, Ortega looks to Sidestep for answers.
(07/22/22) (Read on Tumblr) (Read on AO3)
Words not spoken
Pairing: Ricardo Ortega/Sidestep
Rating: T, heavy grief. ~2.2k words
Summary: He always wanted to see her apartment. But not like this. Not without her in it. (Ricardo POV)
(08/24/21) (Read on Tumblr) (Read on AO3)
It woke up
Pairing: nope everything is broken now lol
Rating: T I guess but TW medical horror/suicide ideation. ~400 words
Summary: Prompt fill using rain, still, edge or, humid, slow, grasp.
Sidestep wakes up at the Farm after the Heartbreak Incident.
(06/13/21) (Read on Tumblr) (Read on AO3)
Debrief
Pairing: Past Ricardo Ortega/Sidestep
Rating: T, nonconsentual manhandling, dehumanization. ~900 words
Summary: Prompt : 13. “That’s not how it happened.”, E. Memory, IV. Make it an interview scene
Interview tape of a Sidestep debrief/interrogation at the Farm
(07/06/2022) (Read on Tumblr) (Read on AO3)
Time doesn’t heal
Pairing: Past Ricardo Ortega/Sidestep
Rating: T, suicide ideation, mourning, canon-typical angst, ~1.8k words
Summary: Four people reminisce about the fallen vigilante Sidestep on the third anniversary of the Heartbreak Incident. One person knows she isn’t dead.
(02/25/22) (Read on Tumblr) (Read on AO3)
THE DAYS OF RECKONING
The return
Pairing: Past Ricardo Ortega/Sidestep
Rating: T for violence, telepathic shenanigans, embracing villainy. ~2500 words
Summary: Something wicked returns to Los Diablos. (Steel POV)
(03/08/23) (Read on Tumblr) (Read on AO3)
Same old ice cream
Pairing: None
Rating: T for general Steppy self-loathing I guess lol. ~500 words
Summary: Prompt: Your step revisiting a place they used to go a lot back in the day, is it still there, how has it changed?
A week before being found in the diner, Sidestep revisits some old memories.
(06/18/21) (Read on Tumblr) (Read on AO3)
Alive and here
Pairing: Old flame Ricardo Ortega/Sidestep
Rating: G/T? Retribution spoilers. ~700 words
Summary: Prompt: Descriptions of your sidestep + Optional challenge of not using colours and sizes
Ortega finds out that the specter of his past may not actually be a ghost.
(06/06/21) (Read on Tumblr) (Read on AO3)
Just training
Pairing:Past Ricardo Ortega/Sidestep
Rating: G, no warnings. ~1k words
Summary: Prompt fill: POV switch: rewrite / riff on a canon scene from Rebirth or Retribution, but from the perspective of another character present rather than through Sidestep’s eyes.
A re-write of the scene in Rebirth where Ortega first meets the puppet, from his perspective.
(07/21/21, pub 03/25/23) (Read on Tumblr) (Read on AO3)
Day in the Life
Pairing: None
Rating: G/T, no warnings. ~600 words
Summary: Prompt fill: A day in the life of your Step, past/present or future, you choose. Optional twist: The POV can't be Sidestep.
(06/20/21) (Read on Tumblr) (Read on AO3)
Water Plant Security Recording
Pairing: hints of future Ricardo Ortega/Sidestep/Lady Argent
Rating: G, wholesome Rat Kingness. ~300 words
Summary: Prompt: A recording of Sidestep without them knowing it.
Domestic Villain armor maintenance and gossip with a rat pentacle.
(07/11/21) (Read on Tumblr) (Read on AO3)
No fly zone
Pairing: Ricardo Ortega/Sidestep
Rating: G/T, no warnings. ~700 words
Summary: Herald has a chat with Ortega after kidnapping Sidestep to a roof and getting himself punched.
(07/17/21) (Read on Tumblr) (Read on AO3)
Strawberry Kisses
Pairing: Ricardo Ortega/Sidestep
Rating: T for swearing and alcohol. ~500 words
Summary: Even after seven years, he still keeps Sidestep’s favorite soda on hand. She doesn't want to explore the implications of why. She can't not, though.
(05/15/21) (Read on Tumblr) (Read on AO3)
Breathe dammit
Pairing: Ricardo Ortega/Sidestep
Rating: T for near death experiences
Summary: Prompt: write the car crash or the hospital waiting from the point of view of Ortega, or, alternatively, any of the main cast dealing with your Sidestep being injured.
(07/21/21, pub. 02/06/23) (Read on Tumblr) (Read on AO3)
Scrubbing old wounds
Pairing: Mostly Ricardo Ortega/Sidestep
Rating: T for PSTD, medical trauma, canon-typical angst. ~1.7k words
Summary: At some point after the wreck and moving into Ortega’s apartment to heal, Sidestep has to tackle how to get clean. It dredges up a lot of old memories and fears.
(04/21/23) (Read on Tumblr) (Read on AO3)
Old and new
Pairing: Ricardo Ortega/Sidestep
Rating: G, no warnings. ~300 words
Summary: Prompt: forehead against forehead, I missed you kisses
(08/06/21) (Read on Tumblr) (Read on AO3)
Taking it back
Pairing: Lady Argent/Sidestep
Rating: T for PSTD, past trauma, dehumanization. ~2.3k words
Summary: Sidestep lets Lady Argent give her a haircut. Something more like the old days.
(08/21/22) (Read on Tumblr) (Read on AO3)
Sleep is for the weak
Pairing: Lady Argent/Sidestep
Rating: T for self-harm/suicide ideation, Retribution spoilers. ~300 words
Summary: Prompt: “You can put your strength down. I”m sitting here with you at your kitchen table. You don’t need to say anything.”
Argent thinks Sidestep needs to sleep more. She's right.
(08/13/21) (Read on Tumblr) (Read on AO3)
Nighttime Scars
Pairing: Ricardo Ortega/Sidestep
Rating: T, suicide/self-harm discussion. ~1.1k words
Summary: Prompt: foreheads touching
Sidestep finally spends the night with Ortega and he wakes her with a nightmare. He wants to talk about it, of course.
(07/10/21) (Read on Tumblr) (Read on AO3)
Soft kisses
Pairing: Lady Argent/Sidestep
Rating: G for everyone. ~400 words
Summary: Prompt: "Your lips are really soft"
Sidestep and Argent snuggle and talk about Argent’s peculiarities.
(09/13/22) (Read on Tumblr) (Read on AO3)
Coffee Crimes
Pairing: Ricardo Ortega/Sidestep
Rating: G for saccharine fluff. ~300 words
Summary: Prompt: B Dylan Hollis Prompts, 24 Honey, you can’t dilute a war crime- make Ortega say it please
Sidestep makes a hot mess in Ortega’s kitchen with fancy coffee drinks.
(12/14/21) (Read on Tumblr) (Read on AO3)
First time for everything
Pairing: Lady Argent/Sidestep
Rating: G for baking fluff lol. ~1k words
Summary: Prompt: kitchen counter make-outs
Argent teaches Sidestep how to bake, starting with a classic: chocolate chip cookies.
(09/28/21) (Read on Tumblr) (Read on AO3)
Different Origins, Same Heartbeats
Pairing: Ricardo Ortega/Sidestep/Lady Argent
Rating: G for absolutely saccharine fluff. ~1.3k words
Summary: Prompt: Listening to the other's heartbeat
After Sidestep makes an off-color joke about her lack of humanity, Argent decides to prove otherwise to her. Ortega helps and hinders.
(06/28/21) (Read on Tumblr) (Read on AO3)
Keeping up appearances
Pairing: Lady Argent/Sidestep
Rating: T I guess, just play violence. ~900 words
Summary: Prompt: kisses that start of passionate but grows more delicate
A fight with Argent turns amorous after Sidestep tries to retreat with herr stolen data.
(09/14/21) (Read on Tumblr) (Read on AO3)
Outside, looking in
Pairing: Ricardo Ortega/Sidestep/Lady Argent
Rating: T, canon typical angst/self loathing. ~800 words
Summary: Prompt: write a snippet centered on your Sidestep’s HB scar—the feelings it triggers, its effects, a moment that worsens it or that soothes it, anything you like as long as their scar is the focus
Sidestep gets lost in introspection where she used to be comforted. Ricardo and Argent sooth her.
(2/19/22) (Read on Tumblr) (Read on AO3)
Never tell
Pairing: Ricardo Ortega/Sidestep
Rating: G, slightly angsty fluff. ~350 words
Summary: Prompt: "Were you ever going to tell me?"
Ortega asks Sidestep about their tattoos.
(3/19/23) (Read on Tumblr) (Read on AO3)
Dog’s eye view
Pairing: Chen & Spoon & Sidestep
Rating: G for dog time
Summary: Prompt: Write a piece about your step from the perspective of Spoon
Spoon and Chen meet Sidestep at the dog park.
(3/19/22) (Read on Tumblr) (Read on AO3)
Sleepy kisses
Pairing: Ricardo Ortega/Sidestep/Lady Argent
Rating: G for saccharine fluff. ~300 words
Summary: Prompt: soft kisses while cuddling in bed
(08/07/21) (Read on Tumblr) (Read on AO3)
Naming conventions
Pairing: Ricardo Ortega/Sidestep/Lady Argent
Rating: G for saccharine fluff, lil canon typical Steppy depression. ~500 words
Summary: Argent wants to know why Sidestep chose what she did for her name.
(11/11/21) (Read on Tumblr) (Read on AO3)
Stale memories
Pairing: Sidestep & Chen
Rating: T for alcohol, hangovers. ~600 words
Summary: Prompt: Speech prompts, “You’re warm.”
Sidestep celebrates an anniversary and goes a little overboard. Chen kept her from getting into trouble.
(06/25/22) (Read on Tumblr) (Read on AO3)
Trapped
Pairing: Ricardo Ortega/Sidestep/(hinted) Lady Argent
Rating: T for panic attack, PTSD. ~1k words
Summary: Prompt: pairing of your choice gets stuck in an elevator together for hours.
The power goes out when Sidestep and Ortega are on an elevator. Sidestep doesn’t handle it well.
(4/7/22) (Read on Tumblr) (Read on AO3)
Short and Sweet (Ortega)
Pairing: Ricardo Ortega/Sidestep
Rating: G for fluff. ~200 words
Summary: Prompt: Write a short, affectionate interaction between your Sidestep and someone they like. Challenge: 30 min/10 sentences
Ortega and Sidestep talk about some of Sidestep’s scars.
(11/20/21) (Read on Tumblr) (Read on AO3)
Short and Sweet (Argent)
Pairing: Lady Argent/Sidestep
Rating: G for fluff. ~200 words
Summary: Prompt: Write a short, affectionate interaction between your Sidestep and someone they like. Challenge: 30 min/10 sentences
Sidestep and Argent have some fun baking cupcakes.
(11/20/21) (Read on Tumblr) (Read on AO3)
Short and Sweet (Chen)
Pairing: Chen & Sidestep
Rating: G for fluff. ~150 words
Summary: Prompt: Write a short, affectionate interaction between your Sidestep and someone they like. Challenge: 30 min/10 sentences
Chen and Sidestep have a little talk at the dog park.
(1/31/22) (Read on Tumblr) (Read on AO3)
Dragged down, pulled up
Pairing: Ricardo Ortega/Sidestep
Rating: T for nightmare imagery/dissociation/self-harm, ~1k words
Summary: Sidestep dissociates after a nightmare. Ortega helps her back to herself.
(12/28/21) (Read on Tumblr) (Read on AO3)
Nightmares (Ortega)
Pairing: Ricardo Ortega/Sidestep
Rating: TW for death, suicide, blood, violence, general mindfuckery/unreality , ~600 words
Summary: Prompt: Write a nightmare… from the perspective of your Sidestep’s RO, that includes Sidestep somehow
Ricardo has a rough night.
(06/01/22) (Read on Tumblr) (Read on AO3)
Nightmares (Argent)
Pairing: Lady Argent/Sidestep
Rating: TW for death, suicide, blood, violence, kinda cannibalism. ~400 words
Summary: Prompt: Write a nightmare… from the perspective of your Sidestep’s RO, that includes Sidestep somehow
Argent has a rough night.
(04/07/22, pub 04/17/23) (Read on Tumblr) (Read on AO3)
Affections
Pairing: Ricardo Ortega/Sidestep/Lady Argent
Rating: G for extreme fluff. ~600 words
Summary: Prompt: Write your Sidestep showing affection to someone. Physical, mental (if receptive lol), gifts, whatever.
Sidestep takes care of Ortega with Lady Argent’s help, and then takes care of her too.
(1/16/22) (Read on Tumblr) (Read on AO3)
Angry
Pairing: Lady Argent/Sidestep
Rating: G for everyone. ~500 words
Summary: Hero/Villain prompts: “I know you. You’re me.”
Sidestep and Argent have a little chat.
(05/27/22) (Read on Tumblr) (Read on AO3)
No rest for the wicked
Pairing: Ricardo Ortega/Sidestep
Rating: G for everyone. ~700 words. Ortega POV
Summary: Ortega tries to get Sidestep to open up about how tired she looks. It goes as well as expected.
(02/21/23) (Read on Tumblr) (Read on AO3)
Empty graves
Pairing: Lady Argent/Sidestep
Rating: T for some suicide ideation. ~400 words
Summary: Just a little rumination about one of Sidestep’s and Argent’s parallels.
(05/27/22) (Read on Tumblr) (Read on AO3)
Naptime
Pairing: Ricardo Ortega/Sidestep
Rating: G for everyone, fluff. ~700 words
Summary: Ortega gets his insomniac girlfriend to get some sleep.
(09/18/22) (Read on Tumblr) (Read on AO3)
Unexpectedly Attached
Pairing: Lady Argent/Sidestep
Rating: T for injury treatment/blood. ~350 words
Summary: Villain/Hero prompts: ❛ truth is, i didn’t expect to get this attached to you. ❜ for Riley and argent?
Sidestep pays a visit to Argent after getting wounded in a fight.
(11/22/21) (Read on Tumblr) (Read on AO3)
Friendly sparring
Pairing: Lady Argent/Sidestep
Rating: T for suggestiveness lol. ~2k words
Summary: Lady Argent invites Sidestep to HQ late one night to do some sparring. Things heat up pretty quickly in more ways than one.
(12/30/22) (Read on Tumblr) (Read on AO3)
Movie Magic
Pairing: Ricardo Ortega/Sidestep/(minor) Lady Argent
Rating: G for fluffy times ~350 words
Summary: Prompt: Write a plot summary or a scene based on the concept of your step and their ro in a Hallmark esque holiday romance movie plot
Sidestep and Ortega discuss Hallmark movies.
(12/9/21) (Read on Tumblr) (Read on AO3)
Blood on the floor
Pairing: Lady Argent/Sidestep
Rating: T for blood, violence ~650 words
Summary: Prompt: Halloween randomized prompt, I took “Argent” and “blood on the floor”
Argent answers Riley’s call for help and finds a very gruesome scene at her base.
(10/15/22) (Read on Tumblr) (Read on AO3)
Dessert for two
Pairing: Ricardo Ortega/Sidestep/Lady Argent
Rating: EXPLICIT, 18+, references past sexual trauma, Retribution spoilers. ~2.5k words
Summary: Dessert is missing from lunch until Sidestep is revealed to be on the menu.
(06/15/21) (Read on Tumblr) (Read on AO3)
The first scar
Pairing: Ricardo Ortega/Sidestep
Rating: T for blood, self-harm, suicide imagery. ~1.2k words
Summary: Sidestep lets Ortega ask her about a very old scar and reveals some details about her first escape from the Farm.
(1/23/22) (Read on Tumblr) (Read on AO3)
Then and now
Pairing: Ricardo Ortega/Sidestep/Lady Argent
Rating: G for everyone, fluff. ~400 words
Summary: Watching Sidestep sleep, Ortega notices some things that don’t change
(10/22/22) (Read on Tumblr) (Read on AO3)
Unnamed Ficlet
Pairing: Ricardo Ortega/Sidestep
Rating: T for death talk. ~300 words
Summary: A painful hypothetical about if Ortega came for Sidestep at the Farm.
(10/13/21) (Read on Tumblr) (Read on AO3)
Home
Pairing: Ricardo Ortega/Sidestep
Rating: G for everyone. ~300 words
Summary: Ortega finds Sidestep in his kitchen in the middle of the night.
(07/02/22) (Read on Tumblr) (Read on AO3)
Who’s side?
Pairing: Ricardo Ortega/Sidestep/Lady Argent
Rating: T for some heavier family stuff and what not lol. ~1k words
Summary: @sidestepping‘s fic “The Heist” first to put this one into context lol. Riley really only needs rescuing from the machinations of her own web spinning.
(12/22/22) (Read on Tumblr) (Read on AO3)
FOR FUNSIES (NOT CANON FOR RILEY)
Left behind
Pairing: Chen & Sidestep
Rating: T for dissociation, PTSD
Summary: Prompt: write your Sidestep through a scene / variable / tag you’re excited about but that they do not get in their canon run
Rewrite of Chen date after the auction.
(05/07/23) (Read on Tumblr) (Read on AO3)
Sidestep Multiverse
Pairing: Ricardo Ortega/Sidestep/Lady Argent, Herald/Sidestep
Rating: G for everyone. ~600 words
Summary: Write a short interaction between your Sidestep… and someone else’s Sidestep! Or between two of yours if you prefer. BONUS CHALLENGE: drop hints about each of their vice or preferred swear word for personality. (Featuring @gingerbreton ‘s Lila in Rileyverse)
Everyone goes out for coffee.
(05/19/22) (Read on Tumblr)
Villain Reveal Hypotheticals
Pulling your punches
Pairing: Ricardo Ortega/Sidestep
Rating: T for fighting/violence. ~650 words
Summary: Prompt: Hero/Villain starter: "You're pulling your punches."
Sidestep accidentally reveals herself with her big dumb mouth.
(11/24/21) (Read on Tumblr) (Read on AO3)
Too far gone
Pairing: Ricardo Ortega/Sidestep/Lady Argent
Rating: T for fighting/violence. ~550 words
Summary: Prompt: "Stop! Please, stop! You’re going to kill her!"
Sidestep goes too far with her villainy and Ortega tries to take her out.
(01/10/22) (Read on Tumblr) (Read on AO3)
Caught
Pairing: Ricardo Ortega/Sidestep/ (hinted) Lady Argent
Rating: T for canon-typical angst. ~600 words
Summary: Prompt: 14. “Take this, you look like shit.”, E. Memory, X. Put your character in a situation they can’t get out of easily
Sidestep wakes up in Ortega’s care after he beats her and the jig is up.
(05/05/22) (Read on Tumblr) (Read on AO3)
Caught part 2
Pairing: Ricardo Ortega/Sidestep
Rating: T for canon-typical angst. ~600 words
Summary: Prompt: 'Look me in the eye and tell me that - I dare you'
Ortega demands to know why Sidestep turned to villainy. Continuation of Caught.
(08/08/22) (Read on Tumblr) (Read on AO3)
GIFT FIC
Spring thaw
Pairing: Daniel Sullivan/Sidestep (Lila Becker)
Rating: G for fluffy times, ~600 words
Summary: Sidestep reflects on her relationship with Danny in the middle of the night after their date. (for gingerbreton)
(01/2/22) (Read on Tumblr) (Read on AO3)
ortega voice "sidestep is the most bitchy and secretive man I've ever met in my life. argent is the most temperamental and aloof woman I've ever met in my life. I'm going to marry them both"
FHR Prompt: Phone games
Characters: Sidestep, Hollow Ground, Ortega
Contains: Canon typical people meddling in Sidestep's life
Word Count: ~650
Summary: Text prompt from @camillathe6th "[ TXT ] : what are you doing that's more important than me?"
“Hey, you wanna come over tonight?”
Ortega… of course. You grimace as you stare at the screen, already away from home for the evening. He doesn’t know where you are, right? No, he couldn’t. He was supposed to be working today. He probably just got home. Sipping your rum and coke, you ponder a response, debating just how much information you can safely give him to shut down the digging when you decline. You can't just say no and leave it at that. He'll be baiting you until he’s satisfied, and that could take all night.
“I can't, already got plans.”
You flip the phone shut with a satisfying snap. Should you put it back on your belt or just leave it on the table? You know Ortega isn't done with you yet.
“Is that… what even is that phone?”
Glancing up, you see Hollow Ground staring at your ancient flip phone with something akin to distaste and morbid curiosity. You massage your temples and sigh. Bad enough having Ortega judge your lifestyle, now her too? If you told him how similar she is to him, it might give him an aneurysm.
“A safe one," you grunt as the phone vibrates again in your hand, and you flip it open, staring at the dim screen. “No GPS or any of that other tracking shit."
“What are you doing that's more important than me? □□”
Your phone is too old to pick up emoticons, but you can guess what's supposed to be there. You can’t say Argent, because she won’t lie for you about things like this. She might even already be with him. A terrible fleeting thought of throwing back “your mother's butt” crosses your mind. You quash that and silently apologize to Tía Elena, considering other options.
“It's so… “ Hollow Ground looks like she's chewing on glass as she mulls it over, trying not to offend you too badly, “... antique.”
“Mhmmm," you hum, pecking out your response.
“You know, I can get you a better safe phone," she offers, because of course she does. You see her wrinkling her nose out of the corner of your eye as you tap out a response on the number pad. “I have a supplier.”
Despite your fervent attempts to compartmentalize her place in your life, she continues to try breaking out of it to “make things better” for you. Just like Ortega used to back in the day. Still does, really. Maybe you should give her an aneurysm too.
“You were just too slow on the draw, old man. You're not the only person I socialize with.”
“I like this phone,” you finally answer her. Argent's already made you the same offer, and you turned her down too. You'd be screwed if either of them changes their mind about you. “It does phone things. I get the emergency alerts. I don't need a better phone.”
“As you like," she sighs, but you see her lips twitch with a smile like you've done something expected. Thankfully, your phone buzzes again, and you can look away.
“Tomorrow, then?”
Oh, good, he takes hints today. “Yeah. Let me know when you escape work.”
“You got it. Tell your friend I say hi! □”
You snap the phone shut with finality this time and clip it back to your belt. “Charge says hi!” you say brightly, just as she sips her drink.
She chokes on her vodka, glaring at you as she coughs it out. You give her an innocent smile as you sip your own drink.
“You really are playing a dangerous game there," she mutters once recovered, wiping her mouth with one of her fancy cloth napkins.
“We’re not here to discuss my sex life," you say with a shrug, because you know, but you aren't here for that. Time to get down to business. She can worry about your outdated phone later and questionable affairs later. “What can you tell me about the LD chief of police?”
