#m|m romance

[theartofblossoming]

Fluffy February 2022: Week 1

"Domestic Bliss"

@fluffyfebruary

Vin and Mac enjoy some couple time at Homeplate. You should try Vin's deviled eggs on razorgrain flatbread with black bloodleaf and carrotflower salad!

Yes, this is an entirely self-indulgent piece of my favourite husbeard and hustache couple, Vincent (Nobody calls me 'Nate' anymore) Hudson-MacCready and RJ ('don't call me Robert') MacCready-Hudson.

[dkafterdark]

*I received an eARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Cover image and summary from Goodreads*

He’s in it to win it until he falls under his neighbor’s spell.

Bram Larkspur’s rugged, sexy looks belie his fear of all things horrifying. But as Casper Road’s newest resident, he’s excited to join the annual Halloween decorating contest. The competition is keen, especially from six-time champion, architect Zachary Glass. But when enigmatic Zachary sparks a prank war, it’s game on – until one sizzling kiss turns these rivals into allies. Now only one thing scares Bram: how quickly he’s losing his heart to Zachary.

The Rivals of Casper Road is a light, mostly fluffy read that's perfect for a cozy autumn day (or for when it's the middle of summer and you wish it was autumn!). It's full of Halloween decorating, friendly rivalry and pranks, outings in the idyllic town of Garnet Run, and reuniting with well-loved characters from the other books in the series. While I did enjoy reading it, I thought it lacked the depth I've come to expect from the author. Both Bram and Zachary have been through some pretty intense experiences, and even as they deal with the aftermath of what happened, it felt like the narrative didn't dig much deeper than the superficial. I felt the same about the more steamy scenes between them, like they were kept short and didn't delve into all the feels. Overall, I was left wanting more. It's still a sweet romance with Roan Parrish's classic love of the holidays and unique characters (I love you, Bramble Larkspur!). I also liked getting a peek into how things are going for the other queer characters in the Garnet Run world. If you want autumnal vibes and an opposites attract, next door neighbors story, take a stroll down Casper Road with Bram and Zachary.

[Side note: Idk if the change in the storytelling reflects the stories coming from Harlequin? Is it to fit with the brand?? At any rate, the cover is cute but doesn't match up with either dude's personality! Tho the models are pretty close to looking like Zachary and Bram]

Pub date: September 27, 2022

[midnightventures]

i’m here to say pls pls go watch the show young royals, it’s just so beautiful and i absolutely NEED it to get renewed for another season. so pls

[theartofblossoming]

14. Caring for Them Whilst Sick

@fluffyfebruary

The bright sun bounced off the newly glazed window and Vin's hammer missed its mark. "Dangit!"

"Thumb's got nails but they ain't the target, boss!" Sturges chuckled, shouting up to the roof where the Sentinel General of the Minutemen of Steel and Sanctuary handyman knelt.

"Missed my thumb, Greasecat. Anyway, I wa'nt aiming for a nail. This turret base got bent outta shape. It ain't turnin' right."

MacCready came sauntering up the road, lifting a hand to shade his eyes despite the brim of his hat trying to do its job. "Sun's getting low, Vin. You going to be much longer?"

The hammering beat several more times. "Just gotta straighten duh.. turresss need… ow! Mother o'… monkey cymbals!"

"You okay boss?" queried Sturges, moseying over.

MacCready quickened his pace and looked his husband in the eyes. "Oh, no. Hammer down, Thor. Get yourself off that roof, I got the ladder steady."

"What's up, Mac?" Sturges asked but Vin answered:

"Migraine."

"Aww hell. Alrighty, lemme take over. I'll get this thing doin' the twist afore sunset, don't you worry. Go plant that carrot top on a cushion."

"Alright, alright, both o' you. I'm goin'," Vin grumbled.

Vincent descended the ladder, MacCready's worry lines making mini rungs of their own. He pulled his patrolman shades out of the top pocket of the green mechanic's jumpsuit he was wearing and put them on.

"Yeaaah…maybe shoulda been wearing those already, bright spark." Mac scolded gently as he put an arm around him to steer him home. He knew that his husband's green eyes were sensitive to bright light.

As they neared the house, Duncan stood and dusted soil off his hands. "Hey Dad, hey Pop, you okay?"

Mac pointed to his head and screwed his face up to avoid shouting. Dunc got the message. "Want me to make supper?" he asked quietly.

"Give it an hour, son. Go do something quiet. Shaun around?'

"In the basement with Kas."

"Well, we're not gonna hear anything out of them for a while."

Vincent grunted as a sharp pain stabbed behind his eyes.

"Need a Med-X, love?"

"Nah, give it an hour, see if it goes on its own."

Mac got him through the door, pulled the drapes closed in the living room and made sure his husband had a pillow. Duncan emerged from the kitchen with a glass of purified water and a "Feel better soon, Poppa!"

"Good boy," praised his dad. "Hey, look in my pack. I found a new comic for you."

Duncan's face lit up and he scampered off as quietly as pre-teen can muster.

Mac turned to Vin. "Alright, Huggybear, how can I make you feel better?"

"Sit with me?"

Mac snuggled onto one end of the couch, putting the pillow on his chest so Vin could lay back onto him. He ran his long fingers gently through Vincent's floppy, auburn hair, eliciting a long sigh.

"Did you always get these headaches, darling?" Mac asked tenderly.

The term of endearment made Vin smile. It was a word that he only heard in their most intimate, private moments, a word never to be made fun of. MacCready must be really worried, Vincent thought.

"Anchorage," he said. Mac knew the war story. What Vincent had been through even just before the Great War was enough to land anyone with a lifelong headache. "Cryo maded worsse," he slurred. It was usually a bad one when it messed with his speech, too.

"Shh, just rest. Try and sleep, Bear."

Vin filled his broad lungs and sighed out slowly. He was quiet for a few moments, the only sound being the few songbirds who had somehow survived the bombs and now thrived in very few places. They sang to accompany the sun's retreat.

"Sing to me, Bun?"

"If it won't aggravate your headache…"

"Softly. Be fine. Sing that one I love, that one Ricky taught you."

MacCready smiled sadly and stroked Vin's moustache with the back of his finger. He sipped a little water from Vin's glass and began, his gentle, pitch-perfect voice reverberating soothingly through Vincent's back.

"I see trees of green

Red roses too

I see them bloom

For me and you

And I think to myself.."

Vin, eyes closed, quietly harmonised in his deep voice,

"What a wonderful world."