Because some of you don't know how to pace yourselves—no, of course, Logan I'd never say that about you—Mondays and Wednesdays are "off." I've also sprinkled in a few 'self-care' days because everyone needs a break sometimes, honey.
Gloves off: that's no lie.
The prompts are divided into three groups: the lies we are told, the lies we tell others, and the lies we tell ourselves. It is no accident the third group is the largest.
Many of these prompts are rather… heavy. Take on the ones that serve you and leave the rest behind.
Lies We Are Told
Thursday, Jan. 1: You're too much.
Friday, Jan. 2: You're not enough.
Saturday, Jan. 3: I love you.
Sunday, Jan. 4: You can trust me.
Lies We Tell Others
Monday, Jan. 5: Day off
Tuesday, Jan. 6: I'm fine.
Wednesday, Jan. 7: Day off
Thursday, Jan. 8: I love you.
Friday, Jan. 9: I don't love you.
Saturday, Jan. 10: Self-care day
Sunday, Jan. 11: He meant nothing to me.
Monday, Jan. 12: Day off
Tuesday, Jan. 13: Everything will be okay.
Wednesday, Jan. 14: Day off
Thursday, Jan. 15: This is a disaster!
Lies We Tell Ourselves
Friday, Jan. 16: I'll start tomorrow.
Saturday, Jan. 17: Self-care day
Sunday, Jan. 18: I need to fix this on my own.
Monday, Jan. 19: Day off
Tuesday, Jan. 20: He means nothing to me.
Wednesday, Jan. 21: Day off
Thursday, Jan. 22: I'm too broken to fix.
Friday, Jan. 23: Catch up day
Saturday, Jan. 24: It's my job to make everyone happy.
Sunday, Jan. 25: Love is for people who don't know any better.
Monday, Jan. 26: Day off
Tuesday, Jan. 27: I can quit anytime I want.
Wednesday, Jan. 28: Day off
Thursday, Jan. 29: If people knew the real me, they'd leave.
Friday, Jan. 30: I'm the only one I can count on.
Saturday, Jan. 31: Loving me is rotten work.
Bonus Prompt:
The prompt list will go up in the beginning of November :-P
@tsseventhub and @sanders-sides-events and all, please help us spread the word!
December/Jan: Sanders Sides Gift Exchange (@sanderssidesgiftxchange) | sign-up in the Fall
December 7 - 13: Moceitweek (@moceitweek)
December 13 - 19: Virgil Week (@darksideweeks)
*Darksideweeks noted they will run Dukeceitweek only if the original host doesn't want to run it in 2026.
The count down has begun! Less than 24 hours left to sign up for Camp Cartoon: Dynamic Duos! We won’t be able to take any more campers after March 28th at Midnight EDT!
Join us in this exciting collaborative writing gift event!!
Welcome, welcome, welcome! I'm just pleased as punch you're joining us for Camp Cartoon! Give this form a looksie and fill it out before Mar
We promised more details about this year's Camp Cartoon and we're just pleased as punch to announce the 2026 Theme:
Dynamic Duos!
Camp Cartoon will be open for sign-ups from March 15 - March 28. The event starts on April 1 and will run for six weeks, through May 15.
For this year's event, each camper will be paired up with another teammate to complete two prompts together. Teamwork really does make the dream work this year and we're excited to see what you all create!
When you sign up, you'll submit one prompt, along with info on what kind of stories you like to write (and what you can't write.) We'll use that to pair you up with your writing partner. Each team will get two prompts to write together over the course of the six week event.
Teams should aim for around 2.5k - 12k words for each story.
Below is what you can expect to see on the sign-up form. Please read through and let us know if anything doesn't make sense! We love questions, so send 'em our way!
Example sign up form. The actual form will be released on March 15th when sign-ups open.
Your Prompt (What a team will write for you):
Main character(s):
Primary relationship(s):
[please indicate if you prefer romantic, platonic, familial, or any]
Prompt in eight words or less: [examples: The Sides go to the beach. Logan and Remus make a discovery. Canonverse DRLAMP soulmates.]
Icks and Triggers: What do you NOT want to read in your story? (examples: no major character death, no u!Sides, no violence, etc.)
What You Write:
Important note: This is an all-ages event. Therefore all stories must be rated either General or Teen and cannot include or reference underage sex or incestuous relationships.
Characters, relationships, settings, tropes, etc. you especially like to write:
Characters, relationships, settings, tropes, etc. you CANNOT write:
Anything else we should know when matching you with a teammate?
---
@tsseventhub, @sanders-sides-events, and Fanders everywhere, can you help us spread the word?
This would involve creating nine distinct but matching pieces to represent the events of each chapter. I am looking for a style that is complimentary to the chapter header art at the beginning of each chapter on AO3.
I am looking for an artist who would be able to draw the thumbnails for the Syzygy Podfic Project!
Budget for this project is $500, paid in installments as the thumbnails are completed.
Please use the form below to submit your portfolio and the best way to contact you!
This would involve creating nine distinct but matching pieces to represent the events of each chapter. I am looking for a style that is complimentary to the chapter header art at the beginning of each chapter on AO3.
I am looking for an artist who would be able to draw the thumbnails for the Syzygy Podfic Project!
Budget for this project is $500, paid in installments as the thumbnails are completed.
Please use the form below to submit your portfolio and the best way to contact you!
This would involve creating nine distinct but matching pieces to represent the events of each chapter. I am looking for a style that is complimentary to the chapter header art at the beginning of each chapter on AO3.
I am looking for an artist who would be able to draw the thumbnails for the Syzygy Podfic Project!
Budget for this project is $500, paid in installments as the thumbnails are completed.
Please use the form below to submit your portfolio and the best way to contact you!
Because some of you don't know how to pace yourselves—no, of course, Logan I'd never say that about you—Mondays and Wednesdays are "off." I've also sprinkled in a few 'self-care' days because everyone needs a break sometimes, honey.
Gloves off: that's no lie.
The prompts are divided into three groups: the lies we are told, the lies we tell others, and the lies we tell ourselves. It is no accident the third group is the largest.
Many of these prompts are rather… heavy. Take on the ones that serve you and leave the rest behind.
Lies We Are Told
Thursday, Jan. 1: You're too much.
Friday, Jan. 2: You're not enough.
Saturday, Jan. 3: I love you.
Sunday, Jan. 4: You can trust me.
Lies We Tell Others
Monday, Jan. 5: Day off
Tuesday, Jan. 6: I'm fine.
Wednesday, Jan. 7: Day off
Thursday, Jan. 8: I love you.
Friday, Jan. 9: I don't love you.
Saturday, Jan. 10: Self-care day
Sunday, Jan. 11: He meant nothing to me.
Monday, Jan. 12: Day off
Tuesday, Jan. 13: Everything will be okay.
Wednesday, Jan. 14: Day off
Thursday, Jan. 15: This is a disaster!
Lies We Tell Ourselves
Friday, Jan. 16: I'll start tomorrow.
Saturday, Jan. 17: Self-care day
Sunday, Jan. 18: I need to fix this on my own.
Monday, Jan. 19: Day off
Tuesday, Jan. 20: He means nothing to me.
Wednesday, Jan. 21: Day off
Thursday, Jan. 22: I'm too broken to fix.
Friday, Jan. 23: Catch up day
Saturday, Jan. 24: It's my job to make everyone happy.
Sunday, Jan. 25: Love is for people who don't know any better.
Monday, Jan. 26: Day off
Tuesday, Jan. 27: I can quit anytime I want.
Wednesday, Jan. 28: Day off
Thursday, Jan. 29: If people knew the real me, they'd leave.
Friday, Jan. 30: I'm the only one I can count on.
Saturday, Jan. 31: Loving me is rotten work.
Bonus Prompt:
The prompt list will go up in the beginning of November :-P
@tsseventhub and @sanders-sides-events and all, please help us spread the word!
Roman doesn't have much luck with relationships, being as rich as he is. When he meets Janus, he thinks he's struck gold.
Janus is cruel, cold and manipulative. He's an actor, he's smart, he trusts no-one. He was supposed to be manipulating Roman Prince for the money and political influene his inheritance would hold, so how exactly did he end up falling for him instead?
----
| Ao3 | Masterpost | Next -> |
----
Warnings: manipulation/bad relationship
Pairings: Future Roceit (Roman/OC antagonist in this chapter)
Notes:
Hello! This fic is part of New Year New Lies byy @tsspromptmonth! I was originally going to post each part of this separately (and not on Tumblr) to keep the series chronological, but I realised that the first two parts didn't really work as individual fics and I wasn't sure if people would click on them without the promise of the rest of the fic (I absolutely love them, to be clear, they're just very much not standalone.)
Check back in tomorrow for the second part! The days the chapters will be posted are listed in masterpost and ao3 summary! <3
---
"Roman, I... I think I love you."Â
Roman's heart stopped, face heating up as his boyfriend looked at him shyly from across the table. An admission of love... He hadn't expected it, of course he hadn't. He'd only been on a few dates with this guy - they'd only become official on their last date. Roman was just a little taken aback. It was true that he hadn't really dated much before. His family expected him to take what they wanted for him - a marriage for money from a different family like his. Roman was expected to continue their family line, his traditional parents and even more traditional grandparents wanted to arrange a marriage for him, but in this modern world? That wasn't Roman's style.
He did feel a little bad sneaking around behind his family's backs, but it wasn't far that they expected him to be exactly what they wanted! He was gay, for one, and he didn't care about marrying for money. His family had more than enough to set him and whoever he ended up with a comfortable life.Â
Dating like a normal person had always allured him, and even though Roman knew he was somewhat naive, he couldn't wait to throw himself into the fray once he was old enough to do so! He'd been through a few failures of relationships so far, but as far as Roman could tell via the internet that didn't make him an awful person. He just had to keep trying. He had a lot of love to share, and even if things didn't always work out, he had to reassure himself that everything would continue to be okay regardless.Â
Which brings him back to the present. He did really like this guy! Of course he did, or he wouldn't have said yes when he'd been asked out after their movie date last weekend. But did he love him? According to movies, he was supposed to say it back, maybe make a grand gesture like pulling him into a dip and kissing him! But... did Roman love him?
Well, no matter, he was in too deep now.
"Oh my goodness!" Roman gasped, hands flying to cover his mouth in a gasp, "I... I love you too, I... wow..."
His partner laughed, sounding giddy to Roman's ears, and Roman smiled brightly in return. Maybe if he said it enough times then he'd forget the odd sense of wrongness that settled in his gut as they parted for the evening.
----
"Sir, are you sure this is a good idea?" Logan - the personal assistant Roman's parents had hired for him when he turned eighteen - asked, "I know I booked your reservation, but... apologies if this is out of line, but I have doubts about your date's... intentions."
"What do you mean, Logan?" Roman said, holding up two shirts and frowning as he looked between them. In the end he chose the red one with the golden buttons and embroidery. They were to be having dinner at a fancy restaurant, and Roman had bought a ring for his boyfriend too, a token of his love of course.Â
"I just mean... your boyfriend is not..." Logan frowned, "Allow me a moment to collect my thoughts."
"Of course," Roman nodded. Logan had always been more like a friend to him than a staff member. Of course, he dealt with a lot of the arrangements for things Roman wanted to do, his budget, hks calneder - all of those things Roman wasn't particularly good at. But Logan really was more of a friend to Roman than anything else.Â
In the time Logan was silent, Roman was able to pick out a belt and a pair of whtie dress trousers to go with the shirt.Â
"As someone with your status... you must be aware that there are people out there who would do a lot of things to... gain access to your..." Logan waves his hand, "Assets."
"Is that not the point?" Roman raised an eyebrow.
"You have expressed an interest in dating for love," Logan said, "I don't know all that much about love, so I cannot advise you on yours or his own feelings, but I can tell you how this looks from the perspecitve of someone from a similar background to your romantic partner."
"Which is?" Roman asked, putting down the earrings he was attempting to decide between to give Logan his full attention. Logan stood a little straighter.
"I.. am not sure he's truly interested in you as a person-"
"Then why-"
"Your money, Roman," Logan sighed, "He is dating for you for access to your extensive bank account. this only becomes more evident the more dates you go on. Has he done anything for you?"
"He doesn't need to! I-"
"I'm aware you are rather noble and honourable, Roman," Logan interrupted - something no other member of staff would do, but Logan was Roman's friend, so he allowed it, "But relationships go both ways, even though you have the means to take your dates to expensive places and give expensive presents does not mean that he should not be doing anything in return. Even if that is not monetary - or expensive. Has he bought your flowers? Arranged a date? Texted first whatsoever?"
"Well of course- I mean, yes! Our first date - he suggested the carnival-" Roman pointed out, Logan raised an eyebrow, "But... I suppose that was before he knew who my family were..."
"As much as the internet is a blessing for providing easy connections with potential dates - I fear it also allows said dates to google you and find out exactly how rich and influential you are... which unfortunately leads to you being pursued by... not so well intentioned people."
Roman picked up the velvet lined box with the ring he'd bought from his dresser. It was someowhat simple but elegent - his boyfriend had mentioned not liking super gaudy jewellry - with a small orange stone embedded into it. It was pretty, Roman thought. Oh well.
"Cancel the reservations," Roman decided eventually.
"Yes?"
"Yes," Roman nodded, "I'm going to take him to a diner instead - one of those greasy places, and I'll get a bunch of flowers on the way to picking him up-"
"Would you like me to tellt he chauffur-?"
"No- no-" Roman shook his head, "Aha! Would it be awkward if you were to give us a lift?"
"Me, sir? I couldn't drive your family's cars-"
"You have your own, don't you?"
"You want me to drive you and your date to a greasy diner in my beaten up Honda Civic?" Logan asked, deadpan, staring at Roman like he had grown a second head.
"Yes! And to a supermarket to grab a boquet," Roman nodded.
"What about the one you ordered from the florist?"
"Have them put it on my windowsill, I think it'll look rather nice there."
Logan looked astounded, but he nodded anyway, and then spoke again, almost hesitant, "Anything else...?"
"No... actually, yes! Do you have a change of clothes?" Roman asked, grinning, "Something at least a little more casual than that lovely suit? I want you to just look like my friend."
"I... have a change of clothes in my car, yes."
"Amazing! I'll owe you bigtime for this, Logan, thank you so much."
----
Roman had explained his plan to Logan on the way to the diner, a bunch of supermarket roses and chrysanthemums in his arms. He didn't like how tacky they looked, but that was the point, really. They had only been $15, and Logan had said he could even get cheaper ones for this plan, but Roman couldn't bring himself to get one of the tiny sad bouquets no matter what his plan was.Â
He wanted to see how his date would react. No expensive gift, just a greasy dinner and some flowers. Roman would ask to split the bill at the end. He hoped he'd find out his boyfriend's true feelings here, after making a habit of taking him on expensive dates with expensive gifts presented at the beginning of them. Maybe he wasn't so silly in feeling a little wrong about the confession after all.
Roman wondered if maybe this would be a nice change of pace for him too.
"If... if you do turn out to be right," Roman says nervously as they wait in the car outside of his boyfriend's apartment building, "What then?"
"Then I suppose you break it off, yes?"
"I suppose so..." Roman sighed, "If it does end bad... do you wanna go get ice cream?"
"If it'll make you feel better sir."
"You can't call me sir when he gets here," Roman huffed, before gasping and opening the car door to jump out and wave, "I see him!"
Roman waved, and his boyfriend noticed him a second later. There was momentary confusion in his expression before he smiled brightly and jogged over. He'd dressed up for this, in a white button down rolled up at the elbows and dress pants.Â
"Hey Ro... uh- what's this?"
"I got you flowers!" Roman said excitedly, he'd always been an actor, and now that Logan had told him what might be happening, he paid attention to his boyfriend's expression, "I hope they're alright, it was a little last might so they're only supermarket ones..."
"Of course that's fine," his boyfriend said as he took them, looking over them with the slightest twinge in his eyebrow. That didn't mean anything though, did it?
"Well! Anyway! I got us a lift with my friend Logan, he's going to drive us to the place we'll be getting dinner," Roman explained as he opened the back door of the car for his date.Â
Awkward greetings were shared between Logan and Roman's boyfriend were exchanged before they were on their way. Things were a little tense in the back of the car, and when Roman went to take his boyfriend's hand the tension only escalated.Â
"Everything okay?" Roman asked softly, looking over at his boyfirned. If it did turn out that everything was okay - and even if it didn't - Roman wasn't going to be mean to him. He'd already told himself he wouldn't lash out no matter what the outcome of this would be.Â
"Huh? Oh, yeah, it's all good!" He said, plastering a smile across his face, "I was just wondering where we're going? This isn't exactly the fancy part of town.Â
"Oh - yes, plans changed just a little, I thought I'd messaged you," Roman said, rubbing the back of his head, "I couldn't get the reservations to the fancy restaurant after all - they were all booked out - so I asked Logan if he'd be willing to bring us out to one of the more local diners, so that we could still have our date?"
"Oh..." His boyfriend said, looking a little put out.
"We'll still get to spend the same time together!" Roman quickly assured, "I promise, it's not going to take away from us having a wondrous evening! Right?"
"I guess not," He said, frowning. Roman wondered if maybe it would. Â
----
"Thank you so much for the ride Logan," Roman said when they got out of the car, "It really does mean a lot."
"You're always welcome, Roman," Logan nodded, before leaning out of the window, "You're seeing what I'm seeing , yes?"
"Mhm," Roman nodded, "I'll text you when I need you."
"I'll be there," Logan agreed, before pulling away and letting Roman go.Â
Once inside the diner, Roman let his boyfriend pick out a booth and they sat down. He was snappy with the waiter, not like he'd been back on their other dates. Roman winced and ordered a milkshake with a burger and fries. He'd always wanted to try greasy diner food, so if nothing else, at least he was getting an experience out of this date.Â
The conversation was a little stilted, not flowing like it normally did, and Roman was starting to dread the end of the date - whatever that would be.Â
Slowly but surely the date progressed as awkwardly as before and they got to dessert. As much as Roman wanted something, he decided against it. He was pretty sure ice cream with Logan would be in order at this point after all.Â
"You... didn't bring me a gift today," His boyfriend said, slightly awkwardly. Roman tensed just a little.
"I brought you flowers?" Roman corrected, tilting his head, "Did you... want more?"Â
His date frowned, "Well I guess i was expecting... more, I guess? You keep bringing me such nice things, I guess I'm just sort of shocked - especially since you dragged me to this shitty diner instead of the nice place you promised, I'm sort of owed something, aren't I?"
"You didn't like it?" Roman asked, twisting his hands together, "I... had fun."
"At this nasty place?" He huffed, "I thought you were way more classy than that, what changed about you since our last date? It's like you're a whole different person-"
"Just because I have money doesn't mean I can't enjoy stuff that doesn't cost a lot of it," Roman said, baulking just a little, "Part of dating is getting new experiences! And this is that for me, is that so wrong?"
"It's just... not a really nice place for a date," He huffed, "Lets just pay and go, okay?"
"You mean I should pay, and then we should go our seperate ways, right?" Roman asked, staying where he was.
"What?"
"You want me to pay for this meal," Roman said, "And normally I would, providing for a partner is something that brings me joy, giving expensive gifts and experiences to someone who appreciates them.... that's something I really enjoy, But not when that's the only reason said person is here. I don't want to date someone who wants my money more than they want me."
"So you're acccusing me of being a gold digger?" His boyfriend - or, well, not really anymore huh? hissed.Â
"You've done nothing but complain this entire time," Roman pointed out, "All because I didn't end up taking you to a fancy expensive resteraunt. I would've thought a good partner would value any time spent with the person they loved, expensive resteraunt and gifts or not."
"I love you, Roman," He said, "I told you that!"
"Do you really love me?" Roman asked with a sigh, "Or do you just love my parents money."
He spluttered for a moment, before snarling at Roman and storming out. Roman sighed deeply and leant back into the booth seat. He prided himself on how level he had kept his voice that whole time, but his eyes were already welling up with tears before he'd even heard the door to the diner close. He supposed he'd be paying afterall.
Eventually, Roman shifted and picked up his phone, dialling Logan's number.Â
"So... you still on for some ice cream?"
----
| Masterpost | Next -> |
----
Taglist:
@full-of-roman-angst-trash @your-local-random-dino @cutebisexualmess @glacierruler @roseianxiety @bella-bugatti-frogetti-baguetti @scalesfeathersnfur @oatmealdaydrea ms @littlerat2 @goldnskyart @virgeandhis-pocket-protector @amateurmasksmith @sleepy-nova-tea @queer-and-fearful (if anyone wants to be added, let me know!)
Links will be added as I post.
The prompts are colour coded based on which ones are in a series together <3
Red is a little canonverse creativitwins story, Orange is a mafia boss Roceit AU, purple is a superhero AU adoption fic! The rest are either canonverse or offshoots of my preexisting aus <3
Lies We Are Told
Thursday, Jan. 1: You're too much.
Friday, Jan. 2: You're not enough.
Saturday, Jan. 3: I love you.
Sunday, Jan. 4: You can trust me.
Lies We Tell Others
Monday, Jan. 5: Day off
Tuesday, Jan. 6: I'm fine.
Wednesday, Jan. 7: Day off
Thursday, Jan. 8: I love you.
Friday, Jan. 9: I don't love you.
Saturday, Jan. 10: Self-care day
Sunday, Jan. 11: He meant nothing to me.
Monday, Jan. 12: Day off
Tuesday, Jan. 13: Everything will be okay.
Wednesday, Jan. 14: Day off
Thursday, Jan. 15: This is a disaster!
Lies We Tell Ourselves
Friday, Jan. 16: I'll start tomorrow.
Saturday, Jan. 17: Self-care day
Sunday, Jan. 18: I need to fix this on my own.
Monday, Jan. 19: Day off
Tuesday, Jan. 20: He means nothing to me.
Wednesday, Jan. 21: Day off
Thursday, Jan. 22: I'm too broken to fix.
Friday, Jan. 23: Catch up day
Saturday, Jan. 24: It's my job to make everyone happy.
Sunday, Jan. 25: Love is for people who don't know any better.
Monday, Jan. 26: Day off
Tuesday, Jan. 27: I can quit anytime I want.
Wednesday, Jan. 28: Day off
Thursday, Jan. 29: If people knew the real me, they'd leave.
Friday, Jan. 30: I'm the only one I can count on.
Saturday, Jan. 31: Loving me is rotten work.
I'm participating in new year new lies this year and I was wondering if there's an ao3 collection or anything of the sort we should put fics from the challenge into?
Or if it's just for us to do what we want with :3
Oh, delightful!
Please tag the blog on anything you create for this event and submit your works to the AO3 collection: new_year_new_lies
Looking for a special fic? Copy the links to your comments below and let us know what you'd like to read!
Menus are on the tss-camp-and-cof
Our Baristas are hard at work filling orders and will continue until the last drink is poured! The order form shuts down at the end of the day on Friday, November 28th, so if you've been on the fence, Babes, get your order in today!
To enjoy the bounty, check out the posts here on the blog or the AO3 Collection:
An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works
