Jane

1. ARRANGED DIVORCE AU

“What do you mean, I have to divorce Nicolò?”

Joe is staring at his mother as if she just sprouted a second head – which, frankly, would be less shocking than the words he just heard her utter.

“It’s not like the two of you have a particularly passionate marriage,” the Queen says delicately. “Listen, Yusuf, I know this comes as a surprise, but with your brother renouncing on the throne, you will become King someday.”

“And I can’t be married to Nicolò for that?” Yusuf interjects, and his mother sighs deeply.

“It’s not precisely, ah, impossible,” she says carefully, as if the word leaves a bad taste in her mouth, “but your prospects have suddenly become a lot better.”

2. BALLET AU

It’s been one of those days.

It would be easier if it hadn’t been one of those days for the last ten years, but alas. Being brown and Muslim is still enough to be singled out in the extremely closed ballet community, even though Joe’s been part of it for 25 years now. It doesn’t help either that every bloody dancer, choreographer, director, seamstress, donor and critic feels the need to throw in a quip about Yusuf’s start through a charity summer camp for inner city kids in Rotterdam.

3. CAMBOY AU

Joe doesn’t have the money to sign in to another session with ItalianStallion, he doesn’t. Being an artist is his dream and his joy, but it doesn’t leave much disposable income in the budget for online porn.

But ItalianStallion is worth eating ramen for the next week.

The thumbnail for tonight shows him on all fours, and much as Joe loves it when he is on his back, his legs hooked over some bars out of the camera frame, showing his impressive cock as he jerks himself off or fucks himself with his large fingers, he loves the man’s ass even more. God, the idea of sinking his cock into that tight hole alone is enough to get him hard.

So he gets out his long-suffering credit card and logs on.

4. CHANGELING AU

“Think carefully,” the fae hisses, baring long, sharp, bloody fangs. “One of these cribs holds your precious, innocent baby. The other… does not.”

It laughs, ugly and cruelly. It sounds like nails being dragged over smooth stone, and it feels like a thousand sharp knives are dancing over Susanna’s spine. There’s a bright, unnatural light coming from the lantern, but even in this light she cannot see any difference between the cribs, between the babies reaching out a stubby hand towards her, gurgling softly. Even the blanket the child was wrapped in, the one her grandmother embroidered with her rheumatic fingers, has been magicked to look exactly the same, blue violets around the yellowing edges.

5. WIBBIT AU

Nicky has known since he was a toddler that his prospects in life were not great. His father and mother loved each other very much, and as such Nicolò was blessed with eleven older siblings.

His mother taught him, as soon as he would understand, that Bartolomeo, as the oldest, would inherit the family fortune, Giuseppe would be sent to university, and there was money set aside for Fabrizio to start on his way to knighthood as a squire. Flavio and Angelo might be able to be provided with the tools to start an apprenticeship with a tradesman, and Matteo would have to be satisfied with the cheapest option possible: a sword and a career in the military. Whatever was left, would of course need to go to the girls, as a dowry.

6. SOULMATE TOWER AU

Joe doesn’t really know how long he has been in here. It has been years, decades maybe – but why would he keep track of the time?

Every day is the same, and though he has a few small windows, bolted shut, showing him the passing of the seasons, it means little to nothing to him.

He will likely not ever leave these rooms. He has everything – a bedroom, a kitchen, a bathroom with a huge tub, a desk, a studio, even a gym with a small pool. When he needed something – clothes, food, art supplies, a new computer – severely doctored to avoid contact with the outside world – it is brought to him within hours.  

7. KING+KNIGHT AU PT II

The oak doors close behind them.

On any other night, Yusuf would listen to the creak of them falling shut with a heavy heart, knowing Nicolò was on the other side of them – so close, and yet it might as well be the whole ocean between them, so vast the distance seemed.

But tonight, he is holding Nicolò’s hand in his, and Nicolò’s taste still lingers on his lips.

8. TAILOR AU

In the three years since Joe’s opened Cuppa, he never once stepped into the store next door.

It’s not that he has anything against it, really. It’s more that he doesn’t have much place in his life for a tailored three-piece suit. He likes to think he rocks his faded jeans and backwards cap just as well as any suit, and it’s more practical behind the counter of a coffee shop to boot. To be completely honest, Joe might be of the opinion nobody needs to drop hundreds of pounds on an outdated, boring fashion trend – but he wisely keeps it to himself as he steps through the tastefully decorated glass door.

A bell chimes delicately above his head, but nothing else happens. Joe stands around a bit awkwardly, looking at the racks of dull black jackets and trousers in front of him. He scoffs slightly. See, just wearisome, tedious, uninspiring clothes. No room for any personality or experimenting.

But he’s forced to reconsider when he ventures a bit further down.

9. EXES TO LOVERS AU

Joe’s only ever been dumped once.

He was nineteen, then, and his boyfriend was only sixteen, so it might have been for the best, but still, it still stings. He’d really imagined the two of them making it, ending up together, falling for each other over and over again. Nicolò had often called him an incurable romantic, back then, with his soft accent rounding the vowels. It was usually followed by a kiss, though, so Joe hadn’t minded too much. It wasn’t like it was untrue, anyway.

But Nicolò might not say it anymore, if he saw Joe now. Dating casually, never too long. No promises, no expectations. Always the one leaving, before things could get serious.

10. GAY AWAKENING FUCKBUDDIES AU

Joe barely makes it to the couch before collapsing. He doesn’t even kick off his shoes, shed his jacket – he is completely drained after his afternoon shift at the call center.

Nicky, his roommate, best friend, and Joe’s personal hero, is there instantly, steaming glass of mint tea with enough sugar to make the spoon stand up straight in his hand.

“That bad,” Nicky says, putting the tea on the coffee table and lifting Joe’s legs to sit down.

“Worse,” Joe groans, as Nicky takes of Joe’s shoes before he put his stockinged feet in his lap. “You are an angel.”

“I know,” Nicky says mildly. “You’re gonna have to sit up to drink your tea, though.”

Another dramatic groan.

“I’m not sure tea will help today.”