#((ta-da

On wattpad (and ao3 when its back up) I have a steve prompt list that I do March 1st until the Spring Equinox.

I call it the Steve Equinox!

Feel free to join in with writing or art or whatever you want to do within the rules-

Adandum to 6- any form of writing or drawing ir-

any firm of ART

JUST NO AI

So.. with this being a tad late.

@dracl-dragon here the list is!

-

(Its being released day-by-day elsewhere but here's the full list!)

The prompts: (no fancy- image just copy pasted from my note list)

Anon I'm so mad, I had a couple of rec lists floating around but what do you know, tumblr has eaten them!! So I'm putting together a new one for you. I should pin this somewhere really.

Queer historical romances

Anything by Cat Sebastian. Seriously. Anything. My personal favourite series is "Seducing the Sedgwicks", and her two most recent 50s-set books are both exceptional.

Equally, anything by KJ Charles. Again, they're all brilliant, so it doesn't really matter where you start. I really liked Band Sinister.

Olivia Waite does lovely f/f historical romances. I really enjoyed The Lady's Guide to Celestial Mechanics.

Sebastian Nothwell (hello @nothwell) writes brilliant historical romances (and also has a couple of fantasy romances too). Planning a re-read of some of his when I've actually got time 😅

Solomon's Crown by Natasha Siegel, loved this one a lot

The Gentleman's Book of Vices by Jess Everlee (there's a f/f sequel coming out soon!)

Queer fantasy romance

I am utterly obsessed with A Strange and Stubborn Endurance by Foz Meadows. I loved it. It's like it was crafted just for me. Also, the sequel just came out!

A Taste of Gold and Iron by Alexandra Rowland, SO indulgent and tropey and fun, I had a blast reading it. (hello @ariaste). Also, Alexandra's next book is about to come out - it's called Running Close to the Wind and its about PIRATES. YES.

The Last Binding series by Freya Marske. Absolute best of the best. Everyone loves them.

(See also, Swordcrossed, also by Freya Marske, coming out later this year)

Silver in the Wood by Emily Tesh. Short, sweet, and engrossing. Finishing this book is like stepping into sunlight for the first time after being lost in the woods for hours.

Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller. It's a classic for a reason.

Queer fantasy/sci-fi with romantic elements, but isn't a straight-up romance

Under the Whispering Door by TJ Klune. I cried.

Legends and Lattes by Travis Baldree, extremely cosy domestic fantasy in the traditional D&D style, about an orc who sets up a coffee shop.

A Botanical Daughter by Noah Medlock. Frankenstein-style horror but with queer people and plants. More horror than fantasty, tbh.

Our Hideous Progeny by C E McGill (waving at @c-e-mcgill) is classic gothic horror/sci-fi, but this one is Frankenstein but with dinosaurs. And queer people. Very light background romance. Loved it.

...

Fine, fine, I'll write something

Stepping out to get fresh air had always been a way for Dipper to calm himself after a long day. Sleep never had been a close friend, so walking the temple grounds in the cool night air helped pass the time.

He had grown up there and knew every rock and twig on his path, easily stepping over them while keeping his back straight and head held high. Dipper enjoyed not having to think about every step he took. It gave him time to work through some of the problems his people had brought to him, which often had to do with their crops taking their sweet time coming in.

They could do plenty of things to help themselves, but with the school in town being no better than a few bookshelves with an old, loud librarian, it was up to him and his family to help them. Dipper took pride in his work in the temple, and having the time to think about it all made the following day easier to get through.

Of course, that time only helped when he was alone.

"Hey, Pine Tree," a voice echoed through the trees. "Didn't think you'd come out so early. Normally, you give laying in bed a shot for at least a few hours."

Dipper waved a hand at the empty path in front of him, still walking forward at his even pace. "I didn't want to bother with that tonight. I have too much to think about, and lying in that stuffy room with the sound of my sister snoring down the hall never helps."

"Ooh, I see. Someone's mind is busy tonight, then?" A faint, yellow glow flickered behind one of the trees up ahead. "I could take a peek in your head and help sort it out! I've always been a master of puzzles. Or, I could just take your place tomorrow and help them face-to-face! Bet they'd love to see me!"

"All are welcome in the temple if you embrace our teachings. So, it might be a bit hard for you to saunter in." Dipper stopped walking, watching the dim light grow stronger. "And we both know that I have no interest in letting you into my head."

A suave, neatly dressed man stepped out from behind a tree, the glow from before completely disappearing as he did. His yellow suit had such a stark contrast to the dark trees, however, that Dipper always assumed he made the thing out of whatever made the light. "You still don't want to let me in? It's been years, Pine Tree. How long is it going to take for you to realize what they're selling you is bogus? Everyone knows that what I've got is the real way to live life."

Dipper rolled his eyes. "You know as well as I do that your tricks aren't going to work on me. We've been over this, like, a million times, Bill. You're more than welcome to spend time with me, though. Maybe some of the true meanings of life will start to rub off on you."

The demon walked right up to Dipper, standing less than a foot away from him. "I like the sound of rubbing you off." He wiggled his eyebrows, earning a groan from Dipper.

"You know that's not what I meant."

"Isn't it, though?" Bill lifted a hand, his black, leather glove softly tracing over Dipper's cheek. "I see the way you look at the human shape I take," he said in a low, rumbling voice. "How could I not notice, when every time we're together, your heart rate picks up and your holy eyes wander to my lips?"

"That's not true." Dipper's voice came out strained, though he held his unimpressed expression. Bill's eyes were locked onto his, no doubt looking for the slightest flicker of interest in his words. "I don't look at specific parts of your fake body on purpose. Sometimes I just happen to look there."

The shrill laugh that came from the demon bounced off the trees, scaring a few birds away. "Don't you know that lying is a sin, my little Pine Tree? I can see the want in your eyes." Bill pressed their noses together, his skin hot like the fiery pits he had crawled out of. "You might think your thoughts are pure, but you're still just a soul trapped in an animal's body. That meat suit you're wearing chooses what it wants, and right now, it's begging you to kiss me."

Every word the demon spoke brought with it his warm breath. It fell over Dipper's lips and cheeks like a warm blanket, his cinnamon and lemon scent inviting him to dive underneath to wait out the chilly night.

"Part of being a nun of the temple is learning to restrain any sinful whims of the flesh. I'm an adult, and therefore have already gone through the training needed to easily refuse you." Dipper's lips had gone dry, but he dared not lick them while Bill was so close.

Bill hummed, once more using his hand to stroke Dipper's cheek. "That's such a shame," he sang softly. "You've been stubborn for so long, it almost makes me believe you. But I know you, Pine Tree. I know you better than you know yourself. And I know that you're smart enough to see through all the lies that temple tells you." The demon leaned forward, nearly closing the tiny gap between their lips. He pulled back at the last second, his sharp grin filling his face. "You'll see one day. You'll all see."

With room to breathe, Dipper let out a sigh. The heat that had filled his cheeks remained, warming him more than the thick robe he had thrown on. "Well, if you're done being tempting and cryptic, then would you like to join me for the rest of my walk? I believe it's my turn to try and tempt you. Into joining the temple, of course."

The demon's grin somehow grew wider. "Of course, of course. The usual, then."

He moved beside Dipper and the two began to walk, the demon managing to whistle a tune while also humming and speaking. Each note lingered for longer than what Dipper thought could be possible, but then again, demon magic never did make much sense to him.

"Alright, your turn to tempt me, then. Go on, my Holy Savior, get on with it." Bill's intense gaze stayed on Dipper while they walked, the demon effortlessly stepping over any obstacle without turning his head. Perhaps he had also grown used to that path.

"Tonight, I'll tempt you with silence. Keep your mind clear and listen to the world around us." Dipper glanced over at Bill just in time to see the scowl on the blond's face. "I know, it sounds boring. But trust me. Sometimes hearing the gifts of nature we've been given by our god can help remind us that we are treasured by him."

Bill gave an exaggerated eye roll. "Fine, whatever. I'll listen to the birds and the bees. Even though you won't let me demonstrate them."

They both chuckled at that, then fell into silence.