#nearly-writes

Welcome to Nile Freeman Week 2020!

Nile Week is to celebrate the newest member of The Old Guard, Nile, with creations of all kinds, as well as to connect with each other over a mutual love for Nile!  For those unfamiliar with celebration weeks, each day will have a theme to base creations around. There is no minimum requirement to participate! If you only make one thing for one day, that still counts!

Nile Freeman Week will take place from September 6-12 2020.

Promps for gif-makers/editors/artists:

Favorite Nile Outfit (September 6)

Favorite Nile Relationship (September 7)

Favorite Nile Fight Scene (September 8)

Favorite Nile Weapon (September 9

Favorite Nile Dialogue (September 10)

Favorite Nile Closeup (September 11)

Free Choice (September 12)

Prompts for writers:

Nile + Love (September 6)

Nile + Sadness (September 7)

Nile + Alone Time (September 8) 

Nile + Comfort (September 9)

Nile + Identity (September 10)

Nile + Death (September 11)

Free Choice (September 12)

All contributions of any size/format are welcome.

For your contribution to count, it must be posted to Tumblr. You may crosspost anywhere you like, but this event is centered on Tumblr. Please tag your creations #nileweek2020 in the first five tags so we can reblog it here!

Summary: Buck doesn’t have the energy to shave, so Eddie decides to do it for him. Smut, Fluff.

WC: 2.8k

It’s fine on other people, attractive, even. He likes Eddie’s dark smattering of chest hair, and the curls between his legs, and the stubble that sometimes turns to a beard when they have a few days off in a row. Buck has no problem with hair on other people at all, but when it comes to himself, he just doesn’t like it. It’s itchy and uncomfortable. He started waxing and shaving in high school, when he was a runner, because there was a rumor it would reduce drag during the sprints. Then it just became a ritual. Once a week, usually on a lazy weekday morning, he runs the water warm and he just gets rid of it. He likes feeling so smooth, too, and he’s had more than enough boyfriends and hookups who liked it. He doesn’t know exactly how Eddie feels, but he hasn’t made a comment about disliking it, so Buck thinks it’s fine. 

(There had been that one woman, in her late thirties, who said it was like touching a baby. She was way too into it. It really weirded him out, and he said he changed his mind, left the hotel room, and got drunk with Hen and Chimney.)

But it’s been almost two weeks, and Buck is really getting annoyed. He hates stubble, especially when it’s in that half-grown, just long enough to be itchy, phase of growth, but he’s been overworked and exhausted lately. In fact, he and Eddie haven’t so much as exchanged handies since, both too tired and ready to collapse into sleep the moment they hit the mattress. Now, on their first proper day off in a while, Eddie takes Christopher to school while Buck makes them both some eggs. He knows he can’t actually feel it, but it feels itchy and gross and he wants to shave, but that’s such a process he doesn’t have the energy for. There’s the water temperature, and the shaving cream, and the lotion, and just- everything. He doesn’t have the patience to painstakingly shave his body without worrying about little cuts or razor burn.

"Nicolo, it is late. Sleep."

He cannot. Is this not a sin? If he is as he was made, then perhaps it would be allowed to touch Yusuf's soft hair or feel the movement of his muscles beneath a careful palm. But, to be as he would like, that would make him a sodomite. There is no correct way to be and to love, the perfect punishment for his sins to accompany this seemingly eternal life. He slices through his hair and lets the strands slip through his fingers to the dirt.

"You think so loud. Rest, Nicolo."

The stars above cannot cut through his armor. He sleeps in it, to protect what he is and what Yusuf would not deign to see, although he would be much more comfortable without. The bulk of it just hides him, and that's all he needs of it. Liar, he thinks again, and hides his face in his hands.

"Talk to me, please. You are hurting."

He is but it cannot be fixed. Broken things do not go back together. The vases made by his mother shattered in the home could never be repaired, just as the mistake made when his soul settled into a body it does not call home. And now he must live eternity within it.

"Nicolo, please. You are crying. Please talk to me."

Yusuf touches his shoulder and it is wrong. He would not if he knew. He doesn't see, a blessing and a curse wrapped up in one. But there is touch, and he leans into its reassurance nonetheless. Maybe there could be more for him in another century. Another life where he may be able to be seen and loved as is.

"If you want to... you may, Nicolo."

There is a faint breath of smoke on Yusuf's lips, from the way they both inhale over the fire. It is wrong. He is a liar and a sodomite and though the two feel incompatible, their shame doubles within him. Yet, he continues to kiss Yusuf because he does not remember how to do anything else.

Chapters: 1/5 Series: Part 2 of Hidden Truths / Link to Part 1: The Secrets We Keep

Chapters: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 

Summary:

Eddie is finally settled with his sexuality for the first time in his life and he has Buck to thank for that. And now he's offering his spare bedroom to the guy, but he never thought it would end up like this.

Read under the cut 

Congratulations on being a wonderful writer. Your talent brings joy to so many and you will never know how impactful your fics are.

3 Fics by Allie (asgardiun on AO3)

all roads lead to space - 15k (WIP) - Buddie

Eddie always loved the stars. He could see them much clearer from the International Space Station. But his crew is always arguing, he misses his kid, and he can’t stop thinking about Buck, the man from mission control who somehow managed to ease his anxieties from 400km away.

(it’s a six month mission, what’s the worst that could happen?)

You’ve managed to bring the characters into an entirely new setting and still keep them true to who they are. You write Eddie in such a moving way and especially his relationship with Christopher.

existing never felt so light - 3k - Buddie

a series of buddie-centric prompt fills originally posted on tumblr. see individual chapters for summaries and ratings.

Here you show you versatile you are. These prompts have all their own energy and they are all so different from each other and they are all gorgeous.

four a.m. - 2k - Buddie

The night darkens the sky, grey clouds tracing overhead. It’s almost peaceful, a welcomed end to a hectic day. But then he remembers Buck, nowhere to be seen. Buck, who, of course, could never simply witness a peaceful moment like this. Buck, who, naturally, would want to be up close, feeling the cold rain in his hands, on his skin, anywhere he could find it.  It seems obvious now; Eddie would never find Buck inside the station when there’s so much more to be said outside. A quiet, pouring night to end the bustling, restless day. Buck would follow the pour, follow the only sound to be heard. His eyes would brighten at the sight of it, despite the restlessness of the day." ___ Buck follows the rain, so Eddie follows Buck, wherever he may lead.

This truly reads like poetry. I am speechless, I really do not have the words to say how much I love this.

Allie, you are an amazing and talented writer. I hope you know how much this fandom loves and appreciates you!

And now, readers, it’s your turn!

If you’re reading this, go check out Allie’s work! Leave a comment, leave another one if you’ve already done it, and go reblog their fics!