redsummermoon

[redsummermoon]

happy one year to my first ever post on here🥳

i have a lot of fun writing and sharing it with all u ppl. hopefully there will be a couple more soon🤫

Wild Side

Charlie Dalton x reader CW: female reader, quiet reader, use of Y/N, classic pig prank, and Mr. Nolan [1.4k words] first published thing on tumblr.. I’m nervous

Y/N arrived at Welton as one of the few girls in the entire school, a result of its recent decision to go co-ed. She quickly learned that, as one of the first females, she was both an outsider and an anomaly. Sharp-witted and observant, Y/N realized that to gain the respect of the boys and teachers, she had to be more than just smart—she needed to be quiet, watchful, and strategic. She kept to herself, sitting in the back of classrooms and taking meticulous notes. Y/N spoke only when necessary, blending into the wood-paneled walls of Welton’s corridors like a fly on the wall.

But while she played the part of the diligent, invisible student, inside she felt like she was suffocating. The school’s rigid rules, the condescending looks from some of the boys, and the constant pressure to perform weighed heavily on her. And yet, through it all, she noticed one boy who carried himself differently. And that was Charlie Dalton.

Charlie was everything Y/N wasn’t: loud, rebellious, and carefree. She had heard whispers about him and his friends, their love for breaking rules, and their knack for mischief. Yet, she had never interacted with any of them. Charlie was always surrounded by his friends, laughing, joking, and getting into trouble. He was everything Y/N wasn’t allowed to be, and for that, she envied him.

Even so, Y/N chose to remain in the shadows, keeping her head down and making no friends. But that didn’t mean she wasn’t planning something.

It was lunchtime in the cafeteria, and the Dead Poets were seated at their usual table, enjoying their meal.

“This place has gotten a little boring, don’t you think, fellas?” Charlie said, pushing his lunch around on his tray.

“Dalton, I swear if you get us in trouble again, I’m going to kill you,” Neil replied, though his tone was light-hearted.

Charlie grinned mischievously, his eyes scanning the room as if he were already planning his next scheme. “Relax, Perry. I’m just saying this place could use a little excitement.”

At that moment, the cafeteria erupted into chaos. A loud squeal echoed through the room, and all heads turned to see a pig trotting through the center of the cafeteria. The pig had the number “1” painted on its back in bold black ink. The students burst into laughter, and even the most uptight teachers looked momentarily baffled.

“Is that…” Knox started, but was cut off by another squeal.

“Charlie, what did you do?” Meeks cried.

A second pig appeared, this one with the number “2” on its back, followed by a third pig, marked with the number “4.” The pigs darted between tables, students jumping out of their way, and soon the entire cafeteria was in pandemonium. The teachers, led by Headmaster Nolan, were frantically trying to catch the pigs while also searching for the missing pig number “3.”

“This is amazing,” Charlie muttered, his grin widening. “Where’s the third pig?”

“Where’s number three?” a student shouted, his voice tinged with glee. The question spread like wildfire. Everyone started speculating about the missing pig. Was it still on the loose? How had it escaped?

Charlie’s grin slowly faded in awe. “I don’t think there is a third pig.”

The teachers were losing their minds, and Headmaster Nolan himself was stomping through the hallways, barking orders and demanding answers.

But Y/N was laughing. Not just smiling, not just chuckling, but truly, laughing. It was the first time she had felt joy since arriving at Welton. She laughed so hard that tears came to her eyes, and she had to sit down to keep herself from falling over.

She was practically in stitches, and for the first time, Charlie noticed just how beautiful she was when she wasn’t trying to blend into the background.

“Hey, I’ll be right back,” Charlie said to the group, getting up from his seat before anyone could stop him. He crossed the room with his usual swagger, dodging a teacher who was trying to corner one of the pigs, and made his way over to Y/N’s table.

Y/N wiped away a tear from her eye as Charlie slid into the seat across from her. She looked up, still smiling, but with a hint of confusion as Charlie sat down.

“What’s so funny?” Charlie asked, his eyes twinkling with curiosity.

Y/N’s smile grew wider as she leaned in a little closer, lowering her voice. “Can you keep a secret?” She whispered as Charlie leaned in impossibly closer, nodding. “This is my prank.”

Charlie’s eyes widened in surprise, but his grin didn’t falter. “You’re kidding.”

“Not at all,” Y/N replied, a hint of pride in her voice. “I thought it’d be fun to throw the teachers off. There’s no third pig. They’ll be looking for it all day.”

Charlie let out a low whistle, clearly impressed. “That’s genius.”

“I’m glad someone appreciates it,” Y/N said, her tone teasing, though she was genuinely pleased by his reaction.

“Are you kidding? This is the best prank I’ve seen all year. You’ve got Nolan running around like a headless chicken.” Charlie leaned back in his chair, studying her with renewed interest. “So, how does someone like you, no offense, pull off something like this?”

Y/N shrugged, still grinning. “Well, for starters, I grew up on a farm. My brother graduated from Welton a few years ago and hated it just as much as I do. He helped me get the pigs here as a parting gift for this place.”

Charlie couldn’t help but laugh. “I think I’m in love.”

Y/N rolled her eyes but couldn’t suppress the warmth that spread across her cheeks. “Please, you don’t even know me.”

“I know enough,” Charlie said, his tone suddenly more serious, though the playful glint in his eyes remained. “You’re the first person here who’s managed to pull off a prank like this without getting caught. That’s something.”

“Thanks,” Y/N said, surprised by how much she enjoyed talking to Charlie. He was different from the other boys at Welton. He was bold, confident, and a little reckless, but in a way that made her feel like maybe this place wasn’t so bad after all.

“If you ever need a group to hang out with, we’ve got a club where we meet up, read poetry, talk about life, and basically just try to remember that there’s more to the world than this school.”

Y/N’s interest was piqued. “Sounds intriguing.”

“It is,” Charlie said, his eyes locking onto hers. “And we could use someone like you. Someone who knows how to shake things up.”

Y/N felt a warmth in her chest at his words. For the first time since she’d arrived at Welton, she felt like she might actually belong somewhere. “Maybe I’ll check it out,” she said, trying to sound casual, though her heart was racing.

Charlie grinned. “Good. I’d like to take you out some night as well.”

“And how would you manage to sneak both of us out Dalton?” Y/N asked.

“I have my ways, beautiful,” Charlie winks. 

Before Y/N could respond, one of the teachers finally managed to catch the first pig, eliciting a cheer from the students. But the excitement was short-lived as the search for the elusive third pig continued.

“Well, it looks like your prank is going to keep them busy for a while,” Charlie said, standing up. “Nice work, L/N.”

Y/N smiled up at him. “Thanks, Dalton.”

As Charlie walked back to his table, Y/N watched him go, a smile still lingering on her lips. For the first time since arriving at Welton, she felt a flicker of hope that maybe, just maybe, this place wouldn’t be so bad after all.

Back at the Dead Poets’ table, the boys were still talking about the pigs. Charlie slid back into his seat, a satisfied smirk on his face.

“What are you so happy about?” Knox asked, glancing at Charlie suspiciously.

“Oh, nothing,” Charlie said, his eyes flicking back to where Y/N was sitting. “Just met someone who might be even crazier than me.”

“You mean to tell us these pigs have nothing to do with you?” asked Neil.

“Nope,” Charlie replied, popping the “p” as he tilted his head in Y/N’s direction.

Neil raised an eyebrow. “L/N? The quiet girl?”

Charlie nodded, still grinning. “Turns out she’s got a wild side.”

[redsummermoon]

Pretend?

Charlie Dalton x reader CW: female reader, use of Y/N, making out, Knox and Chris, slight underage drinking [2.7k words]

“You guys gotta help me! It’s an emergency!” Knox burst into Charlie’s dorm room, breathless and frantic. He barely noticed the way Charlie and Y/N were laughing over some inside joke, their textbooks abandoned on the desk. He knew Y/N would be there; she always was.

Charlie looked up, his eyes narrowing with a mix of curiosity and concern. “Whoa, slow down, Overstreet. What’s the crisis?”

Y/N’s smile faded into a slight frown as she turned to Knox. “What happened, Knox? Are you okay?”

Knox took a deep breath, knowing this was a long shot but feeling like he had no other choice. “I need you two to fake date each other,” he said in one breath.

Y/N blinked, her frown deepening as she tried to process what Knox had just said. “Wait, what?”

Knox pressed on before he could lose his nerve. “Chris thinks we have something going on. You know how we flirted at one of her parties so I could make her jealous? Well now she thinks you and I are a thing, Y/N, and I need her to know that we’re not. Because you’re with someone else.” Knox took a breath. “I don’t care if it's Charlie you fake date. Hell, I can ask Cameron if you want.”

Y/N gasped at the thought of even fake dating Cameron, “Do you really think so low of me?”

Charlie raised his eyebrows, curious to see how Knox could get out of the grave he's digging for himself. 

“No, I don’t. I promise,” Knox whined. “I’m just a guy in love making stupid decisions. So please, help me out, would you?”

Y/N opened her mouth to tell him he’s out of his mind, but before she could get a word out, Charlie’s lips curled into a mischievous grin. “You know what? We’ll do it,” he said, cutting her off, his tone filled with a teasing edge. He shot Y/N a wink, his eyes sparkling with amusement.

Y/N’s initial shock faded as she caught on to Charlie’s playful mood. A slow grin (and a lot of blush) spread across her face as she realized this could be a lot more fun than she’d initially thought. “Alright, yeah,” she agreed, turning to Knox with a smile. “We’ll help you out.”

Knox’s shoulders slumped in relief. “You two are the best,” he said, though he couldn’t shake the feeling that there was something he was missing in this whole arrangement.

“Not so fast,” Charlie said. “Our fake relationship comes with a price.” 

And there it was, Knox thought, the missing piece. “Alright, what?”

“We each get a request. Only fair because this is Y/N’s second time helping your sorry ass out,” Charlie said.

Knox looked at his shoes, as if contemplating, however everyone knew he would do anything for a chance that Chris even looks at him. “Fine, but you have to decide now what you want.”

Y/N and Charlie looked at eachother and high fived. “Score!” Y/N cheered. 

“Alright, I want folded laundry for a month,” Charlie requested. 

“A week,” Knox retorted.

“Two weeks and I’ll give you a pick-up line pep talk.” Charlie shot a wink towards Y/N. “Angels should be in heaven. How'd you escape?”

Y/N giggled and put her head in her hands to stop them from seeing her face blush. It wasn’t even that good of a line, but it was Charlie delivering it. 

This got Knox to reply quickly. “Deal. And for you?” 

“Hmm. Twenty dollars so Charlie can take me out,” she responds. 

“Done and done.” 

Charlie pauses to argue, “Hey wait, how come you didn’t negotiate with her? Twenty bucks for one date? That’s so much!”

“Can it Charlie, he already agreed,” Y/N hushed. “And aren’t I worth an expensive date?”

“You know that's not what I meant,” Charlie pleaded.

“She’s worth more than you and has helped me out multiple times,” Knox explained.

“Fair enough,” Charlie shrugs. “Okay, so. How is this gonna work?”

“Well…” Knox starts. 

The plan was simple: Knox and Y/N were both invited to one of Chris’s parties as usual, and this time, they invited Charlie to tag along. The idea was that Chris would see Y/N with Charlie and realize Knox was available, and maybe, just maybe, Chris would stop thinking there was something going on between Knox and Y/N and then make a move on Knox.

The night of the party, Knox was a nervous wreck. Charlie tried to help calm his nerves when he gave his Flirting 101 Pep Talk, but Knox still felt a knot in his stomach as they arrived at Chris’s place, a large, bustling house filled with students and the sound of music booming from the speakers. Y/N and Charlie walked in together, Charlie's arm slung casually over Y/N's shoulder, their smiles easy and relaxed. Knox followed close behind, trying to keep his cool.

Chris greeted them at the door with a smile, but her eyes quickly darted to Y/N and Charlie’s closeness, then finally to Knox.

“Hey guys. Come on in,” Chris welcomed the group. For a moment, her face hardened with suspicion, looking mildly uncomfortable. 

“Chris, hi!” Y/N called. She moved to give Chris a hug, but Chris deflected, moving to let them all inside.

“Well you all know where the drinks are. See you around.” Chris ran off into the party, leaving the three friends in the foyer of Chris’s massive house. 

“What did you do, Overstreet?” Charlie asked, turning to Knox. 

“What do you mean, me?” Knox said with his hands up. “It was obviously Y/N she’s mad at.” 

“Yeah, I didn’t like that at all. We were really starting to be close friends too.” Y/N hugged herself, feeling shame for something she didn’t understand. 

“Hey, we’ll figure it out.” Charlie reached out to rub Y/N’s arms. “It’ll be okay, angel.”

“Let’s just get to the party to carry out Knox’s plan.” 

“Right, let's loosen up.”

As they made their way through the crowd, Y/N and Charlie naturally gravitated toward each other, their banter flowing easily as they exchanged inside jokes. Knox couldn’t help but notice how well they got along. Better than most fake couples he’d ever seen (which was zero). They sat down on a couch in the corner of the room, and Knox awkwardly squeezed in between them. 

Chris hovered nearby, her eyes darting between Knox and Y/N before she excused herself to grab drinks. Y/N and Charlie, noticing this, looked at each other and then at Knox’s sad face. 

“You know what, Y/N and I will get us something to drink,” Charlie said, standing up. He offered Y/N his hand, which she accepted.

“Yeah, you just.. save us this spot, okay?” Y/N offered. 

They received a groan in response, so they made their way to the make-shift bar. 

Charlie got to the bar first and started grabbing multiple different bottles and cups at once. 

“Careful with that, Dalton,” Y/N teased as Charlie attempted to pour them both a drink. “You might spill it all over yourself.”

Charlie smirked, deliberately overfilling his cup. “Maybe I just need someone to clean me up,” he quipped, leaning a little closer.

Y/N laughed, shaking her head as she reached for her drink. “You’re impossible.”

“And yet, you’re still here,” Charlie shot back, his tone light but his gaze intense. He brushed a stray strand of her hair behind her ear, his fingers lingering a moment longer than necessary.

Y/N’s heart skipped a beat, and she playfully nudged him. “Don’t get too full of yourself, Dalton.”

Just as Charlie was about to retort, Chris appeared beside them, her expression unreadable. “Hey, Y/N, can I talk to you for a second?”

Y/N glanced at Charlie, who gave her a small, encouraging nod, before turning back to Chris. “Sure, what’s up?”

Chris crossed her arms, her voice edged with frustration. “It’s not fair, you know. How you’re treating Knox. Last party, you two were all over each other, and now you’re with Charlie? What’s going on?”

Y/N sighed, realizing how things might have looked from the outside. “Chris, it was just for fun. There’s nothing between Knox and me. We were just trying to have a good time. I’m with Charlie now.”

Chris looked between Y/N and Charlie, processing this new information. “So, Knox is single?”

Y/N nodded, trying to keep her voice gentle. “Yeah, he is. I didn’t mean to lead him on or anything. He’s just a friend.”

Chris’s shoulders relaxed slightly as if a weight had been lifted. “Okay. I just.. I wanted to look out for him, you know?”

Y/N offered her a reassuring smile. “I get it. But seriously, there’s nothing going on with Knox and me.” Chris looked down, bashfully. “If you like him, you should talk to him.”

Chris nodded thoughtfully. “We’ll see. Thanks, Y/N.”

Chris left quickly, leaving the two of them to watch her go. 

“Do you think that solved it?” Charlie asked.

Y/N kept her eyes on Chris. “Well, she’s heading upstairs instead of to Knox or at least the party.”

“I don’t know if that's a good sign or not.” Charlie rubbed the back of his neck. “I’m starting to think that Knox’s plan isn’t going to work.”

“Well, I don’t want to upset Knox, so I think we should stick to our plan and be by his side in case things go sideways for him.” Y/N picked up her drink and took a sip. “Here, get him a drink and we’ll go back.” 

“Yes ma’am,” Charlie saluted and grabbed a beer for himself and a mixed drink for Knox. They both made their way back to where Knox was seated.

“Here you go,” Charlie said, putting a drink in Knox’s hand. “Made your favorite.”

Charlie sat down next to Knox, and instead of Y/N sitting on Knox’s other side, she sat on Charlie’s lap.

“Oh, hello.” A smile spread across Charlie’s face as he situated himself for Y/N. She sent a smirk back. 

Knox leaned in toward the two of them, lowering his voice so no one else could hear. “It’s not working,” he hissed. “She’s still ignoring me.”

Charlie rolled his eyes, an exasperated sigh escaping his lips. “Knox, you can’t think it's that easy. Even if she knows Y/N and I are together, she might want to take her time with you. Relationships aren’t that simple.”

Knox frowned, his frustration bubbling to the surface. “Then what do you suggest? Because it looks like you’re just sitting there talking, and she’s still convinced Y/N and I are a thing!”

Y/N, who had just about enough of Knox’s bullshit and bad flirting ideas, finally spoke up, her voice tinged with irritation. “Maybe the problem isn’t us, Knox. Maybe you just don’t know how to talk to her.”

Knox opened his mouth to protest, but Y/N wasn’t finished. She turned to Charlie with a determined glint in her eye. “You want to see what a real relationship looks like?”

Before Knox could respond, Y/N leaned in close to Charlie, her hand gently cupping his cheek as she whispered, “Let’s give him something to believe in.”

Charlie’s eyes widened slightly in surprise, but a slow, confident grin spread across his face as he caught on to what Y/N was planning. “As you wish,” he murmured, his voice low and playful.

Without another word, Y/N closed the distance between them, her lips meeting Charlie’s in a kiss that was anything but fake. It was slow and deliberate, filled with an intensity that took both of them by surprise. Charlie responded immediately, his arms wrapping around her waist as he pulled her closer, deepening the kiss. They could feel the electricity between them, a chemistry that neither had fully acknowledged until now.

Knox stared at them in shock, his jaw dropping as he watched his friends completely lose themselves in the moment. He could barely comprehend what he was seeing. Their kiss was so convincing, so real, that he almost believed they were a couple.

As the kiss stretched on, Chris reappeared with slightly more makeup on and a new shirt, her eyes widening as she took in the sight of Y/N and Charlie locked in a passionate embrace. She turned to Knox, her expression a mix of confusion and curiosity. “Knox, can we talk for a minute?” she asked, her voice soft.

Knox snapped out of his stupor, nodding quickly as he stood up. “Uh, yeah, sure,” he said, casting one last glance at the kissing couple before taking out a twenty dollar bill and leaving it on the table nearby. 

“Let’s leave those two lovebirds alone,” Chris said with a small smile, taking Knox by the hand and leading him away.

Once Chris and Knox were out of sight, Y/N and Charlie finally pulled apart, their breathing heavy, their faces flushed. They looked at each other for a moment, a mixture of surprise and amusement dancing in their eyes. And then, simultaneously, they both burst into laughter, the sound echoing through the room.

“That was..” Y/N started, but she couldn’t stop giggling long enough to finish her sentence.

“Amazing?” Charlie offered, his grin wide and unrestrained.

Y/N nodded. “Yeah, amazing.”

Little did Knox know, Y/N and Charlie had been secretly dating the entire time. Their relationship had started out quietly, both of them preferring to keep things low-key, but tonight had changed everything. There was no fooling anyone about their status anymore, not after that kiss.

“So, what now?” Y/N asked, her voice softening as the laughter died down.

Charlie leaned in closer, his forehead resting gently against hers. “Now, we stop pretending,” he said, his voice tender but firm. “No more hiding. No more fake relationships. Just us.”

Y/N smiled, her heart swelling with happiness as she nodded. “Just us.”

“So how about I take my best girl out on a date she deserves,” Charlie says, picking up the twenty dollars as Y/N’s reward. 

Y/N laughed, “I don’t know, Charlie. Someone told me that was too much for a date.”

“Yeah, well, that was before the hottest make out of his life.” Charlie winked and stood up. “I think my baby could use some pampering.”

“Well if you insist.”

Charlie bent over and picked up Y/N as she squealed in excitement. He gave her a quick kiss before starting to make his way through the party to leave. 

“Well, I’m glad to be out of a fake relationship and into a real one. With the same person, if I might add. Gets a little confusing, don’t you think?” They were approaching the front door and finally getting outside. 

“I think I’m more happy to be done flirting with Knox,” Y/N shuttered. “Do you think your pickup lines helped him at all?”

Charlie stopped walking and stared straight ahead. “Well, either that or you talked some sense into Chris to finally talk to Knox. Look.” Charlie tilted his head forward, pointedly. 

There stood Knox and Chris sharing a kiss (really getting at it for a first kiss too). 

“Awe. Charlie, I think we did that.” Y/N hugged Charlie tighter, pushing their heads together. Charlie slowly set her down, keeping her wrapped up in his arms. 

“No, baby, I know we did that. We’re gonna have to make speeches at their wedding about tonight. They’re gonna have to repay us by naming their kids after us.” 

Y/N laughed, turning to Charlie. “I hope Charlie’s a girl then.” 

Charlie rolled his eyes. “Well, as long as she’s beautiful. Gotta live up to the name, if you know what I mean.”

“Oh I do know. You are quite beautiful Charlie,” Y/N said, looking at Charlie as if he was the only thing in the universe. 

Charlie blushed. “You know I could never compare to you.”

“I love you, Charlie.”

“I love you too, angel.”

They both leaned in for a kiss, this one slow and tender, a stark contrast to the heated exchange they’d shared earlier. It was gentle, filled with warmth and affection, a moment that spoke of love more than anything else. 

[redsummermoon]

all my man crushes are gender envy (why i love charlie dalton sm) but recently i want to be young christian bale.

why can’t i look like him when he’s covered in blood in american psycho ??

[redsummermoon]

TOO YOUNG TO HOLD ON AND TOO OLD TO JUST BREAK FREE AND RUNNNNNN

[redsummermoon]

thank you mr. dalton🙏

the world be pissing me off today so I made a meme do you like it

[redsummermoon]

like HELLO? ive convinced myself its him

okay okay wait. you people would know. have you seen the courtney cox and lisa kudrow royal kingdom ad on the airplane???? is it allelon ruggiero in the background? behing courtney? bc it looks soooo much like him and i NEED to know if im being crazy or not

[redsummermoon]

okay okay wait. you people would know. have you seen the courtney cox and lisa kudrow royal kingdom ad on the airplane???? is it allelon ruggiero in the background? behing courtney? bc it looks soooo much like him and i NEED to know if im being crazy or not

[redsummermoon]

GALE HANSEN as CHARLIE DALTON

in DEAD POETS SOCIETY (1989) dir. by Peter Weir

[redsummermoon]

WAIT ALSO i finished sotr the other day and it was soooo good. i'm so back on my hunger games bs. might binge all the books now

[redsummermoon]

do you ever feel like you're not dps-ing enough? like for my internship i just sit behind a computer and code all day. this is not me seizing the day. i want to go to the cave and scream.

[redsummermoon]

okay first of all.. DPS BOOK GIRL IS NOW MY GF as you can tell im very very chill about it and not running up walls. im just so happyyy

if she can have her gay little boys (kpop) then i can have mine (dps)

been taking a break from this account and probably will for a bit.. thinking abt just casually (its not) posting dps stuff bc i still think about it 24/7. we'll see <3

(yes i write fanfiction but yes im queer and yes i think theyre all queer)

[redsummermoon]

Hi! I would love it if you wrote a Charlie x fem!reader where it’s the reader’s birthday, and Charlie is super sweet, he offers a present (idk what)... And I’m requesting this cause it’s my bday today (I know that if you choose to write it, I’ll never get it today but anyway it will be a late birthday present)

Thank you very much if you like it and write it🎁

happy very-very-very belated birthday!! 😓 we actually have close birthdays though!! im hoping you all will let me return to writing after all this time🤗

Birthday Poetry

Charlie Dalton x reader CW: female reader[0.8k words] 

The cave smelled faintly of wax and woodsmoke, candles flickering along the stone walls and casting soft shadows that danced in rhythm with the laughter of the Dead Poets Society. You were seated on a folded blanket with your legs tucked under you, a warm paper cup of cider in your hands and a crown of dried flowers, crafted by Neil and Todd, resting crookedly on your head.

Charlie had insisted on throwing you a birthday party in the cave, even though you told him you didn’t need one, but it had been perfect. Neil cracking jokes, making sure everyone had a good time, Meeks and Pitts presenting a homemade "cake" which was really just a mess of pastries from the dining hall stacked on a plate, and Knox gifting you a poem he swore wasn’t about Chris, even though everyone knew better.

Now, most of the cider had been drunk, the candles burned low, and the laughter quieted into soft conversation and sleepy yawns.

"Alright, alright, poets," Neil stood up and clapped his hands. "Time to let the birthday girl be."

"Good idea," Charlie agreed, as he was already looking at Neil with a silent understanding.

Todd gave you a soft smile and a little wave. “Happy birthday again,” he said, voice shy but sincere.

As the boys began gathering up their things and blowing out candles, Charlie leaned into your side and murmured, “Can you stay a little longer?” You turned your head to look at him. His voice was softer than usual, almost hesitant. “Just us,” he added.

“Of course,” you said.

Neil grinned like he knew something was up, because of course he did, and started herding the rest of the poets out of the cave. “Don’t be late for curfew,” he sing-songed before disappearing into the darkness.

The cave was suddenly quiet. The only sounds were the wind rustling outside and your heartbeat thudding in your chest.

Charlie got up and walked over to his satchel near the back of the cave. “Okay,” he said, almost to himself. “Now or never, Dalton.”

“What was that?” you teased, watching him with curiosity.

He turned, a small handmade notebook in his hands. It looked like something a child might make. Tied together with twine, the cover uneven and decorated with what looked like pressed flowers and clumsy hand-drawn stars. It was terribly made. It was also the most Charlie thing you'd ever seen.

“I made you something,” he said, suddenly nervous. He didn’t meet your eyes as he handed it to you, instead looking down at his feet. “It’s kind of dumb. But... also kind of not?”

You took it gently from his hands, fingers brushing his. “You made this?”

He nodded. “Open the first page.”

You flipped the cover open, careful not to damage the fragile binding. On the inside was a note, written in slightly smudged black ink:

“Happy birthday to the reason I believe in love poems.

Love, the guy who fell in love with you mid-sonnet,

Charlie Dalton.”

Your breath caught in your throat. “Charlie…” you whispered.

He rubbed the back of his neck. “I’ve been writing them. All semester, actually. Every time you smiled or said something clever or wore that stupid oversized sweater I love. Sometimes I just wrote a line. Sometimes a whole poem. And then I started copying down ones that reminded me of you. By other poets, I mean. Keating says plagiarism is still love if it’s in sonnet form.”

You laughed wetly and sniffled, turning another page. There was a small poem there, one of his, you could tell. It was messy and unpolished and heartbreakingly sincere. You wiped at your eyes with your sleeve.

“Hey, hey,” Charlie said, alarmed. “Why are you crying? Are you.. was it bad? Should I not have?”

“No, Charlie,” you said, voice thick. “It’s... it’s perfect. This is the most thoughtful, beautiful thing anyone has ever done for me.”

He sat down beside you quickly, scooting close. “You’re crying, like, a lot, babe.”

“I can’t help it,” you laughed through the tears. “It’s too sweet. You’re too sweet.”

He gave you a sheepish smile. “I was afraid it’d be too much. You’re usually the quiet one in this relationship.”

“I love it,” you whispered, leaning in and resting your head on his shoulder. “I love you.”

Charlie froze for a beat, then wrapped his arms around you and buried his face in your hair. “God, say it again.”

“I love you,” you said, softer this time, just for him.

He kissed the top of your head, his lips lingering. “You make me want to write a thousand more poems.”

You pulled back just enough to look up at him, your eyes still glassy. “You’re not gonna make me cry again, are you?”

He grinned and leaned in. “No promises.”

And then he kissed you. Gently, reverently, the way someone might kiss the edge of a prayer.

When you finally pulled apart, he whispered, “Happy birthday, my muse.”

You laughed, brushing his hair back from his face. “You’re ridiculous.”

“Ridiculously in love,” he corrected, placing another kiss at the corner of your mouth.

[redsummermoon]

okay i just finished reading the dps book and obviously it doesn’t even come close to comparing to the movie, but I do wonder why the author chose to change some things. ESPECIALLY when the poets are telling Todd about Neil’s death. like that’s really bothering me. 

personally that’s like the most powerful scene in the movie. when everything is quiet, “it’s beautiful”, Todd’s yawp, and like so so much more. why in the book is it replaced with the poets going into the bathroom?? idk the whole book has slight changes that don’t really make sense, but when I got to that scene it made me feel like the author didn’t necessarily understand the film very well and the significance that the scenes had. 

wish there was a dps book that actually added content (besides deleted scenes) that improved on the movie. (LIKE HOW CHARLIE FOUND OUT NEIL DIED) ugh I guess I will settle for the book but i wish that there was more. thank you fan fiction for creating more too😇

[redsummermoon]

WHAT IF I TOLD YOU THIS GIRL IM TALKING TO GAVE ME A COPY OF THE DPS BOOK

genuinely freaking out.. oh im down bad

[redsummermoon]

[redsummermoon]

Hi! I have a request for Charlie x Reader.

Welton Academy integrates girls into the student body. Reader is one of the only female players on the boy’s soccer team. Some of the student body is not in favor of a co-ed team, but Charlie is-it gives him the opportunity to flirt and be in proximity to Reader.

At a game, Charlie is injured. He picks Reader to take his place. Despite the misogyny, she kills it on the field, Charlie and DPS members cheering her on with every kick and pass. At the end, Charlie and Reader have a sweet and intimate moment and DPS charge the field to lift her up, Mr. Keating-style.

Thank you! Carpe Diem! ✊🏻

i think i really like charlie soccer fics 🤓 thanks for the request !!

The Save

Charlie Dalton x reader CW: y/n a couple times, misogyny!, knee injury (no blood but bruise) [2.2k words] 

Welton Academy had always been a place steeped in tradition, its ivy-covered walls echoing decades of strict rules and exclusivity. But this year marked a historic change. The school had gone co-ed. The transition felt slow and tentative, with only a handful of girls joining the student body. You were one of them.

For as long as you could remember, you’d loved soccer. You grew up with a ball at your feet, dreaming of matches under bright lights and the thrill of a last-second save. But at Welton, there wasn’t enough interest among the girls to form a team of your own. You weren’t sure how to channel that passion if there wasn’t a team to play on.

Then Mr. Keating pulled you aside one afternoon.

“Why not try out for the boys’ team?” he asked, his tone light but his eyes full of that determined spark he always seemed to carry.

You blinked at him, sure you hadn’t heard correctly. “You’re joking.”

“I never joke about soccer,” he replied with a grin.

You laughed nervously, but the idea stuck with you. The thought of joining the boys’ team was intimidating, but the way Keating said it, like it was the most obvious solution in the world, made you think that maybe you could do it. Maybe you could belong.

And somehow, you did.

Being on the boys’ team was exhilarating. It was also nerve-wracking. You were the alternate goalie, which meant sharing the position with none other than Charlie Dalton, the team’s star. Charlie was phenomenal, quick, fearless, and impossible to outmaneuver. Watching him play was like watching art in motion.

Normally, sitting on the bench while someone else took the spotlight would have driven you crazy. But with Charlie, it was hard to feel anything but admiration.

From the very first practice, Charlie made it his mission to make you feel welcome.

“Finally,” he said, jogging over to you with that easy grin of his, “another keeper. You know, it gets lonely back there saving everyone’s asses. Glad you’re here to share the burden.”

You laughed, trying to ignore how your face flushed under his attention. “Don’t worry, I’ll let you keep most of the glory.”

“Well if thats what you want,” he teased, his eyes sparkling. “But don’t think you’re getting out of the occasional jaw-dropping save. Gotta keep the crowd entertained, right?”

You didn’t tell him that most of the crowd had stopped showing up.

When word spread that a girl had joined the boys’ soccer team, the school’s enthusiasm for the sport evaporated. People whispered in the hallways about how you didn’t belong, how you were ruining the team. The stands, once packed with students, were suddenly half-empty on game days.

It hurt more than you wanted to admit. But what stung even more were the occasional sidelong glances from your own teammates. Not all of them, but enough to make you wonder if they resented your spot on the roster.

Charlie, though, never wavered.

“You’re better than half the guys on this team,” he told you after practice one day, tossing a ball into the net with a careless flick of his wrist. “And way better-looking. But don’t tell Meeks I said that. He’s sensitive.”

You snorted, trying to keep your heart from fluttering at the compliment. “Sure, I’ll keep your secret.”

“Good,” he said, winking. 

He was always like that. Playful, supportive, and just flirty enough to leave you wondering if there was more behind his words.

Even with the school’s rejection, you had Charlie. You had Mr. Keating. You had the rest of the poets, who showed up at every game, cheering louder than the rest of the crowd combined.

And somehow, that was enough.

• • • • • ☽ ☼ ☾ • • • • •

The game begins like any other. The crowd's cheers ripple across the field as the referee’s whistle cuts through the air. You sit on the bench, your eyes glued to Charlie in goal. He’s in his element, commanding the box with ease, barking orders to his defenders and making every save look effortless. You watch closely, studying his movements and how he positions himself, how he anticipates the ball. 

The game is intense. The opposing team pushes hard, but Welton is holding strong. With fifteen minutes left, the score sits at 1-3 in Welton’s favor. You feel a flicker of pride watching Charlie dive for another save, stretching his body to its limit. He punches the ball clear of the goal, but when he lands, something is off.

Charlie doesn’t get up.

Your heart drops as the stadium falls into an eerie silence. He’s clutching his knee, his face twisted in pain. From the bench, you whisper, “Get up, Charlie. Please, get up.”

But he doesn’t.

Keating is already on his feet, concern etched across his face. Neil and Knox sprint to Charlie from the field, their hands hovering as if unsure how to help. Finally, Charlie grits his teeth and lets them pull him up. He leans heavily on them, his arm draped over Neil’s shoulders. His knee is already swelling, turning an alarming shade of black and blue.

As they approach the sideline, Charlie winces with every step. He keeps his gaze fixed forward, saying nothing until they reach the bench. Then, he looks at Keating and says firmly, “Put her in. She’s got this.”

You freeze.

“What?” The word comes out barely above a whisper, your eyes widening as you process his words.

“Put her in,” Charlie repeats, his voice steady even as his face betrays his pain. He glances at you, his eyes full of trust. “She’s ready.”

Keating doesn’t hesitate. He nods at you, his expression calm but expectant. “Warm up.”

Your pulse quickens as you stand. The weight of the moment settles on your shoulders, but you force yourself to focus. You start stretching, trying to shake off the nervous energy buzzing through your veins.

Charlie sits down heavily on the bench, beckoning you over with a wave of his hand. “Hey,” he says softly, his voice laced with pain but steady. “You’ve got this. Don’t overthink it. Just play your game. You’ve been watching me all season, right?”

You nod, your throat too tight to speak.

“Good. Then you know what to do,” he continues, his tone turning playful. “And don’t let them score, okay? My reputation’s on the line here.”

Despite yourself, you laugh. He reaches out, giving your arm a reassuring squeeze. “Seriously. You’re going to be amazing. I know it.”

The whistle blows, signaling the substitution. Keating gives you an encouraging nod as you jog onto the field, your heart pounding.

The first few moments in goal are a blur. The other team is relentless, pressing harder now that Charlie’s out. Their star striker breaks through the defense and takes a shot. You dive, stretching as far as you can, but the ball slips past your fingers and into the net.

The crowd groans, and the scoreboard shifts to 2-3.

You pick yourself up, your chest heaving as frustration bubbles inside you. But you don’t let it consume you. Instead, it sharpens your focus. You glance toward the sideline, catching Charlie’s gaze. He nods at you, his expression unwavering.

You plant your feet, determined.

The next ten minutes are a whirlwind. The opposing team throws everything they have at you, but you’re ready. You block a low shot, deflect a corner kick, and dive to tip another ball just over the crossbar. Each save fuels your confidence, and the cheers from the stands spur you on.

“Let’s go, Y/N!” Knox shouts from his position on the field.

“That’s how it’s done!” Neil adds, pumping his fist in the air.

With two minutes left, Neil secures a breakaway goal, pushing the score to 2-4. The tension on the field is palpable as the clock ticks down. The opposing team launches one final attack, their striker charging toward you with the ball.

You hold your ground, your muscles coiled like a spring. The striker shoots, and you dive with your hands meeting the ball with a satisfying smack.

The whistle blows, signaling the end of the game.

Welton wins.

Cheers erupt from the stands, and the team rushes onto the field, celebrating with triumphant shouts and slaps on the back. You’re still catching your breath, adrenaline surging through your veins as the reality of the win sinks in.

The Dead Poets are losing their minds. Knox is practically vibrating with excitement, and Neil’s voice rises above the chaos. “Let’s go, Y/N!” he shouts.

Before you know it, they’re surrounding you, their faces alight with pride and joy.

“She’s the MVP!” Knox yells, pointing at you dramatically.

“Lift her up!” Neil declares, and before you can protest, their hands are under your arms and legs.

“Wait, what are you..!” you begin, but your words are drowned out by their cheers.

The boys hoist you into the air, carrying you as if you’ve just won the championship. The crowd erupts into laughter and applause, their initial skepticism replaced by admiration for your performance.

“Carpe diem!” Knox yells, and they all echo it, their voices carrying over the field.

Despite your initial embarrassment, you can’t help but laugh. The moment is surreal, and the warmth of their support fills you with gratitude. After a few laps, they gently lower you to the ground, right next to Charlie, who’s still sitting on the bench with his injured leg propped up.

“Well, that was a show,” Charlie says with a grin, his eyes sparkling despite the pain etched on his face.

“Not my idea,” you say, brushing the grass off your uniform.

“Doesn’t matter. You earned it,” he says warmly. “Seriously, Y/N. You were amazing out there.”

You duck your head, feeling your cheeks heat up. “Thanks, Charlie. I just... didn’t want to let the team down.”

“You didn’t,” he assures you. Then, with a wince, he shifts, clearly uncomfortable. “Think you could help me back to the locker room? I’d try on my own, but I’d probably end up face-planting.”

“Of course,” you say, moving to his side.

He drapes an arm around your shoulders, and you wrap yours around his waist, supporting his weight as he leans heavily on you. “Careful,” you warn as he takes his first step.

“I’m always careful,” he quips, his voice teasing.

You snort. “Yeah, because diving for that last save was so careful.”

“I couldn’t let them score,” he says, grinning. “But hey, I’m pretty sure you’ll be the one in goal for the rest of the season now.”

You glance at him, surprised. “You think so?”

“I know so, you were incredible,” he says confidently. “And I don’t think I’ll be able to walk for the rest of the season. Maybe now the rest of the school will stop being idiots and realize how good you are.”

His words make you smile. “I hope so.”

“So,” he begins, his voice taking on that familiar playful tone, “how does it feel to be the star of the show? I think you might’ve stolen my spotlight out there.”

You roll your eyes, adjusting your grip around his waist to support him better. “Oh, please. If I stole your spotlight, it’s only because you handed it over when you decided to play hero and wreck your knee.”

He grins, the corner of his mouth quirking up in that infuriatingly charming way. “I didn’t wreck it for nothing, though. Got you out on the field, didn’t I?”

“Is that your way of taking credit for the win?” you ask, arching an eyebrow.

“Maybe,” he says, chuckling. “Or maybe I just wanted to see you shine. You looked good out there.”

Your cheeks warm at his words, but you brush it off. “Well, thanks. I guess.”

“Guess?” he teases, feigning offense. “Come on, admit it. You were amazing. And I’m not just saying that because I’m hopelessly biased.”

You give him a sidelong glance. “Hopelessly biased, huh? Is that your way of saying you think I’m cute?”

“Absolutely,” he says without hesitation, his grin widening. “Have I not been obvious enough? I mean, come on, Y/N. I’m practically limping into the sunset with you right now.”

You can’t help but laugh, shaking your head. “You’re ridiculous.”

“Honestly, though,” he says, his voice softening, “you should’ve been in goal sooner.”

You raise an eyebrow. “Oh? Is that because I’m better than you?”

“Yes,” he says without hesitation, a mischievous glint in his eye. “But also because it made you flirt back with me.”

You laugh, rolling your eyes, but you can’t deny how much his words make your heart flutter.

“See?” he says, his grin widening. “It’s a win-win.”

Before you can respond, he gives you a playful squeeze with the arm draped around your shoulders and leans down to press a kiss to your temple. “You’re the best, Y/N. Don’t ever forget that.”

You glance up at him, your chest tightening at the sincerity in his voice. 

When you reach the locker room entrance, Knox comes up from behind, ready to help Charlie the rest of the way. “Got him from here,” Knox says, giving you a knowing smile as he takes Charlie’s other side.

“Thanks,” you say, stepping back as Charlie shifts his weight.

Charlie turns to you, his gaze lingering. “See you soon?”

“Yeah,” you say softly, a small smile tugging at your lips. “See you.”

Charlie gives you one last look, winks, and lets Knox drag him away.

[redsummermoon]

IM SORRY IM SORRY

i forgot how much i love to crochet (im making a sweater) and i got sidetracked from writing requests. plzzzz forgive me🥺

i will try so so hard to get one or two out before new years!!!

love you guys ! 🥰