#cmbynrollthedicechallenge

[cmbynwritingfests]

🍑 CMBYN Roll The Dice Challenge 2023 - Interest Check 🍑

Hi!

Back in 2021 we had our first round of the CMBYN Roll The Dice Challenge. I was thinking we could do another round soon, and then maybe another round of CMBYN Bingo a little later in the year (maybe in the summer?). But before I set up a challenge, I want to do an interest check first. It’s anonymous, so feel free to let me know what you think!

https://forms.gle/Hzd4TnRKDbcrzfWu6

Thanks! ❤️

Ps. The masterlist of works created for CMBYN Roll The Dice Challenge 2021 can be found here.

[theseshipsshallsail]

OF CHOCOLATE AND OXFORDS

Oliver pauses halfway across the kitchen, struck by the sight of Elio perched atop the countertop wearing nothing but a pair of boxers and the green cotton oxford he’s been searching for since Tuesday.

“Is that my shirt?” he asks, and Elio shrugs, sucking a teaspoon into his mouth. There’s a jar of Nutella in his other hand, and Oliver raises an eyebrow as he returns for another scoop, watching him defiantly. “There’d  better be another one of those.”

“Why? Afraid I’ll eat the whole thing?”

“You might as well.” Oliver steps closer, placing his hands on Elio’s knees. “It’s got your germs all over it now. Who knows where your tongue has been?”

“Oh, I’m sure you have some ideas.”

“Is that right?” 

Unable to contain his smirk, Oliver spreads Elio’s thighs then leans in to steal the taste of chocolate from his lips. Tipping his chin with his thumb, he draws out the kiss until they’re both panting, and when he next opens his eyes Elio’s are bright with mischief, his grin wide and wicked.

“Still worried about where my tongue has been?”

“Right now, I’m more interested in where it’s going to be.” 

Elio hums. “Not so fast, Professor,” he says, turning his attention to Oliver’s throat. “You have a class at nine, remember?”

“I do,” he replies, groaning at the gentle suction along his collarbone. “Which brings me back to my original question.” Pulling back, he licks over Elio’s pout before tugging at one oversized cuff. “Why are you wearing my clothes?”

Elio blinks. Innocence personified. “You were in the shower. I was cold,” he says, and Oliver can’t help but scoff. 

“In other words, you forgot to do your own laundry?”

“Possibilmente.”

“Students…” Oliver teases, plucking at his waistband. “Whatever would Mafalda say?”

Elio grunts. “Please don’t mention Mafalda when I’m pitching a semi.”

“Just a semi?” Oliver wraps a palm around his burgeoning erection. “I must be losing my touch.”

“Never.” Elio bucks against him. “Don’t start what you can’t finish, Americano.”

“Is that a challenge?”

“Might be.”

“Might be, he says.” Oliver’s breaths turn hot and heavy as Elio drops the spoon into the sink and dips his index finger into the mix instead. “What are you…”

Words fail him, his stomach dropping like a stone when Elio swirls it around the gooey mess before raising it to his mouth, sucking it clean with slow deliberation. His pants feel suddenly tight - those magic digits have always had a direct line to his cock - and with a quick glance at his watch he grabs Elio by the hips, tugging him forward to wrap his legs around his waist where they belong.

“Thirty minutes to rush hour,” Oliver tells him, spinning on his heel towards the bedroom. “Ditch the shirt. Bring the jar. I'll take my breakfast to go…”

[cmbynwritingfests]

🍑 CMBYN Roll The Dice Challenge 2023 - Update 🍑

Hi,

Two and a half weeks ago I shared an interest check survey to see if there was enough interest for another round of the CMBYN Roll The Dice Challenge. Unfortunately the survey barely got any replies, so for now I am closing the survey and there won’t be another round of CMBYN Roll The Dice. I’ll check again later in the year, or perhaps we can do another event. But for now we’ll stick with just the CMBYN Drabble Challenge.

❤️

[cmbynwritingfests]

🍑 CMBYN Roll The Dice Challenge 2021 | Masterlist 🍑

Hi!

A big thank you to everyone who participated in the challenge! And for those who haven’t checked out these stories yet, please go check them out and give our writers some love!! 🍑

* Driving Through The Streets by Samunderthelights

Oliver / Elio | T | 6447 Words Prompt : Teacher AU + Rain + Worry Elio is struggling with his parents' divorce and he feels like he can't talk to anyone about it. His teacher, Oliver, can tell that he has something on his mind though, and he encourages the teenager to talk to him. But opening up to Oliver is not so easy, seeing as Elio has had the biggest crush on him for months now.

* Gold and Silver by embersandturquoise Timothée / Armie | M | 6141 Words Prompt : Meet Cute + Shadow + Lust Oliver is a journalist at the Cannes Film Festival. A young American actor leaves him breathless.

* Half A World Away by TheseShipsShallSail Oliver / Elio | G | 1588 Words Prompt : Sharing A Bed + Beach + Worry A wise man once said, conformity is the jailer of freedom, and the enemy of growth, and with the ever-present knowledge that his return to the States is unavoidable, he wonders how it will be possible for six weeks to sustain him a lifetime.

* I can´t get no satisfaction - but cookies by embersandturquoise Oliver / Elio | Not Rated | 476 Words Prompt : Social Media AU + Cookies + Satisfaction Elio is a Youtuber and working hard to get a tutorial done. Oliver distracts him.

* Infinite Improbability by TheseShipsShallSail Oliver / Elio | T | 3551 Words Prompt : Fake Relationship | Infinity | Relief Ever since Samuel mentioned Elio was moving to the States, he’s carried the idle fantasy of crossing paths in some random book store, eyes locking across a busy street, a name - his, theirs, both - shouted across a bustling coffee shop. Of all eventualities, though, he hasn’t prepared for an Elio who might not be happy to see him. Who might dismiss him. Cast him aside like some ill-fitting chapter in the editing process. The context is all wrong, and for it to happen like this is akin to being plunged into the icy waters of the berm.

* Leather and Lace by Samunderthelights Oliver / Elio | T | 3350 Words Prompt : Roommates | Lace | Confusion Oliver has a crush on his college roommate and when they both end up at the same party one night, it's no longer possible for him to keep his feelings to himself.

* Lemonade by Samunderthelights Oliver / Elio | G | 1330 Words Prompt : Sharing Clothes + Cookies + Relief Elio and Oliver have big news for the Perlmans.

* Not So Bad After All by varium Oliver / Elio | G | 4123 Words Prompt : High School AU + Magic + Excitement “You're wasted, aren’t you?” said Oliver with what Elio hopefully interpreted as a fond tone. “Mmmmm...maybe,” Elio said, unwilling to commit himself one way or the other. A high school AU where Oliver takes care of a drunk Elio.

* Of Chocolate And Oxfords by TheseShipsShallSail Oliver / Elio | T | 474 Words Prompt : Sharing Clothes + Magic + Lust “Is that my shirt?” he asks, and Elio shrugs, sucking a teaspoon into his mouth. There’s a jar of Nutella in his other hand, and Oliver raises an eyebrow as he returns for another scoop, watching him defiantly.

* [ Oliver the Unseen ] by VesperCat Oliver / Elio | G | 419 Words Prompt : Roommates + Unseen + Amusement Chiara chips in with a movie trailer voice over, "Oliver the Unseen,"

* Pour La Vie by TheseShipsShallSail Oliver / Elio | G | 1112 Words Prompt : Unrequited Love + Hero + Compassion Friendship is a two way street. Even if sometimes it still feels like you're being dragged along the asphalt.

* [ Saltwater ] by VesperCat Timothée / Armie | G | 193 Words Prompt : Road Trip + Boots + Relief "Too late, the tide is coming in," Armie states, "do you have your phone on you?"

* The Blue House by LupusMundi Oliver / Elio | G | 461 Words Prompt : Meet Cute + Fridge + Amusement Elio is painting the front of his house when a stranger offers to help him.

* The Great Divide by TheseShipsShallSail Oliver / Elio | G | 927 Words Prompt : Road Trip + Lace + Hopelessness She’s a vision in satin and lace, auburn curls tumbling to the small of her back where the groom’s arm rests securely, less than an inch between them. His suit fits him to perfection - all sharp lines and broad shoulders - and the grin on his face is rivalled only by the woman at his side as the mid-afternoon sun casts his hair in golden splendour.

🍂  And how about a teaser for our upcoming autumn / fall challenge?  🍂

[cmbynwritingfests]

🍑 CMBYN Roll The Dice Challenge 2021 🍑

The CMBYN Roll The Dice Challenge of 2021 is here!  🍑

Just a few simple rules & guidelines for this challenge:

- This is a prompt-based challenge. Every prompt you’ll receive consists of three different things; a fanfic trope, a word you need to use in your drabble or story, and an emotion. To receive a prompt, you can send me a message here on Tumblr, or if you don’t have a Tumblr account you can send me an anon ask with your email (which I will not publish) and I will email you a prompt.

- There are 15 different tropes, words and emotions. When you ask for a prompt, I will roll a virtual dice to see which trope, word and emotion will make up your prompt. More info about prompts can be found here.

- If you feel like you can’t work with a prompt, you can skip up to two prompts during the challenge. If you’d like to skip a prompt, just let me know and I will send you a new prompt.

- The minimum word count is 100, and there is no maximum word count.

- You can contact me to receive a prompt from the 5th of July until the 10th of August.

- The AO3 Collection will open on the 10th of July, and it will close on the 15th of August. All stories posted to the AO3 collection will be shared on this Tumblr. If you do not have an AO3 account, then your story can not be added to the collection. If you still want to take part in the challenge, and you choose to post your story on another platform, then feel free to send me a link so your story can be shared on this Tumblr and added it to the masterlist.

- You can write as many drabbles and stories for this challenge as you like, but you can only request one prompt at a time. And make sure to post your work(s) before the 15th of August.

- Stories for this challenge have to be completed by the 15th of August. You are free to write a chaptered story, but make sure to have all the chapters posted by the end of the challenge. Stories that are not completed when the collection is closed will be disqualified from the challenge.

- Stories for this challenge have to be new. Even if you have an old story that fits the theme, please write something new for it. The goal of this challenge is to get creative and create new content, so let’s write as many new stories as possible.

- A masterlist of all the stories written for this challenge will be shared on this Tumblr page after the challenge has ended.

- Any rating or theme is allowed for the challenge. But please make sure to put up the correct tags, and to add a warning if your story contains things like MCD, Violence, Non-Con etc.

- This is a CMBYN challenge, and all pairings or Gen stories are allowed, as long as they include characters from the book / movie, or the real-life actors / writer / director etc. However, there is an exception to this rule. Stories including the recent allegations regarding Armie Hammer (this includes cannibal parodies, mentions of the allegations and mentions of the alleged victims etc.) will not be accepted into the Challenge Collection, they will not be shared to the Tumblr page and they will not be included into the challenge masterlist.

If you have any questions, just send me a message! ❤️

[theseshipsshallsail]

There’s a new club in the Village - Infinity emblazoned in bright, neon letters - and naturally, the building is jam-packed with society’s outcasts on its opening weekend. Oliver grimaces, pressing his third beer to the side of his face, yet the condensation does nothing to soothe his overheated skin. It’s like a furnace of writhing bodies, and with every bead of sweat that bisects his neck to soak into his collar, he can’t help but wonder why he ever agreed to come in the first place.  

“Drink up,” Vanessa says, brandishing a bright amber concoction as she slides into the booth opposite him. “You look like you need something a little stronger.”  

Oliver raises an eyebrow as he returns the bottle to the table, then plucks the wedge of orange peel from the rim of the proffered glass. It’s been three years since he tasted a negroni, and the potent combination of gin, Campari, and vermouth sends his mind reeling in directions he usually fights tooth and nail to avoid. 

“Remind me again why you brought me here?” he asks, trying not to wince at the bitter aftertaste. “This isn’t exactly my scene.”

Vanessa scoffs. “Well, if you ever left your study...”

“I’m up for promotion!”

“You’ll be up for an ulcer if you don’t slow down. Besides, you deserve to let loose after... you know.”

You know, meaning his divorce, and the eighteen month shit-storm that preceded it.

Vanessa has the office next to his, and in between general grousing about University politics they’ve become close friends. It helps, of course, that she understands his situation all too well, and even though her parents never tried to strong-arm her to the altar, she and her girlfriend still have to hide their relationship from the rest of their colleagues.

Oliver sighs as he takes a second sip of his drink. “It’ll take more than a one night stand to loosen me up,” he tells her, and the filthy smirk that curls Vanessa’s lips has him tempted to bang his forehead against the table.

“Whatever tickles your pickle, Professor.”

“Why do I put up with you?”

“Hell if I know.” Slurring somewhat, she taps their cocktails together, and Oliver laughs as she leans forward, poking him in the chest. “Listen, Ollie, you and Micol did a spectacular job of making yourselves miserable, but at least you stayed faithful ‘til the end. Why not enjoy yourself, yeah?” 

“Why not indeed?” 

He’s aiming for sarcastic, yet his tone falls somewhere short of exhausted. She’s right, he realises, but Oliver hasn’t had much interest in men or women for a while. He’s not so deep in denial to admit his heart still belongs to another, and being hopelessly in love with someone he can’t have has done a real number on his libido.

“Damn! This place is heaving!” Simone says, slumping in her seat when she returns from the bathroom. Slinging an arm around Vanessa’s shoulder she drops a quick kiss to her cheek, and Oliver averts his eyes, the casual intimacy leaving him yearning for the impossible. “A few too many student-types for my liking, though. Makes me feel like I’m back in the theatre department.”

“Makes me feel like I’m pushing thirty,” Oliver mutters, painfully aware of the significantly younger crowd as he tugs at the cheap material of his shirt. Too many curries and not enough exercise has made him self-conscious of the few extra pounds at his waistline, and depressingly, twenty-eight feels ancient in comparison. 

“You wanna call it a night?” Vanessa asks, and Oliver nods absently as his gaze catches on a couple in the middle of the dancefloor. 

Caught in a world of their own, they make a striking picture. The taller of the pair is bleached-blond and athletic, his arms wrapped tightly around the slim waist of the man in front of him in a surprisingly protective gesture. Oliver can’t see his partner clearly from this angle, but his skin is pale and shimmering as they move to the beat, dark curls falling in a tousled mess. Whether it’s by artful design or sweat-damp from dancing, he can’t quite tell, yet Oliver is hypnotized by the way they bounce as he loses himself to the music, obscuring his vision until the other man reaches forward, gently brushing them away.  

The bass pounds in his rib cage, and Oliver’s throat feels constricted as he watches the brunette link his hands behind his lover's neck. Profile half in shadows, he raises up on tiptoes to whisper in the shell of his ear, and Oliver experiences a crisis of tenderness when he butts their temples together. Something squirms in his stomach. Something raw and envious. Memories flare, unfair and brutal, and he immediately blames the burning of his retinas on the relentless assault of the strobe lights surrounding them. 

“Oliver? You okay?”

No. 

Definitely not.

The jostling crowd causes the blond to alter their position, and Oliver’s head spins from more than just the alcohol as his blood runs cold in his veins. 

“Elio…” he murmurs, vaguely aware of Vanessa’s stifled gasp when she tries to get a better look.

“Your Elio?”

He wants it not to be - wants his eyes to be deceiving him - yet there’s no denying the truth. All that he’s forgotten - all that he’s clung to - coalesces in a rush of unslaked longing, and between one blink and the next, Oliver remembers everything. 

“Not anymore,” he whispers, but then, why would he be? 

Elio was seventeen when they first met, and Oliver isn’t naive enough to think he hasn’t fallen in and out of love many times since then. He’s beautiful, intelligent, talented beyond measure. Was he really so arrogant to imagine he would still be single? Pining for him, maybe? Saving himself? And for what? A six week romance one too-hot Italian summer? Something his cowardice cut short with a long-distance phone call?

He was, wasn’t he?

Arrogant. 

And so very stupid.

“Of all the gay bars in all the world…” Vanessa takes a swig of her piña colada as he continues to spiral. “I thought you said he lived in Italy?” 

“He did,” Oliver replies, picking at his thumbnail. “He moved here for school.”

“And you didn't contact him?”

“To say what?” His ears ring from the shrillness of her tone. “Hey, Elio. Remember that time I broke both our hearts ‘cause I’m a gutless schmuck? How about I buy you a coffee to make up for it?”

“It would’ve been a start.”

“It would’ve been selfish,” he says, tearing his eyes away. “He has enough on his plate with Juilliard. I’d only get in the  -”

“Juilliard?” Simone’s low whistle interrupts his self-reproach. “Impressive.”

“Son of a professor,” Oliver explains. “I always knew he was a genius.” He gathers himself with a quiet huff. “Though he’ll probably say he knows nothing.” The spark of nostalgia is crippling, and it takes everything he has not to break down on the spot. “I should go,” he says, draining the remains of his drink as he rises to his feet. 

“Oliver -”

“Why don’t you come back to ours?” Vanessa offers, making to follow, but whatever expression is on his face causes Simone to catch her by the wrist.

“We’re here if you need us, alright?”

“I know,” he says, eternally grateful for their support as he pushes some cab money into her hand. “Get home safe. I’ll call you in the morning, okay?”

“You’d better,” Vanessa tells him, obstinate in her concern, yet all he can focus on right now is leaving.

The swirling thoughts inside his head are all-consuming, but Oliver is determined to reign in his emotions for a little while longer. Ignoring the way his shoes stick to the tacky vinyl flooring, he grits his teeth as he snakes his way through the crush of humanity. He needs space. Fresh air. Hell, a damn time machine wouldn’t go amiss. He has nobody to blame but himself, and he’s halfway to the exit sign when his pace grinds to a halt, his masochistic streak unable to resist one last glimpse. 

A flash of irrational panic makes him breathe in deep - hold it for a count of three - and when he turns to scan the roiling bodies that fill up the dance floor, he finds them immediately. The shock doesn’t lessen, and if Oliver thought his heart had broken when they’d clung to one another on a train station platform, it’s naught compared to when Elio tips the other man’s chin up with the same fingers that used to play his body like a finely tuned instrument. White noise fills his ears as he ghosts a kiss to his lips - two chaste pecks at first - and then harder. Hungry. Mouths open. Tongues swirling. Deep and dirty. 

Just the way he likes it.

Fool that he is, Oliver doesn’t turn away. But he’s not the only one. Their bawdy display has garnered a small audience of the jealous and horny, and when the cat-calls eventually die down he notices a clearly disappointed red-head stalk past them on route to her table of friends. 

Time has not domesticated him, it seems, and Oliver feels like crying as the world returns frame by frame - the oscillating pulse of the dance track. The lightning burst of colour from the laser system above. An innate sense of powerlessness floods through him - the depths of which he hasn’t experienced since Elio sobbed against his chest in an attic bedroom - and a heavy weight settles in his belly as he recognises the cues and rituals that were once directed at him alone. 

Elio has obviously flourished in his absence. His body language is looser, more relaxed, assured in a way his younger self could only dream of, and Oliver allows an almost-smile as the couple laugh for a moment before turning to walk away. 

His fingers itch for a cigarette - a habit he’s struggling to waive - and the next thing he knows he’s taking a seat at the bar, a double shot of bourbon in his hand he doesn’t remember ordering, and a screaming admonishment from his better judgement to not do anything stupid. 

All I had to do was find the courage to reach out and touch, Elio said once, rife with self-mockery, and Oliver’s advice was to try again later. Was this it? Their later? And if not now, when? Because whatever his feelings of bitterness - whatever his misguided envy - if he lets this opportunity pass him by, he will always wonder. Always look. 

In truth, he already does. 

Ever since Samuel mentioned Elio was moving to the States, he’s carried the idle fantasy of crossing paths in some random book store, eyes locking across a busy street, a name - his, theirs, both - shouted across a bustling coffee shop. Of all eventualities, though, he hasn’t prepared for an Elio who might not be happy to see him. Who might dismiss him. Cast him aside like some ill-fitting chapter in the editing process. The context is all wrong, and for it to happen like this is akin to being plunged into the icy waters of the berm.

“Accidenti!” an achingly familiar voice says from somewhere behind him. “Are all Americans incapable of taking a hint? Or is it just an East Coast thing?”

“It’s the accent, mio amico. Fries their brains.”

“Never mind their brains,” Elio replies in the same lazy drawl. “I think you’ve sprained my tonsils.”

There’s a snicker to his left, and like a moth to a flame, Oliver peers up into the mirror behind the bar, only to find his living nightmare mere meters away, sharing a cigarette. Elio’s still wearing the same bracelets he did that summer, and three years of sleepwalking collapses around him as Oliver hunches over, palms sweating. 

“Seriously though,” the blond continues. “Look at this place! Wall-to-wall entreés, and you won’t so much as skim the menu. You’re spoiled for choice, compagno.”

Elio scoffs as he brings the filter to his lips. “Didn’t I tell you choice is an illusion?”

“As is time, according to Adams.” The man slings an arm over his shoulders. “And here you are, free as a bird, wasting the perfect opportunity.” 

Elio flips him the middle finger. “Stronzo,” he says, leaving Oliver more confused than ever as he studies him over the rim of his glass. “It’s a curse.”

“Self-inflicted, maybe.”

“So what’s the answer? And don’t say forty-two.”

The guy chuckles. “Variety,” he says, signalling the harried bartender. “Things didn’t work out with the violinist - I get it. È la vita! You’re not in the mood for pushy red-heads? Fine. But don’t sell yourself short. Trust Fund Tina’s not the only one checking you out.”

“Perhaps.”

“What perhaps?” A knowing smirk shoots in Oliver’s direction. “See for yourself.”

It’s like experiencing the first tremor of an earthquake. Elio was always a force of nature, and bracing for disaster, Oliver feels the fault lines buckle beneath him. He thought he was done letting fear and shame dictate his life, yet even now, at peace with his true self, he can’t bear to witness the seismic shift between past and present. Instead, he falls back on avoidance, tearing strips off a frayed beer mat until the hair prickles at his nape.

He can feel it - the instant his fate is sealed - and taking a deep breath Oliver returns his eyes to the mirror, meeting Elio’s stunned features. Dark brows climb towards his hairline as the happiness on his face shifts into something else. Something measured. Unrecognisable. A blank slate, almost. For a moment, Oliver fears he’s going to ignore him completely, but then Elio straightens his spine, offers the half-smoked cigarette to his friend, and with a few whispered words strides forward with purpose.

His daring is a law unto himself, but the look he’s giving him now exudes superiority - omniscience, almost - as if he can read every thought that’s going on inside Oliver’s mind, and has already deemed them wanting. It shouldn’t be such a turn on, yet his heart skips a beat regardless. Then another. Every instinct in his body tells him to reach out, to hold Elio’s hand, tuck those wild curls behind his ear, but it’s no longer his place - if it ever really was to begin with - so Oliver takes a deliberate sip of his whiskey, scared and aroused simultaneously, before swivelling towards him.

“Oliver.” His name on Elio’s lips - three smooth syllables - and he feels reborn. “Long time no see.” Hesitating, he offers up a pack of Luckies. “Fumo?”

“I shouldn’t,” he says, dragging trembling fingers through his hair. “I told myself I’d quit. God knows it won't take much to -” 

“Tempt you?” 

Heat rises to Oliver’s cheeks. “Yes,” he admits, and Elio’s smile is a shallow, brittle thing. 

“Well, you know yourself,” he says, returning the cigarette carton to his pocket. “Don’t let me ruin your good intentions.”

His flippancy is like a red rag to a bull, and Oliver’s hackles rise as he sets his drink on the counter, irritated enough by Elio’s calm exterior to try and provoke a reaction. “Is your boyfriend not the jealous type?” 

All he receives is an eye roll. “Bruno’s not my boyfriend.”

“Could’ve fooled me. From what I saw earlier.”

“You saw nothing,” Elio replies, defensive. “We’re friends. Roommates.”

“Roommates?” Rising from his stool, Oliver takes a step towards him. “That kiss -” 

“Is none of your business. Not anymore.” 

It hits him like a punch to the gut. Oliver’s lips part, but no sound passes between them. He’s being irrational, he’ll accept, but old habits die hard, and through sheer force of will he quashes down his guilt, knowing better than to use it as a weapon. 

“Of course,” he says, chastened. “You’re right.” 

“I usually am.” 

“Elio…” This isn’t how he wants the conversation to go. “I know it’s too much to expect your forgiveness, but please don’t be angry with me. We were friends, once. Before anything else.”

“I’m not angry.” A beat. “Not anymore.” Tipping his chin, Elio folds his arms in front of him. One more barrier despite the brush-off. “I’m processing.“

“Processing?”

“Yes, processing. Originates from the Old French proces. Related to the Latin processus, and from the verb procedere in Middle English.”

“Wise ass.”

“Sempre.” Elio shrugs, watching him openly. “What are you doing here, Oliver?”

“My friends saw the flyers,” he says, bypassing the here, specifically, when Elio’s attention drops a few inches lower, and he realises he’s staring at his ring finger.

At the white line that’s all but vanished since he signed his way to freedom.

“You’re…”

Oliver clears his throat. “Divorced,” he manages, shuffling his feet. “Almost three months now.”

“Divorced?” Elio’s mask slams back into place, the distress in his voice palpable. “Why?”

And there are so many things he could say to that - the stress of his job, money, differing expectations - but this is Elio. His first love. His forever love. He, above anyone, deserves the truth. 

“I think you know why.”

“Do I?” That same phony indifference. “What the eyes see, and the ears hear, the mind believes.” 

“The truth is never that simple.”

“Not for us, it seems. Not in this world.” Elio gives his head a small but firm shake, blowing out a frustrated breath. “You know, tonight was supposed to lower my stress levels, not raise them,” he says, granting them a temporary reprieve. “But then, you always were hazardous to my blood pressure.”

“Trust me. The feeling’s mutual,” Oliver tells him wryly. “Might I recommend some deep breaths?”

“Deep breaths?” Elio rocks back on his heels. “If I had any peaches I’d be using my right hand.”

It catches him unawares, and Oliver can't help it. He snorts. Overcome by relief. Then he laughs - a weak sound, and damn near helpless - but a laugh, nonetheless. Cupping a palm to his mouth. Moving it to his eyes. Feeling the tears he’s been fighting since this whole debacle began.

“My God you’re incorrigible,” he mutters, the sharp stab of regret cutting him to the core as he glances over his shoulder, and the blond - Bruno - shoots him a wink. “When you said I saw nothing...”

The hesitant curve of Elio’s smile lights a fire in his chest. “There was a girl on the dance floor who wouldn’t take no for an answer. Lucky for me, Bruno’s never been shy about putting on a convincing performance.” 

Oliver winces. “Well, I bought it.”

“Mission accomplished, then.” Elio edges closer. “I could’ve said the same for you, once upon a time.” The air between them grows charged. “Do you ever miss it?” he asks. “Italy, I mean?”

“Every single day.” Oliver finds himself captivated by the smattering of stubble along Elio’s jawline. The touch of smudged kohl beneath his lashes that turns his gaze smouldering. “Do you?”

“In a way.”

“Just a way?” He’s not entirely certain they’re talking about the same thing, and Vanessa’s advice seems all the more pertinent. “Let me buy you a coffee?” Oliver asks, and Elio frowns.

“What? Now?”

“If you like.” 

“It’s gone midnight!” 

“Tomorrow, then. Whenever you’re available.” Suddenly desperate, he closes the gap between them. “I can’t excuse my actions, Elio - I know I can’t - but at the very least I owe you an explanation.”

“Oliver...” This time it’s Elio who reaches out, his usually steady hands uncertain as they entwine with his. “I was young, not stupid. What’s there to forgive? You left because you had to. You married because -”

“I was weak.”

“Cazatte!” The tension in Elio’s body snaps back like a coil. “My father would have carted me off to a correctional facility,” he murmurs, squeezing his fingers tightly. “I’ll never forget those words.” 

“I’m sorry...”

“Don’t be!” Elio sounds furious on his behalf. “Weak, you say? No. Control over others is the true weakness. Coercion. Conformity. All it does is breed hatred. And that’s not you. Not my Oliver.” 

“Am I still?” he asks, laying his cards out on the table. “Your Oliver?”

“I guess we’ll find out, won’t we?” 

Oliver swallows thickly. “I guess we will,” he says, dropping his forehead to Elio’s crown.

He’s braver at twenty-one than Oliver could have dared imagine, and for the first time in years the dull ache beneath his ribs is replaced by a different sort of craving. The way they fit together so easily, like no time has passed, fans the banked passions within him - the desire to press his lips against Elio’s neck, to nip his way along countless freckles until he can fist those unruly curls and guide his mouth back to where it belongs. 

Flush against his. 

Devouring.

But not yet.

This isn’t leading to sex. Not tonight. This is about reconciliation. Reassurance. Redemption.

“There’s a late-night diner on the corner…”

It’s a whisper against his cheek - so quiet he barely hears it - and Oliver leans down, pressing his face to Elio’s collarbone, breathing him in. He knows this won’t be easy - knows there will be dark clouds before the dawn - yet here they are, older and wiser, and three years might as well be yesterday as the parting crowds provide a temporary island in which to weather the storm.

[cmbynwritingfests]

🍑 The Great Divide 🍑

Author : TheseShipsShallSail

Pairing : Oliver / Elio

Rating : G

Words : 927

Summary : She’s a vision in satin and lace, auburn curls tumbling to the small of her back where the groom’s arm rests securely, less than an inch between them. His suit fits him to perfection - all sharp lines and broad shoulders - and the grin on his face is rivalled only by the woman at his side as the mid-afternoon sun casts his hair in golden splendour.

🍑 READ ON AO3 🍑

[cmbynwritingfests]

🍑 Pour La Vie 🍑

Author : TheseShipsShallSail

Pairing : Oliver / Elio

Rating : G

Words : 1112

Summary : Friendship is a two way street. Even if sometimes it still feels like you're being dragged along the asphalt.

🍑 READ ON AO3 🍑

[cmbynwritingfests]

🍑 Half A World Away 🍑

Author :   TheseShipsShallSail

Pairing : Oliver / Elio Perlman

Rating : G

Words : 1588

Summary : A wise man once said, conformity is the jailer of freedom, and the enemy of growth, and with the ever-present knowledge that his return to the States is unavoidable, he wonders how it will be possible for six weeks to sustain him a lifetime.

🍑 READ ON AO3 🍑

[cmbynwritingfests]

🍑 Driving Through The Streets 🍑

Author : Samunderthelights

Pairing : Oliver / Elio Perlman

Rating : T

Words : 6447

Summary : Elio is struggling with his parents' divorce and he feels like he can't talk to anyone about it. His teacher, Oliver, can tell that he has something on his mind though, and he encourages the teenager to talk to him. But opening up to Oliver is not so easy, seeing as Elio has had the biggest crush on him for months now.

🍑 READ ON AO3 🍑

[cmbynwritingfests]

🍑 The CMBYN Roll The Dice Challenge AO3 Collection is now open 🍑

The CMBYN Roll The Dice Challenge AO3 Collection is now open!

The collection will remain open until the 15th of August. So make sure to post your finished works before that time.

When you post a work to the collection, it will have to be approved first before it is added. Make sure to use the tag ‘CMBYN Roll The Dice Challenge’ or please mention in your notes that this is a work for the challenge.

All stories posted to the AO3 collection will be shared on the CMBYN Writing Fests Tumblr page.

Once you have submitted a drabble or story to the collection, you can request a new prompt if you’d like.

🍑 Find the AO3 Collection here 🍑

[cmbynwritingfests]

🍑 Infinite Improbability 🍑

Author :   TheseShipsShallSail

Pairing : Oliver / Elio Perlman

Rating : T

Words : 3551

Summary : Ever since Samuel mentioned Elio was moving to the States, he’s carried the idle fantasy of crossing paths in some random book store, eyes locking across a busy street, a name - his, theirs, both - shouted across a bustling coffee shop. Of all eventualities, though, he hasn’t prepared for an Elio who might not be happy to see him. Who might dismiss him. Cast him aside like some ill-fitting chapter in the editing process. The context is all wrong, and for it to happen like this is akin to being plunged into the icy waters of the berm.

🍑 READ ON AO3 🍑

[cmbynwritingfests]

🍑 CMBYN Roll The Dice Challenge 2021 | Reminder 🍑

Quick reminder that there is now one week left to post your completed works to AO3. 🍑

You can request prompts for the challenge until the 10th of August and the AO3 collection closes on the 15th of August.

For more info about the challenge, see this post.

[cmbynwritingfests]

🍑 CMBYN Roll The Dice Challenge 2021 | Reminder 🍑

Quick reminder that there is now one week left to get new prompts for the challenge. 🍑

You can request prompts for the challenge until the 10th of August and the AO3 collection closes on the 15th of August.

For more info about the challenge, see this post.

[cmbynwritingfests]

🍑 Not So Bad After All 🍑

Author : varium

Pairing : Oliver / Elio

Rating : G

Words : 4123

Summary : ���You're wasted, aren’t you?” said Oliver with what Elio hopefully interpreted as a fond tone. “Mmmmm...maybe,” Elio said, unwilling to commit himself one way or the other.

A high school AU where Oliver takes care of a drunk Elio.

🍑 READ ON AO3 🍑

[cmbynwritingfests]

🍑 Gold and Silver 🍑

Author :  embersandturquoise

Pairing : Timothée Chalamet / Oliver

Rating : M

Words : 6141

Summary : Oliver is a journalist at the Cannes Film Festival. A young American actor leaves him breathless.

🍑 READ ON AO3 🍑