#trystan x carolina

[jerzwriter]

Kiss and Say Goodbye

Once again, @/artbyainna (IG) has completely blown my mind. I received this first thing in the morning, and I ask you, how am I to be expected to go about my day and work? How? It's impossible! I can't believe how I can describe a scene to her, and she just brings it to life exactly as I imagined it.

This is from the farewell scene in part one of my Crimes of Passion AU, A Moment in Time. This was all the inspiration I needed to finally finish the final chapter. All other works are shoved to the side! lol I'm still screaming!

A Moment in Time

Crimes of Passion Trystan Thorne x Carolina Rose

Tagging my CoP peeps below, because... EEK!

@alj4890 @annoyingmillenialnewbie @inlocusmads @jamespotterthefirst @potionsprefect @secretaryunpaid @stars-are-within-me @tessa-liam @trappedinfanfiction @lilyoffandoms @aces-and-angels @ao719 @brycesgirl @cariantha @coffeeheartaddict2 @custaroonie @kyra75 @moominofthevalley @shadyinternetblizzard @storyofmychoices @thosehallowedhalls @dutifullynuttywitch @zealouscanonindeer @cadybear420

[peonierose]

Choices April Acts of Kindness

For this years April Acts of Kindness for @choicesfandomappreciation I got @jerzwriter 🩷

And I’m so happy I did, so I went ahead and commissioned something for your wonderful pairing Carolina & Trystan🩷 This beautiful, pinktastic (okay minus the pink), wonderful, gorgeous art work was done by the wonderful @weetlebeetle 🩷🩷🩷🩷 I still can’t stop looking at it, it’s so pretty 🥲😱

I wanted to take the chance to say thank you for being so selfless, amazing, welcoming and supportive. Not taking any bullshit from anyone 😅 Thank you for making this fandom so great, all your hard work you do for choicesficwriterscreation. All the writers and artists you support in equal measure 🥰🩷

I love the art work and the characters even though they’re not mine 🥰 I hope you love it as much as I do 🥰🩷

I honestly can’t wait to see what everyone else created / commissioned 🥰🩷

[choicesfandomappreciation]

Secret Pal Exchange—December 2023

Thank you to everyone who participated this year to make the Secret Pal event a success! You helped spread joy and cheer in our fandom. Thank you for making this place one where we can come, feel safe, and enjoy talking about our fave pixel people. I hope you the rest of the year is kind to you and that 2024 brings you nothing but goodness! 💛

Missed this event? There will be another Secret Pal event in February!

Alphabetical by user name of the giftee Please let me know if you see any errors or any links that are wrong

❤️ To: @a-cloud-for-dreams 💚 From: @hydn-jpg

Trystan x MC Art

❤️ To: @aallotarenunelma 💚 From: @lilyoffandoms

Saini / Immortal Desires MC Moodboard + Art

❤️ To: @abelflints 💚 From: @totojo2

Tyril Starfury Art

❤️ To: @cadybear420 💚 From: @tveitertotwrites

Moving (fic) Aiden and Evie are moving out of their home and onto the next chapter of their life.

❤️ To: @cariantha 💚 From: @peonierose

Ethan x MC Art

❤️ To: @hydn-jpg 💚 From: @noesapphic

Partner (fic) Joaquin takes Zach to a salacious escapade to Vermont. Needless to say, it will be a memorable trip.

❤️ To: @inlocusmads 💚 From: @rosepetals1

Multiple Pairings Moodboard/Aesthetics

❤️ To: @jerzwriter 💚 From: @stars-are-within-me

Introduction Cookies (fic) There is a new case to solve and Trystan has a surprise for Carolina. Angels (fic) The gang goes ice skating. Airports (fic) It's time for Carolina to return home just in time for New Year's and the gang goes to pick her up. Everything should go according to plan,right?

❤️ To: @ladylamrian 💚 From: @peonyblossom

Nik Ryder x Alex Moodboard

❤️ To: @lilyoffandoms 💚 From: @a-cloud-for-dreams

Tyril x Maiele Moodboard + Video Edit

❤️ To: @lovealexhunt / storyofmychoices💚 From: @moominofthevalley

Daenarya Moodboard

❤️ To: @moominofthevalley 💚 From: @inlocusmads

Interborough Loops (fic) Emily puts her feelings to words after taking a leap of faith - something she'd not consider doing if it weren't for watching the people around her. However, Trystan isn't a huge fan of words.

❤️ To: @noesapphic 💚 From: @cariantha

Tyril x MC x Nia Art

❤️ To: @oh-so-youre-a-nerd 💚 From: @aallotarenunelma

By My Side (fic) : Aerin x MC

❤️ To: @peonierose 💚 From: @ladylamrian

Bryce x MC Icons + Drabble

❤️ To: @peonyblossom 💚 From: @lovealexhunt /@storyofmychoices

A Cozy Christmas (fic + moodboard) Ethan, Sydney, and Caramel spent a cozy Christmas at home.

❤️ To: @rosepetals1 💚 From: @tessa-liam

Mal x MC Edit

❤️ To: @stars-are-within-me 💚 From: @cadybear420

Multiple Pairing Character Edits

❤️ To: @talasintahan 💚 From: @oh-so-youre-a-nerd

Kamilah, Gaius, Adrian Art

❤️ To: @tessa-liam 💚 From: @talasintahan / @gaiuskamilah

Liam x MC Art

❤️ To: @totojo2 💚 From: @abelflints

Eiko x MC Edit (MOTY)

❤️ To: @tveitertotwrites 💚 From: @zealouscanonindeer

AME Aesthetic/Moodboard RCD Aesthetic/Moodboard

❤️ To: @zealouscanonindeer 💚 From: @jerzwriter

A Tall Order (fic + art) It's a snowy lunch break at Edenbrook.

[choicesficwriterscreations]

Crimes F/AotW - Oct 1-7, 2023

✒️= Fanfic | 📱= Text Fics/Edits | 🎨= Fanart Ⓜ️ = Mature Content 18+ | 🔥 = Explicit/NSFW 18+ 🌺 = Hispanic Heritage Month 🦄= Bisexuality Awareness Week | 🏳️‍🌈= LGBTQIA

Trystan Thorne

First Date ✒️| m!Trystan Thorne x f!MC - @jerzwriter 🌺Carolina Rose

I Will ✒️| m!Trystan Thorne x f!MC - @moominofthevalley

Made in Love ✒️| m!Trystan Thorne x f!MC - @moominofthevalley

F!Trystan x F!MC Fanart 🎨🏳️‍🌈 by @oh-so-youre-a-nerd

M!Trystan x F!MC Fanart 🎨 by @nukritus

M!Trystan x M!MC Fanart 🎨🏳️‍🌈 by @oh-so-youre-a-nerd

Trystan Thorne Fanart 🎨 by @nukritus

Trystan Thornes Fanart 2 🎨by @nukritus

The Rain ✒️| Trystan Thorne x F!MC - @starsarewithinme

We Don't Have to Hide Anymore 🎨| m!Trystan Thorne x f!MC by @cassie-thorne

Main CFWC Fic of the Week ListBlades Fic of the Week ListOpen Heart Fic of the Week List

[inlocusmads]

Hey there! I got this ask game, and I'm passing it on! I literally picked the first 10 people that came up when I scrolled through my list! Play along if you wish! ❤️

Tag game: I will name you some categories or a word, and you will tag a Tumblr friend or a mutual who matches with it or gives you these vibes. Don't worry, just a game. If you get tagged by someone else, you are lucky. Continue this game with the words of your choice :)

Dancing

Dagger

Seaside

New York

Bakery

Vinyl Records

Screaming

Elsa, thank you so much for this Ask! And I just wanna take a moment to appreciate the fact that this MADE ME THINK! It's awesome, I love it!

Dancing makes me think of @lovealexhunt's beautifully commissioned artwork - Mal and Daenarya after the ball and IT IS JUST TOO DAMN GORGEOUS OKAY? (I have like seventy posts saved in my drafts as reblogs and I should totally do that sometime soon lol). Honestly @hydn-jpg's art slaps, like hard bass, let's freaking go! Dani, always knocking it out of the park <3

Dagger - obviously @cassie-thorne. Ik ik too specific but I vaguely recall us just talking about daggers and weapons and cool stuff and recently there was this Ask from the playchoicesconfession account that talked about equipping the Crimes MC with something better than a taser. (MAX, CAMERON WITH KNIFE ARTWORK WHEN) and it also reminds me of this piece by @monschoices with Trystan and Sasha dressed up as the characters in Scream (1996). And Max just gives me full chaos vibes - we're all here for the chaos!

Seaside gives me just full @peonierose vibes. I'm just so behind on catching up with Peonie's work, but the last I hear, Luna and Bryce are living their sandy, beachy dreams up! There was this cute little fic where while they're picking out cakes, Bryce and Luna discover they're pregnant and it's just the wholesomest, feel-goodest fic on this earth. Plus, Peonie as a person just makes me associate with beaches, just the warmth of a nice summer's day.

New York is just @jerzwriter XD! Legit! It's synonymous almost! Ik you're from New Jersey, but you get the trademark New York culture, which is just so evident in your Crimes fics. I love them! I love how Carolina's got this wit and charm that's this cleverly calculated thing that helps her navigate tough situations but she is absolutely unafraid to hurl someone in front of a subway train in the slightest and yes, Trystan should be scared. I'd love to visit NYC someday!

Bakery gives me @peonyblossom solely because of the queer coffee shop vibes. I'm pretty sure they have a coffee shop AU and I'm just that terrible to not have gotten to it sooner XD. But honestly, yes, if we're going by vibes and vibes alone, just the atmosphere of a cornerstore bakery. It's very tough to pinpoint to one thing lol!

Vinyl records is just screaming @mydemonsdrivealimo (I don't know if I should be envious of Jensen that he gets to wear cool frickin outfits and just cook up a storm on the performing stage or if I should just sit back and wish why he weren't an actual musician I can binge-listen to on Spotify XD) but seriously, just impeccable of the impeccable-est music tastes ever.

Screaming reminds me of this Aerin x MC artwork by @oh-so-youre-a-nerd and IT'S NOTHING SHORT OF A MASTERPIECE (once again, I'm so behind on reblogging the coolest art and fics that I come across). I haven't seen the Witcher, but just Aerin "Sadboi" Valleros screaming out of his lungs is just a mood (mood I say, when it's heart-wrenching lmao). But damn, they knock it out of the whole freaking universe with their impeccable art! I'm just gonna sit here in awe and doom-scroll through their stuff right now.

Thank you so much Elsa! This was so fun to do <33

[choicesmonthlychallenge]

Week Three: August 7 — 13

[August Prompt List] || [August Masterlists]

Thank you to everyone who participated this week! As always, if I missed your entry or made a mistake, please let me know! 🩵

⟢Blades of Light & Shadow:⟢

Restless Shadows [Mal xF!Human] by @storyofmychoices

The Cutest Goof [Mal x F!Human] by @storyofmychoices

⟢Crimes of Passion:⟢

A Moment in Time (Carolina's POV) [Trystan x F!MC] by @jerzwriter

⟢Open Heart:⟢

A New Chapter [Tobias x F!MC] by @jerzwriter

Birthday Cake [Ethan x F!MC] @liaromancewriter

Enjoying the Sun [Ethan x F!MC by @potionsprefect

I do. Me too. + ART [Ethan x F!MC] by @jerzwriter

Sadie's Self Care Sunday #37 by @peonyblossom

Tides of Change [Bryce x F!OC] by @storyofmychoices

What Could Have Been (6/?) [Ethan x F!MC] @liaromancewriter

[choicesfrog]

Hello! I decided to make a blog to follow my favorite Choices blogs and maybe participate in the fandom more. I'm more a fan of the older books, but some of the newer ones have been fun as well. I have a ton of MCs I plan on sharing here and posting a bit about. I'm really shy, but feel free to say hi!

Books, MCs & OCs, and LIs (This is a WIP)

Character Profiles

Perfect Match: Dez x Indigo (F!Hayden Dreamer), Milo x Everyone, and Carolina x Sloane

The Royal Romance: Elaine x Liam and Eloise x Hana

It Lives In the Woods: Valentine x Ava and Marella x Andy

It Lives Beneath: Cassie x Imogen

It Lives Within: Erica x Amalia

Bloodbound: Olive x Lily

Veil of Secrets: Lennox x Kate and Jade x Naomi

High School Story: Charlotte x Emma

Crimes of Passion: Theo x F!Trystan

Blades of Light and Shadow: Ruelle x Nia

[choicesjuly2023challenge]

Week 1 Masterlist

Crimes of Passion

4th of July Fun - m!Trystan Thorne x f!MC (Lilah Rose) - @storyofmychoices

"...and you have me" - m!Trystan Thorne x f!MC (Carolina Rose) - @jerzwriter

Open Heart

Anchored in Love - Bryce Lahela x f!OC (Olivia Hadley) - @storyofmychoices

Sadie's Self Care Sunday #32: Flowers - f!MC (Sadie Oakley) - @peonyblossom

Sweet Stuff - Tobias Carrick x f!MC (Casey MacTavish) - @jerzwriter

The Warmth of Love - Bryce Lahela x f!OC (Olivia Hadley) - @storyofmychoices

The Royal Romance

The Blue Honey Cafe, Chapter 5: Moonlight Rendezvous - f!MC (Riley Brooks - @bebepac

Wake the Dead

The Princess + The Dragon - Troy Hassan x f!MC (Astraea Callen) - @storyofmychoices

Crossovers

Crimes of Passion/Hot Couture

you'll find me on my tallest tiptoes, spinning in my highest heels, love, shining just for you - Marco Di Vincenzo x f!MC (Analise Moore); Marguerite Thorne x f!OC (Charlie) - @peonyblossom

[jerzwriter]

Take Me Out

Trystan Thorne x Carolina Rose

In my HC, Carolina was born & raised in the Bronx, and to her, the New York Yankees are a religion. This commission by the magnificent @/artbyainna was inspired by my fic A Celebration, and since some wanted to know how Carolina behaved at the game, the drabble below the break provides some insight. I hope you enjoy it.

Book: Crimes of Passion (Post Book 1, Pre 2)

Pairing: Trystan Thorne x F!MC

Rating: Teen

Words: 1,011

Summary: When Trystan has the opportunity to see Carolina in her element, he just has to steal her away for a moment alone.

A/N: Participating in @choicesmonthlychallenge from the April Challenge: Just want to be with you, sunset, kiss also participating in @choicesflashfics prompt is bolded below.

~~~~

Carolina couldn’t contain her laughter.   She hadn’t felt this way since she was a teenager, perhaps not even then. The wind whipped through her hair as she clutched Trystan’s hand, willingly running behind him as he circled the stadium’s ramps, exuding such confidence you would have guessed he knew where he was going.

“Trystan!” She yelled breathlessly. “You’ve never been here before! Do you know where you’re going?”

“Yes, down,” he answered matter of factly.

“And why exactly are you going down?”

She collided into his back, nearly toppling them to the floor, when he suddenly stopped and turned to her with a devilish smirk.

“Carolina Rose, if I was going down... you’d know it.”

“You jerk,” she laughed, playfully pounding her fist against his chest. “I swear you act like a teenage boy!”

“It’s part of my charm,” he winked. “Here,” he pointed to the entrance of a relatively empty section of the stadium. “That’s where we’re going!”

“Why? Our seats are better than that, and besides, we left Luke and Ruby behind.”

“Yes, we did,” he acknowledged as he leaned against the concrete partition separating them from the field. “I like them very much... but if I didn’t get you alone for a few minutes... I was afraid that I would die.”

Carolina’s lips twisted, a playful gleam in her eye. “You thought you would die?”

“Absolutely,” he looped his arm around her waist and pulled her near. “Do you see the effect you have on me?”

“Really? So, tell me... what put a healthy man like yourself in critical condition? Was it the way I curse the umpires out every three seconds? Or how I put that old man in his place when he dared to question if Jeter held the team’s post-season hits record?”  

“Neither of those,” he smiled.

“So it was the way I surreptitiously threw peanut shells at the Boston fans passing us?”

“No. Though, I’ll admit, that was impressive.”

“Was it when I jumped up and down like a lunatic when Judge hit a home run?”

“No,” his eyes roamed over her body, momentarily pausing at her chest. “Though I must admit, I rather enjoyed that part.”

“So what was it,” she snuggled under his arm. “What made being alone with me a life or death issue?”

“Seeing you in your element. Watching you be unabashedly yourself without a worry about anything, just Carolina, having the time of her life at a Yankee game. It was enchanting... in a gauche sort of way, but enchanting nevertheless.”

“Really?” she chuckled. “And to think I considered toning it down. I know I can get pretty crazy and I didn’t want to scare you away.”

“Please, I’m from Drakovia. It would take much more than that to frighten me away. Besides, don’t ever change any part of yourself for anyone, especially me. I’m crazy about you just the way you are.”

At a loss for words, Carolina was spared when a roar from the crowd turned their heads back toward the field, or at least Carolina’s head turned. Trystan wanted to be interested in the game, but how? Given the choice of watching a multi-million dollar team play ball or watching her... his answer would always be the same. Carolina…every single time.

He brushed a stray hair behind her ear and marveled over her. He knew this game was important to her, and it linked her to her father, who shared the same passion. Knowing another stadium’s tragic role in her life, he was happy to know she could still enjoy this. She blushed when she caught him staring at her far too seriously.

“What?” She smiled.

“Nothing. I just love seeing you happy. You used to come to games with your father, no?”

“Oh, yes!” She beamed. “Whenever we could! As a teen, he didn’t have the money to come, so he got a job selling popcorn in the stands just to watch them play. By the time I came along, he could spring for tickets, only the cheap seats, but that didn’t matter to me. I have the best memories here. That’s why I always wear his jersey when I come.”

Trystan spun her around and looked at the number 23 on the back of her jersey and the name written above it.

“Mattingly. Was he your father’s favorite?”

“Sure was! Donnie Baseball! Dad was crushed he never got a World Series ring.”

“Is he your favorite player too?”

“Oh, no. I love him, but,” she patted the number 2 on Trystan’s back, “Derek Jeter is my favorite.”

“And why is that?”

“Are you kidding? He’s a legend! Besides...growing up, I had the biggest crush on him... the man was freaking hot.”

“Oh, really?” Trystan simpered. “Now I understand why you gave me his jersey to wear. Although I’m sure I look even more attractive in it.”

“Mmmm, I dunno,” she shook her head playfully. “I’d need you to put on the cap to make a fair assessment, and since you refused....”

“And mess up this hair? My true crowing glory! I think not, Carolina.”

“You’re too much,” she laughed, running her fingers through his impressive mane. “Thank you for bringing me here tonight, Trystan. It means a lot to me. But the sun’s setting, and as much as I adore this time alone with you, we probably should get back to Luke and Ruby. We’re trying to keep us a secret for now, after all.”

“I suppose,” he shrugged, “just one thing before we do.”

“What’s that?”

 Without a word, he pulled her into a lingering, tender kiss, causing them to momentarily forget they were surrounded by thousands of people. Yankee Stadium feels downright desolate when you’re kissing the right person.

“There,” he smiled as he pulled away. “Now I can cross kissing a gorgeous detective at Yankee Stadium off my bucket list.”

“Oh, that was on your bucket list?” she chuckled.

“Don’t judge my bucket list, Carolina. I have my kinks; you have yours.”

~~~~~

I totally HC that they were blissfully unaware that they got caught on the "kiss cam." Luke and Ruby saw it all, and Ruby dropped her popcorn as it happened. With their suspicions confirmed, they had a quick debate over teasing them as soon as they returned or playing stupid. They decided on the latter... for now. 😏

@choicesficwriterscreations @choicesbookclub

Tagging others separately

[jerzwriter]

BOOPED!

Carolina's phone would not stop "bleeping"! But when a friend helps her get to the bottom of it, she and Trystan are in for some startling discoveries about each other.

Book Boop: Crimes of Passion (post Book 2) Pairing: Trystan Thorne x Carolina Rose (F!MC) Characters: Luke Watanabe Summary: See above Rating: Teen Words: 2.150 A/N: All right, so I may have been a total party-pooper with the "boops," but that got me thinking how my OTPs would have handled them... and that led me here! I hope you enjoy it! Participating in @choicesaprilchallenge24 - prompt - "You're not going to believe what I just found."

*Bleep*

*Bleep*

*Bleep*

The utter silence of the Ginovesi Detective Agency’s offices was rattled each time Carolina’s phone “bleeped.” Trystan eyed the phone warily, glancing between it and Carolina every time it went off. For a woman who demanded complete silence when they were focusing on a case, she was doing her best to ignore it, but Trystan knew it was only a matter of time...

“¡Ay, Dios mío!” she cried out... and there it was. “¿Qué carajo es esto?”

Taking the phone in hand, she frantically tapped away at it, but the bleeps kept pouring in, and with each new arrival, Trystan watched as his girlfriend became more unhinged. “¿Qué es esta mierda?”

That’s when Luke entered the mix. Slinking into the office with his hands nonchalantly stuffed in his pockets, he slouched into a chair with a half smile.  

“Oh no. I heard nothing but Spanish coming out of you from way down the hall. This can’t be good.”

“It’s not!” Carolina spat as Trystan debated whether her frustration was utterly adorable or good cause for him to evacuate the office as quickly as possible. “I can’t get this fucking thing to stop bleeping!”

There were many things Trystan could have said or done, but as was often the case for the former prince, he reclined in his chair and chose chaos.

“It seems one of her former suitors isn’t taking the hint and won’t let go easily,” he smirked. “While I may no longer be a monarch, I still have some pull. One phone call to Lydea, my love, and I will have that man relieved of his testicles. Give me a name and number,” he winked. “I assure you, the bleeps will stop within the hour.”

Carolina glared at him with anger in her eyes, but despite her desire to remain cross, his stupid grin managed to do her in.

“Bold of you to assume it’s a he, your highness,” she derided. “There is a far greater likelihood that it would be a she. So, someone will be deprived the pleasure of performing an orchiectomy today.”

“An orchiectomy...” Luke queried, pulling up Google on his phone, but Trystan pushed it aside.

“Spare yourself the pain, man. It’s the art of relieving someone of their balls.”

“Ouch!” Luke shuddered. “Of course, I can see how the inability to do that would cause some Drakovian guard to fall into a deep depression, but still... ouch."

Trystan turned back to Carolina with a shrug. “It’s OK, love. They can remove body parts from women as well.”

“That’s so good to know,” she laughed. “But I’m afraid this isn’t as salacious as a spurned lover trying to get me to bend to their will.”

“Then what is it?” Trystan asked. “Your phone’s been going off all day, and I’ve never heard that notification tone before.”

“It’s,” she began, stopping herself as four curious eyes stared at her, eager for a response. “It’s... nothing. I’ll just turn the sound off my phone.”

“GASP!” Luke mocked. “During work hours! When you could potentially miss... something?”

It would have ended there for Luke, but Trystan wasn't done. Realizing something was amiss, he closely watched his love, not about to let her off the hook.

“Why don’t you just turn notifications off? What’s so embarrassing? Is it... Facebook?” he chuckled.

Carolina was an animal entrapped in a corner, desperate for an escape, but when it became clear that none existed, she surrendered. Burying her face into her hands with a languid groan... she confessed.

“I freaking wish! It’s .... worse!”

“Worse than Facebook?” Luke said with feigned horror. “What is it? Your old OKCupid app?”

“No!” Carolina said, throwing a pencil his way.

“Your old FarmersOnly account!!!”

“What?” Trystan snickered.

“I didn’t have a FarmersOnly account! Well, I did... but it was just a joke to frighten Uncle Tommy! Besides, I deleted that long ago!”

Trystan turned to Luke in confusion. “What... what’s FarmersOnly?”

“That’s unimportant, “Carolina interrupted. “It’s... it’s my Tumblr. I haven’t used it for longer than I can remember; I didn't even know it was still on my phone. But I’ve gotten like seven hundred notifications today, and I have no idea why!”

“So,” Luke shrugged. “Turn the notifications off.”

“I can’t! I forgot my password... and before you say it, I don’t remember what e-mail I created the account with. So I can’t reset it.”

“So,” Luke shrugged again. “Just delete the app! Problem solved.”

“But the detective in me needs to figure this out," she sighed. "Who knows why this is happening? When I go home tonight, I’ll try to remember what e-mail accounts I had circa 2016. Maybe I can figure it out.”

“It was probably something like myglitteringlittlenyyankeepony@ yahoo.com or something like that,” Luke laughed.

“More like LinaJeterClubPengin@hotmail.com,” she tittered.

“Dear Lord,” Trystan groused. "Both sound dreadful, but can we circle back to something potentially even more embarrassing? You had a Tumblr account?”

“Oh, shut up!” Carolina defended. “It was 2016! All the cool kids had a Tumblr account!”

“I didn’t,” Luke announced.

“I said cool,” Carolina retorted. Still, Trystan was undeterred.

“What on earth did you use your Tumblr account for? Were you in a fandom?”

He had intended to let it go, but when Carolina’s cheeks turned brighter than any apple he ever witnessed in a Cordonian orchard, he knew the quest was just beginning. Raising a brow in wicked delight, he teased. “Yesssss....”

“I was into Divergent,” she said, raising her hands. “Big fan... The Hunger Games, too.”

“All right,” Trystan nodded with a smile. “I can see that....”

But now it was Luke’s turn to incite, “Really? Because I could have sworn you once told me you used to write fanfiction for Princess Di.....”

“Obviously, you’re mistaken!” Carolina shouted. “Katniss! Katniss x Peeta, my OTP! That’s why I was on Tumblr!”

“Wait,” Trystan interrupted. “Princess Di? Were you into Princess Diana?”

“No,” Carolina spat. “Luke is just losing his mind, that’s all!”

“Oh, come now, princess,” Luke chided. “Is this the foundation you want to build your relationship on? A throne of lies?”  

“No,” Trystan smiled gleefully. “Thrones of lies are bad. Very bad."

“I believe they are,” Luke chuckled. "I'm sorry, Carolina. It’s confession time.”

Trystan slunk over to Carolina’s side, playfully nudging her with his shoulder. “Time’s up, dear. Tell me the truth, or I’ll have to employ ancient Drakovian torture measures to get you to speak!"

“Yeah! And not the kinky ones you’re into!” Luke grinned.

“Fine,” Carolina exhaled with disgust, her voice barely a whisper. “I was very into... The Princess Diaries."

Trystan’s lips began to curl, the dimple in his cheek becoming more pronounced. “I’m sorry... what?”

“The Princess Diaries! OK!! I used to love The Princess Diaries!”

“In 2016!” Luke scoffed. “Weren’t those movies popular in like... 2004?”  

"So?! I was a little behind the times. I was a nerd... so sue me! My Tumblr was all about The Princess Diaries... are you satisfied now?” She asked, hiding her face in shame.

Trystan rubbed his chin in delight as he allowed Carolina to sweat it out, thinking of the best way to torture his prey.  

“The Princess Diaries! This all makes so much sense now!”

“What?” Luke wondered aloud. “That she always had a soft spot for monarchy scum?”

“Well, yes,” Trystan responded. “ But, seriously... how long did you have these fantasies about being a long-lost princess, my dear?”

“What! Never! I’m a Boricua from the Bronx! A freaking badass, bisexual Boricua from the Bronx! Being a princess was nothing I aspired to!”

“Yet you were writing Princess Diaries fanfic?” Trystan tsked. “Then... you relentlessly pursued me.”

Horrified, she slammed her hand on the desk. “I DID NOT!!! You know I didn’t!”

“I’m not sure what to believe anymore, Carolina. Right now, I’m feeling sort of cheap and used.”

Luke howled with laughter. “In fairness, there’s nothing cheap about you, Trystan. Used? Sure, I can see that. But cheap? No way.”

“Thank you, Luke,”  Trystan acknowledged.

“Don’t mention it.”

But Carolina wasn't smiling. “I never had some monarchy fetish! I just liked the stupid movie! It was escapism for me, OK? But you know damn well you being a royal was a detriment to me, not a bonus! I wasn’t all, ‘Oh, now I need to land this guy!’ you know that!”

“I can't be sure anymore. I think I have to have this investigated to make sure your intentions with me are pure!”

“You know that’s not a bad idea,” Luke nodded as he typed away on his laptop. “I do know of a good agency that could help you.”

“LUKE!” Carolina yelled, so flustered that she hadn’t noticed her phone stopped bleeping several minutes before.

“Relax... princess...” Luke teased. “I just hacked into your Tumblr. The bleeping should stop now.

“But... how?” She asked, immediately catching his sarcastic stare. “Yeah, don’t bother answering that.”

Trystan stood over her shoulder as she opened the app. “700 notifications? Seriously, why the hell did I get all these notifications today?”

“It looks like they were having some kind of a “boop” thing for April Fools? I guess it’s like the old Facebook poke? Everyone seems to be sending boops.”  

“But why?” Carolina asked, dumbfounded. "Don't people have better things to do with their time?"

“Look,” Luke chirped. “I'm capable of doing a great many things, but making sense out of anything that happens on Tumblr.... that’s asking too much...even of me.”

“True,” Carolina mumbled. 

“He makes sense,” Trystan nodded in agreement. “Now, let’s read some of your old fanfic.”

“Oh, hell no!” Carolina insisted. “There’s no way!”

“Please?” Trystan begged, with puppy-dog eyes in full effect.

“All right, fine! But only on one condition!”

“Name it!”

“You show me your old Tumblr... and don’t lie and tell me you didn’t have one. We both know you did.”

“Sorry, my love,” Trystan shrugged. “But I didn’t.”

The couple turned to Luke when he sighed again. “Do you really want to start this relationship sitting on a throne of lies, Trystan? Or should I call you PlayfulPrince315.  Dude! Using your actual birthday? I know you were a tween then, but still, you should have known better!”  

“Playful... Prince?” Carolina beamed. “OK, Mr. Playful, what were you doing on Tumblr?”

“Oh, that’s easy,” he winked. “I was searching for beautiful want-to-be princesses from the Bronx.”  

“Nah,” Luke laughed. “Minecraft. He was into Minecraft.”

“Really?” Trystan asked, dragging a hand down his face.

“Hey, I outed Carolina, and she’s my best friend. You knew you weren’t safe.”

“Minecraft?” Carolina said with mock disgust. “Tell me it wasn’t Minecraft porn... please?”

“WHAT?" Trystan asked in shock. "Was that even a thing?”

“Sadly, it was,” Carolina laughed. “I’m sorry, but I need to know if you were into that. I don’t care how long ago it was; I am not marrying any man who once got off to Minecraft porn.”

A devilish grin slowly spread on Trystan’s face as he stepped confidently toward Carolina.

“Marry... you say?” His grin miraculously grew wider. “Have you been thinking about marrying me, Carolina?”

“I... uh, I...” she couldn't have been more grateful for Luke jumping out of his seat.

“Well, I think I’ll leave you two alone. You can handle this conversation without me.”

He headed toward the door, but not before handing Trystan a scrap of paper. “Here, this is your Tumblr password, Playful Prince. You two can figure out your weird pasts alone.”

“Oh, like you didn’t have weird things in your past!” Carolina yelled after him.

“At least they aren't archived for prosperity on Tumblr,” Luke grinned. “And I’m relieved to say it doesn’t look like Ruby has to deal with that, either. But I can’t wait to tell her about the two of yours.”

Luke whistled as he exited, turning one more time before shutting the door. “Oh, and Playful one? You got 200 fewer boops than Carolina... and you’re royalty, man? Embarrassing! Just... embarrassing! I don't think she should consider marrying you!"

Trystan turned to his blushing girlfriend. "So, back to that marrying thing.... how often does that cross your mind?"

"Uh, you know what," she said, reaching up for a soft but passionate kiss. "Why don't I tell you all about FarmersOnly instead."

"Uninterested," he beamed.

"All right," she said, pulling out her phone. "Then let's say I allow you to read 3,500 words of angst I wrote about Princess Mia and Prince Harry circa 2016?"

Trystan's eyes lit up. "Seriously?"

"Here," she said, handing him her phone. "Go through my whole masterlist. By the time you're done... you'll forget anything else."

Trystan slunk back into the chair, tossing his feet on the desk for comfort. "Don't count on it," he winked. "Don't count on that... at all."

@choicesficwriterscreations

Tagging others separately.

[jerzwriter]

It always starts somewhere...

This is my entry for Day one of @choicesjanuary2024 January Challenge. I hope you enjoy it!

Book: Crimes of Passion (post book 2) Pairing: Trystan Thorne x Carolina Rose Category: Fluff with a dash of angst Rating: Teen Words: 1,200 Summary: It's a tradition. A day Carolina always looks forward to, even if it's filled with bittersweet memories. But tonight, the tradition starts anew, with Trystan by her side.

Darkness had already enveloped the city as Carolina drew the curtains. Her face bright with anticipation, she gazed out her bedroom window onto the street below. There was only one thing on her mind as she mindlessly twirled the crystal flute of Chardonnay in her hand, nearly forgetting it was there. But the moment she remembered, she eagerly brought the glass to her lips, savoring the rich, oaky flavor as it swirled over her tongue, warming her more than the roaring fire ever could.

Despite the dipping temperature, she slipped off her cardigan and tossed it on a nearby chair. Eyes still focused on the freezing pavement, and she couldn't help but smile. This wasn’t the first time she had practiced this ritual; it was practically as old as she was, even its practices had been amended over the years. The ceramic mug her father bought for her when they saw Annie was no longer in her hand. The delicious aroma of the hot cocoa that had filled it was also gone, just like her father, who once sat at her side.  

The unwelcome visitor was drawing near. Sadness, reaching in and gripping her as it often did made her eyes flicker away, but she turned back with determination. No! Sadness and despair would not win today; not on a night as special as this. Her fingers traced the rim of the crystal chalice that her father had used years before. The only one she’d consider using today.

“Ves eso, Papi?” she whispered into the deafening silence. “Any moment now.”

He must have entered quietly, or perhaps she was too distracted to hear him because his breath was warm on her neck and his arms gently encircled her waist before she heard a sound. Then, she had to laugh. Was she even a detective after all?

“What will be any moment now?” Trystan whispered, brushing her hair to the side and placing gentle kisses on her freshly exposed skin. She leaned into him, a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding escaping her as she melted into his arms. Just like that, all was right with the world.

“Mi Vida,” she smiled. “This is a very important night.”

His eyes widened for a quick moment... concerned he had forgotten an important date. Then, his expression softened as he recalled the stormy forecast.

“That’s right,” he grinned. “The first snowfall of the year.”

“Mmm hmm,” she nodded. “More importantly, our first snowfall together.”

“I see you have your father’s wine glass,” he smiled. “And the curtains are drawn, so you have everything you need.”

She gently placed the glass on the table beside her and turned to face him; her eyes lingering on his moonlit features. “At least I do now." Her lips moved toward his, claiming them as her own in warm, comforting kiss.

“Mmm-mmmh,” he simpered before playfully pulling away. “Oh, no, Lina. No way. I’ve been waiting to participate in this ritual for some time, and I will not allow you seduce me away from it.”

She strolled toward the old mahogany sideboard with a chuckle. "Oh really," she said, pouring another glass for her love. A playful smirk tugged at her lips when she placed it in his hands. “Then you’ll need this... if you plan to do it right."

He nodded with approval upon taking a sip. “This is quite good; I suppose the seduction could wait.”

“How noble of you!” Carolina teased.

“But, of course! I am a prince, after all.”

Shaking her head with delight, she fell into his arms and and Trystan tried to determine if that sound of her laughter had become his favorite melody of all. It was undoubtedly in his top three, each spot now claimed solely by his Carolina. But his body tensed as he realized her laughter had turned to tears that dampened the crook of his neck. He clasped the sides of her face, worry weighing on his features.

“Hey, hey,” he whispered, gazing into her tear-filled eyes. “Are you all right? I thought this was a happy tradition?”

“It is,” she sniffled, wiping away her tears. “But it’s different now, and it’s my first time sharing it with you.”

“Is that OK?” he asked. “If you’d rather be alone...”

“No, no!” She grabbed his hand and held it against her heart. “I’ve done this alone for years now, ever since my father died. Honestly, I never thought I'd share this with anyone else again, but now... I can't wait to experience this with you by my side.”

He pulled a chair closer to the window so they could sit without missing a thing, then motioned for her to sit on his lap. “I’m glad to hear that,” he assured. “Because there is no place I’d rather be.”

“So, how does this work?” He asked, getting down to business. “Do we do anything special while we wait?”

“Nope, we just keep watch. Whoever spots the first snowflake has to yell, ‘Look, it’s a blizzard!’ and then we share a toast.”

“A blizzard?” Trystan chuckled. “Carolina, a flake of snow does not a blizzard make.”

“Of course not, but it is how each one begins. Everything has to start somewhere, and that’s what makes it so remarkable. We watch one single snowflake fall to the earth, so innocent, so insignificant on its own, but when we wake up tomorrow the city will be blanketed in snow, and you and I will know, that it all started with that one little flake we watched together.”

She could feel him swallow as he gently turning her chin his way. “Everything starts somewhere,” he whispered. “And we never know what beautiful places it might lead.”

The world fell into slow-motion as their lips came together. The familiar, sweet taste filling their sense as everything else fell into the shadows. He pulled her closer, as her fingers ran through his hair, and the rest of the world was lost.  Neither knew how long they stayed like that, but they couldn't forget Trystan's childlike gasp when he briefly opened his eyes.

“Look," he pointed with exasperation. "It’s a blizzard!” A solitary silver flake glistened in the streetlights as it slowly twirled down to the street below. They jumped to their feet, foreheads pressed against the cold glass, unwilling to miss a moment as it descended to the earth.

“It is! It’s a blizzard!” Carolina squealed, grabbing their wine glasses to propose a toast. “It’s our first snowflake, Trystan! The first snowflake has fallen, and with it, a new chapter begins.”

“To new beginnings,” he smiled, reaching out to caress her cheek one more time before they emptied their glasses. Side by side, they watched as more flakes fell, one by one, until a whispy, barely there sheet coated the sidewalks.

“You see, it’s happening!”

“It is," he smiled. "I dare say that we will wake to that blanket of snow tomorrow."

“We will,” she beamed. "But until then, I was thinking I'd like to get under the blankets with you. Are you in?"

Trystan took Carolina in one arm, as the other hastily pulled the drapes closed, a devilish glint in his eyes.

"I am so in," he smiled. "Look at us, sharing new things every day."

"Yep," she agreed. "One day this will all be old hat... we'll be some old couple boring those around us with stories of all the blizzards we've watched begin together. Hopefully, you won't grow tired of it by then."

"Are you kidding? Each snowflake is different, no snowstorm the same... and every day is a new discovery because I fall in love with every little thing you do."

A/N: Incorporated all 3 parts of @choicesjanuary2024 Day 1, though, I cheated and didn't use the sentence as the first line! Also participating in @choicesflashfics, prompt "I fall in love with every little thing you do."

@choicesficwriterscreations Tagging others separately.

[jerzwriter]

Trystan's 2023 Holiday Recap

Book: Crimes of Passion (Post Book 2) Pairing: Trystan Thorne x Carolina Rose Characters: Luke Watanabe, Ruby Webster, Marguerite Thorne, Lydea Thorne, Astrid Thorne, Mafalda Ginovese, Theresa Ginovese, Tommy Rose Category: Insta Edits/Fun/Fluff Rating: Teen Summary: Five Instagram edits capturing Trystan's (and Carolina's) first holidays together in 2023. A/N: @choicesjanuary2024 - Day 3 - Sparkle/Winter Magic. "Skull" comments are a reference to A Sparkling Holiday, the mantecaditos is related to Cookies written for me by @stars-are-within-me. The Wayward Prince Masterlist | January Challenge Crimes of Passion Masterlist | Complete Masterlist

@choicesficwriterscreations

[jerzwriter]

Rollercoaster

Thank you to @starsarewithinme for the <100 words drabble request for Trystan, Carolina/Rollercoaster. It's a ton of silly fluff, but I hope you will enjoy it!

Book: Crimes of Passion (Post Book 2) Pairing: Trystan Thorne x F!MC (Carolina Rose) Words: Uhm. 1,400. (Only 1,300 more than 100! lol) Rating: Teen Category: Utter Fluff Summary: Trystan offers Carolina a penny for her thoughts... then he wishes he could give them back.... just a little. A/N: Participating in @choicesnovchallenge | Fireworks Night

There was much that Trystan Thorne admired about Carolina Rose. If asked to list the qualities and attributes he found most endearing, he would demand at least a week’s time to capture them all, knowing he’d still come up short when his time reached an end. Her natural beauty, incomparable sass, and sheer audacity were the first things to pique his interest. But, the more he came to know her, the more he knew her mind was the most fascinating thing about the woman who owned his heart.

She was brilliant... but not in a way that can be learned from books, but in a manner that is only earned through life experience. Sharp, intuitive, and quick-witted... she had a knack for knowing just what to do, just what to say, regardless of circumstances. Facing down a serial killer? Cutting a bigot down to size on the subway? Making him smile after a grueling day? Tending to an injured kitten outside her uncle’s bar? Carolina always sprung into action before he could even take stock of the situation, leaving him more awestruck each time.

It’s no wonder trying to read her mind had become one of his favorite pastimes, whether they were at work or at play. Sometimes, she’d catch him staring at her intently as she poured over the details of a case, stared out a window, or bopped around her apartment, dancing to music only she could hear. He’d often ask what she was thinking, and he could now guess with about fifty percent accuracy – something he was immensely proud of.

But recently, Carolina’s therapist all but ordered her to find little ways to reduce stress in her everyday life. And this time, it was Trystan who sprung into action. He ran to a corner gift shop, returning with a vast assortment of colorful gel pens, retro stickers, glitter glue, and notebooks festooned with images of unicorns, rainbows, and cartoon cats.

“What on earth is this for?” Carolina chuckled as Trystan scratched his head.

“I don’t know, exactly,” he admitted. “But how can anyone be stressed in the presence of glitter, unicorns, and adorable kittens? We’ll find a way to put it all to good use.”

And, of course, Carolina did. Popping in her earbuds, she’d pick the most insipid pop songs she could find, typically from Trystan’s playlists, and doodle whatever came to mind. Soon, the pink and lavender pages of the notebooks he gifted her were filled with Carolina Rose originals. Every time she did this, she was so happy and at ease that Trystan forgot about his mind-reading hobby. After all, seeing her so content warmed his heart. But some days, like today, he was curious.

Carolina’s smiles had been punctuated with delightful little giggles, but when he peeked over her shoulder to see what she was drawing, he couldn’t make sense of the abstract loops and swirls. She caught him staring at her over his latte and removed her earbuds with a smirk. 

“Yes?” she asked playfully.

“Nothing,” she swore she saw him blush. “I’m just....”

“Just what?”

“I’m wondering what you’re thinking of. You seem so happy this morning.”  

“I am,” she grinned, shutting her notebook. “I’ve been doodling all the things I want to do with you.”

“Oh... really,” he smiled lasciviously with a raised brow.

Carolina tossed her head back in laughter. “Keep it in your pants, Thorne. These thoughts are as PG-13 as the Hello Kitty notebooks you gave me.”

Trystan sheepishly pushed a shiny silver quarter across the table, then placed it in Carolina’s hand.

“What is the saying? A penny for your thoughts? This should buy me at least twenty-five of yours. Now I must know... what is it you wish to do with me,” he grinned.

Carolina jumped onto his lap, eagerly pointing to the various drawings. She pointed to a pair of ice skates, telling him they’d be going to Rockefeller Center, Wollman Rink, and Bryant Park very soon. Then she tapped on a sketch of a picnic basket she planned to fill with treats to share. Some waves along a beautiful shore, with a blanket made for two, were just how she imagined their trips to the beach next summer would be. Then, her excitement doubled.

“And this! This is the best of all!”

“What is it?” he asked.

“The Cyclone. At Coney Island... have you ever been?”

“Uhm... I can’t say that I have.”

Carolina clapped her hands with delight, a squeal befitting a thirteen-year-old escaping her. “Good!” she beamed. “Then I get to take you on your first ride! I found myself a Cyclone virgin!”

“A Cyclone... virgin? What exactly do you plan to do with me? Offer me as a sacrifice?”

“Trystan,” she reprimanded. “Given our history, can we refrain from talking about sacrifices?”

“Duly noted,” he smiled. “But what about the Cyclone?”

“I told you! We’re riding it! I figured we could do that as soon as Luna Park opens in April. Then, we can head over to Jersey and go to Six Flags. We’ll start with El Toro and then move on to Nitro and Kingda Ka. The following weekend, we have to go to Hershey Park! Their coasters aren’t as scary, but they have so many! And I don’t care what anyone says, Storm Runner is still enough to scare the crap out of you! We’re going to have....”

She came down from her reverie long enough to notice the pale expression spreading on her boyfriend’s face.

“Trystan? Is everything all right?”

“Yes. Sure. Fine.... it’s only November.”

“And?” she asked, perplexed.

“That gives me four, five months to prepare. Are their classes?”

“Classes?” She giggled. “For riding rollercoasters?”

“No... classes to get over my fear of riding rollercoasters.”

“Trystan Thorne! You’re not telling me that you, the former prince of Drakovia, are afraid of... rollercoasters.”

“It’s a little detail we hid from the public eye. It would have brought great shame to the family. However, I assure you, I am not afraid. The more appropriate word would be horrified. I am absolutely horrified by rollercoasters. So, needless to say, I have to end up with a girlfriend with a rollercoaster fetish.”

“I wouldn’t call it a fetish,” she laughed. “But I do love me a good coaster.”

“Right... so, are their classes?”

Carolina looped her arms around his neck. “Trystan, I’m teasing you. But if you’re really frightened by them, I’m certainly not going to force you to go on with me.”

“But if it’s something you’re looking forward to, I want to do it with you.”

She placed a quick peck on his cheek. “And that means so much to me, but it’s OK. We can double date with Luke and Ruby. She loves a good coaster as much as I do, but Luke, not so much. So we can be all badass and you guys can hold our purses or something.”

“Great,” Trystan sighed. “I’d like to at least try. Don’t they have kiddie coasters I can start with?”

“Sure, but we probably surpass the height limits. They are kiddie coasters, after all.”

“Damn!” he spat.

“It’s really all right, babe. There are plenty of fun things we can do at amusement parks without putting you on a rollercoaster.”

“Are you sure?”

“Very!”

“So, tell me about these fun things,” he asked, wagging his brows.

“Well, there is the merry-go-round.... the bumper cars....”

“Oh, I excel at bumper cars. You are going down, Detective Rose!”

“HA! I learned to drive on the Grand Concourse in the Bronx, baby... we’ll see about that!”

A big smile spread on her face as she pointed to a page virtually covered in an explosion of glitter.

“And, of course, there is this. The fireworks at the end of the night. We’ll watch together with a delicious treat in hand. It can be popcorn, cotton candy, ice cream.... what do you think you’ll want?”

“If I’m snuggled up with you? Then I’ll already have my delicious treat.”

“Aww, you’re the best, Trystan,” Carolina teased. “Even if you are a rollercoaster wuss.”

“I’m sorry, Carolina, but no one is perfect. Not even me.”

“Nope,” she said with a bop to his nose. “But you come damn close.”

Carolina was surprised to see him take out his phone; his attention shifted away from her. 

“Hey, what are you doing? “

“I’m looking into books on how to overcome silly fears. I’m getting on those coasters with you, Carolina. After all... you deserve perfection.”

@choicesficwriterscreations - Tags on reblog.

[jerzwriter]

Tricks and Treats

Thank you to @aces-and-angels for this ask for Halloween prompt #28. It's the perfect prompt for them. I hope I did it justice. :)

Book: Crimes of Passion Pairing: Trystan Thorne x F!MC (Carolina Rose) Words: 1,400 Rating: Teen Warnings: Some violence, though nothing too intense; cursing Summary: Trystan & Carolina are running late to Ruby & Luke's Halloween Party. They have one stop to make on the way, but things go awry. A/N: It helps if you know the story of Little Red Riding Hood, but you don't have to. Participating in @choicesoctober Halloween, @choicesholidays Halloween

CoP Masterlist Main Masterlist

“One, two, three, four,” Carolina’s red cape fluttered behind her each time she raised her arm to grab another bottle of wine from the shelf. She had her hand on the fifth when she paused. “Five? Is five necessary? Maybe four will do... I can’t be the only one bringing wine... and I’m not just saying this because my shopping basket is so freaking heavy...”  

She could feel the weight of someone’s stare as she continued the animated conversation with herself. Turning her head quickly , she found a mildly amused shopper looking her way.

“My friends like wine,” Carolina shrugged. “A lot, actually... but... this is getting heavy, and I need to make a decision. I don’t normally talk to myself like this!” As the shopper shuffled away, Carolina yelled after her. “I don’t! I really don’t... I’m a very sane person! Totally sane... except... for right now.”

She let out a snort imagining how ridiculous she must have looked... Little Red Riding Hood standing in the middle of an aisle at Westside Market, rambling aimlessly about how much alcohol she needed to buy while declaring herself sane. New Yorkers were used to unusual sights, but she didn’t blame the woman for rushing away. 

She looked at her watch with a frown. They were already twenty minutes late for Ruby and Luke's party and still had midtown traffic to grapple with, so she set off to find Trystan, still talking to herself as she turned her neck to look down each aisle.

“Trystan, where are you?” Though she was actively looking for him, her heart still skipped a beat when a big, furry paw landed on her shoulder.  

“Trystan!” she startled, “you scared the shit out of me.”

“There is no Trystan,” he snickered, playfully pulling her close. “Only the Big Bad Wolf..uh.. no.. I mean Grandma! I’m Grandma, trust me.”

“Grandma? What big paws you have!” she beamed as he nuzzled into her neck and playfully growled.

“The better to paw you with, my dear...”

“Well, you can paw me once we get to the party. We’re very late.”

She went to reach for his hand, bursting into laughter when she saw the contents in his basket. “What are you buying?”

“Sausage and whipped cream,” he answered matter-of-factly.

Rubbing the bridge of her nose, Caroline winced. “Sausage... and whipped cream?”

“Yes. Ruby asked me to pick up chorizo, and there is no way I’m partaking in Luke’s pumpkin pie without the benefit of whipped cream. What do you take me for? A heathen?"

“But, Trystan... we’re walking up to the cashier to purchase a lot of wine, an obscenely large chorizo... and whipped cream.... how does that look?”

“Like we’re on our way to one hell of a party,” he winked. 

“Why don’t we stop on aisle five and throw in some Vaseline. That should give the staff something to talk about for hours, maybe days, to come!”

“Aisle five, you say?” he said, grabbing her hand.

“Can we forget I mentioned that?”

But his impish grin gave her all the answers she needed.

“I should know better by now,” she sighed.

~~~~~

Carolina was lost in thought as they waited on the barely moving line. Trystan scrunched his nose to wordlessly to inquire about her thoughts.

“I should get more wine,” she insisted. “I mean... you know our friends. This won't be nearly enough.”  

“Well, I don’t think this line is going to move anytime soon. Would you like me to run and get more?”

“No, you wait here,” she insisted. “I’ll go.”

“Just be quick,” he smiled. “It's dangerous out in the woods.”

“I know!” She said with wide eyes. “We even have Drakovian wolves now!"

“Oh! The worst kind!” he scoffed, patting her bottom quickly as she rushed off, his eyes never leaving her until she was out of sight. He turned back to face the front of the line and met the disapproving gaze of an elderly woman in front of him.

“It's OK," Trystan insisted. "She’s my girlfriend, that was perfectly acceptable behavior.”

Not sure she was satisfied with his answer, he pulled out his phone to check messages. He was lost in thought when...

“Freeze!” A masked man wearing an undistinguishable costume yelled as he launched at the cashier, gun blazing.

The teenage girl at the register began to scream.

“Shut the hell up and keep your hands where I can see ‘em... then no one gets hurt!”

Suddenly, another man dressed as Chewbacca whipped around and pointed a gun at the customers waiting in line.

“Don’t any of you get any ideas either!”

Trystan held up his hands with a roll of his eyes. “This behavior is so unbecoming of a Wookie.”

But his bravado depleted at once when the man cocked his pistol and aimed it at Trystan.

“Think you’re funny there, Scar?"

"Scar? No...I'm the Big Bad Wolf."

"SHUT UP!!! One more out of you, and you’ll be laughing at the morgue.”

Back at the register, the young cashier nervously tossed cash into a shopping bag as the robber was losing patience.

“Make it quick, Blondie! We don’t have all day!”

The old woman in front of Trystan began to hyperventilate and appeared to lose her balance.

Trystan reached out to touch her arm. “It’s going to be all right,” he whispered; but his sudden movement jarred the Wookie assailant, who fired a shot in the air.

“I SAID DON’T FUCKING MOVE! DON’T MAKE ME DO SOMETHING I DON’T WANT TO DO!”

But eyes lit up when he caught a flash of light from the old woman’s direction.

“Well,” he let out a slow whistle. “That’s one hell of a diamond ring you’ve got there... hand it over!”

“No..." she cried. "I’ll give you all my money, but not this! Please! My Harry gave this to me for our fortieth anniversary! I remember him every time I see it!"

“Lady, unless you want to join Harry tonight, HAND IT OVER.”

Trystan clenched his teeth as the old woman tearfully removed the ring from her finger; that’s when he locked eyes with Carolina. A knowing look passed between them, and she gently nodded, mouthing the words... one... two... three....

Carolina rushed to the register, raising a bottle of wine high above her head, breaking it over the gunman’s head. Meanwhile, Trystan charged Chewbacca. He wailed as Trystan twisted his arm in an inhuman position until his gun fell to the floor. The first man began coming to and attempted to reach for the fallen weapon...

“Oh, no, you fucking don’t!” Carolina yelled as another bottle of wine crashed into his temple.

Trystan sat atop the other man to hold him in place. But when the police arrived, they took aim at Trystan.

“NO!” Carolina yelled. “The Big Bad Wolf is the good guy! He's with me. Chewbacca is the one you want!”

“My mistake,” the officer nodded. “The call just said a hairy beast was one of the assailants."

"It's OK," Carolina smirked. "It’s not every day we see the Big Bad Wolf and Chewbacca wrestling on the floor!”

“Wrestling?” Trystan spat. “There was no wrestling! I had this second-rate mongrel fully under control!”

“Of course, you did, dear,” Carolina smiled as the other officer took the wine-battered criminal off her hands.

The officer couldn't help but laugh. “It’s not every day you see Red and the Big Bad Wolf taking out the bad guys, either.”

“Hey, it’s New York,” Carolina shrugged. “You never know what you’ll see... especially on Halloween.”

With that, she turned to the wine-battered criminal. “Speaking of which... what the hell is your costume? I can't even tell what you were supposed to be."

“Sinatra!” The man answered bitterly.

“Sin... SINATRA! Frank Sinatra!” Carolina spat. “If I had known that, I would have hit harder! How dare you disparage Frank like that!”

“Do you have a thing for Sinatra?” Trystan questioned. “Perhaps I should have chosen my costume more carefully.”

“Sinatra was one of my father’s favorites,” she smiled softly. “And this SOB has the audacity....”

“Detective Rose,” the officer interrupted. “We need to take your statement.”

“Oh, of course,” she said as Trystan's phone rang.

“It shouldn’t be long. Then you two kids can head back to grandma’s house.”

As the officer took out his notepad, he and Carolina heard bits and pieces of Trystan's conversation.

“I know you’re desperate for the chorizo... we stopped a robbery.... yes, a robbery.... we’re fine... we’ll be leaving shortly... I have whipped cream, too.”

Carolina shook her head. “Whenever I'm with you, it seems words I could never have imagined in the same sentence all just meld together."

"I'm confident I'm not the first person to say chorizo, whipped cream, and robbery in the same breath."

"I don't know," the police officer muttered. "I think you might be."

After wrapping things up, the store manager came over to thank the couple, insisting they take their order for free. As they made their way out into the cold, moonlit night, Trystan suddenly stopped in his tracks.

"We just can't have a normal night out, can we?”

“Hon, this is normal for us,” she smiled, reaching up to kiss his cheek. “Now, keep moving. Luke is desperate for his chorizo.”

"Talk about words I'd never hear strung together," he laughed.

It was a Halloween they'd never forget. 🎃

@choicesficwriterscreations Tagging others separately.

[jerzwriter]

First Date

Based on this ask from @lexicook74-blog, Trystan takes Carolina out on an official first date now that they are out in the open. This is pure, unadulterated fluff with a twist of sarcasm that makes them... them. I hope you enjoy it! 💗

Book: Crimes of Passion (Post Book 2) Pairing: M!Trystan Thorne x F!MC (Carolina Rose) Category: Fluff (with a twist of NY) Words: 2,495 A/N: @choicesoctober - Celebration - because an official first date for these two is something to celebrate! Also, @choicesprompts Flufftober - First Date

It was difficult to tell who was most excited to be back. Carolina had always known she was a New Yorker through and through, but her time in Drakovia had solidified that commitment. Now, she even loved the things she hated about her hometown. Although, she was pretty confident her romanticization of smelly trash bins and subway rats had just about run its course. For Trystan, it felt like a dream he never dared to believe had come true. No longer in exile, no longer forced to live a life his birth alone decreed. For the first time in his life, he knew freedom, and it couldn’t be any sweeter.  

But their return to the Big Apple wasn’t all fun and games. Mafalda wasn’t exaggerating about the amount of work awaiting them back at the agency. But they were eager to get back to it, working long days that often drifted into the night, which is where they were now.

The clock struck eight, and the sun’s few remaining rays washed the office in a soft, amber glow. Trystan placed another cup of coffee in front of Carolina, and she rewarded him with a tender smile before quickly returning to her work. He picked up a folder to do the same. But, when his cup of java did nothing to help his exhaustion, he leaned back for a quick break, studying his favorite subject as he did... his precious Carolina.

Love was an amazing thing. There she was with her hair in a messy bun, raccoon-like dark circles under her eyes, and while a coffee-stained shirt was the norm for Detective Rose, today, it was paired with a little spaghetti sauce from dinner. Still, as Trystan took her in, he was sure he had never seen anything more beautiful. Carolina glanced up and caught him staring. If she weren't so tired, she would have something witty to say, but sticking her tongue out at him would need to suffice. Pleased that she was being more immature than him for once, Trystan let out a chuckle. This was worthy of marking on the calendar, but so was something else on his mind.

“Today is Thursday, is it not?” He asked.

Carolina thought so but looked at her phone for good measure.

“Thursday it is,” she smiled. “The days seem to be melting into one another, don’t they?”

“That’s what I wanted to talk to you about. We need to do something about that.”

“What do you suggest?” she asked as she closed her notebook. “Quitting the agency?”

“Of course not! But even Mafalda said we’ve been overdoing it since we returned. So I declare this weekend a work-free zone. Besides, we have plans.”

“We do?” She asked with a scrunched nose. 

“We do now,” he smiled. “We have never been on a proper date, and it's time we change that.”

“Trystan,” she rolled her eyes. “We’ve gone out plenty of times.”

“Gone out? Yes. But a proper date? No.”

“What do you call all the times we’ve gone out to eat?"

“Obtaining sustenance.”

“And when we went to the Yankee Game?”

“The game we attended with Luke and Ruby? Where I had to whisk you away to a private area just to kiss you?”

“Only for the kiss cam to snag us,” she laughed.

“Exactly! Had it been an official date, and the kiss cam had caught us... I would have given them quite a show.”

“You make a point,” she concurred.

“I make lots of them, Carolina,” he smirked. “If only you paid more attention.”

He quickly dodged the rubber band ball she threw his way.

“Maybe we should go to another Yankee game,” she laughed. “Clearly, my pitching isn’t what it should be.”

“I’m sure sure more Yankee games in our future,” he smiled. “But this time, allow me to spoil you... I can’t think of anyone more deserving.”

“Babe... I’m a girl from the Bronx; a Yankee game is spoiling me.”

“Understood, but can I please spoil you Drakovian royalty style for just one night.”

Carolina tapped her chin. “Drakovian royalty style. Hmmm. I suppose I'm willing as long as it doesn’t involve poisoning or knife fights.”

“I promise to leave those parts out,” he laughed. “Though a little wrestling at the end might be in order.”

“I wouldn’t object to that,” she laughed.

“Then that settles it! Saturday night... we have a date.”

~~~~

Trystan didn’t give away any details, only telling Carolina to wear something fancy and to be ready at six. Normally calm and collected, finding the perfect outfit was sending Carolina into a tizzy. Fortunately, Ruby was available for shopping and to help keep her friend grounded.

“You’re already his girlfriend,” Ruby laughed as her friend tried on her umpteenth dress. “You don’t need to put this much pressure on yourself.”

Carolina’s head popped over the dressing room door. “Yes, I do. It’s our first official date, and I want it to be... perfect. Besides, I’ve never gone out with anyone routinely followed by the paparazzi. If I end up on Page Six, I want to be killing it!”

“Killing it might be the wrong choice of words, considering it’s you two we’re talking about. And I’m sure you’ll look more spectacular than any of those snobby socialites on Page Six. Carolina... take a deep breath and just enjoy this.”

Across town, Trystan wasn’t faring much better. Luke was unwillingly getting play-by-play details as Trystan finalized plans.  

“So what do you think?” he finally asked. 

“What do I think?” Luke scowled. “I think this is the most bourgeoisie itinerary I’ve ever heard of.”

“Is it wrong for me to spoil the woman I love occasionally?”

“I suppose not,” Luke resigned with a sigh. “As long as you don’t do it too often. Otherwise, I may have to reconsider being seen with you in public. You’re already bad for my rep.”

“It’s not the first time I’ve heard that, and I’m sure it won’t be the last.” Trystan laughed. “But as long as Carolina is happy to be seen with me, that’s all I need.”

Luke shook his head mockingly. “You know, I would have never imagined you as a love-sick puppy when we met.”

“Funny, I never saw you that way either... then you fell for Ruby. Should we discuss that?”

Luke cleared his throat and returned his eyes to his laptop. “Why would we discuss that when I have to help you plan your date.”

“Sneaky way out... but at least I’ve got you where I want you,” Trystan winked. “Now, put your work away. You can come to help me select Carolina’s flowers.”

“Flowers?” Luke groaned.

“Yes. And after my date, I should probably help you plan a date for Ruby. Obviously, you need my help.”

“I may just take you up on that,” Luke grinned.

~~~~~

Saturday rolled around quickly, and Tommy did a double take when a tuxedo bedecked Trystan stepped out of a limousine in front of his bar, turning all heads his way. Even in a city used to sophistication and excess, Trystan had a way of commanding everyone’s attention.

Carolina’s uncle shook his head with a grin as Trystan approached the bar, a dazzling bouquet of cream-colored roses in his arms.

“You know, my niece likes the simpler things in life,” he teased.

“Obviously!” Trystan scoffed. “She’s in love with me, after all.”

“You might be many things, Trystan, but I’m confident simple isn’t one of them.”

“You can say that again,” Carolina replied from the top of the stairs.

Trystan took one look at her, and his jaw went slack, the flowers in his hand falling to his side. Carolina’s smile grew exponentially as she descended the steps in a stunning, barely there champagne lace slip dress that hugged her every curve. Flirtatiously draping the fringe shawl the saleswoman swore would complete her look over her shoulder, she sauntered to Trystan with a wink.

“So, you like then?”

 “Like...” he gasped, unable to come up with any words.

“Are you sure it’s not too much? I don’t really go on fancy-ass dates like this often.”

“Carolina... you are perfection...” he marveled. “Too much? Too much for whom? I assure you, I can more than handle this.”

“All right, you two!” Tommy barked. “I know you’re consenting adults, but can you please save that part of your date until you’re not standing in front of me in my bar!”

“Of course, Tio,” Carolina laughed, her eyes lighting up when Trystan handed her the bouquet. “What are these for?”

“They’re roses for the most beautiful Rose of all.”

A blush rose to her cheeks as her eyes rolled toward the ceiling. “Do these lines work on most people?”

“I got you, didn’t I?” he smiled, then offered her his arm. “Now, let’s go, your chariot awaits.”

~~~~~

 A half-hour later, they were at Per Se, sitting at one of the finest tables in the house with a million-dollar view of Central Park West. 

“I hope you don’t mind that I didn’t opt for a private dining room,” Trystan said, pulling back Carolina’s chair. “But now that I can finally show you off, I want to ensure everyone can see us.”

“I don’t know,” she snickered. “I usually demand the private dining areas when on a date. All of the finest pizza joints in town have them. Of course, they’re usually reserved for kid's birthday parties, but still....”

“Yes, well, I’ll see if I can arrange for a balloon sculpture later on.”

“That would be perfect! Just skip the clowns!” she beamed as she perused the menu. “Now, tell me, do I have to eat fish eggs or snails here?”  

“Not unless you want to.”

“Yeah, hard pass.”

“Don’t knock it, Carolina. You’ll never know if you’ll like something unless you try it.”

“Hey, don’t act like I never leave my comfort zone. I did allow myself to fall for a cocky, exiled would-be-king, after all.”

“And how did that work out for you?” he asked smugly as the waiter approached.   

Carolina greeted the server with a wide grin, then shot Trystan a look. “I suppose I could start with the escargot... I just hope I don’t live to regret it.”

After dinner, the couple briefly strolled around Central Park, his arm slung casually around her shoulder. “So, you didn’t hate the snails,” he teased.

“I suppose if I were starving to death, and that was my only option, I wouldn’t turn them down,” she chuckled. “Now, the lobster tails, on the other hand...I’d never say no to them. But why did you tell me not to order dessert? And please... don’t be cheesy and tell me you’re dessert.”

“You underestimate me,” he laughed. “Dessert will be cheesy, but it’s not me... at least not yet. But first, we have to go to the heliport.”

“The Heliport? Why? Where are we going?”

“Downtown,” he answered with nonchalance.

“Downtown? You are aware the limo could take us there.”

“Of course,” he grinned. “But the traffic is woeful. Besides, I know you know this city like the palm of your hand, but you’ve never seen it this way. It’s breathtaking, and while I’ve seen it from the sky before, I simply have to experience it with you.”

“And why is that?”

He smiled like an impish schoolboy and merely told her she’d see, but once they were in the air, she understood.

“Oh my God, look at it!” she gushed.

Her city looked quite different from ten thousand feet above. Each one of its millions of lights twinkled like little stars that looked close enough to touch. She couldn’t turn her head away. But the only view Trystan was interested in was her; he was confident it was the most beautiful of all. He gently took her hand and held it for the remainder of the flight, peppering her hair with little kisses for good measure. Carolina closed her eyes only once, just long enough to take a deep breath and remind herself that this wasn’t a dream.

Back on solid ground, she still felt like she was walking on air. Enthusiastic as a child, she practically skipped through Greenwich Village, never letting go of her prince charming’s hand. 

“And did you see when we turned by the Brooklyn Bridge!” She beamed. “ I thought I would scream. It was so amazing! And the lights... there were so many lights! Have you ever seen anything so beautiful?”

Trystan tugged her hand, stopping her in her tracks. His eyes locked on hers as he brushed a tendril of hair away from her moonlit face, his thumb trailing across her lower lip.

 “I assure you, I have.”

Carolina lifted herself up on her toes as their lips came together; her arms wrapped around his neck, and his hands found their way to her hips... the night just kept getting better.

“So, you don’t mind being spoiled?” he joked.

“Hmmm. On occasion. This has been magical, but then again... it’s always magical when I’m with you, and I don’t need all the extras to make it so.”

“Then you’ll love dessert,” he assured as they stepped in front of Veniero’s. “Nothing fancy at all.”

“You know about Veniero’s?” Carolina asked, duly impressed.

“Please. Do you take me for a Neanderthal?”

“No, just Drakovian,” she smirked. “Did you know they have the best cannolis in the city?”

“Yes, and I know how much you love a good cannoli.”

“I feel like there’s an inappropriate joke in there,” she giggled as he opened the door. 

“There is,” he agreed. “But we’ll save that for later.”

They ended the night sitting on a blanket underneath an old tree in Washington Square Park. Street musicians played nearby but couldn’t drown out the stream of little pleasure-filled sounds that escaped Carolina’s beautiful lips.

“If anyone were to hear you, they wouldn’t think a cannoli was the causation,” Trystan smiled.

“Please, this is Washington Square Park... no one is going to judge my cannoli kink.”  She snuggled up next to him and held him tight. “I hope you don’t take this the wrong way...” she started, as a look of worry crossed his face.

“What is it?”

“Everything about tonight has been just perfect... the limo, the fancy restaurant, the helicopter ride... you really had me feeling like a princess.”

“But?”

“But just being here with you, kissing, snuggling, and watching people go by....”

“My luscious cannoli....”

“The cannoli from Vaniero’s,” she laughed. “There’s nothing better than this.”

“I couldn’t agree more,” he replied, wiping a bit of cannoli cream from her lip. He pulled her close for a lingering kiss. 

“So, since this first date went so well,” she started. “Can we have an official second date? Next Saturday?”

“I’d be delighted,” he grinned. “What would you like to do?”

“Oh, no! I’m planning this one. Now I have to spoil you... Bronx style.”

@choicesficwriterscreations

Tagging others on reblog

[jerzwriter]

So my girl Carolina was doing her goddamn best to keep that smile on her face and help Trystan through what she knew was a terribly difficult day for him. She knew his heart wasn't in it, she knew he had conflicting emotions, she knew both of their hearts were breaking... and she didn't think he had an out.

She was dying inside, but she was showing up for him... because THAT MY FRIENDS, IS WHAT LOVE IS... and that is why I love this couple's love story... it is probably one of the healthiest Choices has ever produced and I'm so here for it.

Trystan loved her too much to ask her to sacrifice her life. She loved him too much to let him suffer alone. They loved each other enough to put their needs aside to see the other through. I'm still screaming. I love them, your honor.

@choicesbookclub