Prisca's_Writing_Area

Title: Connor's Photostudio
Character: Casey Connor, Zeke Tyler
Word Count: 246
Prompt: studio
Finished: 05.02.2022

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„Oh.“ Casey looked up when Zeke entered the 'Connor's Photostudio' backroom. „It is already that late? Sorry, but I guess I will still need some time to finish this photo collection.“

„No need to hurry,“ his friend reassured him. „We will make it to the movie in time.“ Then his eyes fall onto the pictures covering the large table. He stepped closer, breathing in deeply. „Woah.“

Casey laughed. „Yes, I know.“

„Hrm, since when you are doing porn?“

„It's erotic photography. That's something completely different. Besides that, the customer pays good, and when he thinks a collection like this will be the perfect gift for his husband, who am I that I put this into question?“

Zeke smirked. „Didn't it turn you on to see him posing like this? I already get hard from looking at the photos.“

„Zeke!“ Casey coughed loudly. „Good God! I'm a professional photographer, and it was only a job.“

„Doesn't mean that you are not a guy with secret feelings. I bet, if you would have such a photo session with me, we would end fucking on the floor within minutes.“

„Just good that this will never happen.“ Casey hastily turned away to hide his deep red face; then, he shoved the photos back into a big envelope. „Guess this can wait until tomorrow!“

Zeke only laughed, but inwardly he had to admit that maybe he enjoyed the thought a tiny bit too much.

Title: First Family Vacation
Character: Casey Connor, Zeke Tyler
Word Count: 560
Prompt: travelling
Finished: 10.01.2022

Note: This story is part of my 'Homeland' universe, where Casey and Zeke are married and have adopted a little boy / two children. All stories can be read as a stand-alone ones.

:::

Zeke looked up from his car magazine. „Is he finally asleep again,“ he asked.

„It took a while; he is totally hyped up.“ Casey dropped down onto the couch, grabbing for his beer. „Isn't it sad? He's almost four years old, and he has never been on a family vacation before.“

For a moment, Zeke thought about his own childhood. Other than Jason's parents, who had lived under impoverished conditions, more interested in satisfying their own demands like more booze and even more drugs instead of thinking of the baby, his parents had been wealthy. But did this mean that they cared more for him? No! Au pairs and nannies had grown him up; later, he visited an exclusive boarding school.

Until he had met Casey, and sometime later, Jason stepped into their life, the word 'family' had been meaningless for him. So, this vacation would not only be a premiere for Jason but for him, too. And he had to admit that he had had something different in mind than an old farm in Idaho. A club in Miami, where Jason could visit the children's activities while he would hang out with Casey at the pool. With their time-consuming jobs and Jason, who asked for a lot of thoughtfulness, intimate togetherness had been rare lately.

Not that he did complain, he loved Casey, and adopting Jason had been the best decision ever. His new life was perfect, but for all that, it was still hard sometimes. But he had swallowed his disappointment down when Casey suggested going to Idaho this year. „Miami is great, but I don't think it is what Jason needs at the moment,“ Casey had told him. „I've gathered some information about the farm. We can help with the animals and with other farm work. In return, we will get riding lessons for free. There will be campfires in the evening, and the small lake nearby is perfect for camping for a night or two. Jason will love this.“ And Zeke had kept quiet; of course, he was right, like so often when it came to family stuff.

„A penny for your thoughts,“ Casey's voice tore him out of his reverie.

„Oh, just this and that. Nothing serious.“

„Idaho makes you nervous, doesn't it?“

„It's our first vacation together as a family; why should I be nervous?“

„Because it is our first vacation as a family!“ Casey smiled. „ I know, this is new for you, too. I bet your idea of the vacation was a different one.“

Zeke shrugged, looking slightly uneasy. „Well, this family stuff... I do enjoy it, but I'm afraid there is still a lot I have to learn.“

„No need to worry; you are a good dad,“ Casey reassured him. „And to be honest, I wouldn't mind some alone time together with you either. I already have an idea. Why don't we call my mom? Jason loves her, and I am sure she doesn't mind spoiling him a bit for some days. We could make a side trip on our way home from Idaho; Jason could spend some time in Herrington, while we... hm... remember this cute, little hotel near Akron where we did spend our first summer?“

A grin sneaked on Zeke's face. „You always have the best ideas.“

Casey laughed. „I know!“

Title: Birthday Party
Character: Rosie Gamgee
Word Count: 187
Prompt: memories
Finished: 02.01.2022

:::

Rosie was looking out of the window; the garden was lying peaceful, the sunset was beautiful as ever, but her heart felt heavy and sad. Sam was still not at home. He had left the house early in the morning to visit the market, but she had known it was only an excuse to escape the yearly party at Bilbo's and Frodo's birthday.

They both were long gone, sailing to the Undying Lands of the Elves, but Merry and Pippin insisted on celebrating anyway. „This is the right way to remember them,“ they used to say, „with wine and tobacco, music and firework.“

No one in the Shire would dismiss a party, so all of them would come to Bag End tonight to make a toast to both of them. All of them but Sam.

For him, this day was filled with painful memories, and his longing finally to be together with Frodo again knew no limits. He was a good husband, an even better father; she never had a reason to complain. But today, she would only come to rest when he finally was home again.