May Trope Mayhem is a multi-fandom/original creation event open to writers, artists, and creators of all kinds! Our creators have shared their favorite tropes, and we’ve put together a list of 31, one per day through the month of May. We encourage creators to join us for this month of fun tropey mayhem.
Our goal is to promote motivation and help with habit building, so we’re encouraging authors to keep their ficlets under 1,000 words, artists to stick to making just a sketch, gif makers to only do a single image, etc., as applicable to whatever you’re making.
This event is primarily held on Tumblr, but you’re welcome to participate anywhere Duck Prints Press has an account (you can see all our current platforms here) and we’ll keep our eyes on our tag everywhere!
How can you participate? It’s easy! There’s just a few simple rules:
write a ficlet or a poem, create art, make a gif, or create any other content that you want, aligned with the prompt for the day!
post your correctly tagged fills to Tumblr, and we’ll reblog them! We’ll reskeet works on Bluesky, retoot those on Mastodon, you get the idea. Note: we do not use Twitter.
you must tag warnings such as gore, MCD, sexual content, etc., so that people can make informed decisions!
please also tag fandom and ship, so people can find what interests them!
we ask that you put the tags at the top of your post, so they’re easy to find.
if you write more than 1k words and post the whole text on Tumblr or wherever, please use a read more if the platform allows.
if you create something with NSFW content or potentially triggering material, please put the entire work under a read more.
Ping us (duckprintspress) or tag your creations “#may trope mayhem” and so we can find them! We’ll reblog all fills that follow the above rules and are posted between May 1st and June 8th, 2025. Posting starts May 1st!
If you post to AO3, you can also add them to our collection there!
You don’t have to sign up for May Trope Mayhem, just post your fills. You don’t have to be a member of the Press nor do you have to be following us. You don’t have to be part of a specific fandom. We’re open to all ships, genres, formats, ratings, kinks, etc.! You can post whatever properly tagged content you want. You don’t have to post fills on the corresponding day, though we ask that if you’re creating for a day that hasn’t happened yet, please wait for that day to post.
MAY TROPE MAYHEM Prompt List Text Version:
Fairy Tale Fusion
Bachelor Auction
Stowaway
Superhero x Supervillain
Inherited Blessing or Curse
Tiny Adorable Eldritch Horror
Love Triangle to Polyamory
Wardrobe Malfunction
Body Guard Character
Fake Dating
Ghost Love Interest
Idiots to Lovers
Unresolved Sexual Tension* (*resolved)
“Who did this to you?”
Character is Conveniently Unrecognizable in Glasses
Breaking the 4th Wall
Time Loop
Wing Grooming
Accidental Summoning
Language Barrier
The House is Alive
Pet Acquisition
A+ Parenting
Mentor and Mentee
Amnesia
Body Swap
Royal x Knight
Second Chance with a Former Love
Identity Porn
Accidental Baby Acquisition
Magical Familiar
I don't think I'm physically capable of writing a magic reveal fic that involves Leon finding out about Merlin’s magic and him NOT being supportive. The very idea of writing Leon reacting poorly is unthinkable to me. I may write Merlin thinking Leon will react poorly, but him actually reacting negatively? I can not do it.
oh my god i love the percival doing a ritual to emrys. we gotta have a continuation where they find out MERLIN is emrys !
@letscatchyoulater Here is the sequel to this drabble here! Also, you guys might have already read this one, but a similar fic I have on ao3 is Have You Heard where basically the knights go around hearing dramatic rumors about Emrys while Merlin just tries and fails to correct them. Enjoy!
“...wait. What did you just call him?”
Merlin felt that ever since entering Camelot he had embraced quite a few experiences that included everything from downright terror to shuddering frustration. This though... The combination of panic and fear causing his very soul to zip out of his body so he was left with only cold acceptance... Well... That one was new.
“Emrys?” The boy repeated and blinked. “That... That’s his name.” He said, studying each of the knights carefully before turning to Merlin. “Magic is legalized.” He said as a sort of baffled explanation as to why he had practically kicked Merlin’s identity out into the open.
“Yeah,” Merlin sighed, running a hand over his face. “Yeah, it is.” He agreed and risked a glance at where the others had all turned to stare at him.
“Emrys? Like the deity Percival prays to?” Leon asked and Merlin felt himself flush slightly as he tripped over his words trying to respond to that.
“Why does he think you’re Emrys?” Elyan asked slowly. Merlin didn’t answer. After a couple beats of silence he spoke again. “...No.” He said. The druid boy nodded. “I... But... Does Gwen know?” He tried. Merlin snorted.
“Uh... No. Please don’t tell her-”
“Of course, I’m going to tell her! How can I not tell her? Merlin! You’re bloody man of myth!” He said loudly and put his hands on top of his head. “This whole time? How -?”
“I don’t know what I was expecting.” Merlin said under his breath. He tried to get a better look at Arthur but it was hard to see his face with Percival practically hyperventilating as Gwaine worriedly patted his shoulder.
“Em... You?” He managed in a voice ridiculously high for someone so large. “I’ve been... Next to... The whole time?!” He shrieked. The druid gave a firm nod which really only added to Merlin’s growing dislike of him. “I... Was this a test? Did I pass?” He gaped and Merlin pointed a finger at him in warning. “My lord-”
"Don’t you dare!” He said loudly. Percival froze. Merlin froze. He waited, eyes narrowing slightly as he read the brief war of emotions crossing the knight’s face. “Percival...” He began and shook his head when the knight slowly reached to his side. “Don’t do it-”
“Please accept these blueberries-”
“Damnit, Percival!”
“Hey, Emmy!” Gwaine interrupted, throwing up his hands “What the Hell? We did this nice prayer and gave you some blueberries and you didn’t even keep us from getting attacked half the time? What gives?” He asked. Merlin winced a bit at the real annoyance laced in his tone before scowling himself.
“I tried my best to protect you! And I didn’t even get to eat those blueberries-“
“Well that’s your fault for not telling us that you were a nature deity or whatever the fuck you are!” Elyan snapped at him. Merlin looked at the sky. “How long were you planning on keeping this to yourself?” He asked. Merlin shrugged helplessly.
“I don’t know... Forever?”
“Forever?!” Gwaine and Elyan shouted at the same time as the druid boy’s eyes widened with the first bit of regret since this debacle started. Percival hit them both on the back of the head.
“Do not yell at him!” He hissed and then froze. “Wait... Arthur hasn’t offended you has he? He didn’t mean any of what he said-”
Oh... Oh dear God no...
“Listen,” Merlin tried to say before everyone started panicking “You said yourself that I’m human. This doesn’t change-”
“Were you testing Arthur?”
“Oh, he definitely failed.”
“Of course, he failed.”
“He failed the moment he chased him around town with a mace.” Leon added casually. He seemed to be surprisingly the most accepting of the fact Merlin was a figure among pagan theology. That was a nice change of pace... Maybe Merlin should hang out with him more -
Percival threw up his hands in pure distress.
“You chased down Emrys with a mace?!” He shouted and it was then that Merlin was able to get a good look at the king. Surprisingly, he didn’t seem... Angry. If anything he was looking Merlin over with a thoughtful eyes, ignoring the panicked yells of his knights.
“The blue light.” He finally said and Merlin’s mind flashed to years prior. “The one that led me out of the cave.” He said. Oh. Right. Merlin nodded. Arthur crossed his arms over his chest. “The questing beast.” Merlin nodded again. “The griffin. Bastet.” He continued and waited. Not knowing what else to do. Merlin nodded again. “The dragon?”
“Emrys is also said to be a dragonlord.” Percival informed them knowledgeably. Merlin gave a slight gesture to him. Arthur nodded.
“My father?”
Merlin looked down.
“I did try to save him.” He said and swallowed. Everything around him seemed to still. Looking up, he half expected to find Arthur’s sword out, but the prince was only shaking his head.
“Why?” He finally asked. Merlin wasn’t sure if he meant his father specifically or all of it. Merlin was mulling over how detailed of an explanation he wanted to give when Leon cleared his throat.
“Are you the one who also keeps saving me?” He asked and at that... Well, at least Merlin’s reaction was completely genuine.
“I legitimately don’t know how you keep surviving this stuff.” He told him. “I’ve been trying to figure it out for years. I think you might have accidentally made yourself immortal.” He told him. Leon tilted his head. Percival, on the other hand, seemed to be ready with an explanation for that one.
“A blessing from Emrys-” He whispered. Merlin glared.
“No.”
“Did you like my prayers?” He asked and Merlin felt Lancelot’s voice from the grave whispering very vocal threats if he didn’t answer this correctly. Shifting, he tried his best to give a bright smile.
“...yes.” Merlin lied through his teeth. “Though, you know, you don’t have to-”
“He hated them.” Elyan said and Merlin felt his eyes widened. “You should have given him more blueberries, Perce-”
“No!” Merlin yelled and jumped in front of Percival as his face fell. “No, Percival. They were lovely, really. I’m just not used to-”
“Did you like Darren’s better?” Percival asked sounding absolutely defeated. Merlin felt his previous alarm falter slightly to make way for the confusion.
“Darren?” He asked, trying to keep the desperation out of his voice. “Who’s Darren?” He asked and took the opportunity to hit Elyan’s arm in retaliation for being a jackass. Percival paused.
“...you don’t know Darren?”
“Should I?” Merlin asked. From where he had gone silent, the druid boy made a choking sound. “What? Who is Darren?” He repeated to the druid. Percival gave a slight ‘aha!’ under his breath which only served to confuse him more as he looked between the druid and knight in confusion.
“You didn’t hear my prayers?” The druid asked sounding scandalized.
Oh come on.
“Are you Darren?” Merlin asked and took a long breath. “I can’t actually hear you when you pray to me. Well, I can hear Percival’s because I’m physically there, but...” He trailed off and winced a little at Darren’s spluttering. “Darren, I’m sure your prayers were lovely.” He said weakly.
“But mine must have been better,” Percival cut in “Because he heard mine.”
“Does nobody care I have magic?” Merlin asked loudly. Everyone paused. Elyan and Gwaine looked at Leon who just bit his lip and looked at Arthur. Percival began shaking his head quickly.
“I’m sure I will be upset,” Arthur told him “But right now I’m trying to figure out why pagans worship you.” He said and furrowed his brows. “You look like you’re about to cry.”
...well. At least Arthur wasn’t phased by any of this.
“I don’t have a lot of experience in this, you arrogant-”
“I need you not to argue,” Percival interrupted calmly and then put a hand over his face as he looked between the two. “I can’t have Emrys and my king disrespecting one another-”
“You have your work cut out for you there, mate.” Gwaine snorted and reached into his pack to pull out a handful of berries. “Hey, if I give you these would you turn Elyan into a cow?” He asked. Merlin rolled his eyes.
“I’m not a bloody genie-”
“Yeah, you have to do a prayer with the offering.” Percival scoffed “Otherwise he won’t do it.”
“I’m not going to do it because Elyan is my friend.” Merlin said and Darren sighed.
“Ethereal beings often work in mysterious ways... Some just aren’t pleased with our sacrifices and prayers.” He said a bit dryly as his sniffed at the air. Merlin tried his best not to look annoyed for Percival’s sake.
“Darren, it isn’t mysterious. I just don’t want to turn Elyan into a cow-”
“I’ll convert if you want,” Gwaine cut in. “Percival, how do you convert to paganism?” He asked. At this, Arthur seemed to have a flicker of annoyance as he pursed his lips, eyes narrowing at Merlin.
“So you’re here to convert us all?” He asked and Merlin looked up again at the sky. “Who are you talking to up there?”
“I’m not - okay,” Merlin shouted, waving his hands. “We need to clarify some things. I’m not that big of a deal.” He said, raising his hands. “No prayers are needed. No offerings are needed. No sacrifices are needed. I’m flattered but I think there might have been something lost in translation because I’m not-”
“Lord Emrys!” Someone gasped and Merlin spun around to find a small crowd of people Merlin definitely didn’t know inching closer. No. No, no, no, no... “Look! Darren was right! It’s Lord Emrys!” They said and Merlin felt his eyes widen. Please. No. Don’t do this.
“Our prayers have been answered!”
“Lord Emrys!”
“Darren led us to Emrys!”
Merlin bit his lip. Slowly, he turned to where the druid was shuffling towards Arthur. He gave a weak smile when Merlin’s eyes landed on him.
“I, uh, got excited when I realized you were here...”
“Darren, what the Hell?”
My entry for June 27, prompt: kidnapping
"Daddy, why do you only have one leg when Mommy has two?"
Hello! This request was written by @astrid-foreverythingelse! Hope you enjoy!
“Daddy, why do you only have one leg when Mommy has two?”
Hiccup looked up from the vegetables he was chopping into the curious eyes of his daughter across from him. A piece of parchment with a crude drawing of sheep in a pasture lay forgotten in front of her. However, the charcoal remained in her hand as she absentmindedly fiddled with it, waiting patiently for her father’s response.
Hiccup glanced down at his prosthetic and then back to his daughter. “I have two legs! See?” he said, stepping around the table and dancing in a small circle.
Zephyr laughed. “No, Daddy! How come Mommy has two normal legs and you have a metal one!”
“Well, I’d hardly call your mother’s legs normal,” he joked, earning him a punch in the arm from his wife. She scooped up some of the vegetables and playfully glared at him, crossing the room to the firepit as Hiccup massaged his sore arm.
“Daddy,” Zephyr insisted through giggles. “Uncle Tuffie said a troll took it ‘acuz you wouldn’t give him a buckle off your s’irt. Is that true?”
Astrid snorted over by the firepit, and Hiccup rolled his eyes. “You’re absolutely right Zephyr,” Astrid said before Hiccup could say a word. “Your Daddy loves his shirt buckles so much that he let a troll take his leg instead of losing one.”
Keep reading
In case anyone finds it helpful because mobility aids are horrifically expensive and inaccessible…
And for those people who have access to mobility devices but might benefit from a second chair they can abuse without risking expensive damage…
Erik Kondo has made a website, Open Source Innovations, that details plans for DIY wheelchairs. These wheelchairs can be made from common materials like wood, plastic, and pvc. They are lightweight and can be custom fit to the user allowing from the same degree of movement you would get from a custom chair. And they are durable and easily repairable. (he has been stress testing his latest design by dropping it down stairs, dropping it out of a car, launching it across a driveway, and throwing it off a deck). Its 12lbs and I think he said its was in the $200 ish range for parts.
He also is working on cheap, open source, accessible designs for beach chairs, off road chairs, motorized attachments (think smart drive), and so on. Plus he skateboards in his wheelchair. Cool dude, helpful info, pass it on.
Some additional kisses from the notes; Perwaine 'kiss to distract from pain' and Lancelot/Merlin/Gwaine 'kisses on scars'
Kisses on scars for now. I have an idea for the other one too, so I'll probably reblog this post some time this weekend to add it
Merlin's room was all of their favorite, given how it had been where both Gwaine and Lancelot had really gotten to know the servant, but unfortunately the bed was a bit too small for all three of them. They'd relocated to Lancelot's chambers, since his bed was as big as Gwaine's but his room was significantly neater. Or at least it was until they'd hastily undressed each other and strewn clothes and armor all across the floor.
The three men lay naked in the bed, sprawled across it and each other. Gwaine, who was sitting up slightly with his back against the headboard, looked out over his two lovers, mentally cataloguing everything he loved about their bodies. Merlin lay on his stomach with his head on Lancelot's chest, with the knight's own head in Gwaine's lap facing upwards.
From there, he could run a calloused thumb over the two distinct scars on his face. The one on his forehead, a barely-there line that started between his eyebrows and stretched up and to the side an inch and a half, was apparently from his childhood, though he couldn't remember where exactly. The scar on his cheek was much more recent, from his time as a cage fighter, and more raised. Gwaine loved to feel it against his own face when they kissed or under his thumb when he took Lancelot's head in his hands. Like all of them, he had scars on the rest of his body too, but most of his notable ones, such as the talon mark from the griffin on his side and the sword cut on his shoulder from when he helped retake the castle from Morgana and her immortal army, were either on his back or otherwise hidden from view by Merlin lying on top of him. He gazed up lovingly at Gwaine as the knight stroked a thumb over the scar on his forehead. His own hand was tangled in Merlin's hair where his head lay on his chest as he dozed off.
Many of the servant's own scars were on his back and visible. There was the mace blow from when he had first met Arthur, and the serket sting right beside it. That one was fairly new, and it had taken his lovers months to bully the story about it out of him. And right by the two of them was the scar from the fomorrah at the base of his neck. The whole cluster was still painful sometimes, so Gwaine avoided touching it. Instead, he leaned over his sleeping friend to press a kiss between the scars. The servant stirred, but didn't wake. Normally he was an incredibly light sleeper and would be out of bed at the slightest indication of danger or trouble, so it was a sign of how much he trusted Lancelot and Gwaine that he could let his guard down enough that even his unconsciousness knew not to be afraid.
"Where's this one from?" Lancelot asked, reaching up with his free hand to a scar on Gwaine's stomach. He must've noticed the knight paying attention to the marks of injury on his and Merlin's skin.
"I honestly don't remember," he admitted. "I have so many; it's hard to keep track."
"Merlin and I will help," Lance said. Keeping his chest as still as possible so as not to disturb Merlin, he turned his head to the side to press a kiss to the scar before following their other boyfriend to sleep.
@evilwriter37
Summary: HICCUP WHUMP! Post-RttE, Pre-Httyd 2! Hiccup built himself a new prosthetic leg and he wanted to try it out. Naturally, new creations are bound to have some kinks.
Rating: Teen and up
Words: 3 585
Fandom: How to Train Your Dragon
Prompt: Dislocated Joint
Author’s Notes: Here it is! My very first prompt from my @badthingshappenbingo card!
I actually handled this one a little bit differently than my other fics. Instead of checking the spelling and posting it immediately after finishing it, I let it rest for almost a week before checking for errors. I feel like that helped me a lot with this one.
Constructive criticism is highly appreciated.
Enjoy!
Keep reading
Chapters: 1/? Fandom: The Lord of the Rings - J. R. R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings - All Media Types, The Lord of the Rings (Movies) Rating: Mature Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Éomer Éadig/Faramir (Son of Denethor II), Aragorn | Estel/Éomer Éadig/Faramir (Son of Denethor II) Characters: Faramir (Son of Denethor II), Éomer Éadig, Aragorn | Estel Additional Tags: Hurt/Comfort, Post-Canon, Post-War of the Ring, Aragorn is King of Gondor, Éomer and Faramir are married, Éomer and Faramir are the Kings of Rohan, Minas Tirith, Burns, Chronic Pain, Because his father tried to burn him alive, Caring Éomer, Bold Éomer Éadig, Flirting, Embarrassment, Soft Éomer Éadig, Men Crying, LOTR men are the best, Bathing/Washing, Scars, Faramir has Chronic Pain, no toxic masculinity here!, Magic, The hands of a King are the hands of a healer, Kissing, Anal Sex, Eventual Smut, Fluff and Smut, POV Faramir Summary:
Faramir has chronic pain after being burnt alive by his father. When Aragorn finds out, the King insists on trying to help heal him. This leads to Faramir and Éomer telling Aragorn their feelings for him, and the three of them end up in bed together.
Literally sobbing. A judge, a US judge defended us. A judge brought up intersex people, uaing the term intersex, to *defend* us by not allowing our erasure. I'm having a lot of feelings right now