brooklyns-writing-corner

[brooklyns-writing-corner]

Writer's Guide: Hand to Hand Combat

Your character is unarmed and all they have left to fight with is their bare hands. If they hope for the enemy to catch their hands, you will have to write an effective scene. So how can we write a good hand to hand combat scene?

Most Common Moves

Now, I'm not going to list 30+ martial arts moves. Most of your characters will not be masters of kung fu or mixed martial arts. Most people who get into fights are novices.

Punch: a punch is probably to go to strike. Try not punch anybody in the face because one, they will expect it and two, it will hurt your hand. If you can aim for the soft parts of an opponent, kidneys or gut.

Kick: Kicking isn't pretty but it is effective. A good swift kick to the back of somebody's knee will fold them like a lawnchair.

Go for the groin: Man or woman getting kicked in the nether regions is no picnic. A good swift kick with your foot or your knee can incapacitate your opponent. Its not the most honourable of moves but it works.

An Elbow strike is effective: The elbow is your strongest point of attack. Drive it in to a windpipe or a gut and you can but yourself valuable time to retreat or stall your opponent from answering back.

Eyes: they are weak points. Jab somebody in the eyes with a thumb and they will stop in their tracks.

Throat: You can end any fight by going straight for the throat either grasping it in a headlock or jabbing it with a fist which can collapse the windpipe.

Bite: If you are unable to snack your opponent, use your teeth. The human bite is perhaps not as strong as a hyena's but it is strong enough to shorten your opponent by a finger or two.

How to Escape from Grips and Holds

Pinned from behind with your arms pinned: You have to stop your opponent from getting to a headlock. Move your hips to one side and strike backwards toward the groin or gut. This should weaken the hold of your opponent. Once the grip is loosened, turn toward your opponent and snack them into the nose with the heel of your hand.

Held from behind: Bend forward as far as you can making it more difficult for your opponent to lift you. Jab with your elbows back into your opponent's chest or face. Turn toward your opponent once the grip loosens and strike at the face or the groin again to subdue your opponent.

Headlock: If your opponent has you in a headlock, DON'T STRUGGLE. You could break your own neck. Turn into your opponent's side as close as possible. With your hand that is furthest away, hit your opponent into the groin or gut.

Pinned down on the ground: Most likely your opponent is using their own hands and weight to keep you down. If you can move your knees, try to jab them in the side or the groin to unbalanced them.

Things to Remember

1. The whole 6-10 minute bout only happens in films or controlled sporting events. Fights are usually over within a few minutes. (when writing effective fights, keep the pace short.)

2. Girls are vicious. I've worked in nightclubs and broke up a fair few fights. Boys will knock the shit out of each other but girls will tear shreds out of each other. I have known grown men to break up fights between guys but nobody wants to break up a catfight.

3. One wants the fight to end quickly. If you keep slugging at each other, you'll get tired pretty fast. Have your character try end the fight as soon as possible.

4. Nobody emerges from fights unscathed. Even winners may come out with black eyes, broken noses or at very least a broken lip. If you punch someone, you will likely bruise your knuckles if not split them.

5. If your character is fighting to survive, they don't have to stick to etiquette. They will have to do anything to survive even if it means doing something unpleasant like fishhooking or hairpulling.

[brooklyns-writing-corner]

So, I don't know how to write pain like! What words do I use? how do I describe it! I really need some help here!

No problem! And sorry about not answering sooner, I was on vacation. To make it up to you, I’ve made one of my trademark Long Posts about it.

TIPS ON HOW TO WRITE PAIN (FOR BOTH ORIGINAL CONTENT WRITERS AND FANFICTION WRITERS)

When I first started writing, about eight years ago, I had the same issue as @imjustafuckinggirl.

How are you supposed to write about pain you’ve never experienced before???

The characters in my book suffer through all sorts of terrible shit, and in no way am I writing from experience, which is marginally easier to do than write about something that has never happened to you.

However, with time, I managed to gather up a few strategies on how to write pain.

1. Don’t Write Paragraphs About It

I know, it’s tempting. You want to convey to the reader just how much pain the character is in, and you think that the pain will be emphasized the more you write about it.

This, however, is a lie.

As a reader, when I’m reading a book or fanfiction where, whenever the writer uses agonizingly long paragraphs to describe when a character is hurt, I skip it.

Entirely.

It’s boring and, quite frankly, unnecessary, especially during a fight or huge battle, which are supposed to be fast-paced.

When it comes to writing about pain, it really is about quality and not quantity.

In my own writing, I stick to short, quick paragraphs, some of them which are barely a line long. This gives it a faster pace and sort of parallels with the scattered, spread out thoughts of the character as they suffer.

2. Describe it Right

Many times, usually in fanfiction, writers over-exaggerate certain injuries.

This partially has to do with the fact that they’ve never experienced that injury before and are just thinking about what it might feel like.

As a girl with two brothers and who often participated in rough play-fights, I can assure you that getting punched is not as painful as you think it is.

(However, it does depend on the area, as well as how hard the punch is, on top of the fact that you have to take into account whether or not the punch broke bones)

I’m reading a high school AU where a character gets punched by a bully (Idk where they got punched it wasn’t stated) and the author is describing it like they’d been shot.

It was to the point where I was like Did the bully have brass knuckles or something????

It was very clear that this author had never been punched before.

When describing the pain of an injury or the injury itself, you have to take into account:

- What object was used to harm the character

- Where the injury is

- How long the character has had the injury

- (For blades) How deep the cut is

- (For blunt force trauma) How hard the hit was

- Whether or not the wound triggers other things (Ex: Concussion, vomiting, dizziness, infection, internal/external bleeding).

There’s also the fact that when some authors described wounds caused by blades such as knives, daggers, and swords, they never take into account the anatomy of a person and which places cause the most blood flow.

Obviously, a cut on your cheek will have less of a blood flow than a cut on your wrist, depending on what the blade hits, and I hope that everyone consults a diagram of veins, capillaries, arteries, etc. when they’re describing blood flow from a certain place.

There’s also the fact that you have to take into account where the blood is coming from. Veins? Arteries?

The blood from arteries will be a brighter red, like vermilion, than the blood from veins, which is the dark crimson everyone likes to talk about.

Not all places gush bright red blood, people!

3. DIFFERENT INJURIES HAVE DIFFERENT KINDS OF PAIN

Here, let me explain.

A punch feels different from a slap.

A broken arm feels different from getting stabbed.

A fall feels different from a dog bite.

I’ll give you a list of all the kinds of things that can be described for the three most common kinds of injuries that happen in stories:

Punch/Blunt Force Trauma

How it feels:

- Aching

- Numbness (In the later stages)

- A single spike of pain before it fades into an ache

- Throbbing

Effects:

- Vomiting (If the character is punched in the gut)

- Swelling

- Bruising

- Broken bones

- Unconsciousness (Blow to the head)

- Dizziness (Blow to the head)

- Concussion (Also a blow to the head)

- Internal bleeding

- Death (In the case of concussions and internal bleeding and broken bones- ribs can pierce lungs)

Stab Wound/Cut

How it feels:

- Stinging (only shallow wounds have just stinging)

- Burning

- With stab wounds, I feel like describing the effects of it make it more powerfully felt by the reader

Effects:

- Bleeding (Consult chart of the circulatory system beforehand for the amount of blood flow that should be described and what color the blood should be)

- Dizziness (Heavy blood loss)

- Unconsciousness

- Infection (if left unattended)

- Death

Gunshot

How it feels:

- Depends on the caliber bullet, from how far away they were shot (point-blank range is nothing like being shot from a distance), and in what place. Do careful research and then make your decision.

Effects:

- Bleeding(Consult chart of the circulatory system beforehand for the amount of blood flow that should be described and what color the blood should be. Also take into effect the above variables for blood flow as well.)

- Dizziness (Heavy blood loss)

- Infection (if left unattended)

- Death

Some things that a character may do while they’re injured:

- Heavy/Harsh/Ragged breathing

- Panting

- Making noises of pain

gasping

grunting

hissing

groaning

whimpering

yelping (when the injury is inflicted)

screaming

shrieking

wailing

- Crying/ Weeping/Sobbing/Etc.

- Clenching their teeth

- Unable to speak

- Pressing their hands against a stab wound/cut to try and stem the bleeding

- Eyesight going out of whack (vision blurring and tilting, the room spinning, black spots consuming sight)

- Eyes rolling up into their head

- Trembling/shaking

- Ears riniging (from gunshot)

HOPE THIS HELPED!

[brooklyns-writing-corner]

Ways I develop character relationships in my writing

This is just a small list of things I do to add a little bit of coziness into my writing through my characters! Relationships (both platonic and romantic) are notoriously hard to write, so here are some of my tips!

Characters picking up on each other’s mannerisms

Characters finishing each other’s sentences

When one character trips/falls/slips and their friend(s) make fun of them before helping them up

Inside jokes

When a group is laughing together, characters who immediately look at each other to see if they found it funny also

Friends who can’t keep it together in serious situations when they’re together

Platonic touching (hugging, hand holding, high fives, etc.)

Characters discussing future plans

Intentionally making fun of each other in front of their crush/partner

[brooklyns-writing-corner]

Wanna write believable character in love (and make the readers want to ship them)?

Make them behave slightly different around their crush (but not too different because we don't want to completely change their personality). For example, if they're very extrovert make them act shyer around their crush (and the complete opposite). Or if they're not really in touch with their feelings, make them be more open about them with their crush. If they usually are big brain proud people, make them act kinda stupid with their crush. If they're super tidy people, make them be more chaotic around their crush.

Make them slowly fall in love. Love at first sight is bullsh*t (just look how Romeo and Juliet ended). Readers are going to hook on relationships that take their time to be constructed. How long does it take to fall in love (and not just being physically attracted to someone)? If you want to write a healthy relationship give them scenes (or time) to know each other. I know it sounds weird, but make them live around their crush. Make them be vulnerable together, be real together, be sad, happy, stressed together. Make them talk about their feelings, about their past, about their worries. HOWEVER, this is NOT an excuse to make your characters be the "psychologist" and the "patient". If one of the characters has mental health issues, do not make their love interest to be "in charge" of it. If one of your characters has mental health issues and you want them to get better, make them go to therapy/psychologist/any mental healthcare professional.

Make those two (A and B) interact with other characters. As Passenger once said "Only miss the sun when it starts to snow". This is really simple and helpful because it makes you think "Why does A like B and not C or D?".

This may sound contradictory, but DON'T make them need each other, make them want each other. If they need each other, there's gonna be an attachment red flag. Tbh, I don't know how to explain this, but want > need.

Make them be honest with each other. Please, another red flag is lying, so don't make them lie. A relationship is built on honesty.

Make them have (at least) one thing in common. Could be based on personality, on politics, on taste, on goals... You decide! Maybe make both of your characters be interested in science, or the pursue of happiness, their music taste, an experience they shared...

This is a very personal choice, but try to avoid the enemies to lovers trope (unless you're Jane Austen). I just don't quite like when character A and B hate each other to the core (plus they insult or hit each other) and then it's expected from me to believe that they actually love each other. Maybe this would work with kids that at first hate each other then grow up, become friends and eventually lovers, but not with mature adults.

Feel free to add more tips in the comments :)

[brooklyns-writing-corner]

ꜱʜᴏᴡ, ᴅᴏɴ'ᴛ ᴛᴇʟʟ (ɪɪ)

fear - open mouth - backing away - fake smiles - hugging themselves - long / dragged breaths - rocking

jealousy - snide remarks - darting looks - self-deprication - visible judging - folded arms - arguing a fair point

hurt - steadying breaths - overly bobbing head - teary - anger - trembling - pressed lips - insisting everything is 'fine'

lying (ticks) - picking at nails - touching hair - licking lips - laughing too loud - avoids subjects - won't meet eyes

worry - reaching out physically - pursing lips - looking to others - reassuring smiles - looking you up and down - tilted head - sympathetic nod

shame - will not meet eyes - feet turned away - teary - desperate - fidgeting - begging

humiliation - lashes back - cheeks flush - palms turn sweaty - face frowns -> brows scrunch, lips pull back - teary

love - looks for approval - blushing / turning red - clammy palms - nervous around certain people - laughs hard - turning clumsy - slip of thought

[brooklyns-writing-corner]

Showing when writing: Emotions [part 1]

Embarrassment

blushing

fidgeting

sweating

hiding their face in their hands

wide eyes

crossing their arms around their body

stutters

stammering

shifting their weight from side to side

exaggerated movements

nervous quirks appear such as picking at their nails, playing with their hair, and rocking on their heels.

avoiding eye contact

glancing or staring at random objects

stiff smiles

scratching the back of their head or neck.

subject changing

forced laughter

Anticipation

big smiles

wetting their lips

energized

constant movement

grinning

can't concentrate

clumsiness

fidgeting

questions

Awe

frozen

wide eyes

slack jaw

harsh or erratic breathing

grinning

staring

Surprise/shock

gasping

open mouth

slack jaw

wide eyes

covering their mouth with their hands

raised eyebrows

frozen

staring

stepping back

stutters or stammers

Triumph

Tilting back head and yelling out

fist pumping in the air

Jumping

Roaring

Whooping

laughter

bright smiles

grinning

Anger/Threatening

Shaking fist

Pointing

crossed arms

glares

frowning

scowling

Stabbing with finger

Slamming fist against something

Veins throbbing

Jutting out their chin

Clenched fist

Clenched jaw

flushed face

Eyebrows lowered or furrowed

squinting

Teeth bared

Wide stance

Tight-lipped smile

Rapid breathing

Sweating

aggressive stance

Flared nostrils

Puffed chest

loud voice

Nervous

lip biting

biting nails

blinking

tears

stepping back

awkward laughter

clumsiness

dry lips

dry mouth

fidgeting

darting eyes

wrapping their arms around themselves

repeatedly folding and unfolding their arms

clutching at themselves, their hip/shoulder/stomach

drawn in/furrowed brows

avoiding eye contact

jittery

pitched voice

no appetite or nervous eating so a bigger appetite

pacing

toying with things

restless

bouncing leg

rubbing at their face

scratching

sweating trembling

if you want to support, take a look at my story - Thoraway villain

[brooklyns-writing-corner]

@roll-the-dice-blog reblog (sort of, couldn’t find it in the tags).

[brooklyns-writing-corner]

Words to use instead of said

I'm pissed:

Growled

snarled

snapped

barked

bellowed

yelled

screamed

shouted

seethed

fumed

ranted

rasped(not always angry)

grumbled

complained

leered

sneered

hissed

raged

told off

scolded

scoffed

Positive:

Laughed

grinned

chuckled

joked

quipped

teased

chortled(breathy, gleeful laugh)

giggled

beamed

exclaimed

cried out(Not always in a positive sense, but can be used that way)

cheered

burst

Confident/certain:

declared

asserted

insisted

bragged

boasted

remarked

stated

preached

I'm an asshole:

sneered(yes, twice.)

drawled

taunted

mocked

cackled

mimicked

joked

leered

provoked

exposed

I have a question:

begged

questioned

queried

probed

asked

inquired

stressed

pleaded

entreated

wondered

Yeah..I dunno about that/unsure:

faltered

stammered

trembled

quavered

hesitated

doubted

fretted

stuttered

supposed

shrugged

Quietly:

mumbled

whispered

murmured

breathed

uttered

[brooklyns-writing-corner]

How to get rid of this writer's block NOW!

oh, yes, you read it right! you're getting rid of your annoying writer's block like right now with these tips. ready? let's get started.

stop. being. a. perfectionist (please)

i knowww, i know. you love to do everything right and make sure it's the best you can do. trust me, i feel you. however, being a perfectionist can stop you from writing because you're always looking at everything you've wrote so far and rewriting it over and over again (oh gosh, this feels so so familiar to me...)

so, rach, how can i stop being a perfectionist? you ask me. well... let me do a quick research:

focus on maximizing the impact of your effort so you can concentrate on what’s important. similarly, learn to calibrate your standards. - from Harvard Business Review

now that we know how to stop trying to make everything perfect, it's time to:

get rid of distractions

imagine this: you open your laptop to write a chapter of your novel but, just before you do so, you open youtube to play your favorite song (but watch three recommended videos first), then open tumblr to check the notifications and, when you look at the clock, it's time to do something else. what did you write? exactly, noting! (i'm not judging you, this has happened to me countless times)

if you get distracted by your laptop, get a distraction blocker; if you get distracted by your tv, turn it off and put the controller away from you; if you get distracted by your surroundings, try to find a peaceful place where you can be free from distractions.

read

suddenly you feel like everything you write sucks. yeah, i've been there. the best you can do is to pick up a book you love and read it. touch its pages, smell it (i swear it is not as crazy as it might sound). imagine that your book will be someone's favorite book, and they will love the smell of it, too.

manage your time

you never, ever, have time to write, right? maybe it's because you don't plan your writing sessions ahead.

try doing this: when planning your week or month, include a few minutes every day on your schedule just to write (ten minutes will always be better than zero).

maybe you don't stick to your plan... try timeblocking! it's life changing, i swear. when you look at your calendar you see how organized your life / routine is, so hopefully you'll feel less anxious. you got everything under control, so there's still time to write.

advice

to finish the post, i want to tell you this: PLEASE, PLEASE DO NOT BLAME YOURSELF IF YOU DON'T FEEL LIKE WRITING! it's okay, you'll eventually feel inspired to get back on track. in the meantime, lay back and relax. practice meditation, listen to yoour thoughts, and breathe. you got this!

[brooklyns-writing-corner]

I always struggled with charatcer outlines or sheets because there were always stupid questions like “what’s their favorite color” or “what’s their favorite memory.” Stuff that would never come up…

My script teacher said you only ever needed to know a handful of things:

What they want. What they need. What’s stopping them. And what they learn.

[brooklyns-writing-corner]

Writing Tips

Punctuating Dialogue

✧

➸ “This is a sentence.”

➸ “This is a sentence with a dialogue tag at the end,” she said.

➸ “This,” he said, “is a sentence split by a dialogue tag.”

➸ “This is a sentence,” she said. “This is a new sentence. New sentences are capitalized.”

➸ “This is a sentence followed by an action.” He stood. “They are separate sentences because he did not speak by standing.”

➸ She said, “Use a comma to introduce dialogue. The quote is capitalized when the dialogue tag is at the beginning.”

➸ “Use a comma when a dialogue tag follows a quote,” he said.

“Unless there is a question mark?” she asked.

“Or an exclamation point!” he answered. “The dialogue tag still remains uncapitalized because it’s not truly the end of the sentence.”

➸ “Periods and commas should be inside closing quotations.”

➸ “Hey!” she shouted, “Sometimes exclamation points are inside quotations.”

However, if it’s not dialogue exclamation points can ask be “outside”!

➸ “Does this apply to question marks too?” he asked.

If it’s not dialogue, can question marks be “outside”? (Yes, they can.)

➸ “This applies to dashes too. Inside quotations, dashes typically express—“

“Interruption” — but there are situations dashes may be outside.

➸ “You’ll notice that exclamation marks, question marks, and dashes do not have a comma after them. Ellipses don’t have a comma after them either…” she said.

➸ “My teacher said, ‘Use single quotation marks when quoting within dialogue.’”

➸ “Use paragraph breaks to indicate a new speaker,” he said.

“The readers will know it’s someone else speaking.”

[brooklyns-writing-corner]

Anybody else got that Evergiven sized writers block

[brooklyns-writing-corner]

I used to be able to understand 99% of the dialogue in Hollywood films. But over the past 10 years or so, I've noticed that percentage has dropped significantly — and it's not due to hearing loss on my end. It's gotten to the point where I find myself occasionally not being able to parse entire lines of dialogue when I see a movie in a theater, and when I watch things at home, I've defaulted to turning the subtitles on to make sure I don't miss anything crucial to the plot.

Knowing I'm not alone in having these experiences, I reached out to several professional sound editors, designers, and mixers, many of whom have won Oscars for their work on some of Hollywood's biggest films, to get to the bottom of what's going on. One person refused to talk to me, saying it would be "professional suicide" to address this topic on the record. Another agreed to talk, but only under the condition that they remain anonymous. But several others spoke openly about the topic, and it quickly became apparent that this is a familiar subject among the folks in the sound community, since they're the ones who often bear the brunt of complaints about dialogue intelligibility. 

[brooklyns-writing-corner]

So I came across this article, and it mentions two people who will be joining in on the Wings of Fire animated series.

Dan Milano and Christa Starr have joined to help make the series. Milano has done few works for Netflix like The Croods animated mini-series. Starr have been in several projects, helping with visual effects for movies like Star Wars: The Phantom Menace, Star Trek: Insurrection; and animated movies like Flushed Away, Monsters vs Aliens, and The Bee Movie.

These two individuals sound good at what they do, and I've seen a handful of stuff that they've done--pretty cool, I think.

What I really do hope, though, is that they will hopefully add some 2-dimensional aspects/elements into the making of the Wings of Fire series. 3-dimensional doesn't sound as fitting for it, but we'll have to wait and see later this year.

When it does come out eventually later this year, I plan on doing a comparison between Netflix's adaptation and the AnimatedWings's version. Both I'm waiting for in anticipation; they're pretty big projects, especially for the Wings of Fire franchise's fan base. But yeah, can't wait!

[brooklyns-writing-corner]

Still gaining so much inspiration for new stories!

I just walk outside, look at my surroundings, and something pops into my mind. The outside world might be cruel, but there is so much beauty in all that is nature. Nature is almost like a safe haven for most of us: it inspires us; relaxes and calms our nerves when we're on edge; you find something beneath that no one else can see but you. This is why I especially love the Autumn to early-winter months. Please, imagine with me:

The crisp, damp air that carries the scent of falling leaves. The many shades of orange and red clashing together in the trees, and when the sun hits through them just right, it creates an amazing aurora-like display upon the ground below. The sound of birds chirping, and the crunch of leaves beneath your feet, are distant but sound so close amongst the peace.

You're walking on a sidewalk and the road is mostly calm (with the exception of a car or two passing every now and then). Flurries of snow fall from the cloud-filled sky and coats all that surrounds you there: picket fences; the few cars parked along the sidewalk; and the trees that line the street. The wind is gentle, but cold, and it nips at your ears and face. You can smell the snow as small flakes land softly on your face, and it clings to your clothes.

Just imagine scenarios like this; take a walk outside; pull out your phone and listen to music. Even the smallest things can inspire you.

[brooklyns-writing-corner]

My McKirk Master Fic Rec List

A List of McKirk Fics I Recommend

and Share Alike by aishahiwatari

Chapters: 1/1

Words: 1,683

Tags: Sharing a Bed, Required Unrequited Love, Pining, First Kiss, Getting Together

Summary: It's cold and raining and someone offers them a room for the night.

Sharing a bed is nothing like sharing a room back at the Academy.

finally gettin' together by constellations (allyoop)

Chapters: 1/1

Words: 1,380

Tags: Friends to Lovers, Academy Era, Comfort, Fluff, Love Confessions, First Kiss

Summary: once upon a time there was two idiots who were in love but no one wanted to say it first

Different by reeei

Chapters: 1/1

Words: 2,514

Tags: Academy Era, Pre-Slash, First Kiss, Fluff and Angst

Summary: Jim Kirk builds walls around himself and paints the wall to show the world who he wants them to think he is. But once in a while, he wants to let someone in. The problem is, does that person see the painting or the wall behind it?

Friends Look At Each Other Like That by Telescopedean

Chapters: 1/1

Words: 1,236

Tags: Taylor Swift Song, Academy Era, Fluff with No Plot

Summary: “Friends?” Jim asks.

Leonard shakes his head and Jim is confused. Why couldn’t he say what he wanted to because what he wanted was to be more than friends. It was something so obvious to him, but why didn’t he say it?

“Friends don’t look at each other like...this.”

I Don't Dance by Lopsided_Whiskey_Grin

Chapters: 1/1

Words: 1,617

Tags: Slow Dancing, Drinking, Self Acceptance, Kissing

Summary: Can Jim's powers of persuasion convince Bones to dance with him?

Inspired by Lee Brice's song 'I Don't Dance'.

Dance With Me by offensiveagentpie

Chapters: 1/1

Words: 2,619

Tags: Dancing, Fluff

Summary: “Looks like tonight’s my lucky night,” Jim all but purrs as he leans into McCoy’s personal space. “Why doctor, I never thought I’d find a catch like you in a place like this. Come dance with me.”

Dancing into your heart by lokilenchen

Chapters: 1/1

Words: 904

Tags: Alternate Universe - High School, Dancing, Getting Together

Summary: When the teacher has the great idea to do partner dance as their new topic in sports class and Jim is paired up with the new kid from Georgia. He learns that Leonard is not only a good dancer, but so much more.

No such thing as Silent Night by vickyblueeyez

Chapters: 1/1

Words: 332

Tags: Christmas, Starfleet Academy

Summary: When Jim Kirk is involved, there is no such thing as Silent Night. Christmas time at the Academy

Not Just a Kid by orphan_account

Chapters: 1/1

Words: 1,812

Tags: Unrequited Love, Minor Character Death, Young Love, Childhood Friends, Domestic Fluff, Teen Romance

Summary: Sam and Leo have been best friends since the Kirk's moved to Georgia, their age difference means sometimes Jim gets pushed to the sidelines. But he's been crushing on Bones since he was six and nothing he does can stop it. This is a journey of things going from Sam and Leo to Jim and Bones.

Worth It by mangochi

Chapters: 3/3

Words: 5,472

Tags: Fluff, Alternate Universe - Childhood Friends, Pining, Confessions, First Kiss, Road Trips, Sharing a Bed

Summary: The new kid next door is all of six years old and the biggest pain in the ass Leonard’s ever known.

"Play with him," his ma tells him reproachfully over breakfast. "The boy’s lonely."

"He’s six.”

someone to shed some light by sagesiren

Chapters: 1/1

Words: 3,004

Tags: Pre-Relationship, Alternate Universe - Modern Setting, Past Mental Health Issues

Summary: "Well, Dr. Bones, what do you think of our song?"

"It's ours now, is it?"

Or, the Music and Lyrics AU in which Jim is a semi-retired pop idol has-been who struggles with lyrics, and Leonard is a doctor that is pretty great with rhymes and not so great at keeping his mouth shut.

A date with the rain by lokilenchen

Chapters: 1/1

Words: 1,488

Tags: Alternate Universe - Modern Setting, First Meetings

Summary: Jim is used to being left waiting, to being left out in the rain, it’s still a nice surprise to be rescued by an attractive stranger.

out in the sun by liione

Chapters: 1/1

Words: 3,266

Tags: Alternate Universe - Modern Setting, Alternate Universe - The Little Mermaid, Angst

Summary: The sea had gone oddly calm. Quiet. There were no waves, none big enough for him to surf on, so Leonard settled on his board, and waited.

And then he saw it.

The face looking up at him through the water.

The Frog Prince (Or How Jim Kirk Managed to Fall in Love While Green and Covered in Mucus) by Broken Bones

Chapters: 1/1

Words: 8,615

Tags: Princess and the Frog AU

Summary: “So, can you hold off on dredging the pond for a few days? You see, I’ve got this short-term amphibian problem and was hoping to use it as a sweet crib to bring my lady-frogs back to,” Jim says. McCoy is still staring at him like he’s something bizarre and distasteful. Then Jim remembers he’s a talking fucking frog and guesses that he should be more worried if McCoy doesn’t react that way.

Pushing You Away, Falling Together by shiptoomuch

Chapters: 1/1

Words: 7,048

Tags: Alternate Universe - High School, Fluff, Angst

Summary: Leonard Horatio McCoy, anti-social genius, hates Jim Kirk, baseball star and, coincidentally, genius.

Leo has AP US History with said specimen and has come to observe the habits of the Greater Iowan Kirk. Sleeping, snacking, talking, and pencil throwing are just a few of the habits on a very long list of things that piss Leo off. Jim Kirk possesses not one, not two, but every single trait on the list.

OR

The one where Jim is annoying shit who might not be as shallow as he seems, and Leo is a little bit too judgmental.

best after all by liione

Chapters: 1/1

Words: 2,413

Tags: Alternate Universe - High School, Domestic

Summary: Jim and Bones are paired together for the semester long Baby Simulator project, in which they have to care for a little plastic baby doll. Things go better than expected.

Broomstick crash by lokilenchen

Chapters: 1/1

Words: 1,041

Tags: Alternate Universe - Hogwarts, Idiots in Love

Summary: Jim and Leonard had started dating somewhen in the middle of their sixth year in Hogwarts.

Now that they were in their seventh year, their time for just the two of them was greatly reduced.

But Jim was about to change that little time problem. He wanted to spend more time that was not either learning or classes with his boyfriend and to achieve that he would have to bend the rules a little bit.

[brooklyns-writing-corner]

To you, @fuckyeahspones! Here is...

Day 2: Candles

It was at times like these that called for desperate measures. And by desperate measures, I mean that Spock had run out of incense candles. It was early December and Spock was coming to an end on his supply of candles for meditating. Now he wouldn't make it a big deal that he needed more to stock up on, but Leonard did.

He went on that day, telling Spock of how he needed to tell him about these kind of things; "It's illogical to not tell me anything," to quote him exactly. Not all the time that this would happen, but sometimes. And every time Spock found it amusing. Not to mention that Leonard, too, likes to meditate with Spock. He would have told him about the shortage, but Spock wanted an excuse to listen to Leonard's rants.

A soft smile appears on his lips as Leonard continues. "I want you to please let me know next time you need more candles," he said waving an arm about as they strolled to the candle shop just down the street.

"You mean 'we', Leonard."

"Oh, shush. We both know it's you that mostly uses them up."

"As of last time we restocked on candles (to be exact: a month), I have used ten, while you've used twelve."

A brief silence.

Spock could see the doctor raise his eyebrow from the corner of his eye. He inwardly chuckled as Leonard thought for a minute.

"Alright, fine," he sighs, "I admit, I've been stressed a li'l." Spock wraps an arm around Leonard's waist.

"There's no need to be ashamed," he reassured with an slight teasing tone. "Use as many as you'd like--it is best to feel relaxed and calm than not."

A comfortable silence settles between the couple and Leonard rests his head on the other's shoulder. A small "Thanks, darlin'" leaves his lips and he softly smiles. They continue walking at a steady pace, taking in all the sights of the town. Before then they had arrived at Benny's Shop of Candles. A warm wave of air washes over them as they walk in, shivers going down their spines before disappearing just as quickly as it came.

The store owner, Benny, smiles brightly and waves at the old married pair. "How's my two favorite people doing today?" She leans over with her elbows resting on the front counter. The place isn't as busy as it normally was, but the rare quiet atmosphere was nice and seemingly fitting for the aesthetic of the interior (as it should be, but the big crowd of customers is a good sign, too).

"We're doin' just fine." Leonard smiled. "In search of more candles, hopefully to last until February."

Benny threw her head back and laughed. "Well, take a look around. Large sizes are half-price this week. Even made my special holiday scent: Christmas pine tree!"

"We would gladly buy your best holiday candles," Spock chimed. "We never tire of them."

All around the shop were some of Benny's own candles, lit and smelling like cinnamon. It was a comforting smell and it did miracles to put the couple in a sort of trance as they made loops around the shop. Shelf upon shelf of many different scents to pick from--Benny always did have the wide variety and taste. For fifteen minutes they went around grabbing candles to smell and put into their basket. They came to disagreements on some, but in the end they always got it anyway. When they did finish their search, the pair approached the counter and began to hand Benny their items: Candles that smelled of vanilla; cherry blossoms; honeysuckle; cinnamon; and even three of her Christmas pine tree.

When she was finished looking at all the chosen items, and it was all paid for, she looked up with a kind face. "The Christmas specials are on the house. Please enjoy them, boys."

Spock and Leonard nodded to her and, too, smiled. "Thank you very much, Benny. You are too kind." With that, they lifted their bags from the counter and exited the shop. Once again they were hit with the cold breeze of winter, but soon they'd light the candles while sitting together in the comfort of their home.