#1000 Word story

[holobookit]

The Dragon’s Prince: Love’s High-Stakes Game

In the bustling city of Drakenhurst, where skyscrapers pierced the skies and dragons flew under neon lights, Wanda Ho found herself facing an unusual challenge. The charismatic younger sister of the renowned Conda Ho, Wanda had always been known for her competitive streak. Whether it was a karaoke contest or a martial arts sparring match, she couldn’t resist a challenge. But when Conda signed her up for Heartfire, the city’s most dramatic dating game show, Wanda felt wildly out of her element.

“This is so not my style,” Wanda muttered, pulling at the hem of her crimson dress as she paced nervously backstage.

“Relax, sis,” Conda said with a teasing grin. “You’re perfect for this. You’ve got the charm, the wit, and—let’s be real—who wouldn’t want to date you? Besides, the grand prize is a Dragon’s Key. You know how rare those are!”

Wanda paused. A Dragon’s Key was said to unlock secret lairs of ancient treasure, scattered across the city. While she wasn’t one for romantic theatrics, the chance to obtain such a treasure was tempting. She sighed. “Fine, but if this goes south, I’m blaming you.”

Round One: Love at First Flight

The host, a flamboyant dragon-shifter named Trixie Talon, strutted onto the stage as the audience roared with excitement. “Welcome to Heartfire! Tonight, we have six contestants vying for the heart of our special guest: Wanda Ho!”

The stage lights brightened, revealing Wanda standing in the spotlight. Her black hair shimmered, and her fiery eyes scanned the room, noting each contestant with suspicion.

The contestants were a colorful bunch:

1. Axel Blaze, a leather-jacket-wearing fire mage who smirked as if he owned the world.

2. Lydia Sylfren, a soft-spoken healer with a mysterious air and a flower crown.

3. Jasper Crove, a tech-savvy inventor who carried a glowing drone on his shoulder.

4. Zara Vox, a confident warrior with a scar over one eye and a gleaming sword on her back.

5. Dante Ferris, a flirtatious dragon-shifter with wings that sparkled under the stage lights.

6. Celeste Mirage, a dazzling illusionist with an aura of shimmering gold.

Trixie grinned. “Our first challenge is Love at First Flight! Each contestant will perform a daring feat to impress Wanda. The audience will vote for their favorites. Let’s get started!”

Axel went first, conjuring a blazing phoenix to circle the stage. The flames cast dramatic shadows, and Wanda had to admit it was a bold move. Lydia followed with a stunning display of healing magic, causing a withered tree to bloom with roses. Jasper used his drone to create a holographic light show, while Zara performed an impressive aerial sword dance. Dante, not to be outdone, transformed into his dragon form and flew through a series of fiery rings. Finally, Celeste created an illusory symphony of shimmering stars.

Wanda watched with a mix of amusement and intrigue. Each contestant brought something unique to the table, but she couldn’t shake the feeling that some were trying too hard.

Round Two: Truth or Scare

The second round brought a more personal touch. Each contestant sat down with Wanda for a one-on-one conversation, while Trixie threw in random questions or challenges.

Axel tried to charm Wanda with tales of his rebellious adventures, but she saw through his bravado. “So you’ve got a dragon tattoo,” she said, raising an eyebrow. “But have you ever faced a real dragon?”

Axel faltered, and Wanda smirked. “Didn’t think so.”

Lydia surprised Wanda with her depth. She spoke about her work as a healer in the impoverished districts of Drakenhurst, her voice tinged with quiet determination. Wanda found herself softening, impressed by Lydia’s genuine heart.

Jasper, on the other hand, made Wanda laugh with his quirky humor and inventions. He even created a mini hologram of her, complete with animated wings. “This is ridiculous,” she said, chuckling.

“Ridiculously awesome,” he corrected with a grin.

Zara’s straightforwardness caught Wanda off guard. “I’m not here to impress you,” Zara said bluntly. “I’m here because I like a challenge. And you? You’re one hell of a challenge.”

Dante leaned heavily on his dragon heritage, boasting about his lineage and aerial prowess. While Wanda found him amusing, his cockiness was a bit much.

Celeste dazzled Wanda with her illusions, creating a vision of the two of them dancing in a starlit ballroom. It was beautiful, but Wanda couldn’t help wondering what was real and what was just smoke and mirrors.

Round Three: The Dragon’s Gamble

The final round was the most intense: a cooperative challenge in the form of a high-stakes heist. Trixie explained, “You and your chosen partner must infiltrate a simulated dragon’s lair and retrieve the Heartfire Gem. But beware—this lair is filled with traps and illusions!”

Wanda’s instincts kicked in. This was her territory. After a brief deliberation, she chose Lydia as her partner.

“Why me?” Lydia asked, surprised.

“You’re grounded,” Wanda replied. “And I have a feeling you can handle whatever comes our way.”

The simulation began, and Wanda and Lydia worked together seamlessly. While Wanda’s agility and quick thinking helped them avoid traps, Lydia’s magic neutralized several of the lair’s defenses. At one point, Wanda slipped, nearly falling into a pit of illusionary flames, but Lydia caught her just in time.

“Careful,” Lydia said with a smirk.

“Thanks,” Wanda muttered, feeling an unexpected spark between them.

They reached the Heartfire Gem, only to find it guarded by a massive holographic dragon. Wanda hesitated, but Lydia stepped forward, her gentle voice cutting through the illusion. “We’re not here to steal your treasure. We’re here to prove we’re worthy.”

The dragon paused, then dissolved into light, revealing the gem.

The Final Decision

Back on stage, Trixie announced the end of the game. “Wanda, you’ve faced fire, truth, and dragons. Now it’s time to choose your Heartfire match!”

Wanda looked at the contestants, her mind racing. Axel was too brash, Zara too intense. Dante and Celeste were dazzling but felt insincere. Jasper was charming but not what she needed. That left Lydia.

Stepping forward, Wanda took Lydia’s hand. “You’re the only one who felt real. I’d rather face a hundred dragon lairs with you than spend a single day with someone who’s all show.”

The audience erupted into cheers as Lydia blushed. Trixie clapped her hands. “And there you have it, folks! Wanda Ho has found her Heartfire!”

Epilogue

Weeks later, Wanda and Lydia stood on a rooftop overlooking Drakenhurst, the Dragon’s Key in Wanda’s hand. “So,” Lydia said, “are we really going to use that thing?”

Wanda smirked. “You bet. Adventure’s just getting started.”

As the city buzzed with life below them, Wanda felt a warmth she hadn’t expected—not from the treasure, but from the woman beside her.

[screwsfall0ut]

Tim Drake Befriends a Bee Minific

When Tim was young and very lonely, he befriended a bumblebee. 

Back then, he was curious in a way that teased wonder on every rusted fire escape. At 9 years old, even Gotham’s grimiest streets sparkled under the right light and perfect Summer days were for adventure, not dread. 

It had been one of those perfect days - balmy, sunny, fresh, and crisp - when Tim almost stepped on a bee. He paused, one leg raised, light up sneakers still flashing, and hopped to the side. 

He carefully picked it up. The poor thing didn't have wings. It was so delicate. Its tiny legs tickled Tim's palms.

Tim was stricken with fear that it would die on the hot pavement, alone and scared. It needed to be protected. It needed a chance.

An eyedropper of sugar water and 30 minutes later, the bee was moving - crawling all over the table and, eventually, over Tim's hands. He brought the bee out into the garden, letting it examine the roses, the lavender, the yarrow.

Tim couldn’t leave it out there, defenseless, with no one to watch over it, to make sure it wasn't eaten or crushed or lonely. 

He named the bee Sisko, after his favorite Star Trek character, and because it was an onomatopoeia of the strange buzzing sound Sisko would make while traveling up and down Tim’s arms.

Day after day, Sisko and Tim would make new sugar water, then go explore every flower and bush and stone on the Drake property. Sisko’s favorites were the yellow roses, which had bloomed brighter and taller than anything else that season. Sisko would always crawl back to Tim’s hands in the end, or his arms, sometimes even up Tim's neck and into his bushy hair to keep Tim company while heating up chicken nuggets or peeling open protein bars or chowing down cold pizza. 

At night, Sisko slept in the ratty, soft stomach of Tim’s favorite stuffed animal, a bunny his Mom had given him when he was too young to remember. Tim moved the stuffy from his bed to his dresser (he was nervous about rolling onto Sisko in his sleep) and every night checked that Sisko was safe and sound before turning out the lights. 

They were friends - best friends. 

With Sisko, Tim lost the urge to wander off in Gotham proper for batwatching. Instead, he’d re-learned every step of Drake property, fell in love again with the flowers and trails, the old, old trees, and the pond out near the property line. 

Tim knew Sisko was on borrowed time (of course he did) but against all logic, Tim was certain that Sisko wasn’t any normal bumblebee. How could he be? Not when he’d chosen Tim, not when they'd made a home together. Anyway, why should it be so ridiculous to think that Sisko might be a witch's familiar or a companion like Jiminy Cricket. Magic was real, and there were stranger things on Gotham's streets every day.

Tim started to believe, actually believe, that one day he and Sisko might slip into Narnia or Wonderland or Middle Earth. Every day was an adventure.

Eventually the cold began to creep back, hardening the ground, taking the flowers, and turning the leaves. It was a chilly Sunday afternoon when Sisko crawled into Tim’s palm, fell asleep, and never woke up again. No matter how much Tim begged and begged and begged.  

He'd died so quietly. So unceremoniously. Tim wasn't ready. It wasn't fair.

Sisko was just a bee, and Tim was just a boy, and there were no magic wardrobes waiting for them.

Tim buried Sisko under the yellow rose bush, long gone spindly and brown. He cried so much that he'd thrown up in the dirt. 

Later that week, Scarecrow broke out of Arkham. For the first time since June, Tim pulled out his black clothes and his camera bag to watch Batman and Robin save the day. 

The click click of his camera shutter, the smoggy sky, the sweet rot smell of the dumpsters: that was familiar. Tim was a shadow again. He could lose himself: in the dark, in the night. 

Tim tucked his bunny stuffy into the back of his closet. He stopped waiting for magic to find him, at least, not the kind you'd read about in storybooks. Magic may have been real, but it was for people like Robin, people who swung from rooftops and laughed loud and made the world brighter. It was never meant for someone like Tim.

[julesdaydreams]

@wolfstarmicrofic I april prompt 4: Airport AU I word count: 996

Remus came to a screeching halt at the gate, huffing from having run through the airport.

Usually, Remus prided himself in his ability to be on time. Today though, everything went wrong the moment he woke up in his hotel room, causing him now to stand sweating in front of an empty gate.

“You're too late, mate. Plane left like… ten minutes ago? They just told me.”, came a smooth voice from behind him and Remus turned around to come face to face with silver eyes looking up at him.

The man belonging to them was pretty. The kind of pretty that Remus wanted to write in one of his books about. Long black waves framing his pale face, high cheek bones, lips that Remus wanted to study the shape of, trace them with his tongue, map them out with his teeth-

And fuck. Remus really shouldn't be thinking such things about a stranger. He shouldn't be thinking such things at all considering that he was about to get married tomorrow.

“Cat got your tongue?”, the stranger said and Remus was ripped from his thoughts, blinking himself out of his trance and focusing back to the man's face smirking at him as if he knew exactly the type of thoughts Remus was having.

“Shit, sorry. That's just… really fucking inconvenient.”, he said, unsure of why he was engaging in a conversation at all, when he should do anything in his power to get on the next plane to London.

“Well, same here. Unfortunately the next plane doesn't go until tomorrow at ten, so we're in for a long night.”

And that? That was absolutely fucking grand. Trust Remus to manage to be on time for the stupidest things but not make it to his own wedding.

“Fucking hell. Marc will kill me.”, he couldn't help but blurt out, walking the few steps over to some chairs and slumping down in one of them with a deep sigh.

“Who is Marc?”, came the voice again and Remus looked up at the stranger who had sat down in the chair next to Remus.

“My fiancé. We're supposed to get married tomorrow. He was already annoyed because I had this book reading yesterday and had to leave the country just a few days before the wedding and if I tell him that I won't be back in time… let's just say I'm not sure I'll have a fiancé to marry anymore tomorrow.”

He winced at the thought, feeling guilty about the whole thing and he hadn't even called Marc yet. He really should get to that…

“Hmm, that sucks. But I'm sure if he loves you, he'll understand. Sure, he won't be happy about it, but you can always postbone the wedding?”, Sirius said kindly, giving him a small smile that should've made Remus feel better but didn't really do that much.

“Yeah… totally. Sorry, I'll call him real quick.”, he said half-heartedly before standing up and walking a few steps to give himself some privacy.

He dialled his fiancé's phone number and Marc was on the line instantly.

“Remus? What's wrong, shouldn't you be on the plane by now?”, came a worried voice and Remus wanted to kick himself to cause it.

“Hey, yeah, sorry. Uhm… listen I didn't catch my flight, there were these problems the whole day and…”, Remus began to explain the situation and the next twenty minutes where spent on the phone with a very angry Marc, calling him all kinds of names and cursing at how stupid Remus' book thing was in the first place and how he should've just stayed at home. The call ended with a gruffly said “Don't expect me to wait for you at the altar”, and Remus was left staring dumbly at his phone screen, feeling like the worst human being on the planet.

He turned around and his eyes snapped back to the stranger who was still sitting in the same place he had before, looking at Remus with a slight frown that told him that he heard the whole thing.

He sighed before walking back to his seat, slumping down with a sigh for the second time in the last hour.

“He sounds like a dick.”, came the stranger's voice and Remus’ eyes snapped towards silver ones that looked displeased.

“What? No, he isn't. If anyone is a dick, it's me! I can't even be there for my own wedding!”, Remus exclaimed. He felt the need to defend Marc. Clearly, Remus was the one who had fucked up and it was only natural to be angry at that.

“Yeah, sure. But that's no reason to call you all those nasty things. It's not like you planned on missing your plane, did you? From what I've heard it sounds more like the universe did everything in it's power to make sure you wouldn't get on that plane in time to marry him tomorrow.’

Remus didn't know what to respond to that, but whether Marc's reaction was justified or not really didn't matter anymore.

“Either way. It definitely sounded like he was done so… I guess I don't have a wedding to get to after all.”, he sighed, thinking about how disappointed his mother would be when he told her.

“You never know, maybe it's for the better.”, answered the man and Remus was about to call him out on the sad attempt of making him feel better, but something in the silver of his eyes made him come up short.

“Yeah, maybe.”, he said dumbly, voice soft for some unknown reason.

The man gave him a bright smile before extending his hand.

“I'm Sirius, by the way.”

Remus took it.

“Remus, nice to meet you.”

[jamesthedigidestined]

TaiKouvember 2024, Day 1: Friendship

"Tch... this better be important.” Yamato gripes internally, a backpack slung over his shoulder, a sharp-looking spike squirming out of the half-open zipper.

“Don’t worry, Matt, it’s your friends! They’re always important.” Tsunomon exclaims, bumping into his partner happily.

“I guess, but Taichi just called me over randomly. The least he could do is tell me what’s going on.” Yamato sighs, pulling out his PDA. Its sleek metallic blue shell shimmers in the midday Sun as he quickly opens the GPS to make sure he’s going the right way. 

Admittedly, it was rare for him to meet up at Taichi’s apartment, instead opting to meet them in public or at Joe’s. Not that he disliked the gogglehead or his family, but it was easier that way. 

“Matt, weren’t you supposed to take the next left? You went straight.” Tsunomon helpfully asks, pushing more of his body weight against Yamato’s back for emphasis. 

“Oh, right. Thanks, buddy.” The blonde replies simply, softly rustling the backpack as he takes the proper turn, soon ending up in front of the Kamiya Yagami house. 

Knocking on the door at the appropriate strength soon opens the door, revealing a disheveled Taichi, covered in flour and with a pink apron a few sizes too small. “Hey Yamato! Glad you could make it!”

Yamato, naturally, turns the other way and begins to leave. If only he was so lucky. 

“Oh no, you don’t! Koromon, like we planned!” Taichi yells out, dashing after the quickly accelerating blonde. 

“On it, Tai!” Koromon assures his friend, jumping high into the air and latching onto the back of Yamato’s head, blinding him with his rabbit-like ears as Taichi grabs Yamato, restraining his arms, and forcibly carries him inside. 

“Taichi! Let me go! What’s gotten into you?!" Yamato growls and writhes as Taichi laughs, keeping his superior hold firm. 

"You said you'd help! Now quit struggling!" 

“Let me go, and I’d quit struggling!”

“Promise?” 

“Ugh, fine. Promise.”

“Amazing! Kou, get flour! Koromon, you did a great job!“ 

Taichi begins to loosen his hold on Yamato, setting him squarely in the living room as Koromon readily jumps off, spitting and hacking. 

“Gah, I think I have a hairball.” 

“Do it outside, kid; learned that one the hard way,” Gatomon advises, stretching out on the sofa lazily. 

Yamato, adjusting to the scene in front of him, takes it all in while Tsunomon hops out of the bag and over to Mochimon, who’s playing a game on the TV. Koushirou is in a green apron far too large for his small frame, while Taichi is wearing a pink one that’s far too small for his build. They’re both covered in flour, with a... lump of charcoal on the counter. Oh boy, here we go. *Again.*

“Do I *really* have to be here?” Yamato groans, crossing his arms and sitting at the table before continuing, “I already taught you two how to make eggs; isn’t that enough?” 

“Of course not! My mom says a proper man should know how to cook!” Taichi argues, puffing his chest out properly.

“Then learn from her! I nearly died from stress teaching you the first time!” 

“Please, Yamato-san? I can help with teaching Taichi-san, so you don’t have to worry as much.” Koushirou reassures, and Yamato finds it hard to doubt him. 

“Fine, but I’m making this quick. I have band practice at 2.” Yamato acquiesces to their demands, moving to pick up the only available apron, a “kiss the cook” novelty undoubtedly meant for Taichi’s father. 

“Oh? I didn’t know it was still a band with only one person.” Taichi teases, grinning playfully at Yamato. 

“Why you…! I’ll let you know we got a drummer just yesterday!”

“I believe the proper term would be ‘duo’ then, Yamato-san.” 

“Not you too!” 

While this goes on, Gatomon casually carries the ailing Koromon to the patio before he can hack up the hairball. It was blonde. 

[bookshelf-in-progress]

It turns out you don't have to worry about bots scraping your fiction to feed AI when your brother FEEDS IT TO THE AI HIMSELF!!!!

[theborzoiarebackintown]

Let me tell you guys the story of Vex.

I have adored her father from the moment I met him when he was 10 months old and he came and stuck his entire head into my purse looking for treats at my first borzoi national. I adored him even more when I saw him again a year later and he was developing into an exceptional male. He was my first choice as a stud for Margo, but I will not be breeding her, so that’s moot. Even after making the decision to pull Margo from the breeding gene pool, I remained obsessed with Varus. I’ve had the opportunity to really get to know him over the years and he is a wonderful dog on so many levels.

I first saw her mother in 2021 when she was being campaigned (and finished the year as #5 AKC borzoi), but didn’t meet her and fall in love with her for another year. She is a typical borzoi bitch, one who doesn’t give you the time of day until she decides you’re worth her time. Thankfully she very quickly warmed up to me, and she’s my precious Leisel weisel and we love each other and it’s gross. She’s one of the sweetest borzoi I’ve ever met. It helps that she’s also gorgeous and almost perfect structurally.

When I decided I wouldn’t be breeding Margo, the search was on for another hopeful foundation bitch. My best friend and breeding partner was planning this breeding for awhile, and I knew it would be exactly what I was looking for in regard to pedigree, structure, and temperament.

I was given the immense privilege of helping with the whelping, and it was a magical (albeit stressful and sometimes scary) experience. All puppies were born at over a lb, which is very large! Most borzoi are born in the range of 11-16oz, Vex was the smallest at 16.2 and Riddick the largest at 21.

With 8 puppies you have to be very vigilant everyone is getting enough colostrum and then milk to keep healthy and gaining. The first week is pretty scary, everyone can be born healthy but then take a bad turn in the blink of an eye.

Even though Vex was a relatively large puppy, since she was the smallest we were keeping an extra close eye on her. And you guys. This puppy. She was so quietly tenacious about eating. She didn’t yell or fight about it, just determinedly pushed her way to a nipple and DID NOT let it go. She quickly got to the middle of the pack weight wise, but it was too late for me. I was absolutely smitten.

With my priorities though, I knew I couldn’t let an emotional tie or “gut feeling” influence my decision. I wanted the best bitch I could get as the potential beginning of my breeding program. I had I long list of wants and needs and wasn’t going to settle for anything mediocre, no matter how much I loved a puppy on an emotional level. I didn’t tell my friend about loving vex, as I didn’t want to influence her thinking or decision making as she’s growing these puppies and evaluating their potential.

We get to about six weeks and really start discussing picks. My gut feeling about Vex had not diminished, I knew she was going to be special. I didn’t know if she was going to be special for me or someone else, but she was going to be special. My friend reveals to me she’s between maroon collar girl (vex) and pink collar girl (Violette) for me, but hasn’t decided.

After some very lengthy discussions on their differences structurally, and how each one was meeting my list of priorities, I decide to tell my friend I want Vex. She was only not ticking one box for me, but was ticking the huge additional box of gut feeling and emotional tie. The decision was also much easier knowing I would be co-owning my friend’s keeper(s) as well.

That one box she wasn’t ticking is developing a lot better than either of us expected, and I’m so beyond happy with our decision. She’s an actual clone of her mother with a a couple traits from her father. She’s elegant and curvy and unbelievably gorgeous. I won’t get into the structure discussion here but I’ll just say she’s really lovely overall. No dog is perfect and there will always be something to improve of course, but she’s not far from my absolute ideal borzoi. (With the caveat she’s a baby and nothing is set in stone until 3-4 with bitches)

This puppy has had my heart from the day she was born, and I just know the journey we’re about to go on is going to be amazing!!!

[seyaryminamoto]

Scenes of a Peaceful World: Sokkla Saturdays 2024

Day One - Travel

Rated: G

On FF.net//On AO3

A flock of dragons crossing the sky had yet to become something common, or normal, across their world. But it even more uncommon to glimpse a group of magnificent creatures carrying the members of a human family on their backs, as they traveled through the sky…

The populace of cities and towns below them gazed in amazed wonderment. The occasional cheers and cries of admiration reached their ears: Sokka snickered as he leaned back over Xin Long’s saddle, watching the townsfolk scurrying about, children rushing to give chase to the shadows that their dragons projected across their world.

“We always do make an impression,” he smiled, hands reaching over to clasp his wife’s waist: as it ever was, he would ride Xin Long behind Azula, who smiled at him over her shoulder.

“And we shouldn’t make that much of one. No groping when we’re in plain sight of the masses,” she said: Xin Long, below her, huffed in agreement. Sokka laughed, shaking his head dismissively at her words.

“Do tell, love: what’s the point of being as admirable, powerful and independent as we are if it’s not to make the most of all those things… by being as inappropriate as we please?”

He squeezed her flanks, and Azula squirmed.

The consequences for his teasing made themselves known when Xin Long spun on himself, startling his riders by making the world upside down for them briefly before spinning to fly upright again.

“X-Xin! No need for that…!” Sokka squeaked. “I was just teasing!”

“Well… maybe tease me when we’re on land next time,” Azula suggested, with an awkward smile: Sokka pouted as he leaned forward, dropping his chin on her shoulder. Meanwhile, Xin Long chuckled wickedly. “And you… you have an example to set, Xin! No crazy flying maneuvers, understood? If your siblings dare do anything like this, I…!”

Oh, she refused to finish that thought: she’d probably jump off Xin Long’s saddle without a second thought to snatch Yuuna, Shun or Hotaru in midair, should any of them fall off their saddles.

But it seemed unlikely to happen, at least, so far: where Xin Long often joined in the banter and bickering of his riders, the kids got along wonderfully with their dragons… even Yuuna, who, in virtue of being a waterbender, couldn’t fully bond with hers through the ancient ritual where firebenders offered their flames to a dragon, linking them for life if said offer was accepted.

Yuuna’s dragon, Yachi, was pale blue, matching the girl’s preferred colors neatly. Their communication proved surprisingly effective even if they lacked the bond that her brother and sister did develop with their respective creatures: Shun’s dragon, Zhan, had auburn scales instead, whereas Hotaru rode the biggest of all the younger dragons: a yellow creature she had named Taiyang.

Technically, the three dragons’ names also ended in ‘Long’, much like Xin Long’s did, by Azula’s demand and design. Sokka had poked fun at her for it, but she had been as unyielding about the naming this time as when they had first found her own draconic companion. The kids had no problem following her rule, though they usually called their dragons by their first names, regardless.

This was their first long flight with the creatures – they wouldn’t travel too far today, aiming towards visiting a memorable location of Sokka and Azula’s past – and they had behaved surprisingly well thus far. The dragons, while smaller than Xin Long, carried the weight of all kids without much struggle, with Shun even daring do some light pirouettes in the air with his own partner. The laughter of the three children reached their parents, who flew last to keep tabs on all kids.

“I love this,” Sokka smiled, his head still resting on Azula’s shoulder. His hands slid over her abdomen, but Xin Long didn’t tease them about their closeness this time. “We promised this one we’d find more dragons… and we did. Didn’t expect so many would want to bond with our kids, though…”

“And why wouldn’t they?” Azula smiled. “We’re part of this dragon family as well. Their leader thus decreed it, long ago.”

“Heh. How’s the old boss doing, Xin?” Sokka asked, patting Xin’s side. Even nowadays, Azula had to translate some of Xin Long’s thoughts to Sokka, and she did so quickly.

“Seems he’s been on a rather reckless run of late… trying to see how fast he can cross the Earth Kingdom,” Azula smiled. “So far his record is… three days? Well, damn…”

“You’ll beat him at it someday,” Sokka smirked. Xin Long huffed proudly and nodded.

“But for now… he babysits his siblings,” Azula smiled, gazing upon the three smaller dragons fondly.

“And… he gets ready to eat tons and tons of spicy ramen. That, too.”

Azula laughed and nodded. Xin Long shivered in unrestrained joy, eager to take part in a unique challenge no dragon before him had ever confronted… the legendary Spicy Ramen Challenge that his own rider had failed to overcome once. Both Azula and Sokka intended to hold their rematch against Jiare’s spicy cooking, as well as with each other, on this trip.

“I won’t falter at it, myself,” Azula warned her husband. He smirked. “Didn’t eat breakfast in preparation, as you know…”

“I wonder if that’s going to be enough… whereas I? I’ve been building up my spice resistance like never before!” Sokka said, eyes aglow with excitement.

“Now, the only problem will be convincing our kids that they can’t join too,” Azula laughed. “But I suppose this can become a family tradition for us. A rite of passage. Once you’re old enough… you take up the Spicy Ramen Challenge.”

“Honestly? The best Fire Nation tradition I’ve ever heard of,” Sokka smirked. Azula laughed, turning her head to kiss him softly.

Four dragons, ridden by a human family, flew across the sky on that day, a rare sight that, in time, would become far more common throughout their world.

[ohno-the-sun]

Oooo scene from chapter of fic I finally finished

Link to the first chapter here

And since they asked @enyter

[soupandsorcery]

Day 11 - Curse, 622 words

He's dreaming. He must be. Nothing real could feel this fucking good, right? The deep, intense press of Roy's cock inside him has Jamie clawing at Roy's shoulders, and the little sparks of pain just spur Roy on to fuck him deeper. Harder.

Jamie can't breathe, and he doesn't care. All he can feel is Roy, Roy, Roy. His fucking huge cock, thrusting into him again and again, hitting that spot and not letting up, even when Jamie writhes with his second orgasm of the night.

His head is spinning, and he opens his mouth, but nothing comes out. He can't think of a single thing he'd want to say anyway, other than more, please fuck, never stop, and he's communicating that well enough with his body language, judging from the way Roy keeps fucking into him.

"You feel so fucking good," Roy is saying, the words falling from his lips almost reverent like. "You're so good for me, aren't you, Jamie?"

Jamie nods frantically, desperate to be good, to make Roy feel as good as Roy's making him feel. "Just for you," he gasps out. "Yours, yours, yours."

Roy growls low in his throat and slams into him harder. The bed rocks against the wall, and it's a good job Roy doesn't have any neighbors that share that wall.

"Good boy. Just fucking take it, Jamie."

As if he could do anything else in this moment.

Roy gathers Jamie's hands and presses them over his head, pinning them to the mattress. He laces their fingers together, holding him down and holding him close, and Jamie wraps his legs around Roy's waist, dragging him in impossibly deeper.

It feels like he shouldn't be able to come again, like his body should be wrung out, but well, he's Jamie fucking Tartt, isn't he? He's capable of all kinds of great shit.

Like coming all over Roy's dick for a third time, holding onto him for dear life.

******

It's minutes or hours later when Jamie comes back to himself. His head feels floaty, and his body buzzes with exhaustion the way it does after a good workout. He'll be feeling that tomorrow, but fuck if he's not glad for it.

The bed is empty when he opens his eyes, but he's clean, and there's a glass of water on the bedside table. Roy's bedside table. Because he's in Roy's bed, feeling proper sore because Roy just fucked him into the mattress.

Jamie rolls over to reach for the glass sipping it with a giddy smile on his face.

He can hear the sound of muted cursing from downstairs, so he pulls on Roy's discarded shirt and his own pants and pads his way down to the kitchen.

Roy's scowling at the pan he has on the stove, muttering under his breath as he pokes at what smells like chicken and garlic and lemon. Jamie's stomach growls loudly, giving him away, and Roy turns to look at him.

For a split second, there's open fondness and a flash of something darker in his eyes, before it disappears behind the guarded expression Roy wears when he's not sure about something.

"You're awake," he says and then rolls his eyes at himself. "Obviously."

Jamie grins, stepping closer and pressing his forehead to the space between Roy's shoulder blades.

"Yeah. Didn't mean to pass out on you, sorry. Guess you just fucked me too good."

He's expecting some sort of snappy response, but Roy's just quiet for a long moment. Something like worry cuts through the post sex haze in Jamie's brain, and he steps back and to the side so he can see Roy's face.

Unreadable again. Damn.

"We should talk," Roy says, not meeting his eyes.

[omegaverseloversunite]

@sivan325

[actuallyjustabiscuit]

Ok, gonna try something since I somehow have garnered a sizable audience to justify it now.

Squirrel brain needs help

[good-fwiend-in-wome]

you know what it's 2023 and I'm done arguing. next time someone goes "oh man scp used to be cool and scary but now LONG and YOU SOMETIMES NEED TO KNOW STUFF ABOUT THE SETTING like oh no what happened to the good ol days of spooky monster men that kill you that was peak horror" I'm just gonna explode them

[chridys-scribbles]

The Grand Cycle

The planet was fractured across the screen, reams of data streaming across its surface as the prey's strengths were identified and estimated. Fifth Era satellites surrounded the planet like an atmospheric layer of metal and data.

It was a nice enough planet, Admiral Karrion mused, scarred by time, pollution, and aggressive inhabitants, but relatively pristine compared to many of the other worlds he'd seen. It lacked the gaping wounds and twisted anomalies that appeared after every Grand Cycle, so it was a novelty for the experienced warrior.

"What do they call it?" Karrion's First Hand, Se'Akar asked, "Earth?"

"Yes, Earth. A wonderfully quaint name, it reminds me of home," Karrion said, almost wistfully.

Se'Akar grunted in agreement. "Far easier to pronounce than the last few prey planets," se added, checking ser dataslate. "We are nearing assault range, shall I inform the Emissary?"

"No need, First Hand, for I am here."

The Emissary glided into the room, chin held high as they glanced around the bridge. Not so long ago, everyone there would have thrown themselves to the floor at the Emissary's entrance, but now they merely saluted. Some didn't even do that. Karrion winced inwardly at the realisation of how close the end of their Grand Cycle was. This conquest would have to be fast - a last blaze of glory for the Emissaries of the Yawning One before the fleet became literally ablaze.

The Emissary waited for a moment, before smoothly shifting their attention to the screen, their implants whirring gently as they processed the information. They were young and inexperienced at hiding their emotions, demonstrated amply by the war raging across their skin as calm, pale hues battled with frustrated purples to dominate their stripes’ colouration.

"Our calculations are correct?" The Emissary asked, their fingers flexing through the motions of the High Kata as if preparing for a fight, yellow hues now jittering across their skin.

"I believe so, Emissary," Karrion said, "they invented flying machines a little over a hundred of their years ago, split the atom less than half a century later, and landed on their satellite moon another twenty years later."

"That's slow, but it's not unusual for such species to have slower Grand Cycles."

"Indeed, Emissary. Their solar cycle is over twice as long as ours and," Karrion glanced at her dataslate, "their lifespans triple our own. Not to mention that this appears to be their first Grand Cycle."

"Ah yes, the progress we make on the bones of our forebears," the Emissary said quietly.

Karrion winced at the butchered proverb. "It appears that their Grand Cycle is slower than ours by an order of magnitude, which should put them towards the end of the Fifth Era if they haven't completed the Cycle already. Judging by the lack of telltale scars and their population size, our estimate appears to be accurate."

The Emissary was quiet, their biological eye twitching slightly as their biomechanical eye moved crazily, peering at a hidden world. Purples and yellows still battled across their skin in stark contrast to Karrion's confident greens. "Are we certain they have a Grand Cycle?" They said eventually, slowly. "We don't want a repeat of the Hordanthus Collapse."

Crewmembers glanced at the Emissary as fear leaked into their words. Karrion could see the thoughts on their minds as similar ones had forced their way into his. Why was this supposed leader of their empire so openly afraid?

With an effort, she pushed the dangerous thoughts away and focussed on her dataslate.

"We are certain, Emissary," Karrion said.

"How are you so certain, Admiral? We know so little about this prey, but we know that?"

Karrion bristled and responded icily. "We are certain because they surpassed the exponentiality threshold that separates Cyclical and Linear civilisations. Their exponential advancements have driven them from taking their first flight to entering space in less than a century, a rate only seen in Cyclical races." He paused for a moment and adjusted his tone. "Respectfully, would you like me to continue, Emissary?"

The bridge was silent as everyone looked at the Emissary, waiting for their reaction to this disrespect. Their stripes flared yellow, but their face remained frozen with a vapid smile.

"No, no, that's quite enough Admiral," the Emissary said with a forced airy politeness. "You have laid my concerns to rest, I merely asked after spotting some irregularities. I ask that you forgive my pressing of the matter. As you say, they are a Fifth Era civilisation and we have defeated many such civilisations before, this will not be our last."

"Uh, Admiral?" Se'Akar said.

"Yes, First Hand?"

"I noticed those irregularities too..."

"Come now First Hand, the Admiral has put forth a strong case and we cannot hold back this conquest based on nerves," the Emissary said, waving a hand dismissively as yellow hues creeped onto their skin again. "No, we are the Radel Empire! Emissaries of the Yawning Maw and Speakers of the Holy Word! We are at the zenith of our Grand Cycle and that puny planet could no longer withstand us than grains of sand withstand the pull of the tide. Now let us go and crush their pitiful resistance and claim the planet as our own!"

Karrion had to admit that she had heard better speeches and better-speaking Emissaries, but it gave her something to work with at least. She stood up and saluted, with most of the crew following suit.

"So you proclaim, so it will be done. Se'Akar! Signal the fleet to prepare for battle, we will conquer this world before even half a solar cycle has passed!"

The bridge erupted into activity as the invasion began, and in all the bustle, no-one noticed the yellow tinge on their Admiral’s stripes.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Inspired by spite after seeing half a dozen similar prompts in the same day in the "humans are weird, fuck yeah!" genre. This one isn't too bad, but I figured that exponential advancement wouldn't be all that unusual for species advanced enough for interstellar travel.

[bludelivers]

Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: James Bond (Craig Movies), James Bond - Ian Fleming Rating: Mature Warnings: Graphic Depictions Of Violence Characters: James Bond, Alec Trevelyan Additional Tags: mature for murder, it's really only James/Alec if you squint, but i squint a lot Series: Part 2 of A Lethal Travelogue Summary:

A day in Paris means work for some, means a quick visit for others. Promises are made, challenges are issued, two men have dinner. * Inspired by my first time in Paris and excellent vibes.

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Apparently I’m into this writing thing because this poured out of me last night. At least this time I waited to edit and post it during the day lol. Hope you enjoy more of my city-themes ramblings. 

[radarsteddybear]

🤪

(I'll probably have to go back and punch up the preceding scene tomorrow, but in the meantime, we're working on making it to the finish line.)

[infinitelytheheartexpands]

sorry not sorry to become ill about YET ANOTHER shakespeare play but—how come love’s labour’s lost doesn’t get done more often??? it’s beautiful and brilliant and messy and REAL!!!!!!