#event: flash fiction

[lockwood-fic-recs]

Blue Christmas

by human_dreamer_etcetera on ao3

Rating: G | Category: F/M | Relationship: Lockwood/Lucy

Lockwood used to dislike the color blue. Mysteriously, his opinion starts to change around the same time Lucy Carlyle moves into Portland Row. From grief to something new, as told over five Christmases.

[operationmorewhitecollar]

What's up in 2025

Happy New Year, everybody! We're certainly hoping it's off to a great start for all of you and brings you all the very best things all year long.

And we also hope you're ready for a 2025 creative event, because we're ready to get one rolling. A couple of years ago, we hosted the Developing Drabbles event with monthly word prompts, and we were thrilled with the participation. It seemed like bite-sized fiction was something a lot of you felt like you could find the time for--both writing and reading--and we so enjoyed all the different takes on the prompts.

So this year, we're back with more monthly prompts, and we still like the idea of short snippets of work that might not feel too overwhelming for you creative types, but we don't want to limit ourselves to precise drabbles this time around.

So, without further ado, for 2025, we present Fedora Flash Fiction!

Now, much like with drabbles, you'll find that different folks have different definitions, but for our purposes, we're going with any piece of fiction up to 1000 words.

Whether you want to write ships or gen, fluff or angst, deep character studies or smoking hot smut, or whatever else is all up to you. The only requirements will be to incorporate the prompt theme (typically just one or two words) in some way, and write no more than a thousand words. That's it. As always, we have a collection on AO3, so if you post there, we'd ask that you add it the collection, and if you share on socials, either use the event hashtags--#FedoraFlashFiction and/or WhiteCollarFlashFiction--or tag us or something to let us know it's out there, because, A) we want to see it, and, B) we want to share it, so please don't keep it a secret!

Okay, that gets the basics out of the way, so we'll stop all the jibber jabber now and give you the prompt so hopefully you can start creating. Have fun!

Oh, there is one other bit of jibber jabber. Even though the rules of this event are built around writing, if you're a visual artist or any other sort of creator, you are more than welcome to participate. Any White Collar creation that uses the monthly prompt is always welcome.

[paimonial-rage]

expectations - kaveh

[random writing event] | requested by @andromeda-nova-writing

Kaveh scratched his head as he pondered your question. Though you often asked him many random things, this one caught him off guard. If he had to be honest, it was an odd question considering the point in your relationship. He didn’t fully know how to answer. But judging from that expectant look in your eyes, there definitely was a right answer and a wrong one.

“I mean… I’d make you a bed and feed you everyday… I’d take care of you and make sure you’re never in want,” he began, a bit proud of his answer that no matter what happened, he’d take care of you–

“You mean you wouldn’t make me a house?” You asked weakly, horror evident on your face.

He frowned in thought. Well, perhaps he could–

“After all of that, and you’d force me to live the rest of my days in a house with your roommate?”

A sharp bark of laughter erupted from his chest.

“I thought you were talking about– Are you serious!? I can’t even afford a house on my own! You’re expecting me to make a full sized house for you? Me and what money!? What would you even do with–”

You scoffed in sheer disbelief.

“What would I do with a house? What kind of dumb question is that, Kaveh? I’d live in it, duh! What? Are you saying I don’t deserve a house?”

He burst to his feet and slammed his hands to the table.

“I didn’t say that! It’s just–”

But you didn’t bother to hear anything he had to say.

“I’d live in it and eat all the tons of expensive food you buy for me!” You announced stubbornly with an upturned nose and a cross of your arms.

“‘Tons’ of expensive food? How much money do you think I make?” He demanded.

“Well yeah. I need to eat! What would you give me otherwise?”

He paused in thought.

“I… I don’t know. An apple a day?”

Your eyes blew open wide in horror.

“A single apple? What do you think I am, Kaveh, a horse!? I can’t believe you! What kind of boyfriend are you?” You accused, hurt evident in your eyes. “I mean that’s the bare minimum I’d do for you if you got turned into a worm!!”

He sunk into his seat. Was this what it meant to be in a relationship? Was this what it meant to take care of someone? Was he in over his head? He thought this was supposed to be a light-hearted conversation. Not only did he reveal himself to be a bad boyfriend, but judging by the way you were doing your best to hide that smile creeping to your lips, he obviously hurt you too–

Wait.

“You… You wouldn’t do those things at all!” He exclaimed incredulously.

You burst into a fit of laughter, wiping the tear that gathered at the corner of your eye. But upon seeing the frustration in his expression, you did your best to calm down. With a sway of your hips, you stood and made your way behind him. And with those talented fingers of yours, you gently began to massage away the stress in his shoulders.

“Okay, maybe I wouldn’t. But I would make you a nice soft comfy bed with the best and richest dirt in Sumeru. And I’d give you a nice juicy apple every day plucked straight from the highest tree in all of Mondstadt. You’d be living the best life a worm could live.”

He grumbled, doing his best to hold onto his irritation and losing.

“Oh but if I do that, you accuse me of treating you like a horse.”

You laughed.

[blackwood4stucky]

echoes of crystal springs | aspen blackwood

series: @burningembersofadyingworld | masterlist

james “bucky” barnes x steve rogers | mcu | 🅼 | complete

tags: stucky dune au, post-modern omegaverse

Brooklynd, the capital city on Vanaheim - 10923 Steve looked at the brunet haired baby boy with pointed ears in the bassinet, the omega he would one day take as his wife. He could just barely hear the adults talking on the other side of the room as they whispered about courtship and marriage. He couldn’t believe the Ljósálfar would travel so far from Álfheim to discuss such topics. He was a mere five year old boy, what did he know of alliances and weddings?

bingo fills + event prompts

@afgomegaversebingo | first love

@angstober | promise

@anyfandomfluffbingo | free space

au challenge | arranged marriage

@augustwritingchallenge:

au-gust 2024 | space travel trick au treat 24 | deal with the devil

@buckybarnesbingo: round 6 | y5: galaxy

@buckybarnesevents: babb 2023 | arranged marriage + space [may]

crossover bingo | omegaverse

@darkacademiabingo | creature feature

@darkspicyevanstan: quadruple challenge mode

dune au + light elf + science fantasy + damocles' sword

@eclipsingbingo: the rising moon | space travel au

@fandombingo:

rpf card | arranged marriage au the little prince bingo | primeval forest the martian bingo | space opera

@fandom-free-bingo

flight | collars world book night edition | brave new world + elf

@ficwip: all ships week | free day

@intotheomegaverse: halloween | free day

@julybreakbingo

jbb 24 | alien planet post july 24 | arranged marriage

@multifandom-flash:

bdsm | ceremonial collar + of sexy corsets here there be monsters bingo | light elf may [hp] | prophecy

nightmare fuel | dream

@sebastianstanbingo | intergalactic au

@secretcrypticevents:

into the wilds bingo | hydra into the wilds flash | dimension travel au + light elf + arranged marriage

@steverogersbingo | b3: bucky barnes

@taintedsoulspromo: danse macabre | creature feature

@through-time-and-space-bingo | supernatural elements au

read: ao3 | sqwa

[magiciansfanworksextravaganza]

Warm Up

Warm Up

We’ll be hosting a longer challenge that will post in Jan./Feb. 2025 (announcement soon!), but before that happens, we wanted to give everyone a chance to warm up.

This is a micro Magicians fanwork event. Posting will take place in the first week of December, from Dec. 1-7, 2024. For this challenge, we’re especially interested in pieces that are small. Fic to 1,000 words (drabbles, poems, and flash encouraged)! Smaller pieces of art, shorter vids/edits, mini-fanmixes. A cosplay moment. It’s your call; we’d love to see it all! Feel free to submit as many times as you like between Dec. 1-7. As always, additions to existing WIPs welcome, as are new works!

The “warm up” theme could include vibes that are warm, cozy, related to winter, being hot (in any sense of that word), warming up or preparing for a big event, just starting out in something like magic, or any spin you’d like to put on it!

Posting will take place in the first week of December 2024. There will be an AO3 collection, and we’ll reblog your posts here and create a masterpost when the week’s over. Stay tuned for more details!

[stars-forever]

Fellow writers and fanfiction enthusiasts! I'm excited to announce that claiming for the @character-a-character-b “Festival of Prompts” flash fest has officially opened!

Join us for the last flash fest of 2024! This event is meant to celebrate all of the flash fest held in 2024 and will use some of the unused prompts from previous flash fest events. Thank you @theneverwriter and @nicky-gabriel for letting me use your prompts!

This flash fest is 3 weeks long rather than 2 weeks, due to the holiday season.

Our Discord Server Link is: https://discord.gg/pCjeXgV4VV

[lord-fallen]

(note: My attempt into getting back into consistently writing... @flashfictionfridayofficial)

-

The air clung to her skin, damp and electric, alive with the kind of tension that preceded a storm—or something far worse. She had wandered too far, testing the boundaries of courage and curiosity, and now she found herself somewhere beyond reason.

He emerged from the darkness like a specter drawn to a whispered prayer. His form seemed carved from the very night itself, his movements too smooth, too deliberate to be human. He wore his elegance like armor— familiar dark, tailored clothing that seemed to drink in the light, and a face carrying the odd, sharp charm of sleepless nights.

"Anything could happen," he said, his voice deep and rich, the kind of sound that settled into her bones and refused to leave. "When you tread where newcomers like you do not belong, the unknown makes itself known."

She caught her breath. His eyes—black pools flecked with shards of silver—held her fast, their gaze unyielding, inescapable. They saw everything, not just her fear but the reckless ambition that had brought her here. The journal tucked under her arm—the one brimming with notes, hypotheses, and forbidden rites—suddenly felt like an unbearable weight.

"What are you doing here?," her voice faltered and she gripped her journal tighter.

He laughed, low and soft, and the sound was both a melody and a blade. "Really? You reached into the void, tempting fate with your curiosity," he stepped closer, his boots silent against the forest floor. "And now you deny the fruit of your labor, denying these foreseeable circumstances under which we meet again?"

"I only wanted to see," she whispered, though even as the words left her lips, they felt insufficient, foolish. Something had felt foul and wrong all along.

"And now you do," he replied, his smile sharp as broken glass. "But seeing is not enough, is it? You wanted to touch, to taste, to understand. That is your diagnosis —always searching, never satisfied."

The air between them grew colder, sharper, and she could feel the pull of him—a gravity that threatened to unravel her or perhaps force her into the same tragic destiny as her friend. He was beautiful in the way storms are beautiful, a force of nature to be admired from a distance but never embraced. Yet here he stood, close enough that she could see the faint curve of his lips, the slight tilt of his head, as though daring her to take one step closer. For the first time, she saw it—the shimmering pulse of magic, crackling in the air around him like a living, breathing force, distinct and untouchable, yet undeniably his.

"What are you?" she asked, her voice a brittle thread.

He tilted his head, considering. "An answer," he said finally. "Or a question, depending on what you seek. But you," he leaned in, his face so close now she could see the faint trace of black veins beneath his skin, "you wanted more than an answer. You wanted the truth."

[lockwood-fic-recs]

and the walls kept tumbling down in the city that we love

by thethinkingcloth on ao3

Rating: T | Category: F/M, M/M, Multi | Relationship: Lockwood/Lucy/George

“Oh good, you’re both here,” Lockwood says. “Don’t suppose you’d like to join me for a bit? Take our minds off tomorrow?”

George turns to Lucy, splayed out on the couch, her legs across his lap, and raises his eyebrows.

Lucy shrugs in return as she shoves herself off the couch. “Might as well, right George?”

“I’m not getting anything else out of this rubbish,” He says, pushing his glasses up his nose. “Might as well.”

A cot3 rewrite of the scene in book 5 where Lockwood brings Lucy to his family's graves.

[character-a-character-b]

Welcome to "Character A Character B"!

Calling all fandom enthusiasts! Step into a world of possibilities as we bring you the ultimate writing and art challenges!

Are you a fanfiction enthusiast looking for a welcoming community to share your passion? Look no further! We're thrilled to announce the launch of "Character A Character B" – a vibrant and inclusive space open to all fandoms and all ages.

What we offer:

Exchanges: Dive into creative collaborations with fellow fans.

Word Count Competitions: Challenge yourself and showcase your writing skills.

Prompts: Get inspired and explore new story ideas.

Flash Fests: Engage in quick and fun writing challenges.

Celebrations: Write about stories based on a holiday, occasion, or specific event.

Bingos: participants complete a 3x3 grid of prompts based on a specific theme.

Join us and be part of a supportive community where creativity thrives! Whether you're into fanfiction, original stories, or simply love discussing your favorite characters, there's a place for you here.

Spread the word and invite your fellow fandom friends! Let's create unforgettable stories together.

Our Discord Server Link is: https://discord.gg/pCjeXgV4VV

[endlesstwanted]

The Price of Silence

My entry for @flashfictionfridayofficial prompt #286 — Anything Could Happen. Also on Ao3 here.

Fandom: Thunderbolts (Movie 2025), Marvel Cinematic Universe

Rating: Teen and Up Audiences

Characters: James "Bucky" Barnes, Blue (Original Character), Yelena Belova, Ava Starr, John Walker, Antonia Dreykov, Alexei Shostakov

Tags: Missions Gone Wrong, Mild Blood, Uneasy Allies, Interrogation

Summary: Bucky tries to settle down the discussion with the team on how to treat their hostage, unaware that Blue has their own plans to get the information they need.

Wordcount: 941

Fill for: @halloweenhorrorbingo — That One Family Member Everyone is Afraid Of / @fandombingo, The Magnus Archives — “He was always very careful to stop before he did anything that might get the police involved.” + Wonderland — “The exact shape doesn’t matter.” + Reverse: 1999 — All-or-Nothing / @buckybarnesbingo — Image prompt: Winter Soldier bridge scene / @multifandom-flash, April Events: Honesty Day — 2 + Torture = 5 + Marvel card: Thunderbolts — Sarcastic wit

“Does anyone mind filling me in?” Bucky entered the meeting room in the base, making Yelena and John stop their heated conversation.

“We went to talk to the guy,” Alexei said, pointing to the interrogation room behind them.

Bucky’s eyes opened in surprise at the scene playing at the other side of the glass. “Why do I leave to grab a freaking burrito and when I come back this guy has more blood outside than inside?”

“He woke up fierce today,” Ava said about their now hostage.

“Actually, Blue was very careful to stop before they did anything that might get the police involved,” John added, looking at his food. Bucky handed him what was left of his burrito and stepped closer to the glass.

Antonia stood next to him while they looked into the other room, seeing Blue stitch up the other guy. “Still think it was a good idea to let them join us?” She asked the question that had been playing in Bucky’s mind since he was practically forced by Valentina to let Blue work with them.

It was that, or Blue in the Raft, so he made a logical choice. Which didn’t mean it was a good one.

“What now?” Ava asked. “We’ve lost anonymity, and we found nothing where we found this guy at. Our only chance to stop the attack is for him to speak.”

John crossed his arms. “We don’t have time to waste. We need answers now, and the fastest way to get them is to apply some pressure. Make him talk.”

“Pressure?” Bucky questioned his choice of words. “That’s what Hydra would have done, John. And breaking someone doesn’t mean you get the truth. It just means you get what they think you want to hear.”

Alexei huffed from his seat in a corner. “You all take this too seriously. Back in my day, a good scare did the trick. No need for all this philosophy and good manners —poke him a little, he talks.”

Yelena rolled her eyes. “Yes, because torture always works so well in the movies. You think he’s going to sing like a little bird just because you threaten him? Please.” She huffed. “I was trained to be more finesse than that.”

“Fine,” John gave up. “If you’ve got some ‘finesse,’ I’d love to hear it. Because so far, all I’m hearing is a lot of talk and no solutions.”

“Maybe if you stopped shouting, you’d see the point,” Ava muttered. “We don’t need brute force. Get inside his head, make him doubt everything he knows. It’s cleaner and more effective.”

“We’re not getting into anyone’s head!” Antonia jumped.

“She’s right,” Bucky said. “This is not about playing it nice, it’s about doing what’s right. We’re not like them, not anymore, remember?”

“Oh, don’t be so dramatic, Barnes,” Yelena crossed her arms too. “You think I’m suggesting we offer him tea and biscuits? I’m saying there are smarter ways to break someone and gather the information we need to save half of the state.”

John pointed toward the door, insisting. “Exactly. We don’t have time for second-guessing. Let me handle this!”

Ava blocked his way. “Oh, yes, because you’re so great at keeping things under control,” she argued. “Remind me again, how that worked out for you before?”

Yelena tried to hide a laugh under a cough, and then whispered. “Don’t forget the part where he pretended to be the hero of a nation. That was adorable.”

John raised his hands in surrender. “At least I’m willing to do something. What it takes, anything! You’re all too scared to get your hands dirty. What do you say, Bucky? You have the call.”

Bucky had been sitting down for a while now, thinking of their options. They could either interrogate the guy and hope he suddenly became one of the good ones, or pressure him with something. Not violent force and not mental tricks, despite how everyone in the Thunderbolts had been trained with. Most of them had been victims of those same things, and if one of them would to apply those techniques to anyone in front of him, they’d had to do it over his dead body.

“So what is it, Sarge?” Ava asked him.

He looked up to the interrogation room, seeing Blue as they picked up more bandages. Everything fell into place when their eyes met and some clicked in Bucky’s mind: that guy had ended up that way so Blue had to stitch him up and have him alone for some time while they discussed how to get the information out of him.

Blue had stopped hearing the commotion outside, so they guessed everyone was waiting for Bucky to make a decision on how to proceed. They turned back and sat next to the doctor to finish fixing the wounds they had caused: It could be ironic, because they wouldn’t need to be doing that if they hadn’t fought the guy in first place, but it was all going according to plan.

“Tomorrow morning,” Blue started talking for the first time since they exchanged some pretty bad words during the physical exchange, “when your face is on the cover of all the newspapers, what do you think little Amelia would like to read over your picture?”

Okay, yes, they knew bringing the eight-year old kid to the conversation was playing dirty, but they had to hit where it hurt the most (metaphorically, of course).

And honestly, Blue doubted that they would reach the main pages if they avoided the attack in time and covered everything like Valentina had asked them too. “‘Hero’, or ‘Terrorist’?”

[mimisempai]

Our oath

Summary

What was supposed to be just a romantic flight takes on a whole new meaning as Aziraphale and Crowley gaze up at the world from the starry sky.

Notes

I didn't plan them to take me there, but I don't regret it...

For the @flashfictionfridayofficial - #FFF242 Soaring Above

On Ao3

Rating G -  755 words

He spread his wings, made a few movements with them to make sure they were working properly, then took a deep breath and said, "Let's go."

He flew up into the sky, and as he soared higher, he saw the bookshop, the busy Whickber Street, and then the city lights grew smaller and smaller. Then he flew past some clouds until there was night and stars all around him, and he stopped to look at the Earth, now barely bigger than a small marble.

So small in this great universe, so beautiful and fragile. 

But oh, so precious.

He felt, as he always had when it came to the little planet, this deep, strong, raw love that drove him to protect it and its inhabitants from all dangers and whatever else his and Crowley's ex-sides might think of doing, because for Heaven and Hell, Earth means nothing or just a means to an end.

At that thought, he feels anger growing deep inside him. The same anger he is filled with every time he thinks about how Heaven regards its own creation. He feels it growing inside him, intense, burning, uncontrollable.

"Angel?"

Then it immediately stopped.

Just that word, uttered in a soft voice, overcame the rage that overcame him, and the gentle pressure on his hand was enough to make it subside, leaving only the love for this planet and the fierce will to protect it, no matter the cost.

Then a caress on his hand removed the last vestiges of anger and he turned his eyes to the demon at his side. Crowley, in whose eyes he read understanding and the same fervor as his own.

This planet, so precious to them, for it was what brought them together in the first place. Before their shared love, it was the will to save the Earth and its people that made them overcome all the obstacles that fate had placed between them.

Once he's calmed down, he can also see the concern in the demon's eyes and blames himself for being the one who put it there.

Crowley asked him gently, "Are you all right, Angel?"

Aziraphale, without letting go of his hand, moved closer to him, his wings fluttering gently, then replied, "Yes, I'm fine. I'm sorry, I didn't mean for this flight in the sky to turn into a drama."

Crowley gently stroked his cheek and shook his head before saying, "Don't be sorry. I know how you feel. We won't let anything happen to them."

"How do you understand me so well?"

The demon winked at him and replied playfully, "Thousands of years of practice," then his expression turned serious again as his eyes focused on the planet far below their feet and he said quietly, "This is our home. So we will protect it. Together."

He wrapped his arm around the angel's waist, and Aziraphale rested his head on his shoulder, repeating softly, "Together."

They stayed like that for a few minutes, embracing in the starry sky, looking down on this world and its inhabitants that they loved so much.

Then Aziraphale slid his hand down the demon's arm and intertwined their fingers, saying softly, "Come on, let's go home."

Crowley smiled at him, nodded, and together they flapped their wings before diving toward the Earth.

They both felt their hearts racing as they approached the Earth. Crowley gripped Aziraphale's hand a little tighter as they flew over Tadfield, and a little later, Aziraphale's hand tightened around Crowley's as they passed over Whickber Street, where their family and the heart of their home lay.

They finally landed on the roof of the bookshop, still holding hands.

Aziraphale pushed back a lock of red hair that had fallen across Crowley's forehead during their flight and said quietly, "How about dinner at the Ritz to end the evening on a high note?"

The demon simply asked, "By land or by air?"

The angel immediately replied, "By land, among them."

Crowley planted a light kiss on Aziraphale's lips and nodded before saying quietly, "Let's go, Angel."

Some time later, they entered the Ritz and a butler escorted them to their usual table.

After their champagne glasses were filled, Crowley raised his to the angel and said softly, "Cheers, to the world."

Aziraphale clinked his glass against the demon's and replied, "To our world."

They said nothing more, they didn't need to as the same burning will to cherish and protect this world was shining in their eyes.

Their oath.

To the world.

To their world.

_________

Still not beta'd

Still not my native language

Still hoping you'll enjoy this story  🥰

Still thanking you for bearing with me 😝

Ineffable Growing Love series : (After season 2) 

Part 1 Story 1-99

Part 2 Story 100-?

Ineffable Husbands masterlist : here (Before season 2)

[blackwood4stucky]

hoping these roses dull the pain, cover the scars and turn the page

author: aspen blackwood

james “bucky” barnes x steve rogers | mcu

masterpost | 🅴 | 🔞 | word count: 3,360 | complete

tags: alpha x alpha, drugged, forced sex, non con body bod, non traditional omegaverse, triggered mating, secondary gender modification, dark elements

"A peculiar scent fills Steve’s nose as he wakes slowly. He knows that scent, it is one that still haunts him, that whispers his failures in his ears like prayers." - There were turncoats on the Lemurian Star.

bingo fills + event prompts

ch. 1: hoping these roses dull the pain, cover the scars and turn the page

@anyfandomangstbingo | barely conscious

@anyfandomdarkbingo | fuck or die

@anyfandomgoesbingo | possessive alpha

@anyfandomkinkbingo | handcuffs

@badthingshappenbingo | mutilation

@buckybarnesevents

alpha bucky april | breeding kink + purring + double minimum requirement babb 2023 | failed mission [april prompt] babb 2023 [babb060] | held down connect 4 [c4013] | c1: sex slave

@catws-anniversary | theme: bucky barnes - metal arm

@deaddovekink

frisky february | drugged sex monsterfcking march | shapeshifting: transforming during sex

@eclipsingbingo | trail of blood

@fandom-free-bingo: valentine’s edition | aphrodisiac, bound

@hurtcember | forced

@julybreakbingo: post-july | sex pollen

@kinky-things-happen | transformation

@marvel-smash-bingo | forced orgasm

@mcukinkbingo: open round | torture

@multifandom-flash

omegaverse | forced mating round 2 [1028] | free space

scalding hot: consent issues bingo | non con body mod: extra fuck holes

@sebastianstanbingo | sex slave

@stuckybingo [5080] | kink: breeding

@stuckygeekevents: stucky geek bingo | captivity, kidnapped

@taintedsoulspromo: spring cleaning soot sprites | prompt: playroom | monsterfucking

@yearoftheotpevent | april: canon divergence

read: ao3 | ffn | sqwa

mini playlist

ch 2

[mama-ivy]

First Contact

Phan held their breath. They knew that if they were to survive, they would need to only breathe when absolutely necessary. Curled in the small space they had found in the cooling system and only taking the smallest of breaths in long and varying intervals, Phan was sure that they could hide for a long time. Long enough? Maybe. Maybe not.

When Phan and Loe first saw the visitors, they were awe struck. There were three of them standing in the hatch that led to the connecting hallway to their ship. They wore protective suits, all matching with bright pops of color and covers that hid what Phan and Loe could only assume was their faces. Loe had tried to communicate with the three visitors. It was quickly discovered that the visitors did not speak the same language. The sounds seem to roll out of them in soft waves. Quiet waves. Warm and comforting. There were no harsh or guttural sounds. No clicks. No hisses. Nothing like any race that Phan and Loe had ever encountered.

And then they shot Loe. Killed Loe. With concentrated light beams. The heat from their weapons filled the room. Phan ran. As fast as they could.

Phan sat cowering in their hiding hole. What did these visitors want? This was a science ship. They had nothing of worth. They considered for a moment that what their idea of valuable differed from the visitor’s idea of the same. If that were the case, the strange beings could take whatever they wanted if they just left. But how to relay that to them. Phan had no idea. So they sat and waited. Hiding.

Phan could hear them coming towards the engine room. Loud and banging. Clomping up and down. Their protective suits nothing like their soft tongues. One last deep breath before they came close enough to hear.

“You’re sure this is the room?”

“Yes, Lieutenant.”

“You better be right, Williams.”

The door slid open quietly. Phan froze.

“Why are we even doing this?”

“Orders, Carter.”

“There are no weapons aboard. There’s not even any black matter.”

“Lieutenant, I think we have the wrong ship.”

“Soldiers, I will only say this once more. Orders. We verified the ship’s markings. We verified the ship’s location. We verified the ship’s contents. Do as your told. Find it. Kill it.”

@flashfictionfridayofficial

[stars-forever]

Hey writers and fanfiction fans! This is a reminder that prompts are still available for the last Flash Fest of 2024 “Festival of Prompts”, that I am hosting with @character-a-character-b.

If you haven't claimed your prompt yet, now's a great time to join in the fun and let your writing shine!

Our Discord Server Link is: https://discord.gg/pCjeXgV4VV

[betweenthetimeandsound]

--prompt from @fictober-event, "It's been a long time"

"A lust charm--interesting.". Drinking a glass of water to counter the effects of the martini, Vienne noted the cracks of the heart which she held in her hand. Less obvious was the pulsating of her own, in which she faced Meryem, playing with her hair with an aggressive finger. The corridor seemed to narrow until there was only them--two women, and a Ming-era vase which contorted with its own magic.

"Didn't you also try to harm the girl over there?" She asked, pointing at a distant woman with the champagne-colored dress. Vienne noted how she flustered in excitement over holding the business card, whereas her friend and another woman stood in confusion. Meryem remained indifferent to the scene, adjusted her necklace, and bit her tongue.

"It wasn't intentional," she said. "I wanted to see its power, and it worked. Maybe you would need to loosen up and lose your inhibitions, canim."

The word pierced through Vienne; she took off her sunglasses to reveal her beady, russet eyes. Though the fading daylight gave them an additional spark, darkness also tried to take over her complexion.

"I came here; is that not enough?"

"And you treated your time with Chelsea as if it were a business transaction."

"You were trying to use the jewelry to sabotage me and my colleagues! And then you used her as your bait."

Meryem rolled her eyes, before going back to her purse to spray some perfume. The scent of orange blossoms hit her neck, but some of it trailed to Vienne, who took note of the burns on her ring finger. The turquoise still managed to stand out, in spite of its mangled glory and its aloof owner.

"She was looking for a job. I couldn't give her one, but I could find a way to make her earn it."

“You are so irrational."

"It's been a long time," Meryem snarked, adjusting the necklace lain across her collarbone. "You should know by now."

[lockwood-fic-recs]

we've been here before

by dappledleaves on ao3

Rating: T | Category: F/M | Relationship: George/Lucy

The moment is already buffering, repeating itself. Playing out again, but different. Backwards. A scrambled sound reaches her ears – George unspeaking his words like the reversing of a tape – and then she's back at the start.

(Lucy's stuck in a time loop. She lets it run.)