Add a second problem that won’t stay in its lane. While the main conflict grows, introduce another issue that keeps interfering and making choices harder.
Give every victory a cost. Let each solution create a new complication instead of clean relief.
Turn side characters into sources of pressure. Their needs, secrets, or mistakes should actively affect the main plot, not sit politely in the background.
Reveal information at the worst possible time. Timing alone can make a simple twist feel devastating.
Force the protagonist to choose between two things they want. The plot thickens when there’s no option that feels “right.”
Let past actions come back ugly. Consequences that arrive late hit harder and deepen the story’s layers.
Complicate the antagonist. Give them leverage, allies, or a point that almost makes sense.
Change the stakes midway. What the story is about shifts, even though the conflict stays connected.
Introduce a secret that reframes earlier scenes. Not a random twist—one that makes the reader rethink what they already know.
Let the character’s inner conflict sabotage the plot. Their flaws should actively make things worse.
Hello and welcome to the first year of Fluffuary! This is a prompt based event open to all fandoms! Created by two authors who couldn't find a fluff event for January so decided to make their own.
To reiterate, this is our first year running this event and first time either of us has ever run an event like this so please bear with us as we work out the kinks! Below the cut you'll find our rules, posting information, written prompts, and 10 alternative prompts! Thank you so much for checking us out and we hope to have a great fluffuary with you!
Click here for our 2026 Ao3 Collection
How This Works (Rules/Posting Info):
This is a multifandom event for January because we couldn’t find any others for this month! You’re free to post for any fandom, ship, platonic pairing, or whatever else! No minimum or maximum word counts. The only restriction is the fic must be fluffy, and absolutely no generative A.I. usage.
Hurt/comfort is allowed, but with a focus on the comfort please. N/SFW both allowed, but be sure to tag properly. Minors please do not submit or interact with NSFW submissions.
Sexually explicit RPF involving real minors is not allowed.
Though this was made with the intention of being a writing challenge, all art forms are welcome! Writing, art, edits, whatever else!
We follow the classic fandom rule: Don’t Like, Don’t Read/Interact. We will not police what you choose to write about, as long as it’s fluffy and properly tagged. Harassment of any kind is not allowed, and if you are found harassing others you will be blocked and works removed from the Ao3 collection.
Our tag is #fluffuary2026 Please make sure you do NOT put a space between fluffuary and 2026 or we may not see your post. Use our hashtag and tag us for the best chance of us seeing your works and reblogging them.
Yes, we will be reblogging posts we see but please keep in mind we are only two people and may miss some. If a day or two has gone by without us reblogging your post, send an ask to our inbox with a link to the post please!
Last submissions are welcome but unfortunately, for the sake of organization, we will not be reblogging those works! Early submissions are welcome too!
You do not have to write for every single day! Write for one day, write for five days, or write for them all if you wish. Furthermore, you can bend and twist the prompts however you need — don’t worry about if you’re getting too far off base. This event is for fun at the end of the day, participate however you want to.
Have questions or concerns? First check #fluffuaryquestions to see if we've already answered. If not, please feel free to send a message to our inbox or privately if you'd prefer!
S1: FREE - Missed Opportunities [N5]
Salvation
“Because you’re a fucking idiot, Rogers,” Tony snapped, and—oh¬—the brown eyes which Steve never thought he’d see again were staring at him, filled with sadness. “You are my mate and I love you.”
T1: Complicated Feelings
Escaping the Cage of Ice
Steve Rogers has one thing to keep him sane when the nightmares come.
O1: Superfamily (Stony+Peter)
Gym Class Heroes
Really, Tony? Steve wanted to say, Did you just pick-up the phone while in the middle of giving me head?
N1: Tony works for SHIELD
A Question of Identity
It’s like the “Little Mermaid”; wherein, Steve wants to know the identity of the man who saved him from the ice.
Y1: FREE - Steve Rogers is a Troll [Y4]
Reward System
Tony always rewards himself with food when he's accomplished something. Steve decides that he likes rewarding Tony too.
1 How old are you?
2 What’s your eye color?
3 Which country do you come from?
4 Favourite season?
5 Do you paint your nails? (what color?)
6 What’s your favourite eye shadow (color?)
7 Which (brand) kind of shoes do you usually wear?
8 Carpe Diem or Carpe Noctem?
9 Would you rather wake up early or late?
10 Where do you want to go for vacation?
11 Do / did you have a pet?
12 Can you fold an origami?
13 Have you learned how to knit?
14 What’s your favourite book (recommendations?)?
15 What’s your favourite movie (recommendations?)?
16 What’s your favourite show (recommendations?)?
17 Do you cook often (what kind of meals?)?
18 Do you bake often?
19 Do you often think of outer space?
20 Do you like to watch shooting stars?
21 What’s your favourite kind of weather?
22 What’s your favourite fruit?
23 Are there posters put up in your bedroom?
24 Do you have patience?
25 Which one do you prefer: card or board games?
26 Which one do you prefer: cake or muffins?
27 Which one do you prefer: taking a bath or showering?
28 Which one do you prefer: candles or christmas lights?
29 Which one do you prefer: raspberries or strawberries
30 Which one do you prefer: cats or dogs?
31 What’s your MBTI?
32 Which kind of magical creature would you choose to be: a) zentaur b) fairy c) mermaid d) witch
33 What’s your zodiac sign?
34 Which one would you choose (sports) : a) soccer b) basketball c) badminton d) ice hockey
35 Which one would you choose (school subjects): a) english b) history c) maths d) PE
36 Which one would you choose (plants): a) cactus b) apple tree c) orchid d) daisy
37 Which one would you choose (animals): a) dog b) peacock c) tortoise d) zebra
38 Which kind of magical pet would you choose: a) dragon b) unicorn c) hippogriff
39 Name a fandom you’re in (it doesn’t have to be a book/series/movie fandom - bands etc. is possible, too)
40 What’s your hogwarts house?
Seriously. It’s true as FUCK guys! Err.. girls--uh, all ya’ll them perverts who likes boys who bottom sex! This is an announcements. It’s ALL TRUE. They DO twitch like a female when they’re ass is being fingered. Just like when my ex-gfs once did. It might really feel like just our g-spot ! It’s not the yaoi-fangirl’s imagination! Shit. Shit. Shit. *exploooooodes*
Title: Midnight Bar and Mornings After
Fandom: The Mortal Instruments, Shadowhunters (TV)
Pairing: Alec Lightwood/Magnus Bane
Summary: The night before his bestfriend's wedding, Alec never expected to be thoroughly kissed by a handsome stranger. Who is this man and why can't Alec resist him? Could it possibly lead to more?
***
Why was he even here in the first place? Fancy hotel bar in the middle of nowhere—wood, and trees, and forest as far as the eye can see. It’s only saving grace was the majestic view of Lake Lyn. The sunsets were amazing. There wasn’t a sunset at midnight.
Alec scowls at the answer: he was the best man, of course, to his best friend-slash-first-love’s wedding. A dull throb of guilt welled in his gut because of the secret he could never say aloud. He cannot remember a time when he didn’t love Jace, and he would do absolutely anything for him—even give him away.
His inner monologue when a pair of hands trailed down his sides, startling him. With no time to react, he was around.
"Play along, sweet cheeks."
The words were murmured against his lips. Lips descend upon him, soft and tasting like something sweet, capturing him in a bone-melting kiss.
***
READ MORE
Feel like talking? << Talk to me >>
Got a prompt? << Inspire me >>
Want more Malec? <<Astoria Gracewell on AO3>>
***
<><> ANNOUNCEMENT!!! <><>
I am moving to Ecuador for a couple of months. Any recommendations on what to do there?
Title: Eyes of Emerald and Gold
Fandom: The Mortal Instruments, Shadowhunters (TV)
Pairing: Alec Lightwood/Magnus Bane
Summary: Alec had always dreamed of becoming a ferocious Gryffindor. He's heard stories courage, loyalty, and bravery while growing up. Now, imagine his disappointment when he received the invitation to attend the American school for magic.(Or: Alec's sorting ceremony at Ilvermorny!)
***
“Dad is a Thunderbird,” Jace Wayland, Alec’s next door neighbor and best friend, whispered excitedly despite the instructions of the faculty to preserve silence for the solemn occasion. “I wanna be a Thunderbird too!”
“I don’t think it works like that, Jace,” replied Alec, “and we need to be quiet, the teacher said we shouldn’t talk.”
Jace rolled his eyes. “Nobody listens to that rule. Look at all of them.” He pointed to the balconies above them.
The older students were all huddled together, peering over the balcony railings. Their blue and red robes made it near-impossible to distinguish the houses. Their the boisterous applause of the upper batches echoed through the acoustics of the cylindrical hall.
In the middle of the circular room, a Gordian Knot was engraved onto the marble floor. The room had a single door which the Alec and his fellow first-years entered in. At the far end, four large animal statues stood.
“These carved animals behind me are imbued with spirit of our great founders; Isolt Sayre and James Steward, and their adopted sons Webster and Chadwick Bolt,” the teacher explained.
She pointed to each animal as she named them, “Horned Serpent, Thunderbird, Wampus, and Pukwudgie. If a house chooses you, the statues will animate accordingly. Any questions?”
Alec raised his hand. The hall grew silent.
***
READ MORE
Feel like talking? << Talk to me >>
Got a prompt? << Inspire me >>
Want more Malec? <<Astoria Gracewell on AO3>>
***
<><> ANNOUNCEMENT!!! <><>
I am moving to Ecuador for a couple of months. Any recommendations on what to do there?
Title: Inverted Again
Fandom: The Mortal Instruments, Shadowhunters (TV)
Pairing: Alec Lightwood/Magnus Bane
Summary: Set in the iconic S01E10 "This World Inverted".Angel Industries has just launched its newest online data server which guarantees the fastest internet service in the world. To celebrate, they're hosting the biggest, loudest, craziest party worthy of such a novel idea--Wonderland--and Magnus Bane just happens to have an invitation. The only problem is that the doorman doesn't want to let him in!
***
The Institute, the largest technology conglomerate in the entire East Coast, held the biggest, loudest, craziest party of the year. It was a staple since the current CEO, Valentine Morgenstern, was promoted a little over twenty years ago.
Every year since then, NYC was one if the first major cities to experience greater, faster, more powerful internet capacities with wifi.
All good and well, except Magnus didn’t really need wifi telling his customers that they’re experiencing early on-set night fever from gallivanting about under the new moon. Connect anything to Angel Network and anyone—absolutely anyone—thinks they’re an expert in all things magical.
Tell that to someone who has studied and tried to perfect it for the past four centuries.
Ragnor, on the other hand, needed it like a fish needed water; hence, the hefty donation to AI’s RND department to expand the network’s capabilities abroad. He and his long time girlfriend Catarina have been struggling for face-to-face contact the part century.
Now, with Angel Network, they could—possibility—cyber-screw like a pair of bunnies in heat.
Eww, just, eww.
“Put your hand here,” The grumpy-looking guy held the newest SI tablet in hand. It was thin and sleek and absolutely way above Magnus’ meager pay grade—Cherubim. Of course, only the latest tech would suffice such an occasion. This was, after all, the most anticipated party of mid-year.
Magnus, looking lost and confused, complied.
The Cherubim’s screen faded immediately glowed fiery red and let out an ear-piercingly high-pitched shrill.
“What—what’s happening?” Magnus stuttered. The jitters came back. Cold sweat pooled in nearly every crevice if his body which was both inconvenient and disgusting to feel.
He pulled out the small square folded envelope. “I—I have an invitation…”
***
READ MORE
Feel like talking? << Talk to me >>
Got a prompt? << Inspire me >>
Want more Malec? <<Astoria Gracewell on AO3>>
***
<><> ANNOUNCEMENT!!! <><>
I am moving to Ecuador for a couple of months. Any recommendations on what to do there?
Title: Zephyr
Fandom: The Mortal Instruments, Shadowhunters (TV)
Pairing: Alec Lightwood/Magnus Bane
Summary: The winds of Zephyr would not have mercy on him today. A traitor’s deceit caused their towers to fall into ashes. Alicante became their last stronghold. Blood had been spilled and, in order to regain balance, now one of their own must be sacrificed.This was where Alec knew that his faith would be sealed.
***
On the hill and in the dark, Alec remained kneeling while he waited. His favorite recurve bow, made of only the finest rowan, lay a good yard away from him, and his handcrafted arrows beside it in a pile. The thickness of his coarse woolen robes did nothing to deter the cold winds. Zephyr would not have mercy on him this day.
One of their own had betrayed them for the power which demons promised. The traitor’s deceit caused their towers to fall into ashes. Alicante became their last stronghold. Even then, demonic attacked rained upon them. Blood had been spilt and, in order to regain balance, now one of their own must be sacrificed.
Alexander Lightwood was the eldest son of the Clave’s High Inquisitor, the highest political position on their society. He was born and bred to his father’s successor. As he grew older, his morale compass went beyond the pages of his texts. It made perfect sense that he volunteer as sacrifice. There would be no greater loss to his father than to lose a first born son.
This was where his faith would be sealed.
He tried and failed to cast his eyes upon his executioner because a darkness over came him.
Title: Queens Side Story
Fandom: The Mortal Instruments, Shadowhunters (TV)
Pairing: Alec Lightwood/Magnus Bane
Summary: Magnus Bane always knew he was born different from the others, and not simply due to the color of his skin. It's sadly unsurprising that many people don't accept him. Lucky for him, there's a blue-eyed stranger ready to defend his honor.
***
“Excuse you, Mr. Muggle, sir, you can’t—just can’t geek-reference our love story,” she said grabbing Ragnor’s arm over the table and making kissy faces. “Ragnor, my love, we’ve been caught! It’s a scandal! Father would have out heads. We much show him that our love is stronger than our last names!”
“What in heavens name are you spewing now, Cat? “ pulls away in horror. “Magnus, man, you’ve unleashed a demon! We need to exorcise it!”
Magnus buries his face in his hands because his friends are heathens, fingers newly painted in dark blue metallic polish. “Why, oh why,” he bemoans, “Remind me again why we are friends? I can’t seem to remember. Devil-spawns, both of you.”
Both Catarina and Ragnor burst out laughing.
“Because, my dear fellow, we’re the only two people willing to rattle the world for your sorry ass,” said Ragnor.
Catarina in her most sincere voice added, “Because we love you like our brother.”
“Cat’s right.” Ragnor nodded, eyes suddenly turning mischievous. He may be the bastard son of a rich congress man but he’s no stranger to trouble. Many times, trouble seduced him. “You don’t go wailing on Cat’s undying love for a hunk like me just because you’re lonely. We need to set you up! Get you a date!” His whole face shone with figurative sunrays behind him. “That’s the master plan!”
