Kiss. kis. (verb) touch with the lips as a sign of love, sexual desire, reverence, or greeting.
28 Days of Kissing. Thank you @violettenouvel for the prompts. My contributions can be found here, but here are some previews:
first
Their first kiss is nothing glamorous, fancy, or smooth. There’s no hesitation, caution, or uncertainty. They aren’t a pair of fumbling teenagers or experienced lovers, they are adventurers and survivors. They just barely survived a trapped encounter that left Dorian possessed and Laudna critically injured.
worship
Her pale, cold fingers prance across his warm, blue chest like the wind, like dancing nymphs, like she was playing a piano, never resting in one place for longer than a moment, memorizing how his muscles tensed and relaxed.
stolen
Slowly, slowly...
Dorian was sitting at the tavern booth, eyes glassy as he focused on something off in the distance Laudna couldn’t see, a barely touched mug of ale before him.
Carefully, cautiously...
Orym and Fearne were chatting about something next to him, but he wasn’t paying attention to their conversation, too lost in whatever was going on in his head.
She was a sneaky, scary woman...
shy
His gaze flickers down to her lips, and she remains perfectly still as one hand hesitantly, shyly, raises up to caresses her cheek, palm warm against her cheek when he rests it there. His eyes are searching her face for any sign of disapproval, but she knows he won’t find any. “You can kiss me,” she whispered, the words hovering between their faces before Dorian leaned down, lips brushing shyly, carefully, like she was made of porcelain.
Preview for Vocaloid horror zine @macabremelodyzine ! I made a glittery pearlescent print (2nd pic) for the bundle in addition to my zine piece. Pre-orders open now!
Carry. car·ry (verb) support and move (someone or something) from one place to another; to support the weight of, whether physical or emotional.
Laudna is squishy. Not squishy like Imogen-squishy, but...fragile, a rag doll that could fall apart at the seams if pulled too hard. Everyone is aware of this, but sometimes, it seems like Laudna herself forgets this, or, more frustratingly, ignores this, when she throws herself into the middle of combat despite the risks. It had happened when they first encountered Dugger, and it happened over and over again, each time Imogen, Dorian, or FCG scolded or worried over her, and she dismissed them every time with a “what’s the worst that could happen? I die? Again?” and a crooked grin. Imogen would gently ask that she take better care of herself, FCG would give her a lecture on proper self-care, but Dorian was the worst. He would lay a hand on her arm or intertwine their fingers, healing energies flowing into her body and give her a Look that said more than any phrase could. It was a look that said she wasn’t as strong as she showed herself to be, for him, for all of them, to be allowed to protect her.
Well, she was being painfully reminded of her squishiness right now, and her facade was cracking.
Anne B Walsh (aka whydoyouneedtoknow): Writer of the Dangerverse AU, a Harry Potter AU where Remus Lupin meets Danger Granger, Hermione’s sister and an untrained Dreamseer, a seer who receives prophetic dreams. Her magic was awakened upon the death of her parents, so she never went to Hogwarts (at least in the main series, it’s different in other AUs). Because of her dreams, Remus learns the truth about Peter, breaks Sirius out of prison, and kidnaps Harry from his aunt and uncle. The whole series is worth a read, even if you’re not a fan of canon Harry Potter. The series goes through all seven years of schooling, and fair warning, some beloved characters die, and it’s miserable. But overall it’s a good time.
Start reading here: Living with Danger
Rhiannon Archer (aka SplendentGoddess): Writer of Inuyasha fanfiction, this writer deserves recognition, even though the fandom is older. I think fandoms get better with age, especially after the main canon is completed and all the crazy fans leave.
Recommendation: Cheap Imitation: the thoughts of a miko, 250 words, well-written, and it may surprise you.
Ravyn: Writer of several fandoms, I would like to highlight the contributions to the Rurouni Kenshin fandom, another old fandom (hmmm, is my age showing? maybe, maybe not. :P) Ravyn tends to write AUs, and more mature fics, but there are a ton of hidden gems (I’m going to be honest, the RK fandom is full of older hidden gems, but I think I’ll keep them held for future sharing. :])
Recommendation: Trouble with Vegas: In a world of magic, Kaoru wakes up heart-bonded to an assassin. And she doesn’t remember marrying him.
Lacrow: Oh look, a new fandom! SpyXFamily was a small but appreciated fandom, then the anime hit, and it exploded. Old writer got more appreciated, and new writers brought new gold. Lacrow brings to the table amazing AUs and fun little scenarios that may be canon one day...
Recommendation: Forged in Fire: In a world of magic and gods, the Iron Curtain was placed by the god WISE to separate two countries. Ten years later, a certain disinherited young noble becomes a squire to a certain blonde paladin, and new adventures begin.
Cinnomyn: I would like to highlight Cinnomyn’s work in the Pokémon Mystery Dungeon fandom with the flavor text series, a collection of ficlets that look at different items from the PMD series. Short, simple, and incredibly well-written.
Series collection here: flavor text
Titans R Us: This writer has contributed to several fandoms, but I would like to bring their Voltron Legendary Defender work. It’s fluffy and tooth-rotting, a lot of their works highlight the bond between the paladins. Pillow Forts for the Soul is especially warm, when the Gunderson trio help each other through their homesickness.
Read it here: Pillow Forts for the Soul
xLoveMx: Finally, I would like to highlight xLoveMx’s works, especially the Critical Role works. I have certain opinions of the CR fandom, but the fix-it fic writers and other amazing authors help make things better.
If you like Widojest, here’s some tooth-rotting fluff for you: Something Always Brings Me Back To You
If you like Macabre Melody, here’s some angst with a happy ending: 'Cause I Really Need To Know That You'll Stick Around
...aaannnd a comfort oneshot: So I'm Thankful For The Scars ( 'Cause Without Them I Wouldn't Know Your Heart )
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[[Okay, confession time: This list was an excuse for me to dig though my fanfic list and advertise my favorite authors.
Do I regret it? Absolutely not.
Am I going to do it again next year? Absolutely yes. I have a ton more authors I want to share with ya’ll.]]
Possession. pos·ses·sion. (noun) the state of being controlled by a demon or spirit; an item of property; something belonging to one
It wasn't supposed to be like this.
Bell's Hells stared at their friend, whose face was distorted by the oppressive presence that filled the room. Stone walls and floors were shattered and cracked, magical torches flickering ominously despite not needing air to provide light. Kind eyes were sharp and cruel, glowing an unnatural white as they impassively surveyed the damage of the surrounding room. Imogen and Fearne were crouched on the ground, staring at their friend in horror, the magic shared between them uncertain of what to do. Imogen reached out a hand, but when the cold eyes turned her way, she flinched. This wasn't her friend...
Title. ti·tle. (noun) a name that describes someone's position.
Since the Dreamscape Theatre, Dorian has been more on edge, peering into the shadows and jumping at sounds. Orym and Fearne have noticed, from the way their eyes flicker to him or how their hands will be on his arms, steadying him, but he’s certain none of the others have noticed. They haven’t been together enough to know each other’s quirks, and it’s a blessing in disguise for him.
Cyrus was a...not quite a threat or danger, but something that could not be ignored. His mere presence on Jrusar is a looming shadow that threatens his anonymity and freedom. He had been caught off-guard in the Dreamscape Theatre and doesn’t want to be caught again. He missed his family, missed his brother, true, but...the ‘why’ was daunting, and so Dorian stuck with the group, unwilling to go off on his own lest Cyrus try something, thoughts echoing of ‘Why was he here? In Jrusar? Was it because of him? It had to be because of him, right?’
He wanted answers but didn’t want to be caught alone by Cyrus. He loves his older brother, but trust is a whole other question. It is a conundrum that kept him glued to the group’s side (they really needed to determine a name), with whoever would endure his presence. Fearne and Orym were constants while at the Spire by Fire, but interestingly, it was Laudna who glued herself to his side while they were out in the streets. He had to admit, they were quite the pair, his larger frame beside her lanky one, silk and course cotton, blue skin and deathly skin, each different from the other, but it was...it was nice. She didn’t care about who he might be (despite the group suspecting a bit about who he was), she had made him his Bertrand doll, she gave him a shoulder to lean on, he could just be...him. Dorian Storm, not the self from Before he ran away.
