19 Results in the "short stories" category
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Chapter
The Demon Tree
Rose’s seat was the third from the end on a continuous desk that could seat seven, but she was one of only two that morning over her first cup of coffee. The desk faced the back of someone’s monitor; to her right was the senior writer, Ania, who had given her a tour yesterday in a banana-yellow sweater. Today, they wore gray and black leggings and had not looked up when Rose said good morning. Most of the paper’s staff worked remotely. That meant an empty office but no one pressed up on…-
4.4 K • Oneshot
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Chapter
In Flight
Ray visited his brother more often after his death than he had for a decade. On Saturdays, he’d pick up a bouquet along with a week’s groceries and after lunch, carry it on the five-mile run that took him past the cemetery. He’d kneel before the grave, clear away last week’s flowers, pinch weeds slithering up the headstone. The fresh engraving was almost sharp to the touch. Simon Fisher, beloved husband. Ray hadn’t seen anyone else here since the funeral—not even her. The adjacent plot waited,…-
4.3 K • Completed
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Chapter
a change in the weather
prompt: a change in the weather – As the sun stroked the last of a flower’s faded petals, it said “Don’t be afraid” and it said “Go to sleep; you’ll see me again after the winter.” From a nearby garden another flower whispered, “But isn’t that one an annual?” “Shh,” beamed the… - Story
TNI & In Flight
A pair of stories set fifteen years apart about a man dealing with different kinds of heartache. -
Chapter
in another life
prompt: in another life MDZS modern AU, xiyao. References a canonical death. – The sword plunges through his chest and he wakes gasping. “What’s wrong?” Xichen mumbles from the adjacent pillow. Although Xichen’s skin is hot where he touches it, Meng Yao shivers. “Nightmare.” “No more horror before bed.” Xichen’s arms engulf him. Against Meng Yao’s ear, his heart beats. Beats. “I asked you to die with me,” he whispers. “It’s only a dream,… -
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Chapter
the Taos hum
prompt: the Taos hum (a low humming noise, like a distant bell, or low rumbling thunder in the far distance) Post-canon MDZS; implied past xiyao. Xichen’s not doing too well in this. 3-sentence warm-up for @ficwip’s retreat weekend! Can be read as a prequel to an afternoon together in the rain. – There it is again—the rumbling, a hum deep in the ground that makes his hair stand on edge, the sound Wangji claims he cannot hear, but it keeps Xichen awake until dawn fishing apologies from the… - Story
The Demon Tree
A month in, Rose gave the tour to a new sales hire who took the desk two spots to her left. That was also the day the dreams started. -
Chapter
a last-minute change in plans
prompt: a last-minute change in plans – “What a view!” his own voice echoed back at him as he snapped a picture of the gorge. Laughing, she pulled him back from the cliff and into her arms. It wouldn’t do to kill him yet, not until he’d changed the… -
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