comment_fic | Thursday: 100 Words on Firsts & Lasts

brumeier posting in

Hi! I’m

brumeier, and this week we’re filling prompt themes using 100 words or any multiple of 100. Today’s theme is First & Lasts. Your prompts and fills can be the start of something, the end of something, or the end of one thing that leads to a wonderful first of another!

Just a few rules:
No more than five prompts in a row.
No more than three prompts in the same fandom.
Use the character's full names and the fandom's full name
No spoilers in prompts for a month after airing, or use the spoiler cut option found here. Unfortunately, DW doesn’t have a cut tag, so use your best judgment when it comes to spoilers.
If your fill contains spoilers, warn and leave plenty of space, or use the above-mentioned spoiler cut.

Prompts should be formatted as follows: [Use the character's full names and fandom's full name] Fandom, Character +/ Character, Prompt

Some examples to get the ball rolling...
+ Any, Any +/ Any, their eyes meet across a crowded room

+ Any, Any, when one door closes, another one opens

+ Any, Any alien/otherworldly character, first time on Earth

We are now using AO3 to bookmark filled prompts. If you fill a prompt and post it to AO3 please add it to the Bite Sized Bits of Fic from 2024 collection. See further notes on this new option here.

Not feeling any of today’s prompts? You can use LJ’s advanced search options to limit keyword results to only comments in this community. Fret not, DW members; we are working on a way to search through old entries for prompts for you! As of right now, the best way to search for a lonely prompt on DW is to search the community’s archive, which can be found [[HERE]].

While the use of LJ's advanced search and DW’s archive are options, bookmarking the links of prompts you like might work better for searching in the future.

As a friendly reminder about our schedule, Lonely Prompts and sharing completed fills are encouraged on Sundays, while new themes and prompts are posted on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Saturdays are a Free for All day. We'll share our posts on DW and LJ for everyone's convenience. Keep an eye out for notifications!

If you have a Dreamwidth account and would feel more comfortable participating there, please feel free to do so…and spread the word! comment_fic

tag=100 words/first-lasts

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

From:

brumeier

Any, Any +/ Any, their eyes meet across a crowded room

From:

brumeier

Any, Any, when one door closes, another one opens

From:

smallhobbit

The werewolf had heard Jo saying that when one door closed another opened, which to his mind was rather silly. In his experience when one door closed all the rest did too. He'd been sent into the building to get an urgent message to Ros and had heard the door slam ominously behind him; clearly it wasn't going to be one he could open himself. Then, to his delight, someone opened a door further down the corridor, and he was inside before anyone could spot him. To his further delight the room turned out to be set out with hot drinks and snacks.

He hid under one of the tables, deciding to wait for Ros to come in with the others she had come to meet. He didn't think this would be long; the staff were all bustling round in anticipation. And in the meantime he couldn't be blamed for eating the crumbs which had fallen under the table. Especially when a judicious tug of the tablecloth had caused a few sausage rolls to join them.

As for leaving again, he couldn't guarantee there'd be another open door, but the open window he could see would serve just as well.

From:

nagi_schwarz

This was a fun fill! Can’t go wrong with sausage rolls.

From:

smallhobbit

Thank you very much! Especially when you're a werewolf.

From:

brumeier

The werewolf doesn't have any trouble taking care of himself, does he? ::grins:: Love that he just helps himself to the sausage rolls. Such a great fill, thank you!

From:

smallhobbit

The sausage rolls were irresistible 🐺 Thank you, I'm glad you enjoyed it!

From:

brumeier

Any, Any alien/otherworldly character, first time on Earth

From:

smallhobbit

Ensign Walters and his partner Harbidrwbln were spending a few days on Earth. Walters had decided it was time for his parents to meet their granddaughter Chwris and her little brother. Harbi had found Earth stranger than he had expected. Although he had been living on the Enterprise for the previous few Earth years, he wasn't prepared for the number of people who stared at them. Inter-species relationships were not unknown, but were very much in the minority. Nevertheless most people were polite, if not overtly friendly, and Harbi had enjoyed seeing what life was like for most people who lived on earth.

Walters and Harbi had already visited Harbi's home planet a couple of times and been welcomed by Harbi's parents. The children had been made much of and when both he and Walters had protested, they had been firmly told it was a grandparent's responsibility to spoil their grandchildren, especially when they saw so little of them.

Harbi hadn't understood why Walters had suggested meeting his parents at the play park, but assumed this was an Earth custom. The two children had been enjoying playing on the swings and the slide when the grandparents arrived. At once Chwris cartwheeled across to them (she had fewer tentacles than Harbi, but more limbs than Walters), delighted to show how well she had learnt this skill. She held out four tentacles to them, but to her disappointment they didn't respond.

Instead, Mr Walters Snr, said, "Nice to see you, son. But we mustn't keep you." And they both walked away.

Chwris' face fell and Walters hurriedly said, "I'm afraid Nanny isn't well. But they've given us some money to buy you both some toys from the toy shop, so let's go and see what we can find."

Harbi managed to book them onto an earlier return shuttle and that evening, laden with a considerable amount of toys (the children didn't know they'd been paid for by their parents) they began the journey back to the Enterprise.

Once both children were asleep, Harbi said, "I had a reply from my parents and they are very happy to help out however they can. In the circumstances, I suggest we arrange to have the twins on my home planet. With both of us pregnant at the same time, we're going to need all the help we can get."

"The kids will be so spoilt!"

From:

brumeier

Aww! I'd forgotten all about this little 'verse, and I'm delighted to revisit it! So bittersweet, though. I can see how it might be difficult for the elder Walters, but to be that cold to everyone, especially the children...not cool, humans! I'm glad that Harbi's family is more welcoming, especially with more babies on the way. Thank you so much for this amazing fill!

From:

smallhobbit

Thank you very much. Current events blended into the story, but Harbi comes from a more advanced planet.

From:

nagi_schwarz

When Rocky first stepped through the Stargate and onto Earth, he was underwhelmed. The others had kept warning him that it would be different, that it would be culture shock, even though he’d been to so many planets in the Pegasus Galaxy.

Earth was — depressing, really. No sunlight. Cement walls. Steel doors. All gray, but for harsh fluorescent lighting, and the painted colorful lines on the walls and floors.

Rocky knew that not all Earthers lived in underground bunkers, and that the Ring of the Ancients was kept underground to protect it — and to prevent most Earthers from even knowing about it. From the movies and dramas Rocky had seen, Earth generally had pretty skies.

But the SGC was a dull and utilitarian place. Apart from a few sad-looking potted plants, it was devoid of any life besides humans.

Rocky could sense the way Bin relaxed beside him as soon as the gate shut down. However strange this place was to Rocky, it was familiar to Bin.

All of the personnel who’d come from the Midway Station were shuffled off to the infirmary for final health checks. The colored lines on the walls and floor showed people how to get to important places. The colored line to the infirmary was green.

Rocky was examined by Dr. Fraiser, the chief medical officer, because only a very small number of people were allowed to know what he really was. He sat placidly on the exam table and let her scan him, saw the way her eyebrows went up as she looked at the data readouts on her device.

But then she smiled briefly at him and said, “You’re clean. Welcome to Earth.”

Rocky inclined his head politely, and then he went to wait in the hallway for Bin and the others to finish their checkups.

“I’m going to swing by the labs and say hi to Bill Lee,” Dongmin said. “Meet you at the elevators?”

Rocky nodded, and Dongmin and Myungjun departed, to visit colleagues they hadn’t seen in a long time. Eventually, Bin emerged from the infirmary.

“Should we wait for Jinwoo and Sanha?” Rocky asked.

Bin shook his head. “They’ll meet us at the main elevator. We have an extra stop to make.”

That stop was yet another cramped cement office where a bored-looking airman was sitting in front of a computer, squinting at the screen and typing.

Bin cleared his throat, and the woman lifted her head.

“Can I help you?”

“Here to pick up Earth papers for Rocky,” Bin said.

Right. If Rocky wanted to move about freely on Earth, he needed special documentation — and it couldn’t say that he was neither native to Earth nor human.

The woman’s expression brightened. “Right! Have those right here.” She pushed back on her rolling chair and turned, reaching into one of the innumerable cubbies behind her. She returned with a thick envelope.

“Everything you need for your stay on Earth.” She smiled at Bin and held out the envelope.

Bin handed it to Rocky, who opened it and tipped its contents out onto the desk. He had a passport, driver’s license, birth certificate, cell phone, military ID card, and another little plastic card with his fake name on it.

Park Minhyuk was the Korean name they’d given him, claiming Rocky was his English name.

“What’s this?” Rocky held the card out to Bin. Unlike his other cards, it didn’t have his picture on it.

“Your credit card. So you can buy things,” Bin said.

Rocky blinked. “I have money?”

“Yes. The SGC and IOA do pay you,” Bin said slowly.

The airman was watching them, eyes wide. She leaned over the desk. “So, what’s your home planet like? Is Earth very different?”

“Haven’t seen much of Earth yet,” Rocky said. “And my home planet is very nice. I miss it sometimes.”

He scooped the documents back into the envelope.

“I need to swing by storage and get my own passport,” Bin said.

Rocky nodded and followed Bin to another office several doors down, where the SGC kept boxes of personnel’s personal effects, like Bin’s own passport and driver’s license and cellphone.

“There are people who make sure our documentation is all up-to-date so we don’t get held up when we come home,” Bin said. He tucked his phone and wallet and passport into his jacket pocket, and then he scooped up his duffel bag, and he led Rocky to the main elevators, where a good number of the people who’d come from Atlantis with them were gathered, eager to get out of the base and see Earth proper.

While Rocky was perfectly comfortable underground, the notion that this entire base was underneath a mountain was a bit unfathomable to him. Dongmin, Sanha, Myungjun, and Jinwoo caught up to them, toting duffel bags of their own. They all had duffel bags issued by the South Korean military, but where Rocky was technically a civilian contractor with the Expedition, his gear was IOA-issue.

There were multiple elevators that would take them halfway up to ground level, and then they’d have to switch to a separate set of elevators to go all the way up to the surface. The switch was a security measure, so intruders couldn’t get straight down to the stargate.

When Rocky stepped out into the sunlight, he had to squint while his eyes adjusted. All six of them wouldn’t fit into a single car, so Sanha was going to ride with Jinwoo while Bin and Rocky rode with Dongmin in Myungjun’s car.

Earth so far was — quiet. Peaceful. Blue skies. A smattering of trees. Riding in a car was loud and jostling compared to how puddlejumpers traveled, but Rocky got to roll down the window and enjoy the breeze, just like he’d seen in movies. The sensation of the wind through his hair was pleasant. The road was long and winding and solitary. Dongmin told Rocky that the road wasn’t usually this busy, but the long queue of cars was typical on days when people returned from leave from the forward base. That was the phrase Rocky was supposed to use instead of Atlantis, because hardly anyone on Earth knew that Atlantis even existed.

“You might hear its name,” Dongmin said. “But when most people say it, they’re talking about a myth, or a fairy tale.”

“What’s a fairy?” Rocky asked.

While Dongmin explained what a fairy was — a tiny, cute, humanoid person with wings who could do magic — Rocky watched the winding road ahead, and the trees lining the way, and —

They turned a curve, and suddenly amidst the trees there were buildings. Buildings upon buildings upon buildings, almost like toys, laid out in neat rows, interspersed with more trees and roads in neat lines crowded with seemingly endless queues of cars, and —

Rocky fumbled for Bin’s hand and squeezed it tightly.

So many people. Free of the Wraith. Living happy, unhurried lives.

“Welcome to Earth,” Bin said softly.

“Are those all houses? Do people live in all of those buildings?” Rocky swallowed hard.

“Some of them are businesses — shops, offices, that kind of thing,” Myungjun said.

“It’s a lot at first,” Dongmin said. “Don’t worry. We’ll keep you safe.”

Rocky squeezed Bin’s hand tighter, and Bin squeezed back.

“We’ll have a great time,” Bin promised. “Together.”

Rocky nodded. And then, because he could, because they weren’t on Atlantis or the Midway Station or in the SGC, he leaned over and kissed Bin on the mouth.

Bin hummed happily into the kiss, and he was smiling when Rocky pulled back.

“If that’s the welcome I always get when we come to Earth, you have to come with us every time,” Bin said.

Rocky squeezed Bin’s hand again. “I’ll keep you safe too.”

Myungjun cheered. “Korea here we come!”

From:

brumeier

Aww! This is super cute! I love Rocky's impressions of Earth, and how seeing his first big city is a little overwhelming. Plus a glimpse at how things work at the SGC for those who spend most of their time off planet. You're so good at this kind of story, honestly. Thank you for the great fill!

From:

nagi_schwarz

You’re so welcome, and thank you for always dropping inspiring prompts!

From:

brumeier

Stargate Multiverse, Any, a memorable first time through the stargate

From:

brumeier

Any, Any/Any, the last first date

From:

nagi_schwarz

Any, any, last kiss

From:

nagi_schwarz

Any, any, first day at a new job/school

From:

brumeier

Lord of the Manor

(I exceeded the wordcount limit despite my best efforts. Whoops!)

From:

nagi_schwarz

Worth every word.

From:

brumeier

That's very nice of you to say, thank you!

From:

nagi_schwarz

Any, any, last day of summer

From:

nagi_schwarz

Any, any, the last first kiss

From:

nagi_schwarz

Any, any, last chance

From:

creepy_shetan

author's choice, any, never eating [any specific food] ever again

From:

brumeier

Living in an alien city in a galaxy far, far away had changed John in a hundred different ways, some good and some bad.

He’d created a new family for himself, one that accepted him as he was, and that was the best thing. But he’d also taken on the huge responsibility for keeping everyone in Atlantis safe, and that was sometimes a bad thing; not because of the sometimes-overwhelming weight of it on his shoulders, but also the lengths he’d go to in carrying out his duties to the expedition.

Rodney was the best thing and worst thing, all wrapped up in one acerbic package.

He had the biggest heart of anyone John had ever known, if someone took the time to get past the layers and layers of protection he’d built up around it. Rodney was also supremely confident in his intellect, which could be comforting but also incredibly dangerous, because no-one was infallible, and John had put lives in danger trusting that Rodney could do what he said he could do.

There was one change John hadn’t even realized until he was back on Earth, waiting for the IOA and the SGC to release Atlantis back to Pegasus.

“Eileen made strawberry lemonade,” Dave said, gesturing to the glass pitcher on the table. “She used Nana’s recipe.”

John and his brother were still getting to know each other again, after a long estrangement. Dave had invited him to lunch, and they were both being painfully polite with each other, neither of them wanting to say the wrong thing and starting another fight.

“No thanks,” John said, without even having to think about it.

“But… you loved Nana’s lemonade. I know it won’t be quite the same, but Eileen got it very close.”

John stared at the pitcher. He didn’t remember loving lemonade, but now that Dave had said that he could recall summers spent with his grandmother and how he’d begged her to make it all the time.

That’s when he realized.

“I don’t eat citrus anymore.”

“Oh. I’m sorry. I didn’t know.”

John huffed out a laugh. “I didn’t know, either. One of my teammates is deathly allergic and I guess I just… gave it up.”

Had he even consciously made that decision? John couldn’t remember. And it hadn’t been that big a sacrifice, honestly. Citrus wasn’t as prevalent in the Pegasus galaxy as it was on Earth, and the KP staff kept a detailed list of people’s food allergies to make sure there was no cross-contamination.

It had been a long time since John had thought about orange juice or lemon meringue pie. Or Nana’s strawberry lemonade. What was the last citrus thing he’d eaten? He hadn’t thought to take note of it.

“That’s thoughtful of you,” Dave said. “You must be good friends.”

“Best friends.”

More than friends, but John wasn’t ready to share that much with his brother. At least not yet, while they were still finding their footing with each other.

“Let’s eat.”

From:

creepy_shetan

Oh, you really captured that awkward-but-trying atmosphere between the brothers. And the reason he stopped eating citrus? Ah, it's so good! :D

I only have a little firsthand knowledge of Stargate. Is that a canon allergy?

From:

brumeier

I'm so pleased you liked it, thank you!

Rodney does have a canonical citrus allergy, though John isn't as understanding about it as he is in fandom. In one episode, he gives Cam Mitchell a lemon to help keep Rodney in line. Mean.