10 Works by brightbolt
Listing Works
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(looking for) shapes in the silence by brightbolt, imperfectlyctor
Fandoms: The Locked Tomb Series | Gideon the Ninth Series - Tamsyn Muir
12 Jan 2022
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“There’s something you need to know,” Harrow said to John and Mercymorn. She locked eyes with Gideon, holding her gaze firm.
White-ringed eyes flicked between them, and a frown flickered on John’s face. “Alright.”“Well, it’s interesting that you’ve chosen to tell me about the visa application now,” Harrowhark said, turning to John and Mercymorn, “when Gideon only proposed last weekend.”
John blinked. He looked between them. “Excuse me?”
“I’m getting married,” Harrowhark said.
“To who?” John asked.
“To my assistant,” said Harrow, ignoring the choking, strangled noise of surprise Gideon made from the door. “To Gideon Nav. We’re engaged.” She paused, then stood. “Aren’t we, Griddle?”
“No,” Gideon said, because she was the worst. “What the fuck?”
Or: Harrowhark Nonagesimus is the youngest editor ever to run the Ninth House publishing company. But when Harrow violates the terms of her work visa, her only way to retain her job is to marry a US citizen— and who better than her assistant, Gideon Nav?
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sting of a wasp by brightbolt, imperfectlyctor
Fandoms: The Locked Tomb Trilogy | Gideon the Ninth Series - Tamsyn Muir
20 Aug 2021
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"You’re a virgin,” Gideon said, testing it out. "Huh."
Harrow didn’t like the sound of that huh. She knew Gideon’s noises, and that was a thoughtful, sinister huh. That was the same huh she’d made before putting canned tuna in Crux’s work boots.
Her eyes narrowed. “What.”
Gideon cocked her head to the side. “Is there a reason you’re waiting?” There was no judgement in the question— only genuine curiosity.
Perhaps it was this that made Harrow more inclined to answer. “I don’t have the time to look for someone new,” She shrugged. “And my available pool is… somewhat limited.”
“Well,” Gideon said, with just a hint of conspiracy in those glittering golden eyes. “If you ever want to change that, you have my number.”
What? What?
Harrow blinked. “What?”
Or: the five times Gideon and Harrow successfully bone, and the one time they don't.
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begged and borrowed time by brightbolt, imperfectlyctor
Fandoms: She-Ra and the Princesses of Power (2018)
20 Jun 2021
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"After a life spent in southern California, this was the coldest place she’d ever been — and probably the least populated, too — but there was something extraordinarily peaceful about it.
This was an outcrop of rock surrounded by water that would sooner kill her than treat her with kindness, and she was in the middle of it. Catra had never thought of herself as one for poetry, but the coast told her differently. It had a mind and a heart that was all its own.
In front of a vast and ruthless sea, Catra closed her eyes."
Or: Catra, an oceanographer working on her dissertation, moves to an abandoned lighthouse at the northernmost point of Washington to finish her work and escape her past. There, she meets Adora: a local fisherman with an inexplicable sense of haunting that surrounds them. In each other, they search for companionship, understanding, and acceptance at their most vulnerable.
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keep me in your glow by brightbolt, imperfectlyctor
Fandoms: She-Ra and the Princesses of Power (2018)
27 Feb 2021
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"“Oh my God,” Catra said, barely above a whisper. “You’re rich as fuck, aren’t you?”
“Guilty,” Adora said, cringing a little. “Sorry. I thought Glimmer told you.”
“I’m gonna fucking kill her.” Catra shook her head, trying to wipe the stunned expression off her face. “I can’t believe she set me up on a blind date with a goddamn millionaire.”
“Yeah,” Adora said awkwardly. “Oops.”
“It’s—” Catra shook her head. “Okay, Glimmer aside, how would you paying for my tuition even work? I mean, we—we’ve only been on one date, and it’s not even over yet.”
“It’s a crazy idea,” Adora said. “I know. Just—just forget I said anything.”
Maybe it was the buzz of alcohol, or maybe it was the shock of finding out she was on a blind date with a rich person, but Catra couldn’t stop herself from blurting, “Well, I didn’t say no.”
A beat.
Adora blinked, looking up at her. “What?”
Or: Catra is a physics PhD student struggling to balance life, work, and loans. When her friend sets her up on a blind date, she doesn't expect it to be with the most attractive millionaire she's ever seen. They work out an arrangement.
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pretend like there's no world outside by brightbolt, imperfectlyctor for scntuary
Fandoms: She-Ra and the Princesses of Power (2018)
14 Feb 2021
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"Adora had graduated the summer before — and had accepted a creative position at an advertising firm a week later thanks to her networking ability — but Catra was still in her last year of college. She was an excellent student, of course, but academic pressure didn’t discriminate.
Every day, it seemed like there was something new for her to stress about. There was her capstone project, her upcoming fluid dynamics exam, and the idea of applying to grad school— it was a lot for her to handle.
They had been dating for the last three years and living together for the last two, but between Adora’s work schedule and Catra’s classes it felt as though it had been weeks since they’d seen each other.
That would change today."
Or, Adora plans a date night. Catra gets to relax for a moment. They remember why they fell in love in the first place.
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break me like a promise by brightbolt, imperfectlyctor
Fandoms: She-Ra and the Princesses of Power (2018), She-Ra: Princess Of Power (1985)
21 Dec 2020
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"As soon as she saw who the client was, her words died in her throat. Her drink slipped out of her hand a second later, but Catra couldn’t bring herself to care about the stain it would leave in the carpet.
Across the table from her boss, wearing a perfectly-tailored suit that looked more expensive than most of Catra’s tuition payments, was Adora.
As in, that Adora. The one Catra dated for all of college.
The one that broke her heart four and a half weeks before graduation.
The one that, according to what she’d said on the last day Catra had seen her, had fallen out of love with her."
Or, six years ago, Adora and Catra were college students in love. Then, in one fateful meeting at a coffee shop, Adora broke Catra's heart.
Now Catra's a junior partner at a law firm handling a patent dispute for Adora's family company. The two of them have to re-enter the other's life in an attempt for closure, catharsis, and connection.
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(an example of) the perfect candidate by brightbolt, imperfectlyctor
Fandoms: She-Ra and the Princesses of Power (2018)
22 Sep 2020
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Adora reached out a hand. “Come on. I’m gonna take you home.”
Catra looked at the hand outstretched towards her. It would be so easy to take it, she thought. She could forget about the sword, about the destiny, about the First Ones.
But Adora’s hand trembled a little as it reached out to her, and whether from experience or her newfound connection to magic, Catra could feel the Black Garnet’s energy coming off of it.
Memories of the abuse she’d endured her whole life flew past her, horrible ones full of red lightning and cruel laughter and sleepless nights that made her hate the next day. Leaving the Horde behind would be the best thing she ever did, even if it meant losing the only person that ever really cared about her.
But she would be free. She could make her own decisions and her own mistakes. She’d never have to tiptoe around Shadow Weaver again. Wouldn’t that make it worth it?
Muffled screams came from a few feet away as gunfire sounded in the square, and that helped make her decision for her. If she was going to do this, she’d do it right.
“No,” Catra said quietly.
Or: in a universe two steps to the left, the Sword of Protection chooses a different wielder.
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glory and gore by brightbolt, imperfectlyctor
Fandoms: She-Ra and the Princesses of Power (2018)
25 Aug 2020
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"For the last four years, Catra’s routine had been the same.
Every day, she woke up just after dawn; left the comfort of her own bed to go prepare food for her, her husband, and whatever guests they might have; and checked the supply of ale in the cellar.
Then, she would make sure all the mugs and glasses were clean. Once people started rolling in, usually just after noon, the bar would be wiped down and the musicians she employed would be setting up. She would make idle conversation with the others and finish cleaning up until the first groups of men looking for a drink showed up with pockets that clinked and jingled with coins, and then the rest of the night would be spent cleaning mugs and pouring ale.
Catra had resigned herself to this life with a sort of detached acceptance.
Then, a Rebellion captain walked into her establishment, and she knew instantly that something was about to change."
or, Captain Adam Fairchild, who harbors a secret that could get him killed, goes in search of a spy to help the Rebellion's cause. He finds it — and much, much more — in a tavern-keeper's wife.
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"A month after the final game of her season ended, Adora was pretty sure she’d never been so happy in her life.
Her team had won a national championship with her as their captain, she’d finally gotten closure with Shadow Weaver, and — best of all, in her opinion — she’d gotten to lift the cup and kiss the girl.
The team had won. Unfortunately, even though the Rebellion had done it, Adora and Catra still hadn’t… well, done it."
Or, ever since getting together, Catra and Adora have been trying unsuccessfully to have sex for weeks now, but a combination of school and outside pressure has kept them from actually doing the damn thing. So when they finally get a moment alone, they intend to make the most of it.
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"Today, all hope of relaxing flew out the window the second Catra saw a person at center ice. From the distance, all she could make out was a blonde mass of hair, black skates, at least three dozen pucks gathered near a bucket, and a stick. Combined, these facts only added fuel to the fire that just ignited inside her.
If it had been a fellow figure skater, she could get by with a few cold glares and a good amount of space. But a fucking hockey player?"
Or, the national championship playoffs are getting closer and closer, and the Bright Moon Rebellion isn't going down without a fight. Will they clinch the cup? Or will the Fright Zone's Horde beat them to it?
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