aquaticflames



Recent works

Recent series

  1. Summary

    short stories based on a list of single-word prompts. most works will be standalone, but the few that interlink will be indicated and placed together in the series!

    Words:
    78,668
    Works:
    19
    Bookmarks:
    401
  2. Summary

    named after Novo Amor's album 'Birthplace'. every work is named with lyrics from its songs, and created from a short prompt phrase.

    1. 'you made up for my life': emigrate – ("every day she becomes more like him")
    2. 'for five years': oh, round lake – ("you have a picture of me? on your fridge?")
    3. 'hear me out': utican – ("just talk to him".)

    Words:
    7,407
    Works:
    3
    Bookmarks:
    41

Recent bookmarks

  1. Public Bookmark *

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    Summary

    “So, I was thinking about why I’ve been throwing up. I think some of it is the actual, physical properties of the taumoeba, but I honestly think half the battle is the taste. See, humans use smell and taste to tell us if food is going to make us sick, like it’s moldy or smells weird, that sends a signal for disgust to our brains to stop us from eating it, and that triggers nausea.”

    “I feel this way about all human food,” I say, and Grace rolls its eyes.

    “Sure. But I think my brain is being overprotective about the taumoeba. It’s the same reason why human kids get picky or people throw up during pregnancy, even when the food they’re eating is perfectly edible. My brain is signalling to me that I shouldn’t want it in my body, mostly because -- well, I don’t. It smells like mildew and algae and has the texture of chia seed pudding that was forgotten at the back of a fridge. But that’s making me nauseous when I even think about putting it in my mouth, which makes me more likely to throw up.”

    “But how would you eat without using your mouth?” I ask.

    Grace grins at me. “That, my friend, is exactly the question I’ve been asking myself. And I think the answer might be something called a nasogastric tube."

    Language:
    English
    Words:
    4,693
    Chapters:
    1/1
    Comments:
    65
    Kudos:
    1,109
    Bookmarks:
    206
    Hits:
    3,662

    25 Jun 2026

  2. Rec *

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    "Many stages in Eridian reproductive process. Rocky Adrian laying cycles finally sync up recently. So, Rocky Adrian think finally time for eggs. Adrian lay five eggs, very good. Only, strange thing happen. Rocky only lay one egg."

    “Oh,” I say. “That’s unusual, right?”

    "Very," Rocky hums.

    My throat tightens. "Does that mean there's something wrong? Are you sick?"

    Rocky makes a gesture I usually interpret as "not exactly". "Not sick," he says. "But doctors still worry. When Eridian start to make fewer eggs, this usually means laying period of life is over soon. Rocky very young for this. Rocky supposed to be in ideal time of life for laying. Rocky younger than Adrian, even." He shifts on three of his feet. Already, my mind is racing ahead, wondering -- "Doctors told Rocky to ask Grace, is this radiation side effect, question?"

    Language:
    English
    Words:
    8,236
    Chapters:
    3/3
    Comments:
    355
    Kudos:
    5,162
    Bookmarks:
    1,098
    Hits:
    21,772

    25 Jun 2026

    Bookmarker's Notes

    💓💓💓

  3. Public Bookmark 52

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    Summary

    Ryland Grace doesn't know why his heart is so heavy until thirty years of living on Erid, when he finally remembers that Stratt was right and wrong at the same time.

    Ryland Grace did have immediate family.

    Or, a little bit of a deep dive into grief and a reunion because I can't let these guys be too sad for too long

    Series
    Language:
    English
    Words:
    5,433
    Chapters:
    1/1
    Comments:
    19
    Kudos:
    421
    Bookmarks:
    52
    Hits:
    2,234

    23 Jun 2026

  4. Public Bookmark *

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    The capsule touches down on Erid about a decade and a half after I do.

    There's a message inside translated into fourteen different languages. Y'know, just in case I've taught myself - and then the Eridians - Afrikaans.

    Hey, it reads. Can we have our ball back, please?

    Language:
    English
    Words:
    3,884
    Chapters:
    1/1
    Comments:
    338
    Kudos:
    4,322
    Bookmarks:
    930
    Hits:
    12,266

    03 Jun 2026

  5. Public Bookmark *

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    Summary

    'Rocky, do you remember the expected, average human lifespan?'

    I ask it conversationally but Rocky freezes in place all the same.

    'No,' he states.

    'No?'

    'Yes, Rocky remembers. No, do not want to talk about this.'

    I lean back and fold my arms.

    'Rock…'

    'Grace. No. Bad bad bad.'


    Dr Ryland Grace is an old man. Dr Ryland Grace knows what he wants to happen when the time comes. Rocky doesn't want to talk about it.

    Language:
    English
    Words:
    1,847
    Chapters:
    1/1
    Comments:
    229
    Kudos:
    1,256
    Bookmarks:
    260
    Hits:
    3,968

    03 Jun 2026