#(if you like dw and linguistics i actually hella recommend

[cassieoh]

First & Last Lines Ask Game

Obviously I just answered this for a first lines version, but it got me thinking about first+last pairs so I wanted to look at that and thus

Rules: List the first and last line of your most recent 20 ***completed*** stories (if you have less than 20, just list them all). See if there are any patterns, choose your favorite pair, and tag some of your favorite authors or friends (if you want)!

Note: there are spoilers for the fics in question here so tread carefully if you'd planned to read any of them, but I think it’s really neat to see the lines paired <3

On the Banishment of Peonies

In the early days of the village a house is built on the highest hill.

Months later they spend the longest day of the year introducing Anathema to the witch who haunts the small copse of trees behind their cottage.

Panaceae

The bark is smooth against Aziraphale’s hands in the way that only the very oldest of her kind ever manages; like silk, frozen in a breeze that long ago found itself dispersed to the four corners.

He carefully coats his hand in the remnant of one the oldest beings on the planet and presses it to his final diary entry. (my favs from this set)

Ravel

A lot has been said about what it means to Fall.

Very quietly, a little voice at the back of his mind asks, “What if She didn’t even notice you went? What if she never cared about you the way you cared about the stars? What if you really are nothing more than something meant to squirm at Her Feet?”

my wet heart catches on every thorn

“I’m sorry, I’m afraid I must ask you to repeat yourself.”

He stands, offers Aziraphale his hand, and they leave the townhouse together.

The Dust In Our Tread

It’s time to wake up, dear. (technically it opens with an epigraph, from which the first line is, “Hundreds of thousands of lines of code, seventy-nine pyrotechnic devices, each have to work perfectly.”)

Finding their answers. I see what you mean, love. (again, technically this closes with an epigraph as well, “We made it this far. Now, watch us go.”)

But a Pip to Start

“Please, Nanny, won’t you?”

“Well, it started under an apple tree just like this one….”

A Moment Suspended in Sea Spray

Wind, Crawly had discovered, hurt.

Hope. (i swear to god there are sentences with actual structure in this fic good lord)

His Infinite Variety

Crowley wakes on his back, already aching.

He drifts to sleep with a smile on his face.

Headwind's All We've Got

“I can’t believe they’ve done it.” Crowley’s voice is muffled through the thick scarf around his face.

“Yes. Yes, it is.”

Rootbound

“Don’t you be that way. I know you don’t like new pots, but really, you started it getting all eager about growing.”

He could hear Aziraphale cursing as his daily bread-attempt went up in flames, signaling the end of Crowley’s time in the garden. “Welcome home.”

Empty Spaces

“Are you sure?” Crowley smiles because of course Aziraphale feels the need to check-in.

Aziraphale holds him close, closer, closer and, when he kisses his forehead again, the benediction fills him with light and he wonders if the emptiness was worth it if it means there’s space in him for this.

Yeast and Other Microorganisms

The bubbles rise up, in tiny pockets and lines and pools, gathering together and falling apart and Aziraphale cannot help but watch in wonder because they are so small and so powerful.

The bread from it, baked in three weeks’ time, will be the first loaf Aziraphale doesn’t burn.

On Enumeration

The first gift ever given was shelter.

The 137993165713301st was a vow, breathed to life in the space between them and a kiss given by a demon to an angel.

Lampyris Noctiluca

Are you sure this is a good idea?

I love you too. Now, let’s go welcome Warlock to Tadfield, hm?

Whereas by an Act

Crowley scowled and poked at his thigh, watching in pain-detached disinterest as blood welled up.

He knew nothing more.

Mealy-Mouthed, Dirt-Bellied

There is a moment, before Crowley opens her eyes, when the world doesn’t exist.

It really is shaping up to be a wonderful afternoon.

No Such Thing As Breakeven

When Warlock was small, he and Nanny played a game.

Warlock would make himself be heard.

Cat’s Cross

Okay, so the thing is this, Crowley isn’t what anyone in possession of their full faculties could call inexperienced.

In later years, Warlock will swear he heard Nanny Ashtoreth laugh at something Brother Frances said, but no one who knew the pair will ever believe him.

Error 404: Translation Unavailable (Doctor Who)

Language is a funny thing. A billion species, give or take a few hundred million depending on the year, roamed the cosmos speaking and signing and scenting and projecting upwards of a trillion languages.

“Quite right, too.”

A Glint of Light on Broken Glass

In the end, neither Heaven nor Hell played a part in the Ending of the World despite their best (and worst) efforts.

But, that’s tomorrow.

I feel like it’s hard to pull out a pattern here for me (though I might be too close to them/know too much of the context), but there are definitely a few places where I like the very short ending idea, kind of distilling those last thoughts I think. I also clearly like ending in the middle of a scene which I’m not sure if that’s a good thing or bad thing haha.

also if you decide to read any of these, please check the tags and ratings, some of them are rated E.

As usual, I’m not gonna tag people, but I love seeing other folks answers to this sort of thing so please do it if you’d like!