#march prompt challenge

[nosebleedclub]

March Prompts

1. Too sensitive

2. How to hurt your friends

3. Weather vane

4. Rafflesia

5. Unmapped

6. Summoner

7. Mealworm

8. Health condition

9. Lotus

10. Bet on it

11. Your best friend’s secret life

12. Police cars

13. Grocery bag

14. Archway

15. Fir

16. Girls like us

17. Imperial

18. Smilodon

19. Opulescence

20. Worst of the worst

21. Central Europe

22. What did you learn this week

23. Glancing blow

24. Raid

25. Falconry

26. Folk hero

27. Neat escape

28. Having dreams

29. A name that starts with “J”

30. Demolition

31. During the war

[rose-writes-for-march]

March for More: Little Prince

MASTERPOST

If there was anything Phantom hated the most about being crowned king—

“Your Eternity, it is with great respect that I summon you here today for a formal audience.” Ra’s al Ghul says, bent over in a formal bow from where he stands just beyond the barrier of the summoning circle.

—it was this bastard.

“al Ghul.” He greets with a scowl, “What a surprise. I thought you might’ve gone and Ended already, given how long it's been since you bothered me last.”

The man jerks upright from his bow, a frown on his face though Phantom knows it isn't directed at him, and waves a hand behind him in a 'come here' gesture. Phantom follows the movement, spotting a boy in... armor(?) being forcibly escorted forward. Phantom is almost impressed by the fight the boy is giving, having at least ten men trying to so much as move him beside the old man.

"Ra's. We've talked about this, haven't we? I don't take sacrifices." Phantom growls, voice edging into ghost speak at the blatant disrespect the old man is showing. "I should kill you for bringing one before me—"

"Apologies, Your Eternity, for interrupting, but this boy is no sacrifice." Ra's cuts him off, body angled to glare at the boy while keeping the King in his sights. He moves his hand slightly, and the escorts reluctantly back off. As soon as one man's hold slackens, the boy growls and forces the rest off of him with an impressive efficiency. As the fight continues, Ra's addresses the king again, "This is my grandson, Damian al Ghul, I trust you remember him?"

And, unfortunately, Phantom does.

It wasn't that long ago for Phantom, thanks to time shenanigans. A summoning not unlike this one, when Phantom was freshly crowned and still finding his footing, had seen Phantom in this very room before this very boy—only many years younger than he currently is. Phantom is as livid now as he was then when presented with a kid and a marriage proposal.

"Is this some joke to you, Ra's al Ghul? Surely you understand your offense." Phantom can feel his features distorting, fingers blackening into claws, eyes thinning into slits, crown flaring from a soft borealis to a piercing ice. "My demands were simple, were they not? My patience is not as eternal as my reign, and should you offend me further, it will become as nonexistent as you'll find yourself."

"Your Eternity—"

"Your demands were met," Damian interrupts, standing tall under the full force of Phantom's misplaced ire as his eyes whip toward him. He stands beside his grandfather willingly, despite the earlier fuss, looking much more put together than the disgrace beside him.

He seems to have straightened out his suit, and at his feet sit the majority of his escorts, all properly knocked out. Phantom considers him for a moment, "Met, huh? And how is that? I remember my demands were to never be bothered with such a thing again, and yet here you both stand."

Ra's seems properly subdued under Phantom's ire as he always is by the end of their talks. It's gotten almost fun to watch the man back down when he knows he's lost. But Damian, for some Ancients-damned reason, seems to want to force the issue. "I admit you're right; the demands of that summoning were met. However, the requests of this summoning have changed."

Now curious and somewhat impressed by the boy, Phantom lets his features fall back into uncanny rather than monstrous. Plus, he is kind of required to hear the requests, no matter how much he'd rather skip it and get this over with. "Fine, let's get this over with, I suppose."

Damian bows and Ra's follows his lead a second later. Once they are both in position, Damian speaks, "Great King of Eternity, Savior of the Dead and Forgotten, I offer my body and soul to you in full trust and respect." He lifts his head, meeting Phantom's as he continues the formal spiel, "Allow to me the honor of your name and title, the right to you and your people, and your trust so that I may ask of you a favor in return."

Phantom can feel the proposal just beyond his skin, like the whisper of wind playing in his hair and spelling out shivers on his spine. It is an honest proposal, proper etiquette and intention behind every word. It makes Phantom even more curious.

"You must be desperate or stupid," he says, not yet accepting the whispers on his skin, not until he knows the favor, "You are no longer a child and are now doing this willingly, or as willing as you can. Tell me your wants, and I will consider."

Damian fully raises from the bow, Ra's doing the same before walking forward to take Phantoms attention. "Your Eternity, I wish to—"

Phantom holds up a hand, "I did not ask you. You'd be a fool to think I'd let you ask me of anything, vermin, regardless of the summoning rules." He turns back to Damian, offering a hand to tell him to continue where he was so rudely cut off.

Damian glares at Ra's as he sulks, but doesn't pay him any mind as he steps forward and meets Phantom's eyes again. "I fight under Lady Gotham's name to protect her and her people from those that would cause harm." Oh, Phantom knows of them. Lady Gotham's Knights, a famous bunch among the ghosts of Gotham, for good reason. "Recently, she has come under attack from a foe that neither my allies nor I can defeat. For giving myself to you, I would ask you to rid of this foe."

Phantom almost laughs. Such a small favor, such a silly thing to ask for a practical god of the underworld. He lets his mouth tilt into a grin, "So the answer is desperate, huh. I do not accept." With an easy motion, Phantom removes the proposal from his skin and with it the binding of the summoning.

Damian seems to lose the composure he's kept such good control of, a deep glare on his face and a growl splitting his lips. Before he can get too angry, Phantom speaks again, "I will help Lady Gotham without the need of your sacrifice. She is one of mine and has claimed you, Little Prince, which makes you mine as well. Now, what am I fighting?"

[sonicmarinermay]

A New Adventure Awaits!🏴‍☠️

[marchofpain]

Here are your official 2025 prompts lists for March of Pain 2025!!

The only hard rule is to have fun!

If you share your work(s) to Tumblr, please use the hashtag #marchofpain2025

If you share your work(s) to AO3, please tag it with "March of Pain 2025". Additionally, there is a collection you can add your works to, which can be found here: March of Pain 2025 | Archive of Our Own

There is no real deadline and the AO3 collection will remain open indefinitely but obviously the main target is March 2025 (so in like half a month)

If you have any questions, there's an Ask Box on this page

Here's a text copy of the prompts list:

Cough

Injury

Overstimulated

Self-Hatred

Fear

Insomnia

Drown

Scream

Bite

Tears

Hallucination

Withdrawal

Grief

Non-consensual

Headache

Sacrifice

Self-Injury

Torture

Fall

Migraine

Neglect

Wound

Cage

Knife

Expendable

Infection

Disability

Anger

Burn

Suicide

Deprived

Alt Prompts

Medical

Memory

Trapped

Attempt

Side Effects

[thepromptfoundry]

Here they come, it's the March of the Blorbos here at the Prompt Foundry!

We all have our favorite characters and character archetypes, so let's celebrate, share, and play with them!

Bring out your poor little meow meows and babygirls, feral children and human weapons, whether they're blorbo from your shows or blorbo from your brain, show your love for the characters that live rent free in your head with fic, art, analysis, cosplay or whatever form your creativity takes.

Feel free to combine different days’ prompts with each other, or combine them with other events.

If you use this list, please tag me here @thepromptfoundry, I’d love to see your writing and art!

Respond to as many prompts as you want or as interest you, don’t worry about missing or skipping any. Remember, this is supposed to be fun!

If you have any questions or musings, check our FAQ, and if you don’t find your answer, shoot me an ask.

Plain text list below the cut:

1 Poor Little Meow Meow 2 Old Master 3 Pure Evil Parent 4 Chosen One 5 Kickass Cutie 6 Atoner 7 God’s Favorite Punching Bag 8 Feral Child 9 Gender Enigma 10 Ridiculously Competent Human Swiss Army Knife 11 Puppetmaster 12 Black Widow 13 Exhausted Immortal 14 Mad Scientist 15 Murderer With Manners 16 Supergenius 17 Guy Who Knows a Guy 18 Brilliant Bombshell 19 Guy With the Plan 20 Gentle Giant 21 Heart of the Team 22 Animal Sidekick 23 Slut (affectionate) 24 Tech Whiz 25 Most Repressed Person You Will Ever Meet 26 Human Golden Retriever 27 Grump With a Heart of Gold 28 Human Weapon 29 Everybody’s Big (or Little) Sibling 30 Highly Relatable Inhuman 31 Babygirl

[monthlywritingchallenges]

🌼 MatchingMarch

March is all about connections—friendships, rivalries, soulmates, and unexpected bonds. Whether it's about finding the perfect match, clashing personalities, or relationships put to the test, these prompts are here to inspire you!

🌼 Prompts

1️⃣ An Unlikely Duo

2️⃣ First Impressions

3️⃣ A Bond Tested

4️⃣ Love or Duty?

5️⃣ Opposites Attract

6️⃣ A Rival Becomes a Friend

7️⃣ A Promise Kept

8️⃣ The Perfect Partner (or Not)

9️⃣ A Connection Across Time

🔟 Meeting Again After Years

1️⃣1���⃣ Found Family

1️⃣2️⃣ The One That Got Away

1️⃣3️⃣ A Pact Made in Secret

1️⃣4️⃣ Fake Relationship Gone Wrong (or Right)

1️⃣5️⃣ A Matchmaker’s Mistake

1️⃣6️⃣ The Moment It Changed

1️⃣7️⃣ From Enemies to Something More

1️⃣8️⃣ A Friendship Lost & Found

1️⃣9️⃣ A Partner in Crime

2️⃣0️⃣ Written in the Stars

2️⃣1️⃣ Love at First Sight—Or Not

2️⃣2️⃣ A Forbidden Connection

2️⃣3️⃣ Two Souls, One Heart

2️⃣4️⃣ A Dance with Destiny

2️⃣5️⃣ Reunited in Unexpected Circumstances

2️⃣6️⃣ The One You Never Noticed

2️⃣7️⃣ A Competition That Changes Everything

2️⃣8️⃣ When Words Aren’t Enough

2️⃣9️⃣ A Letter Never Sent

3️⃣0️⃣ A Goodbye That Feels Like a Beginning

3️⃣1️⃣ The Perfect Match

🌼 How to Join:

🧡 Write a piece inspired by any prompt—daily, weekly, or at your own pace.

🧡 Share your work and tag it with #MatchingMarch and @monthlywritingchallenges

Explore other entries and celebrate the power of connection! Have fun writers!

[squidlykitten]

Everyone ready for a fresh month of challenges?

This prompt list was created for the RP Garden's monthly art and writing challenge, and was inspired by @jilymicrofics 's 2024 Moody March! I thought I would share it here as well, just in case someone else feels like using it. And also because putting this together was a lot more work than you might expect.

Spotify playlist of the songs can be found here! There's no real rules. Feel free to make art or writing or whatever your heart desires! If you make stuff, please do tag me or use the hashtag #MoodyMarch2025 . I'm nosey and I wanna see. :> Happy March, ya'll! Text version of the prompts is below the cut.

The Prompts

1. Brave Burning Heart | Outside of Self | A Rising Power Through the pale moonlight, our hearts ignite to the call / Oh claim your price for a crown of stars / In the name of love be the sacrifice / You and I will stand and fight, our backs to the wall Hero - Elizaveta

2. Focused Duty Bound | The End Justifies the Means | Target It’s set in motion/ The legends spoken/ This is my moment/ Can’t break my focus/ Know where I’m going/ This is my moment Conquer - Magnus & Neoni

3. Panic Frantic | Crumble | Abject Horror Your lips are moving but I can't make out a single word/ I'm shaking like a leaf/ Hope the gods that you can't see/ Clawing at my chest cause I can't breathe/ Now I got scars that never bleed PANIC ATTACK - PEGGY

4. Uneasy Discomfort | Judgement | Suspect I feel a rush on me/ Come get these cuffs off me / Come get me out of my head/ And I'm stuck inside of what I see / These walls are blinding me/ Makes me crazy, I'm feeling uneasy Uneasy - Rita Ora

5. Contented Sunlight Filtering through a Window | Fulfilled | Serenity Loosen up on the grind/ Simmer down/ Settle back and mess around/ Be the cat in the sun Be the Cat - Kylie Dailey

6. Nostalgic Dreamy Thoughts | Faded Memories | Displaced Self Everything stays right where you left it / Everything stays but it still changes / Ever so slightly / daily and nightly / in little ways / everything stays Everything Stays - Bentelou

7. Joyful Mirth | Festivities | After Rain Comes Sunshine It don't matter if it's raining/ Nothing can phase me/ I make my own sunshine/ And if you think you can break me/ Baby you're crazy I Make My Own Sunshine - Alyssa Bonagura

8. Surprised Overcome Adversity | Skepticism | Doubt I know you hate it when you know I could be anywhere/ So complicated, when you try so hard not to be scared/ I’ll be hiding under your bed or behind the bathroom door/ It’s so fun to watch you freak out. Ha ha, scared you! Sneak Attack - The Aquabats!

9. Disgusted Depraved | Decay | Disappointment I almost settled for you/ Thank God you do what you do / And now your colours are true/ Took me a while, but I grew/ I’m so disgusted with you Disgusted - Song House & Wé Ani

10. Calm Untouchable | Tranquil | Water Darling, you gotta keep breathing/ Lose yourself in the feeling/ Just be slow(x2) / Take it back to that moment/ Before you start to feel broken/ Just be slow (x2) Be Slow - Harrison Storm

11. Amazed Reverence | Devotion | Striking No masters or kings when the ritual begins/ There is no sweeter innocence than our gentle sin/ In the madness and soil of that sad earthly scene/ Only then, I am human, only then, I am clean Take Me to Church - Hozier

12. Furious Burning Face | Tense Muscles | Blood Pumping Punch your lights out / Hit the pavement / That's what I call entertainment Lights Out - Mindless Self Indulgence

13. Proud Overcome | Earnest | Achievement So as you go please know on your way / as you explore and as you learn and as you play / I hope it shows how much it is true/ that I'm so proud of you Proud of You - Five Times August

14. Heartbroken Chest Pain | Heavy Body | Cold Mind Tell me how to say goodbye/ Peel away the shame so I / Can tear apart my ribs to shed the dark Tell Me How to Say Goodbye - Red

15. Loving Together | Care | Faith I find it hard to believe you don't know/ The beauty you are/ But if you don't, let me be your eyes/ A hand to your darkness so you won't be afraid I'll Be Your Mirror - Courtney Barnett (Velvet Underground cover)

16. Anxious Shortness of Breath | Shaking Hands | Nausea I get overwhelmed / so easily / my anxiety / creeps inside of me / makes it hard to breathe / whats come over me/ feels like I'm somebody else overwhelmed - Royal & the Serpent

17. Admiration Mesmerized | Wonders of the World | Idol Well I see skies of blue and I see clouds of white/ And the brightness of day highlight the dark/ And I think to myself what a wonderful world What a Wonderful World - Israel Kamakawiwoʻole

18. Bored Finnicky | Dull | Repetition A heart that's full up like a landfill/ A job that slowly kills you/ Bruises that won't heal No Surprises - Radiohead

19. Amused Wrinkles around the Eyes | Spry steps | Cheerful Heartbeats synched as one / endless summer fun / we are never done / underneath the sun Laughing with my Friends - Patranesia

20. Excited Promises fulfilled | Energetic | Eager I'm a shootin' star, leapin' through the sky like a tiger/ Defyin' the laws of gravity/ I'm a racin' car, passin' by like Lady Godiva/ I'm gonna go, go, go, there's no stoppin' me! Don't Stop Me Now - Queen

21. Embarrassed Accident | Secrets Unveiled | Unrequited Stranger, that's all I see/ When I look into your eyes/ A soulmate who wasn't meant to be A Soulmate Who Wasn't Meant to Be - Jess Benko

22. Desperate Voice Breaking | Pleading | One Last Chance There's a time to pray / and there's a time to fight / Anything can be a weapon if you're holding it right / Defend what is yours / They will not take our souls / It's time now to rise / and FIGHT! Save Our City - Ludo

23. Grieving Change | Not Anymore | It mattered A single thought, a singular touch of grace/ Then following this single point, this single flame/ This single haunted memory of your face A Thousand Years - Sting

24. Playful Melody | Humor | Refreshed No need for morning coffee/ When you've cereal and cartoons / Let's skip the work and deadlines / And ride our bikes till noon Don't Grow Up, It's A Trap - Denny Haze

25. At Peace Forgiveness | Final Words | Idyllic And I found peace in the desert/ I found peace in raging waves/ And I found peace in the valley/ found peace in what you said Peace - Anna Golden

26. Stressed Tension | Choice | Urgent I'm addicted to stress/ That's the way that I get things done/ If I'm not under pressure then I sleep too long/ And I hang around like a bum/ And I think I'm going nowhere and that makes me nervous/ Everybody's out to get me, but I feel alright/ Everybody's thinking about me Stress - Jim's Big Ego

27. Terrified Voiceless | Harrow | Abandoned I've swallowed all my pride/ 'Cause I can't get this right/ There's nothing left to hide/ And I know deep inside/ I'm terrified Terrified - Versus Me

28. Compassionate Helping Hand | Kind Words | Unexpected Ally This is not just a pile of stones, okay?/ We are building a castle together/ And we are gonna to build it brick by heavy fucking brick / And I'm going to be here with you, every moment / Talking you through it GOOD MORNING SUNSHINE - The Narcissist Cookbook

29. Lost Lifeless | Wanderer | Point of No Return Because the thing about things/ Is that they can start meaning things nobody actually said/ And if you're not allowed to love people alive/ Then you learn how to love people dead The Thing About Things - Amanda Palmer

30. Insulted Vexing | Sticks and Stones | Pride There ya go, just spit in my face/ Keep my name in your mouth, how bad does it taste?/ Why do you sit there and belittle me?/ When you choke on your own animosity Disappoint Me - Left to Suffer

31. Fulfilled Grounded | Lightness of Self | Satisfaction You only live once / I'm good with myself / I'm there for my friends / to the very end I'm Good - The Mowglis

[unmondefou]

This is neither a poem nor prose, but a direct letter instead. Julian, years have passed and days are still passing, and yet your memories come and go, sometimes clear as crystal, sometimes like fleeting shadows. But the longing between these two has grown until it has created within me a lake whose bottom a thirsty land that cannot be quenched or filled with tears.

I miss you as a clear night sky misses its stars.

--- h.harouche

@nosebleedclub 29. A name beginning with the letter "J."

[nosebleedclub]

March Prompts

1. Blossoming hope

2. Righteousness

3. Misguided

4. But-

5. Drive up the hill

6. Injured fawn

7. Persnickety

8. The boy who was always there

9. Day after your birthday

10. Viscera

11. Rumored lover

12. Tribute

13. College academic advisor

14. When we drove through the rain

15. Detente

16. Mentor

17. Baby powder

18. Owlet

19. Latte

20. Various theories

21. Clamber

22. Court case

23. Parasitic plant

24. Old shoes

25. DNA

26. Before us

27. Intensive care unit

28. Nun

29. Auto shop

30. Warm days with you

31. Chirp

[ckbookish]

Batman and Nightwing Bingo?

Why not. Let the games begin...

[kichiquax-draws]

March to Camelot 1 “Hunt” for @mortiscausa’s Arthurian challenge: Sir Accolon on his way to hunt down King Arthur with his own blade

[tessa-liam]

Betrothed - Chapter 19

Marabelle Series

Choices – The Royal Romance, Book 3, AU – (cross-over with Rules of Engagement)  

Series Premise – An American teenager from New York City is introduced to the world of a small European country and its society of royalty, nobility, and commoners. How will her life story be transformed? Will this new adventure bring her happiness...or regret?  

Marabelle Series Masterlist, My Complete Masterlist  

Main Pairing – Crown Prince Liam Rys x F! OC Lady Sophia (Sophie) Taylor  

Other Pairings – Maxwell Beaumont x M! OC Daniel Drake Walker x F! OC Melanie/Riley Brooks                

Series Rating – M*🔞Warnings: this series will have NSFW material, drinking, crude language & innuendo, gun violence 

Category – Alternate universe/on-going series/angst/fluff/cross-over with Choices Rules of Engagement with sprinkles of Canon 

Chapter Summary – Arriving home, after celebrating her engagement with Liam, Sophie discovers the duplicity and treachery of her Uncle Barthelemy when visiting her home in Ramsford.

Music Inspiration: I Don’t Wanna Wait, David Guetta, OneRepublic  

Words: 4.5k 

A/N1: Bethany Beaumont, Maxwell’s mother, is originally from the U.S. and is Barthelemy Beaumont’s second wife. Annabelle Beaumont (deceased) is Bertrand’s mother.  

A/N2: ‘Social Season’ in this AU series refers to a traditional period in the spring/summer for royalty and members of the court to take part in Balls, dinner parties and charity events.  

A/N3: Heartfelt thanks to @Selina012 for joining me in writing ideas and with dialogue/content for this chapter and series. 

A/N4: Thank you @selina012 for pre-reading 

A/N5: My submission for: March Prompt Challenge, Prompt 8: Health condition @nosebleedclub 

A/N6: My submissions for: Monthly Writing Challenge, Prompt 4: Love or Duty; Prompt 13: A Pact made in secret 

The Royal Yacht 

It felt likely sometime after 6 A.M. The sweet, warm, Mediterranean air ...the sunlight streaming through the front windows, and the sensation of the weight on her body gradually brought Sophie out of her restful state.  

The gentle sway of the yacht rocked Sophie as she lay there, her eyes fluttering open to the soft hues of dawn. She instinctively tightened her grip on the blanket, allowing herself a few more precious moments in the cocoon of warmth she shared with Liam. She could hear the faint lapping of waves against the hull, a steady rhythm that seemed to mirror her own heartbeat. 

As her senses sharpened, she felt the strands of Liam’s hair tickling her neck and the tender pressure of his arm around her waist. The scent of the sea mingled with the faint remnants of his cologne, created an intoxicating blend that made her heart swell with longing. 

Turning her head slightly, she caught a glimpse of his serene face, still lost in the tranquility of sleep. There was a vulnerability to him; such a contrast to the regal and poised demeanor he showcased to the world. In this moment, Sophie felt an overwhelming bond with him—a shared intimacy that transcended titles and duties. 

She let her eyes roam the luxurious cabin, its opulence softened by the early morning light, and she thought of the journey ahead. Each intricate detail of the room reminded her of the life she was stepping into, a life filled with both privilege and responsibility. Sophie’s resolve strengthened as she imagined the future, a future where she would stand beside Liam, not just as his queen, but as his equal and partner. 

With a deep breath, she steeled herself for the day ahead, her heart brimming with the promise of love and the weight of impending duty. Groggily, she felt his arm draped across her side and the brush of fingertips on her breast. She gave an exhausted laugh, both because they had likely been entwined like that for hours, but because the words, 'good morning,' ran through her thoughts.  But reality beckoned, and the responsibilities that came with becoming a Duchess loomed over her thoughts. She knew that soon, the quiet mornings would be filled with duties and obligations. Sophie was determined to make Liam proud of her; to prove her abilities and leadership.  

Love and duty will intertwine. 

A secret pact will always be forever cherished between them, a promise that their love would remain untainted by the burdens of their titles.  

The gentle rocking of the yacht lulled her back into a drowsy state, cradled by the luxurious comfort of their shared bed. Her mind wandered to the events of the previous night, where the stars had witnessed Liam's heartfelt proposal, and their passionate embrace had sealed their commitment. Even now, with the first light of dawn filtering through the blinds, the memory of his earnest words and loving gaze made her heart flutter. The anticipation of their future together, filled with love and shared endeavors, made her feel indescribably happy. Despite the impending duties and the grandeur of their new roles, Sophie felt a deep sense of reassurance in Liam's presence, knowing that they would face everything together. As she lay there, soaking in the remnants of their intimacy, she found herself smiling at the thought of the life awaiting them in Cordonia. 

 After another half hour or so, she felt Liam gently pull his arm away, and then the press of his lips on her shoulder, silently told her that he had to get out of bed. She could feel the faint traces of regret in her at the lack of his skin, his scent, and the warmth he seemed to generate like the sun itself as her tired eyes roamed to her fiancé as he made for the bathroom. 

She curled in on the spot he had occupied a moment before, hearing the water switch on. She savored the lingering scent of his cologne mixed with the salty air of the sea, her fingers tracing the path his body had warmed on the bed. The gentle hum of the yacht’s engines served as a backdrop to her thoughts, each vibration reminding her of the adventure that lay ahead. Sophie felt a sense of yearning as she recalled the intensity of their connection, the unspoken promises that had passed between them in whispers and caresses. Her heart swelled with love and anticipation, knowing that every challenge and triumph would be met together. As the water in the bathroom continued to run, she felt a growing desire to be close to him once more, to feel his skin against hers, and to steal just a bit more time before the world demanded his attention. He would be wet and slippery, so irresistible, and warm enough to almost burn. 

Biting down on the edge of her lower lip, the spark that was waking her from her sleepy state told her she had no intentions of staying put. She didn't waste time in waiting, sitting on the edge of the bed as her eyes set themselves on the door, unblinking, a mischievous smile on her lips. Sophie shifted to stand, at once feeling the soreness between her legs; a reminder of their intimacy after his proposal the night before when Sophie willingly gave her virginity to the man she truly loved.  

Sophie slipped her arms into her silk robe as Liam came walking back out, his torso wrapped in a white towel.  

Liam's presence was magnetic, drawing Sophie’s attention across the room with an eagerness that belied her earlier tranquility. The air between them crackled with unspoken desire, each step bringing her closer to the man who had effortlessly claimed her heart and body. She moved with a grace that was almost feline. The sight of his lean and muscular physique, sculpted as a Greek God, captivated her senses. As their eyes met, the playful tease in Liam's words lit a fire within her. 

"You seem to like what you see," he murmured, his European accent adding a tantalizing edge to his voice. Her gaze roved over his newly shaven face, the strong lines of his neck and shoulders, the perfection of his torso. She undid her robe with deliberate slowness, revealing the soft curve of her thigh first, luring his attention.  

"My queen, come, and shower with me?" he invited, his voice a low growl of need ... using his deep, baritone voice she craved.  

"My king," Sophie replied coyly, tugging at the front of her silk robe before it gave and fell, her breasts bouncing lightly as the material slid down. Her smirk returned and her heart skipped a beat as Liam did nothing to resist her allure.  

 Liam let his fingers tangle themselves in her silken dark chocolate strands, coaxing her head up to then taste her lips. Feeling the jolt run through him with the sensation of her fingertips travelling down the ridges of his back; to caress his tight, rounded glutes. Liam groaned as Sophie wrapped her legs around his waist, as he hoisted her up, and walked them to the bathroom, closing the door behind them with his foot. 

Dukedom of Ramsford/House Beaumont 

The warm breeze whipped through the open window as the SUV drove down the paved drive, the late spring foliage whipping by in a flurry of greens and blues. Sophie gazed out at the verdant countryside, her thoughts wandering back to the night before. 

All too soon, the capital was fading in the distance, and as Sophie, along with her personal guard, Mara and driver drove down the empty roads, memories of the past several months started to drift into her mind. Everything that had led up to this point.  

There was still so much more ahead. A lifetime of happiness, adventures, challenges... Sophie reached her left hand up and watched the gleaming diamond’s facets. Everything was in place, yet there was one more piece of the puzzle left. One last place that beckoned her, promised its unconditional love and welcome. 

After Liam had announced their engagement to the nobles of Cordonia, the gossip and speculation had run rampant. To Sophie's surprise, she had quickly become an unofficial member of the royal family, her life splashed across tabloids and websites throughout the day. The nobility had shown support, and the public outpouring of support had astounded her. For many citizens, Liam and Sophie's engagement symbolized the promise of a new beginning. A promise of a peaceful, prosperous future. 

Even though their engagement aboard the Royal yacht was an instantaneous thing, every move they made after that was well thought-through, organized and presented in a way that is best for them and for Cordonia. No spontaneity was allowed, no surprise appearance and announcement as of now, while the wedding had to be official and handled with proper respect. They hadn't been able to truly enjoy the first weeks of their engagement; everything has been put aside to keep their family happy and Liam to step up the throne. They needed to be available to all corners of the nation to shake hands and answer questions. There was always an interview, an engagement, an inauguration or a press conference to attend and Liam had been rather busy with all that. 

Sophie had asked herself repeatedly, what does becoming a Duchess entail? Or, in her case, the Queen of Cordonia. At first, the thought of becoming royal was overwhelming and Liam’s advisors quickly began an array of crash courses on international affairs, while Queen Regina advised on royal traditions. Most days, it felt as if her brain might explode, she had so much crammed into her memory. She was grateful to have people to talk to and practice with, to ensure that everything was right. She wanted Liam to feel confident that he had chosen well. Having a personal staff was something she never thought she would have or need ... and now, quickly became the norm; an essential part of being Royal. 

And despite all this, she could not bring herself to feel anxious about anything. Today she had one errand left. She reached a familiar brick road that curved off from the main thoroughfare, heading straight toward a cluster of vineyards just visible in the distance. A smile grew across Sophie's face as the SUV drew near, bouncing along the uneven path. She turned down a grassy trail and watched the trees flash by, feeling that familiar sense of anticipation well inside her. 

Not much longer. 

Up ahead, the road curved toward an overgrown house, a mass of bricks and foliage intertwining before her.  

House Beaumont 

As the SUV parked at the base of the front steps, Sophie hopped out. For a moment, she took her time, drinking in the familiar sight of her home, the scent of freshly mown grass   and the sound of wind chimes in the distance. 

It was funny to think, when she first set foot in her family home in Cordonia, that she never would have imagined things would transform like this.  

Back when she lived in New York with her mom, she had never envisioned such an important life change was coming. If it weren't for the letter her mother wrote to her sister, Bethany shortly before she passed. The letter that told of the heartbreaking story of her mother’s battle with cancer and devastating prognosis.  

Would she be here today? 

Would Liam be in her arms with his ring around her finger? 

Looking out at the sprawl of the estate and up to the large bay windows of her bedroom, she couldn't help but think about how lucky she was. Cordonia may not have turned out quite the way that anyone would have predicted, but the seeds planted here have flourished and brought her to exactly the place she needed to be. Exactly to the man she was meant to meet. 

Inside the car, the buzzing of her phone alerted her to the time, and Sophie reached over the console to grab her cell. Glancing at the caller ID, she chuckled. 

"Is this about Liam's meeting starting?" she spoke, pulling herself away from her reminiscing. "Did it already start without him? What's up?" 

"Er," Maxwell panted on the other side of the line, the noises of rushing crowds in the background, the whine of his microphone carrying on the wind. "I can explain all this!" 

"Explain what? Where are you?" 

"At the palace," he shouted. There was a dull roaring sound, a squeal and then the loud pop of confetti canons. "The reporters are being seated and everyone is... settling down for the press conference." 

"Oh," she said with some satisfaction, looking around her estate and staring back at the winding road leading towards the city. "I'm just wrapping up the last bit here so I can come back and celebrate Liam’s coronation with you." 

"Can you wrap... faster?" Maxwell gasped, like he was running from an invisible foe, a horn honk blaring in the background as Maxwell let out a muffled yell. "Actually, forget that—take your time and I'll see you back at the palace?" 

Sophie couldn't suppress her laughter. "You'll be fine. Maxwell? I think Hana said your jacket was already at the stage, go change—" 

"Right. I'm on my way. But," he said hesitantly, before lowering his voice, "Liam says to hurry up." 

"I'll be done soon, I promise." 

Hanging up the phone, Sophie moved away from the SUV and walked to the front steps, jogging up the stairs and opening the door. She hadn't visited home since before summer started. So much had happened since, and she wondered if Bethany was busy and out tending to the grounds or if she was sitting inside the living room reading a book like she usually was. It was strange to think the last time she was here she was before the graduation. 

Taking the winding halls and stairs with Mara behind her, she walked toward the back of the estate. Suddenly, a muffled but distinct noise filled the silence; the voice of her aunt and Uncle Barthelemy shouting incoherently to one another. Not wanting to witness or interrupt a possible quarrel, Sophie quietly slipped off to the kitchen where she hoped the sound of her luggage rolling over a bump in the floor wouldn't interrupt.

After hearing a door slam the sound of both voices halted, silenced. Footsteps approached as her uncle strode out of his office door. 

"Excuse my rudeness," he said, not sounding the least apologetic, but still stopping, realizing that she was there. "Bethany," he called over his shoulder as he glanced back, not acknowledging her aunt who had followed out after him and cleared his throat. "Sophia," he greeted with a terse, somewhat formal nod. "Your sudden visit isn't... unappreciated." 

His gaze narrowed, looking past her shoulder at Mara. "If the last several weeks have taught you anything," he drawled, "it should be to think very carefully before doing or saying... certain things to the Royal family." 

His rigid posture spoke volumes to his level of impatience. 

Sophie sighed and turned toward her aunt. Bethany stayed silent and fixed on a spot of the wall beside her, chewing anxiously on a hangnail, a habit Sophie only saw her adopt during her nervousness.  

Bethany finally gave in and met her eyes, the grey streaks at the top of her hair and her reddish-purple attire complimenting her. "Oh, Sophie. You're... just in time. There's plenty of time before you're due at the coronation. Do you... want some tea? I just made a pot..." 

"Beth," her uncle tried to reason, running his hands over his wrinkles as Bethany moved forward. "Don't humor her." 

She looked pointedly at him, pursing her lips. 

"There's a matter we still haven't settled. What will we do?" 

Bethany blew out an exasperated sigh, whipping around to face Barthelemy, jabbing a finger towards him as she enunciated each syllable. 

"Why are you like this! Can't I enjoy this one good thing in this house while it lasts and make a cup of tea?!" She balled her hand in a fist and looked up. "Tea, please." 

With the boiling kettle as a sign to move, he pushed open the doors to his office and closed himself within its privacy, ending any hopes that Sophie had of picking up some extra details. Bethany filled up the cups, her motions mechanical. She handed one to Sophie, and they sat down to wait for the liquid inside to cool. 

At that moment, Sophie realized that there was no waitstaff in House Beaumont. Is that part of the mystery too? Did Uncle Barthelemy want to save on paychecks or something, she wondered idly, remembering a story from a book about someone hiding wealth by living simply... that was a bizarre thought. 

Barthelemy strode out of his office, adjusting his cufflinks and muttering under his breath as his icy gaze fell on Bethany, his countenance far less severe than when his discussion with her began. Bethany set the silver strainer on a clean cup and held it up in offering; her uncle shook his head, declining as he spoke. "We shouldn't keep Sophie waiting. We will finish this later." 

Bethany raised the kettle, her expression stubborn. "Your health." 

Barthelemy drank dutifully before walking over to where Sophie had set her tea down and cleared his throat, his hard countenance looking over the rim of his spectacles. He set his cup and saucer down carefully before motioning for her to begin her news. Sophie fiddled with her ring and grinned up at him, her thoughts returning to their past interactions. 

"Uncle Barthelemy ...Auntie Bethany.” 

Barthelemy's stern demeanor softened as he awaited Sophie's news. The room was charged with tension as Sophie met his gaze, hesitating before sharing her significant announcement. Her uncle's expression mixed curiosity and concern, while Aunt Bethany's excitement was clear. With a deep breath and a pounding heart, Sophie whispered, "I am a duchess." 

They both looked shocked and slowly it was dawning on Bethany what this meant. Her eyes brimmed with tears and a hand came to cover her mouth in utter surprise, not believing her ears. 

"Sophie," her aunt breathed out slowly as if she came back from a trance. 

Sophie swallowed, waiting for her uncle to interject. They were still waiting on him for confirmation or congratulations, but Barthelemy kept staring at Sophie silently with a firm expression. 

"Oh, that's lovely, dear! 

Barthelemy remained motionless, his gaze unwavering as it rested upon Sophie, the weight of his scrutiny felt by all in the room. Bethany's breath hitched, her heart pounding loudly in her chest. The air was thick with anticipation, a collective holding of breath as emotions surged and mingled. Finally, Barthelemy's stern expression softened slightly, and he nodded, an unspoken acknowledgment that left no room for doubt. 

"Not the queen yet," Sophie offered, waiting for the inevitable questions. 

Aunt Bethany covered her cheeks with her palms and grinned in absolute bewilderment. "It feels as though just yesterday I was welcoming you in Cordonia and now," she pressed a hand to Sophie's heart, "your heart is marrying the King." 

"So," her uncle began sardonically. There was a strained pause. "Are we expected to curtsey when we meet you, Your Highness?" 

"I hope you will treat me in the same manner you always have, I am your niece," Sophie answered easily, rising her cup, ignoring the ice in his voice. 

"Now isn't that rich," he remarked, raising his eyebrows at her, crossing his arms. "A few months of pampering and a fancy ball or two, and all of a sudden you forget who took you in." 

Sophie took a breath in preparation to fight back before Barthelemy clipped in again, cutting her off. 

"No," he held up his hand and paused, "Your marriage to the king will be beneficial to this house. With that I am pleased, and I also want to give my congratulations. I should give you fair warning though. Cordonia has not been without her share of infighting. Ever since the monarchial system was first conceived the royals of Cordonia have played a balancing act between competing interests in order to hold the power to rule." 

"So, what you are saying?" 

"Power comes with responsibility," her uncle reminded her with an insincere smirk and a single nod, pushing his glasses back up his nose. "I wish you well, your highness." 

The corners of his mouth lifted to a slight grimace. It was something. 

"That will be all." 

"Well," Aunt Bethany stepped forward, smiling fondly and extended an arm to her in greeting. 

Sophie looked down at her left hand, fingering the warm gold on her finger. 

"I love him so much," she looked up at her aunt's flushed cheeks and radiant eyes.

'She'd been drinking, Sophie could tell, the strong wine smell was mixed with something sharp on her breath.'

"Congratulations," Bethany threw her arms wide, but her embrace seemed hollow as it lacked enthusiasm. Sophie stood with her arms glued to her sides. 

Sophie caught Barthelemy roll his eyes and run his fingers through the little remaining hair he had before the door closed in her face, leaving them alone in the room. Sophie took a deep breath as Bethany sank back into the bench and buried her face into her hands. 

"Are you alright, Aunt Bethany?" Sophie questioned her as she slumped over and laid her cheek flat on the counter. She shrugged indifferently as a beeping sound interrupted the tranquility. "Just like that... it's been so quick." 

Sophie returned to her room at Beaumont Estate when the lunch was over. Feeling a little tired, she decided to take a break before packing up the remaining personal items into her luggage. She sank down gently and laid down on the soft bed and closed her eyes, trying to calm her thoughts. However, just as she was about to fall asleep, a faint sound of conversation crept through the wall and unexpectedly into her ears. 

The voice was low and vague, and seemed to come from the next room. Sophie perked her ears curiously, trying to make out what was being said. By and by she realized that they were Aunt Bethany's and Uncle Barthelemy's voices, and they seemed to be speaking not in a calm tone, but with a hint of suppressed anger. 

Sophie's heart was racing, and she leaned her ear against the wall, trying to hear better. Sure enough, the sound of the conversation soon became clear, but the content shocked her. 

"How can you play favorites like that!" Bethany's voice was full of anger and disappointment, "Bertrand is your elder son and the heir of Ramsford, and you openly support him ...I have nothing to say about that. But what about Maxwell? He's our child too! You're like a stranger to him, and you've always been a terrible father and husband for years!" 

Barthelemy's voice was cold and dismissive: "Maxwell? He's just a spare son, eating his head off and doing nothing. It's a disgrace that the Beaumont family has a son like that! ' 

"You... How can you say that about him!" Bethany's voice trembled with grief. "Maxwell is your son! Are you worthy of me by being so cold to him? Is it worthy of all these years of our marriage?!" 

Barthelemy's voice was even grimmer: "Marriage? Well, it was just a trade. How much good do you think your family can do me? Now Bertrand is old enough to need you out of the family business. As for Maxwell, he's nothing!" 

"Shame on you!" Bethany roared, "I will no longer tolerate your duplicity with me and my family! I'm gonna tell everyone the real reason you've been in a nursing home so long! I'll show them your true face!" 

This sentence is like a bomb, that instantly brought the temperature in the room to a boiling point. 

"Don't you dare!" Barthelemy's voice went up an octave and threatened viciously, "Don't forget who you are, Bethany. If you dare to tell anyone, I will make your and Maxwell's life a living hell!" 

Then there was a violent quarrel, mingled with slamming doors and heavy footsteps. Soon a muffled cry faded away. Clearly, it was that Aunt Bethany had left the room. 

Sophie's heart sank, deeply shocked and disturbed by the actions of her uncle, Barthelemy, and even more saddened for her aunt. Her heart felt like a big stone, and she couldn't breathe. But she also knew that it wasn't a good idea to ask Bethany directly, since she was on the verge of an emotional breakdown after such a furious fight. 

Sophie sat up, took a deep breath, and tried to calm herself. She picked up her phone, hesitated, and then sent Maxwell a message:

"Max, do you have a minute? I have something to tell you. See you in the garden?" 

Soon after, the phone vibrated and Maxwell replied,

"Sure, I'll be there. Let me know when you are back at the palace." 

Sophie put down her phone, stood up, arranged her clothes, and slowly walked out of the room to the SUV downstairs. She was full of doubts and worries, not knowing what was in store for her, but she knew she had to face it. 

☆☆☆

@choicesficwriterscreations

@monthlywritingchallenge

@nosebleedclub

Using my new tag list ...please let me know if you would like to be added or removed.

Perma-tag: @beau1811 @bascmve01 @twinkleallnight @dutifullynuttywitch @lovingchoices14 @alj4890 @busywoman @bardic-tales @kingliam2019 @malblk21 @selina012 @differenttyphoonwerewolf

Liam x Sophie: @snoopdogcone @jared2612

[marchofpain]

Above is the first official March of Pain prompts list and some alternatives. All of those will also be typed out at the bottom of this post for accessibility.

March of Pain is similar to things like Whumptober, Comfortember, and Hurtcember: That is to say it's a list of hurt/comfort and whump-oriented prompts for writers, artists, etc. to fill throughout the month of March.

RULES

1. You can write/draw for any fandom or pairing

2. You can write/draw SFW or NSFW content, just label it accordingly

3. Please tag any Tumblr posts sharing your prompt fills with #marchofpain2024 so that we can find and repost them

4. If you post your works to AO3, please add them to this collection and add "March of Pain" and/or "March of Pain 2024" to the additional tags of your prompt fill(s)

5. The challenge officially starts on March 1st but feel free to write/draw before then and/or submit things after the month ends officially, whatever works best for you

6. Be kind to other participants

7. You DO NOT have to do every single prompt if you don't want to. The point is to have fun and spark creativity, not to feel like you're doing a chore

PROMPTS LIST

1. Depression

2. Apologies

3. Screaming

4. Self-Inflicted

5. Anxiety

6. Career-Ending Injury

7. Bankruptcy

8. Broken

9. Vomiting

10. Flashback

11. Sick

12. Tics

13. Nerve Damage

14. Dissociation

15. Abuse

16. Burden

17. Work Injury

18. Miserable

19. Heavy

20. Addiction

21. Unlovable

22. Pain

23. Cut

24. Stomach Bug

25. Meltdown

26. Worthless

27. Food

28. Burn

29. Scars

30. Crying

31. Shutdown

ALT PROMPTS

1. "I'm sorry"

2. "I love you"

3. "Please"

4. "Help me"

5. "I'll be better"

Yes, this is by the same event runner as the @hurtcember challenge, so if you did that challenge and noticed any similarities, that is why.

[krii-bolts]

DAY 23 === HUMAN

HUMAN! Day 23 prompt

Tessa! Think I found a better-ish style on drawing humans for MD / human anatomy in general

DAY 23 OVER! Prompt page below

[marchwhumpness]

March Whumpness 2025 Poll!

Go to the link to vote! Voting will be closed Monday, Feb.4th, at 3:30 PM EST. I know this is a short turnaround, but I want to get prompts posted asap to give people time to write!

[2024-grimoire-challenge]

March Week 2 - Spell and Ritual Outline

So this week's prompts sort of all ride alongside one another and go toward one common theme. How to outline and create spells and rituals. It will all focus on the who, what, when, where and how, more or less, which is a pretty good model for anything.

Monday- Basic Outline

New Page/ Lab Notebook - So for this whole ordeal this week, we're going to work mostly in our lab notebook and do some internal thinking, and research. It will be mostly one page each for spell making and ritual making for the entire week, or pages depending on how detailed you want to go. So to start out, make one page for each or add them to the pages you used to define what a spell and a ritual are.

So what are the who, what, when, where, and why of spells and rituals, to you? Make a list of these on a sheet of paper and fill them in with what you feel these things are. You can even do these on the pages you've already made. We'll expand on them as the week goes on.

Research/ new page - herbal research. Pick another herb from you list and go to town on the research! Magical and mundane uses, associations and so on!

Tuesday - purpose, method, ingredients

Research - this is about the “who” “what” and “why” what purposes can you perform a spell or ritual for? Who is the spell for? Who are you performing it on? It can be practically anything or anyone. What are you doing the spell for, what do you want it to accomplish? Looking for love? Need confidence? Want to manifest something? Want to bring more money into your life? Solidify a friendship? Protect yourself or someone else? This is followed directly by why. Why are you looking for love? Why are you protecting yourself or someone else? What you are doing and why you are doing it are intimately connected. Sometimes it can take a great deal of introspection to figure out how these are connected, other times, it is obvious.

Methodology -this is the “how” in the spell. What methods are there to casting spells and performing rituals? Look back at your types of magic pages and think hard on the ways you can cast spells for those different types of magic. Is there a certain way to prepare for spells and rituals? What steps do you take to prepare for the spell and what steps do you take after the spell or ritual? What steps are a part of the ritual? How do you actually perform the spell? Method of spellwork has everything to do with the “how” in the spell, where the purpose beforehand is the “why”.

Ingredients/ tools - this is the “what” within the spell. What ingredients if any does it require? What tools does it require? What kinds of things are a part of the spell? Incense, statues, gems and so on. What do you need to bring to the spell or ritual for it to be what it is?

Wednesday - location, direction, timing

Location and timing - this is the “where”and “when” within the spell or ritual. Is there a specific location you need to perform the spell or ritual? A specific direction you have to face? Do you have to wait for a certain day, week, month? A certain astrological sign or event, like a phase of the moon? Does the spell require you to face north or south? East or west? Or to go through all the directions? How does this information fit into your outline?

New page/ research - gemstone/ other- pick another gem or what have you from your list and research it! Everything from mundane to magical uses! How is it formed? Where is it from? So on and so forth.

Thursday - other parts of spells/ rituals

What other things are part of your spells or rituals? How do you make them yours? What personal touches and flares do you bring to your magic?

Friday - putting it to practice

Practical- if you’ve outlined the general idea of a spell and ritual, or even if you’ve made a specific one, let’s make one, and then do it! Perform the spell or ritual! And journal about it afterwards!

This has been a long and heavy week, but we made it!

Good Luck and Happy Crafting witches!

-Mod Hazel