#babylon 5 fanfic

[conundrumoftime]

Why I love fic exchanges

I can't post links to any of the fic I've written recently because it's unrevealed in fic exchanges (watch this space!), so instead I want to talk about why I love fic exchanges so much.

Because they're such a lovely part of fandom culture: there is something wonderful about the idea of writing for someone else, often as not a total stranger, and trying to craft a story around their prompts and likes and preferences because you want them to read it and be happy. And, of course, the reciprocity of this - the way exchange mods try hard to make sure everyone gets a fic, the way people will come in as pinch-hitters. Not all exchanges have the anonymity element of Yuletide and its spinoffs but I love it when they do, and everyone has a week or so of reading and loving and commenting without even knowing who wrote what.

Because of the idea of 'extra gifts' in Yuletide and Yuletide-derived exchanges. You write the story you're assigned, and then look down the list of other prompts and think "well that sounds cool" and write an extra one for someone else too. I've been in exchanges before where there was a pre-deadline scramble to make sure everyone got at least one extra gift this way.

Because there's something beautifully old-school fandom about how DNWs ('Do Not Want's) work. No need to justify or excuse or explain, or even distinguish between 'not for this particular story' and 'not ever ew no' - just a nope, thanks :)

Because it's a great creative exercise to write according to someone else's set constraints. The exchange stories I've written recently included one that was much fluffier than I'd usually go, one character I'd always avoided writing for and two pairings that had never occurred to me. Prompts and preferences create a scaffolding for a building you might never have designed yourself, and I find it a brilliant way to stretch my writing abilities by offering characters and fandoms that are a little outside my usual comfort zone.

And while not all exchanges do the Yuletide-derived tradition of being anonymous for a while (and I don't think it would even work in smaller exchanges), I love the ones that do. Everyone commenting on each other's stories in the anonymous post-reveal period not because of the author but because of the story itself is a lovely thing.

Some lovely stories written for me in previous exchanges (not including any current ones that are still anonymous because I want to give the author credit if they're here):

What Happens in Numenor - you_wear_fine_things_well - The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power (TV 2022) [Archive of Our Own] - Rings of Power, by @youwearfinethingswellwriter for the Haladriel fic exchange 2023

Superposition - kanadka - Babylon 5 (TV 1993) [Archive of Our Own] - Branmer in Babylon 5, by Kanadka for Trick or Treat 2022

Both Hands - gloss - Star Wars Sequel Trilogy [Archive of Our Own] - Leia/Holdo, by gloss for the Multifandom Drabble Exchange 2018

resolve me of all ambiguities - kangeiko - Alias [Archive of Our Own] - For the prompt 'What is Milo Rambaldi to Jack Bristow?', for Nine Billion Names all the way back in 2008.

#fandom culture #fic exchanges #eyeofacat writing process #alias fanfic #rings of power fanfic #star wars fanfic #babylon 5 fanfic #fic recs

[stardustinthesky]

John and Delenn │ Between the Darkness and the Light

#babylon 5 #john x delenn #john sheridan #delenn #m: babylon 5 #mine: edits #otp: we are star stuff #this scene is a bitch to color i'm so sorry #anyway i just love this scene so much #i wish we'd seen him talk about it though #oh well that's what fanfics are for aren't they

[inexprymable]

So Talia reevaluated her beliefs and went through a journey of learning the truth about the Psi Corps and decided to work against them, and went from receiving hostility from Susan to growing close with her, only to have her personality erased by an artificial personality and her life ripped away from her.

#I am not okay #just finished divided loyalties and just so you know fanfics are coming alright #screaming crying throwing up #Susan/Talia #Talia Winters #Susan Ivanova #Babylon 5

[evaristo-velez]

I had some friends in the B5 Homie-cord look it over. Did some minor edits and...well, here's my first fanfic.

My original work is still ongoing. Waiting for the editor while drafting ahead.

#creative writing #writers on tumblr #writing #writeblr #writerscommunity #babylon 5 #fanfic #fan fiction #fan fic writing #b5

[greysectorpod]

Dug out the random subplot generator for season 2. Here you go, fic writers!

General Hague gets a mall katana

Ta'Lon accidentally goes into the Pak'ma'ra bathroom

Liz Sheridan makes first contact

Lyta gets lost in the hedge maze

Lord Refa is banned from the gift shop

The staff of Earhart's kidnaps Talia

Zeta Squadron get put on a diet

Draal ruins a dinner party

Lou Welch is sent to a spoo ranch

Free Mars steals all of G'Kar's candles

#babylon five #babylon 5 #babylon5 #fanfic prompts

[kenaran]

Trick or treat! 🎃

Ahem.... I hesitate to call anything a WIP these days due to a truly staggering amount of overall lack of any kind of progress, but here we go. From Fifty-One (B5, Explicit, John/Delenn/Susan):

She meets his eyes and knows he had counted on her refusal.

She hasn't had sex with feelings in ages. So, yes, fucking her best friends within the safety net provided by some crazy ass Minbari ritual does seem like an idea far superior to scouring yet another bar to pick up yet another woman – blonde more likely than not – that is destined to provide physical relief only. She’s always upfront about her intentions, or lack thereof as matters stand, but that doesn’t change the fact that they don’t – can’t – provide what she’s looking for.

So she looks at him and glares and lets him know she knows.

But if this isn’t something he wants to be doing? Fine. But she’s not going to be the one to bite the bullet. He’s the one lucky enough to convince someone like Delenn to marry him, he better be the one to do the dirty work as well. As far as Susan is concerned it’s not her fault the man appears to be oblivious to the kind of pull Delenn has on others.

Thank you for the ask, anon :)

#babylon 5 #susan ivanova #delenn #john sheridan #fanfic #john x delenn x susan #wip #or winp rather #ask game

[ladyyatexel]

Emperor Mollari and his bodyguard face a council dedicated to getting the Emperor an additional wife.

Only light interest in the file called 'lol married' had me looking at it and realizing it was largely ready to be thrown on the internet. Enjoy it, perhaps! It is just a silly little thing!

#londo x g'kar #londo mollari #g'kar #babylon 5 #fanfic

[tallysgreatestfan]

Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: Babylon 5 (TV 1993) Rating: Explicit Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: G'Kar/Na'Toth (Babylon 5) Characters: Na'Toth (Babylon 5), G'Kar (Babylon 5) Additional Tags: Friends With Benefits, (can be read romantic too though), Casual Sex, past trauma, Background Hurt/Comfort, Background Angst, Post-Canon, Cunnilingus, Penetrative Sex, both of them are bi now because I say so Summary:

Na'Toth is marked by her long imprisonment, even if she tries not to let it stop her. But as G'Kar visits her, both of them can forget their exhausting past for a while.

#Babylon 5 #Na'Toth #G'Kar #Na'Toth/G'Kar #b5 #b5 fanfic #fanwork #my fanwork #fanfiction #my fanfiction

[ddagent]

"Flarn to Table"

John/Delenn | All-Human AU | FR12 | 1,002 words     At her newly opened restaurant, Delenn receives a takeout order from one John Sheridan - an order that she decides to deliver personally.

“Sim’wa, Isil’Zha; how can I help you this evening?”

Delenn Mir, owner and head chef of the only Minbari restaurant in Geneva, cradled the phone against her ear as she helped Lennier deal with the influx of calls and hungry diners flooding in from the nearby embassies and Earth Alliance buildings. While her fellow restaurateurs in Yedor had declared that Delenn would never be a success across the globe in the Earth Alliance, she was slowly – yet surely – proving them wrong. After all: Faith Manages.

“Hi, I was wondering if I could place an order for takeout?” Delenn was about to, reluctantly, turn away a customer. Minbari eateries did not offer takeaway orders like Earth restaurants did: the joy of eating in Minbari culture was celebrating good company and good food together. But the name stopped her. “It’s for John Sheridan.”

Three nights ago, a large party of eight had entered for a celebratory meal. Delenn had prepared all the food in advance, blessing and meditating over the spices at each important stage. However, as the party had settled – three couples and two small children – a thrum of tension began to pulse through their corner of the restaurant. Lennier, her maître d’, had attempted to steer them through the opening ritual of such an honoured dinner. But the redhead had fidgeted with the pale strip of skin where a wedding band had once been and the older brother of the celebrant had fallen asleep during the meditations. He, John, had paid for the entire party, sheepishly ignoring the jibes from his father about snoring during dinner.

“You were here the other night.”

Continue Reading at AO3 or Continue Reading Below

There was a pause on the other end. “Yeah. I was deep, deep into my meditations.” Delenn couldn’t help but smile. Even through the phone line, she could hear his embarrassment over falling asleep during his sister’s birthday dinner. “Look: I never had flarn before the other night but I found I really liked it and I’ve had a really difficult day with my divorce lawyer and it’s all I want to eat.”

“It’s not a problem,” Delenn offered, despite their lack of a takeout menu being a very clear obstacle. But he was honest and hungry and Delenn could do a lot with that. “What would you like?”

“Flarn, some of that dessert with the red berries, and a whole pitcher of that citrus tea.” Delenn made a brief note on the tablet to her left. “Here’s my address.”

Sheridan was based in one of the new apartments just a street over – they were practically neighbours. “It’ll be there in around twenty minutes. See you soon, Mister Sheridan.”

As Delenn ended the call, Lennier raised a single eyebrow in her direction. But she did not explain herself. He would not ask any questions, either. So, Delenn stole away to the kitchen and began preparing a dinner for John Sheridan. After her father had died, a good friend had taken great care to provide Delenn with a beautiful meal as a way to nourish her during such a difficult time. Although Minbari did not divorce, it was clear that Sheridan was in need of that same nourishment. He could have called the Spoo restaurant or the Brakiri bistro or any number of Earther establishments. But he called her. Delenn would not deny the Universe when she could provide.

Each step was a ritual. Each element necessary to provide comfort to someone who needed it. The flarn was seasoned and toasted. The berries were encased in a golden honey crust with decadent cream. The citrus tea was brewed and stirred. Everything was packaged with care and reverence and, after leaving Marcus in charge of the kitchen and Lennier in charge of the floor, Delenn left Isil’Zha and headed out into the early evening to help someone in need.  

Sheridan was located on the fifth floor. Delenn rapped twice on the door frame. Inside, there was muttered swearing before the door opened to reveal a man in sweatpants and a V-neck t-shirt, hair still damp from a shower. “Hi, sorry, I thought I had more time.”

“It’s not a problem. I have your order from Isil’Zha.”

“Great.” John dug around in the pocket of his sweatpants. Delenn did her best not to linger on the vision of his damp, golden skin or the snugness of his attire. She should not, either, let her gaze wander into his apartment. But she did. There were boxes. Boxes upon boxes. A bowl of oranges. And socks, dozens of them, lined up on an airer by the window. “Here you go; that should cover it. With something for yourself, as well.”

Minbari did not accept gratuity. There was reward in the creation of the food and the service to others. Delenn took what was required to cover costs and then returned the rest. John, however, pushed it back. “Please, take it. I was looking at your website while I was drying off and found that you don’t even do delivery. So, please. And thank you. This meal is going to be the highlight of my day.”

“Then that is thanks enough.” Delenn slid the money into the reusable bag containing his food. John frowned momentarily but raised his hands in mock surrender. “Enjoy, John Sheridan.”

“I will.” The spare hand not holding his food reached out to touch her arm. His thumb brushed along her skin. “Thank you.”

Delenn did not linger – as much as she might have wanted to. She was needed elsewhere. But her thoughts stole to Sheridan several times in the days following his order at the restaurant, wondering whether the food had been as transformative as she had hoped. A few days later, Lennier showed her a review posted online:

[Posted by John J. Sheridan] Incredible food and service; the citrus tea is sharp, refreshing and delicious. The staff are especially kind and generous with their time. I cannot wait for the next time I can eat at Isil’Zha.

Neither could Delenn.

#john x delenn #babylon 5 #dd: fanfic #ship: john x delenn

[vivianvixen]

Char Aznable coughed blood on the deck of the Heart of Gold. “You accursed fool,” he said. “If Sauron gets his hands on the Shadow Planet Killer, Equestria will burn!”

“Ain’t that a bitch,” Odie replied, and emptied the clip of his double-barreled phaser.

#fanfic #gundam #hitchhiker’s guide to the galaxy #lord of the rings #babylon 5 #my litte pony friendship is magic #garfield and friends #star trek

[ao3feed-babylon5]

A Dream Given Form

A Dream Given Form https://ift.tt/ZCbnA76 by Nicholas Nada (NixNada) A Babylon5 / SG-1 crossover. Daniel gets a mysterious message from a distant place and time, with a very unusual Gate address. Words: 18872, Chapters: 8/8, Language: English Fandoms: Stargate SG-1, Babylon 5 (TV 1993) Rating: General Audiences Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings Characters: Jack O'Neill, Sam Carter (Stargate), Daniel Jackson (Stargate), Teal'c (Stargate), Michael Garibaldi, Susan Ivanova, Jeffrey Sinclair, G'Kar (Babylon 5), Londo Mollari via AO3 works tagged 'Babylon 5 (TV 1993)' https://ift.tt/J3RHuyP March 17, 2024 at 10:08AM

#IFTTT #AO3 works tagged 'Babylon 5 (TV 1993)' #Babylon 5 #fanfic

[authortobenamedlater]

Was clearing out my drafts and found this from my B5/Halo crossover mess.

I call this scene “Send Lawyers, Guns, and Money; the $#*! has hit the fan”.

—

(Lasky and Palmer are sitting across from Sheridan, Ivanova, and Garibaldi like a couple of kids in the principal’s office.)

Sheridan: Captain Lasky.

Lasky: Captain Sheridan.

Sheridan: You were transporting a war criminal.

Lasky: That’s right.

Sheridan: And you didn’t think I needed to know this before giving you permission to dock at my station?

Palmer: We didn’t think she would be a problem.

Garibaldi: Right. Who’d think a war criminal could be a problem?

Palmer: She was handcuffed and locked in a cell.

Garibaldi: And now she’s running around unchecked on our space station. I’d say your security’s a bit lax, Infinity.

Palmer: Listen, YOUR people let her on board—

Ivanova: *trying to stop Garibaldi and Palmer from getting into a shouting match* When exactly did you plan on telling us this? Because you WERE going to, right?

Lasky: What was I supposed to say? “Thanks for the help, Babylon 5, by the way we’ve got a mad scientist on board who can outsmart every sentient being in your galaxy or mine”?

[pause]

Ivanova: That would have covered it.

Sheridan: Yes! That would have been great!

—

This is maybe a week after Infinity’s unexpected appearance. They sustained some pretty bad damage and injuries, so the crew is up to its eyeballs in immediate crises and Halsey became something of an afterthought. Also she’s chained up in the brig, who’d think she could get out. She took advantage of this and slipped over to B5 somehow, possibly using Roland in a similar capacity to the override in Spartan Ops.

#halo #babylon 5 #for such a time as this au #John sheridan #Michael garibaldi #susan ivanova #thomas lasky #Sarah palmer #catherine halsey #halo fanfic by atbnl #fanfic by atbnl #Babylon 5 fanfic by atbnl

[elizabethcromwell]

Chapter One - The Breakup

“Ah, no,” I giggle, gazing up at G’Kar, he’s propped up against the headboard, staring down at me, “You were the one making goo-goo eyes at me, Ambassador G’Kar.”

G’Kar scoffs dramatically, “No, little library mouse,” he shakes his head, refilling my goblet with the too sweet and far too strong wine, “It was you making eyes at me. Every time I came into the archives, you were there.”

I snort and move to my knees keeping the sheets against my chest as I maneuver myself and settle onto his lap. He stares up at me, his hands settling on my thighs, “That’s because I work there. It was you who showed up at my place of employment on the daily. Looking for books.”

G’Kar rolls his ruby eyes and I smile, “Fine, I will concede. I didn’t need a single book.”

“What did you need then?” I prod, leaning in and pushing my nose against his, “If not books? In a library?”

The hum of Babylon 5 fills the silence - the neverending rumble of 250,000 bodies living together in the middle of nowhere space. I smile down at G’Kar - momentarily stilled by his beauty until his voice pulls me from my thoughts, “I think you know what I needed, Dove.”

“Tell me.”

G’Kar presses the tip of his finger to the hollow of my throat and slides it down to the soft sheet I have pressed to my chest, “I wanted you,” he says, eyes flicking back up to mine as he pushes the sheet to my belly. He leans forward and nuzzles into my sternum pushing my tits up to his face, inhaling deeply, “All of this.”

“Just my body?” I tease, running my fingers over the ridge of his brow, “That’s all?”

He groans and pulls back, his hands remain on my chest, thumbs teasing over my nipples. His eyes struggle to pull away from them. He’s been obsessed, since we met, with my chest, my nipples - finding great joy in making them pebble and stiffen beneath his tongue, “Of course not,” he grins, “I love you for your mind and your heart and your,” I squeal when he flips me onto my back and settles between my legs, planting a loud, sloppy kiss on my clit, “And this, too.”

“Oh, thank goodness,” I say, hooking a leg over his shoulder, “I thought you were going to say you loved me for my sparkling personality.”

“You make me young, again,” he says, chin on my thigh, gazing up at me.

“You’re not old.”

“I am old,” G’Kar winks, pressing his lips to the inside of my thigh, planting a neat trail of kisses and red marks up to my center. I prop myself up on my elbows, watching him.

“I love you, too.”

He pauses and looks up at me, a soft smile on his face, eyes shining, “All of me?”

“Yes, all of you,” I grin and he narrows his eyes, waiting for the impending punch, “Plus that big, fat, lizard cock.”

G’Kar roars in faux offense and I am lost beneath his mouth, arching off the bed, his name on my tongue, echoing off the walls of his chambers. His chin presses against my entrance as he laps at my slick and teases my clit. He hoists my legs over his shoulders and holds me tight to him, moaning against my flesh, “You are the sweetest fruit,” he sighs against me, “My most rare nectar.”

“You’re dramatic,” My words are a wheeze as he sinks two fingers into my pussy.

“For you? Yes.”

He returns to his work and I fall back onto the bed - smiling and sinking into every second of the moment, reveling in being pinned down and fucked by a god. I stare up at the stars beyond the iron paned windows. The emerald leaves of his Naarn gardens hang over the edge of the bed, the forced air acts like a breeze and they whisper as they watch us. Fruits and flowers tinge the air sweet and G’Kar’s incense floats above us in smoky, wispy tendrils. G’Kar lifts my ass and his tongue slips down the length of me, prodding at me entrance and I gasp, back arching as he fucks me with his mouth. I shake with control and can feel him smile against my pussy, “Not fair,” I breathe, scrambling to get away from him, “You know I like - oh fuck,” the wind is punched from my lungs as G’Kar pumps two fingers into me, lifting his face, eyes hooded as he watches me come on his fingers, “I need you,” I gasp, over and over, “I need you. I need you.”

G’Kar nods, “I am here. I am yours.”

The rest of the night is like all the others - from the moment we met - together. Completely. G’Kar’s cock keeps me close to him, the soft barbs hooking into me, his cum numbing the sting of it until I’m grinding on him, begging for more. And he lets me have it - as much as I want until he has to carry me to the hot baths. Even there, he is gentle and attentive and sees to every part me - cleaning me from my hair to my toes. Feeding me fruit and meat until I’m asleep on his lap, head nodding in the crook of his shoulder. 

And like every other night, he’ll carry me back to bed and there we’ll sleep, G’kar pulling me close, his cock prodding at my ass - begging for more. Both of us too tired to move; grinning at the incessant need between G’Kar’s legs, “Ignore it,” he whispers, raking his fingers through my hair, “My earthling needs her rest,” I start to mumble something about being ready to start again and I am silenced with a kiss, “Rest.”

The morning comes too soon and G’Kar is gone but, a mug of tea steams on the bedside table and there is a bit of chocolate and a sliced apple on a lovely, porcelain plate. I hear voices in his office and I slide out of bed, pulling on my robe and tying it tight around my middle, taking the mug with me, cupping its warmth in my hands as I walk, “G’Kar?” I call - surprised to have not been woken by  him, at least, kissing me awake. His favorite method of morning greetings is to fuck me awake and send me off to the archives smelling of him, grinning like an idiot and stumbling on wobbly legs. 

“Your nighttime proclivities are bleeding into your daytime duties, Ambassador,” Na’toth’s voice is sharp, “It is undone to have a Naarn official bedding a human. It is a disgrace to have him housing with one,” her tone drips venom - though I am not surprised, the sting of it still settles in my chest.

“Na’Toth,” G’kar sighs, “It is nothing. She is certainly not housing with me.”

“It does not appear to be nothing. She is here nearly every night. The nights she is absent, so are you.”

I shouldn’t be listening. Whatever Na’Toth has to say about me to G’Kar is between her and G’kar. But still, I am planted to the ground; bile rising in the back of my throat, nausea rolling in my belly, “She is a fling. When I tire of her, which I will, she will be gone. It is nothing.” 

“She is nothing,” Na’Toth states plainly.

“She is nothing,” G’Kar confirms her sentiment. The mug of tea falls to the floor and I step back, the hot water smarting on my feet as G’Kar steps through the doorway, “Dove? I did not know you were awake.”

“I am,” I stare up at G’Kar, eyes stinging as tears blur my vision.

“You heard me,” he says, it isn’t a question so much as an acknowledgement of the damage done. I nod and turn, realizing I have a long way to walk back to my quarters - I panic as I try to find my clothes, scattered across the floor, “Dove, please.”

“No,” I shake my head, my voice barely above a whisper - the knot of emotion too thick to speak.

The doors slide shut and I am alone with G’Kar, “Dove,” he says, stepping forward and I scoot around him, “Dovey, please.”

I shake my head again - if I speak, I’ll sob and I won’t let Na’Toth hear it. I dress quickly as I can and slam my hand against the door release - they slide open and there she is, shoulders square, triumphant grin on her face. She opens the outer doors and I step out into the busy hallway, swiping at the tears streaming down my face. I’m halfway home before G’Kar catches me, his hand on my arm, spinning me around, “No,” I say through gritted teeth, lip trembling, “Leave me alone.”

“Dove, I didn’t mean it,” he says and I want to believe him; his eyes shine and his handsome face is marred with panic. He looks around and then steps forward, lowering his voice, “I love you.”

“You can’t even say it without making sure someone doesn’t hear you, G’Kar.”

“It is true,” he says, “Dove… Dovey,” he uses the sweet nickname for me, his tone pleading, and I scoff, “I love you. But it is not done for you and I to be… public.”

“You weren’t in public with Na’Toth, just now,” I snap, turning and resuming my trek to my quarters - I just want a hot shower and a stiff drink except I turn and poke my finger into G’Kar’s chest, glaring up at him - damn him for being so big, “You could have told her anything else but you said that.”

“Dove,” G’kar sighs, shoulders sagging, “It is Na’Toth - I said it to sate her, nothing more.”

“As if I don’t hear you every day, G’kar,” I sob, shaking my head, “I know well how you feel about humans. I’ve ignored it. I didn’t care. Surely what you and I have… what we had… surely that was different and wonderful and,” I stare up at him, his own eyes swimming with tears, “It wasn’t, was it? Just another toy to play and use and when you grow tired of me, you will toss me out with the rest of them, right?”

“Dove, that isn’t at all what,” G’Kar steps forward and I step back, “Dove, that’s not what I meant.”

“Please,” I sniffle, drying my face on my sleeve, “let’s not draw this out any longer than we have to.”

“Good, come back with me. Now.”

I scoff, shaking my head, “No. I’m going home. We’re done.”

“Dove.”

“G’Kar.”

“Ambassador,” Na’Toth calls from the end of the hall and G’Kar closes his eyes, sighing. He turns to her, “You will be late for your meeting.”

I’m halfway down the hallway before G’Kar turns back around, disappearing around the corner before he can stop me. I run directly into Michael Garibaldi, one of my best friends, and he catches me, brow furrowing with concern as he takes me in, “You good?”

“I… I just,” I start, staring up at my friend, “No,” I shake my head, “I’m not. I just need to get back to my place.”

“G’Kar?”

“We’re done.”

Garibaldi stares at me for a moment, brow furrowed, and then nods, “Go on,” he says, G’Kar’s voice - calling my name - echoes off the walls, “I’ll distract him.”

“Thank you,” I kiss his cheek and leave him there.

“Woah there, big guy,” I hear Michael say, turning another corner and heading up to the dormitories. 

Down the hall and around another corner, I can’t control the tears and I run straight into another chest, this one quite a bit taller than me. Two strong hands catch my elbows, “Ambassador,” I sniffle, staring up at Londo Mollari, “Apologies,” I mumble, trying to step away.

“What has happened?” he asks, brow knit with, what I think is, genuine concern, “Who has done this? No angels cry on my watch.”

I shake my head, “Domestic relations.”

“Ah, the Narn,” he nods, stepping away and giving me a curt bow, “I will see to his demise immediately, I will avenge you.”

I snort out a laugh and shake my head, “Thank you.”

“So I will kill him?” the Ambassador straightens, straight faced and serious - I panic. 

“What? No! No, no, no,” I shake my head, “It’s just a breakup. No need for a death battle.”

“Very well, I won’t kill him,” Londo nods, looking sorely disappointed, “Although, to avenge you and get my cake, too? That is a once in a lifetime wish only you can grant me.”

“Perhaps another day,” I offer a weak smile, “For now, I’d like to wallow in self pity.”

Londo opens his mouth to speak but says nothing as I turn and walk away. When I’m finally able to step into my room, all pretense of self respect goes out the window and I sink to the floor; curling in on myself, sobbing and crying and shaking. I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t seen it coming. The Narn’s dislike of humans wasn’t a secret. G’Kar was just as vocal about it as Na’Toth. Part of me wanted to believe he had just said those things to shut her up. But after all, it was G’Kar. Of course it would end when he grew tired of the romance; when the excitement wore off and we were just us. When he was Narn and I was human and it was just, I take a deep shuddering breath, us. I had pushed those fears to the back of mind, buried them in love and lust and of course I’d been burned. I’d been an idiot to think otherwise. 

I let myself wallow, keeping my promise to Londo, for a little while longer before standing up and dusting myself off. I take a hot shower, letting the last of my hot water credits run out and then cursing the water as it turns ice cold. My apartment was small but free with my salary, provided by my job in the archives. It had been home for far longer than my relationship with G’Kar but it seemed strange now. For months I’d stayed over with G’Kar, his spacious quarters and full kitchen had always won out over mine, and now the air was stale and my things - mostly books, on shelves, stacked in the corners, towers around the bed - were dusty. The small kitchen - if one could even call it a kitchen - with it’s small sink and one-burner stove seemed a stranger. Dust on the counter and bare cabinets greeted me. I’d have to make a trip to the commissary. I found a bottle of wine - a gift from the Commander - and poured it into a short whiskey glass. The attention my apartment needed and the alcohol made for a good enough distraction. I scrub and dust and rearrange, freshening the place up as I cry. Reminding myself that I shouldn’t be surprised. Shouldn’t have been blindsided. I’d gone on with G’Kar with rose-colored glasses on and Na’Toth had just knocked them right off.

A knock at the door had me stiffening, staring at the metal slide, “It’s Michael.”

“Come in,” I call and the door slides open, “Oh, my god.”

Michael’s lip is bleeding and there’s a bruise forming around his eye, “What happened?”

“Narn don’t take kindly to being separated from their girlfriends.”

“G’Kar did this?” I squeak, grabbing a clean cloth and running water over it, “Sit down.”

“This good?” he asks, picking up the dark green bottle of wine and I nod. He takes a drink and I motion towards the little table tucked in the corner, “He was not happy when I got in between him and you - ow!” he winces as I dab at the blood on his lip, cupping his chin to keep him still.

“I didn’t ask you to fight him, Michael.”

“I didn’t want to fight him, Dove. He’s three feet taller and has about one and a quarter on me in pure, alien muscle,” he smirks and then it falls when I don’t echo it. Michael was one of my first friends on Babylon 5. We’d been rooming together until his senior officer apartment was ready and then I’d stayed in his cushy quarters until my own little dorm was open. 

“I’m fine,” I say, my voice trembling - betraying the statement. Michael stares at me and  I sigh, “I should have seen it coming.”

“You liked him.”

“I loved him,” I whisper, “I love him.”

“I can have him deported. I can have him in the loading bay in twenty.”

I smirk, “No, I don’t want that.”

“I will, I swear to Saturn - I’ll do it.”

“I know you will,” I kiss Michael’s head and sigh, standing up straight. He stands too, staring down at me with pity plastered across his face,, “I just need to,” I shrug - feeling lost and hopeless and completely shattered. My lip trembles and I turn away from Michael, “I don’t want a hug, if you hug me I’ll cry. I think I just need to go to bed.”

“I’ll make sure the archives are closed up for the day,” he says, putting his chin on my shoulder, “You want me to stay here?” I shake my head, unable to talk, “Want me to kill him?” I shake my hand, again and a sob escapes; I turn and throw my arms around Michael’s neck. He holds me tight and I cry into his shoulder.

“I’m fucking stupid.”

“You’re not,” Michael tries to reassure me but he and I both know that dating a Narn, getting so involved with one - especially G’Kar - was stupid, “He’s an asshole, Dove.”

“That doesn’t make me any less dumb,” I mumble into his shoulder. I step away and dry my face, swiping at tears as they fall, “I’m fine.”

“Lies.”

I scoff half a smile, “I am. I just… My head hurts. And I’m tired.”

“I’ll bring you some dinner tonight,” Michael kisses my cheek, “I’ll tell Jeff you’re taking the day off. Maybe tomorrow.”

“Thank you,” I mumble, sighing, “I mean it.”

Michael turns to me as the door opens, “I mean it, too. About deportation.”

“I’ll think about it.”

Michael leaves and as soon as the door closes, I’m crying again. I undress slowly and crawl into bed, turning on the warmer. In space, it’s hard to be warm and toasty - especially if you have windows - all of the beds in the single dorms are equipped with heaters. The thought is pathetic and sad but it's true: I’m alone again and I need a machine to warm my blankets. I stare up at the stars and it doesn’t help a thing. The tears flow and they dry and they flow, again. A constant state of anger and pain and heartbreak shake me to my core until I can do nothing but close my eyes and try to sleep. I shut the blinds - the metal sliding over the window, the lights dimming until the room was plunged into pitch black. 

Finally, exhaustion takes over and I sleep.

Chapter Two

The weeks go by and I manage to return to some semblance of a normal, G’Kar free life. Of course we bump into each other and it’s awkward and tense but, no one has died and Michael’s face has healed.

In the mornings, I wake up slowly. 

I put on water for tea and hop into a lukewarm shower. Hot water credits are expensive and the cold showers seem to help with the ache of missing G’Kar. I take my shower and drink my tea. I read until I have to head to the archives. I ignore the nagging thoughts of running straight to G’Kar. Every inch of me misses him. But the pain is sharper than the need and I can’t seem to get his voice out of my head: it is nothing.

I square my shoulders and dry my tears before I step out into the busy halls of Babylon 5.

My position in the archives is luxurious despite the cramped, dark rooms. I spend my days archiving and digitizing and scanning in thousands of books, papers, records and magazines and newspapers that get funneled into my literary cave. Anything historical or scientific gets sent back to the owner, government or library from whence it came. Anything that Earthforce deems important gets uploaded to the central data network. Everything else gets sold or incinerated. Which is why my personal quarters are plum full of romances and dramas and mysteries and thrillers. It’s a perk of the job. I get first dibs on anything that isn’t wanted - which is always the good stuff. I also act as a librarian of sorts - the staff and commanders, government agents and curious denizens all come to us for access to information. If it’s approved for the public, they may have a copy. Anything else needs a clearance. 

I don’t have to wear a uniform and I have a little kettle and more tea to get me through the day. I have access to the staff commissary and cafeteria for minimal credits, if any. It’s not necessarily thrilling or cushy but, I get to live on Babylon 5 and have access to more books than I’ll ever be able to read. 

That was how I met G’Kar. He came by one day in need of a map, complaining about the lack of an assistant. He’d needed, “one bloody map,” and the network wasn’t pulling it up for him. It had been one of those ridiculous, locked eyes, brushing hands, blushing and stuttering and smiling moments. Love at first sight. He’d come back every day for two weeks and I thought I was going to die by the time he finally asked me to dinner. 

We hadn’t separated since. 

Now, I’m back to spending my days reading and sorting and scanning and trying not to think about that certain Narn ambassador. I toss another few outdated encyclopedias into the incinerator and wish to the stars I could incinerate these stupid feelings. Tears well as I shut the fire door and press the green button, watching the pages burst into white hot flame and then disappear. 

“Good morning!” A happy voice calls from the window in front of my desk, “Anybody home?”

“Coming!” I call and make my way through the shelves of books and stacks of boxes, sniffling away any indication that I was crying in the corner. I turn the corner and offer a genuine smile, “Hello, Vir.”

“Good morning, Dove,” he sighs, though his eyes sparkle with the near constant joy and positivity I’ve come to associate with Vir, “I’ve brought my usual offering of a matcha latte and lemon scone,” he smiles - holding up the little paper cup and matching paper bag.

“My hero,” I smile and accept his gifts, “I don’t have anything new for Londo, though. I’m sorry,” I look through my notebook of standing requests and Londo’s appeals for anything Narn related. G’Kar has the same request standing for the Centauri. And Ambassador Delenn has a request for nearly everyone. Everyone who has an enemy has put in a request for information. Vir checks in twice a week and brings gifts in exchange for preferred treatment. Which he gets. 

“Well, actually, I’m not here for that today,” Vir gives me a nervous look and I arch my eyebrow, “Ambassador Mollari requests your presence for,” he clears his throat, “Dinner.”

“Oh, no,” I shake my head and lean back in my chair, “Not a chance.”

“Oh, Dove,” Vir whines, “Please don’t make me tell him no.”

“Tell him no. Send him down here and I’ll tell him no.”

“Dove.”

“Vir,” I shake my head, “I’m not going on a date with a nonhuman ever, again. Let alone another ambassador. Let alone the sworn enemy of my ex-boyfriend nonhuman ambassador. Not a chance in the galaxy.”

Vir stares at me but doesn't prod - universe bless him for it, “Fine. But you know he’s not going to be happy.”

“So be it,” I nod, “Look at this face. This is the face of a thirty-three year old woman who simply cannot go on another date. Ever again.”

“It will be my great displeasure to tell Ambassador Mollari that you turned him down, Dove. But  also,” Vir leans in, that sparkle returning as he lowers his voice, conspiratorially, “Do you want to get drinks with me tonight? We can… how did you say… talk shit?”

“I would love to. See you at eight? Nine?”

Vir nods, clapping quietly, “Nine o’clock.”

I watch Vir skip off - sending up a prayer that he doesn’t catch too much flack for returning without anything from the archives or a date for Londo. I go back to work - feeling a bit better about life with Vir’s latte and snack; looking forward to drinks with my friend.

I take another stack of moldy, dated encyclopedias and dictionaries to the incinerator. I barely have a chance to toss them in before the little brass bell at the window is being beaten within an inch of its antique life, “Mercy me,” I return, “I’m coming! Nothing is that important here - oh,” G’Kar stands, straight and tall and looming, “Ambassador,” I greet him, folding my arms across my chest, “What can I help you with?”

“What do you mean she said no!?” Londo Mollari nearly jumps out of his chair, his desk and the contents spread across it all shake and wobble, “She said no!?”

“She did,” Vir nods and wrings his hands, “But you have to understand - she’s still quite sad about Ambassador G’Kar. I don’t think she’s ready for that!”

Londo scoffs, “I am not asking for a… for anything, Vir! Just dinner,” Londo says and Vir gives him a look of exasperation, “Okay, perhaps I do not have such pure intentions. Nothing brings me so much joy as to piss off the Narn. G’Kar in particular. Chasing after the archivist,” Vir gives Londo another look and Londo sighs dramatically, “Chasing after Dove is the perfect way to achieve that,” Vir chews his lip, trying to keep his opinion to himself. Londo sighs dramatically, “What is it, Vir?”

“Dove is my friend,” Vir steps forward, “The Ambassador was not kind to her and I… well, I don’t want her to get hurt.”

Londo straightens and his gaze softens, “The only victim I intend to make is that of the Narn idiot down the hall, understood?” Vir nods, “Good. Now, what time are you meeting her for drinks?”

“G’Kar,” I exhale, on the verge of crying simply out of frustration, “Please, just go. I have work to do. I’m sure you do, too.”

“I miss you, Dove. I have made a terrible mistake.”

“You haven’t even apologized, G’Kar,” I shake my head and sink down into my chair, staring up at him, “Still, you can’t even say you love me without making sure nobody is around. You’re looking down the hallway right now,” I snap and G’Kar returns his gaze to me - I didn’t think Narn’s could blush but his cheeks darken and he lowers his face in shame, “I can’t do this G’Kar. I never asked you to parade me around her like your bride but, damn. You could have… said something. Anything else to Na’Toth. Now please,” I hold up my hand when G’Kar makes to argue and he bows his head again, “Please, please go and let me move on with my life.”

“Dovey.”

“G’Kar, please.”

“Everythign all right here?” Commander Sinclair appears next to G’Kar, brow furrowed. We exchange looks and he nods, “Did you need something from the archives, Ambassador?”

G’Kar shakes his head, “No, what I need is not available yet.”

“Then I trust you’ll be on your way. As you now Miss Dove is incredibly busy and her job is vital to Babylon 5’s productivity,” the Commander glares at G’Kar and G’Kar stares at me for a moment longer and tears prick and sting my eyes as I stare back. 

“Just go, G’Kar,” I whisper and he nods, stepping back and giving me a curt bow before finally leaving, his hulking form disappearing down the hallway.

“Take the rest of the day off, Dove,” the Commander nods to me, “I insist.”

“I thought I was vital to the workings of the station, Commander.”

He smirks, “You are but, I also don’t want to get a work order in because some cried on the scanner and their tears blew a fuse. And it’s not incredibly professional for me to present war texts with tear splotches, either. Take the day off. I’ll make sure G’Kar knows that he’s to use the other archivists for his needs.”

“Thank you,” I manage to squeak out, “I mean it.”

“See you back here in the morning,” the Commander nods with a smile.

G’Kar, esteemed ambassador of the Narn regime, is beside himself.

Well, perhaps he has been beside himself before. He’s prone to his emotions, he can admit that. But he’s never been this beside himself and this drunk before. But here he is. Sitting in his quarters with nearly an entire bottle of kriul burning in his belly while his heart breaks and tears stream down his face.

She had seemed so small, so delicate. 

His Dove, his lovely Dovey, had looked up at him and he had seen only pain and tears in her eyes - both of which were his fault. He thought she’d come back, though, he did. He’d been wrong about that, it seems. He was wrong about everything with Dove. And he’d been an ass, “Ambassador,” Na’Toth appears in the doorway and the light his blinding to G’Kar poor, drunk eyes, “It’s late. You have an early morning.”

“Leave me alone.”

“Ambassador,” Na’Toth steps inside and the door slides shut, “I understand that you are upset but your drinking has increased significantly. You’ve been exhausted and sick for the last three days. I’m afraid at this rate, you’ll be drunk or unconscious by morning.”

“It would be a blessing, Na’Toth, now go.”

G’Kar does not want to hate Na’Toth, he thinks as he glares at her. Hating her. She is good at what she does, one of the best. It would be difficult, to say the least, to replace her. Even more difficult to actually dismiss her. So he glares.

“Ambassador, you must… you must snap out of this!”

G’Kar roars then, jumping up and nearly falling over - the entire room spins. He realizes that his words are nearly incoherent as he falls out into the hallway; the lights are far too bright and the halls far too busy, “If you will not leave, I will!”

The Zocalo is bright and loud and never, ever experiences a lull. If you’re looking for peace and quiet, perhaps one of the more exclusive bars on the outskirts of the chaos or the tea shop that closes before clubs open. Thankfully, peace and quiet is not what I need as I sit down next to Vir, “Dove! You made it,” he waves over at the bartender, “One for her,” he points to the ruby red, slushy drink in front of him, “Make hers a double.”

No sooner than my drink appears before me does Londo Mollari appear next to Vir, “Ambassador,” Vir gives Londo an uneasy look, “What a coincidence!”

#Dove in Space #chapter one #chapter 1 #fic #babylon 5 #g'kar #londo mollari #londo #g'kar x oc #londo x oc #babylon 5 fic #fanfic

[kenaran]

Sometimes Surrender Is Another Word for Peace

Susan/Talia, Explicit, 2501 words Life is full of compromises. Sometimes even Susan can be made to see the need.

Talia is over for the third night in a row. Which isn’t generally considered the most shocking development once you start kissing someone and discover you like it, but Susan still surprises herself just a little every time she opens the door to let her in.

It took her so fucking long to get there. To even just notice Talia’s interest for what it so clearly was, not to mention act on it. But now that she’s finally made that step (which was really a halfway accidental stumble, if she’s being honest) she cannot bring herself to stop. The last guy she kissed was fucking scumbag Nate and the last woman? They never even tried to make it work after graduating from Earthforce Academy.

So yes, she’s starved. And so she keeps inviting Talia over. Keeps kissing her. Again. And again. And if she realizes that her enthusiasm might not actually, completely, irrefutably be fueled by kissing only, she takes care to shut down that train of thought the second it tries to make itself heard. She’s hardly a rookie when it comes to exercising this kind of mental discipline. She’s doing fine. Unless you count that one tiny, barely even noteworthy complication.

She wants more.

Continue Reading at AO3

#fanfic #susan x talia #babylon 5 #myfic #ao3 #susan ivanova #talia winters

[ladyyatexel]

WIP game - lol, married!

This is Londo/G'Kar from Babylon 5, and I think I made it during quarantine! I like them being silly and making a mess of the Centauri culture's deep layers of bureaucracy.

It is a blip that's basically done but I felt sheepish about, I think.

They walk in on a council arranged to get Londo additional wives as Emperor, including contracts and pages all filled out and just ready for info from one of the high ranking women on a list to be written in. They had intended to just declare intent, but instead just fill out all the paperwork with G'Kar's info thanks to clever maneuvering. They leave the room technically married, which was the reason for the for name haha

☆☆

They’d arrived at the doors to the conference hall a little overdressed in G’Kar’s opinion, but no number of years on Centauri Prime would reset his barometer for ‘too much.’ 

“Are you ready?” 

G’Kar almost shrugs.  “If you are.  It doesn’t make much difference to me.  One important group of Centauri looks like every other one.”

“Well, we are about to tell this one that you are marrying their Emperor, so please try to care a little.”  He straightens the ‘Beloved’ pin, which did not need straightening, one more time. 

“It’s not a lack of caring.  I like you very much.  Them I don’t feel so charitably toward.”

“You do not need to like them.  They don’t even need to like us.” 

G’Kar moves Londo’s hand from the pin.  “Stop fussing with it, they know I have it.”

“Alright, alright.  Come on.”  He places his hand on the door in preparation to push it open. “ We’ll have some fun with them.  Ruin their day, maybe.”

☆☆

Thanks for the ask! 🥲

#londo x g'kar #Babylon 5 #fanfic #ask game

[krisrussel]

Rules: give us the links to your fic with the most hits, second most kudos, third most comments, fourth most bookmarks, fifth most words, and finally the fic with the least words.

Most hits:

Look me Straight into my Eyes (The Pretender - Jarod/Miss Parker)

Parker tracks Jarod down to drag him back to The Centre. Of course he refuses because he wants to finish his current pretend. Parker doesn't want to lose him out of her sight now, so she reluctantly agrees to join the pretend. Note: this is one of my earlier fics (second one in fact) and some of the writing makes me cringe. So don't say I didn't warn you ;)

Second most kudos:

Different Beginnings (Stargate Atlantis - John/Elizabeth)

In the middle of the raging Afghan war, Major John Sheppard meets diplomat Doctor Elizabeth Weir. Note: it keeps surprising me how popular this fic is, it being AU and all. And the amazing @xenantis has made beautiful fanart for it that you can find HERE.

Third most comments:

Sparktober Bingocard Ficlets 2013 (Stargate Atlantis - John/Elizabeth)

This is the collection of the ficlets that I wrote for the Sparktober 2013 Bingo card challenge. Note: The 'third most comments' was already mentioned before, so I went with the fourth one ;)

Fourth most bookmarks:

Doubts (Babylone 4 - John/Delenn)

John has doubts after he asks Delenn to marry him.

Fifth most words:

Is it really over? (The Pretender - Jarod/Miss Parker)

Mister Parker appears out of the blue again after his jump out of the airplane after Carthis. The first thing he does is send Miss Parker on a vacation. Note: My very first fanfic! Be warned of cringyness ;)

Least words:

Exhibitionism (Stargate Atlantis - John/Elizabeth)

Elizabeth never thought she’d find herself here. At a football game. Note: This was a challenge for myself to write a fic with exactly 100 words.

Tagged by: @winternightjewels Thanks for making me drag out my crappy first fics ;)

Tagging: @ddagent, @peridotbelle, @havocthecat, @auniverseofimpossibilities, @anretc

If I didn't tag you, but you feel like doing this, go right ahead!

#fanfic #tag game #stargate atlantis #the pretender #babylon 5