AI Vs The World

Sometimes, in fandom, we just want to write id-tastic fic that rolls around in tropes that might be viewed as problematic. But we don’t want to address the problematic side of things in this particular fanwork; we just want to roll around and wallow.

It is considered courteous to give readers a heads-up via use of AO3 tags. I propose a tag that signals that a given fanwork is for rolling around, not giving a measured evaluation of anything. The MCU has carved out a space for this sort of fic with the “HYDRA Trash Party” tag, for which I commend them. Trash Party is a bit too specific to cover all of the ground I’m thinking of here, though; I propose “Dead Dove: Do Not Eat.”

For those of you not familiar with Arrested Development, Michael Bluth finds a paper bag in the freezer labeled “Dead Dove: Do Not Eat.” He opens the bag, finds a dead dove, and reacts as follows:

[gif of a white man saying “I don’t know what I expected” in a deadpan manner]

The “Dead Dove: Do Not Eat” tag would essentially be a “what it says on the tin” metatag, indicating “you see the tropes and concepts tagged here? they are going to appear in this fic. exactly as said. there will not necessarily be any subversion, authorial commentary condemning problematic aspects, or meditation on potential harm. this fic contains dead dove. if you proceed, you should expect to encounter it.”

✧ "I—are you... crying? No, hey, it's okay. I'm not leaving."

✧ "Why didn’t you wake me up? I would've listened. I always listen."

✧ "You don’t have to do this alone, you know that, right?"

✧ "Did something happen, or is it just... everything?"

✧ "Is this the part where you tell me you’re 'fine'? 'Cause you're literally shaking."

✧ "You scared me. Just—sitting here. In the dark. Alone."

✧ "Talk to me. Yell at me. Cry into a pillow. I don’t care what it is—just do something."

✧ "You didn’t even turn the lights on. How long have you been like this?"

✧ "Hey. No. Don’t apologize. You’re allowed to break down. You’re supposed to break down sometimes."

✧ "Was it a nightmare? Or one of those waking ones your brain likes to loop at 2AM?"

✧ "You're not weak for crying. You're human. And frankly, overdue for a cry, if you ask me."

✧ "I’ll sit here. As long as you need. You don’t have to say anything."

✧ "...You want a hug or should I pretend I didn’t ask and awkwardly hover until you give in?"

✧ "You always take care of everyone else. Let someone take care of you for once."

✮ "I don't know how to be okay without you."

✮ "I said I was fine, but I'm not. Not even close."

✮ "I’ve been pretending for so long I forgot who I was before all this."

✮ "I wasn’t supposed to fall in love with you."

✮ "Do you ever feel like you're just... rotting from the inside?"

✮ "I thought if I stayed quiet, it would hurt less. It didn’t."

✮ "I’m so tired of being the strong one."

✮ "I keep waiting for someone to save me, but no one ever comes."

✮ "You were the only good thing, and I ruined it."

✮ "I hate myself for still caring."

✮ "I didn’t mean to break it—I didn’t mean to break us."

✮ "Please don't leave. I don't think I can take it this time."

✮ "You want the truth? I’m barely surviving."

✮ "I kept it all inside because I didn’t think anyone would care."

✮ "I lie when I smile. I lie when I say I’m okay. It’s all lies."

✮ "You didn’t even notice I was drowning, did you?"

✮ "I don’t know how to ask for help without feeling like a burden."

✮ "I keep hoping tomorrow will be different. It never is."

✮ "I miss the person I used to be. Before all of this."

75 prompts to write drabbles or longer stories.

"I can't let them take everything."

"What is your relationship?"

"I'm not afraid of the future."

"I didn't ask for your help."

"We're in this together."

"You have to let me go."

"I won't let them take you."

"We need to stay focused."

"This isn't just a game."

"We have to stay together."

"I can't do this without you."

"You need to see the bigger picture."

"This changes everything."

"We have to be brave."

"This changes everything."

"We need to find our own path."

"This isn't about us; it's about everyone."

"I'm not afraid to stand alone."

"We need to find the strength within ourselves."

"I don't see this working out for us."

"This is our story, and we're writing it together."

"I can see myself living like this."

"You're living in a dream world."

"The stars are beautiful."

"Can you like not?"

"I didn't even know you exist."

"Call me queen."

"Are you for real?"

"There is no proof for that."

"Do you want to see it?"

"And goodbye!"

"Why do you always make things hard?"

"Really good to see you."

"Don't be so greedy."

"There is probably a very reasonable explanation for that."

"I don't see this working out for us."

"That is a line we shouldn't cross."

"I know you too well for that."

"Why is everyone running?"

"It could be dangerous."

"Loneliness is a disease."

"I'm so proud of myself."

"How do you intend to do this?"

"You can't always win."

"Oh, what a joy."

"Don't be so stupid."

"And here we go again."

"I feel like there is more to come."

"It's a mystery we may never solve."

"Have you seen the monster?"

"I'm freezing and I'm not happy about it."

"That's too much energy."

"Come on, everybody, let's go."

"How do you want to win them back?"

"What is your signature dish?"

"Please come with me to my family event."

"Our communication skills are so bad."

"We were never friends."

"You're a little confused."

"Because this is how I like it."

"Everything is identical."

"Let's see how this plays out."

"That's so inspiring."

"You weren’t supposed to see that."

"I never said it was going to be easy, just that it was worth it."

"What's the price of this?"

"You don’t have to pretend anymore. I know the truth."

"Are you really going to trust them over me?"

"Just because I don’t say much doesn’t mean I don’t notice everything."

"You have no idea what I’ve sacrificed for this."

"Tell me, what’s the worst thing you’ve ever done?"

"You always said you’d never lie to me."

"I knew you would be back. You always come back."

"What would you do if I told you I had one day left to live?"

"And here we go again..."

Drabble Masterlist

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