Write a love story without using the word “love.”

Posted in Valentine's Day on Feb 9, 2024

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✍️ 101 stories

“No Beds” by Morgan Aloia

Submitted to Contest #237

There were no beds, outside of Peyr. Not as far as Jagos knew, at least. He and Mirdel slept on planks hoisted up into low marshland trees, for as long as the boughs would hold them. When they were intimate it was standing calf-deep in mud more often than not. They’d lean against their slobsled, the one that Mirdel had stolen and piled everything they owned onto, and they’d take each other rough.That’s what made this such a treat, rolling around in feather-filled luxury. It wasn’t even a particularly nice mattress, frayed and clumpy, bu...

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“Loins-A-Leaping: An A.I. Chatt Novel of Ostensibly Paranormal Mystery as by Anita Brake, AKA J.D. Robbed, with Martin Ross in Smaller Type ” by Martin Ross

Submitted to Contest #237

PrologueAn Italian VillaItalyHer tiramisu now a decadent constellation of espresso-soaked crumbs across a vast nine-inch expanse of luxuriant eggshell Milanese Corel, the tip of her newly Botoxed tongue delicately savored the exclusive nespresso the Giardino Degli Ulivi shipped in daily from the Cluni di Vito Valley. She could be forgiven her cosmic meanderings – the renowned Dr. Tyson had addressed the conference this morning, and the former boxer and honorary doctorate in pugilistic romance had closed his keynote with a random prose recita...

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“I'm Not In...” by Jed Cope

Submitted to Contest #237

There are some things that are not for the likes of us, and we live our lives accordingly. It pays not to get your hopes up. It certainly pays to remember the lines that should not be crossed. Even better, we build walls on the borders, walls that go so high there is no danger of catching a foolish glimpse of emerald grass that seduces and beckons. Who really needs that grass anyway? What is this obsession with finely manicured lawns? There’s more to life than that. Besides, it’s all very well acquiring a pristine lawn, but keeping it that w...

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“Version 1.4.3” by Brianna J. Gonzalez

Submitted to Contest #237

“Good morning, version 1.4.3.” “I know you’re passionate about your work, Iris. But, you realize it’s kinda creepy when you start talking to code, right?” His warm, teasing voice sends a jolt of electricity through her. Iris can’t stop the corners of her lips from turning up in a grin. “Good morning to you, too, Ian.” “One day, I’m gonna earn the first ‘good morning’ of your day.” Sunlight is just beginning to spill through the wide office window when Iris turns from her computer screen to focus on him. “So sorr...

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“Like A Dragon Sitting in Church” by Daniel Rogers

Submitted to Contest #237

A minor disaster occurred in a quaint house inside the outer wall of Selwyn. Not that Treena would call it minor unless compared to a dragon attack or invading army. However, barring dragons or armies, Treena judged her disaster to be monumental. The family necklace broke. It was an heirloom passed down through ten generations - a golden brooch inlaid with rubies and emeralds arranged in a spiral pattern. Treena had bent to pick up her fallen hairpin. When she rose, the necklace caught on the corner of a table and snapped. Fortunately, the b...

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“Your Best Bet!” by Julie Grenness

Submitted to Contest #237

Nicky meandered into work, her sleek attire impressive as always. Her hair was well-groomed, in an upswept bun to show she meant business. Her skirt was pencil slim, topped with a matching jacket. Nicky had a bit of a shoe fetish, her high heels showed off her legs, with sheer hosiery. Naturally, Nicky did not tell her collaborative team of Christian counselors about her own fixations. She had already been promoted, and was regarded as slightly icy to males, but a true professional mediator in well-being. As one of the leading professionals...

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“1-4-3” by Infernia Dragonfly

Submitted to Contest #237

Warning: death.Her lips touched his forehead, warm from the fever he had had for the last couple of days. He was trembling and slowly closed his eyes when she touched him. Then, he finally seemed… at peace. His forehead grew colder so fast as if his very soul left the room in a split second. He has gone to sleep forever. A tear dropped from her cheek onto his arm. But he would never feel the sensation of water brushing against his skin again.Once this was all they had. Sun and saltwater splashing them, wetting their clothes. Somehow, he alwa...

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“Owl and Raven” by Kathleen Capacci

Submitted to Contest #237

“Raven is so beautiful!” Owl inhaled his breath sharply.Nestled in his tree hollow, he had poked his head out and saw the most stunning sight of his life. A sudden gust of cold air had awakened Owl from his daily slumber to this astonishing bird. Raven was hopping over the lustrous snow, occasionally digging with her beak. Her black feathers glimmered blue and purple every time she moved as the filtered sun reflected off her sleek body. Raven moved around gracefully as she explored the underbrush by the trees. Her courtly feet left a soft cr...

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“For You” by J.B. Redel

Submitted to Contest #237

“Get down!”Seraphina dropped to the muddy forest floor before the last of Alistair’s warning rang out through the night air. A dull thud sounded above her; the shadow shrouded handle of a night blade embedded in the bark of the tree she had stood against only a moment before. The blade disappeared in a hiss of smoke as she shoved to her feet and lunged through the darkness in the direction of Alistair’s voice.“Over here!” As usual, he seemed to know her intentions. Somehow knowing he would be there, she extended her hand into the darkness ar...

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“Asteroid 325” by Lylian Xanakis

Submitted to Contest #237

Life has been meek here on Asteroid 325. Ever since my boy left, I’ve been worrying about him non-stop. Well, I’ve been worrying about my future and my chance of survival, more than anything. I have needs, you know? One cannot spend the whole day being pretty and smelling amazing without needing some pampering here and there. At first, the lack of his presence was not a reason for concern. After all, he did leave the screen for me to use at night. Those drafts are real killers. One quick breeze and BAM! Your petals wither, your thorns fall o...

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“Special” by Rachel P. Singleton

Submitted to Contest #237

She sits in the front of my deskIn the start of my freshman high school yearI never knew if she noticed meSo I sat quietly in fearI saw her walk in on her first dayShe didn't look me in the eyeBut I knew she was something specialAnd I had no idea whyWe passed each other in the hallsYour classic high school budding romanceI wish I could just talk to herBut I didn't want to blow my chanceI was enrolled in music classWhere I always played my guitarBut one day I had an ideaThe best one I'd had by farOne day in the school courtyardWhen just a few...

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“When” by Shawna Burge

Submitted to Contest #237

WHEN Andy Pearson 2023© “When did you first fall for each other?” It’s the kind of question that gets asked with a tiny giggle. It gets asked at parties that guys don’t want to attend. Parties where people are eating pretty food from real plates. I was thinking about how I might watch the baseball game on my phone at that kind of party without appearing like I was watching. Then it was quiet, and everyone was eyeing me. Our host, Jennifer, smiled and asked the question again. “When...

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“Custody Arrangements” by Brigitte Bennet

Submitted to Contest #237

Two very different women land their broomsticks in front of the very normal house. Each broomstick disappears into thin air as the women walk from their landing spots to meet in the open driveway.“What are you doing here, Ella?” says the taller of the two.“Collecting on a promise, although I wish I did not need to,” replies the one with the shorter hair.“Me too. I am sorry that we both have to take from them at once, it seems cruel.”“Such is the nature of a contract, as I’m sure you know too well.”Ella simply nods, and they walk to the door ...

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“Dee’s Ghosts.” by Neil Dabb

Submitted to Contest #237

Dee hated this time of year. Every time someone coiled up a frozen garden hose the popping and cracking it made triggered the memory of that fateful day that her best friend nearly castrated her crush. He’d been standing on the second to the top rung of a metal gate and had just put his leg over to go to the other side when Clara pulled his foot off the rung. The popping of his balls as he hit sounded just like those hoses, and Dee had watched in horror as he turned blue while grasping his damaged family jewels. Clara just gig...

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“LA BELLE EPOQUE” by Charles Corkery

Submitted to Contest #237

LA BELLE EPOQUE At best, his barista skills could be classed as rudimentary. In fact, the last time he had been forced to actually work a shift at the cliff face of a Wega 4 Group coffee maker, the type his establishments preferred, they had suffered more complaints over quality than actual coffees sold; most regulars, upon seeing that it was him, Jonah, manning the steaming wands, would simply retreat as unobtrusively as possible, preferring to chance a cup of instant from the kitchenette of their various workplaces. He couldn’t cook e...

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Write a love story without using the word “love.”

Submissions are closed

✍️ 101 stories

“No Beds” by Morgan Aloia

“Loins-A-Leaping: An A.I. Chatt Novel of Ostensibly Paranormal Mystery as by Anita Brake, AKA J.D. Robbed, with Martin Ross in Smaller Type ” by Martin Ross

“I'm Not In...” by Jed Cope

“Version 1.4.3” by Brianna J. Gonzalez

“Like A Dragon Sitting in Church” by Daniel Rogers

“Your Best Bet!” by Julie Grenness

“1-4-3” by Infernia Dragonfly

“Owl and Raven” by Kathleen Capacci

“For You” by J.B. Redel

“Asteroid 325” by Lylian Xanakis

“Special” by Rachel P. Singleton

“When” by Shawna Burge

“Custody Arrangements” by Brigitte Bennet

“Dee’s Ghosts.” by Neil Dabb

“LA BELLE EPOQUE” by Charles Corkery

🌟 Similar prompts

Write about a successful marriage proposal, or one that goes horribly wrong.

Write about a cynical character who somehow ends up on a blind date.

Write a story about a first or last kiss.

Write a story about two people falling in love via email.

Contest #237

Enter our weekly contest!

$250

Prize money

324

Contest entries

133

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

Explore more writing prompt ideas: