Author's Note

Winner of the October 2024 Flashfic 150 competition!

October 2024: "Uncharacteristic" (AWARD WINNER)

In The Foreground

Lepidoptera shifted in bed. She was uncertain, fearful.

Was this how Lyra would have tossed and turned? Had she snored? Was she a cuddler?

There were so many complications she’d never accounted for, never thought—

“Lyra?”

Internally panicking, Lepidoptera flipped to face Bon Bon. “Yeah?”

“Just snuggle me for a bit, will you?”



“Oh, um, of course!”

She drew in, and Bon Bon took it from there, her warm body pulling close as her forelimbs wrapped around Lepidoptera’s disguised body. “You’re cold, Lyra.”

“Sorry.”



“Don’t be.” She yawned. “Good night…”

As an infiltrator, Lepidoptera had played the part of Lyra Heartstrings so often — even in front of Bon Bon — that she’d believed she’d known the pony better than anyone.

Days after assuming the late unicorn’s life, the changeling knew that wasn’t true. But there was one thing she knew with certainty.

Bonnie needed her.

“Good night,” Lepidoptera whispered.