Summary: A collection of drabbles (100 words exactly) written during S12.

Author's note: Some of these 100-word drabbles were part of heartiemusings #greatlovesparksgolden challenge, and I noted the prompts for those above the titles. I also rearranged them to be in canon order, so not the order I published them. There are also a couple bonus drabbles I wrote that were set in the future that I did not publish during the season that I'm sharing only here on the fanfics sites.

The majority of these are for general audiences. Tickled is rated T for teens.

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Episode 1:

Prompt: Golden Glow - Radiating with Love and Joy

It's a Keeper

"It's a keeper."

The words seemed to echo through his life, from the moment Carson snapped the picture, through the dark years, and now into the light.

He immediately felt joy the day he could place the picture on his desk, the two figures in the frame so young and so innocent, compared to the pain that would eventually surface.

But also ignorant to the love that would follow.

Elizabeth always asked him if he would change the picture, as more and more images of their love were captured.

He would always respond "No," and remember Carson's words from before.

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Prompt: Heart of Gold - moments of kindness, compassion, and caring

Hidden Away

She had hidden him away for a time. Basking in the early days of new love, she tried to forget he was there, would always be there.

And it was easy. Lucas never pried, content to let the past stay in the past.

However, he was always there, a memory knocking at the door, calling out to be heard.

It would be easier now to hide him away again, for Nathan's sake.

But as Nathan handed her the display box, despite the emotional turmoil he felt, she knew wholeheartedly that he would do anything to protect and encourage Jack's memory.

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Episode 3:

Prompt: Golden Touch - Expressing physical affection.

Promise of Passion

His fingers tangled with hers for a moment before trailing lightly up her arm, so he could tuck a piece of hair behind her ear.

And then he leaned in, his lips almost brushing her ear.

"They won't."

She grinned as he pulled away slightly, but only enough to press a sultry kiss where her neck met her shoulder.

She closed her eyes and tipped her head a bit, his lips softly exploring the new territory.

She sighed with unreserved pleasure. It had been a long time since she felt these butterflies in her stomach and the promise of passion.

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Episode 4:

Prompt: Silence is Golden - when words are not needed.

A Conversation Caught

The party was winding down. Allie stood with her friends in a group as they all chatted, but some movement caught her eye in the back of the saloon.

Her dad was dancing with Mrs. Thornton.

It wasn't a waltz, like the one she had pictured earlier. No, this was softer, more intimate.

They weren't talking, at least not with their voices, but she could see that there was a conversation happening, something she didn't quite understand.

The dance ended as the music changed, smiles gracing their faces simultaneously. Allie wistfully dreamed of having her own stolen, romantic moment someday.

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Episode 5:

Prompt: Cupid - Best ship supporter

Smile Lines

She could hear it in the tone of Florence and Molly's voices.

She glared at Bill as he told her "Moon eyes, later."

She counted her lucky stars that Rosemary had been there for her every step of the way.

She could see the hope in Allie's eyes every time she said "Elizabeth."

But the person that was most excited, most supportive of them?

Nathan.

He was just there, making all the little moments feel big. She had never seen him smile so deeply that she could see his smile lines.

And the kisses born of those smiles? Her favorite.

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Episode 6:

Prompt: Love Knot - Eternal Love

Another Dream

She giggled as he recounted the dream he had - the one ultimately ruined by Scout.

He could listen to her laugh forever.

Forever.

The word had reminded him there had been another dream, later in the day.

Sunshine streaming through the empty church windows.

Soft music playing in the background.

Him standing all alone, waiting, hoping.

The door opened, and there she was, a vision in ivory.

She glided toward him, in that dreamlike way.

Blue eyes met blue. A small shy smile on her face.

Her hands in his, as he slid the simple gold band on her finger.

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Episode 7:

Prompt: "On the level" - Moments of Honesty

Counting

The sky was just starting to lighten as he walked her to her door.

She turned on the top step, eyes level with his own. "Was that true? When you started counting?"

Momentary confusion gave way to softness. "Yes. You quoted Emerson to Allie, and, well…" He shrugged.

She smiled and breathed out a small sigh. "That's funny. I started counting in the schoolhouse too."

"Back then?"

She shook her head. "No, I wasn't ready then."

He waited, she could see in his eyes the need to know.

"When you were the only one to ask me what I wanted."

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Prompt: Candy Hearts - Sweet sentiments

Secret Song

Rosemary caught Elizabeth humming a familiar tune while she cleaned up.

"Is that 'You Made Me Love You?'"

Elizabeth startled, pink coloring her cheeks. "Uh, yes, I guess it is."

Rosemary watched as a secret smile formed on Elizabeth's face as she turned away.

The next day, she entered the jail to speak to Nathan, only to find him humming the same song.

Smirking, she asked, "What's that song?"

He stared, wide-eyed, "What song?"

She laughed, letting him off the hook.

Their faces when she played that record after dinner later that week told her everything she needed to know.

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Episode 8:

Prompt: Red Roses - Romantic Moment

Furniture and Things

"Go."

Elizabeth looked up. "Go?"

"I can see you itching to tell Rosemary and Fiona. I'll sit here with Jack."

Her eyes sparkled as she collected all the letters. "I'll be quick." She passed him, only to backtrack and press a kiss to his cheek from behind. "Love you."

He stood and removed his jacket and tie as she left. He wandered over to his chair and settled down with one of the books he had started keeping there after her illness.

He smiled as he realized he had never claimed furniture or kept things at someone else's house before.

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Prompt: "You slay me" - Funny moments

Revenge

He was holding an envelope above his head when she decided to exact her revenge.

It failed.

Miserably.

"Did you just try to tickle me?" Nathan raised an eyebrow.

Elizabeth stood there, a shocked smirk on her face.

"I'm not ticklish. So you better figure out a better way to get what you want."

A few weeks later, she pressed her lips to his neck for the first time and was rewarded with him startling, his eyes wide.

Her smile grew as she realized, "You are ticklish!"

She playfully pounced, but he avoided her, running out the rowhouse door, laughing.

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Prompt: "You slay me" - Funny moments

Revenge Part 2

She chased after him, following him down the steps and out onto the gravel drive.

But his long legs provided him the means to escape easily, and she bent over, holding her stomach as she laughed out loud.

He got a few houses down before he decided to backtrack to where she was.

He stopped a few paces away. "Truce?"

She stepped close, wrapping her arms around his neck. "Never."

"A risk we'll both have to take I guess."

Allie and Jack, who ran from the woods to see the commotion, shook their heads and turned as their parents kissed.

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Episode 10:

Prompt: "Dolled up" - Looking Good.

Favorite Look

He always looked good in his red serge.

He cleaned up nicely in a suit. And apparently in a tux.

And she loved it when he was "dressed up" in his vest, but was still unbuttoned and sleeves rolled up, defying anyone to say something about his unkempt appearance.

He looked particularly good walking through town in his civilian clothes, hands in his pockets, striding up to her.

But her favorite look was never about what he was wearing, it was all about the way he looked at her after kissing her, like she was everything he had ever wanted.

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The Glove

He used to keep it under his pillow every night and while awake, was rarely seen without it.

But things, and people, change.

He offered it to his mom to sell at fifteen, saying he had outgrown it.

She covered his hands with hers and said, "Not this."

He didn't understand, so he threw it in a box.

A box his mother gave him when he and Allie finally had a house in Hope Valley to call home.

A box he opened once and threw in a closet, innocently waiting until he realized the joy it could bring to Jack.

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Desperate for Sleep

She could feel the vestiges of sleep slipping away as early morning light streamed into her room, so she snuggled deeper into her pillow.

But her pillow felt harder, more solid than she was used to.

And smelled like Nathan.

Oh.

She vaguely remembered curling up with him on the couch the evening before.

But why? That wasn't like them. It certainly wasn't like him to stay.

As the earth-shattering memories of the night before slowly trickled in, she was desperate to find sleep again.

Perhaps if she never opened her eyes, it could all just be a horrible dream.

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Episode 11:

Remember

He sat there, watching her hold Jack tight to her chest as he slept. Nathan began to remember, as she said Rosemary had helped her.

But he didn't remember the countless pony rides, the way he was 'Mountie Nathan,' or even the first time he held Jack.

All he could remember was the way his stomach lurched the day he overheard Jack Thornton's widow had given birth to a son.

How he barely made it to a trash can, tears streaming down his face.

How once he was presentable, he marched down to his SO's office and made the request.

Brave

He pressed a kiss to her hair, her hand holding on to his as he stepped out of the infirmary.

Pausing, he took a deep breath.

Hope.

But still, danger. Faith had explained the potential risks with them.

They would need to be brave, and in doing so, might bring hope to so many others.

After a quick meal with Allie, he found himself opening the door to Elizabeth's rowhouse instead of heading to town.

There it was. Sitting on the desk where she had bravely written her letter.

A shadow. A symbol.

In the end, the decision was easy.

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Episode 12:

Together

Reading her hurried script, his heart dropped. "I could never ask…"

"Dad?"

He looked up at Allie. One look from her was all he needed to make his decision.

He turned and found Rosemary already approaching, having heard Allie's shouts.

"Can you call a taxi?"

Her eyes widened as she nodded, "If we hurry, you might be able to catch them before they leave."

He smiled. "If all goes well, we will be leaving with them, together."

She pulled Nathan in for a quick, tight hug - she would do everything she could to get him to her best friend tonight.

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A New Day

She gazed out the window as the sky lightened, dawn breaking over a new day.

But not one in Hope Valley.

She turned her gaze to the compartment.

To Allie, curled up on the bench across from her, still dressed in her green graduation dresso.

To Jack, asleep on Nathan's shoulder, the train rocking too much for him to sleep comfortably elsewhere.

To Nathan, holding her son tight with one arm, his head resting against the wall with his eyes closed, his other hand resting on her thigh.

She may not have been in Hope Valley, but she was home.

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Prompt: "Hit on all sixes" - Best moments of S12

The Small Moments

She watched as Nathan dozed in the chair next to Jack's bed at the clinic, one hand holding her son's.

It was the small moments like these that took her breath away.

Like tying his shoe without hesitation.

Doing the dishes so she could sit and cuddle with him.

Gently lifting him just enough so she could stand and carry him to bed.

Reaching into his own pocket and placing the medal into her brave little boy's hand.

Moments you might miss if you weren't looking.

And yet each of them hit her heart more than any grand gesture could.

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Future Drabble:

Challenge: Write Nathan with a mustache that makes goodnewsgreatjoy melt

Note: Rated T for teens

Tickled

He had been gone for weeks, tracking a notorious rumrunner with an elite team.

He had one night off in Union City.

She didn't recognize him at the station, a full face of facial hair.

He snagged her from behind, pressing a kiss to her neck as he guided them towards the hotel.

The door was barely closed and his lips were on hers, his mustache tickling her upper lip.

Within minutes, it was tickling the inside of her thigh as he pushed up her slip.

The next morning, she had a stinging reminder of the delicious night they'd had.

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Bonus future drabbles: Only published on fanfic sites

Sunshower

The sunshower had come upon them quickly, small droplets falling, not enough to soak, but breaking through the summer heat.

He watched as she tilted her face towards the sky, eyes closed, delighting in the feel of the rain on her skin, dampening her hair enough for her curls to form.

He didn't think it was possible for her to be more beautiful on this day, but the evidence stood before him, holding his hand, absolutely stunning in white.

When he couldn't stand it any longer, he pulled his bride toward him and kissed her rain-dampened lips with his own.

Snuggles

He slid into bed, instantly snuggling behind her.

She usually slept through it, used to his comings and goings as needed. But lately, her senses were much more attuned to her surroundings.

"Everything okay?"

"Hmm hmm," he hummed as he wrapped his arms around her and nuzzled into her neck, the sleepiness in his voice clear.

"What was it?"

"She was just a bit restless and needed some snuggles to sleep."

She smiled, thinking about him rocking their daughter to sleep.

"Just like I do now." He snuggled her closer and within minutes, she recognized his even breaths of sleep.