Update: The profile blurb just got a beautiful extension that compliments the actors and much more ❤️
"For showing how we can overcome our worst fears and 'go to the cottage,' Heated Rivalry has earned a Peabody."
We are continuing to investigate reports of slowness and errors when trying to load AO3, including errors saying that AO3 is down. Refer to our status page for more information: https://t.co/1Fxip5Mm2F
I work the swing shift at a hospital cafeteria. I don't get off until 11:30 PM, and I have to take the bus home.
From the bus stop to my duplex is a four-block walk. Our street's streetlights have been burnt out for months, and the city keeps ignoring our petitions to fix them. As a 24-year-old woman walking alone at midnight, those four blocks were the most terrifying part of my day. I’d clutch my keys between my fingers and run the whole way.
One night, I mentioned my fear to Mrs. Higgins, the elderly woman who lives next door, while we were checking our mail. I wasn't complaining, just explaining why I always rushed past her house so late.
She just nodded and patted my arm.
That night, I stepped off the bus at midnight. It was pitch black, as usual. I took a deep breath and turned the corner onto my street.
I stopped dead in my tracks.
It wasn't dark.
Every single porch light on my side of the street was turned on. The entire four blocks were bathed in a warm, yellow glow.
As I walked, I saw a silhouette in a window here, a curtain twitch there.
They were awake. They were watching.
When I got to my door, Mrs. Higgins was sitting on her porch in a rocking chair, a thick blanket over her lap and a cup of tea in her hand.
"Good evening, dear," she said cheerfully.
"Mrs. Higgins, did you ask everyone to leave their lights on?" I asked, my voice catching.
"I didn't ask them to leave them on," she smiled. "I just told them my neighbor was walking home, and it was a bit too dark for my liking. The neighborhood agreed."
They’ve left them on every night since.
Community isn't about knowing everyone's name. It's about making sure everyone makes it to their front door safe.
Anonymous
[update] Scheduled (Jan 21, 2026, 16:18 UTC): #AO3 will be down for about 15 hours starting at 08:00 UTC on January 21 while we make some improvements to searching bookmarks and series. https://t.co/X8z2xSoTXh