Welcome to Hey, Sweetheart, the event where we challenge you to use the pet name “sweetheart” in fic or art!
Years ago, someone told me that I couldn’t write Jim Kirk calling Spock “sweetheart.” Instead of getting upset, I dedicated an event to it.
Today, Hey Sweetheart is an all-fandoms fest.
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💕 EVENT UPDATES
9/9/26: The 2027 event will revert to the original format, just the base prompt, with no bonuses. Rules are updated below. See you in February!
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🗓️ EVENT DATES
February 12-14, 2027
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<img src="/icons/heart-outline_pink.svg" alt="/icons/heart-outline_pink.svg" width="40px" /> Rules
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<img src="/icons/heart-outline_pink.svg" alt="/icons/heart-outline_pink.svg" width="40px" /> Posting Info
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<img src="/icons/heart-outline_pink.svg" alt="/icons/heart-outline_pink.svg" width="40px" /> FAQs
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<img src="/icons/heart-outline_pink.svg" alt="/icons/heart-outline_pink.svg" width="40px" /> Questions
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The pretty link for this info is https://tinyurl.com/heysweetheart2
The Challenge
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IN FIC
Have a character call someone else “sweetheart” as a pet name!
No sarcasm/jokes! It can be an accident, but they must mean it.
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IN ART
Use the word “sweetheart” in a piece of art
You can stylize it as a design element, or it can appear as a pet name in a speech bubble.
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Rules
This event has run for a few years, so your question is probably answered in here somewhere! If you don’t see it in the rules, check the FAQs below.
- The pet name “sweetheart” must appear in the work!
- In fic, a character must call another character the pet name “sweetheart.” Yes, it must be used as a pet name! It can be said by accident, but the character must ultimately mean it. No jokes, no sarcasm. (The only exception would be that it is initially said in sarcasm but later repeated sincerely)
- In art, the word may be stylized as a design element or used in speech. If a character is speaking, such as in a speech bubble, as with fic “sweetheart” must be used sincerely and as a pet name
- No sign ups necessary! Anyone 14 years or older is welcome to join. If you will be under 18 at posting, please keep your rating from G to Teen! Discord members (18+) have an optional notification role available in
Channels & Roles
- Works can be made in any language
- Create as many things as you’d like for the event
- Get started any time, but don’t post the full work anywhere until the event starts! Teasers/snippets are fine to share on your personal social media accounts
- There are no content restrictions, minimums, or maximums! All fandoms, ships & gen fic, genres, tropes, AUs, crossovers, fusions, etc. are welcome. Original fiction is welcome too. Do whatever you want. Kill your favorites. I don’t care
- What you create must be standalone and complete by the end of the event. It can be part of an existing series OR a prequel/sequel as long as it can be understood independently.
- Everything you post for the event should be new OR an unpublished WIP