#“let me go get an adult to handle this”

[estrogenandspite]

I was 14.

In hindsight, I shouldn't have been out there in the first place. I was too young for this, but when I was adopted by the world's richest man and told I could have anything I ever wanted including vengeance on the man who killed my parents, all I had to do was agree to wear a brightly colored costume, be subjected to experiments that would give me powers, and become world-famous as the sidekick to the masked avenger, Foxglove - I mean what child wouldn't have taken the option?

I was 14 fucking years old.

My response to compound zed was good: super strength, super speed, and limited control over my own shadow that I could use to form tentacles and manipulate objects and fight at a distance. It got to the point where I actually had a nemesis of my own – Radiance, the sidekick of The Grim, Foxglove's most hated rival. There were talks about being in magazines, maybe doing some interviews of my own once I finished a media training course.

Then that goddamn fire happened.

Foxglove doesn't have powers of his own. It only occurred to me later that that's because he was worried about what compound zed would do to him. It's not reliable, you see. For every sidekick you see patrolling the streets with him one day, there's four or five bodies that no one ever finds. So he lets his sidekicks do the dangerous stuff, and eventually it gets too dangerous.

"Sorry, Kid."

That was the last thing he ever said to me. The building was on fire, but I thought I could handle it. Shadow control gets unreliable, however, when the light is flickering. I couldn't get a good grasp on it, and the building started to collapse. I begged for help. I screamed for him to save me. He had a fireproof suit on. He had a gas mask. He could have done it, but instead I got a "Sorry, Kid," and he left me behind.

And then The Grim showed up.

Turns out The Grim was the first. Yeah. That was him, back in the day. Foxglove spreads all those rumors about him and frames him for crimes so that no one takes him seriously. Radiance? A project Foxglove thought had died on the testing table. Turns out her power only manifested after her heart stopped. There's two others, Cleaver and Whipvine. Yeah, they're both one of Foxglove's abandoned sidekicks. And of course, me. I don't use the name he gave me anymore – that was a whole lifetime ago. It's Umbra now.

That's why I was there when he left you behind.

It gets better. We don't let you fight until you're 18, if you still want to. Radiance and I are the same age, but The Grim just couldn't stop her from fighting. We're dating now. Enemies to lovers, yeah. But I didn't fight until I was 18, and with all four of us, we will sit on you if you try to go out there before you're old enough. Still, we'll take care of you until then. If you want to fight once you're an adult? We'll support you. If you don't? We'll still support you. And if you want to leave now – we'll make sure you get a good home, loving family. Long as you don't suit up before you're 18, we'll leave you alone. You get choices. Things he never gave you.

Unlike him, we know what family means.

You interested, Kid Wonder #5?

That's what I thought.

Welcome to the Rejects.

You were the sidekick to a super hero. You worked hard, doing all the labor while he got the credit but it's fine. Anyways, while saving people in a fire, you get trapped. You scream out for help, but all he does is stare at you. "Sorry, kid." He shrugs and leaves you there to die.

[anonymousewrites]

Nobody's Soldier (Book 1) Chapter One

Found Family! Supernatural x Reader

Dean Winchester x Castiel (Slow Burn)

Chapter One: Happy Birthday

Summary: (Y/N) celebrates their fourteenth birthday, and everything changes.

Mouse Note: I can't believe it, I'm finally publishing this! Wow! I'm so so so excited to share this story with you all, I've got so much planned. First, an announcement or two. Updates will be M-W-F and then move to Monday-Friday. Nothing romantic happens between any adults and the MC, the MC is a teenager. Eventually Love Interest is Jack Kline, but that is way in the future We're starting with Season 4 and going from there. Please comment and let me know what you think, engagement helps writers keep writing! So, without further ado, welcome to Nobody's Soldier (Book 1)! (and, yes, we'll get some Winchesters soon) 

            “Make a wish, sweetheart,” said (M/N).

            (Y/N) closed their eyes. On either side of them stood their parents. Before them, their birthday cake and flaming candles awaited their wish. (Y/N) fiddled slightly with their amber necklace and took a deep breath.

            I wish to have potential.

            It seemed a silly wish, but (Y/N) was fourteen years old. Teenage angst and anxiety ran rampant in their mind. They didn’t know what to do with their life, puberty was hell, and they still didn’t completely know themself. For God’s sake, they didn’t really have friends. (Y/N) wanted things to change. They wanted to know they were here for a reason and that everything would one day make sense. It was a silly but real wish.

            (Y/N) opened their eyes and blew. The candles flicked out.

            “What did you wish for?” asked (F/N).

            “If they tell you, it doesn’t come true,” scolded (M/N).

            “Exactly,” said (Y/N), grinning at their dad.

            “I’ll get it out of you somehow,” said (F/N) teasingly, and (Y/N) shook their head in determination. “But until then, cake.” He headed to the cutlery drawer and picked up a knife.

            “Anyone want a water refill?” said (M/N).

            “Yes, please,” said (Y/N).

            (M/N) smiled. “Anything for the birthday kid.”

            “I’m not a kid, I’m a teenager,” said (Y/N). “And not even a thirteen-year-old. I could be going to high school.”

            (M/N) paused, her hand on the water bottle sitting in the windowsill and catching the moonlight. “…(Y/N), high school…it’s tough.”

            “You and Dad forced me to work through summers since I was six,” said (Y/N). “I can handle schoolwork.”

            “It would be too easy for you,” said (F/N) instantly, exchanging a look with (M/N). “Besides, we might have to move again.”

            “Again?” said (Y/N).

            “I’m sorry, sweetheart, we wanted to talk about this another day. Let’s not do it tonight,” said (M/N), ruffling (Y/N)’s hair.

            “But I want to try being normal,” said (Y/N), shoulders slumping in defeat. “I want to go to school with other kids and make more friends instead of just trying to talk to neighbors.”

            “High school would be tough for you,” said (M/N). “We don’t want you to have a rough time.”

            “But Dad said the school would be too easy,” pointed out (Y/N).

            “The school—” (M/N) grimaced, clearly unsure how to continue. “The work is fine. But…the kids won’t understand us.”

            “And if we’re leaving, it would hurt to start over and over,” said (F/N).

            “Aren’t you guys always telling me that sometimes things are tough and you have to work through them?” said (Y/N).

            “Yes,” said (F/N). He squeezed (Y/N)’s shoulders. ��But you’re our child. We want to avoid as much difficulty for you as possible.”

            “Except when you have me learn self-defense and let me get all bruised up,” huffed (Y/N). “I don’t get these rules!”

            “It’s for the best,” said (M/N). She knelt and took (Y/N)’s hands. “I promise, sweetheart, this is all for a reason. It will make sense soon.”

            “How soon?” said (Y/N) tiredly.

            (M/N) and (F/N) exchanged another poignant look.

            “Soon,” said (F/N) firmly. “We’ll start explaining everything soon.”

            “Yes,” agreed (M/N). “After all, you’re growing up. And while school isn’t the best place for you…we respect that you’re growing up. So we’ll explain everything soon, alright?”

            “You promise?” said (Y/N).

            “Yes,” said (F/N). “We promise.”

            “Now,” said (M/N). “Let’s do cake and presents, okay?”

            (Y/N) paused and nodded. They remained disappointed with their parents’ answer about moving again, not going to high school, and continuing to keep secrets (as if (Y/N) didn’t know they had something going on, as if (Y/N) hadn’t guessed years ago that learning about monsters wasn’t normal, as if (Y/N) was blind to them something-proofing the houses they moved into). However, (Y/N) would let them take their time. If they didn’t tell them soon, (Y/N) would bother their parents into submission. Until then, cake and presents. A fair trade for their birthday. (Y/N) would accept this for now.

            “Here you go, kiddo,” said (F/N), putting a plate with a piece of cake in front of (Y/N).

            “Thanks, Dad,” said (Y/N), putting on a smile and digging in.

            (M/N) and (F/N) smiled at them and then each other before getting their own pieces of cake. Raising such a kid in such a life was difficult, but at least (Y/N) was a good kid with a good heart. That’s all they could hope for.

            “I’m done!” declared (Y/N) when the cake had disappeared from their plate. “So…I heard the word presents?”

            (M/N) laughed.

            “Spoiled much?” said (F/N).

            “You and Mom said the word,” pointed out (Y/N).

            “They’re too observant, (M/N),” said (F/N) in mock disappointment. “We can’t hide anything from them anymore.”

            “Maybe you can’t, I still can,” replied (M/N) playfully.

            “You’re keeping secrets too? What a betrayal,” said (F/N), chuckling as he went to the other room. When he returned, he held a small box in his hands. “Here you go. Happy birthday, (Y/N).”

            (Y/N) took the box, undid the ribbon, and opened the lid. “Oh! It’s so pretty.” They held up a new necklace. It was silver with a pendant of an indigo stone. “Is it a quartz?”

            “Told you they’d guess it,” said (M/N) in amusement, and (F/N) chuckled. “Yes, spirit quartz.”

            (Y/N) furrowed their brow. “Another protection stone?” This wasn’t rude; it was the truth. Their amber necklace was there for the same reason.

            “You’re growing older and going through a period of growth,” said (F/N). “So a more powerful stone is helpful.”

            “And spirit quartz helps with growth,” said (M/N). “And you’re growing up, sweetheart. So fast sometimes…”

            (Y/N) smiled as their parents spoke. “It’s really pretty. And my favorite color.”

            “Indigo is a good color,” agreed (F/N).

            (Y/N) pulled their cord and amber necklace from their neck and clasped the silver and spirit quartz jewelry around them. As soon as it settled around their neck, the cool feeling of the fresh crystal settled on their chest. It warmed with their skin soon enough, but (Y/N) still felt the love and care with which their parents had picked it up.

            “Thanks, Mom. Thanks, Dad,” said (Y/N), smiling.

            “Of course, sweetheart,” said (M/N). She hugged (Y/N) on one side. “We love you.”

            “We love you so much,” said (F/N), hugging (Y/N) too.

            (Y/N) closed their eyes and hugged their parents back. “I love you, too.”

l

            (Y/N) heard a door slam and started out of sleep. They sat up in their bed and rubbed their eyes. Blearily, they looked at the clock. It read 3:13. The moon still hung high in the sky, and no hint of the sun was even on the horizon. However, (Y/N) heard the sound of an argument, voices rising in agitation.

            Unable to help themself, they crept towards the door of the bedroom and walked into the hall. From the top of the stairs, they heard their parents and an unknown voice.

            “You will leave this house, or I will send you back to your lord,” snarled their father’s voice.

            (Y/N) stiffened, and a true sense of danger washed over them. They had never heard their father so angry.

            “You can try,” sneered the voice (Y/N) didn’t recognize.

            “Exorcizamus te, omnis immundus spiritus, omnis satanica potestas.” (M/N)’s voice rose. “Omnis incursion inferna—”

            A loud thump broke off her words.

            “(M/N)!”

            (Y/N) couldn’t help themself and ran down the stairs upon hearing their father’s shout of fear. They arrived at the bottom of the stairs, and their eyes widened.

            Their mother had fallen from the force, and the wall behind her was cracked from the force with which she had hit it.

            “Mom?” said (Y/N), eyes wide.

            (M/N)’s eyes widened in horror upon seeing (Y/N), and (F/N) whirled.

            “(Y/N), go—” he said.

            “Aw, is this the kid?” The woman in their living room smirked as she saw (Y/N). “Welcome to the party.” Her eyes flicked black, and (Y/N)’s breath caught.

            Demon. They had thought their parents were exaggerating with all their talk of monsters, but that—that couldn’t be fake. Oh god. A demon.

            (Y/N) took a step back as the demon raised hand.

            “Infernalis adversarii, omnis legio,” said (M/N), and the demon groaned as she spoke. “Omnis congregatio et secta diabolica. Ergo, omnis legio diabolica—”

            The window behind (Y/N) broke as someone jumped through it. They let out a shout, and hands grabbed them. A strange, jagged knife was lifted to their throat, and (Y/N) yelped. Looking up, they met empty black voids instead of eyes.

            Instantly, (M/N) faltered, and her eyes widened.

            “No!” said (F/N), moving towards (Y/N).

            The first demon lunged at that moment.

            “(F/N)!” said (M/N), trying to pull herself up, but her back was badly injured.

            “Dad!” cried (Y/N).

            (F/N) twisted to avoid the demon, but the knife sunk into his side. (Y/N) screamed, and the demon holding them pushed the knife further towards their neck, cutting it slightly. (F/N) stumbled back, blood seeping from his wound. He fell to the ground, and the demon approached.

            “Adiuramus te... cessa decipere humanas creaturas, eisque æternæ perditionìs venenum propinare...—” continued (M/N) again.

            “Shut her up,” snapped the first demon.

            The second threw (Y/N) to the side. (Y/N) hit the cabinets of their kitchen and held their arm, knowing at least a bruise was coming. Several cannisters of herbs and spices fell around them, hitting their head.

            The second demon drew his knife and walked towards (M/N). She glared up at him before shouting.

            “(Y/N), salt!”

            (Y/N) didn’t hesitate to fumble for the salt cannister, obeying their mother though they didn’t understand what she was asking for. The second demon hesitated, looking at where (Y/N) shook out a line of salt around themself, and that hesitation about which human to go after was what (F/N) needed.

            “Vade, satana, inventor et magister omnis fallaciæ, hostis humanæ salutis... Humiliare sub potenti manu Dei—”

            The woman demon slit his throat, and (Y/N) screamed.

            “Dad!” they cried, eyes widening.

            (F/N) fell, unmoving. Blood poured from his throat, and his eyes were unseeing as they looked at (Y/N), who scrambled back.

            “Let’s finish this,” said the woman demon, sighing. “You’ve been no help.” She glared at the man.

            “The kid is hiding,” sneered the man, looking back at (Y/N) behind their salt line.

            (Y/N) pressed themself farther back against the kitchen cabinets and held onto their necklace as if it could protect them from this.

            “Doesn’t matter,” said the first demon. “We have what we want.” She approached (M/N).

            “M-Mom!” said (Y/N).

            “It’s alright,” said (M/N), not showing fear in the face of the demon as she loomed over her. “It’s going to be okay.”

            “Aww, lying to your offspring? What a sinful final moment,” scoffed the demon.

            “But don’t worry, they’re being joining you soon,” said the second demon with a grin.

            “You won’t touch them,” said (M/N) fiercely. “Contremisce et effuge—”

            The female demon stabbed her chest, and (M/N) let out a gasp. Blood bubbled up from her lips as it filled her chest and lungs. (Y/N) screamed, reaching out to their mom helplessly. (M/N)’s body slumped down.

            The demoness knelt and dibbed one hand into her blood and one hand into (F/N)’s name blood. Then, she smeared it on her chest in a weird sigil. Closing her eyes, she whispered to herself, and (Y/N) shivered. They could not hear the words, but they knew they had to be bad. Indeed, the house shook slightly as the wind picked up outside.

            “Done?” said the second demon.

            The demoness opened her eyes, black as a void. “Done.” She looked at (Y/N). “Time to clean up loose ends.” She advanced on the kitchen, and (Y/N)’s eyes widened.

            “Invocato a nobis sancto et terribili nomine…” A faint whisper interrupted by coughs echoed through the house. The demons whirled. “...quem inferi tremunt...Ab insidiis diaboli, libera nos, Domine.”

            The male demon gripped his knife and ran towards (M/N), but she glared at him fiercely.

            “Ut Ecclesiam tuam secura tibi facias libertate servire—” the words came fast and sure “te rogamus, audi nos! You will not touch my child!”

            The demons let out shouts as the exorcism forced them from their vessels. Smoke poured from their mouth and spiraled upwards.

            (Y/N) watched with wide eyes as the smoke broke out of the windows and escaped into the sky. Then, they looked at their mom.

            “M-Mom?” whispered (Y/N).

            “It’s okay…They won’t be back for a while…” said (M/N), coughing. She held out a hand. “Come here, sweetheart.”

            (Y/N) didn’t hesitate and ran to their mom’s side. They just wanted their parents. They sobbed as they passed their father’s body.

            “It’s okay. It’s okay,” said (M/N), taking (Y/N)’s hand as they fell to their knees beside her. “You’re going to be okay, sweetheart.”

            “M-Mom,” sobbed (Y/N). “I can’t—You can’t—Please don’t go…” They never felt as small and young as they did in that moment.

            “I’m sorry…” said (M/N). “I have to…” She squeezed (Y/N)’s hand, and they felt their stomach flip nauseously as (M/N)’s blood stained their hands. “But I need to tell you what…to do now…”

            (Y/N) looked at (M/N). What were they supposed to do? No relatives were alive, no police were capable enough to deal with this, and no one would believe demons had killed their parents.

            “Under your father and I’s bed…is money…take it…take the credit cards…take everything…” (M/N) coughed, blood dribbling down the side of her mouth, and (Y/N) wiped it away. “…Remember what we taught you…I’m so sorry we’re leaving now…We wanted to see you…grow.” (M/N)’s eyes fluttered.

            “Mom, please, don’t,” begged (Y/N).

            (M/N) forced her eyes open. “You’re so strong, (Y/N)…You can do this…I know you can survive…And we’ll be watching. We promise…”

            (Y/N) hugged their mom, desperate to keep her with them. “Mom, you can’t go, I can’t do this, I’m not strong enough to survive, I just want to stay with you…”

            (M/N) used all her strength to hold her child close. “You were born for great things. We love you so much, sweetheart. We always will.”

            “I love you,” sobbed (Y/N). “Please…please…” They opened their eyes when they got no response. (M/N) was limp and still in their arms. Blood stained their hands and the ground all around them. “Please…please…please, Mommy. Daddy. Come back…please…”

            There would never be a response.

l

            (Y/N) stood outside of their house. They looked back at it, the moonlight shining through the broken front door and window to illuminate the ruby red blood of their parents and their bodies. They gripped the strap of their backpack tighter. Stuffed within it was the supplies they had found under their parents’ bed—cash, strange credit cards, a flask of water wrapped in a rosary, and a hunting knife. (Y/N) had pushed a change of clothes in, some food, and a cannister of salt. They stood as tall as they could as their hands shook from the events of the night. This would be their last look at their house and the life they had.

            (Y/N) would have to grow up far quicker than they ever anticipated. All they had were the clothes on their back—jeans, a sweater, and their now-beloved necklace—and the contents of their backpack. They were alone.

            Looking up at the sky, they closed their eyes. They just wanted to know what to do next. They wanted to know how to survive. They wanted to know how to live now they had lost everything.

            And with no answer from the world, all (Y/N) could do was follow the wind as it blew towards the street and the dangerous world beyond.

Taglist:

@snowy-violet

@girgal73

@neenieweenie

@yummycement

@pain-in-the-ashe

@w0mank1sser

@taeswolfie

@yappydoo

@demonic-insomniac

@aew-regression-cove

@grippledee-galaxy

@lemmejustreadman

@coffeecloud135

@star-maker-rain-dancer

@introvertathome

@trashcannotbealive

[galaxybonez]

Hi!! I wanted to ask, how would your Sanses feel dating a very Submissive S/O? Like not *just* a sub on the dirty stuff. I mean as a person who avoids conflicts, is very soft spoken and would rather go along with whatever plans/choices their partner makes intead of having to be the one to make them themselves or lead the way in general. A sheep, in a nice way, not like a doormat.

Ooohhh this one stumped me for a little bit! I hope it's what you're looking for, anon! I only did the main three starting off - otherwise it would have taken me forever to get this out - BUT I'm willing to continue it with some of the other boys if anyone requests it!

Sans

- Sans worries about you a lot. He met you not too long after the barrier shattered, at a time where he was still weary and suspicious of most humans he met. Timid is how he would have described you, then. Quiet, always agreeing with everyone around you without really expressing your own thoughts or opinions.

- If he were to be honest, he still can’t believe that he was able to get close to you, but his patience paid off.

- Sans knows your boundaries and doesn’t push them. Over time he learns how to read you, able to pinpoint how you feel about something by your body language or even the smallest change in expression; and, as you get closer, the vibes your soul gives off.

- As time goes on, you eventually start opening up to him. Being honest about what you would like to do or how you feel about something without worrying about people pleasing.

- He likes making sure you’re comfortable.

- Sans has been your willing excuse many times to get out of something you really don’t want to do and have a hard time saying no to.

- Sans is your safe haven. Comfort personified into a cuddly skeleton whom is always there to listen to you, even if it isn't through your words.

Red

- Red never would have seen himself being with someone who doesn't have a backbone. Where he comes from, violence was common. He learned from a very young age that he had to fight back. To be rough, to be cruel. Kill or be killed, and he had his brother to think about. Red isn't ashamed to admit that he's gotten his hands dirty.

- To put it lightly, a soft little thing wasn't his idea of an ideal partner.

- At least… until he had met you.

- It doesn't matter how you met. So what if you wandered into Grillby's without reading the room? So what if your cute little face melted his would faster than an iceblock in hotland? So what if some poor unfortunate monster ended up with a few broken bones?

- Red is protective. You're the first good thing he's had in years, and like hell is anyone going to direct a finger or cruel remark in your direction.

- He's no dummy, he knows you don't like conflict. Always agreeing with everyone, never saying no even if you're uncomfortable. You avoid conflict like the plague.

- You've had to reiterate to him many, many times that you're no damsel. He doesn't need to protect you. You're an adult, you can handle yourself.

- He could not give less of a shit. Red is the embodiment of scary dog privileges and he will bite.

Blue

- Blue finds the surface fascinating, and humans themselves just as much. He likes humans, even if they don't always like him. When he met you, he became instantly enamored. You'd stood up for him; nothing big, just telling one particularly opinionated lady to back off, but it stuck with him and he made it his mission to get to know you.

- In doing so, he came to realize that although you took up for him… you're not as quick to do it for yourself. Or at all. Any kind of conflict at all and you tend to avoid it.

- You're too agreeable.

- Blue is protective too, but not nearly as much as Red. Blue is a lot more open to letting you fight your own battles unless he deems it necessary for him to step in.

- Out of everyone, it's blue who pushes you to more assertive. He doesn't push, of course, but he… aggressively encouraged you to look out for yourself more.

- Tell someone no. Voice your own opinions, don't just go along with what everyone else if you don't agree. It's okay!

- He uses positive reinforcement, too. Oh, you told that pushy coworker no? Hell yeah cupcake, he's proud of you! Let's go get ice cream!

- If not, though, he's perfectly happy to be an ear if you just want to talk about it or a shoulder if you need to cry.

- You'll get ice cream either way.

[leglessstreetlights]

fleshing out my Relativity Au some more, i fujking love these guys, they're so-

part 1/ part 2

[circuitfurscaleandvines2]

🦉This is an interesting breakdown! It seems i didn't provide enough context in the previous post. If the takeaway from the original is "you should be a doormate", I definitely did a bad job of explaining my suggestions! Let me try to respond, and maybe come to some conclusion about how to improve it via your suggestions :)

"this reads like you see intense emotions as not part of the everyday human experience"

It's unfortunate that my personal experience made you feel unseen here! As someone previously diagnosed with major depressive disorder, I sometimes feel a sense of distance from emotions as "normal". What language do you think I could use there, to be less alienating? For Context, I'm giving advice here about how best to structure a relationship in which one person has more intense or more frequently intense emotions than the other person.

you do not have to be the one to calm the situation down every single time you cannot control being hurt, it's not a switch you can turn off or on

You're not the first to point out that "don't be hurt" is a bit intense. I was trying to convey something like "Ideally, you want to set your boundaries and their consequences such that, whenever possible, you will not be hurt. Being someone who is generally able to take care of their own emotional state, even in the face of intense emotions from your partner, is incredibly good for keeping that partner safe in the relationship". What do you think of that phrasing?

if they do not get what they want the first time and keep asking anyway… that person does not respect your no and does not respect your boundaries. and that is an extreme red flag.

Totally agreed. It's unfortunate that there are people out there who, for various reasons, do not respect boundaries the first time they hit the consequences. It's a very scary thing to have a relationship with someone like that. Obviously, most BPD people are /not/ like that, but I happen to have had a relationship with someone who was, and it took a few times of breaching a boundary before she learned to respect it.

I suppose part of the reason I bring it up is that, well, I want even people who struggle with consent to have a chance to learn. And being a partner who is implacable in enforcing the same boundaires over and over is a chance for that person to /learn/ the skill of intuitively respecting consent... But I also don't want to encourage /anyone/ to have a relationship with someone who does not understand consent. I guess I don't know the best way to reframe that part.

if somebody breaks up with you because of how they feel at the time, and not because of what's going on, that's extremely toxic.

Similar to above, it's absolutely toxic behavior. It's also something I've experienced repeatedly, and something that comes up often on webpages dedicated to helping BPD partners. So I thought it was worth mentioning from the onset as a thing to expect, and how I recommend handling it.

you said "if not when" and then immediately go into saying "when they do return" take your own advice.

hahaha, very good catch! I should do that, apologies.

expecting somebody to come back every single time they break up with you… No

Ah, that's not what I was suggesting. Maybe I should have said "Never say 'when you come back', because it's a shitty thing to say to someone who is currently emotional. Even if you expect your partner to be back in a few hours, don't imply they will by saying 'when you come back', which is rude and treats them as not an adult capable of making their own decisions"

this is a guide on how to be a doormat in an unhealthy at best relationship, and abusive at worst.

That's a fair critique. I'm giving advice on how to have a relationship with people with a disability, potentially someone with significant past abuse and skill gaps. I've seen similar critiques leveled at advice to being the partner of someone with other personality disorders, mental disabilities, or even physical disabilities.

Ultimately, everyone should decide for themself whether they can be a good partner to whoever it is they love. Sometimes, the answer is no and you should break up! I don't advocate for staying in a relationship that is mutually detrimental and toxic. But, for this post, I'm giving advice to people who have decided not to give up.

Healthy Relationships with BPD partners/friends

🦉This is from the perspective of someone without BPD. Source: had a long distance BPD partner for 8 years.

You are agreeing to intense emotions. So many people make friends with BPD people thinking they'll fix them, they'll teach them, that the BPD is temporary. Assume it's not. Go into the friendship ready for and okay with those intense emotions. Treat it like a disability, not a phase.

Understand their emotions aren't comfortable. Being intensely angry or sad isn't comfortable. They're living it, they know. Almost universally, they're scared of bringing that hurt to others. Being there for them will often mean reminding them that it /isn't/ hurting you, that you're okay.

Empathize without amplifying. Humans are empathetic. Those intense emotions are going to make you emotional. What's important is that you /reduce/ the overall emotionality of the interaction. Don't spiral with them, don't escalate. They're afraid of hurting you, don't be hurt.

Know your boundaries and stick to them. Sometimes, you'll gets requests that push your boundaries. It's vital you use a consistent set of boundaries. That you say no to the same ask, every time. They're not just asking the question, they're also checking "am I hurting you with this emotion, am I 'making you worse' by being around". Consistency is a reassurance, that you're safe to be unmasked around.

Always leave the door open. Intense negative and paranoia spikes can have them break up with you. The most important thing to communicate, at these times, is that you'll be there if they want to come back (always say if, not when). And when they do return, treat them kindly, exactly as you always have. Consistency is more reassuring than empathy.

Ultimately, you have to be okay around intense emotions. From there, consistency is worth more than empathy. Be someone they can't hurt. High Locus of Control at all times. Do that, and you become someone they can bring anything to, someone they trust, and when the emotions are worse they'll come to you before doing something awful.

[ruby-red-inky-blue]

So, uh, to recap on the ladies of Andor, the pinnacle of progressive writing according to internet consensus:

Bix: After her character consisting only of "good at mechanics", formerly crafty (in the first Ferrix arc) and "traumatised", Bix gains a new character trait this arc - helpless rage and ✨✨✨drug addiction✨✨✨! Goodie. I'm so mad at this arc for her. We never see this woman happy independent of her trauma. We see her make happy for men - the shopkeep, Cassian occasionally, Brasso and co. in the first arc - but the only time we get an unobserved smile is when she gets her big Girlboss Yay Feminism revenge. And the featurette has everyone going "oh this is her moment", "this scene is about her" - IT'S NOT!! It's about Gorst! It's more trauma porn! Her happiness and functionality once again are dependent on men! She couldn't save herself from her trauma - she needed Cassian to help her get the drop on Gorst (and let's ignore how fucking improbable all that is for a moment, how does he even know where Gorst is???), and her happiness is fully dependent on Gorst living or dying. Her character does not EXIST without him this season. Why do we only ever see her take charge of her life to kill her abusers? The only other positive thing she's done for her life this whole season is to clean up the apartment, and she was doing that to *checks notes* hide her drug habit from her overprotective boyfriend. Feminism!! Please don't read this as an indictment of people struggling to cope with trauma, or substance abuse - I'm just so tired of everyone acting like this is such an uplifting, empowering narrative for this character, because I really, really, really don't see it.

Bringing up Maarva and Kerri as people Cassian failed to protect and nothing else is so telling. That's not even what happened! He was abducted as a child, he didn't abandon his sister, and what was he going to save Maarva from? Old age?? But that's their whole narrative purpose to the writers I guess...

Mothma: Well, I know the constant political downward trajectory is her whole thing, but we really spend the whole arc seeing her do nothing but failing to convince other politicians (mostly men) of anything and being made to look like a fool for even bothering. So far all we've given her this season is being too soft and emotional (which, by the way, is why it's a little odd to me they're pinning the same thing on Cassian - why do we need this narrative redundancy here?). And her one "big moment" (read: over thirty seconds of uninterrupted talking) she gets to have this arc is either a front for Kleya's and Luthen's business or a pointless and reckless lashing out at Krennic's overt imperialism and propaganda.

Dedra: Yeah, she's holding all the strings, but in a weird way, her whole narrative is dependent on Syril now, and I have a bad feeling this is all leading up to him being butthurt about being used. It's a great spy storyline, but just like Mothma's part, great as it is, in combo with the deeply uncool treatment of Bix, it starts to feel like an unfortunate pattern.

Cinta: I actually liked her scenes a lot! Especially the scene in the café - it had an interesting ambiguity, for a moment there I was wondering if Cinta was running Vel, getting back with her to keep her on track on someone's orders. I think I may be giving the script too much credit here, given how weirdly stilted the other two romances were handled this arc it might have rather been a case of "the writer really thinks lovers talk that way". But even if it was an accident, I think that would be an interesting feature in the show, because they're the one couple who genuinely seem to be compatible and on the same page about what they want! And I get that they were making a point to get her killed so uselessly, by friendly fire, on accident. But man, this show refuses to give a woman happiness, even for the span of a timeskip. Whenever any of the ladies seems happy or get something she wants for herself, you can already be sure she's about to die or have something incredibly heinous happen to her immediately after. And the execution of that scene pissed me off, because if that scuffle had even just been relocated to the tunnel entrance, I would have bought it. But no, they're in a really wide, mostly empty alleyway, the blaster was mostly pointed at a wall and trapped between the two men wrestling for it, and you don't even see anyone being close behind them, and yet Cinta not only manages to get hit but instantly killed - what are the fucking chances? And yes, it's a metaphor, but again, with the overall bad aftertaste, it feels targeted and cruel at this point. With how little we got to see of Cinta, it really made her death seem like an afterthought. Like Brasso, this could have packed a punch, but we knew so little about her and had seen her even less, so it just fell flat.

My only positives(ish):

Vel: Her character is really growing on me! She has such a nice, well-executed, subtle development compared to most other characters on this show. She's clearly learned from Aldhani, and she's learning from Mothma and Luthen, too, and her resentment at the life she's leading is so beautifully expressed by her last scene: The greatest punishment she can imagine is recruitment to her cause. Because that's what she's doing to this guy. Recruitment. This is on you forever, this is all your life is now, you owe me and everyone whatever you have to make up for this. That's so heartbreaking, and so real. Am I pissed that Vel is constantly and pointedly denied happiness at absolutely every turn? Yeah! But at least for her, it feels like there is a little more agency, because she chose this life, even though she clearly has options. For her, it feels a little more tragic and narratively weighty, and less like a pointless onslaught of misery.

Kleya: I love her so much. And I could (and should) point out that it feels a little shallow to have her be completely reduced to "being the only competent person among men who are losing their shit at all times". We know nothing else about her, other than that she is Girlboss(TM). But, unlike with Bix, we actually see her be outstandingly competent completely on her own merit all the time, and even though the script neglects her, too, there is an implication that she has actively and deliberately sacrificed the rest of herself to be this spymaster - instead of the writers simply forgetting to give her anything more. And I just think Elizabeth Dulau is KILLING IT. In a weird way, Kleya is giving me the power fantasy that most Star Wars gave to little boys. It's not exactly a win for feminism - it's yet another flavour of "women can either be competent and powerful OR express their emotions and be vulnerable with people" - but I do have a soft spot for her, and her moment at the exhibition was the tensest shit I've seen this whole season. Nothing more gripping so far than watching this woman attempt to turn a screw.

[hadesknockedupintheunderworld]

I have all of these extended thoughts on my head about the amazing way themes and character relationships are handled in Iruma-kun and the inclusion of queerness and the handling of the coming of age narrative in this shonen manga/anime

And every time all that comes out when I'm reccing it is "You should watch/read it"

Do it. Go watch/read Mairimashita! Iruma-kun/Welcome to Demon School Iruma-kun

Please.

[clownteethx]

Sophia, you didn't deserve that!!

:(( (more context in tags)

[fleshdyk3]

god i fucking hate my dad

[mars-ipan]

tbh i think the number one most important thing about jealousy in a relationship is trust. i think you can be as jealous as you want so long as you have trust in the fact that your partner would not lie to you and is devoted enough to you to remain faithful to you. jealous people only attack the people they see as “threats” to their relationship because at the end of the day they don’t trust their partner to stick with them. that could stem from a personal insecurity or having been burned before but at the end of the day the issue is not the third party but instead their own lack of faith in their partner

[bear-cubs-art-things]

hey just a couple things bc my step-dad really pissed my off yesterday and I need this to he out there:

People mature at different rates

And it's hard for autistic people to mature (quickly) because autism is a cognitive disability

Autism is a cognitive disability

[airandangels]

I have baked two 9x13 carrot cakes which I shall ice tomorrow morning, and I have begun the process of dry-brining three chickens which I shall roast with lemons and thyme tomorrow afternoon (yes it would be better with more brining time but some time is better than none). My mother's 70th birthday lunch is the day after tomorrow.

[fiendishartist2]

"petscop isnt horror" guys when webhorror doesn't have distorted faces:

[theood]

Getting really tired how every time I mention talking to someone new my mom's like "omg lol! Move in with them! Lol! Have you thought about moving in with them? Lol? Will they take you? Lol. We're so tired of you complaining lol can you just move in with them? Lol!"

Like. Wow! I never fucking thought of that one! Damn mom! Wow!!!! Revolutionary.

It's so fucking annoying because if I COULD actually move out don't you think I would have done it now? Hell. I'd be towns away if I could. Anything to get out of this fucking house. Away from your parents. Away from the constant walking on eggshells I'm doing. Away from feeling like the only way I'll be safe is by ripping myself open until I'm raw and used. But I CAN'T.

And every fucking time like clockwork it's "oh move in with x lol!"

[hauntedkeys]

”Man I loved being in band, the environment was so supportive”- guy who just remembered the one time that his chronic pain had flared up so bad that he could taste blood and literally had to stay home from school one day and during band practice he sat down because whenever he stood for too long he got so dizzy he couldn’t think and his band director came over to him and lectured him about how he wasn’t trying hard enough and she had thrown up three time that day and she was still doing her job so he didn’t have an excuse.

[jinxed-sinner]

So lots have mixed opinions i wanna know yours, do you like/are you ok with the radiohusk ship or any opinions you have on it

I've elaborated on how I personally interpret Husk and Alastor's current dynamic here, but the summary is that I don't think how Alastor and Husk's dynamic is portrayed in the first season is really abusive (which is an argument I see a lot and seems rooted exclusively in that hallway scene from Dad Beat Dad).

With that out of the way, I don't enjoy it personally just because it's not my thing. I enjoy Husk and Alastor's dynamic platonically (especially because Husk very obviously cares about Alastor's safety and how toxic his friendships are, otherwise he wouldn't have gone to him to tell him Mimzy was probably bringing trouble because that's what she always does), but I don't really see it romantically. I'm like that with quite a few ships, because I tend to gravitate towards ships where I can easily project myself onto one or both characters, which is why I like Radioapple so much (I relate to Lucifer a lot and it makes it easier for me to project onto him, which makes me gravitate towards dynamics involving Lucifer. I also really love exploring platonic dynamics between him and Angel and him and Husk).

I don't have anything against Radiohusk (nor any other Alastor ships, my issue comes when people actively mischaracterize Alastor for the sake of shipping. I won't name any ships here but there is one specific one where I see a lot of Alastor being mischaracterized. Usually I just ignore it). I just have preferences for ships that allow me to explore some aspect of myself as I draw or write the ship. Radioapple allows me to simultaneously explore my asexuality and my autistic traits, as well as how I respond to trauma. I wrote an entire chapter of the Radioapple fic I'm working on that is me exploring my relationship with pain through Lucifer, for example.

I've always done this too because I find writing fanfiction more fun than writing original fiction. When I was writing Sonic fanfiction I gravitated towards Espilver (Espio/Silver) because I relate to Silver, so I could explore certain parts of myself using Espilver. When I was writing D&D Honor Among Thieves fanfiction I gravitated towards Xedgin (Xenk/Edgin) because I relate to Xenk (and Xenk actually partially inspired one of my D&D OCs, and is an important part of that OC's backstory). When I write Ninjago fanfiction, I gravitate towards Gemstoneshipping (Cole/Plundar) because I project onto Plundar (I also gravitate towards ships that involve Zane and Jay because they're also characters I relate to and project onto).

I don't personally mind most Hellaverse ships though, depending on how they're portrayed. BlitzFizz? Love it, I think it's pretty cute. Val/Angel? I think it's interesting to see people explore how abusive and toxic Val is towards Angel (and I just ignore anything that makes me uncomfortable regarding them). Staticmoth? Finest of toxic old man yaoi. Radiostatic? I have an entire headcanon centered around Vox and Alastor having been in a toxic and abusive relationship before Alastor left for 7 years. Lucilith? I love me some wholesome pre-split Lucilith (I've kinda ruined Lilith for myself though lol). Guitarspear? Their dynamic is WONDERFUL, give me all the Adam and Lute content.

There aren't a lot of ships I actively dislike but it very much depends on the execution. If I don't like it I just block or ignore it (because genuinely if you see something you don't like that's what you should be doing). My relationship with shipping amounts to "I like what I like and it's usually because I can explore part of myself by writing fanfiction featuring this ship, and if I see something I don't like I'll just block/ignore it" because I'm 20 and I can't be assed to engage in discourse unless it directly affects me or my mental health (which is why I get so heated about what asexuality actually is and how it applies to Alastor from what we've seen within the show; being asexual myself and having the mentality of "asexuals can't have a libido and are always sex-repulsed" was legitimately damaging for me).

This spiraled out of control but basically, my opinion on Radiohusk is that I don't mind it, I think people need to stop saying Alastor's abusive towards Husk, and it's not personally my thing because I gravitate towards ships with projection/self-exploration potential. If you like it, good for you! I'm not gonna get upset over it because I think that's dumb. I don't know why someone enjoys the ships they do and it's none of my business anyway.