#Ageing Can't Stop Your Fitness Journey

[singaldrravinder]

[xuchiya]

"inner children" || park seonghwa

| genre: fluff. fluff. slice of life? fluff | mentions: bullying

you and seonghwa had been friends since you were both 4 years old. you both have been the chao duo. from causing trouble inside the playground towards doing a ding dong ditch on your neighbors that almost caught you both and reported to the local police about you two.

Or when the two of you are now in high school, you always find yourself in and out of the principal's office with the violation of "bullying" even though it's far from that. Everyone in school salutes you both for defending those who gets bullied, you defend them by being silly.

By silly, you would let them have a taste of their own medicine. you and seonghwa never dared to get pass through them without having to swallow down their pride and apologize for their wrongdoing.

Then when time came and college life had cut through your childish acts, seonghwa became a trainee. you were far from becoming an idol since you prefer working on the camera, but your friendship didn't falter one bit.

Seonghwa, on his way back home, alone. You were busy with your multimedia meeting when he stops midway outside his journey outside when thunder and lightning combined with heavy rain startled him. He huffs, pulling out from his backpack his umbrella until he realizes it wasn't there.

"You got to be kidding me." Seonghwa whispers, sighing he looks around in a way of searching for anything. You. Apparently, the meeting ended, and you were on your way out when you noticed a tall figure by the entrance.

"Hwa?" Seongha turns around, surprise to see you. You chuckle, "No umbrella?"

"Yeah ... forgot it at home." You both stared at the pouring rain. It was like back then, when you both were still at age of eight, you both were forbidden to play in the rain because you both are hard to handle when sick, so you both stick watching the rain.

That is until you were being a rascal back then and still played in the rain.

You chuckle, remembering how you were scolded by your grandma and now had a reason not to go to school. Seonghwa glances at you frowning slightly, "What?"

Shaking your head, a smile still evident on your face, "Remember when mama was so mad at me for pulling you in with me when it was storming outside?"

Seonghwa thought for a second, recalling about your memory until he is also chuckling, "You were such a rascal and now we both have reasons not to go to school."

You both were in a soft laughing fit until you calm down, staring at the storm. Growing up seems to be so full of responsibility that it weighs you down, missing the life of having no problem, no burdens and expectations for you.

Looking at Seonghwa, he must have felt those things too. Most especially his debut is nearing. You can't turn life around as you like, you have to live, and you have to accept it.

Taking Seonghwa's hand, he was startled at your sudden skinship. You look up at him, "Ready?" Seonghwa wasn't able to comprehend your words before he was drag out of the safety of the roof; he felt his clothes weighing him down and his hair sticking on his forehead.

But what he heard the most is your giggles. His heart was in such speed that it hitches in his throat when you turn around, wet hair whipping on your back as you giggle, mumbling incoherent in his ears until you both settle under the bus stop.

"Sorry." You giggle, wringing out the rainwater out of your hair. Seonghwa shake his head, knocking your head out of habit. You both were almost drenched in the rain, thankfully your university is just near the bus stop.

"Here." Using his varsity jacket, he drapes it around you. You chuckle, looking up at him, "Nah~"

You threw the other part around his head, pulling him close to you, "I won't let you get sick." Seonghwa chuckles, leaning down just so he could directly see you eye to eye.

"You'll take care of me if I did?" If cold had already sip inside your system, it must be because of the sudden warmth going through your neck up to your cheeks, nodding subconsciously.

Seonghwa was surprised from your reaction, yet he finds it cute. He leans in closer, placing a sweet kiss on your cheek, "I'll take care of you too."

[weministertomonsters]

Imagine This #9 - Elf

After the day you took an arrow for the Fae Commander, he kept you by his side, barely letting you out of his sight. He was angry when you finally woke up from the poison fever.

"I promised to deliver you safely back into your father's hands," he had said, pacing like a wild cat in the healer's tent. "How could you be so foolish?"

After the verbal lashing, he strode away in a flurry of robes and golden hair, barking orders to his men. Now that you were well, by first daylight the camp would be disbanded and the journey continued. The healer who was packing her things away winked at you.

"He doesn't want to show his relief, but he watched over you all night."

You wouldn't have believed her if you hadn't been aware of him at intervals amid your feverish dreams. He had brought you medicinal teas- administered patiently by the spoonful- and stroked your hair and sang to you in Elvish.

"I'm sorry to bring you on this wretched journey," he'd murmured as the cold poison rattled in your bones and he gently held you down, keeping you warm with his body heat.

He had been there for you. He had cared. Now feeling much better, you huddle in your coat and tiptoe over to his tent. Despite the late hour he's still awake, leaning over a map. You reach out and touch his shoulder.

"What is it?" He looks up.

"Thank you."

"Do not mention it," he replies, looking away.

You begin to comb your fingers through his hair, marveling at how silky it is. You'd heard that touching an elf's hair is considered intimate. The sharp breath he takes confirms this but he doesn't ask you to stop.

"Why don't you braid your hair?" You ask. "It gets in the way sometimes."

"I was promised to the battlefield from a young age. A warrior does not need to learn how to braid hair," he replies tersely.

"Isn't this a part of courtship? Correct me if I'm wrong." You say as you skillfully braid his hair.

"Yes. But a warrior-"

"Is promised to the battlefield, yes, you keep reminding me. Don't worry, I'm not trying to court you."

"Ah." His shoulders don't relax so much as they droop.

You tuck the smaller braids behind his pointy ears. "There you go."

He's doing that thing where he stares at you with furrowed eyebrows like you're the last puzzle piece that doesn't fit.

"Thank you."

"Don't mention it. Goodnight." You leave him to his planning and head to your own tent.

The next morning he has picked the braids apart, probably because it'll be too obvious who did them. His hair is slightly wavy now, and you can't help but laugh quietly when you see that.

[infin1ty-garden]

GOOD LUCK, BABE

✧. ┊ summary: love triangle where the two love intrests get together instead ✧. ┊ pairing: chani kynes x fem! reader, past! paul atreides x fem! reader ✧. ┊ warnings: *dune part 2 spoilers* ✧. ┊ word count: 657 ✧. ┊ author note: canon divergent obvi

masterlist. & 100 follower celebration

From a young age you'd been betrothed to Paul Atraides. The two of you had met on a multitude of occasions your families organised. You could even say love started to bloom between you. Then everything changed when the Atraides acquired Arrakis.

Paul became distant and after a few weeks of no contact. You decided to visit Arrakis. Your Father informed Leto Atraides of your arrival, he'd said they'd gladly welcome you. No one anticipated that would be the day house Attaides died.

Your ship had been knocked out of the sky and landed in the never ending desert. Your outfit is not fit for the conditions of the cruel desert. You accepted that you'd die on Arrakis. Would it be killed by the heat or Sandworms? Your guards decided it would be best to stay in the ship until help arrived.

You doubted that help would come, you probably cooked alive in the ship before that would happen. To your surprise your betrothed came to your rescue. You've never hugged someone as tight as him right now. Glad to see he was alive. After days of convincing yourself he was dead.

His mother was also with him both wearing still suits. "You look beautiful," you laughed. "Sure," you noticed that you were being watched as did your guards. "Princess get back."

"No, no. Wait! They're with me," he switched to your native language. "Please trust me." You ordered your guards to lower their weapons.

"He's bringing more outsiders in," Shishakli nodded along with Chani's statement. "His betrothed to my understanding," this shocked Chani. "She is adjusting better than the rest." Chani felt bad for the girl, Paul had been flirting with her before she arrived. He was anything but a faithful man.

Maybe that's why she wanted to be in her presence so often. Pity, that must be it. When she wasn't out with the rest of the Fremen, she was spending her time in the company of the girl. Her stories of her home planet astonished her. Chani started to look forward to talking to her everyday.

Shishakli noticed and wouldn't stop teasing her about it. "You like talking to the outsider now."

"Yeah, what about it," Shishakli shrugged and changed the subject. Chani got closer to the girl and one night they exchanged their fears, hopes and dreams. A feeling started to bloom, one which Chani recognised as love but she was to marry Paul and probably forget her life on Arrakis.

Chani chose to ignore these feelings and pretend they aren't there. They had to leave north. Chani made sure to stay close to the girl as she had yet to fully master riding the Shai-Hulud. It was a difficult journey through the storm. At one point Chani saw Y/N's grip loosen, almost falling off but Chani grabbed her before that could happen.

Once they arrived at their destination, Chani scolded her and pointed out where to improve for the next time. The truth being Chani was hiding her worry. She is getting too attached to the girl. She can see that the relationship between Paul and her is growing stronger and stronger. It's only a matter of time before they leave.

"Chani, are you awake?" She'd heard that sweet voice ask her. She got up and opened her tent, letting her in. "What is it?" A sour expression was present on her face. One that Chani would do anything for to see be replaced with a smile. "I can't marry Paul. I know it's my duty to my house and family but he has changed."

Tears start filling up her eyes. "I d-don't know what to make of it." Chani gently dried her tears with the thumb of her finger. You don't need to waste your water for him. Her heart couldn't bear you crying over him. She wanted to wash all your worries away. "Marry me?"

Thanks for reading!

[mistress-ofmagic]

Around the Realms in 80 days - chapter 22

Pairing: Reader x Loki

Story summary: You have fallen through a portal during the convergence into Asgard and come face to face with Thor, and his brother Loki. With no way to return, you must travel with the two men and their hoard of asgardian soldiers to get back home. Things get from bad to worse when you have to share a tent with the god of mischief himself.

Notes:

Okay I don't know if any of you guys are still out there and still wanting an update for this story but I'm providing one anyway! I really do hope that you're still with me (and if you can't remember what happened that feels like a good time for a re-read right??)

Read this story on a03!

find all parts to this story on Tumblr here:

You’d had better days, you mused. 

Better weeks, months, years…

“If you continue pulling that face it will get stuck and you’ll get wrinkles” Loki chimed behind you. 

You glared up at him, scowling even harder out of spite. 

He grinned down at you.

After Loki’s admission two days ago, his mood had been…interesting. He had stayed beside you in the hospital when he could, but he kept swapping between being distant and being close. 

No real change there then, you thought.

You hadn’t brought the whole being a frost Giant thing up again, despite your thousands of questions in case you pushed him too far and he got annoyed with you and decided to stop visiting. 

Now however, he seemed to be in a good mood although you felt that had more to do with the fact he was currently pushing you around in a wheelchair. 

His eyes had lit up when the nurses had suggested it, despite the fact you felt well enough to walk really and for most of your journey you would just be in the lift anyway. You had protested multiple times but now Loki had got the idea in his head there was really no persuading him otherwise.

“Isn’t this nice?” He asked, too jovial for your liking. 

You put your tongue out and rolled your eyes when you thought he wasn’t looking. 

“I saw that you little chit.” 

He rocked the wheelchair like he was going to tip you out. 

“LOKI!” You yelled, gripping to the sides of your chair. 

The lift attendant had looked pale when you’d first stepped in, and now he looked rather green.

Loki roared with laughter. 

“Oh come on darling, you really think I would throw a vulnerable maiden out of her chair?”

Before having to face that your answer to that question might actually be no and that you knew Loki would never do anything to hurt you, or the fact that this was the third time he had called you darling, the doors of the lift opened onto the floor where you were meeting with Stark and the Avengers. 

Apparently Tony had wanted to wait until you were a bit better before doing a debrief on what had gone down on Muspelheim.

Loki wheeled you down small corridor and into the large meeting room. Like many of the rooms in Stark towers, the windows were completely glass and looking down onto the city below. It was as far as being outside as you had got in the past few days and you stared out, longingly. 

Distracting you slightly from the view, was the Avengers sat around the table. Thor was there of course, as well as Captain America, Natasha and Dr Bruce Banner. A smaller cohort that had welcomed you in when you had first arrived. 

Natasha seemed to assess you with cool eyes, but Bruce shot you a sympathetic look which you felt was a lot to do with the fact you were wearing a very cool and flattering nightie with Shrek’s face all over it as it was the only thing that could fit over your bandages. 

Loki wheeled you into a space that had been left chair-less for you as he took the one next to you. 

Tony gave you a tired smile.

“How you feeling kid?”

“Better thank you. And thank you for the care on your wards too!” 

He brushed you off with a wave of his hand. 

“I suppose I should thank you for saving Rock of Ages life too.” Tony shot Loki a disgruntled look. “He is helping us with this situation after all.” He said, as if he wasn’t particularly happy about it. “Its nice to see you taking your babysitting duties very seriously, although next time I’d appreciate it if you stay away from certain death, he’s not worth it.” 

Loki gave a half shrug, “that’s one thing we agree on.” 

You scowled again. 

“Plus now you are officially hired as a member of my workforce, it reflects badly on me.”

You snorted, “If the babysitter club ever want a new member i’ll be the first in line. And don’t worry, I have no desire to face certain death ever again.” 

Although I would save Loki again, a little voice in your head added that you pushed down into the depths of your subconscious. 

“So, Wonderland’s still with us, but we still no nothing about the current alien threat to Earth.” Stark said gloomily. 

“Well, we found out Surtur’s made some sort of deal with someone to er…cause something.” Thor supplied.

Stark pinched the bridge of his nose.

“Next to nothing then. Natasha?” 

She shrugged. “Nothing at any of the reported sites, no sign of anything coming in or out.” 

“We did learn that they are taking humans for something.” You piped up. 

Everyone stared at you and you immediately regretted speaking at all.

“One of the fire demons told me.” You mumbled.

“Is there no help from your…lot?” Steve asked to Thor. 

“Sadly, Ragnarok is a myth across the other realms too, not just on Midgard. There will be many that don’t take it seriously seriously. And, no one would be bothered enough about a few missing humans to get involved in an intergalactic war.” Loki shrugged. 

Stark scoffed “A few?”

He pulled up a page a hologram of various news stories over the past few weeks, of humans going missing, seemingly vanishing without a trace. 

It was worse than you thought, and it seemed the rates where going up by the day. 

“The fire demon I spoke with, he told me I could go with him, somewhere where they could make me more powerful.” You spoke again. 

Tony and Bruce swapped concerned faces. 

“Did he say anything else?”

“No, not really, just promises of a greater future or something.”

“Well it might not be much but, good work.” Steve said, and flashed you an all American pearly smile and you blushed in spite of yourself.

“Yes, Latte has proved herself to be truly courageous on this trip.” Thor agreed. 

“Oh well, I don’t know about all that.” You murmured feeling your face burn up. It was only an accident anyway that you had found anything out, it’s not like you’d stormed up to a fire demon and demand he speak to you. 

Nevertheless, you were only a few beats away from kicking your feet and giggling but you refrained yourself.

Loki muttered something under his breath that sounded suspiciously like “suck up” and you glared at him, taking a long swig of water to cool yourself down. 

“You reap what you sow kid, I’ll be recruiting you to do further missions with Loki if you’re not careful. Who knew the worlds rudest goth could make friends? And a lowly earthling at that.” Stark challenged.

You tensed. You weren’t really 100% sure if Loki actually did consider you a friend, or if he would take offence at the insinuation. 

But Loki leaned back in his chair, “We are friends, friends with benefits.” 

You choked on your water and it spilled down Shreks face as Thor gave you a pat on the back that nearly sent your lungs through your mouth. 

While you recovered no one knew what to say, Steve and Bruce looked alarmed, you weren’t sure if that was at Lokis statement or the fact you had spat out half a glass of water and Starks mouth was hung wide open, his eyes open comically large, Natasha looked mildly amused.

“Its not…” You said between coughing. “That’s not true…Loki…Loki doesn’t know what that term means…he…he can’t….”

You turned to him.

“Where did you even hear that being said?” You spluttered. 

He narrowed his eyes at you. 

“You deny that we are friends in front of Stark and his goonies?”

“I’m not denying were friends Loki, I’m denying were friends with benefits. That doesn’t mean what you think it does it means something really specific on Earth. What…What benefits does our friendship bring?”

Loki shuffled in his seat “Well…you have taught me how to use a midgardian communication device and I have taught you…”

You cut him off “Great, expect thats not what friends with benefits means here it means…” You blushed heavily again. 

“It means friends who…” you tried again. 

Loki was watching you carefully with an eyebrow raised, the corner of his mouth starting to twitch and your uncomfortableness.

“Friends who fuck.” Natasha finished off helpfully. 

You felt your face grow even redder if that were possible. 

“Ah.” Loki said, in a measured tone although you thought you noticed a very light blush across his pale complexion. “I understand now that that might have been misleading.” 

“Well thank God we cleared that up.” Stark sighed, “I thought we were going to have to admit you to the psych ward instead of the burns ward.”

You stared down to avoid eye contact with Loki, feeling a bit awkward. 

“What’s the plan?” Steve asked. 

“Asgardians?” Stark aimed at Thor.

“We won’t get anything more information from Surtur…”

“The people of this planet are disappearing! Into thin air! And some Alien thingies are the culprit! How can I be the protector of the human race if I don’t even have any leads!” Stark yelled. 

Thor and Steve swapped looks. 

“There might be more information we can gather across the other realms” Thor shrugged, “If the true enemy behind this is thought not to be human then they could potentially come from another Realm.”

“We would have no idea where to start though, it’s not like the nine realms are a small area to cover.” Loki argued. 

“Doctor Foster does a lot of research into the nine realms, will she have any information for us?” Tony asked Thor hopefully.

“I…I can ask her to see what she has found.” Thor placated. 

“In the meantime, we have our best scientists searching the skies for any sign of alien invasions.” Bruce added. “Tony I’m sure we will find something, we’ve got people going to sites where people have disappeared and looking into traces and signals that have been left behind, something is bound to flag up. And the researchers will keep monitoring the fire demons.”

Stark sighed. And you got a feeling that until this thing was settled he was never be satisfied, knowing the people of Earth were in danger. 

“Meeting adjourned or whatever… I need a fucking drink.” 

                                                                         ***

“13 down, 7 letters, a drawing intended to explain how something happens.” 

“Diagram?” 

Oliver nodded, writing it down. 

“Okay… 5 across, 5 letters, spaghetti for example that’s got to be pasta…what about this one, 8 letters, endurance.”

“Stamina? No wait, that’s only 7…patience?” 

“Yeah, has to be.” 

It was the day after Starks meeting. Loki had wheeled you back into your hospital room after the meeting and then he’d had to then leave pretty sharpish, stating he had something he needed to do although you wondered if he still felt awkward about the whole friends with benefits thing. Then again, you wondered if Loki ever really felt awkward about anything, or if he was immune to embarrassment.

After the meeting you had been so damn tired that by the time he’d wheeled you back you’d been nearly asleep. The meeting was the most you had done since the attack and it had exhausted you. 

Plus you were still pretty drowsy from all the pain medication you were on. You’d expected him to call over a nurse but instead he’d actually gotten you the medication you needed and then to your extreme surprise, he’d picked you up from your chair bridal style and put you into bed. 

You were almost too sleepy to have noticed what was going on, but shockingly you were certain he had left a featherlight kiss on your forehead before he left. 

Maybe you had imagined it in your sleepy state, after all he hadn’t been in to see you today.

The nurse had visited today and checked you over, changing your bandages. She had assured you your burns were healing nicely, and Loki’s fast thinking of applying his cold skin to your stomach and chest had saved most of your skin resulting in you only needing a smallish emergency skin graft.  

You’d also been joined by Oliver, who had come prepared for the nurses recommendation of resting as much as possible by providing cross-words. 

“You’re pretty good at these.” He gave his lopsided grin. 

“Symptoms of a misguided youth I’m afraid. I might not have gone to Harvard but I am pretty nifty with a crossword.” 

“Harvard’s overrated.”

“Alright for you to say Mr Ivy League.”

Oliver chuckled. “Wait this is a cryptic one, it says ‘to tantalise the left is a plant.’

“Huh? Wait let me see.”

Oliver stood up from the chair and brought the book over to you. He perched himself on the edge of your hospital bed and you moved over to give him more room.

“Do you need any more medication?” Oliver suddenly asked. 

“I should be good thank you.” You smiled at him. 

Man he was so sweet. Loki had done the same thing yesterday but still. It was nice to have someone else here who cared about you. 

You caught his blue eyes. He had nice looking eyes you noticed, but they missed the tint of green you were used to seeing in Loki’s eyes. 

Actually, why where you thinking about Lokis eyes at all?

Oliver placing his hand over yours on the bed brought you back to the present moment. 

“I was thinking, maybe when you’re feeling better I could take you….”

Before Oliver could finish his sentence, the door to your room opened and Loki strode in. 

Loki took in your close proximity to Oliver, and the fact you were holding hands and his eyes narrowed. 

There was a moment of awkward silence, and for some reason your natural instinct was to jump back sheepishly from Oliver. Despite having no reason at all to feel guilt, you still felt…something.

“I had come to see how you were faring, but I see you have company already.” Those blue/green eyes you had just been thinking about were harsher than you had seen them in a while. 

“We were just doing cross words.” You said, lamely. 

Instead of keeping your mouth shut you continued like an imbecile. “Erm were stuck on a cryptic one if you wanted to help…”

“And intrude on this…personal moment.” He sneered.

“That wasn’t…I mean we were just…” You started and then sat up further in bed, trying to look authoritative, which was harder than you might think for someone attached to an IV drip. “Actually I don’t have to explain myself to you.” 

“Oh, I see.” His voice was cold, and it felt like the room got colder too.

“What do you see?”

Loki ignored you.

“Get out.” He directed at Oliver. 

Your temper started to rise.

“Hey, he doesn’t have to leave we were in the middle of something.”

“Look, um maybe I should just go.” Oliver spoke up squeezing your hand before standing up. 

“I’ll leave the book here for you for when you get bored. I hope you feel better, I’ll come visit again soon and bring some more stuff.” He gave you a quick kiss on the cheek. 

Kudos to Oliver, he walked past Loki out of the room without crying or screaming.

After he had left, Loki breezed into the room and arranged the flowers at the table at the bottom of the table like he hadn’t just yelled at your friend to leave. 

“Dude what is wrong with you?” You directed at Loki. “I am allowed to have friends!”

He rolled his eyes. 

“He clearly wants to be more than friends.”

You made a funny noise in the back of your throat. You wouldn’t be totally against Oliver having more than friendly feelings, a distraction from these insane feelings for Loki that keep creeping up out of no where might be a good thing, right? 

Not that you had any feelings for Loki, obviously.

Loki studied you closely before clearing his throat. 

“Are you and this mortal…friends with benefits?” 

“Loki!” You glared at him.

His facial expression remained calm as he continued staring at you.

“I’m simply asking."

“No! No, God I wish you had never learnt what that term meant. Also I am sleeping next to you every night where would I find the time?”

“Yes, you are aren’t you.” He said, too smugly for your liking. 

“Although I do have every right to explore…you know, that side of things with someone if I want to.” 

His eyes narrowed again, and stood up taller.

“We are in the middle of a crisis here. Is now the right time to be engaging in a dalliance?” 

“You can’t be serious!” You said indignantly. 

“I’m being very serious!”  He matched your tone. 

"Are you giving me a lecture right now on my love life?” When he didn’t say anything you continued. 

“You don’t even care about humans, why are you even bothered about this crisis suddenly?”

“You’re being ridiculous, you can’t seriously mean to engage with this… mere mortal. ” 

“I’m being ridiculous? You’re being ridiculous! In case you forgot, I happen to be a mere mortal too!”

Loki kind of did look taken a back for a second, as if he had actually forgotten that. 

“What I get up to is not even any of your business.” You told him

“Fine.” He sneered, walking towards the door.

“Fine!” You shouted back. 

He slammed the door behind him as you threw your puzzle book at him. 

“Ah!” You screamed to yourself. 

The cheek of that asshole to have a go at you for letting yourself engage in some dating when he was the one that slept with Ylva while you were touring around Asgard. 

You tossed and turned around in your bed, but eventually the drowsiness kicked back in and you managed to fall asleep. 

                                                                     ***

One moment, you were fast asleep, the next moment you heard an explosion. You sat up quickly, disorientated and confused. Another explosion sounded and you got up and ran to the window.

You blinked and blinked again. 

A piece of metal fell seemingly from the sky and you looked up. 

The tower was under attack. 

Notes: I hoped you guys enjoyed this and are still liking the story!!

Taglist:

@creationsbyme  @kikster606  @slytherinintj13  @th0rswh0res  @huntress-artemiss  @jannieka394 @stefffrs  @misswimberly @thedistractedagglomeration  @yoongissidebitchh  @purplekitten30 @mischief2sarawr  @johnmurphys-sass 

@lonadane  @imalovernotahater @lokisgoodgirl  @laliceee @dlwrish  @paetonnn  @lovelysizzlingbluebird   @reas-writing  @buttercupcookies-blog @acidcasualties @alialiclouds 

@buckybarneslovesteve @evelyn-rathmore 

@Im-a-slut-for-fluff  @jainaeatsstars @mypainischronicbutmyassisiconic

[cityzenshark]

I've been thinking about ways how to make the Terrans actually memorable, relatable, and likeable for their target audience. The show overuses the "kids being kids" until the Terrans come off as an obnoxious bunch rather than naive youngsters who real children can relate to..

.

Twitch:

As eldest with Thrash, she steps up to the role as Leader. She tries her best to be a good role model for the triplets, but she has a short temper. She broke the table on her first family game night. She flew right on OP's face after he admits his obliviousness about the Terrans' nature that they themselves don't know about. She and Thrash climbed on Alex's/Dot's car that miraculously didn't break (wth - you grounded them for breaking the kitchen wall but not when they almost crush your car to pose??).

Twitch needs an episode where she learns a hard lesson to control her temper - preferably where she hurt her own family. It's perfect for children who don't behave well when dealing with negative emotions.

Thrash:

He takes the role as the overprotective eldest. It fits his characteristic as the Defender and shield-user. He gatekeeps the triplets for their own safety and out of paranoia after the incident with Swindle. He would also have the "I know better" atittude to reflect those who think they know better than their others around them when--in truth--they don't.

I'd like an episode where he accuses someone is doing something awful to the family only for his accusations to become the very cause of the episode's problem. This can teach children to avoid jumping into conclusions and not let their bad experiences cloud their judgement.

Hashtag:

She represents people who made everything about themselves resolve around their interests and hobbies. She relies on the internet & her hacking skills too much. She also seems to be the type who assumes "lots of reading = expertise" and forgot the importance of direct experiences. Her interaction with Starscream gives off that she has read things about PTSD--most likely to understand Grimlock's situation--while recklessly ignoring the part where he's a millennium-old Decepticon.

I'd like to see moments where the family calls out Hashtag's obsessions, like the time she demands JB to cry on camera when he's obviously uncomfortable with it.

"Stop being a director and be my sister right now."

Nightshade:

They represent children who feels isolated from their own family, and adoptees who doesn't immediately consider their guardians as family. Nothing much to be said here because their alt mode episode originally has a nice buildup for it. Sadly it was scrapped.

Nightshade's different form of enjoyment is also a way to educate children who has yet to understand why they can't find themselves enjoying what most kids do to have fun, that it's okay, and they aren't alone in this.

Jawbreaker:

Big boy represents children who feels left behind either in their own family or in their age group. His journey in choosing an alt mode is perfect, but the show made him appear annoyingly useless to the viewers instead of emphasizing his feelings of uselessness.

This could also be a way to demonstrate WHY the Terrans must have an alt mode -- so they'd have proper exterior protection because the protoform isn't as sturdy as JB's size made him appear to be. Although he has what it takes to do certain tasks, his protoform doesn't allow him to do so. Hence his desperation to find an alt mode.

[hapalopus]

I finished Clan of the Cave Bear and I've concluded that, if you're mad about the misogyny in the book, you didn't read the book.

The book was written during the late 1970s and born out of the author's frustrations with having hit the glass ceiling in her male-dominated career. It was also written at a time where no-fault divorce had existed in the US for less than a decade and was still only a thing in very few states. You cannot understand the book without knowing this. The book is 100% affected by these circumstances - rampant misogyny on the job market and 'marriage' essentially being a one-way trip.

The book is also not historical fiction, as it's often claimed to be. It's fantasy. There are multiple scenes that include telepathy, precognition, and spiritual journeys, and the Clan's spirits are strongly implied to be real and able to affect the world in very physical ways. It's soft fantasy, but it fits in so much better into the fantasy genre than the historical fiction genre.

It's a fantastical novel about the meeting of two species with the same ancestor - the Clan species, who have strictly defined biological roles and function via hereditary memory and instinct, and the Other species, who have no biologically determined roles or hereditary memories, but who are able to imagine abstract concepts and break rules.

Ayla is an Other girl raised by Clan people. Clan people enjoy their strict social roles - to put it simply, men hunt and women gather -, but it's hinted at several times in the book that this is not a sustainable way of life, and that the Clan branch of the tree of life is a dead end. Near the end of the book it's outright stated that they will not survive the ice age. There is no need for subtext: The text condemns the idea of biological gender roles, word for word.

And the way Ayla rises up against these gender roles, and the way the Clan people respond to her, further underlines this.

Ayla tries to play the Clan's game. She holds her tongue like a good woman should. She never speaks to a man unless given permission. She gets into position when the men need release. All in a desperate bid to survive in their doomed society. And it nearly kills he to try and play the role of a Good Woman. It makes her so depressed she stops eating. You know what saves her? Breaking the rules and taking up a man's role, against the Clan's wishes. She takes up hunting, and her passion for the sport keeps her going. The Clan people curse her with death for her transgression, but she survives the Death Curse because of the 'manly' skills she taught herself.

The text states over and over again that gender roles and expectations are bad, and that rebelling against them is good.

The Clan is doomed, in large part, because they define men and women by these ridiculously strict gender roles - going down that evolutionary path (as revealed in Ayla's hunting ceremony, where they call upon the ancient forgotten female spirits that the Clan left behind in favor of exclusive following male spirits) was the cause of their downfall. The Clan has such strict gender roles that they don't even know what to do with a woman who breaks the roles and instead decide that she is simultaneously neither and both sexes at once:

"Woman" in Clan society is exclusively defined by the roles a person plays, but a woman of the Others does not have biologically defined gender roles and, as a result, is not wholly or exclusively a woman.

The satire of 70s USAmerican gender roles is right there and if you can't see it, you need to practice your literary analysis skills.

[muchmossymess]

GUYS okay hear me out majoras mask boat boys au

I love legend of zelda I love boat boys this is like the ultimate combination of my interests you cannot understand the brainrot. Idk what to call it yet tho... majoras minecraft? Anyway prepare for an essay

OKAY so we have the Hero of Time, Etho, who stopped ganons plans before they started, and would be stuck in a child's body if not for the fact I think that'd be a lil weird for the more shippy aspects of this au that all the running through time aged his soul and his body followed suit (he's still got a young appearance, and the mask doesn't make him look older like he thinks). Same reason he has the scar over his eye (from the ganon fight); no matter how much the body may heal or rewind the mind will not forget.

Then navi (maybe bdubs?) left him, and he went with epona (maybe bdubs instead? (eponas a horse iydk)) and he sets out on a journey aka the beginning of mm:

Wandering through the woods on epona, gets jumped by skull kid. For those unaware, there is skull kid, a lonely lil sweetheart, and he wears the mask, an entity on its own. He also has two fairies, siblings tael and tatl.

So I was a little unsure about this for a while, but I think I've decided on grian for the skull kid and Jimmy for tael, grian bc watchers and Jimmy bc skull kid is not very nice to tael (bc of the mask) and like a listeners reference or smth blah blah blah

TATL. that's who's interesting. At the beginning she gets separated from her friends and becomes your companion. So naturally for this au she is our favourite joel smallishbeans. It works so well. Tatl is mean but cares, and that's joels dynamic with the bad boys and with etho, guys it's literally perfect idc what you say

I think it doesn't change much throughout like the story of the game, but just taking dialogue tatl says to link and its so perfect for a sassy joel to a "can't believe I'm dealing with this shit again" etho. Uh one thing different though; in hylian form etho doesn't have an ocarina but instead a mini marimba. Just because. I think it's cool, and for potential things later on.

Now, fairies in this au are just tiny glowing people shaped things with wings. The glow around them is their magic, and depending on emotions/energy the brightness changes (thats why they look like flying balls of light). Some fairies have the ability to make projections of themselves, more hylian sized in nature. This can be intimidation or distraction or w/e, but they cant do it for long periods of time bc its exhausting. These forms aren't physical. Just sized up light projections of their actual bodies.

So for a lot of their journey, joel is just a cute pocket sized ball of rage and sarcasm, who helps with ethos aim for fighting. Bc that's a game mechanic and also ethos like half blind. But like when joel calms down imagine him crawling into ethos hat and just dozing off. He can fit in the palm of your hand like guys it's so cute. But he is also capable of being worse than a mozzie

Oh probably a good point to put in what I imagine etho looks like. So it's typical link green (maybe a bit dampened?), weird pointy hat, short hair (white ofc), his shirt is more of a jacket with a fluffy cold weather collar, it's a bit too big for him but he knows he'll grow into it, he's all knobbly and thin (underfed a lil, boy was never taught how to care for himself beyond basic survival). His injured eye is red bc of ganon, and often gives him phantom pains. It can't be healed.

Anyway, at some point in their journey together, etho and joel learn a song that let's fairies have a larger physical form, no wings, sorta like the great fairies (who they learnt it from prolly). It isn't permanent, slowly draining ethos magic meter, the spell ends when you run out of magic. This is because I want them to actually be able to stand side by side or maybe hug, and also bc its hard to block a blow with your body when ur tennis ball sized.

Aaaaand, this ties back in with with marimba. What if ethos injured, or unconscious, and he obviously can't defend himself, so joel panics and plays the marimba in what he hopes is the right order to give himself a body. I imagine that being that small, you could not play an ocarina. And hey maybe joel carries etho away after that, and when the spell ends he has barely any light emitting from himself because he spent nearly all his magic (what he is made of) saving etho.

But this song isn't used much, because of its draining nature, and you can't really do any other magic things while it's going. So it's mostly just in the final fight (over and over) or tough moments or maybe joel wants to experience something like hoe hylians do. It's obviously inferior to how he experiences things as a fairy, of course, he's just curious thats all. He totally doesn't want etho to do it more.

Okay I think ill sorta stop here, I am NOT done, I will probably post some art I've done for this later lol, and I want help with who everyone else is (mumbo is the moon. You cannot stop me nor change my mind) with mcyts to npcs

[greyskyflowers]

I think it's so powerful that all the strawhats represent the ideals for a good adventure. They're the gods you'd pray to before setting off on the adventure of your Iife.

💙💙💙💙

There are things to be done before one can set out to follow adventure and hear the welcoming call of the sea. They must find and honor the Gods and Goddesses that they hope to carry on their journey.

You know exactly which ones you want to carry. You've always know.

Your parents are happy but still cry as they watch you gather your gifts and offering, their little one all grown up and ready to set sail. You assure them they have time because you're expecting it to take time to find all the ones you want to carry.

The first is easy. The sun god who plays in grassy fields and shore lines, always found under summer skies. You ask him for adventure, happiness, and the will to follow your dreams.

You leave your old hiking boots, laces fraying and heels worn but it's your favorite pair. They look well loved with a flower scribbled by your best friend on the side in faded ink, a black spot from where you got too close to the bonfire making marshmallows, and a hundred memories pressed like dirt into the soles. They've been on so many adventures with you but they can't go on this one.

You leave a photo of your family, brother and you front and center with big gap tooth smiles. It's old, years ago, and it has tape stuck on the back from hanging it on your wall but it looks perfect in the sunlight.

You leave a four leaf clover, hardly anything worth offering really, but you've always loved the idea of picking up luck on the side of the road. It feels right to leave it even though it's lost among the other flowers and grasses on the edge of the field.

The last offering is carefully wrapped in thick cream linen, a combination of dried meat and crackers. It's not a lot but the meat is from a local hunter and the crackers are your favorite.

They say this god has a big appetite and a even bigger heart.

You hope he's full when you leave.

The second god is your favorite, although you never admit favorites outloud, it's disrespectful. He's older, something ancient, and strong.

He's harder to find and you wish for your old boots by the time you find a spot worth stopping. You find him in the forest when you ask for protection, strength, and devotion.

It's dusk and everything is caught in shadows, the late summer humidity has sweat running down your face. There's dirt on your hands and some blood from where a very aggressive stick got in a hit but you feel like he'd approve.

You settle on a flat stone under a fallen tree, tangled in moss and ivy.

You leave a bottle of rum. It's old, dusty, although you tried to wipe all the age off earlier with the hopes of making it look more expensive than it actually was. The bottle is pretty though and fits well in the hand.

You leave rain water, caught from a downpour last night and sweet on the tongue when you went outside to collect it.

You leave a old pocket knife, confident in the offering but hesitant in how it will be received. It's small, hardly even the size of your palm, and it's dull from age and broken. But it was your great grandfather's and you think it's spirit will be happier here than tucked away in a box.

You leave incense, the smell of something warm and earthy. The humidity has made everything too wet to worry about it catching but you still sit with it for a bit while it smokes before gently putting it out and leaving.

You get home later than planned and your mom scolds you, but laughs when you tell her you got lost on the way back. She knows exactly who you went to see.

The third is a goddess, known for good fortune and guidance. She lounges in sunbeams and chases lighting, gold hanging from her wrists.

It's storming when you visit her but the hair on your arm stands up more as a greeting than a warning.

The little stream at your feet will quickly become a river, and once the rain dries it will go back to a small dip in the ground. Right now though, it's all her.

You leave a gold coin, not worth much but you made it shine as bright as it could. It gleams even under the storm clouds.

You leave a broken compass that's always stuck pointing north. It makes you think of the stars and specifically the northern one that always hangs in the sky over your house, and you hope this will be accepted.

You offer a orange, which looks oddly out of place next to the dark, wet earth and grey skies. It's ripe and beautiful, you picked the prettiest one you could find.

The edge of the stream is growing wider, carefully pulling at the offerings like it's curious.

You leave without looking back, they'll find their way to where they need to go.

The fourth god always has good hiding spots, some people having never even found a good place to leave his offerings.

He's steadiness and bravery, the children say he tells them wonderful stories when they get scared at night.

This one is odd and you debate where to find him. You shouldn't have worried though. The answer, it turns out, is right under your nose. Literally.

You bed is hardly off the ground, just enough to shove some things under when you don't feel like cleaning. It was big enough to hide all the monsters when you were little though and maybe, just maybe, it's big enough to hide a god.

You offer the book your mom always read you when you were little. It's not the same book since you no longer have that one, but this will work. You hope he likes it enough to read it to the children he comforts at night.

You leave a small, potted plant. It honestly has a better chance of life with a god than to stay in your hands. You can practically feel the poor thing give a sigh of relief to be free of you. It's kind of ugly, prickly, and oddly colored, but you love it. You hope this God has a better green thumb than you.

The last is another non physical offering. You smile and suggest a game. You offer two truths and a lie.

That night you think of everything that scared you when you were little and you fall asleep to dreams overrun with old fears.

The offerings are gone when you wake up and you had the oddest dream about a man with a ridiculous nose who asks for two truths and a lie.

The fifth god is a little harder and it takes a while before you find someone who welcomes you into their kitchen.

It feels odd to ask a stranger but the man is happy and curious at the request. He's not someone you know well but you've seen him around the town before. He's the only one you know who still has a spot in his kitchen for a fire and uses it.

He asks a lot of questions at first but you find it easy to get carried away in the conversation. The food is almost ready when you remember why you came.

You apologize for the inconvenience but he waves you off, watching as you carefully set your offerings just off to the side of the hearth.

You leave fresh, baked bread. It's not very pretty because you've never been very good at the visual part of cooking, but it tastes good. You added in some honey from the beekeeper down the road and it's just the right amount of sweet.

You leave a small cup of salt water. You're not sure why that one feels right but it does. The glass makes the water look blue and it's like a small part of the sea.

The last is a old note from a past girlfriend. It's worn from where it's been folded, the ink almost gone in the creases and the edges soft. You haven't been able to bring yourself to get rid of it and passing it on seems easier.

They say this God is a lover, a admirer of passion, and fullness for life. You hope he appreciates all the love you have left for him.

The old man insists on sharing his dinner with you so you leave full and with a laugh still laying on your lips.

The hearth is empty when you glance back.

The sixth one is always a fun god to find, known for playfulness and good health. The frozen grass crunches under your feet and a deer watches you curiously before darting back into the timber.

The garden is frozen and dead now but that's okay, there's life in the roots for next spring.

You leave your offerings by the garden gate, next to where the ginger and lavender grow.

You offer flowers from the garden, ones just found and still covered in the first frost. They're a little more brown then you had hoped but the frost was a little late this year. They look beautiful edged in white though.

You leave a handful of berries, a mix of your favorite. The blackberries stain your hand purple and the blueberries are round, rolling a little before you get them all gathered.

You leave a small tea candle. This one you leave burning, it's small and will go out quickly in the cold. It's white, and smells like peppermint. Memories of being coaxed into taking cold medicine cross your mind.

You hope the scent makes him think of healing, of being cared for, rather than sickness.

The seventh goddess is wisdom and grace, beauty in darkness, and the library loves her. They encourage offerings, more than happy to see you when you stop by one winter evening.

Your nose is red and your cheeks burn but you smile as the librarian fusses over you and goes to get you a towel to dry snowflakes from your hair.

It's quiet with her gone and the little corner behind the first shelf catches your eye.

The spot is warm, even with it being by the wall, and you place your gifts down.

You leave your favorite book. It's worn, the cover scratched and torn, notes inside from over the years. Part of your soul is stuck in those pages. All the times you were lonely and would read to forget for a bit, all the sleepless nights where curling up to read would eventually lead to drifting off in uncomfortable positions, it's all in this book.

You leave warm tea. The cup is something you bought second hand but it's beautiful with hand painted flowers and a rim like gold. The tea is your favorite, not caffeinated but soothing. The warmth from the thermos thaws your hands as you fill the cup.

The last offering is a little different but you think she'll like it. The secret leaves your mouth quietly and rushed, something you've never spoke aloud or told anyone before. Telling her has your chest feeling lighter and life fills you lungs.

The librarian comes back with a towel and a small smile to the offerings before urging you to sit down and stay awhile.

The eighth god you find down at the docks, tucked away between boats and building materials. He's creativity and creation.

The spot you settle on is a little quieter than the main walk ways and you feel less like your being observed.

The wood is soaked with salt water from the tides when you set down your offerings.

You leave a nail, old and brown. You pulled it from the walls of your home, the same one you grew up in. It's from the foundation of who you are and what made you. It's a little bent, a little odd, but it represents home.

You leave a firework, a small one you stole from your brother before he could set it off somewhere he shouldn't. It's just a simple one that will pop and sparkle for a few moments but those are your favorite kind.

The last offering is a soda. You spent a little more money and got something special. It's sealed in a skinny glass bottle and bubbles slide along the side when you move it. It's made with the good sugar, a treat that you don't often allow yourself.

You leave with knees damp from the wet wood and end up spending a good part of the day talking to the workers and breathing in the sea air.

The ninth god is for perseverance and hope, and he's sad in some ways.

You find him in the cemetery under a old cypress tree. It feels a little lonely so you decide to sit for awhile, you don't have anything else to do. You offer your gifts while you sit.

You leave a silk handkerchief that you painstakingly made yourself. It's bone white and the edges are ruffled. You're very proud of it and you ignore how your finges feel the phantom prinks of a sewing needle.

You offer a bowl of ice and salt. This might be one of the oddest gifts you've given and you're not completely sure how you even got the idea. It's a pretty offering. The little, metal bowl you found has frosted up from the ice and left little sections of frost here and there. The salt is melting the ice faster than you thought though and the melted water is murky where it's mixed. You kind of give up on the gift after looking it over, offering a apology and using your nail to draw small animals in the frost. One side has a lion, a mane of little lines from his slightly oval shaped head. The other side has a whale, a large blob drawn with a small little tail.

The final offering is following your growing trend of verbal offerings. It's a joke. A really bad one you heard from your dad and even telling it makes you groan, but it also makes you laugh until your stomach hurts.

You leave with graveyard dirt stuck to the back of your thighs and a song you don't remember hearing stuck in you head.

With all your offerings given and your heart ready, you go back to the beginning.

The field is in full bloom and the grass reaches up to your waist. The small drop off at the far side hides a shoreline that's perfect for watching the storms roll in or the sun kiss the horizon. Your feet hang off the ledge over the sand just high enough from the ground to swing them.

The sea calls your name and it sounds welcoming.

💙💙💙💙

Listen when I tell you this ran away from me I mean it. I wrote this in-between tasks at work so please ignore any mistakes because let me tell you my fingers were speeding to keep up with my head.

[cosyvelvetorchid]

Saltommy prompt - “I’m right here I’m not leaving you”

Thanks for the prompt. Here's some saltommy fluff 🩶

********

It had been a bastard of a shift. One of those rare ones that you can't easily shake off. Tommy was okay - he'd been at the back of the building dealing with a secondary fire. But Sal? He'd been in the thick of it. He'd heard the kid screaming for help. Heard the kids voice getting more and more strained and quieter until.. it was gone. He was gone.

They'd been best friends for almost 10 years, and Tommy knew exactly how it would play out. Sal would insist he's fine for the entire journey back to the station. He'd snap and lose his tempter a few times over the rest of the shift. Then, if he hadn't been sent home for insubordination, he'd either go home, start a fight with Gina then head to the bar, in which case he'd get black out drunk and end up sleeping in his car because Gina deadbolted the front door. Or he'd cut out the middle man and go straight to the bar and end up knocking on Tommy's door at 3am, swaying, needing a bed to crash into.

Tommy decided to change tack this time. After some persuading, he'd convinced Sal to let him drive him home. It helped that Sal was fighting exhaustion, and he'd seen way too many horrific accidents from over tired drivers to argue Tommy's point about his girls being left without a dad.

He was exhausted enough that he hadn't even noticed they were going in the wrong direction to his house. It was only when they pulled into Tommy's drive that he realised Tommy had pulled a bait and switch on him.

"You wanna be angry at me? That's fine -" Tommy had argued in the car, "but we both know you're not in any fit state to go home. At least not right now. So, you have two choices. We can argue back and forth here right now about it, until you inevitably give in, or you can admit defeat, come inside and eat, have a shower and after that if you want to go home you'll have no argument from me."

Sal blinked at him, slightly frustrated that he didn't have a response. Tommy was right. He hated when that bastard was right.

"I forget how good a cook you are." Sal told him as she shovelled the spaghetti into his mouth.

"I seem to remember you knowing your way around a kitchen." Tommy replied.

"It's hard to remember when all you cook these days are dino nuggies and curly fries." He said. A wash of sadness crossed his face. His twin girls were the same age as the boy lost in the fire. The devastation he would feel they were the ones who.. He stopped the thought. He couldn't deal with that. Not right now. He put down his fork, now suddenly unappetised. Tommy noticed and took his plate without asking. Sal didn't argue.

"Why don't you go have a shower. You know where the towels are. I'll fix up the bed." Sal didn't argue and grabbed his bag, trudging heavily up the stairs to the bathroom. Tommy followed upstairs a few minutes behind and changed the bedsheets in the guest room while Sal was in the ensuite.

He left the room before Sal was done showering. He knew that he would likely just want to get into bed and sleep. After his own shower and usual night time routine Tommy got into his own bed and quickly drifted off to sleep.

Tommy was awoken suddenly by a cry. He instinctively reached for the baseball bat under his bed and held still listening. Another cry but it was familiar. Sal?

He left his bedroom - with the baseball bat still in his hand just in case - and tiptoed to the guest room. He heard a whimper and gently, and as quietly as he could, opened the door. Sal was twitching in the bed, eyes scrunched shut and brows furrowed.

"I can't get to.. to them.. I.. " He cried out. He was having a nightmare. Tommy hesitated for a moment. He'd read somewhere that it was dangerous to wake someone from a nightmare. But watching Sal suffer, even if it wasn't real, made his heart hurt.

Sal and Tommy had been there for each other more times than either of them could count. Not just on the job - though they'd physically saved eachothers lives more than once - but personally too. Sal was the first person Tommy had come out to, and Tommy had been there for Sal when he and Gina were having trouble in their marriage. There was something under the surface of their friendship that both of them could feel, but neither could address. There was too much at stake.

He walked over to the bed and sat down on the other side, gently placing a hand on Sals shoulder.

"Sal?" He whispered. Sal groaned and his head twitched. "Sal?" He tried again.

"No.. please.. don't let them die!" Tears formed at the corner of his eyes and spilled over running down his temples.

"Sal." Tommy said louder, shaking his arm. "Sal, you're dreaming."

"No! I.." Sal sat bolt upright, eyes wide. "Tommy?" He whispered, his hand automatically reaching for Tommys arm. Tommy placed his hand on Sals.

"It's okay. You were having a nightmare."

"My-my girls.."

"Your girls are fine. It was just a dream." Tommy reassured him. Sal let out a big breath.

"I'll get you some water." Tommy said, moving to get up. Sal grabbed onto his hand to stop him.

"No.. I.." He looked up at Tommy. "Stay?" Tommy stared at him for a few seconds. Something deep under his ribs told him this would be a bad idea. He couldn't pinpoint why, or what it meant. But he ignored it anyway.

"Im right here. Im not leaving you." He lifted up the covers and got in the bed. They lay there silently next to each other, facing the ceiling. Sal's hand moved under the covers, and Tommy felt fingers delicately graze his own. He opened his hand, and Sal laced his fingers into his. They stayed like that as they both drifted off back to sleep.

[mercurytrinemoon]

on house systems and my reasoning behind using whole sign house system

As some of you may have seen from my recent posts, a couple of weeks ago a youtube/tik tok astrologer called whole sign users - including me - "lazy, non-abstract thinkers who can't think outside of the box". I dare to say it is ironic because people who use Placidus - a house system that is a default system in all astrology websites and software (aside from CHANI!) - are actually the ones leaning towards being lazy and unwilling to branch out and try something new. They are complacent in that regard. So that inspired me to talk about house systems in general and about why I personally find whole sign system the most accurate. I may do a part two where I will read a few charts to give you examples and illustrate my thought process. This part is an introduction and the theoretical reasoning behind my choice.

MY BACKGROUND

Like probably 99% of people, I've started my astrological journey with Placidus. It didn't last long (although if you count the time I've been indirectly under my mom's teachings then it's about 15 years, lol) because after a couple of months of my independent deep dive on astrology I switched to equal house system, which I found a nice compromise between an equally-divided houses and the fact that the 1st house starts at the ascendant.

And honestly, it's not like I jumped to the equal system just like that. I really didn't want to at first because that'd mean I wouldn't be able to be on the same page with everyone else - which still to this day is annoying sometimes when someone is showing a chart in Placidus and in my head I'm like "but this placement you're talking about! It would fit perfectly if you switched to whole sign!". But people refuse to keep their minds open and really stop and think about it. And I mean, really stop and think, not switch the system, look at it for 5 minutes, not really giving it a chance and then switch back to Placidus again.

So I've mentioned it ages ago but that deep dive into astrology started with synastry. I was looking at the bi-wheel of me and someone else and as much as I loved the thought of them having Venus in my 1st house, I just couldn't find logic in it: how can a Pisces Venus be compatible with my Aquarius ascendant if it's in a neighbouring sign and neighbouring signs have nothing in common??? It was a hard pill to swallow because I wanted it to be in my 1st, but it wasn't. It's two different energies, on paper Aquarius and Pisces shouldn't work together, so why is this trying to force me into thinking they do?

This is how I ditched Placidus. Because of synastry.

And to be fair, I have my rising sign at 0° so equal and whole look pretty much identical in my case. So it's not like a bit of Pisces could still be in my 1st house. But like I said, I thought that'd be a nice compromise.

But later on I've discovered ancient techniques and the most important and impactful of them all:

ANNUAL PROFECTIONS

So, in annual profections you basically use whole sign system. Helenistic astrologers had equal system and Porphyry at hand, yet they used whole sign exclusively for that technique. Even modern astrologers who use Placidus for everything will tell you: whole sign for profections. Because, just like with many things in life, there are certain tools for certain techniques and mediums. You know, you use acrylic paint for wood, not watercolor. Or, you won't use the same paint for your walls as for your steel fence, right?

So I used profections. And they were spot on and continue to be. Therefore my conclusion was, it doesn't make sense to constantly switch between houses - although, again, some people do that and that's fine but I like consistency and going back and forth became a bit chaotic. Because if certain placements get activated during certain years with profections, then why would I read these placements differently on a day-to-day basis. You know?

One thing I will say though is that sometimes I will look if a planet is cadent or angular. I guess this is also just to see if it's moving towards the angle or moving away from it.

MODERN APPROACH

So back to Placidus for a bit. Maybe this is beside the point cause we're talking house system usage in and of itself but Placidus users often value the intricacies of a "personalised" chart, where every chart of, let's say, an Aquarius rising isn't divided the exact same way. They also like the intricacies of interceptions.

Yet they don't mind using generational planets as rulers for every Scorpio, Aquarius and Pisces (wow, every Scorpio rising born between 1983-1995 has Pluto in Scorpio, how boring). They also often don't use house rulers. I've yet to see a modern astrology book that teaches about house rulers except for the ascendant ruler. Heck, my certified astrologer mom was never taught that - and she went to school for that!

And, the horror, they resort to the notion of "1st house placement is the same as an Aries placement". Which I despise bacause that is a thinking of a dummy and I have a separate article on it HERE if you want to give it a read.

Again, not all Placidus users but kind of following that default system and not looking for alternative points of view leads most of them to these ways of reading charts. Because Placidus has been closely ascribed to the modern approach.

And I think "personalising" a chart with things like traditional rulers, having MC-IC possibly fall into houses other than 10th and 4th and certainly using house rulers is far more superior than having things like interceptions, which I personally find to be a bit gimmicky.

And to quickly answer your question: interceptions are said to symbolize "blocked" energy, right? I find it a redundantly philosophical concept where you have to make up stuff in order for it to fit: and it either doesn't or the answer can be found in a different spot in the chart. I did watch some of the stuff from that avid Placidus worshipper and they blamed intercepted Moon for themes of secrecy when the Moon was in Scorpio - a sign that is already secretive. So, was it an interception specifically that caused it?

HOUSE RULERS

Such an underrated thing yet so accurate. How many times have we all seen people ask "but what if my house is empty?". Usually the answer is "look at the sign that rules that house", when in fact it should be: "look at the house ruler!".

And house rulers work best with whole sign houses. Profections are an amazing way of demonstrating that. Look at your chart or the charts of others and really pay attention to what planet rules your profection year: I can guarantee you that using whole sign you'll see a massive difference between, for example, benefic-ruled years and malefic-ruled years. It's like a night and day. Of course there's a lot of factors and sometimes a Venus-ruled year might go south on you when it's the year of Venus retrograde or Saturn is transiting your natal Venus. But that only proves that it is Venus being switched on that year, not another planet.

Or when your year is ruled by a planet that is exalted vs in detriment or in fall.

House rulers using Placidus? Or any quadrant system in general? A mess honestly. I was reading reddit, as I often do, and I've scrolled through a discussion on house systems. A user called StellaGraphia put it perfectly so I'm just going to quote them:

"house rulers are muddled in quadrant systems. There will often be a planet in a different sign than the sign on the house's cusp, and the ruler of that sign is ruling the next house, not the one the planet is in. So who is that planet relying on? That planet's whole condition, etc. in relation to who it is operating under is muddled."

TRANSITS AND SAME ENERGY SITUATION

I think even transits can illustrate it in a good way. There's a reason we have sign-based aspects because the same energies feel each other.

Let's say someone has Sun in Pisces but using quadrant system Pisces takes up two different houses. Transiting Saturn goes into Pisces, the Sun's going to immediately feel it - because it's the same sign, the same energy. And let's say that Sun is in the 3rd house and Saturn is still in the 2nd. How can it affect 2nd house issues if it's already affecting the 3rd house Sun? Personally I just think it gets unnecessarily messy.

This is kind of simmilar to that synastry example I was talking about earlier.

WHY IS PLACIDUS *THE* SYSTEM ACTUALLY?

I think the topic of quadrant systems is messy in general because there's so many of them and no one really is right in saying Placidus is better or Regiomontanus is better or Campanus or whatever. They're all someone else's idea of what a house division should look like, it's all hypothetical and the only real thing there is is ascendant-descendant degree cause that's a literal horizon and MC-IC degree cause that's a literal meridian of the Earth. Everything else? Theories. So which one is right?

The goal of a lot of scholars throughout the years was to finally crack the code what kind of system was Ptolemy (2nd century) describing in his texts on astrology. A few astrologers tried to push their own theory on what it was, including Placidus whose interpretation was pretty detailed in calculations. And so this is exactly why it got popular - it had the advantage of being an appealing old concept (or so they thought) that could finally be put into practice thanks to the technological advancement that made it possible to calculate easily.

Funnily, much later it turned out that Ptolemy was most probably using some sort of equal house division and nothing really that complex to calculate.

And so at that time in the 17th century older systems have been pushed to the side because of the excitement surrounding a system that required more nuanced math. And more nuanced math meant more advancement - at least for astrologers of that time.

Whole sign system is, for obvious reasons, tidier and simpler (as in more direct) but that does not equal to "easier to read" or, how our Placidus bully said, "for the lazy". Because there's nothing easier or more difficult about reading one or the other. It's just quadrant houses get more clunky if you want to read with house rulers and no, clunky does not mean more intricate. It's just clunky.

It's also more convenient if you don't know someone's exact time of birth but you know their ascendant. You don't really need the exact degree to divide the houses. Same thing if someone has an approximate birth time - as long as the ascendant stays in the same sign you're good to go. This is definitely an additional advantage of the whole sign houses that come in handy surprisingly often in my experience.

And earlier I said I used to find equal system a nice compromise. I think an equally (no pun intended) good compromise - if not slightly better - is Porphyry, which still retains quadrants but divides them into equal sections. So if you do like each of the axis to be the beginning of an angular house but like me, you find interceptions useless and like things to be more tidy, maybe give Porphyry a try!

So what I’m trying to say is, if someone wants to use Placidus - or any other quadrant system - then go ahead but don't be silly and say crap about other systems, especially whole sign, when it's a method that's been the blueprint and despite its simplicity (or maybe because of it) it works like a charm and it's been used by all the fathers of astrology and they didn't need such convoluted system like Placidus.

Or heck, no one said you have to choose one and stick to it for the rest of your life. Test all of them, use whole sign parallel to a quadrant system - this is what astrologers did even back in the late hallenistic times. There's a lot of options to explore when it comes to house systems.

[trashlama]

FUTURE RISE!LEO X READER

∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆

Heyyyy-oooo it's me your guys favorite friendly pervy neighborhood consumer! Back with some more fics!

Yeaahh

Oh yeah I can totally sense your guys' excitement.

So this idea wasn't mine. I was lurking through the ROTTMNT fandom since recently I was too busy being dragged down the Record of Ragnarok fandom pit. It's like Hetalia all over again.

Anyways— I was lurking and came across one of my favorite creators ( @yanteetle ) that got a request for a fic. And like the idea was too good not to write a one-shot for it.

Like there was already a fic for it out there but, I thought I'd try my hand.

I really enjoyed writing this, I'll probably do another part except with the second idea with young Leo being little brother blocked by Casey Jr. cause Casey knows how Leo is with his future relationship with (y/n).

And maybe another one that has a different take on the first idea. But with a ✨ Age Gap✨. Cause man do I love myself a DILF.

Like brah there is no way you can't tell me future Leo isn't a DILF.

Anyways—

Enjoy the fic!

PICTURE NOT MINE! FOUND IT ON PINTEREST AND FELT LIKE IT WAS PERFECT-O

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Rushing water flooded the ancient channels that you were trudging through. The bottoms of your cargo pants were drenched despite being tucked into the openings of your pleather boots. Frigid rosey digits clung to the insides of the pockets to your cobalt colored coat. A shiver shot down your spine. Not from the chill of the down pour above you but rather, the ghost that didn't seem to want to leave you alone. Even now you were quite sure. Somewhere amongst the ruins of New York's sewer system, he was lurking. Never too far behind but, still too close for comfort.

You've been here for two years and five months in a few days according to the calendar that hung in your shared quarters. However you weren't planning on staying for the anniversary.

A brown satchel that hung from your shoulders carried all that you had for the perceived future until you could wrangle up some more scraps of rations from orphaned establishments on the road.

You weren't going back to the base. You refuse.

Onwards you marched. According to the directions Casey had given you it was just a little further until you reached a small opening that you would need to crawl through to get to the connecting manhole that would lead you straight out of the safe haven of the sewers and into the fry-pan of NYC city boundries. The teen even went as far as described an outpost just a couple miles Northwest towards New Jersey. Having scrambliled together a poorly drawn map of the terrain to gift you on your journey.

You and Casey both knew of the dangers there were trying to escape this place. Mutant or not. Though it didn't mean it was going to stop them from at least trying to free you from your gilded cage.

You had thanked the boy who had felt like a kid brother during your encampment at the base. Both shedding a tear for one another as you departed ways. Wishing the other luck as the world slowly continues to crumble around them. Unsure of the others fate.

The flashback helped to revitalize your will, spurring the need to flee as your pace began to pick up. Heart beat and foot falls mirroring another.

You didn't know how much longer you had before he caught up with you....

Speaking of the Devil.

A random splash not too far off sent you rocketing forward. Feet pounded through the stream of water lapping at your ankles. Unrelenting like the hunter that was behind you.

You didn't even want to look back. You feared if you did your knees would buckle at the very sight of his domineering form lunging for you.

Tokyo Drifting the corner, you spun to the left, a skirt of water splashing your legs once again, in further indirect efforts of creating a swimming pool in your boots.

He was fucking with you. You could tell.

If Leo was really being serious he would've captured you in his hold the moment he originally found you. Most likely had woken up due to the lack of your warm presence next to him in the cot you shared.

If you knew the red eared slider, which you felt at this point you did.

You knew he had been on your tail since the minute you left. Stepping foot outside the main body of the base.

°°°°°°°°°°°

"(Y/n)....? Honey...." Leo groaned half awake. It was the middle of the night and his body had suddenly woken him from the bliss of his dreams.

Tired olive hands searched the sheets for your figure...only to find the lack of it.

Dark eyes flew open.

You. Weren't. Here.

Out of the bed he sprung, eyes stabbed through the dark. Only to find the lack of you and your belongings that had been here when the two of you had gone to bed.

His mind flew into chaos at the realization however, unlike his adolescent self he was able to control his panic. He calmed his ragging breath remembering his father's sage advice to not let his feelings get the better of him. That it was unbecoming for a ninja and a leader.

Honestly Leo should've seen it coming.

He wasn't any genuis-boy Donnie by any means but, didn't mean Leo was a fool.

He had saw the signs for a while now.

Eagerly you'd volunteer for any job if it meant being at odd schedules with him. It didn't matter if it was patrol or scavenging, if it got you away from him, even for a little while, you did it.

When approached about it, you simply claimed that you wanted to be useful for The Resistance. Reassuring Leo that your desire for work came from your feelings of being needed rather than the lumbering turtle's overbearing presence being the cause behind your disappearing acts.

Leo being ever so observant would notice how your close comrades and Casey Jr. would also actively participate in these same runs with you.

Everytime.

Tigers gnawed at his stomach lining and baboons pounded in his chest when he thought about what they could be discussing. What they could be doing.

In the beginning you and Leo had been soooo close.

Since teenagers. He had known you even before you knew him.

He had saved you.

Him.

He was seventeen and feeling free. The Krrang hadn't attacked yet, he still had his arm, and Ralph wasn't dead.

You had been just another girl he came upon on a nightly patrol.

Beforehand he and Raph had gotten into another disagreement. Something stupid about him not being a team player and not listening to his comrades.

Whatever. Leo didn't care.

Leo was his own one-man show— he liked to believe. Although when the going got tough, he knew he had his brothers to fall back on. They relied on one another even if they didn't like to admit it all the time. They were children after all.

Squeaky sneakers and labored breaths filled the illuminated basketball court. Within the fenced primiters was a single girl shooting hoops. And not too badly for the self-proclaimed professional's standards if he did say so himself.

She kept herself grounded but, still agile. Launching the basketball from all the points lines, even the ones that have long since been faded by eroding weather and age. (h/l) (h/c) hair pulled back into a high poney tail that whipped around with her movements.

She was like a basketball ballerina dancing a Lebron James Swan Lake. It was ethereal.

Time passed like rain droplets down car windows. Before he knew it the similarly aged female was packing up getting ready to go. Obvious signs being the (2f/c)towel around her neck and the (f/c) sports jacket she threw on over her fitted tank top.

Alas Leo didn't have the right mojo to go pursue her. Nor the right disguise.

For the next few weeks(at least how long he felt it had been emotionally. He wasn't keeping track.) Leo would return to that same basketball court, eager to see the basketball ballerina again.

Sometimes she was there, sometimes not. When she was it typically was late, at least for human standards. And always alone. Leo felt for her but, didn't particularly mind since that meant there was no one to disturb the skilled performance.

The (y/c) haired girl would show up. Shoot some hoops for a while before walking away into the night.

Her (e/c) eyes always looked absent when she shot her baskets. Emotions didn't voice themselves on her neutral complexion. The only real thing that was direct about her was that she was focused with the task at hand. Which was shooting hoops.

Leo wasn't a hundred percent sure what led her to the rundown court almost every night but, he was grateful for the occurrence.

Until one night he wasn't.

Like the last few nights, the red eared slider teen came to the court to spectate his favorite four pointer dancer. Only to find a lack of her usual performance. Instead sat the empty eroding court.

It was two in the morning and his brothers would start wondering where he is soon.(Not that they weren't already curious where their blue bandana brother was going.) A light sprinkle had started to pick up overhead that pushed the olive turtle to call it night.

Standing up from the ledge the turtle was about to leap from his position but, only froze upon hearing laughter. Down below underneath the iridescent fluorescent lamps was you.

The obvious lack of your usual athletic attire suggested you weren't here to play basketball. Instead of a tank top with a pair of shorts; dark jeans hugged your hips complimented by a (2f/c) Lou Jitsu t-shirt and (f/c) sport jacket.

With said jacket you shielded yourself from the drizzle. The lighting made you look like you were glowing, the uncharacteristic smile on your face added to the image.

What broke the breath-taking view was by whom he assumed were your friends. The two of them ran after you into the court with their own grins plastered on their complexions.

The scene of the trio caused the red eared slider's stomach to bumble with jealousy. He wanted to be down there with you. The sound of your guys' conjoined laughter would make together would simply be the best. Leo didn't have a doubt about it.

If only.

For the next two hours the three humans ran through the city streets. Asphalt turned into water slides as they slid and skid. None of them aware of the mutant turtle following them from the rooftops.

By four, the other two humans who he learned names were Jonathan and Melissa(I know so unique) departed for the night.

(Y/n), as he overheard from your comrades, left to go your own way home.

Leo knew he shouldn't continue being out this late by himself. Especially without telling his brothers where. But, Leo couldn't pass up the chance to see where you lived.

By the time you got back to your apartment complex it was pushing five in the morning. Leo could make out from his spot hidden in the fire escape that you were an only child.

Apparent by the lack of anything in the unit. The only things that pointed towards any form of life were the pictures that hung on the plain beige walls.

Inside the cramped dingy apartment you procured yourself some top ramen before sitting on the old futon in the main room to watch some TV. Switching to a channel that played older movies.

Zapped onto the screen was an old Lou Jitsu film. The sight of the movie excited the red eared slider, hopeful thoughts of having similar interests made the monkey in his rib cage pound harder.

Before Leo knew it you were passed out with the remote in hand with the sun peeking out over the Manhattan bay.

Giving one last look towards you before retreating back into the sewers.

The following weeks passed by and Leo grew to like you more. Even if it's from a distance. Always excited when you appear whether it's on the court or in his dreams.

His heart was always so elated when he watched you perform. And the one time he's late of course some dumb delinquents want to mess up his usual date.

Upon arrival he could tell something was wrong right away. Your (f/c) bag sat on alone on the bench left halfway unzipped and abandoned. The ball you brought with you every time you came to the court was flattened and punctured.

Something was very wrong.

"Back off Creeps!"

It was your voice.

Leo not giving a moment's thought to the possibility of being seen by the public eye. Leapt from his perch down to the court.

Hidden off in the alleyway was you and a pair of petty thieves. One a mutant rooster the other just a normal ass-hat both dressed in stereotypical black attire.

"Shadap! If you'd just given us yer stupid wallet and phone from the start then we would've been gone already!" The rooster barked. His beak set in a displeased frown that matched his human accomplice's equally displeased sner.

Both were armed.

The human with a baseball bat, and the rooster with a small pocket knife.

Observing the scene, Leo quickly determined this would be a rather easy take down as long as he did it right.

"Stop the stallin' and give us yer cash!"

The rooster's feathers acting like fingers reached out for you. Instantly the rooster's right wing received a sudden shave.

"WTF!?" The avian mutant screeched using his left wing to clutch his clipped one to his chest.

Quick to defend from the unforeseen attack the human whipped around to swing his bat; .... only to find an empty space.

"What in the name of..."

"Aaghkk!" Straight in the face you had punched the rooster.

Leo swore his chest grew warmer at the action.

While Leo was temporarily distracted by your fists of fury, the ass-hat had swung at the olive-green turtle. Quickly the red eared slider dodged the attack to only return with his own. Easily slicing the bat into small unusable chunks.

Whilst Leo dealt with the ass-hat you fought the retaliating mutant chicken.

It was a somewhat fair fight considering the difference in DNA and physical capabilities.

You would've won too, had you not underestimated how strong a mutant chicken's punches were.

Next thing you knew you were K.O.ed. Your (H/c) head in a tizzy from bouncing your brain around in your cranium.

The blue bandana wearing turtle was not pleased by this.

The rooster gulped at the obvious displeasure emanating off the red eared slider. Not even having a chance to escape Leo swiftly knocked the chicken out before tying him up with his accomplice.

"Oh (Y/n).... I'm sorry I was late for the performance.." Leo apologized under his tired breath. Adoration gleamed in dark pools as he stared down at the object that plauged his dreams for last month.

Even with three digits per hand the sturdy turtle held you against his plastron securely as he returned you to your apartment.

The cold air whipped around the two of you as he sprinted across rooftops of Manhattan.

He was the happiest turtle alive having you in his arms. He never wanted to let you go.

But he did.

And how Leo missed you so dearly for the years that followed.

Not until he was pushing forty did he find you again.

New recruits weren't too much of an uncommon occurrence. However as leader it was his job to familiarize himself with his team to the best of his ability.

And when it came time to welcome in the greenhorns, there you were.

Despite the years that have added on your complexion you were still that beautiful basketball ballerina he found all those years ago.

His heart swelled.

Leo did his best to protect you better this time.

Even if, it meant keeping you here with him against your wishes.

Very quickly it was known amongst The Resistance how much you meant to the Commander.

Within six months he had you transferred under his supervision despite your skills aligning with General April's or even General Donnie's precincts.

It didn't matter.

Leo wanted you. And that was that.

There was no room to argue when it came to the leader's order.

Within the year, you were sharing quarters with the adult red eared slider and in the following months, his cot.

The few freedoms you found away from Leo were doing patrols or hanging with deceased General Cassandra's son.

Even then the interactions were limited.

It's hard to say no when the world around you is dying and you have no other choice in survival.

Which brings us back to the current present.

Racing like a bat out of hell you fleed your pursuer who was hot on your trail.

The basketball bunny runing from the hunter with a shell.

Oh God please! Please let me make this!

It was right in front of you.

Approximately two turns up ahead laid a small tunnel. It was a tight squeeze even for your stature but, if you could crawl far enough into there before Leo reached you. You'd make it.

You threw yourself into the stone wall. The rough texture scraped your palms but you didn't care. You kept running.

"(Y/n) please come back!" Leo hollered.

His voice was not far behind. He had to be literally on your tail.

This would be a miracle if you made this.

"(Y/n) wait! You can't leave!" Anger could be heard in his deep voice. The same tone he used when displeased with your behavior when socializing amongst your fellow comrades.

There it was!

Right there!

Not even thinking about it—

You dove for the small tunnel. Knees instantly bowed to the floor as you began crawling into the opening. The hole was disgusting but, you didn't mind that as you shuffled your body forwards.

" NO! " Leo growled.

A yelp escaped your throat. Clawing hands clasping around your ankle before attempting pull you back. Despite scraping at the edges of the rusted entrance. All it took was a single tug from the adult red eared slider to dragged you out of the small hideaway. Sadness and anger quick to take over his desperate senses.

"Why!? Why did you try to leave me!?" The mutant demanded.

You didn't know what to do. You were frozen. He caught you. You didn't plan for this. You hadn't really thought—

You really had hoped—

"(Y/n)! Answer me!"

"Is everything I do for you and your kind not enough? Why can't I have you?" Leo cried.

His aged but charming features stared you down with so much hurt. He loves you so much. Too much. So why would you go?

"I've always been there for you (Y/n)... my basketball ballerina...don't I...deserve you?" Leo reasoned. His voice displayed the hurt he felt as he reasoned with you.

Well more like manipulated.

"I love you so much.... I just can't lose you again."

Muscular arms pressed you against his plastron. Underneath it you could hear the bird fluttering in his ribs.

Your mind was running a mile a minute, terrified, flustered, unsure what comes next.

" I love you (y/n)...". Was the last thing your brain registered before feeling a pinch to the bundle of nerves in your neck. Falling limp like a ragdoll in the Commander's arms.

Releasing a sigh the tired adult red eared slider held you in the one-sided embrace for just a little longer. Relishing in the warmth from your body that wasn't accompanied by the small trembles from you.

The hug didn't last long before the mutant readjusted his hold on you so that you laid in his arms. Leo didn't mind doing this every once in awhile when the anniversary of your arrival came up. As long as you don't do it again for another year.

He would have to disperse that support group of yours....

Once back in the safe confinements of Resistance HQ; Leo made a B-line to your guys shared room. There he stripped you of your drenched coat and boots before tucking you back into the shared bed. In your spot next to him.

The blue bandana wearing turtle let out a tired yawn as he closed the door before crawling inside the sheets to lay besides you.

Leo was aware he was being selfish but, he just couldn't live without you. Not again. And certainly not in this cruel world that just wants to take away everything he holds dear.

Dark pools stared down at your resting face. His prosthetic hand lovingly caressed the soft skin of your face. Soothing both you and himself in the process.

Slipping away into the land of rest. Even while dreaming the Resistance Commander held on dearly to you.

Not allowing you the same chance to escape his embrace twice.

¶¶ Creator's Notes¶¶

Thank you for reading!

If you liked this part please enjoy part 2!

[spider-jaysart]

What are some songs that remind u of Jon or jondami?

@dunkinsthings

Ooooh I have a good few of them in my list!!!

(Now updated with more!!!)

For Damijon:

Stick together by Elijah N

Be with you by Mondays (feat. Lucy)

Pumping up clouds by Urban Cone

Sunroof by Nicky Youre & dazy (Damian's pov)

I really like you by Carly Rae Jespen (for Jon's pov)

Just friends by Jordy

Feelings by Lauv

I like me better by Lauv (Damian's pov)

Oath by Cher Lloyd

With ur love by Cher Lloyd

Rock N roll by Avril Lavigne

You're my only shorty by Demi Lovato (Jon's pov because Damian's the shorty lol :3 I also like to headcanon that Jon just sings this song to him sometimes as a joke and Damian will get annoyed and try to tell him to cut it out, while blushing red all over his face lol)

Love you like that by Dagny (Damian's pov)

Man I think I love her by Stereo Skyline

Stupid for you by Waterparks (These two care so much about eachother that they'll do anything for one another lol, so this one also really fits them)

Love like woe by The Ready Set

La Da Dee by Cody Simpson

Hideaway by Grace Vanderwaal

Chasing fire by Lauv

One that got away by Nerdout

Youth by Troye Sivan

You by Axol & Alex Skrindo

Iyiyi by Cody Simpson (feat. Flo Rida) (Jon's pov, cause whenever he's not with Damian, he just can't stop talking or thinking about him in canon lol, which is just so cute💗)

Rollercoaster by Bleachers

Charlie be quiet by Charlie Puth (when they're too scared to confess their feelings to eachother due to the fear that they'll ruin their friendship)

Lean on me by Cheat codes & Tinashe

Good time by Owl City (feat. Carly Rae Jespen)

Sunflower by Post Malone & Swae Lee

Rise by Jonas Blue (feat. Jack and Jack)

Marry me by Jason Derulo (when they're adults)

Angst ones for them that remind me a lot about the age up and how it also changed their relationship:

Everything by Diamond Eyes (This ones my fave angst song for them)

As it was by Harry Styles

Summertime sadness by Lana Del Rey

Do it all over by Cheat Codes (feat. Marc E. Bassy)

Stay by Alessia Cara

When you're gone by Shawn Mendes

Getting over you by Lauv

Ghost by Halsey mashed up with Thunder by Imagine dragons (mixed by GINGERGREEN 'returns on YouTube)

Heat waves by Glass Animals

Watching him fade away by Mac DeMarco

Just a dream by Nelly

For Jon:

Sunshine by OneRepublic

Live while we're young by One Direction

I gotta feeling by Black Eyed Peas

Post Malone by Sam Feldt (feat. Rani) (this one also reminds me of him and Damian too)

Journey to the lowest place on earth by Alec Benjamin (for the age up angst)

(I'm sure I've probably got more for him, but I think I just kind of forgot some of them for now)

And that's all of them!

Thank you for the ask!! I really enjoyed sharing these!!! :D

[bookish-bi-mormon]

There's a Mormon church across the road from my house and I've been curious about attending for years but I'm also an incredibly anxious queer bean. Any advice?

Hi! I appreciate you trusting me with this question and I wish I could give you a certain answer.

Unfortunately it's really a gamble. I've been lucky enough to be in a ward (congregation/neighborhood) where I've gotten a lot of positive feedback and support. My partner and I (very visibly queer) have been going to church together for the past month+ and we've only ever had kind things said to us. I think even the members who might believe that being queer is contrary to God's will still want to be kind and help us feel at home and recognize that our journeys on earth are not really their business.

Sadly, that can't be said of everyone. I've been in Sunday School classes in the past where hurtful things were said about queer people that sent me spiraling. I've heard of church leaders who pull trans people aside and ask them to stop attending because their presence is a "disruption." It really varies and I wish I could give you something to measure it by but I've been welcomed in the same town that a friend of mine was rejected.

more advice under the cut:

If you want to learn more about the LDS church, what we believe, how we started, and the Book of Mormon, this website is a good place to start. I don't know if you're a praying type, but in this situation I'd usually recommend praying and asking God if exploring mormonism is a good path for you. If you do feel like attending services, this website can help you see what time the wards in your area meet.

Things to know about church services:

Sacrament Meeting is the meeting where everyone sits in pews and listens to talks. Second Hour (which alternates between gendered and mixed classes every other week) are smaller group discussions where people read scriptures and quotes, and talk about how the gospel fits into our lives. If you want to go to second hour after sacrament meeting, I would just kinda follow whoever looks like they're your age/gender, or if you're feeling brave you could ask someone.

Women usually wear modest dresses, or a shirt+skirt combo. Men usually wear white shirt, tie, and slacks. I personally wear colorful button ups and slacks, sometimes a tie and sometimes not, to express my nonbinary gender. But I don't mind standing out. You really can wear whatever you want, but if you are anxious about standing out, then knowing the dress customs can be helpful.

They usually sing 3 or 4 songs during sacrament meeting. You don't have to sing along, but there should be a hymn book available in case you do.

Part way through sacrament meeting, they pass the sacrament (the bread and water that represent Christ's body and blood). A small tray will be passed down the pews. You don't have to eat/drink, but you can if you want. We see it as a renewal of the promises we make when we are baptized.

People tend to be very friendly, and use the time before/after meetings to socialize. Someone might see an unfamiliar face and come say hi. I promise they mean well, but if it stresses you out feel free to excuse yourself.

[666writingcafe]

With Me

Warning: a character decides to end their own life in Act V.

A Play Written By Christopher Peugeot

۞۞۞

CAST

Lucifer: The Prince

MC: The Attendant

Belphegor: The King of the Land of Sloth

Beel: The King of the Land of Gluttony

Leviathan: The King of the Land of Envy

Satan: The Fairy of the Wood

Simeon: The Narrator

CREW

Barbatos: Head Crew Member

Mammon: Set Designer

Leviathan: Costume Designer

Asmo: Hair and Makeup

Solomon: Composer

۞۞۞

INTRODUCTION

Narrator: Once upon a time, long, long ago, in a small and remote land, there lived a prince. This prince was a man who could be quite sadistic at times, but for the most part he was a caring man. He had many servants, but his favorite by far was his personal attendant.

Narrator: The prince's personal attendant had a terrible secret: they were cursed. From a young age, they watched everyone they ever cared about die in increasingly tragic ways. The only way that the curse could be broken is if they find their true love.

Narrator: One day, the prince received a letter from his betrothed, explaining that the time has come for them to finally wed. Not wanting to delay the ceremony any longer than necessary, the prince quickly packs his things and orders his personal attendant to accompany him on the journey to his betrothed's kingdom.

Narrator: In order to get there, however, they had to venture through various lands ruled by ruthless kings.

ACT I

The King of the Land of Sloth tries to force the prince and his attendant into an eternal slumber.

ACT II

The King of the Land of Gluttony tries to eat the prince and his attendant.

ACT III

The King of the Land of Envy nearly executes the prince and his attendant due to becoming jealous of their bond.

ACT IV

Narrator: At long last, the pair reach the kingdom of the prince's betrothed. Instead of being relieved, however, the personal attendant feels their stomach sink.

Narrator: Over the course of their journey, the attendant realizes that the prince might just be their true love, making it possible for their curse to finally be broken. However, the attendant knows that the union of the prince and his betrothed would bring political stability to the two kingdoms, so they decide to keep this revelation to themselves.

Narrator: What the attendant doesn't know is that the prince is having second thoughts about the wedding.

NIGHTTIME, PRINCE'S TEMPORARY CHAMBERS

Prince: I feel as though all these years, I've been living a lie, refusing to acknowledge the truth. To think that my true love has been right beside me all along...I don't know if I can go through with this.

Prince: *sighs* But I have to. I can't hope to marry them and live out our days together. It would be a selfish dereliction of duty, and I cannot abandon my people for their sake. *sighs again*

ATTENDANT WALKS UP TO THE DOOR, INTENDING TO CHECK ON THE PRINCE.

Prince: Just the thought of taking their hand and gazing into their eyes makes my heart pound with anticipation. I never knew I could feel this way. I never knew I had such passion inside me.

ATTENDANT RUNS AWAY, TEARS POOLING IN THEIR EYES.

ACT V

Narrator: Believing that the prince is completely smitten with his betrothed, the attendant rushes out of the castle. They don't know where they're going, but they know that they have to get away before they risk ruining the prince's happiness.

Narrator: The attendant ends up lost deep within a forest and catches the attention of the fairy of the wood.

Fairy: What is the matter?

Attendant: *cries silently*

Fairy: *places a hand on the attendant's shoulder* There's no keeping secrets from the fairy of the wood. I know what's in your heart. You've in love with a prince, aren't you?

Attendant: *sniffles and wipes their eyes* Yes. He is due to wed soon.

Fairy: I see. You know that only royalty is fit to marry a prince, yet you can't stop yourself from loving him.

Attendant: What do I do?

Fairy: *pulls out a dagger* Take this. Use it to kill his betrothed. That will grant you status and prestige...enough to marry your prince, I'd say. *pauses* But know that this is no ordinary dagger. Once you take it from me, you must use it to kill someone.

Narrator: The attendant takes the dagger and leaves the fairy of the wood behind. Instead of returning to the castle, they end up in a secluded meadow.

Attendant: I still remember the day I first met you, almost like it was yesterday. The way you fixed your eyes on me, that noble yet sincere gaze...

Attendant: The moment I beheld it, I was transfixed. And that was it. There was no going back. I fell for you completely, body and soul. I knew that if we were to become friends--and only friends--I'd be able to stay by your side forever. So I buried my feelings for you deep inside. Forever. At least, that's what I thought.

THE PRINCE WALKS INTO THE MEADOW AND QUICKLY HIDES BEHIND A TREE.

Attendant: *takes a deep breath* Is there any way that I might take their place? That you might feel for me what you've felt for them? I beg you, open your heart to me instead, to me and me alone.

THE PRINCE OPENS HIS MOUTH TO TELL THEM YES, BUT NO WORDS ARE ABLE TO COME OUT.

Attendant: Who am I kidding? You could never love someone like me. *plunges the dagger into their chest*

Prince: NO! *runs over to the attendant and catches them before they hit the ground* MC...! My dear MC!

Prince: *notices the dagger* Oh no...this is the cursed blade said to belong to the fairy of the wood. The curse required you to take a life, but you couldn't bring yourself to kill someone else, could you?

Attendant: *whispers* You love them. *dies*

Prince: No, my darling, I love you. *notices that the attendant is dead* I wish you could have killed my betrothed, but instead you've...

Prince: *nearly chokes on his tears* You've left me in a world without you. Is that really what you wanted? To condemn me to suffer through life without you?

Prince: *starts shouting* I loathe my royal blood, and I loathe a world without you in it! A curse on all of it, everything!

CONCLUSION

Narrator: Never did the two imagine that such a destiny awaited them at the end of their long, long journey. The prince's true love was dead, leaving him to suffer through life alone. Overcome with sorrow at having lost the person he loved, the prince became consumed by hatred, cursing the world and those in it. Transforming into a demon, he dedicated himself to bringing sadness and misfortune to people everywhere for all eternity.

[emyn-arnens]

In honor of @genworkjune, I've put together a list of some of my favorite LOTR gen works. Works are organized by whether they take place before, during, or after the War of the Ring. If there is overlap between categories, the work is located in the category that fits the majority of the work. All works take place in book canon.

PRE-WAR OF THE RING

dark water burning through your bloodline by @rarepairnation (T, Faramir & Boromir, Faramir & Denethor, Faramir & Gandalf, Faramir & Aragorn, 4.2k):

Since his childhood, since as long as he remembers, Faramir has dreamt of a wave. It is not a dream of creation, nor of hope. It is the draining of the coastline before the flood. It is the inevitability of the fall. He watches the marble and gilt of Númenor drown countless times before he knows what Númenor was. Before he knows he is watching his forefathers die.

Daughters, Sisters, Wives by rhymer23 (G, Éowyn & OFCs, Éowyn & Théodwyn, Éowyn & Lothíriel, 4k):

"I should have given you sisters," her mother said. "This is such a place of men." This is a tale of Éowyn and the girls and women who might have been friends in the years of her childhood, the dark years of her growing, and in the years yet to come.

WAR OF THE RING

Called, I Answer by lynndyre (G, Aragorn & Faramir, ~900):

Aragorn heals Faramir and calls him back to himself.

Elegies Unwritten by nonisland (T, Merry & Éowyn, ~500):

Éowyn and Merry, on the road to the Pelennor Fields.

Last Summer by rhymer23 (G, Frodo & Sam & Merry & Pippin, 5.4k):

It is one year on, and the Shire has never been more glorious. But to the hobbits of the Fellowship, even the sweet taste of summer can stir memories of the winter that has passed.

theft and shrubbery by @southfarthing (G, Frodo & Sam & Merry & Pippin, 2.7k):

Hobbiton's notorious poetry society decides to hold its meeting in Sandyman's front garden. At midnight. Rather loudly. Frodo can't say he's particularly sorry about it.

The Road from the South by Evandar (G, Boromir, 1.4k):

Boromir hasn't truly rested since he left Gondor, and he knows that it should rightfully be Faramir on this quest, but that doesn't stop him from following the road north to Imladris.

Waiting on the Wise by rhymer23 (G, Boromir & Gandalf, Boromir & Merry & Pippin, Boromir & Elrond, 6.4k):

Boromir endured much hardship on his long journey to Rivendell. What comes after, in the quiet and safety of the House of Elrond, could prove yet harder to endure.

POST-WAR OF THE RING

The Swallow by rhymer23 (G, Merry & Pippin & Éomer, 4.3k):

Having said his last farewells to the Shire, Merry visits Edoras and its King one final time.

What the River Carries by dearfriendicanfly (G, Frodo & Merry, Merry & Pippin, 5.2k):

"I was just thinking that you aren't talking much." "...I'm talking to you now, aren't I?" "You are," Pippin admits. "But... you're not really saying anything, if you understand what I mean." The quest is over, and Merry is home, standing a whole foot taller than when he left. But with Frodo gone and Pippin coming of age, Merry isn't sure how he fits into anything anymore.