#I feel like EG would try to help out someone else in that situation

[quibbs126]

I feel like in a scenario where Dark Choco and Earl Grey are close (whether platonic or romantic, whatever you feel like), Earl Grey would get Dark Choco some glasses, or at the very least suggest he should get them and probably help him find a good pair

[allthewhumpygoodness]

Other Stuff that can happen in "stagnant" whump fics

So I've been thinking about something and wanted to share it as an open conversation. A lot of the time my writing block when writing whump or sickfic comes from like...what can actually happen in the course of the story. Especially since my stuff tends towards the longer side (I'm a chronic overwriter), it's hard to keep things...interesting I guess? And I find my writing suffers when my Tales Of Woe don't have much structure to them.

(I say this as someone who writes primarily sickfic, or recovery-based stories that are caretaker/whumpee focused, with little or no whumper involvement, so that's what I'll be focused on here. Certainly if you're writing something like a character being held in captivity and tortured/attempting escape/encountering other prisoners/being searched for, you've already got plenty going on and probably don't have this issue at all.)

So I've made a list of Stuff That Can Happen during your whump/sick fic. If you would like. Of course, there will always be a market for stories that are mostly the same level of suffering and nothing else is really the focus, but if you do find you struggle with this like I do, this list might be for you.

Character arcs/Internal/social shifts:

1 caretaker, their relationship to the whumpee strengthens

1 caretaker, they find themselves growing apart from the whumpee

2 or more caretakers, there are complicated dynamics between all of them + the whumpee that shift around

Eg; there's a whumpee and 3 others, Caretaker A forms a closer relationship with Whumpee throughout the story, Caretaker B *was* close with them before but finds their place now "usurped" by A, Caretaker C tries to keep the peace between them while also helping out Whumpee

A caretaker realizes they're better at Caretaking than they'd thought

A caretaker realizes they're not as good at Caretaking as they'd thought

Whumpee realizes they have romantic feelings for Caretaker (or vice versa)

Whumpee discovers they only like Caretaker as a friend (or vice versa)

Whumpee learns to trust Caretaker (s)

Caretaker (s) learn to trust Whumpee

There was a previous misunderstanding (about their feelings for one another, their loyalties, an action taken from one of them etc.) between Whumpee and Caretaker (or between more than one caretaker) that gradually gets resolved

A misunderstanding occurs within the story that builds and is then resolved

One caretaker has to convince another to be honest with Whumpee about this misunderstanding (or has to convince Whumpee to be honest with Caretaker)

Someone unexpected arrives at the scene; whether that be a rival, a friend or family member of the whumpee, a potential other caretaker, or Whumper

Perhaps this is a relief for the caretaker, who needs a break

Or it's a stranger who causes tension in the situation

Maybe the caretaker knows this person is coming and is stressed out waiting for them

Physical/symptomatic shifts:

Whumpee is found injured and unconscious, and wakes up being cared for - their wounds later become infected, leading to a much longer recovery

Whumpee's condition quickly worsens

Whumpee steadily becomes delirious

Whumpee is feverish and goes from feeling freezing cold to boiling

Whumpee feverishly tries to stumble out of bed and into a different room (searching for Caretaker? trying to find a warmer spot?), and are found before, as, or after they collapse

Adding illness to injury: Whumpee is dealing with an injury, only to get sick, or sick only to also become hypothermic, they have heatstroke and then get hurt etc. Compounding whump.

Environmental shifts:

A caretaker could leave temporarily out of necessity, leaving whumpee and/or other caretaker(s) worried about them until they return

The weather changes (worsens? gets better? worsens and then gets better? gets better and then worsens?)

The characters have to shift locations for some reason

An important resource is run out of

Something necessary is destroyed or partially destroyed

A doctor/medic needs to be called

Somebody else becomes sick, injured, or lands in some other danger

Whumpee's newest symptom requires a different type of medicine than what they've been taking up until now, possibly one the caretaker doesn't have

The characters are in an intense situation (in hiding, in a warzone, on the run, trying to escape a natural disaster etc.) and the stakes suddenly become much higher due to something related to this

Maybe there's a flood and the waters have reached their safe spot

Maybe whumpee is some enemy they're sheltering in secret and members of their team/army/etc. come searching for them

There's lots more I could add and I'm not sure if this is explained in the best way, but there you have it.

[wings-of-ink]

How would the Ro's react if Mc is getting flirt/asked out in front of them?

(In crushing stage and dating stage)

I'm just here for the drama! 😅😋

Oof, Anon out here asking the hard questions. I don't know if my spirit is prepared lol.

This may come up a bit as the story progresses with some "NPCs" approaching as optional hook-ups as well as an RO or 2 being a bit flirty. There's a chance of a couple antagonistic forces that may try to flirt with MC too.

For now, these are my best estimates of their reactions:

Oswin: Same at both stages, lol. He's quietly seething and his heart is racing. He respects MC's autonomy a great deal, and he's not going to raise a fuss - yet. The second that MC is uncomfortable or needs help, he's already there. He might pout a bit later. If MC opts to tease him afterward (good-naturedly, of course), he will fluster big time.

Zahn: As a crush, Zahn will be observing intently, but will feel pretty confident that they can gain MC's affection even better. They're not necessarily jealous at this stage, but they may quietly fret over it if the MC has shown interest in Zahn.

In a committed relationship, they're a bit pouty about it, maybe surprised even by their own feelings too. They'll likely ask MC questions, like if Zahn should flirt with them the same way. At least in the moment, they may crave a bit of reassurance. They're quick to bounce back.

Duri: At the crushing stage, Duri is having fun with it. They're playfully teasing MC about it, maybe even low-key egging it on. (Perhaps a defense mechanism?) 🤔 They may get involved, pretend to be jealous of MC.

In a committed relationship, Duri is having a little less fun with this situation. They may try to get involved again, but this time, it's a competition to woo MC even better. They're surprised by their own reactions. If MC's admirer is a jerk, Duri is on the defensive. Said jerk can expect all of their left shoes to go missing in the night.

Rune: In both stages, they're likely to critique the flirting process to throw off their competition's game. Expect some potentially sick burns on MC's admirer's technique or character. They may bring out their lyre and compose a soundtrack to the interaction.

When in a committed relationship, they find attempts to flirt with MC "cute" in the most condescending way. They feel confident, smug even depending on how long into the relationship they are. They're cutting in to easily steal MC away from the flirtatious foe.

???: He doesn't think he "crushes" on anyone, necessarily. So, if he found MC being flirted with by someone else at this stage, he'd not understand that strange pull in his gut. If he's feeling mischievous, he might leer at MC's admirer and make rude/obscene gestures.

After forming a relationship, he'd probably feel a mite competitive and try to draw some attention away from MC while they were being flirted with. Partly to get their attention back on him and partly to "rescue" MC, if that's needed. Expect him to rudely interrupt and feign ignorance.

Thank you for the question, Anon! 😆

These may be more dramatic in practice with an actual scene for me to work with. Chapter 4 might give us the opportunity for a little drama even.

[cluelessbees]

A concept okay—

Mike and Will are sitting together. Maybe they’re in the upside down hiding in a house, maybe it’s the middle of the night and they’re the only ones awake – but they’re talking and opening up about some stuff from the past. 

And Will goes,

“Do you remember our eighth grade Snow Ball?” 

“Hm?” 

“Y’know…the Snow Ball after El closed the gate?” 

“Oh yeah, right –” Mike pauses, a sense of discomfort grewing in his chest at the recollection of the day. He takes a deep breath, trying to compose himself. “I remember.”

“Yeah….I don’t know if you remember this but,” Will begins – his knees drawn up to his chest and his eyes remaining glued to the ground. “We were all standing together and this…girl came up to me. I think it was Amy Peters or something?” 

Mike clenches his jaw (for unrelated non-jealousy reasons of course), whilst Will continues.

“She asked me to dance and I remember turning to you in a panic because I didn’t want to dance with her at all” Will laughs a bit at the thought (which leads Mike to smile).

“And you just— I don’t think you realised it at the time because you sorta… egged me on. You gave me this look like… 'What are you doing? Dance with her.’ And I didn’t know what else to do in that situation so I said yes…and I danced with her.” It’s silent for a minute as Mike waits for Will to say something or for something to happen– something or anything to finally connect the dots in Mike’s mind – why was Will talking about this? Why bring it up now? What was he thinking about right now? Wh--

“I wanted to dance with you that night”

What?

 “….you did?” 

 “Yeah.” Will breathes out. His voice cracking as he quietly whispers to himself. “I really wanted to.”

And it’s silent again. Because Mike doesn’t know what to say or what to do but he can’t help himself from grasping onto Will’s words – fixating on his face. Even in the dark he can still trace the outline of Will’s jaw, the broadness of his shoulder, the placement of his mole, the curves of his lips--

Wait what?  

“A part of me thought you did too” Will speaks up again, his head now resting against his knees. Mike can’t breathe at this point, his eyes glued onto Will.

“I think I just…wanted to believe you felt the same. I wanted to believe it was possible, y’know?” Mike watched Will's hands tighten its grip on his jeans. “But you told me to dance with someone else, and you danced with El….and you kissed her….”

He pauses.

“And I realised that I was alone in this.”  

“Will—” 

“I’m gonna go check outside for any Demogorgan,” Will starts to stand up, rubbing his sleeve against his eyes. 

 “No Will— don’t go please” Mike grabs his wrist, “I’m really sorry”

“It’s okay Mike. It’s not your fault.“ Mike purses his lips, he doesn’t really know what to say at this point. 

“…..do you know why I told you to dance with her?” 

“You were being a good friend” 

“I was trying to be a good friend” he corrects Will. And Will looks at him confused as Mike sorta gestures to him to sit down again – which he does as he waits for Mike to continue.

 “I didn’t want to be selfish- y'know? The whole year was just…so hard on you. You went through so much and I-I didn’t want to take this— this normal opportunity from you. I thought you deserved to feel normal for once…like— like any other kid.” 

“I regretted it the second I did it.” Mike laughs – but it’s more of an awkward laugh to defuse a bit of the tension. “I remember just sitting there and moping because why did I encourage you to dance with her? What is wrong with me? But then…” 

“But then El came.” Will completes the sentence.

“But then El came…” 

“You don’t have to continue, Mike. Seriously, it’s fine” 

“I want to.” He affirms. “I do….please let me.” So, Will just leans back against the wall and waits for Mike to continue.

“It was just…. I missed her- a lot– I think. And I didn’t think I would see her. And I just remembered how I promised her we’d go together and there she was. It all felt so….surreal…I think– just the whole thing helped me forget about missing you for a second.”

“Which— I know is very fucked up. I didn’t think it through and I was dumb and stupid and young and I didn’t like seeing you dancing with someone else and I just needed a way to ignore that and—- El was there and she was being El and it helped take my mind off of it for a bit.” 

“I really just wanted to spend the night with you,” Mike admits.

“You did?” 

“I did- yeah…..I think a part of it was also just…seeing Dustin and Lucas both starting to care about having a girlfriend or going out and dating and i thought… oh am I supposed to feel that way?”

“I guess I was…. self conscious about it. I wasn’t growing up the way you’re supposed to. And I- I panicked…and I was stupid and you got hurt because of it and I’m so sorry.” At this point, Mike is looking back up to Will, and he places his hand above Will’s. “I mean it. I just– I hate that I hurt you.” 

“It’s fine Mike.” 

“No it’s not— don’t dismiss it. Don’t dismiss it- I hurt you and you’re allowed to be mad at me and you’re allowed to stay mad at me. Because I deserve it. And- this isn’t me self deprecating or anything. I fucked up- I know I did. And it’s okay— I won’t hate you for being mad at me. It’s okay. I’ll still be here and I won’t leave and I’ll work on myself and I’ll show you that I’m better.”

And he pauses before pursing his lips and continuing, looking up at Will. 

“Okay?”

“Okay” Will smiles.

---

There's actually a second part/scene to this but yeah – (lmk if you want it (?))

[autisticlalna]

following up on what i posted last night: how would Leontids have gotten along with the other members of Aquarium Gravel?

a general theme i picked up with aquagrav was the idea of everyone is Pretending to be a normal human person. the closest to that baseline is tJay, but he's got his own localized disaster going on. unmodified, tLeontids would fit into that pretty well-- his core "gimmick" is that despite looking close-to-human, the actual part of Leontids that is Leontids is the mask. the body is who he used to be, and it's who he's still trying to be, but at the end of the day he's a sapient mask that possesses people.

i adore tViking but tLeo would have such a bad time with him. he's easy to manipulate, he's used to being dehumanized, and once he realizes tViking views him as a tool he would be upset but wouldn't really know what to do about it. plus he'd probably already owe tViking something by then, so if something is hanging over his head then he might as well make himself as useful as possible so it won't have to be called in. vibes of "get along well on surface-level but things get less than ideal whenever they're one-on-one while tViking is in business mode". i love tViking. tLeo would not.

i have no idea what tLeo would be like around Navigator, or if they'd even interact at all seeing as Nav is pretty focused on only talking to tRuby and Sapphire and otherwise making himself scarce. if they did run into each other somehow (eg tLeo walking in on a scene and having no context to what's happening), he might think it's just tViking having a nonverbal moment and would also start writing on signs to help him feel better about it :D <- clueless. cue tRuby awkwardly ushering him out of the room or something lmao. Nav is such a big unknown that it's hard to figure out anything more than that because oh my god nav what is your DEAL.

SPEAKING OF tRUBY! despite how rocky things are between tLeo and tViking, he would've been friends with tRuby i think. also awkward moments of tRuby trying to reassure him about tViking while meanwhile tViking is also using tRuby to accomplish his goals. considering her paranoia i doubt tRuby would open up to tLeo much, especially when it became clearer that something is Wrong with him, but tLeo would try to encourage zem to talk to him... while also hiding things about himself because of being afraid how ze would react to finding out what he really is. AND THEN SAPPHIRE GETS INVOLVED AND THAT KINDA FALLS APART,

i wrote a thing with him and Sapphire (linked above) that can be summed up as "Sapphire has no idea what he's doing here or how he got here and tLeo would like to not be around Sapphire at all, thanks". like with Navigator he wouldn't put together the "this is someone else" thing, so from his pov tRuby would be creepy and ominous towards him and then not remember why afterwards. if it happened enough, tLeo would start feeling like he's playing russian roulette with "is this my friend or is this someone im scared of" and that would not help tRuby's fears of turning into Sapphire. :,D

my notes for tJay are "has a 50/50 of either helping or harming his constant anxiety". lmao. sorry buddy, your new neighbor is a bodysnatcher. although the possession thing was gonna be more relevant to tLeo's Situation (possessing his own empty shell) rather than him actually hijacking anybody else. considering what the rest of aquagrav is like tJay mightve been the only one tLeo could possess without exploding LMAO. anyway: tJay and tLeo hanging out in the trees going "everyone else here is insane" while one of them talks to scarecrows and the other one is a frisbee with ambition. although seeing as tLeo is Literally Also An Animate Object i don't think he'd find the scarecrow thing all that weird. and then also they beat each other up because offie would tell me to kill and i would /silly

while tLeo would've been put off by tFiv if he was still keeping up the tough guy act, once he realized what tFiv is actually like he would've started trying to make a connection. a fun thing with tFiv is that they're a fallen star that's homesick and likes sculk because it reminds him of home, and that's pretty similar to Leontids! in my solo series he's from space, and on the Dominionerds s1 server he had a whole plotline about sculk that's going to get referenced in some form with other stuff i do. i had a line written down for tLeo talking to tFiv about sculk and describing it as "If I get deep down enough, sometimes it feels like I'm looking down at the night sky instead of up." plus my idea for a base was an observatory, so him and tFiv could hang out there at night and talk about constellations and stuff. Leontids is named after a meteor shower :D

tVintage's love of learning about humans and what life is like outside of her duties as an angel would've continued to be the accidental comedy of "90% of AquaGrav isn't human". tLeo would've been awkward in a silly way about it and leaned in hard to the HAHA YEP I'M COMPLETELY NORMAL. YEP. I'M HUMAN FOR SURE thing to avoid suspicion. endearingly cringe. depending on what i settled on for his life pre-aquagrav, though, he might've joined in on the excitement and discovery of a new world.

the other aquagrav member he'd click with besides tFiv would potentially be tBox, which is really funny considering the huge amount of tension between tFiv and tBox. although in tBox's case, it would be because of miscommunication-- tLeo would be unphased by tBox's thing about "not having a face" because. well, tLeo. and would think that the box is a situation like his mask where tBox Literally Needs It To Exist and not "box is a horrorterror trying to not scare people with whatever the hell he actually looks like under there". as friendly as he would be to tBox himself, though, tLeo would be scared shitless of the eyes and avoid going to tBox's corner of Aquarium Gravel as much as possible. he doesn't like feeling like he's being watched.

or, in less words, my original notes:

viking: sees him as a tool, leontids is a bit :( about it but figures if he's an asset he might as well be a useful one ruby: grabs him after like "hey. dont let him be like that to you" <- also lets him be like that to them sapphire: scares the shit out of him, as seen in the comic/fic navigator: they have no idea what to make of each other. leontids thinks viking is being Weird and starts writing on signs back bc "maybe he doesnt feel talky today???", nav is also "hey. youre not supposed to be here. the heck" jay: leontids listens to him talk about the scarecrows, enamored by the snails, says some weird shit that makes jay Nervous fiv: bond over "sculk kinda looks like the stars, doenst it?" vintage: thinks hes Interesting. "humans are neat" "HAHA YEAH IM. DEFINITELY HUMAN. AWESOME" box: handshake on "always hiding their face", friendly introduction, box walks off and leontids quietly freaks out at all the eyes staring at him

bonus round thoughts: his sign color would be either warped (blue!) or acacia (he is very orange). also there was a joke about tLeo being elected aquagrav's therapist bc Everyone Has So Many Problems but uh. that probably would not survive contact with the enemy. i didn't really have plans for what his whole storyline would be, because Leontids in general has a lot of elements i would pick-and-choose from depending on what fit the overall vibe, but he's got his own brand of issues:

leontids: hi! turns out [MASSIVE SPOILERS FOR BEAT THE GAME] and im about to start crying! viking: bro im literally just standing here

i say as if leontids isnt the type of person to put his problems in the backseat when he sees what the rest of aquagrav is dealing with. guy who is so so niceys until someone finds a crack in his facade and he has a sobbing breakdown in his government mandated murder basement

UH. THANK YOU FOR COMING TO MY TEDTALK. BYE

[sybaritick]

lesson I learned as a child: if you're trying to help someone, you shouldn't ask what kind of help they need because that's asking them to think for you/putting that responsibility on them, and you shouldn't interrupt someone to inform them or ask them about specific help you're going to give like washing the dishes because that's wasting their time and they might tell you not to even if they want you to. But you do have to help them, otherwise they'll get angry at you for not helping. So just make your best guess at what would be helpful and start doing that.

result: 80% of the time this works perfectly well, 15% of the time the policy of "don't communicate what you are doing" interrupts the other person's plans and routine in a way that could have easily been avoided by communicating, 5% of the time it results in comedy (eg that situation i always joke about where I dimmed the lights in case that would help with Omii's migraine without saying anything and they thought the room was getting dim because they were gonna pass out)

synthesis: it is actually true that it's often better to just contribute than it is to ask how to contribute: asking really does put the burden of organizing on the other person. but it's situational! the problem is communication-- it takes practice but eventually you can develop the instinct for a quick and almost subconscious "is this something that might interfere with this person's plans?" If so, either do something else or if it would be genuinely helpful, inform them ("I'm going to mop the kitchen") because that gives them the chance to tell you they don't want you to right now without framing it as a question ("Should I/Can I mop the kitchen?") that opens up an instinctive "no" because that's something they think of as their job. In the longer term, discussing which things each of you find helpful when doing chores or working or cooking etc, not in the moment when help is needed, is obviously the best approach!

Sometimes you have to guess (especially if you're the sort of person to whom these things don't come naturally), but nobody should be expecting you to guess what they want all the time. Communicate.

And if you really have to spend a bunch of time and energy dancing around their feelings about it, the problem is the other person: my mom telling me not to wash the dishes and then getting mad that I didn't wash the dishes wasn't reasonable behavior. If you can talk to the other person about this sort of thing/explain that you don't understand what they want, obviously you should; if it isn't possible to have that kind of genuine conversation with them because they are your mother, just do your best and remember this isn't really your problem lol.

I know that for many people this sort of thing is more automatic and I'm discussing it very "manually." But it is one of my many social deficiencies and I know I'm not alone in that! So it helps to think it out.

[im-captain-basch]

What would be your voice fancasts for your version of Donkey Kong/Donkey Kong Country franchise?

Fun fact: the reason I never answered your DM to me with this question is mostly because I was trying to figure out who would be best for who, but also because I was trying to decide if I should make this a public thing or not, so thanks for helping make that choice. XD

I know this says fancasts for my version, but I went more of a "general voice headcanon" route for most of these. Some also have the actual fancasts, or at the very least the people I wouldn't be upset about having be the VAs even if the voice winds up different from what I hear in my head.

I could really only figure out the Kongs, so uh... Ye. Also, all the underlined names are linked to pages to see more of the stuff they've done!

DK: Mark Fischbach. Zero rhyme or reason, other than I spent a full year drawing practically nothing except DKC characters set to GMOD moments, mostly Markiplier's, so now it's all I hear. However, I would not be mad if Richard Yearwood reprises the role (or even Sterling Jarvis).

Diddy: Ben Schwartz. My Diddy is more teenager-adjacent than most people's probably is (around 14), and I'd be lying if I said my hyperfixation with DuckTales 2017 a couple years back didn't have anything to do with that.

Cranky: This one is surprisingly hard to pin down. Here recently I've been imagining him more with Keith David's voice, but in the past I've also imagined David Tennant, Bernard Cribbins, and Aron Tager (his VA in the cartoon), the latter two of whom have both sadly passed in the last couple of years. I'll also happily take Bill Farmer, tho. For me it all depends on the tone and other factors of the situation presented (eg, an AU, the actual game series, others' interpretations, etc).

Funky: Gotta still be Damon D'Olivera, his VA from the cartoon, but I wouldn't be against Phil LaMarr or Greg Eagles voicing him either.

Candy: I do not hate Joy Tanner's voice for her in the cartoon at all. In fact, like Funky, it's mostly all I can hear for her. If I had to choose someone else to fill the role, it'd probably be Jennifer Hale.

Dixie: I think I had the most trouble with her surprisingly. I didn't necessarily like or hate her voice in the cartoon, but I have to go with Mae Whitman on this one. I was thinking along the lines of how Amity from The Owl House sounds, if you wanna know the thought process.

Wrinkly: Wendie Malick is the only voice I've really actively pictured for my specific version of her. The second I heard the line "Wait---those are MY dumb kids!" in The Owl House, my brain has never let the idea drop. However, if there ever actually is a show version of the DKC series that included her, I would not be against Tress MacNeille being her VA.

Swanky: Will Arnett is just how I hear him by default (I blame DK Vine in part). IDK, similar reasons to Diddy in that it has to do with other fixations of mine colliding into my brain. However, here recently my brain has also been tickled by the idea of James Monroe Iglehart being his voice in a version of the show that actually uses him.

Kiddy: OK, so y'all know how my brain runs. Sadly, sometimes I forget about him. However, I feel like Dee Bradley Baker is a safe bet.

Lanky: Rob Paulsen. IDK, even his normal voice just works.

Tiny: Kristen Schaal, solely because sometimes there's moments of her that cross my mind that make me go "Oh that's Louise Belcher (or Mabel Pines) vibes."

Chunky: Of all the actors, voice or otherwise, I've dug through today to find voices for characters I otherwise couldn't picture... I'ma have to give Chunk the monk Richard Horvitz. It also helps that this is literally one of those VAs I grew up hearing, so I can imagine the role working well, although other VAs mentioned throughout this list could potentially also work well.

Originally the Kongs from the actual DKC series proper is all I was gonna do for now, because it's late and brain hurty, but y'all know me a little better than that. I've got at least two bonus people for y'all.

K. Rool: Similar to a couple of characters above, I'd love it if Benedict Campbell could reprise the role, as he's literally the only voice I've been able to hear for him for years. However, that being said, there are a few others I will accept in his place, being Mark Hamill; Keith David (mentioned above); Clancy Brown; and Alex Hirsch.

DK Jr.: You said it was a fancast for my version, so while I know some people think Junior and our DK are the same person, in this instance I don't. I've racked my brain for a while trying to figure out who I best hear as his voice, and I had songs from a certain Disney animated show playing on loop last night and anyway, long story short, Jeremy Jordan is the headcanon voice for my version of him.

[empty-blog-for-lurking]

@void-tiger THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!! I admit it's not really well thought out especially the other reality part

With Veronica and Kuron, it's specifically related to my Post s8 au (here, here is where I talked specifically about their relationship and the tag is here). Right after Lance resurrected Kuron (and fell into coma) Veronica found him while she was looking Lance who wasn't exactly.....doing well for some time, and had kinda went awol on everyone. Veronica had known enough about the entire clone arc thing from Lance and Shiro to not be weirded out but doesn't think that Kuron is evil or even dangerous (the first time they met, Kuron was waking up delirious, slipped and knocked himself out) so after a chaotic hospital trip, some explanations and after some more time and various discoveries, Veronica offers Kuron to room with her.

Veronica and Kuron's relationship at first was rather messy. Vero does sympathize with Kuron's situation but with family issues and her own tendency to be more private/secretive she doesn't have the spoons to deal with him. And in return Kuron does understand and appreciates what Veronica is doing for him but he's also someone who was pretty much abandoned by almost everyone he cared for and was doomed to die in his own mind while someone else used his body, so isn't having a good time either. This would lead to a screaming match, a fight and eventual reconciliation.

i think at first Veronica and Kuron are trying to figure out what even happened to Lance and how to help him but eventually their search expands into a major plot mysteries and loose threads (for eg Lotor's entire deal, some old experimentation by galra with shiro clones (and possibly more Shiro clones who survived) and i am visiting my old hc about gradual exposure to quintessence turning humans into eldritch horrors and nature of quintessence being perceptional and cultural) (Kuron is immune from turning into one due to Haggar's research on humans and clones and Lance using said research as pretty much a blueprint. Veronica however isn't)

Overall i feel their relationship swings between a genuinely healthy friendship who also tend to get codependent and encourage each other's worst habits.

As for the Narti Allura and Lance brotp- Again it's not really well thought out, even less so then Vero and Kuron. In this au Allura is travelling through different realities to get to her own one (I have been debating about giving her amnesia and at first it sounded like a good idea, but right now I am not sure :/. Her powers are still a mess though and she will get crippling fear of death, I am not budging on that). One of these realities she visits is this one where due to a series of butterfly effects voltron team (the humans one) never really formed but did

This reality is lot similar but also quite different, some of these differences being- 1)War being delayed and Allura being sealed in cryopod much later as well as Lotor being older when his parents got corrupted. 2) Delay in war causing Honerva's memory to come back causing a rift in her and Zarkon relationship until they both are against each other (sometimes). 3) Honerva occasionally working with Lotor but it's a strained relationship and Lotor hates both his parents as well as anything to do with quintessence bs 4)Lance found the blue lion much sooner as a kid and then getting taken in by Lotor before he could reach Allura (and also being in vicinity of Honerva which yknow....not good) . 5) Allura was released some other wat sooner and found surviving Alteans and through them and other planets formed the coalition she's currently head of. 6) Narti was sent out to assassinate/take over Allura but didn't (they fought and then talk it out), after which she joined Lotor. She does get controlled by Honerva but wasn't killed. 7) Allura got the white lion before ending up in cryopod

The end ultimately leads to 'shadow zombie' apocalypse (which is kinda because of anti-quintessence thingy? Like it feeds on quintessence and is shadowy) a few years later which kills off Zarkon, Honerva, Lotor and a lot of the empire as well as much of the universe and the blue paladin 'died' (aka Lance just straight up fakes his own death and had nearly gotten away with no one knowing it too if weren't for meddling Narti), and with so many big players dead, Allura's coalition or rather The Council took charge in rehabilitation and fixing what's left (I do think it was lot more complicated than random zombie apocalypse, I feel like it was culmination of everything?? Sorry I am still trying to figure it out)

Lance and Allura meet through Narti, and it was all years ago and now they are Trying. The work is tiring, overwhelming, the present is better but also still bleak, there's a seemingly new incident everyday, all the people who survived and the societies that still exist only Just started to reach a stability and peace and it's fragile as shit and all three of them are Trying™ in spite of the trauma and pain and despair and everything. The apocalypse isn't a problem anymore but it did leave behind a lot of mess. These three pretty much trauma bonded for life

These three are very messy adults and also they are raising Lance's clone they found. She's their little baby, all three of them love her so much, but also they are messy people living in messy world and are kinda fail at parenting. They are not horrible but also- Allura tends to baby her too much, Lance has tendency to project his own trauma and is over-protective, Narti has screwed sense of what is and isn't dangerous for a human child and just let her do whatever and also tends to bother her like a funny owner of a grumpy cat. Also all three of them are embarrassing soccer parents, so there's that.

I do think there's lot more to it, but i feel it's already long enough and i want to flesh out these three's personalities and dynamics a lot more. A lot of this most likely will be changed cause I am very indecisive at the end of the day. Anyway thank you so much for asking!!! Sorry this is late (I was kinda on a trip for a week and also rewrote the other reality stuff three times but ehh)

I think we as a society should bring back brotps. I think we should be weirder about characters being friends the same way people are weird about ships. Make those two characters who interacted once or twice besties. Make it difficult for them to get rid of each other even if they want to. Go nuts

[russetwolf]

multiples of 4 for the headcanon meme

          ♔   ||   H E A D C A N O N   M E M E   ||   accepting

Send me some numbers and a character name and I will tell you:

4. What would they do if they needed to make dinner but the kitchen was busy?

Genuinely, I think he'd order in or call someone and be like, "Hey let's go grab dinner somewhere." If he has something in the fridge that desperately had to be used up that day, he'd just wait a bit, or see if he can work around whoever's keeping the kitchen busy.

8. Favorite indulgence and feelings surrounding indulging

Robb isn't someone to over-indulge easily, he's honestly too responsible for that. But for that reason he's also not feeling guilty when he does indulge in something, like big dinners or an evening with too many sweets or whatever else.

12. Favorite book genre?

He really likes thrillers, especially with a hint or twist of the supernatural.

16. Preferred mode of dress and rituals surrounding dress

I think Smart Casual is the term, with clear nordic influences. I don't think he has rituals as such, but when he knows he won't have a lot of time in the morning, you might catch him putting out an outfit the night before going to bed so he doesn't have to think about it in the morning.

20. Turn-ons? Turn-offs?

Without going into too much detail... he likes having his hair pulled. He likes reciprocity. He's a real switch, so quite flexible around adapting to the atmosphere. Lack of respect or equality isn't for him, so anything degrading even in mild forms isn't his cup of tea. Those are the first things that come to mind - I'm sure there are lots more if I give it more thought.

24. How do they see themselves 5 years from today?

That's super dependent on where when now is. Since I've used modern verse Robb as basis for the questions so far, it's probably having finished his studies, having found a good job that he enjoys, preferably a stable, fun and loving partnership, with regular visits to his family members. Quite plain, maybe - he doesn't need anything flashy or big, he's too grounded and just seeks happiness for himself and those he loves.

28. Reaction to sudden extrapersonal disaster (eg The house is on fire! What do they do?)

He's super good about thinking on his feet, and a very responsible guy on top of that. One of the first things would always be making sure his loved ones are okay, and, depending on what the disaster is, calling in help, like firefighters. To stay with the example above, if there's a fire extinguisher, he'd go for that, try to put out the fire, or help someone else if it's not entirely hopeless, even while putting himself in danger.

32. Concept of home and family?

Coming from a big, vibrant, happy family, that's his concept of it. Warmth and just and togetherness, fun and teasing and fighting but, in the end, always sticking up for each other. The pack survives, after all.

36. Are they more analytical or more emotional in their decision-making?

Robb is a very analytical person - unless people he loves are involved. That often throws a bit of his analysis of a situation out of the window and can trip him up. He's also better about analysing situations and data than people and their motives.

40. How misanthropic (disliking of humankind) are they?

Not very, to be honest. He likes people, likes being around people most of the time, is charismatic and has an easy time with people.

44. Superstitions or views on the occult?

He's not a very superstitious person. He won't say with absolute certainty that the occult is out of the realm of possibilty, but he doesn't particularly believe in it until he experiences it.

48. If this person were to get into a fist fight, what is their fighting style like?

Super quick on his feet and in his mind, deceptively so considering he's a relatively tall, not super slender guy. Reflexes and brains over brawns, but he could pack a mean punch.

[purplesurveys]

1877

Have you ever bought a YouTuber’s merch? Have I...I don't think so. They make shipping to the Philippines next to impossible anyway, so buying merch isn't even something I've ever had to consider. I went to Fanfest when it was still cool, but that's it.

Do you think oatmeal tastes better when made with water or milk? I had oatmeal for breakfast every single day from the ages of 4 to 10, so I have a silent vow that I'd never have it again lol. That said and to address the question, I don't have a preference.

Have you ever left a note in a library book? Nope, doubt that I have.

What time of day do you prefer to wash your hair? In the morning, just before starting work. It's less hair care reasons and more of a general want to feel clean and fresh for the day.

Has anyone ever spread lies about you? I'm sure this has happened.

Have you ever taken a photograph with a celebrity? If so, did it turn out the way you wanted, or do you wish you could retake it? I do have photos with a few celebrities and athletes; it's part of the job. Tbh they're always taken by a professional photographer haha so the photos always turn out fine – but as for me, personally, I don't like asking for photos. I feel like I'd be a bother.

If you could move out of your home country permanently, would you? If so, where would you go? Nowhere that would be a massive culture shock or would entail a language barrier. I've long thought that moving to a fellow Southeast Asian country would be enough for me – I get the change in scenery, but retain the general culture and way of living. Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, or Vietnam would all be good options.

Is there a celebrity that everyone else seems to love, but you find totally overrated? Why is it that you don’t like them? Taylor Swift. Her music doesn't do anything for me.

If you could volunteer for any charity, which one would you choose? Do you think it’s more important to help humans, or are animal and environmental charities equally important? I don't volunteer in the form of hours, but I donate to select animal shelters several times a month. Sometimes for specific cases when an animal situation is really dire; sometimes to shelters as a whole. I'm also not into pitting genuine causes against each other – but for me personally I'd always prioritize animal-related initiatives.

Do you prefer holidays where you relax, or actually do things? I can't imagine spending money on a vacation just to not do anything. My Filipino practicality and frugality will force me to go out, get those 20,000 steps, and get my money's worth lol.

Do you think that after we die our spirit is still alive? I don't believe in spirits. I also don't think that we continue to linger even from another dimension...although that'd be pretty cool. But I don't think that happens.

Has anybody ever told you that you could be a model? I don't get that. Could be because I'm quite short.

Do you use different kinds of moisturizer for different body parts? ie. hand lotion for your hands, face cream for your face. Or do you just use one moisturizer for all body parts? I don't. I'm not very particular about products. I have like BB cream and that's it.

Have you ever felt like you were someone’s rebound? No.

Has anybody ever broken up with you over something really pathetic? What was it? Have you ever been dumped in a disrespectful way? (eg. through text, through a friend..) No.

Did you have a lot of role models as a kid? Didn't have one as a kid. I was too busy surviving on my own and getting the few crumbs of childhood I managed to get...

Do you feel like anyone looks up to you? Why or why not? Doubt it. I don't try to be a role model, so I wouldn't be surprised if I'm not anyone's.

What was the last thing you found offensive? Just another new thing related to the current China-PH dispute that's pissed me off for years.

Who is the nicest person you know? Angela has no bad blood in her. Like at all.

Do you feel safe in your country? I'm literally actively always on red alert for being catcalled or honked at whenever I'm out and if you're in a shady shady area you might get held up or stabbed, so...no not really...

Do you feel safe where you live? Yeah, but this is kind of a cheat because I live in a gated village.

Have you been falsely diagnosed with something by a bad doctor? Kind of, yeah. I feel bad about it because that man is a good family friend, but idk he was wrong lol. I had been sick for over a week, 39ºC fever refusing to go away – we go to him and he gives me these meds that didn't do any fucking thing. I start to panic and Angela's mom steps in to help, gives me a prescription for UTI and my fever literally goes away in half an hour.

Have you ever had a doctor refuse to treat you? As far as I can remember, haven't experienced anything like this.

Name the strangest game you’ve ever played (video game or real game): Butt Ugly Martians was definitely a concept, but I loved that stupid little game nonetheless. WarioWare is also an Experience haha.

Do you know anyone who has been struck by lightning before? Nope.

Which cartoon character would you want to keep as a pet? Gary!

Do you like marshmallows? Dislike dislike dislike.

What is your favorite flavor of candy cane? Not into candy canes.

Have you ever fostered an animal? Haven't.

Do you still take hot showers when it’s hot out? For the most part yes, because I find cold water uncomfortable.

When writing $ sign, do you draw one line through the S or two? I don't really get to write at a lot haha but hm what do I do? I think I do two.

What animal have you always wanted as a pet but couldn’t have? I've always just wanted dogs. Elephants are my other favorite, but never wanted them as a pet.

List three people you’ve had crushes on: A grade school science teacher LOL; a high school science teacher (why were they all teaching science??????); and I say this with 200% shame but there was a Korean tour guide from my trip in Vietnam who looked exactly like SVT Mingyu it was pretty amazing lmao??

Have you ever thrown up from cramps? Nah. My period cramps have thankfully never given me so hard a time that I've had to call in sick or throw up or whatever. Leg cramps that I get from sleeping have been much more merciless.

List three people you had a hard time forgiving. My mom, my brother, my ex.

Who is the most spiritual person you know? This celebrity I follow for work purposes is really into spirit soul crystal yoga other meditation stuff.

Would you ever start a vlog? I'd love to. I've always meant to start, and it would be the non-talking types where I never show my face – like literally just walking logs of my life and how I've experienced it in that moment. No one even has to watch them but me. But I can't bother to spend on vlogging equipment and idk how to edit videos and don't have the time to do it either hahaha.

Are your dreams coming true yet? I think I can get to say that they are, one at a time, yeah!

Do you struggle with depression? I did before.

Are you haunted by your past? I do not let it bother me.

What medical conditions do you have? Just scoliosis.

Do you use a Magic Bullet? Question gave me whiplash for a sec lol, but no I don't.

What does your apron look like? I don't own one.

What are your favorite spicy foods? Angry Chapaguri is the best. I also like spicy ramen, tteokbokki, curry, Bicol express, sisig with chilis...I'm pretty big on spicy.

Which do you like better: being an adult or being a kid? Adult. I enjoy the freedom.

Were you excited to be a teenager on your thirteenth birthday? I was too busy being depressed I'm pretty sure. I don't have memories of most of my birthdays, up until my 18th.

Did you feel insecure in high school? Just the first half. I was able to find my footing and my circle by junior year.

Would you ever be friends with someone who was suicidal? What a complicated question.

Who was the biggest bully in high school? Bullies stopped being a thing in high school, or I at least didn't hang around circles where that could potentially have been a thing.

What was your favorite class in high school? History.

Would you rather have a daughter or a son? Daughter.

Have you ever written to an advice columnist? Nope.

Have you ever had a doctor not believe what you told him? No.

If you’re female, would you feel uncomfortable having a male gynecologist? I imagine so.

Do you like Lisa Frank? I didn't particularly like it, but I just experienced fomo as a kid because the rich kids had Lisa Frank stuff.

What gives you nightmares? What I've observed is that I tend to have bad dreams if I'm currently going through something that is deeply troubling me. Like if a work day went to SHIIIIIIIT shit and it's because of something that was my fault; or if I get into a particularly bad argument with someone and it doesn't get resolved by the end of the day...those are usually the times that I would get bad dreams.

Were you ever hospitalized as a child? Kind of. I was much younger than a child, though. I was a few months old and was super dehydrated and my family couldn't figure out what was wrong with me. Turns out I was drinking the wrong milk.

Did you get senior pictures taken? Yes.

What color is your bicycle? I don't have one.

Did you ever have to take home a fake baby in health class? No.

Would you rather wear ivory or white on your wedding day? What color will your bridesmaids wear? White. Beige would look great on them.

Would you rather have a swimming pool or trampoline? Pool.

Do you think babies are cute? Not really. It varies.

Do you dream about the future a lot? Sure.

Do you think about your past a lot? Sometimes, more so in the context of thinking how fast life can pass by you. Like being reminded that Covid was nearly half a decade ago.

How good are you at living in the moment? Extremely good, almost to a fault. I savor the present so much that I, like, forget to memorialize them – I always forget to take photos and videos so when I want to make an album of sorts, I'm always lacking in content hahaha and have little to look back on in general. Just from our recent trip in Vietnam, I had to borrow 75% of the photos from my sister for my IG post hahahaha

Have you ever questioned God’s existence? I did that when I was 10; never looked back since and never regretted it.

Vanilla frosting or chocolate? Chocolate.

What’s your favorite foreign cuisine? Indian, Korean, Malaysian, and Thai.

Have you ever moved to another state? I've moved cities and regions.

Did you do anything productive today? Yes. But I don't want to discuss it since it's all related to work.

Can you say the alphabet backwards? Not in a quick succession haha. I'd get there eventually.

Do you like flowers? Some.

Have you ever thought you were gonna die? Sure.

What kind of mood are you in today? A bit relieved as I am on leave tomorrow, but I hate leaving my team behind so I know I'll do a fake leave anyway.

What are you craving right now? Chapaguri and samgyupsal......................ugh

Is there anyone you would seriously punch right now if you had the chance? Sure.

What is worse, physical or emotional pain? Not fair to compare.

Have you ever walked in on somebody doing something… questionable? Questionable can mean so many things lol, so yeah.

If you were to make videos on YouTube, what would they be of? Non-talking vlogs.

Posting pictures of yourself in a bathing suit on the internet - ok or not? It's fine. I've done it before, would do it again.

Do you typically laugh when somebody falls down? If it ends up having quite the funny effect, I might laugh. Hehehe. Especially if I'm close with the person.

What is the most disturbing movie you’ve ever watched? Eraserhead, Under the Skin (which I don't think I even finished), at least the first half of Full Metal Jacket, and I'm Thinking of Ending Things.

Your opinion of Katy Perry, please? Her older music made up a big part of my growing-up years, so that's something I'd always have a soft spot for. Idrk what she's up to these days though.

If you could say anything to your Mom right now… what would it be? See you tomorrow!

[a-polite-melody]

Yeah, largely most of the answers which said they’d prefer the bear to the man are to do with trauma (understandable; but personal, not generalizable), particular cases of interest (eg. I saw a wildlife photographer say they’d prefer to see a bear so they could photograph it; again, personal and not generalizable), or the conclusion I would give to the person is that they maybe should take self-defence classes because it sounds like they’re that worried about their safety if they’re alone with someone where there may be no one else around.

But something else I want to add (which will give some context as to why I clarified that examples I gave above are personal) is that this started as a very gender/bio-essentialist thing. The original implementation of this question was then to follow it up with “now would you rather be alone in the woods with a woman or a bear?” People very quickly chose to drop the follow-up question when it was initially pointed out how this was a one-two-punch from someone trying to imply that women/females are naturally safer to be around than men/males… but they decided to dig in on “but isn’t it telling that people answer bear over man?” and so forth…

Which then further devolved into there being people insinuating that it makes sense to be wary around anyone they perceive to be a man… but no how dare you point out that this could be weaponized against trans women this is obviously not about trans women I said that it’s about men! How dare you claim that I’m a transphobe/transmisogynist!

Anyway. It’s all just essentialism. If you feel like you’re in danger if ever you happen to be hiking in the woods and happen to pass by any person regardless of gender on the trail, or end up in some dark alleyway and pass by any person regardless of gender, take self defence classes. It really does help ease your fears to know you’re capable no matter whether you’re in a situation where you’re actively in danger or in (both rationally or irrationally) perceived danger which never manifests into anything.

i am reminded, my coworkers were discussing "would you rather be alone in the woods with a man or a bear" and i was experiencing Complete Perplexment cause they were like "I would pick the bear" and then I learned this was a whole internet Thing, where women were saying they would rather be alone with a Bear than a random human man, and I was like okay first of all, the status of wildlife education in this country is truly pitiful.

but second, are you telling me that if you were stranded in the wilderness and you saw a bear and in the opposite direction you saw a man coming towards you, you would run from the human person and go TOWARDS the wild bear?

[sleepingdeath-light]

It's Halloween in the Deep City, part 1. For Abyss Monarch Cookie:

Trick: How would they feel if their s/o was having a nightmare, especially one that makes the s/o believe that they will harm them? Would they care?

Treat: How would they feel if their s/o complimented them, especially their eyes? (eg: "Your eyes are as deep as the sea, but they also glow, and that glow... It attracts me")

Bonus Treat: Would Abyss Monarch Cookie be willing to tell their s/o about their past? How would they feel if their s/o comforts them about their past? (eg: "Why would they hurt something, someone, so... Alluring? I would never hurt you.. Or use you, in such a way... Ever.")

1 — they have a much more indirect way of trying to help their s/o with their nightmares in that they try their best not to wake them up: gently rocking them with their tentacles, rubbing soothing circles on their body, whispering reassurances into their ears and trying to redirect their dream, etc. But once they realise what that nightmare is about then they’re going to become quite withdrawn and hurt — hurt that their partner thinks that they’d ever hurt them (even in a dream), and withdrawn because they don’t want to frighten them any further. They’re used to people fearing them but this… this is different and it hurts. They don’t show it explicitly but they do become less physically affectionate and talkative with their partner after that — at least until they are assured that their partner no longer sees them as a threat, at which point things will start to slowly go back to normal.

2 — a little confused and unsure of how to respond, they’re very much so a fish out of water (if you’ll pardon the pun) in situations like this because they’re used to being feared and mistreated not… well, loved and complimented. That being said the most their partner will get at first is a slow blink and a nod and maybe a very quiet ‘thank you’, but after they’ve adjusted to the positive attention they might even get a small shy smile from Abyss Monarch Cookie in return (especially if they compliment their more ‘monstrous’ characteristics).

3 — they wouldn’t ever bring it up by choice because it’s so traumatic for them to recall everything they went through, so the only time their partner would get to hear more than the very basics of their old name and where they used to live is if they were forced to share it for some reason. That being said to have their spouse comfort them and validate their pain would be so liberating for Abyss Monarch Cookie; they’re finally being heard and seen after all of the hurt they endured and that is so so powerful for their healing. It doesn’t make it easier or less painful to recall, nor does it heal them outright, but it lifts some of the weight from their chest to hear their partner’s righteous anger on their behalf as they alternate between comforting them and cursing everyone that hurt them. It’s validating and a big step towards them being more vulnerable with their s/o, they just wish that they’d have been able to share that information in their own time rather than being forced to bare their pain by someone else.

[rotationalsymmetry]

...there's a false premise in the way this is laid out, which is that either the friend is too needy (a personal flaw that they need to change) or OP just has to put up with it and do whatever the friend wants.

But it doesn't have to be either. People, including OP, can establish boundaries with friends, and/or request specific changes, without anyone being in the wrong.

A somewhat different example, if someone asks for money to pay a medical expense on here and I'm not willing/able to contribute, there is no need or benefit in me telling a story that that person is a scammer who doesn't really need the money. Sometimes one person needs a thing that another person has no moral obligation to provide. That's a very common situation.

It's also more constructive to treat these problems as several small problems rather than one big problem. Not "my friend is too needy" or "I am not patient enough". But instead: I don't like being late to things and I also don't like being the time monitor. (Possible solutions: ask friend to set reminders on their phone, plan get togethers where start time is flexible, tell friend I find being time monitor irritating but would find it less irritating if they said thank you (if true), spend less time with friend.) And also, I don't like speaking for them at restaurants and stores. (Possible solution: I don't know. Maybe hang out in quieter locations? Maybe they can communicate with index cards prepared in advance or something?) And also, I don't like being around friend when friend is in a persistent bad mood for reasons I think are trivial. (Possible solutions: mental reframing, having less open ended plans or just chanceling plans when friend gets into a bad mood, talk with friend about emotional management if it's a close relationship, ???)

If it were me in the friend's position with the emotional triggers/bad moods, I generally have a great deal of appreciation for people who are willing to listen to me talk about my feelings, but that's not necessarily a universal thing. And I do try to reciprocate and be supportive when the friend/whatever has their own problems and wants emotional support. But I do recognize lots of people do not want that involved of a friendship. And everyone's different and this friend might not want that. Or they might want company while they're experiencing disappointment without the talking about feelings. Or something else. Sometimes people dislike being around somebody in a bad mood because they feel like a bad person if they can't fix things; if that's the case with OP it might be good to ask the friend what sort of reaction or support they want when they're in a bad mood, and if they say something like they just want company, to accept that providing company is helping and doing a good thing as a friend, even though the friend's mood doesn't immediately transform.

(From a social justice perspective especially around not cutting off people with eg depression just for having an illness, I think it's important for people to learn to tolerate socializing with people who are not happy when possible.)

These multiple small problems can easily seem like one big problem, because the frustration is cumulative (people tend to be more likely to tolerate one irritating quality in a friend than a bunch of irritating qualities) but they are not one big "friend being needy" problem nor does "friend being needy" particularly suggest a solution. They are several different problems: a timekeeping problem, a social interactions problem, an emotional management and/or tolerating being around a person in a bad mood problem, and they might all have very different solutions.

It is possible to address them all in one conversation if you really want to, but procede with caution, because people pretty consistently react badly to hearing "here's multiple grudges I've been holding that you knew nothing about" and typically respond much better when friends bring up problems when they're still only mildly to moderately irritated and there's only one problem to address, not several (and also not "one problem" that sure sounds like "hey can you just be a different type of person?")

Human relationships are messy and involve compromises, but also there are some approaches to conflict resolution that are more likely to be constructive than others and making specific requests, or making specific changes that are up to OP and not up to the friend, are more likely to be constructive than either "hey friend you are too needy stop that" or "hey self, your own needs do not matter just let your friend treat you like a doormat no matter the cost to yourself, that's what good friends do."

Very reasonable to ask for feedback on this.

WIBTA if I confront my friend about being too needy?

My friend (mid 20's) is a really cool person but I (30's) struggle with how much help they need from me. Needy is a really uncharitable way to put it, I know, but I don't know how else to describe it.

Whenever we hang out we are constantly late to everything even with me prodding them that we have x minutes to leave. They freeze up often when approached by staff in restaurants and stores and I have to speak for them. And they have a ton of emotional triggers that I struggle to navigate. Just as an example they were talking about wanting to get into the same industry as me. I really enjoy the my career, so I told them what it was like. It wasn't what they expected. They then sighed, said "I don't want to do that anymore," and pouted about it for the rest of the night.

I haven't talked with them yet, but my friend does talk at length that they are autistic and things intimidate them. I'm not autistic and I am older, most of these things don't intimidate me. While I don't mind stepping up and helping people on occasion, I don't think it's unfair to point out that their issues have been offloaded to me without even asking if I'm okay with it.

What gives me pause is I've talked about this problem with some friends who are autistic and they said that they understand why I feel the way I do, but I should be more patient. The same friend does the same behavior with them but I guess it bothers me more than it does other people? I am rapidly running out of patience and the situation still feels like I have to be the one to tank everything because I can deal with it better.

I know that for the health of our friendship I really need to talk to them about this. I am worried that the friend in question will shut down and I won't be able to emotionally regulate my own frustrations well enough. Then other friends will think I'm being callous.

TL;DR WIBTA if I confront my autistic friend that they need too much help from me?

What are these acronyms?

[struggling-with-time]

Does your father know? [Sapnap x reader]

Paring: Sapnap x Gender neutral!reader

Summary: A couple of nights out, that the local adults certainly aren't supposed to know about. But definitely does. And the things that happen at those parties. College AU SBI!reader.

Warnings: Fluff, so much fluff

Words: 4.6K

Masterlist: Sapnap's Masterlist - SBI Masterlist - Full Masterlist

A/N: This has been brewing in my head for days, so here it is. Please request if you feel like it. REQUESTS ARE OPEN. Request here.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

You are casually chatting along with Karl, and a very drunk Quackity. The music is loud in the house. You don’t remember whose parents own the house, it's more likely it's an involuntary frat house. But it sure isn’t a place you are used to coming to. You can spot Sapnap as he makes his way over to the three of you, and before you know it.

Sapnap pulls you along onto the dance floor, barely giving you time to put your drink down. You are already a good few drinks down and can’t help but feel like floating as he drags you along. A giggle passes your lips as you make your way into the dancefloor.

The music is loud, and while you have never heard this song before, you feel like you know the lyrics to it.

Sapnap places his hands on your hips as the two of you dance.

It’s nice, it’s fun.

It’s not what you are supposed to be doing.

Because as far as your family is aware, you are sleeping nice and soundly at home, and not out drinking and partying.

Well, most of your family, you could have sworn you saw your brother, Wilbur, in the crowd earlier. But what he doesn’t know. Won’t hurt him.

“Having fun tonight?” Sapnap’s voice breaks you away from your though. His face is suddenly a lot closer than before. His warm breath hitting your ear as he whispered. A grin works its way onto your own face.

“With you? Of course.”

It’s loud. It’s warm. It’s crowded.

Yet there is nowhere else you would want to be for the night.

Sapnap pulls away from your ear again, mouthing along to the song that’s playing. And the two of you dance, losing yourself to the crowd. Losing yourself to the music. Losing yourself to each other.

None of you have count on the number of songs that pass by. Each one seemingly bleeding into the next, and your energy never-ending. Your dancing ever the fun.

You can feel his hands as they glided over your body, seemingly exploring all of it. And you enjoy it, egging him on as you dance. You dance only for him. Matching your hips to the rhythm. Your eyes locked on his. His hands locked on you.

A cheeky wink from you timed to the music, is all Sapnap needs for him to pull you close against him once again. His lips ghost over your ear.

“You look great in blue.”

His touch goes from warm to hot, seemingly setting you ablaze. His lips trailing over your neck. Down to your shoulder. From your shoulder back to your neck. His teeth grazing over your neck lightly before he continues back up to your ear.

You can feel him whisper something to you, but you have lost most senses. Only able to focus on his touch. As his fingers grip you tighter.

He pulls his face back, and you lock eyes with him. A smirk is eminent on his face.

It’s clear to him, it’s clear to anyone taking a glance at you. He is driving you wild.

His left-hand leaves your side to cup your face. He pulls you in slowly, and you more than willingly follow along. His lips ghosting over yours once more. For a second, it’s just the two of you. Just for a second. But only for a second. Then the spell breaks.

“Fuck.” Sapnap mutters and pulls away. His hands letting go of you completely, and suddenly you are forced to stand on your own. You feel a bit disorientated at the sudden pull back to reality.

Sapnaps eyes are locked on something a bit behind you, a string of curse words seemingly leaving his mouth. You’re unsure if he’s muttering or talking. The music overpowering them either way.

You turn around to find what has brought him to pull away.

And there in the outskirt of the dancefloor stands a tall pink-haired guy, holding a brunette slumped against the pink guy. Or as you formerly know them, your older brothers Techno and Wilbur. They seem to be looking for someone, as Techno seems to be looking through the crowd that has assembled on the makeshift dancefloor.

Sapnap leans over to your ear once again.

“Does your dad know that you are out?” This time he’s yelling, no longer intimate or secretive whispers.

“No!” You yell back to him.

“Do you think they’re looking for you?”

Techno catches your eyes and raises a hand. Answering Sapnaps question for you.

You manoeuvred your way through the dancing crowd, leaving Sapnap alone. Approaching your brothers. You cast a glance back to where you stood, Sapnap already gone in the crowd. You try not to look disappointed, as you look back at your brother, but one raised eyebrow from Techno is enough to tell you, you failed to do so.

“Drunk?”

“Drunk.”

You sigh, as you guide Wilburs arm over your shoulder, and the three of you head into the night and down the street. A couple of minutes passes, and Wilbur starts to mumble about his big plans for the future.

You and Techno share a laugh at your brother's expense in the night. The inevitable scolding from Phil far away in the future.

It takes you exactly three weeks before you have done enough chores to get ungrounded. Although all three of you had snuck out in the middle of the night. You and Techno had been responsible enough to bring Wilbur home without trying to drive, and you had even woken Phil up yourself when you got home. Although you were pretty sure he had heard you from the moment you had stepped through the door. And Wilbur had decided that the hallway would be a perfectly good place to take a nap.

But that was three weeks ago, and now is now.

You have the clothes you want to wear in your backpack, along with your laptop and a physics book to make it believable.

While you don’t pride yourself on being a party animal, it doesn’t hurt to participate when invited. And especially not when Sapnap himself invites you.

“Bye Dad!” You yell out as you pass the kitchen. Phil sitting on his laptop, with Tommy beside him looking close to crying in frustration over homework, and Wilbur seemingly trying to cook something up. Keyword trying.

“Wait up!” Phil yells out, making you stop in your track. “Come in here.” You slowly backtrack your steps, making you stand in the doorway of the kitchen.

“Where are you going?” He squints his eyes at you, before looking you up and down. Tommy mouths ‘someone is in trouble’ to you. And you resist against, in all better judgement, to hit him.

Instead, you lift your backpack, “Study session at Karls, remember? I’m staying over for the night.”

Wilbur decides now is the perfect time to join the conversation, a playful look on his face. He knows exactly what’s going to be happening at Karls place tonight. Despite still being grounded, you know you will see him there later tonight.

“Study session huh? I thought you had study group on Wednesdays?” Wilbur brings a hand up to mimic a thinking position.

Fuck.

“I do!” Was that too quick? You look back at Phil, “I do.” You repeat yourself, “It’s just for my physics lecture, got a test on Monday.” Phil seems to not completely buy it. “Besides Dad, I am ungrounded after all, you said so yourself yesterday.”

Phil hums. “I did say that…” He looks you over once more. “Alright. At least let Techno or Wil drive you.”

That decision is easy enough for you.

“TECHNO! DAD SAYS YOU HAVE TO DRIVE ME!” You yell into the house. You swear you can hear your brother grumble about having to drive you from upstairs. But you elect to ignore it.

You look back over at Wilbur who is now discarding his apron in favour of getting out of the house. He knows if he can play his cards right, he can make Techno stop at the music store. And he might just be able to catch his totally secret girlfriend Sally for a couple of minutes. Not like he won’t be seeing her tonight.

You listen as Techno walks down the stairs. Now audibly complaining about being the only responsible driver in the house.

You would drive yourself, but having one car for four people to share isn’t exactly great. You tried having a driving plan once that you could put yourself on when you needed to borrow the car. It ended up with a month of Wilbur hogging the car. So now instead, you all just always drive each other around like soccer moms.

Techno looks annoyed at you as he passes the kitchen. But you know if he was truly annoyed he just wouldn’t have come down at all.

You turn to follow Techno into the hallway but are still able to overhear Phil questioning Wilbur on where he is going.

“To drive with them of course.”

“You’re still grounded.”

“C’mon Dad, Phil, Philza, it’s just a drive, it’s not like I would be seeing anyone.”

“Fine.” Despite not being able to see Phil, you know your dad is trying his best not to smile at Wilbur’s antics. “Just a drive. You probably need to get out of the house anyway.”

And that’s enough for him to end in the backseat of the car. Tagging along.

You automatically go for the AUX, as the designated DJ in the front seat. You barely get to press play, before Wilbur has started a conversation. A conversation that is closer to an interrogation.

“So Karl’s place to study, huh? Nothing to do with what’s going to happen tonight at all?”

“Oh please.” You turn your head to look back at Wilbur. “As if you won’t be there too.”

“Techno is gonna be there too!” Wilbur whines, as if it would make the situation any better.

“Wait, really?” You look over at Techno, turning forward in your seat once more.

“Yeah, Dream won at practice the other day.”

“How?” “You lost?” You and Wilbur speak at the same time.

“The guy put oil on my sword, so I dropped it.”

You snort, and Wilbur laughs. “So much for Techno Blade never loses.”

“Oh, shut up the two of you. At least I’m not grounded.”

“Hey!” Wilbur shouts.

The car ride passes with sibling banter, and a couple more jabs at each other before you are pulling up to Karls house. You quickly get out and yell a quick “See you later!” before heading over to the front door. You smile to yourself as you overhear Wilbur asking if they can stop by the music store as he changes from the back seat to the front seat.

You listen as the car pulls away, and you get to ring the doorbell.

A flustered Karl throws open the door. Loudly greeting you, before pulling you into a hug.

“You made it! I didn’t think you would, but then again Sapnap did invite you. But you did say no the other couple of times and-”

“I get it Karl, but I’m here now.” You smile at him, letting him breathe. He giggles. “Can I come in?”

“Oh yes! Of course! Of course! Come in.” Karl guides you into the living room, closing the door after you. You stand awkwardly in the doorway until Karl grabs your wrist and leads you over to the sofa telling you to sit down.

You kinda expected more people to be here. But instead, you are met with the familiar faces of Karl and yours friend group. Not to mention a couple of Wilburs friends. Not that the small town is big enough for everyone close in age to not already know each other. The community college isn't exactly helping either.

You can already feel tonight will have a different feeling than last time. Way more down to earth, and way more chill.

Quackity falls into the seat beside you and offers you a drink, which you happily take. “It’s nice to see you not all dressed up you know.” He tells you. Suddenly you’re happy you didn’t change at home, not that you had much of a choice.

“Yeah, it’s nice not to be all dressed up.” You say, taking a sip, as you eye your backpack that was placed against the wall in the living room.

“I hear both your brothers are gonna be here later. I can’t believe Phil just lets you guys go out. My mom thinks we are studying for English class.” Quackity complains. "I hate still living at home."

“Oh no, you have it all wrong, Phil doesn’t.” You laugh, a bit dry, but it is what it is. “He thinks I’m here for a study session for my physics lecture, Wilbur is still grounded for the last time the three of us was out, and Techno is only coming because he apparently lost to Dream at fencing practice.”

Quackity snorts, “Techno lost to Dream?”

“I know! That was my reaction too.” The two of you share a laugh.

“I can’t believe the Minecraft household is filled with degenerates.” He feigns a disappointed tone.

“You aren’t that much better.” Sapnap buts into your conversation. You hadn’t noticed him walking in. Quackity lifts his hands in defeat and gets up from the couch. Only for Sapnap to quickly takes his place.

“I’m guessing by that your dad doesn’t know about tonight either.” He teases you, and you look away for a moment, your purple drink suddenly very interesting.

“He does, sorta, not. He thinks we are here to study.” You give Sapnap a weak smile, and he chuckles at your antics.

You barely miss him muttering, “Cute.” Underneath his breath.

“What?”

“Nothing.”

And then silence falls upon the two of you. You want to keep him talking, of course, you do. How could you not want to? It’s Sapnap.

Every time he speaks, you want to cling to each word and hold it dearly. Instead, you flash him a smile, and he smiles back. Before looking away, and you can’t help but feel a bit defeated at that.

However, you are saved by Karl hooking up his phone to a speaker and way too loud music blasts into the living room.

It takes a good half-minute before the volume is lowered enough for it to be background music, and it takes even longer for anyone to agree on what playlist to be put on.

The afternoon bleeds into the late afternoon, and more people have decided to join. You now share the three-person couch with two more people, leading to you being pressed up again Sapnap. Not that you are complaining.

Wilbur and Sally have arrived too, already sitting on the floor together. Already - as your youngest brother Tommy would say - already sucking each other’s faces dry.

Techno seems to be the last person to join the gathering, bringing beer too. Of course, you can’t help but think. Of all the people he’s the only one of the three of you, that could ever make Phil buy any of you beer.

"Techno is the most responsible of you four."

"C'mon on dad! This isn't fair!"

"Exactly! I understand her, but daaaad we're both 20 why do you want to help him but not me?"

"Shut up Wilbur."

You are in a heated conversation with Karl about the right way to read document history. When you notice a touch on your left side. You stop midsentence, Karl doesn’t notice and keep arguing his side. But Sapnap does.

You can feel a pair of eyes on you, as you look down to see his hand around your waist. Neither of you have talked to each other since the quick conversation. Then Dream and George had each pulled up a chair nearby the couch and the three of them had talked since then.

Suddenly you get hit with the thought, that maybe, despite all better judgement, just maybe. What happened a couple of weeks ago wasn’t just because you were the nearest person. Just maybe it was because Sapnap actually looked your way.

You don’t let the thought get to your head too much, because the second you look at him. He’s back in his conversation with Dream and George about something you don’t really care about from the sounds of it. You shake your head; you must have been imagining stuff. He didn’t look at you.

You get two more drinks in you, as the evening passes on, and Sapnaps hand seems to find its way onto your thigh. You have no intention of getting drunk, but the feeling of Sapnaps hand on you seems near addicting.

It’s nearing midnight when a less than sober Dream suggests a game of Truth or Dare.

Techno complains against it as the only one, stating “We aren’t middle schoolers.”

So you play truth or dare.

The first couple of rounds starts innocently enough, the mood is good. Everyone is having fun. You are enjoying yourself, listening to embarrassing stories, to creating new ones alongside your friends. Finding yourself curling into Sapnaps side just a bit more.

He doesn’t protest or say anything against it, so you take it as a win, and keep leaning against him.

Then a drunk Quackity gets his turn and asks George for his worst hook-up. And the energy in the room changes. From then on the innocent truths and even more naïve dares are out the window. For stories about peoples experiences, and dares that seemingly gets riskier and riskier.

You manage to dodge most questions, keeping to the truth after that point on. Until you are unable to.

“Don’t be boring! Choose dare!” George eggs you on, and you give in. Anyone would give in, you swear the guy has pretty privilege. Most of the living room cheers.

“I have a good dare.” Dream says.

“Too bad it’s not your turn to ask then.” You stick your tongue out at him and turn your attention back to George. When you see the guy motioning for Dream to whisper his dare. “Betrayal George, I will never forgive you.”

“Too bad for you then.” His smile widening the longer Dream keeps whispering. Your worry starts to grow, you are already regretting deeply for giving in to the peer pressure.

Dream retreats and looks satisfied with his idea. George takes a moment to think it over, but it’s clear that he has already made up his mind.

“I dare you…” He clicks his tongue. “I dare you to give Sapnap a lap dance!”

“What?”

“You heard me!” George looks proud of himself, or his idea, or Dreams idea. You don’t know. Your stomach is seemingly doing backflips at the idea, while your head is spinning for the exact opposite reason.

“Chicken?” You try, you don’t notice the desperate look Sapnap is giving George.

“Nope,” George pops his ‘p’, “you’ve been boring all evening with only choosing truth. Besides we're all adults here, c'mon it could be a lot worse.”

You look over at Wilbur, who is more than occupied with Sally. Then over at Karl, who has a teasing grin on his lips, as if he knew this would happen. Then to Quackity, who looks like someone who definitely knew this would happen. Then to Techno, who looks like he could murder Dream. And knowing him, there is a 50/50 chance he’s still mad over losing or that it’s about the idea Dream just proposed.

“He didn’t say it had to be here,” Sapnap says to help you out. “We can just leave.” Your head pecks up at that. He’s right. George didn’t specify where. A smile forms on your face, a smile based on relief.

Dream starts to protest, but you have already grabbed Sapnaps wrist and started dragging him into Karls room.

You miss Techno slapping Dream over the head.

You make Sapnap sit on Karls bed, as you make sure the door is locked. You would rather die than anyone walk in on you. You look around for a speaker, and you barely get your phone out of your back pocket before Sapnap has put his hand on your wrist now.

“Hey, you don’t have to do it.”

You look at him, panic still evident in your eyes.

“What?”

“I said you don’t have to do it.”

“What?”

He smiles at you and tugs you over to sit beside him on the bed.

“For the third time, you don’t have to do it.”

His left-hand cups your head, his right hand has moved from your wrist and into your hand.

“It’s just a stupid game of truth or dare anyway. Techno is right, we aren’t middle schoolers. Fuck, we aren't even high schoolers.”

You smile at him, before letting out a quiet chuckle.

“Yeah, you’re right. I thought you would want that, though.”

Sapnap leans his head to the side. Asking you to continue.

“I mean, you’re Sapnap. Oh, c’mon on don’t make me say it.”

“Say what?” he grins at you now. The air suddenly becoming light around you.

“Please, don’t act like you don’t know. Everyone knows.” You look away for a moment, his hand lightly turns your head back to look at him, and you let him. Although the look you are met with is one of confusion and not the cockiness you were expecting.

You sigh once.

Then twice.

Then once more.

You were really about to do this, in the bedroom of your childhood friend. Jesus.

“Sapnap, seriously. This isn’t funny.”

“What? I feel like I lost the thread somewhere here.” His hand falls from your face, and you can’t help but want to chase it.

“I like you, everyone knows that. This isn’t funny. Seriously. Everyone knows I’m absolutely hopeless for thinking you would even look in my direction.”

You fall onto Karls bed, letting yourself sink into the purple bedsheets.

“Well, I can tell you two things.”

Sapnap falls onto the bed beside you. The two of you now staring into the wooden ceiling that’s decorated with glow in the dark stars.

“And what are those two things?”

“You see, one nobody thinks you are hopeless.” He chuckles a bit at that. “If anything, I’m the hopeless one here.”

You turn your head to look at him, and he does the same to you, giving you a kind smile.

“And now why would you be that?”

“Because two, not everyone knows that you like me, I didn’t.” You return his smile, although you feel a need to look away at the words, you keep eye contact with him.

“Well, now you know, making me right.” You tease or try to. You can feel the air has gone from light, to very heavy suddenly. Barely breathable. And you can feel your breath hitch in your throat, you know what words you hope he speaks next. But yet, you can’t stop expecting to get laughed at and rejected right here.

“I guess, but you see, I would say I’m the hopeless one here. Because I’ve been trying to tell you that I like you for months now.” He covers his face with a hand. “I can’t believe I’m saying this, I sound like a cliché.”

You let out a small laugh, “Yeah, you do a bit. But…”

“But…?” he asks, his hand still over his face, but you can see him peaking through his fingers.

“But I don’t mind it, I think it’s cute.” And now it’s his time to laugh.

Then slowly a silence falls over the two of you. Unlike the one from earlier, this one is saying more than a thousand words, while saying absolutely nothing at all. It’s just two people who like each other enjoying a moment.

“We should probably get back to the others again.” Sapnap breaks the silence, and you take a deep breath at the sudden disturbance.

“Oh yeah, the others.”

“The longer we stay here, the more they are going to wonder what we are doing.” You can’t help but laugh at that.

“You are sadly right Sapnap. You are unfortunately right.”

You groan as you sit back up, offering him a hand that he gladly takes, but instead of you helping to pull him up from the bed.

He pulls you down into his lap once more.

"However..." He starts, "They can wonder all they want."

You can feel his hands on your hips now. As he leans in to start trailing kisses over your neck once more.

Your breath hitches.

His teeth grace your shoulder before you can feel him sucking.

His hands exploring you as you lean into the pleasure.

You start squirming in his lap, and he stops.

"No."

You pause, as his hands quickly leave you.

"No?"

"I am not having my first time with you, with your brothers down the hallway, and my best friends absolutely listening in," Sapnap admits to you.

The statement makes your face heat up, and you try to hide away in his neck. He chuckles at the cute gesture.

"We should get going..." He trails off but makes no moves to actually get up. Just basking in the heat you apply to him.

You sigh, as you get off him, his hand now holding yours.

"Sadly you're right."

He gets off the bed and stands beside you.

However, when you prepare to let go, he keeps your hands entangled, and if you’re honest, you don’t mind all that much.

You unlock the door and head back into the living room. All conversation going stale the second the two of you stand in the doorway.

Dream ever the curious, is the one to break the ice. “Sooo…”

Sapnap lifts your entangled hands, and the room breaks into cheers. And you swore you heard a couple of people mutter finally. You hide your head in your hand, trying to hide your embarrassment alongside it.

Leading you to miss Karl throwing Quackity some money, and George doing the same to Dream.

You lift your head from your hand as you hear Wilbur speak.

“Good luck explaining that one to Dad.” Wilbur laughs, but a smile clear on his lips.

"What?" You say, as you can feel Wilburs eyes burning onto your throat. Your hand quickly coming up to try and cover the clearly evident mark.

A glance at Techno tells you that he too is happy for you, but even more clearly he is on the brink of smugness. Knowing you're going to get in trouble tomorrow.

He has been the one on the end of most of your seemingly endless rants about the moment that happened weeks ago at that party. The one that your brothers ruined, so it felt self-explanatory for them to be on the end of your whining.

Sapnap guides you, as the two of you return to your seats on the couch and the night continues.

Nothing has truly changed, yet it feels like everything has changed.

And somewhere along the night, things did change.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

[gladerwolfstarkimagines]

Imagine being one of Avatar Kuruk’s companions who he persues endlessly but it’s no use...you’ve fallen for his kind airbender friend Kelsang

Warning: Acephobic perceptions (which are shut down of course) also probably don’t read this if you like Kuruk or Jianzu.

To say you were one of Avatar Kuruk’s companions pained you every time. You preferred to say you were just employed by him because none of the other spiritual advisors wanted the job and as the youngest the task fell to you.

Why did you hate Avatar Kuruk so much?

Because he propositioned you more times than you could count and had an ego the size of the spirit world. You’d rejected him multiple times and yet Kuruk always came back. He’d told you numerous times it didn’t have to mean anything. It would just be fun and casual. 

On his latest and current attempt he claimed he just wanted some warmth as he drifted off to sleep. In reply you told him to jump in the fireplace. Kuruk raised his hands in surrender and backed away, Jianzhu chuckling as he followed him out. It was always worse when Jianzhu was there, he egged Kuruk on and the situation went from mildly annoying to downright frustrating. Hei-ran shot you a small smirk "you know with a tongue that sharp you’d do well in the Fire Nation". You shrugged "great" your mood ruined by the avatar. It only took one interaction with Kuruk to ruin your whole day and it happened everytime. Hei-Ran noticed and sighed "you know he doesn’t mean anything by it don’t you?" she asked "I took it personally at first too but that's just Kuruk’s way. Men will be...". "If you say men I swear to god I'll backhand you all the way into the spirit world" you said sharply. He ran raised an eyebrow "I was gonna say idiots but fine, hold onto your hate". You scoffed "I have every reason to. He burns through women like a trainee firebender with candles. He hunts animals for sports and only turns up at events if alcohol or women will be present. He misuses his title and propositions me every time he gets drunk even though I’ve told him every time I will never ever sleep with him. Your anger for Kuruk was deeper than an ocean. You, being his spiritual teacher, of course understood why he neglected his avatar duties in the human world but you didn’t let that excuse his treatment of women or animals. As soon as someone took their trauma out on someone else unfairly, that’s when your pity ended.

You’d broached the topic with Kuruk before but he didn’t see the harm. It was just harmless indulgences he claimed but you didn’t see it that way. How many women had he perused who were in relationships just to leave them when it was convenient for him? How many women had he left pregnant and never helped with the child financially, physically or emotionally. You knew Kuruk never slept with the same woman twice, unless he was too drunk to remember and he didn’t exactly leave a contact me if with child card after he left so you could only imagine the chaos he had left behind in those womens’ lives. Not to mention how wrong it was for him to use his status on people in this way. While you knew Kuruk would never forced anyone to spend the night with him the power he held over them worried you. How many might feel obligated or pressured to return the Avatar’s advances? Kuruk’s reputation was well know and you’d seen many towns parade their young women right infront of him, hoping he’d actually fall in love with one or them and stay. How many of those women fully wanted to be used like that? How many women knew what they were getting into? The more you thought about it the more it angered you. 

You friend Hei-Ran however always knew how to capture your attention. "So you're looking for a kind responsible man who doesn’t indulge in alcohol or other addictions, who cares for animals greatly...hmmm I wonder who comes to mind". You blushed immediately but pretended you didn’t know what Hei-Ran meant "I don’t follow". Hei-Ran rolled her eyes "Kelsang" she said simply and that name alone sent a shiver up your spine. "What about him?" you asked trying to keep your voice as calm as possible. "Seriously?" Hei-Ran asked "you're going to pretend you don't know what I mean? Act like you're not in love with him?". You babbled "that's crazy! Kelsang is just a friend. Just because we both get on doesn’t mean we’re a couple!". "I never said you were a couple, you're too scared to ever get to that stage". "I'm not scared!" you cried "and you're one to talk, you’ve never told Kuruk how you feel". Hei-ran’s smile vanished "so one second you're berating me for liking Kuruk and the next you're telling me I should tell him everything?". You shook your head "no all I'm saying is if you're going to come for me then take a look in the mirror". "So you admit how I feel about Kuruk is how you feel about Kelsang?" Hei-Ran asked and you tensed realising what you’d just done. "I never said.." you started but Hei-Ran just shook her head "one of the first thing we teach in the Fire Nation is to know when to admit defeat. You could do a lot worse than Kelsang". "Who's worse than me?" a familiar voice asked and you both froze. Hei-Ran recovered swiftly "Kuruk and Jianzhu of course! Y/n was just saying how you're the best man she knows and I couldn’t argue with her". You and Kelsang both blushed and looked anywhere but at each other. "I'm off to bed" Hei-Ran said smugly leaving you and Kelsang alone. The airbender was very tall but always had a way of looking small and adorable when embarrassed. "You’re too kind to say that about me" he said softly "I’ve done things that I'm not proud of". You nodded "I know but the fact you're not proud of them tells me you still have a conscience unlike Jianzhu and Kuruk. You did those things out of necessity, because there was no other option, not because you enjoyed them or wanted to. My statement stands. You're a great guy Kelsang". The young airbender blushed and you smiled "want to play some pai sho?" changing the subject. Kelsang shot you a grateful smile and nodded "you can go first" .

You and Kelsang sat together and lost track of time as you always did in each other’s presence. You’d become engulfed in one other and the world would just pass by without any notice. You didn’t realise how late it really was until Kuruk stumbled into the room. You jumped at the noise and Kelsang frowned "you went out drinking again?". Kuruk nodded a large grin on his face. Apparently after your rejection he decided more drinking with Jianzhu was a good idea. Kelsang mirrored your unimpressed expression and Kuruk laughed "ow come on, it was some harmless fun and it's a way for me and Jianzhu to bond! You should join us sometime instead of stating in with your book and tiles". Kelsang went to reply his idea of fun suited him perfectly well when Kuruk grinned "although considering your company I can see when you’d prefer this. A toasty little room with y/n. Playing pai sho by the fireplace...it’s the start of every innocent house call I've ever paid". You rolled your eyes "why does that not surprise me". Kuruk took your reply as encouragement and came to join the two of you. You tried to ignore him but he sat beside you and watched every move you made. "You know I could help you win it you wanted" he whispered leaning in far too close for your liking. "I'm okay thanks" you replied and Kuruk just chuckled watching you from under his eyelids like it was all some big game of cat and mouse. It made your skin crawl. Kelsang noticed and cleared his throat making Kuruk look at him "why don’t you go sleep off the hangover you're bound to have tomorrow?" he asked. Kuruk smiled "sure...if y/n joins me". You groaned "Kuruk I have told you a thousand timed I will never ever want to come to your bed". Kuruk just smiled "why? We’re both attractive young people in the height of our prime. Why not form our own spiritual connection?". 

Your rejected Kuruk so many ways before and none of them had worked. You’d told him you didn’t find him attractive which he didn’t believe. You’d told him you thought it was unprofessional you being his teacher to which he replied he’d done many unprofessional things with lots of high ranking people. You pointed out there was a 6 year age gap which made you uncomfortable, Kuruk said age was but a number and you acted way more mature than him anyway. You told him you didn’t do one night stands and he told you it could be more nights if you wanted. You’d insulted him, yelled at him and even tried reasoning with him but none of it worked so you tried your last card. 

"I will never want to sleep with you because I'm asexual!" you cried. Silence settled and after a pause Kuruk laughed "you're what?". You sighed "asexual. It means a person who feels little or no sexual attraction". "That's not a thing, sex is a fact of life" Kuruk smirked. "Well clearly not for everyone" you replied. "So are you some sort of monk?" Kuruk asked and Kelsang glared "Kuruk!". "No I'm not a monk" you snapped "monks are celibate but have sexual attraction they suppress. I don’t have any to suppress. I'm not celibate I just don’t have sex and don’t ever plan to". Kuruk frowned "never!" Kuruk cried like it was the worst thing in the world "what a boring existence". "Kuruk!" Kelsang scolded him again but Kuruk waved him away "no come on Kelsang you're an air nomad but you have to admit this is taking it a bit far. Everyone likes sex and does it". "Well some asexual people still have sex" you shot back "but I don’t because the idea disgusts me". Kuruk frowned "wait so does this mean you've never had sex before?". "Kuruk that's enough!" Kelsang yelled and you all froze having never heard the man raise his voice. "Asexuality is a valid sexual orientation and it is not up to y/n to answer your ignorant questions. Her lifestyle is hers and I think it’s beautiful. You of all people should refrain from judging her especially in this aspect". You stared at Kelsang awestruck and Kuruk looked down red faced. He quickly stumbled to his feet, almost over balancing due to his alcohol intake but when he was upright he glanced back. "Sorry y/n" he muttered and left. You watched him go before turning back to Kelsang "thank you" you said quietly. "You don’t have to thank me" he said softly "Kuruk was being an acephobic ass. If he ever bothers you again just let me know and I'll handle it" he said moving the next pai sho tile as if you’d never been interrupted. You nodded still kind of shook and played on in silence.

Kelsang was the next to speak "also thank you for sharing your orientation with us. It was very brave to do and I meant what I said to Kuruk. Your asexuality is beautiful and valid". You were quiet for a while and Kelsang hesitated "y/n are you..". "Thank you" you said your voice shaking as you tried not to cry. "That means a lot". Kelsang reached across the table and squeezed your hand "no problem". You looked into those kind eyes and couldn’t help expressing your feelings. "I was worried to tell you in particulat". Kelsang frowned worry coating his face "why? Have I done something insensitive in the past?". You shook your head "no just aces face a lot of rejection given how oversexualised our society is. Especially those of us who are sex repulsed and aren’t willing to compromise on that aspect. I was scared to tell you because I like you...". Kelsang sat up straighter and you stared at the ground "but not only was I unsure if you liked me back, I wasn’t sure if youd be happy living a sex free lifestyle with me...and people think normal dating is hard" you finished trying to joke but it came out as more sad than funny. "Y/n look at me" Kelsang said suddenly and you looked up to find him still holding onto your hand a smile on his face. "I like you too". Your heart leapt "you do?". He nodded "i do. You have such a big heart and the way you care for every animal you see is so wholesome. I love how you're optimistic but not naive and how you never hesitate to educate someone or point of they're being ignorant. Your morals align with my own and I just get lost every time I'm in your presence. I'd love to date you if that's the sort of relationship you’d like. If not we can work our something else". You couldn’t believe this was happening but you had to make sure one thing was clear. "And about my asexuality is that something you're okay with?". "Y/n of course it is! I love you not just what you can do or compromise for me. Your sex aversion is not an issue for me at all. I'm more than happy expressing our bond in non-physical means and I always preferred the emotional parts of a relationship more than the physical anyway. In that aspect I think we'll be very happy because I've never felt connected to anyone like I feel to you". "You're...I...I'm so happy" you cried and flung yourself into the large airbender’s arms. You were rather muscular and tall but it was nothing for the giant of an airbender who caught you easily and hugged you closely. "I am too" he smiled kissing the top of your head "I'm the luckiest airbender alive...also Pengpeng is going to be so happy when I tell him! He likes you more than me". "I can’t imagine anyone not having you as their favourite" you replied turning to stare up at the airbender and Kelsang smiled "that's odd because I wasnt going to say the same thing about you".  You blushed even more and relaxed into Kelsang’s arms feeling safe and valid. Maybe being one of Kuruk’s companions wasn’t too bad...as long as Kelsang was there too.

 _____

So yes I’ve read the Kyoshi Novels and no I don’t think that excuses Kuruk’s behaviours...but enough about him! 

Kelsang was one (and there were many) of my favourite parts of the kyoshi novels. I have a thing for really confident girls (Azula and Kuvira) or really adorable guys (Bolin) and hence this imagine was born. 

Also I realise Kelsang is older but this was obviously back when he was a young airbender so don’t worry I’m not crushing on a 60 year old man!

[animeomegas]

Omega!Light - How do his plans change? If he had a mate?

Anon:  How about light yagami as an omega? It would be interesting considering how he plans on being 'justice and creating a new world. How would he feel of having an alpha mate?

and

Anon: Could I request for an omega light. I feel like it would really be interesting and it would make sense with the story line a bit. Considering he wants justice and all in an alpha-dominated world. "Omega rules over the world type of stuff "

(Hmm, this was an interesting one to write! It was a bit of a deep dive into Light’s psyche~ I’m sick at the moment and not taking my classes so I’m bulk writing some older requests right now! Sorry it took me so long to get to this. Enjoy!)

Warnings: Mpreg, Discrimination,  Light’s general blasé attitude towards murder.

The World

Firstly, let’s look at the omegaverse world in Death Note (pre- Kira) and how it was for Light growing up as a male omega.

Light’s experiences with discrimination very much shaped his desire for justice. He felt like he was never given justice for the way he was treated and he was going to change that.

Omegaverse Japan was very prejudiced against omegas and Light felt these effects at a very young age. 

The first time was with an elderly neighbour of his. When his mother was proudly showing off his recent perfect test scores, the neighbour dismissed them with a comment about how he shouldn’t be focusing on education but on training to be a good mate and mother, and that alphas didn’t like omegas who focused outside of the family and the household. 

This was extreme, but it did reflect the biases of the older generations. 

At only six, Light was crushed, even if he kept those feelings to himself. Eventually, he vowed to show everyone who thought he couldn’t do ‘alpha things’ that he could, and not only that but he was better than any alphas at those things. 

Other examples of discrimination he faced are as follows:

Being told by his teacher that he should pick a new future career because “being a police officer is a demanding job. You’ll need to be at home for your future pups, Light kun!”

Alphas at his school never taking no for an answer when he rejects their advances (and the teacher ignoring this behaviour).

Gaining the attention of sleazy adult alphas starting from when he was only 14. 

In public, Light tried to play both a respectful genius and good omega boy. 

He would never dull his intelligence too much, but he remained soft-spoken and manipulated his way out of situations without causing a fuss. Eg. Claiming he was waiting until he finished school to court, rather than just rejecting his alphas classmates outright.

Light just found that this strategy made people leave him alone more often and therefore was his favourite. 

And then he finds the Death Note.

Kira

As an omega, Kira’s actions change ever so slightly. 

He is very harsh on hate crimes against omegas.

He goes so far as to seek them out, rather than mostly getting names from watching the news. 

This has the unfortunate side effect of L figuring out almost immediately that Kira is an omega though. Which ultimately increases suspicion on Light.

When Light finds out that L is also an omega, he can’t decide if he feels more or less angry. 

On one hand, he was imagining an arrogant asshole alpha that he would have been delighted to kill, so this is a more tolerable alternative.

On the other hand, shouldn’t L be supporting him making the world safer for omegas like them? It feels like L is betraying his kind which makes Light angrier.

In the earlier days, Kira’s focus on helping omegas and closing the discrimination gap makes him pretty popular, especially on anonymous internet forums. 

With an Alpha mate

Light met you at university. You were a tolerable classmate who expressed an interest in courting him. 

Light, although he had no interest in you, accepted the courtship to get L off his back. L had theorised that Kira was either an unmated omega, or mated and very angry/regretful about it. Considering Kira’s age, he decided it was likely the former. For this reason, he figured being in an active courtship would throw L off.

Light picked you because you were one of the more tolerable alphas, but he found himself surprised at how much he enjoyed your company. 

You actually listened to him, valued his opinions, supported his dreams. He found himself thinking that it wouldn’t be that bad to be mated to you. 

He pushed those thoughts back, following the courting motions with as little emotion as possible. 

But when he was in heat (a minimised one because he takes suppressants) he just really wanted you there with him. He was so confused and angry that he was feeling this way, but he caved in and called you over to spend time with him. 

As he laid in your embrace, he started trying to justify what he was doing. 

He liked to think he was a god, but ultimately he had the lifespan of a human. Who better to continue his legacy than his own child? For a child, he would need a mate. And you were the most tolerable alpha he had ever met. That’s the reason he was doing this.

So, he puts out feelers to see your opinion on Kira and eventually he tells you who he is. He is gleeful when he receives your support.

From this point, he throws himself into the relationship a lot more, moving on from courting to intended mates. 

He loves having someone he can be himself with. He never has to put up a mask with his alpha. 

His plan is to get pregnant after he’s established the new world order, then raise his child to take over when he’s too old. He doesn’t care what their primary or secondary gender is because he plans to make sure they are raised to be a suitable leader.

Light gritted his teeth as he persevered through his university coursework. His heat was driving him mad. He skin was itchy and he couldn’t focus properly. 

It would probably be better if you were here with him. 

No. He gripped his pen tightly. He didn’t need anyone else, certainly not an alpha. He was fine. He just needed to lay down for a bit, then he’d feel better. 

Closing his textbook, he stretched and made his way over to his bed, supressing a whine at the lack of a nest. No, he didn’t need a nest he was fine.

Okay, maybe he wasn't as fine as originally thought. It had been a few hours and he was only feeling worse. Maybe he should send you a message. Just so he could get back to work of course.

You knocked hesitantly on Light’s front door, clutching your bag tightly. Light had sent you a cryptic message and you were a little worried about him.

His mother opened the door and ushered you up to Light’s room with a smile. You thanked her politely before walking quickly to Light’s bedroom. You knocked twice before tentatively swinging open the door. You saw Light sitting up in bed, looking a little ruffled, like he’d been asleep. You took a deep breath. He was in heat... The omega you were courting had just invited you into his room while he was in heat! Your alpha puffed up in pride.

But... where was his nest? 

“Hey Light.” You spoke quietly. “How are you feeling?” You moved to sit on the edge of his bed, watching carefully for any signs of rejection. 

“Like crap.” He let out a strained laugh. “I need to get my work done, but I can’t do anything like this.”

You hesitated. “Where is your nest? You’d probably feel a lot better in there.”

“I don’t have one.” Light said shortly. 

“Oh!” You said, flustered. “That’s fine. I just thought- but that was rude, I’m sorry.”

Light rolled his eyes. “It’s fine, just drop it.”

You let out a sigh of relief, scooting closer to him and wrapping an arm around his waist. Light automatically leaned onto your shoulder before realising what he was doing and starting to pull away. Before he could, you tightened your grip, releasing a calming scent as you enjoyed the physical affection. Light hesitated, but the feeling of burning itchiness was finally starting to subside and he couldn’t help but lean into the person providing the soothing sensation. 

He was only doing this so he would be feeling well enough this evening to write in the Death Note. That’s it. Nothing else.