#Relationship Talk

[antispopausandstuff]

this is a habit i'm beginning the process of breaking, but i was never a fan of a lot of insults or heavy language used as banter in relationships, romantic or not.

i was raised in a household where it was really common, whether or not you reciprocated or wanted it ( and verbal abuse, with or without prompting ), and i dealt with a bit of it in school before going virtual. even now, my family and i still engage with it. it's not nearly as bad as it was before, but i realize that i don't want to directly or indirectly be the cause of someone's insecurities, especially not with the people i care about.

yes, i know banter is normal, even with language, but... i dunno.

for years, i was hurt by being called things like 'annoying', 'crybaby', 'copycat', grew up with my family talking about me behind my back, was labeled as a disease by people i thought were my friends as a 'joke', amongst other things.

and i have hurt people by the words i've said, multiple times, no matter if it was unintentional. most of the time, it was. but it doesn't take away the fact that i hurt someone.

it's another reason why i don't like c//a and, maybe a little bit of a hot take(?) amongst this community, i don't mind amity's 180. catra's verbal abuse and amity's bullying give me memories i'd rather not remember, but have to deal with. it's why i don't often write relationships the way that might be typically expected.

this isn't to say i will never expect other people to act differently, of course. i know there will be others who disagree, who are completely fine and healthy with their banter with someone else, however vulgar, and that's perfectly fine.

i may be fragile or soft for this, but i'm okay with that. i want to be someone who my younger self needed. someone who would encourage me, support me, and love me without hurting me.

and, no, i don't believe it's impossible to love someone without pain. it just takes work, like everything else.

[keeperthemultiversemom]

Keeper, what is your relationship with Archivist?

(I ask this because I found out you lost some other ask of someone questioned the same or similar thing and that it was the Reveal of some lore so I asked this so you can do it still!)

You are the most helpful little helper ( even if in the end I found the ask I thought I lost lmao )

But, for your good help anyway, I'll ramble about Keeper's relationships

I think it's stuff I mentionned before but only in tags so here's an explanation of Keeper's relationships !

•Adopted children, characters that she actually raised: Archivist (by @/pom3-cryns), Morpheus (by @/finstel) [this may include more characters later on]

•Characters that are like foster children to her : Filante, Messenger

•'Neighbors kid' she cares for as her own : Trader, Courier, Observer

•Friends (on equal level, so less of a maternal connections) : Filante, Wayfinder, Watcheye

•Patients (those she cared back to health): Stitcher, Faceless, most of the other characters you may see in her domaine

Most people, y/n or you viewers fall in the patient or neighbors kid category btw, depending on what you need from Keeper

•Coworkers/Part of the oob system like her : Observer, Solver, Shopkeeper, Watcheye, Archivist, Admin

•Cousins : the Nyxies, any Nyxies really, but most often 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0. And also Muse. Keeper see them as cousins because I'm their creators, she'll feel that way with most of my AUs

Damaged relationship : Stitcher, Admin

You may notice some characters are in multiple categories, and it's too highlights the complex relationships she has. It's full of nuances. Archivist is her son but also a coworker. Filante started out as a foster kid but things developped between them to a point that kind of relationship hurt them both, so Keeper had to take a step back and let Filante go so they could be on equal grounds.

I hope this lil bit of lorz sharing wasn't too much

New asks are coming tonight ! And hopefully during the week too

I have to comb through what I can answer and start to show more lore more frankly

In the mean time, reminder that I have a website where a lot of stuff was revealed, and in some of the lastest asks I gave away a lot of stuff too

The crew decided that we could stop teasing the lore and instead being more frank about it, so get ready for that whenever it comes lmao

[ace-aro-queerplatonic-positivity]

I hate to do this, but I was advised to seek help before spiraling.

My boyfriend of 2 years came out as aroace to me and claims he wants to stay queerplatonic with me, but I've always been an "all or nothing" allo girl and don't feel comfortable at the thought of being qp.

But I don't want to:

1. Let him go, because he said that he doesn't want us to change. He said he just can't promise a future with me.

2. Come off as aphobic, or worst, BE queerplatonic-phobic.

3. Jump to drastic conclusions when I've never been in a qp relationship before.

So, I'm reaching out to ask: What do I do? Should I give up and part ways, or should I give qpr a shot? If I go with the latter, how do qprs work? How do I live in one? How do I love an aroace?

Okay, so first thing’s first: you have no need to be scared or apologise. Not to me and not ever for seeking advice from the community. That’s why the community is here. And you want to learn so you’re not aphobic or queerplatonicphobic. Aromantic relationships can be intimidating and it’s okay to be unsure. You’re not a bad person or aphobic.

First rule about queerplatonic relationships: it’s whatever the people in it want it to be. Alloromantic people can and do have QPRs. What is important is that the both of you can agree on the type of relationship you want to have, the dynamic you want to maintain with each other. A queerplatonic relationship can be whatever the people in it want it to be, doesn’t matter what it looks like to the outside world. The relationship is yours and it’s for the two of you.

With that said, if you truly can not find it in yourself to become comfortable with this shift in your relationship– no, I’ll need to interrupt myself here

Your partner coming out as aroace does not have to change anything. Like, I should’ve lead with that. Your partner coming out as aroace and wanting a queerplatonic relationship does – at face value – not require any changes besides taking what you have now and calling it queerplatonic. Slap the new label on and you’re good to go.

Okay, now, I don’t want to assume whether he might want other changes about your dynamic. If he doesn’t, you need to figure out if you’re comfortable with the new label or if that already is a hiccup. You’re continuing your relationship as is and just call it by a different name. A rose by any other name, etc etc.

Now, if you truly can not find it in yourself to be comfortable with this… let him go.

I’m kinda bad with relationship advice and already feel like I’m rambling but you reached out to me and I want to do a good job. So maybe tackling your 3rd point is the most pressing thing. Maybe you can research and learn more about what a QPR can be (e.g. that it can – among other things – be literally the exact same relationship you’re already having just called differently).

I know it sounds intimidating and “queerplatonic” is a big word and “platonic” usually forces a certain perspective. But it’s just a different coat of paint on the same thing you’ve enjoyed with him thus far. Promise.

Hell, I was okay with my ex-partners continuing to call it a romantic relationship because I felt it was on me that I couldn’t communicate clearly to them.

That’s the other big thing. Big Thing: COMMUNICATION IS KEY

Doesn’t matter romantic, queerplatonic, amical, sexual, alterous. Any relationship requires clear and open and honest communication! Ask him directly what he expects from you. Then think about that. Then tell him what you expect. Does that still match? Great. Done.

But keep your relationship a continuous dialogue. You can not be partners (romantic or queerplatonic) if you don’t communicate your needs and wants.

This is also the “how do I love an aroace”, you’ll need to ask him. Because no two aroace folks are the same. It’s probably weird but rephrase your own question: “How do I love [him]?” And either you can answer that or you need to sit down and talk to him about it anyway. As for the “he can’t promise a future”, yeah, well, could he before coming out? Not to be rude but people change, life changes, none of us really knows what tomorrow holds and while commitment is great it’s hard to promise things with certainty.

I sincerely hope I could help and lessen your worry.

Thank you for reaching out, although I hope you didn’t ask only me and i’ll accordingly tag a few blogs @aroacepositivityplace @aroace-people-are-lgtbq @simplyqueerplatonic @queerplatonicpositivity @no-thx-im-aroace

Folks, these tags are NOT a “tumblr wan Kenobi, you’re my only hope” but I am just one guy and my opinion is obviously biased so I want to help this anon best I can by bringing other people’s opinions in. So please do reboot this to give anon some nuanced opinions.

[shadowphoenixrider]

A Sky Full of Stars (1/2)

(Direct continuation of Discharge because apparently I wasn't done with these two idiots in @driftinglightofthewoods's canon. Split into two parts because Gambit really likes yapping.)

He found Storm where he expected her to be - on the top of the belfry, communing with the elements or winds, whichever were the source of her phenomenal powers. Perched on the roof ridge, he debated whether to call out to her.

"I know you're there, Gambit." Storm smiled, her eyes still closed.

"Heh, winds tell ya dat?" He grinned back, arching an eyebrow.

"Whilst your footsteps are light, I can still hear them across the tiles." She opened one blue eye to regard him.

"Ah, den Gambit'll jus' have to do better." He shrugged. "Listen Storm, Gambit don' mean to disturb ya, he can come back-"

"You have done nothing of the sort, Gambit." She smiled, scooting to the side and gesturing to the space beside her. "Come and sit."

He nodded, and joined her with two lithe jumps up to the belfry. It was a bright day, with only a scattering of fluffy white clouds drifting lazily across the sky like a herd of grazing sheep. Logan and the others were having a basketball match down on the court below, and Rogue was watching Myst, Ber and Ebak concoct some elaborate scheme involving portals and wrenches on the wider lawn, gesturing occasionally as seemingly the only responsible adult of the group. Miranda and Kurt were enjoying time to themselves in the forest, whilst Hank and Shadow were probably dodging the light down in the lab.

A smile tugged on Gambit's lips at the thought of the young woman, and her sleepy morning smile that had bathed her face in sunshine he'd only ever seen from Jubilee and Ber. How she'd kissed him the other night, reaching up to untie his pony-tail-

"As much as I appreciate your company, I have a feeling this isn't just a social call." Storm spoke, arching a white eyebrow.

Gambit chuckled.

"Hah, can never hide anythin' from you, can I?"

"You are quite the master of secrets - most of us still don't know of who you were before I invited you to join us, and I presume it will remain that way for longer still," she said. "However, there is one thing you struggle to hide, and that is your infatuation."

Heat burst in the Cajun's face.

"Infatuation? Dunno what ya mean, Stormy!"

"Please, Gambit. Whether it is towards Rogue or Shadow, you are terrible at hiding your feelings towards them." Storm turned to him. "Indeed, it would be a miracle if the entire Mansion didn't know you feel some way towards our medic."

Gambit snorted.

"Didn't think you were one fer gossip." He remarked.

"It is hard to escape it, Gambit. The more you both insist that you are merely 'friends with benefits', and yet linger staring at each other when you think no-one is watching, the more tongues will wag."

He glanced down at his feet, hand going for the pocket that held his card deck, fidgeting with the seam.

"It...It be a bit more den dat now," he said carefully.

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Storm's head turn towards him, brows furrowing.

"Remy?"

His blush deepened, heat moving down his face and into his neck.

"I love her, Storm." He mumbled, pulling a card from his pocket, fidgeting with it.

A pause.

"Does she know?"

He made a 'hah' noise.

"Yeah." He smiled wryly. "Didn' come out the way I wanted, but yeah, she knows. Same happened with her." Memories of the night flickered in his mind's eye like candle-flame; anguish and hurt and misunderstandings that eventually came together like colliding stars. He twisted the card around his fingers, revealing its face to him.

The Queen of Hearts. Gambit chuffed a laugh - his deck certainly had a sense of humour.

"She loves me back," he said softly, a schoolboy sharing a secret. "Shadow loves me."

Storm's smile was teasing. Knowing.

"I had a feeling it was so."

Gambit blinked.

"You did?"

"You are not the only one who cannot hide their true feelings for another." Storm explained. "Shadow wears her affections openly towards all of her friends, you among them." A playful light sparkled in her ice-blue eyes. "And yet, she would look at you as if you were the reason for the stars in the sky." An equally playful smile pulled at her lips. "Not to mention she perks up simply at the mention of your name."

"She does?"

"Have you not noticed?" She raised a white eyebrow at him. "Indeed, nothing currently distracts Shadow faster than a bird flashing by the windows. I believe Jubilee and Morph have a game amongst themselves of seeing how loud they can say your name before she starts looking around."

The Cajun frowned, his face heating. So that was the reason those two had been so surprised to see him the other day, smiling innocently when he asked what was wrong. And Shadow, averting her eyes, blushing-

Merde! The whole time?!

"Alright, maybe Gambit missed a coupla hints," he waved a hand dismissively. "But dat not why I'm here." He glanced away for a moment, again ignoring the heat rising in his face. "I...I need a favour, Storm."

"And what sort of favour would that be?" Her tone was gentle, intrigued, even if she had the bearing of queen who could smite him into the dirt.

"I..." Gambit fidgeted with the card, twirling it around his fingers. "Last night, when me an' Shadow told each other our feelings, she were a little sad de night weren't perfect for us." He rubbed the back of his neck. "So I promised her we'd meet again tonight, make it de night we wanted."

"I was jus' wonderin'..." He said slowly, his gaze wandering everywhere else but Storm. "Wonderin' if you knew if it were gon' be a clear night tonight. An' if it weren't...if you could make it."

Storm smiled, looking back to the sky.

"I doubt you will need any of my assistance today, Gambit. These clouds will have passed on by the evening." She looked back to him. "And, if not, I can make sure they will do."

"Thanks." Gambit smiled back. "Really appreciate it. I don' mean to use ya like a-"

"It is fine, Gambit." She rested a hand on his shoulder. "I know you would not ask me to use my powers so flippantly."

"Even jus' for a date night?" He arched an eyebrow at her.

"You would have not have asked if it did not matter to you." Replied Storm, holding his gaze with a steel that he made him feel an inch tall.

"Yeah. I...I wanna do right by her, Storm." He had to look away - her gaze was too intense. "Been messin' up, hurtin' her when I never wanted to..."

"Have you talked to her about it?"

"A li'l. More like she yelled at me 'bout it." He scratched an itch on his leg. "Rightfully so. Too busy bein' in my head to realize what I were doin' 'til it were too late." A soft sigh. "Now I gonna be makin' up for it 'til de day I die."

"Would you mind telling me about it?" Storm asked kindly.

"Remember dat masquerade ball de Professor organised? De one wit AC problems?"

"I recall, yes. Even I struggled with the humidity."

"Right. I were with Forge an' Miranda solving de problem." Gambit explained. "At de same time, I were try'n figure out my feelings between Rogue an' Shadow. An' seeing Shadow, de way she looked...She were so beautiful. Yet I was terrified. I were fallin' in love, but she didn' want another relationship so soon afta her previous, an' I..."

He shook his head.

"So you decided to throw yourself into a 'mission' so you wouldn't have had to deal with your thoughts." Storm finished for him.

"Oui. Ignored her almost de whole night, an' thought everythin' were fine jus' cos I gotta dance with her for a coupla minutes at de end." Gambit scowled. "'Course it weren't. Dunno why I thought otherwise." He gestured uselessly. "Shadow never showed it, but I hurt her with dat, Storm. Dunno if she'll ever forgive me for it." I don't know if I can forgive myself.

Storm nodded slowly.

"I see." She paused for a moment. "It is not the best start to a closer relationship."

"You tellin' me."

"But," Storm continued, "you of all people should know that a bad start does not necessarily lead to a negative road ahead. Shadow is very understanding, and if you show how much she means to you in the coming days and weeks, she will certainly forgive you."

"Hope so." Gambit murmured.

"She will." Was Storm's firm reply. "Love is not about perfection. Love is about doing your best for one another. Reaching for each other, again and again, to find that common ground. In the end, your mistake will not matter, Gambit. It will be what you do to bridge that gap, to be better than before. And if you love her as much as I think you do, you will succeed."

He looked away for a long moment, letting her words sink in. Storm gave him a slight smile. "Let today be the start of something new and better for the both of you."

Gambit nodded.

"Yeah. I plan to." He glanced back to her. "You not gonna tell anyone 'bout dis, right? 'Bout me an' Shadow?" Storm's brows furrowed. "Stormy, ya said yourself what Mansion gossip be like. An' ya know dey all gonna be preening themselves sayin' 'oh we told ya so!'." He blew out a sigh between his teeth. "Know it gonna happen regardless, but wanna make sure it happen slow, ya know?"

"I understand." Storm bowed her head in a nod. "My lips are sealed."

"Merci." The Cajun smiled. "An' thanks for helpin' out with tonight, Stormy. 'Preicate it!"

"I might think twice if you continue to use that infuriating nickname, Gambit," she said airily.

"Aw, ya wouldn't do dat!" His smile became a grin as he got to his feet, stretching. "Wouldn't wanna deprive Shadow of seein' de stars now, would ya?" He flashed Storm a wink, his grin only widening as she rolled her eyes.

"Away with you, Gambit." She gestured dismissively, and he barked out a laugh. "I will uphold my end of deal!"

"Merci! See ya, Stormy!" He called over his shoulder as he made him way down off the roof in graceful leaps.

Storm shook her head, breathing out a sigh from her nose. Rogue looked over her shoulder as Gambit made his way to ground, clearly exchanging some words before she looked up to the belfry. As the Cajun walked back into the mansion, Rogue pushed off the ground and flew up to her.

"Hey gal!" Rogue smiled brightly. "What was goin' on with Remy?"

"I'm afraid I have been sworn to secrecy." Storm smiled. "I can tell you nothing."

"Nothin'?" Rogue frowned, folding her arms. "Didn' seem like nothin', when you two been natterin' up here like two farmer's wives. C'mon, can't you tell me anythin'?"

"Gambit trusts me, Rogue. I will not give him reason otherwise." Said Storm firmly. Rogue pouted. "However, I can say that it is good news."

"That's good at least." Rogue sat down beside her. She thought for a second, before her green eyes widened. "Wait, did somethin' happen between him an' Shadow?"

Storm just smiled, mirth dancing over her face.

"Let's just say Remy finally saw what was in front of him the entire time..."

(Next)

[monokuromatic]

Found out my ex isn't going to an event I'm attending in the future, which is good, and a relief, but I am also upset about it, and that's so upsetting that I'm UPSET. I started asking follow up questions, and I knew it was hurting me, and I'm proud I stopped myself before it got too much, but still!! Still!!!!!!

I wish him the best, I do, but God, let him leave my heart finally. He's almost gone, but what else can I do to push him out, what else, what else, what else! The crush I've been having for some time now has helped, at least. A really nice distraction, but now this has been brought up, and it hurts to find out he still has a spot in my heart, that there is a part of me that is still his.

At least the event will be calm, for sure. No spending four days looking over people shoulder's in case he might be there. Just being present, hanging out with friends, having a good time, and for once having one of these events not be consumed by him and me and our damaged relationship.

But what if I cry? What if I want to cry? What if I go, and it hurts, and I won't have anywhere to go cry? Can't cry in my own room because I'm rooming with someone who already dealt with me being a wreck last year, can't cry anywhere else because I don't want to be a bother, maybe I'll just cry in the bathroom.

I hope I don't cry. I hope I won't even think of him, and when I do, I hope I'll have other things to occupy my brain, something else to live rent free with no space for him.

Hate having emotions. Wish I was a robot. But then again I took meds for four years and felt like an overheating robot for most of them, so maybe I don't wish that.

thoughts, thoughts, thoughts

[thesovereignsring-if]

please I’m begging you with my heart, soul and my two brain cells I have left to make a poly between mc, madea and Linnet. I will give you money for it I swear.

I'm very sorry Anon but nothing will persuade me to change my mind. You may keep your two brain cells. It's simply not within either of their characters to have the right skillset or personality to maintain a healthy poly relationship.

Opening the relationship to a third person would make both ladies feel as if they are not good enough or not worth it enough to remain as the sole exclusive partner. Eventually they'd get resentful, jealous and leave. If we're lucky, no one dies along the way. I cannot speak more because of spoilers, but I'm serious about it. They do not like sharing, or playing second fiddle to someone else. (Of course, this is not how real ploy relationships work, but this is how Medea and Linnet see it.) While both ladies are selfless towards their lovers, they are selfish lovers and demand exclusivity.

The only two people in the cast that I believe can maintain a healthy poly relationship are Helios and Thea.

[theicescorpions]

Primal Fire Chapter Five: Closer

Wheeljack never escaped the Decepticons, instead he was made into Shockwave’s lab experiment and was turned into a Predacon.

Inspired by @sugarand-everythingnice And her “of Flesh and Steel” AU

Master Post

Chapter One

Previous

Wheeljack and Fablebreaker continued their brief respite in the cave. They had found solace in each other's company as they prepared to continue their nomadic traveling, the two predacons transformed into bipedal mode to eat what little energon they’d managed to scrounge up.

“I’ve been meaning to ask. Why did you abandon the other Predacons exactly? You said they weren’t kind to you. Why was that?” Wheeljack asked, trying to get his mind off of his own problems.

“Because I was female. They were always in constant turmoil with each other vying for dominance as leader. It was always such a pain. But they stopped bickering when they determined that the one who made me their mate would rule them all.” She snorted. “By that time I thoroughly despised them all. Some tried to woo me but others tried to force it.” Fablebreaker tossed a crystal into her mouth and chewed, still agitated by it all after all these eons.

“They tried to-“ Wheeljack started to get angry his chest rumbling.

“Oh no. They never actually touched me. Idiots were waiting for me to go into heat. Unfortunately for them, the one eyed creator put some kind of blocker in my system. Until it’s removed I’m effectively sterile. No heat. No mating frenzy. and No whelplings.” Fablebreaker stated.

“Heat? Mating frenzy?” Wheeljack asked in confusion.

“Until my first heat cycle, I’m physically incapable of actually accessing that part of my anatomy. It’s strange but I assume it’s some form of defense mechanism to prevent young females from being paired or stolen before their maturity. Predacons mate for life, once a female has mated with a male predacon she will never mate with another. and only her mate will be able to tell when she goes into heat after the first encounter. Having that part of me locked gave me reassurance that they couldn’t have me.” Fablebreaker explained “Though now it’s only vexing.”

"Interesting," Wheeljack mused, processing the information. "So, they were trying to use you as a pawn in their power struggles. I can see why you left." He paused, deep in thought before speaking again. "But if Predacons mate for life, what happens if a mate dies?"

Fablebreaker sighed, her gaze distant as she recalled painful memories. "If a mate dies, the surviving partner will remain alone for the rest of their existence. It's a bond that transcends time and space, a connection that cannot be broken even by death." She glanced at Wheeljack, a hint of sadness in her optics. "I've seen it happen before, when the one eyed one was experimenting with us several females went into heat and had mated. They and their young died. Those few males who lost their mates were generally the only ones I trusted. They were the ones who urged me to leave. Truthfully it's a fate I wouldn't wish on anyone."

Wheeljack nodded understandingly, sensing the weight of Fablebreaker's words. "Well, you don't have to worry about that anymore. You're free from those stupid fraggers now." He offered her a small smile. "And hey, at least you won't have to deal with all that mating nonsense anymore."

Fablebreaker chuckled softly, the sound echoing in the dimly lit cave. "To tell you the truth, I’ve come to desire a mate. Many eons alone made me wish for many things I believed I would never have. And now that there are more predacons again, that dream is possible.”

“And who did you have in mind? Mr. Big dark and violent who keeps ripping my hide apart?” Wheeljack asked, attempting to joke but feeling jealousy bubble up inside him, hot and intense.

Fablebreaker laughed “I chose quite a while ago.”

“Oh? And who is it?” Wheeljack’s armor bristled.

“You, silly.” She continued to laugh at his attempt to hide his jealousy.

Wheeljack's optics widened in surprise, his systems heating up with a mixture of bewilderment and something he couldn't quite place. "Me?" he asked, flustered by the unexpected confession from Fablebreaker. He blinked rapidly, trying to gather his thoughts as her laughter slowly subsided, leaving a warm glow in the dimly lit cave.

Fablebreaker's optics softened as she regarded Wheeljack with a fondness that tugged at something deep within him. "Yes, you. Out of every male I’ve ever met, you’ve never once treated me like I was lesser than you because I was weaker. You defend me even when I did not ask it of you. And there’s many other reasons. You would be my choice for a mate.”

Wheeljack sat there dumbfounded, a mix of emotions rushing through him.

She sighed sadly, drawing his attention back to her. ���It’s not like it’ll happen though. The blocker prevents any of that from happening. No heat, no mate, no little whelplings for me.”

Wheeljack's mind grappled with the whirlwind of emotions stirring within him. He had never allowed himself to entertain the idea of a romantic connection with Fablebreaker, or anyone to his recollection, but as he thought about it he found that he couldn’t think of any kind of future for himself without her.

"I won't accept that," Wheeljack finally spoke, his voice steady and determined. "I gotta say I wasn’t expecting me to be your pick. I still think of myself mostly as a grounder. It might take a while, but if there's a way to remove that blocker, then I'll find it. If I’m still what you want when that happens, I’d gladly be yours.”

Fablebreaker got up and sat down next to Wheeljack, leaning against his chest with a hum. Her subharmonics putting off a new sound he hadn’t heard before but made him feel happy.

“There’s something about you that makes me believe that I can rebuild my life. And I want you in it.” Wheeljack wrapped an arm around her, holding her close.

As they sat together in the quiet of the cave, a newfound sense of intimacy enveloping them both. The steady hum of Wheeljack's subharmonics resonated against Fablebreaker's frame, creating a rhythm that wove together in a song-like harmony.

As they continued their journey, it took them through more rugged terrain and dense forests, the two constantly moving over the next several weeks. One evening, as they settled down under a starlit sky, Fablebreaker leaned against Wheeljack. Ever since their conversation on mates, shy little touches and small shows of affection had become common between the two.

Wheeljack curled his frame around her smaller one and before they could settle into recharge they heard the snap of a branch. Both of their heads shot up, senses on alert.

In the darkness of the forest, shadows seemed to dance around them, concealing whatever threat lurked nearby. Fablebreaker and Wheeljack tensed, their frames poised for action as they scanned the surrounding trees for any sign of movement.

Fablebreaker and Wheeljack stood and took up defensive stances before noticing five pairs of gold optics in the forest weaving toward them through the trees.

‘Our luck had to run out sometime. I see five predacons. The big bastard and four new ones.’ Fablebreaker told Wheeljack.

‘Run?’ Wheeljack asked.

‘Where would we go? Predacons operate on a basic principle. The strongest rules.’ Fablebreaker stated.

‘And I’ve beaten ugly by myself before. Think you can hold off the other four?’

‘I can try. We don’t know If there are more nearby. The one eye doesn’t do things by half.’

‘No he doesn’t.’ Wheeljack agreed.

The two predacons bristled and prepared themselves for a nasty fight.

[squeamishnerd]

The Brights

Chapter 13: Wrapping up the Spring Term, Part 6

← Previous part Next part →

Link to master post with all chapters

⠀

Jayden: So, the walk was an excuse. I just wanted to ask you something in private.

⠀

Beren: *Awkward smile*

⠀

Jayden: Do you dislike the way Cameron acts towards you?

⠀

Beren: Wait, that's your question? You made me nervous.

⠀

Beren: And yes, I hate it. It's the way he's trying to get me together with anything that moves, as a joke. Plus the joke about having woohooed… It feels like he just wants to annoy me.

⠀

Beren: Look, I lose my temper too easily, and it's getting worse and worse. I don't want to risk being like that towards a partner. I'm not ready and he just rubs it in.

⠀

Jayden: Do you want me to talk with him about it?

⠀

Beren: But you've tried that so many times already.

⠀

Jayden: I know he comes off as a complete jokester who can't take anything seriously, but he has a serious side too. I'll talk with him in private and explain why you don't like it, I'm sure he'll listen to me.

Beren: Thanks.

⠀

Beren: Hey, I just realised that he's like that towards basically everyone, except for you. What's that about?

⠀

Jayden: Eeeh… We kinda had something going on for a while. Kinda didn't work out. We're trying to leave it behind us. So we don't joke like that with each other.

⠀

Beren: Oh, I'm sorry I didn't mean to-

⠀

Jayden: Oh, about the lunches!

Jayden: We're gonna go there basically every day. I'll text you on the days we don't go there, and you can join whenever you have time on all the other days.

Beren: Sounds good.

⠀

← Previous part Next part →

Link to master post with all chapters

[candiid-caniine]

8: Absolutly. The two relationships I had weren't the best. First guy dumped me next chance he got. And the second one was kind of toxic. My parents hate each other, so I don't know what a healthy relationship looks like. Having a fear of being rejected doesn't make it better ^^" (sorry if this is trauma dumping, I can't tell if it is or not)

it's okay friend, i'm the one who asked!! i don't mind it in any case<3

i'm sorry to hear about your relationships. i'm kind of in a weird boat bc my parents are in the stable, constant, open kind of love, but their ideas of who i "should" fall in love with were...toxically puritan. we understand and love each other a lot better now, but their dating rules, the person they wanted me to be-- their "daughter"-- fucked me up bad for awhile.

but they listened to me. they got better at understanding and accepting my perspective on life. i recognize i'm very privileged and lucky in that regard.

you'll find your people, is what i mean to say, and understand i'm not trying to use platitudes: you've probably heard that a lot, and it's not really...helpful. to go deeper, you'll find *yourself.* when you know who you are, what you need, you're able to set healthy boundaries. when you love yourself enough to protect yourself, you not only attract people who admire that in you, but almost more importantly you *repel* people who disrespect you or want to take advantage of you. you learn not to try to please people who don't meet you where you are. things do get better, but it'll happen on its own time.

stay strong and have hope, but work on loving *you*, not on having a relationship because it's the "thing you do" or because you don't feel whole without it. it'll come<3

[luffythinker]

this is something i had to come to terms with in my previous relationship, after the one year mark we started having some issues and whenever we tried to talk about it, she often said "im sorry im such a bad partner" or "why are you even with me/is this even worth it for you", "you deserve better than me", and these statements always hit me pretty badly because it was never about them being a bad person/partner, just an issue that we could be working together, i never got the need to default to the person being inherently bad to/for me.

that relationship is over now, and im glad for it, but i really hope she can find someone who she doesn't need to feel or say those things because its so hurtful to them and the partner

It is not okay for your parent to say “I guess I’m just the worst mom/dad” when you express that you’re upset or hurt by something they said or did.

This also applies to other relationships, too. You shouldn’t be hearing “I guess I’m the worst friend/partner/etc” when you express being upset or hurt by something they did. Whether it’s intentional or not, it is manipulative.

When you’re upset, you should be allowed to express that safely without them making it about them. It shouldn’t lead you to comforting them and possibly feeling bad for saying anything (and possibly feeling too anxious to say something in the future.)

[datinglife]

Relationship Talk Tips: Building Stronger Connections

1. Choose the Right Time and Place

Timing is crucial when it comes to meaningful conversations. Avoid discussing sensitive topics when emotions are running high or when either of you is tired, hungry, or stressed. Instead, choose a calm environment where you both have the time to focus on the conversation without distractions. A relaxed setting can encourage openness and reduce defensiveness.

2. Be Honest but Respectful

Honesty is the bedrock of trust, but how you deliver your thoughts matters. Speak your mind truthfully, but do so with kindness and consideration for your partner’s feelings. Avoid placing blame or using accusatory language like “You always” or “You never”. Instead, frame your concerns using “I” statements, such as “I feel hurt when…” or “I need support with…”.

3. Listen to Understand, Not to Respond

Effective communication is not just about speaking and making your thoughts clear — it’s also about active listening. Give your partner your undivided attention, listen without interrupting, and try to understand their perspective. Nod, ask clarifying questions, or paraphrase their points to show you truly get where they’re coming from.

4. Stay Solution-Oriented

Conflict is inevitable in any relationship. However, instead of lingering on the problem, work together to find solutions. Approach disagreements as a team by brainstorming ways to improve your dynamic. This collaborative approach not only solves issues but also strengthens your bond.

5. Express Appreciation and Gratitude

Don’t wait for big moments to express your appreciation. Acknowledge the small things your partner does, and tell them frequently how much you value them. Positive affirmations create a nurturing environment and make difficult conversations easier.

6. Take Breaks if Necessary

If a conversation becomes too overwhelming or heated, it’s okay to take a step back. Pause the discussion and agree to revisit it when emotions have settled. This ensures that the discussion stays productive rather than escalating into an argument.

Ultimately, strong communication builds trust, encourages emotional intimacy, and keeps a relationship thriving. By following these tips, you can create an environment where both partners feel seen, heard, and valued — making your connection stronger every day. Read More

[biggest-gaudiest-patronuses]

we need to step away from viewing marriage as inherently romantic, or the primary goal of romance. marriage is a legal contract we use to create important ties--financial, medical, next-of-kin, mediating shared property and parental rights. the details vary a lot based on where you are and what paperwork you sign. which is not very romantic! but it does have many real-world effects on our ability to share our lives with our partners.

first and foremost, marriage is a legal right we use to build and protect our families, whatever that family may look like

[noelledeltarune]

EVERY SINGLE DAY there are MILLIONS of characters in their late 20s who get falsely accused of being father figures to teenagers when in reality the description of "weird older cousin" or "step-sibling that moved out before you were born" is 1000000x more apt

[cyberladybeard]

I have always been different from most girls. Growing up, I never dreamt about getting married and living happily ever after as most girls do. In fact, at a very young age, I decided I would never get married and that I would be a single mother with a successful career.

My disapproval of the marriage institution probably started while growing up when my mother and my elder sister started tormenting me about my ugly looks and how no boy would ever be interested in me. 

I was the butt of many cruel jokes at the dinner table, and in the long term, I am sure that had some negative effect on me. As I became older, particularly when I developed Continue Reading.

[hurkules]

My personal philosophy is that everyone gets one free pass to let someone play in your face. After that, it should never happen again

Remember: you can tell jokes but you can’t be one.