#THIS IS UNBEARABLY LONG BUT STILL

[crosbyism]

i’m three and a half thousand words into writing this post about generational players, the narrative, and the nhl’s weird relationship with gender and if you’re wondering how it’s going:

[pinkcreamypeach]

Valentine's Day 💌 💘 (Mareach)

God spent four hours writing this thinking, rewriting, adding way too much detail, then getting distracted by the idea of drawing. Honestly, I wanted to cram in a ton of characters, but that would've taken forever. I almost wrote a whole Luaisy section, added Toad, Yoshi, and so much more, but my motivation dipped hard. I even planned a full-on Bowser fight scene, but it ended up in the background instead. Next time, I’ll make it way better.

Anyway, cut down on the design details. (Might draw peach dress in the later maybe) Mareach is getting closer to happening, so... lol.

@keylovesstuff @bberetd @peaches2217 @cutejk123

@supergay-64 <-- Sorry if you didn't want to be tagged

@silenzahra <-- forgot to tag you lol.

The soft morning light trickled through the curtains, casting a warm golden hue across Mario and Luigi’s shared bedroom. Mario stirred, stretching his arms wide, his body naturally easing into the motions of someone well-used to a day full of jumping, running, and saving the world. His eyes slowly blinked open, a small, content grin forming on his face as he greeted the morning. Taking a deep breath, he inhaled the fresh air, feeling that spark of energy that only the start of a new day could bring.

He swung his legs over the side of the bed, the cool wooden floor greeting his bare feet. A quick stretch, his joints popping, and Mario let out a pleased sigh. He wasn’t much for slow mornings, but there was something comforting about this routine. It always set him up for the day ahead, whatever challenges might come.

Glancing at the clock, he shuffled toward the bathroom, rubbing his eyes. “Huh, feelin’ good today,” he muttered to himself. He usually felt like a wreck after a long day of fighting monsters, jumping on Goombas, and dodging fireballs. But today? He couldn’t quite put his finger on it. Maybe it was just the sunny weather. Maybe it was... Valentine's Day?

Standing in front of the mirror, Mario squinted at his reflection. In his red mushroom boxers, he scratched his stomach and patted his belly, noticing the familiar scars. Burn marks from his fiery encounters with Bowser, and deep claw marks that... well, he wasn’t sure where they came from. He’d been through so many scrapes, it all blurred together. But at least his signature mustache was still there. He took a whiff of his own breath. “Oof... Definitely need to brush my teeth,” he muttered, frowning.

Mario grabbed his toothbrush, eyes flicking to the empty space where Luigi’s toothbrush should’ve been. He blinked, brain a little slow to wake up. “Oh yeah… he’s off with his girlfriend…” Mario chuckled to himself. He still couldn’t get over the fact that Luigi had found someone. The shy guy who never quite left his comfort zone now had someone who brought him out of his shell. "I thought she’d be trouble," Mario mused with a grin. "But... I guess she’s good for him."

He sighed, thinking about Peach for a moment. Maybe today was the day... the day he’d finally confess his feelings. But... no. How would that even work? He groaned at himself. The last time he tried anything romantic, it ended with him chasing after Toadsworth in a panic. Peach was always sweet and forgiving, but Mario couldn’t help that nervous knot in his stomach. He’d baked her a special dessert for Valentine’s Day, all excited, but was it too cheesy? Probably, but he didn’t mind. He had to at least try.

He was so lost in his thoughts, he didn’t notice the soap in his eyes until he was already screaming in pain and slipping in the tub. "Mamma mia!" His feet flew out from under him, and he crashed into the soapy water with a splat. His daydreams about Peach scattered like his balance.

Sitting up in the tub with a groan, Mario rubbed his eyes, wishing for a second he could just pull the curtains around him and disappear into his bed. The dramatic thoughts swirled, but before he could fall into them, he grabbed his toothbrush and tried to shake off the chaos.

Without looking, he grabbed the cream from the counter, squirted it onto the brush, and shoved it into his mouth. The moment he tasted it, his eyes went wide in horror. Wait, that's hair cream! He gagged, spitting it out in disgust.

"PERCHÉ QUESTO CONTINUA A SUCCEDERE!!?" Mario shouted in a dramatic mix of frustration and disbelief.

It wasn’t the start he had planned, but then again, when was it ever?

—----------------------

Princess Peach took a slow, deep breath as she admired her reflection in the mirror, a soft smile curling on her lips. With careful hands, she applied the finishing touch to her look. A heart-shaped accent with her lipstick. Her dress, chosen with care, was the epitome of grace and elegance, a pink Rococo-inspired gown that seemed almost too magnificent to wear.

As Peach twirled in front of the mirror, the soft rustling of her gown.She chuckled softly to herself. Perhaps my family would say this is a bit too extravagant, the most "girly" of all princesses but I wouldn't change a thing. Today is about love, after all. Her heart swelled with excitement as she glanced at the calendar. Yes, today is the day.

With a final glance at herself, she slid her long gloves on and gently gathered the ends of her gown before stepping out of her room. The grand halls of the Mushroom Castle were adorned with decorations in celebration of the day, festive ribbons in shades of pink and red, and cute bows everywhere. The castle’s guards had changed into their new uniforms, fitting the mood with their pastel hues. Each one bowed as she passed, their faces glowing with admiration for their princess, her beauty and grace leaving them in awe.

Toadsworth, ever the reliable elderly, was overseeing the preparations for the grand celebration in town. The festival was to honor love in all its forms, romantic, familial, and platonic. As always, the elder Toad was in his element, helping organize the festivities with great care. He adjusted his golden glasses, a thoughtful gift from the princess herself, and smiled. She had gifted him an exquisite eyeglass holder for Valentine’s Day, simple yet meaningful, and it had brought tears to his eyes.

"Ah, my favorite princess," he said with a warm smile, his voice full of admiration. "You look as beautiful as your mother, my dear."

Peach’s face lit up at the compliment. "Oh, grandpa, you spoil me with your words," she giggled. "But I do appreciate it, thank you."

The two walked side by side, moving toward the front balcony where the event preparations were taking place. As Peach looked out over the gardens, she couldn’t help but smile even wider. The lush, vibrant flowers were tended to with care, and the toads were already buzzing around, handing out early gifts to one another. It was an endearing sight, one that filled her heart with joy. Her people, so full of life and love, celebrating together in this beautiful moment it was all she could have hoped for.

She glanced over at Toadsworth, feeling a surge of gratitude for everything he did to make this day special. "It's truly wonderful to see how much love is in the air today, don’t you think?" she remarked.

Toadsworth smiled fondly at her. "Indeed, Princess. It’s a day for all to share in the joy of love and there’s no one more deserving of such celebration than you."

Peach smiled softly, her heart full of affection for her kingdom and those she held dear. As the festival preparations continued.

—----------------------

Mario stood in front of his mirror, adjusting his collar with the kind of determination usually reserved for stomping Goombas. He wanted to look good not that he had a fashion degree or anything. Luigi wasn’t around to be a backseat stylist, and honestly, the pea-sized Prince Parsley had his own business to attend to. Probably dating someone new. Not Mario’s problem.

He smoothed out his faded red button-up, pulled on his dark red jeans (fancy!), laced up his trusty brown boots, and because he was feeling classy doused his hair in way too much gel. The result? A slicked-back masterpiece that could probably deflect fireballs. He finished it off with an unreasonable amount of cologne. Was it necessary? No. Did he now smell like an entire department store fragrance aisle? Absolutely.

With a deep breath, he placed his iconic red cap atop his gel fortress, stepped outside, and took in the fresh air. The Mushroom Kingdom stretched before him, Peach’s castle standing pretty in the distance. The sun was shining, the clouds were smiling, and most importantly today wasn’t an “adventure” day. No kidnappings, no rogue Chain Chomps, no existential crises brought on by giant turtles. Just peace.

Then he turned around.

Bowser’s airship loomed overhead, casting a dramatic shadow across his front yard. Mario glanced at his watch. Really? Of course, Bowser had to crash that day. Holidays, birthdays, probably even Peach’s hypothetical baby shower if it was important, Bowser was showing up uninvited.With a resigned sigh, Mario popped back inside, grabbed a Cape Feather, and launched himself skyward. He had about five minutes to keep Bowser from ruining the party.

“Alright, Bowser,” he muttered, cracking his knuckles. “Let’s make this quick.”

—----------------------

4 hours later

Princess Peach stood in her royal dressing chambers within Peach’s Castle, preparing for her grand speech. The lavish room, bathed in soft shades of pink and gold, gleamed under the morning light streaming through tall windows adorned with flowing silk curtains. A polished vanity, scattered with delicate beauty essentials, sat against the wall, while a flurry of Toad attendants bustled around her, adjusting the final details of her dress and carefully positioning her crown.

Beyond the chamber doors, the castle courtyard buzzed with excitement. Hundreds of Toad citizens had gathered beneath the grand balcony, their tiny mushroom caps bouncing eagerly as they awaited their princess’s arrival. With a final deep breath, Peach straightened her gloves, offered a warm smile to her loyal attendants, and stepped gracefully onto the stage.

“Beloved citizens of the Mushroom Kingdom!” Peach’s voice rang out like a melody, carrying across the sea of joyful faces. “It is with great joy that I officially declare the beginning of our Grand Festival of Love! Today, we celebrate with laughter, music, and most importantly cake! (I personally made sure Toadsworth didn’t skimp on the extra frosting this time!)

“So, put on your finest festival attire, indulge in all the treats your heart desires, and let the celebrations begin! The Mushroom Kingdom’s Grand Festival of Love is officially underway!”

The kingdom erupted in cheers, a wave of excitement surging through the crowd. Peach watched with a delighted smile as her people spread out, filling the castle halls and the festival grounds beyond. The town square gleamed with festive decorations, games, and merriment, love filling the air in every laughter-filled moment.

As the day passed in a joyful blur, Peach found herself holding onto a special thought: her own Valentine’s gift. A gift for Mario.

Where was he? Was he off on another adventure with Luigi? She hadn’t seen him all day.

The sun dipped beneath the horizon, and soon, the final event of the night began the grand ballroom dance. The castle’s halls glittered with candlelight as the guests swayed to elegant music, glasses raised in celebration. Peach smiled at her people, twirling among them, but something in her heart pulled her away.

Excusing herself, she stepped outside, where the kingdom’s streets lay silent and empty under the moon’s glow. The celebration had drawn everyone inside, leaving the once-bustling town still and peaceful. Holding the ends of her dress, she slowly wandered through the quiet pathways, her thoughts drifting.

Where was he?

She had left her gift at home in the rush of the festival, but that didn’t matter. All she wanted was to see him..

Then the hurried footsteps caught her attention first. She turned, her breath hitching slightly when she saw Mario standing before her, a slightly crushed Valentine’s box clutched in his hands. His red shirt was unbuttoned at the collar, his pants bore a few small rips, and faint scorch marks streaked his boots. His hair was a complete mess, bouncing slightly as he tried—unsuccessfully—to smooth it down with one hand. He looked like he’d just run through absolute chaos.

And yet, to her, he was still Mario.

As soon as their eyes met, he stiffened, hands trembling slightly as he swallowed hard. A nervous, lopsided smile tugged at his lips, an attempt at his usual confidence, but it wavered under her gaze.

“Pri— *ahem* Principessa… ciao, Principessa Peach…” He gave a quick, stiff bow, but as he glanced down at the ruined box in his hands, he let out a quiet, sheepish chuckle.

“I, uh… you… you look… wow.” The words tumbled out awkwardly, tripping over themselves as his face turned an adorable shade of red. “I mean… beautiful—no, gorgeous, like… *La donna più popolare di sempre.*”

He winced, rubbing the back of his neck. “I should probably stop talking now…”

Peach giggled, warmth flickering in her eyes as she took him in. The slight blush his words had drawn from her softened into something more affectionate as she stepped closer, tilting her head.

“Thank you, chéri,” she murmured, her voice teasing but gentle. Then, with a playful glint, she reached up, her fingers threading lightly through his unruly hair. “I have to say… I quite like the rugged look.” She paused, scrunching her nose slightly. “Though, you do smell a little… smoky.”

Mario exhaled a dramatic sigh, finally putting two and two together.

“Bowser?” she asked, her tone knowing.

“…Yeah,” he admitted, shaking his head. “But don’t worry! I took care of that *bastardo* and his goons.”

Before she could reply, he glanced at the misshapen Valentine’s box in his hands and sighed again. Without a second thought, he tossed it into a nearby trash bin, his expression falling. It wasn’t good enough. Peach deserved something perfect.

She caught on immediately.

“…Wait.” Her eyes twinkled as she glanced at the box. “That was a cake?”

Mario blinked. “How’d you—”

She giggled and tapped his nose with her finger, smiling sweetly.

“Oh, Mario, I have a good sense of smell.” She hummed softly, lacing her hands behind her back. “Even if it was burnt, I would’ve eaten it anyway. Your desserts always make my day better.”

His heart stumbled over itself at that. She always had this way of making him feel like he was enough.

Wordlessly, she took his hand, her fingers slipping effortlessly between his, and led him beyond the castle gates. The soft glow of the festival faded behind them as they wandered into a field of Fire Flowers. Their petals shimmered under the moonlight, casting a warm golden glow across the landscape. At the heart of the field stood a grand tree, its branches stretching toward the stars. Peach stopped beneath it, turning to him with a knowing smile.

“…Remember this place?” she asked softly.

Mario blinked, then his eyes widened as memory washed over him.

“O-oh! Sì!” His face lit up, his voice quieter now, touched by nostalgia. “I remember… the stars, the flowers… and you.”

His voice dropped even softer.

“You made me feel better when Luigi was missing. You always make everything better, Principessa..”

Peach’s smile turned tender as she stepped closer.

The fireflowers bathed the field in a soft, golden glow, their petals flickering like tiny lanterns against the darkened landscape. Above, the sky stretched endlessly, jeweled with stars, casting a dreamy silver light over the scene. A gentle wind rustled through the trees, carrying the scent of flowers and the distant hum of the festival still lingering in the kingdom.

In the middle of it all, Princess Peach and Mario stood beneath a towering tree, its branches stretching toward the heavens. The moment felt like a fairytale, something out of a dream, yet entirely real.

Mario, ever the gentleman despite his usual clumsiness, bowed slightly, extending his hand toward her. “May I have this dance, Principessa?”

Peach, smiling with a playful twinkle in her eyes, placed her gloved hand in his. “I’d be delighted, mon chéri.”

And with that, he swept her into an elegant, old-fashioned waltz, their feet gliding over the grass as if they were dancing atop the stars themselves.Mario held her securely, his grip firm yet gentle, guiding her across the glowing field. His usual roughness was softened, his movements careful but still undeniably him a little hesitant, a little bashful, but full of warmth. Peach followed his lead with practiced grace, letting herself be twirled effortlessly before returning to the safety of his arms.

The moment quickly turned playful. Peach giggled as Mario spun her again, this time pulling her in close, their chests nearly touching. “Getting bold, aren’t we?” she teased.

Mario smirked. “Just tryin’ to keep up with you, *bella.*”

She hummed, arching a brow. “Oh? Then keep up with this.”

With surprising agility, she took the lead for a moment, twirling him instead. Mario stumbled slightly but recovered quickly, his laughter echoing into the night.

“Oh, you’re real cheeky tonight,” he said, grinning.

She giggled and playfully nudged his nose with hers. “I think you like it.”

Before he could respond, she suddenly let go, stepping backward as if to challenge him. Mario blinked, then smirked, accepting the silent invitation. With a dramatic sweep of his arm, he lunged forward, grabbing her waist and spinning her back into his hold, earning a delighted squeal from the princess.

“Still gotcha,” he murmured.

Her breath hitched slightly as she gazed up at him, her hands resting against his chest. The fireflowers flickered around them, their glow reflecting in his eyes. For a moment, neither of them spoke, the dance had become more than just a playful movement.

“…You really are something else, Mario,” Peach finally whispered, her voice softer now, her fingers tracing the edge of his collar.

Mario swallowed, his usual bravado melting just a little. “Yeah? Well… you make it real easy to wanna hold onto somethin’ this good.”

Her cheeks warmed as she tilted her head. “Then don’t let go.”

His hands tightened ever so slightly at her waist, a silent promise as the dance continued slower, gentler, wrapped in moonlight, fireflowers, and the quiet understanding that, in that moment, nothing else mattered.

As Mario dipped Peach for the final flourish of their dance, the momentum carried them both down onto the soft grass. A breathless laugh escaped Peach’s lips as she landed beneath him, her golden hair fanning out around her like a halo. The glow of the fire flowers surrounded them, casting a warm, flickering light over their faces.

Mario hovered above her, his hands still securely wrapped around her waist, his breath slightly unsteady. The playful laughter between them softened into something quieter, something deeper. Peach gazed up at him with half-lidded eyes, her cheeks dusted pink, her smile warm and inviting.

She lifted a delicate hand, brushing a stray strand of hair from his face before leaning in, pressing the gentlest kiss against his cheek. The warmth of her lips lingered against his skin, and Mario’s face turned an unmistakable shade of red. He barely had time to react before she rested her forehead against his, her breath mingling with his in the cool night air.

“…Happy Valentine’s Day, Mario,” she whispered, her voice as soft as the petals around them.

Mario swallowed thickly, his heart pounding in his chest as he stared into her eyes. She looked so radiant, so effortlessly beautiful, bathed in golden firelight and starlit silver. He couldn’t help but lean in closer, his grip on her waist tightening just slightly as if grounding himself in the moment.

“…Happy Valentine’s Day, too, mi Amore” he murmured, his voice barely above a breath.

They stayed like that, lost in each other, the world melting away as the fire flowers swayed gently around them two hearts intertwined beneath the endless starry sky.

[moe-broey]

Every day I wake up, I'm full of inspiration and ambition, I lollygag a bit, I kinda skirt around it, I actively avoid The Thing I WANT to do. Then I just kinda give up and do something else.

[isnt-it-too-dreamy]

basically life always goes on even if you think it won't. no matter how old you are. you don't have to be young to experience something life-changing. we're learning and growing all our lives, it isn't important how old we are. as long as we're alive,...we are alive.

[coldlikethestars]

.

[daz4i]

grumbling grumpily bc i unfortunately have to admit that i am indeed getting better >:( like i actually feel excitement again for example. smh. i look forward to going out and being with people??? i am way more agreeable to trying new things and i let myself approach them with an open mind so i often end up enjoying them??? this isn't me this isn't my heart .

[roobylavender]

im really sorry if this question ends up being repetitive: but, if not for bruce’s over reliance on dick to regulate his thoughts and emotions, why would dick grow up into feeling like he needs to repress his emotions so much and his eagerness to act as people’s support? i know youve spoken about wolfman and his altering of their relationship but if ntt is generally an accurate portrayal of an adult dick, to me this nevertheless sounds like the consequences a parent-child relationship where the responsibilities are titled too much towards the child

i suppose this could also segue into asking for recs that would help me better understand your interpretation of their relationship 👀

not repetitive at all! to me the irony of wolfman's depiction of dick lies in that it is simultaneously something you can logically ascertain from prior canon but not for the reasons actually presented by wolfman. if that makes sense. he does extra work that isn't actually necessary to help explain why dick would act the way that he does because there's plenty of reasons for it without rewriting his history with bruce to have always been suppressed and edgy and dark. to me it makes far more sense to capitalize on the inevitable disconnect between bruce and dick as an adult and a child. batman: full circle is a good example of that dichotomy (and although it was published in the early 90s it built on mike w. barr's prior understanding of the relationship between dick and bruce that he wrote into the early 80s). bruce's primary concern for the people he works with is never standards or finesse but safety. he worries constantly about others coming to harm under his watch and with a child in particular those worries were exacerbated. he ran a tight ship not because he believed dick had anything to prove but because the only way dick could keep being robin was if he went about it safely. that was obv easy for an adult to understand. but not so much for a child

to bruce these worries were practical and par for the course (as well as an expression of his love and protectiveness) but for dick their consequences formed the crux of his entire world. as a child he idolized everything about bruce. his heroism. his work ethic. his skill. his resolve. his preparedness. if dick couldn't live up to the standard he set for himself in idolizing bruce then what could he ever hope to amount to? that was the thought constantly going through his head. and it's why the bulk of his childhood and primary tenure as bruce's partner was so precariously protected by the fact that nothing bad ever really happened during it (and admittedly this framing is convenient because even chronologically speaking nothing very significant happened in their history with each other until dick left for university in 1969) (i know dixon opted to write that whole shtick with dent in his version of events but personally i never found it necessary to do so). there is enough there in the idea of dick working hard for the course of a decade to embody who he believed bruce to be that lends itself to it eventually being difficult for him to healthily express himself once the rift between them actually began to emerge

because what about bruce was there to actually see that was broken and dark before dick became an adult? i know a lot of dick fans hate batman #408 because they don't like that it enforced "retirement" upon dick (which i personally believe is a conclusion they come to because of the way batman #416 re-framed the same scene) but to me that's an inaccurate reading of the text. batman #408 was about bruce (admittedly far too belatedly) recognizing that he could not in good conscience continue to ask dick to go out and be a vigilante on what he considered to be his own "orders". he viewed dick's close call with death at the hands of the joker as something directly of his own making. although their tenure with each other had been wonderful if dick wanted to continue to be a vigilante it had to be on his own terms and of his own volition. obv that was logical to bruce and it was something dick managed to accept in the moment. but it's still hard to go from always having a purpose alongside someone you idolized to finally being entrusted entirely to forge your own

in general i like the idea of dick the adult becoming privy to all of the personal problems and conflicts that come with being a vigilante. he was conveniently shielded from a lot of those problems as a child because all he had to do was be bruce's partner and hope to live up to the title. bruce had no reason to trauma dump on him or talk about his worries and concerns at length with him because it was never supposed to be dick's job to field those worries and concerns in the first place. he was a child. the only thing bruce wanted to do was to help channel his emotions through an outlet and provide him with a home to grow up in. but when you become an adult often that dynamic shifts. you're still not responsible for fielding those worries and concerns but you can perhaps be trusted with them. that's why i like the framing in batman #408 of dick now being a man. it's a subtle way to frame the double-edged sword of adulthood. the world is in your hands now but so will be the horrors that come with it. coming to terms with the real world that bruce lives in should be hard for dick. coming to terms with who bruce is when he's not perfect should be hard. coming to terms with how quietly bruce kept his grief because he did not see fit to overwhelm a child with it should be hard. that dichotomy of dick both wanting to be bruce's brother and his son should form the crux of their conflict with each other because you can't hope to be someone's equal and someone's protected at the same time in that kind of relationship. for dick to transition into the position of equal he has to expose himself to the fact that bruce is not in fact an idol but someone irrevocably human. and that should interfere significantly with his head and his own standards for himself

[twentyfivemiceinatrenchcoat]

alright the fic has been posted its showing in tags everything is ok 😇😇😇 this fic is very shoujo manga in the sense that . toru is very … bratty spoiled prince love interest . i made him extra grumpy on purpose but i think it’s cute :3

[gayfranzkafka]

i want to have watched severance season two without having to sit down and watch severance season two

[mwagneto]

the rdr2 pc port is fucking abominable this is my 3rd attempt trying to muscle thru it but it literally feels like swimming through molasses it's unbearable. oh my goddddddd.

[fadeintoyou1993]

week 3 of my assessment & my dr gave me a heads up that today would be a Long session so literally all i plan to do today is sit on my bed listen 2 music and read my lil books 🥹

[cardworksartblog]

Their friendship is actually so special to me,.,,, fucked up bug and her Little Guy friend who may or may not be a fucking parasite. They make me go insane

[virigorne]

Pay hundreds of dollars to see if my growth is becoming harmful for my body -> OBGYN says it'll be fine as long as its asymptomatic -> Tell her I'm having symptoms -> Uhhh well it SHOULD be fine so just come back in a year!

[theredtours]

.

[tobe-sogolden]

is this thing still on......

[aria0fgold]

Whumptober day 8, alternative prompt used: Panic

Characters: Alec, Ray Ages: 20, 18

Ray gripped the safety bars of the rollercoaster as tightly as he could, so much so that his knuckles turned white. He can't handle rollercoasters, in fact, he can't handle heights at all. So what is he doing seated at the back of one of the most extreme rollercoaster in the themepark? He didn't want to bring the mood down any more than he already had. His family love these kinds of rides, Ray tried his best to refuse as lighthearted as he could, but they continued to insist he try it out anyway.

“Stop being such a killjoy! It isn't as bad as it looks! You wouldn't even know if you like it or not without trying it out first!” They said.

But I can't… I really can't… I'm scared of heights… were the words stuck behind his throat, words he swallowed and smiled through with a small laugh, “You got me there! Alright, I'll ride it with you guys!”

He drew in a shaky breath as the rollercoaster slowly moved forward. Would it have been better had he told them the truth? That he's afraid of heights? No… In the end, they'd just laugh, wouldn't they? There wasn't any reason for him to develop such a fear, but that's the thing, fears are all unreasonable, was it so wrong to be scared of heights without having experienced something traumatic in regards to it? It isn't… right?

Ray's breath hitched as the ride reaches its drop, it's fine, it's fine, it's fine… it'll be fine, everything will be fine, he can just swallow down his fear and hide behind another mask, he's a good actor, he can do it, it's fine, it'll be easy, it's fine, he'll be fine…

... ... ...

He couldn't remember much of the ride, the next thing he knew it had reached its end, coming to a halt as the safety bars were brought up. He got off last, just as soon as the other guests had, blending in with them to avoid his family from seeing him slip away on unsteady legs, luckily they sat at the front.

He ran as far as he could, stopping by a bench somewhere, sitting down and gripping its seat. His chest hurts so much, he couldn't breathe. The more desperate he tried to breathe, the harder it was to do. Beads of cold sweat formed on his forehead, he felt his vision spinning, dark spots forming at the corners of his sight. He needs to calm down, why can't he breathe, he needs to calm down already, why can't he breathe, he needs to get back to his family, why can't I breathe…?

No matter his inner pleas, he still couldn't breathe. The dark spots grew, creeping closer and closer, enveloping his entire vision, threatening to swallow him whole. Just as he was about to give up, a voice rang out so clearly from the noise that had became of the world.

“Ray!”

Alec ran and sat in front of Ray, carefully grabbing him and though his face was blurry to Ray, he can tell just how worried he is anyway, “Here, lean onto me.”

And so Ray did, he held Alec's shirt with a weak grip, placing his head on the crook his neck, still trying his hardest to breathe. Alec gently grabbed one of Ray's hands, carefully placing it on his chest, directly on top of his heart as he held it in place. Alec hummed a slow and soft tune as he gently rubbed his back.

Ray shifted his focus on his best friend's voice and the beating of his heart underneath his fingertips. The two stayed like that for awhile. Until finally, Ray can breathe again.