#all these moments lives rent free in my head

[swappermanent]

The Freeloader

I think Brian resents me a little bit sometimes. I can see it in the way he sighs when he gets home and finds the mess I’ve made. Or how he mutters under his breath when he has to clean up after me. It’s the little things, you know? The unspoken tension of living with someone who doesn’t quite pull their weight.

After all, I am a freeloader. I stay in his apartment rent-free, eat food I didn’t buy, and, let’s face it, I don’t exactly contribute to the household chores. The dishes? Never done them. Laundry? Forget it. I’ve even been known to, uh, occasionally puke on the floor and not clean it up. Not my proudest moments.

Brian’s patience is admirable, really. He’s a good guy, but I get it—dealing with me isn’t always easy.

Maybe I should give you a bit more context. Because I’m starting to sound like the world’s worst roommate.

I’m Oscar. And I’m a border collie.

Yeah, that’s right. A dog. Brian adopted me as a puppy about five years ago. Back then, I was just a tiny ball of fur, all wobbly legs and oversized ears. I don’t remember much about that first day, but I do remember Brian’s face. He looked so happy, like he’d just won the lottery or something.

“Hey there, little guy,” he’d said, crouching down to meet me. His voice was warm, and his hand smelled like leather and soap. “You’re coming home with me.”

I’d wagged my tail so hard I nearly tipped over.

Brian named me Oscar because, according to him, I “looked like an Oscar.” I still have no idea what that means. Is it a compliment? An insult? A random name pulled out of thin air? Who knows. Humans are weird.

Speaking of weird things—Brian decided to do something truly odd last week. And when I say odd, I mean completely unhinged.

It started with him bursting through the door, practically tripping over his own feet. In his hand was a small package wrapped in plain brown paper. His face was lit up with this manic excitement, like he’d just discovered the secret to immortality or something.

“Oscar!” he said, grinning like a lunatic. “You’re not gonna believe this.”

I tilted my head, ears perked, doing my best What now, human? expression. He tore the package open with the enthusiasm of a kid on Christmas morning. Inside was… well, I didn’t know what it was. It looked like a gadget from one of those sci-fi shows he loves—small, sleek, covered in blinking lights and wires.

He knelt down to my level, holding the device out like it was a sacred relic. “Okay, bud. This is going to sound crazy, but hear me out. We’re about to do something revolutionary.”

I barked once, a sharp, skeptical sound.

He laughed. “Don’t look at me like that. You’re gonna love it.” He held the device up and fiddled with some buttons. “This little beauty here? It’s going to let us switch places. You’re going to become me, and I’m going to become you.”

I froze. Did he just say…? No. No way. He couldn’t mean—

Brian must’ve noticed my horrified expression because he quickly added, “Don’t worry, it’ll be quick. Totally painless!” He paused and then muttered, “Well, mostly painless.”

I barked again, this time louder, more insistent. Brian, what are you doing?

“Relax, Oscar.” He ruffled my fur absentmindedly and pulled a folded letter from his pocket, tossing it onto the table. “That’ll explain everything. You can read it later.”

Read it? I thought, incredulously. I’m a dog, Brian. I can’t—oh. Oh no.

Before I could react, he strapped one end of the device to my head and the other to his own. The straps were snug, and the metal pressed against my fur uncomfortably. I started barking frantically, thrashing to shake it off, but Brian was determined.

“It’s going to be fine,” he said, his voice oddly calm. “Just trust me.”

Trust him? He was about to Frankenstein us into a science experiment! I tried to pull away, but then he pressed a button, and everything went white.

An electric shock surged through my body, like a lightning bolt exploding inside me. I yelped—no, I screamed. The world around me blurred and twisted, the sounds of Brian’s voice and my barking melting into a chaotic whirlwind.

When the light finally faded, I gasped for air, my chest heaving. Something was wrong. Very, very wrong. My limbs felt strange—too long, too heavy. I looked down and nearly fainted. Hands. I had hands. Fingers. Thumbs. I touched my face and felt smooth skin where there should have been fur.

I stumbled to my feet—human feet—and looked around. My gaze fell on Brian—or rather, what used to be Brian. Now, sitting where he’d been moments ago, was a dog. Not a border collie like I’d been, but a scruffy-looking mutt with wiry fur and floppy ears.

He was barking like mad, pacing in frantic circles.

“Brian?” I croaked. My voice was strange—deep and raspy. I slapped a hand over my mouth, shocked at the sound.

Brian—Dog Brian—stopped barking and stared at me. His tail wagged hesitantly, and then he barked again, as if to say, What the hell just happened?

I turned back to the table and grabbed the letter with trembling hands. It was addressed to me—well, to “Oscar.”

With a shaky breath, I unfolded it and began to read.

I unfolded the letter and started to read, my new hands shaking slightly.

"Dear Oscar,

I know this is going to sound crazy, but if you’re reading this, then everything worked (kind of, I hope). First, I need to explain something. I’ve been burning the candle at both ends for the past year. Two jobs, skyrocketing rent, inflation—I’m barely keeping my head above water. It has been rough, man.

I haven’t had a break in so long, and I’m… I’m tired, Oscar. Really tired. I thought about taking a vacation, but that’s impossible when you’re me. Then I found this device online—don’t ask me where. It promised a way to swap places. I thought, hey, why not?

So, here’s the deal: I need you to step into my shoes for a few weeks. Go to work for me, handle the apartment, just… keep things running while I take a much-needed break as a dog. You’ll get to experience life as a human, which has to be interesting for you, right? Win-win!

If something goes wrong or you decide you really don’t want to do this, you’ll have to wait 24 hours before the device can be used again to switch us back.

Thanks for being my best friend, Oscar. I know you’ve got this.

—Brian”

I stared at the letter, my new heart pounding. Then, I caught a glimpse of my reflection in the mirror. Staring back at me was a man—a tall, broad-shouldered, salt-and-pepper-bearded man.

My mind reeled. Brian had clearly thought I’d end up in his body, but that wasn’t what had happened at all. Instead, I was in some completely different human form. And judging by the frantic barking from Dog Brian, this was as much of a shock to him as it was to me.

“Brian!” I said, my voice deep and gravelly. He stopped barking and tilted his head, his floppy ears twitching. “This isn’t what you planned, is it?”

He let out a series of short, high-pitched barks, spinning in a circle. I had no idea what he was trying to say, but his agitation was clear.

I sighed, leaning heavily against the table. “I guess we’re stuck like this for at least a little bit now.”

I turned my attention to back myself in the mirror. My new self. Slowly, I held up my hands, turning them over to examine the calloused palms and long fingers. They were strong and well-defined. My arms were muscular, the veins faintly visible under the skin. I ran a hand over my face, feeling the thick beard and the sharp line of my jaw. My hair was thick, dark with streaks of gray at the temples.

I took a step closer, staring in disbelief. “I… I’m hot?” The words slipped out before I could stop them. “Holy crap, I didn’t realize humans could look like this.”

Brian—er, Dog Brian—let out a loud, sharp bark, clearly unimpressed with my self-discovery. He pawed at the ground and then sat, glaring at me with the kind of judgment only a dog—or a former human—could muster.

“Don’t look at me like that,” I said, grinning despite myself. “This is your fault, you know. If you’d done your research, we wouldn’t be in this mess.”

I couldn’t help but laugh. Brian had always been kind of short and pudgy, with a perpetual look of exhaustion. But this body? This was something else. I was tall, lean, and athletic, with strong hands and long legs. And the beard? Come on. I looked older than Brian—probably because five in dog years is, what, thirty-five in human years? But it suited me.

I flexed my arms experimentally. “I guess being an athletic and handsome dog translates into being an athletic and handsome human,” I said with a smirk.

Brian barked again, this time a low, annoyed growl.

“Relax,” I said, ruffling his wiry fur. “It’s only 24 hours. We’ll figure this out. In the meantime…” I glanced around the apartment, taking in the cluttered mess of dishes, laundry, and takeout boxes. “Looks like I’ve got some time to kill. Maybe I’ll clean up a little. You know, since I’ve got thumbs now.”

Then, I felt a stirring in my groin and thought to myself, "or maybe there's a better use for these hands in the meantime."

[ajthefujoshi]

Happy Birthday Toto!

In my country it's already January 12, I'm early.

Author's Note: certain inaccuracy of information about the picture attached. I just decided to make it up. Inaccurate use of German words as well, used Google Translate. Anyway, enjoy.

You were sorting out loose pictures you have in a box as your enjoying the last bits of freedom before the season starts once again. It’s filled with a lot personal memories accumulated through the years and never got the chance to sort it because of your busy schedule. Some were pictures of the kids, holidays with the whole family and some are your sweet and goofy pictures of Toto. You kept a lot of them as he is such a beautiful subject to take a photo of, no matter how much he says he’s not.

As you were skimming through, you came across one that makes you smile so much. It was a photo of Toto smiling so big that his eyes were scrunched up so cutely. You’re so glad to have snapped that moment, it was from 2013 at Monza after being interviewed by Sky Sports. You just started your career as an F1 photographer then and you by chance saw him and called him to say hi and he gave that massive grin, that smile that made your heart beat so fast and lived in your mind rent free for months.

While you were looking at the photo, Toto came to the room and saw you, smiling, wondering what got you in that mood, then he saw the photo of him and remembered that moment as well. In his point of view, he has seen you around the paddock since you stepped foot during the start of the season. He was enchanted with your beauty and simplicity, the beautiful smile on your face and the way your eyes sparkle when you get to see something beautiful or interesting. He had been meaning to talk to you, but, he’s always busy with the sponsors, team members asking for his feedback and being swarmed by reporters. But there’s also hesitation on his part as he’s also shy, he still thinks he’s not that attractive to the ladies. Little did he know when you guys started chatting.

“You have a copy of that.” Toto came in and sat beside you on the sofa.

“Yeah, I really love it and decided to keep one for myself.” You replied.

“It’s the picture that started it all.” He reminisced.

“Who would’ve thought, that this would lead to where we are now, many years later.” Giggling back.

“I really wanted to talk to you but we’re so busy and I was shy.” Toto recalled.

“I didn’t really think you were shy, because, you’re so tall and have a strong aura around you. But as they say, there’s more than what you see on the outside.” You murmured.

“I thought you were going to reject me or something, but then I see in your eyes that maybe, there’s hope for me after all. What I wasn’t expecting is you falling hard and genuinely in love for me as a person and not for what I have.” He explained.

“You know that your wealth was just a bonus. What I love about you are genuine about yourself, unapologetic and honest, being a great father to the children and your kindness to people that mattered to you.” You enumerated.

“I love you as a person, the stability you give me and to our family even when you thought it’s not going well. That’s what I love about you.” You continued.

“And I thank you every day for reminding me Liebling. Thank you for being there for me, for accepting Benedict and Rosa as your own and for being a wonderful mother to our little ones. You gave me another chance to believe in love when I thought I’d never have it again.” Toto said and hugging you tightly.

You were hugging each other and the thought popped in your head, “And here I thought you’d never like me.” Laughing at the thought.

“Life is such a mystery sometimes; you just don’t know what will come and it you.” He mused.

“It sure does.” You replied.

You continued hugging for some more and then you looked at your watch and the time is twelve midnight, a smile creeped at your face. You pulled away, looking at him.

“It’s twelve midnight, Alles Gute zum Geburtstag Lieber. Ich liebe dich.” You greeted him with a smile on your face.

“Danke Liebling. You and our family will always be the best present I ever received in my life.” He kisses your lips tenderly.

As you pulled away, and continued to give each other pecks, you decided to continue to look at the photo and giggle. Finishing the tender moment, you asked for his help to sort more of the pictures to be put on the album that you have been itching to finish. A moment for you two to cherish before the chaos of life and new season begins.

[elainsgirl]

How can anyone read these books and claim they saw absolutely nothing between elriel or that they acted like siblings until they read the bonus chapter. Do you think they truly don’t notice all the moments between elriel or they just willfully ignore them bc it’s not what they want. Regardless they sure do spend a lot of time trying to disprove every single elriel scene with their “interpretations” and then use these same moments as headcanons for their ships.

✨ Denial ✨

Anyone that tells me they believed elriel had a sibling like relationship after acomaf and were blindsided by their attraction…makes me give them a little side eye ifywim. Bcs. Its just…odd. Like. She literally called his scars beautiful making him blush. He went still at the sight of her, thats so so far from anything sibling coded by normal human standards.

I think some antis clocked onto elriel straight away but HATED them as a couple and wanted to look for alternatives, some felt insecure about their own ships and lack of significant romantic scenes hence act purposefully obtuse when it comes to elriel scenes and downplaying them all bcs lets face it’ Elain making Az laugh so joyfully does not compare in any way to Gwyn making him snort at her. And finally, others simply didn’t pay attention to elriel bcs they didn’t pay too much attention to Elain. I know some people didn’t see elriel right away bcs they were focused on other aspects of the series but when they did a reread they noticed how much elriel stood out.

It cracks me up every single time they do that, “oh Elain and Azriel brushing hands is so not romantic!” Later those same eluciens, “omg HC guys that Elain and Lucien are at a ball and brush hands 😍😍😍 EEEEK THATS GOING TO BE SO ROMANTIC! Its giving regency vibes ✨” lmfao or the gwynriels, “Elain holding truthteller doesn’t matter bcs she gave it back.” Also them, “I cant WAIT for Az to give Gwyn TT its going to be such a pivotal point in their relationship” you just gotta shake your head and laugh and let them use our canon scenes as their little hopeful Hcs. Hey at least elriels aren’t here stealing any canon elucien/gwynri- my bad. They’d have to actually have some good romantic scenes first for anyone to steal. Thats the beauty of elriel - love the ship, hate the ship - they just get everyone obsessed with them, living in everyone’s minds rent free 💅

[leafpoo1]

*spoilers for Sonic 3 and slight Steven Universe Future*

I'm still thinking about Shadow's scenes in Sonic 3. All of them hit the beat for his character in such a subtle but poignant way.

With Maria in the beginning we see the development of his character and his true heart. It's essentially the Finding Nemo scene in the beginning when Marlin finds his last remaining son in the wreckage of his home. The love and the devastation go hand in hand that just breathes empathy for Shadow's experiences, and lets all the audience know the basis of his actions. It also establishes that he is really just a kid, same as Sonic, same as Maria. Without those flashbacks, we wouldn't feel quite as understanding for Shadow's cold shell he projects for most of the movie. Also just the cinematography for the scene where the record player is going before flashing back to the presence with the now dusty disc, implying that Shadow was trying to play it, triggering the flashback sequence. The stark difference from the happy memories to the cold present just... movie magic.

Then the scene on the Moon (Just the whole Space sequence) lives in my head rent free. While the parallel of Sonic and Shadow's past I think was an excellent writing idea that provides a bridge of understanding for them there was a little too much "telling" on Sonic's side of the story (not you Shadow honey you're doing fine). Still at the apex of the two character's conflict they're able to see each other's pain and that scene on the moon is able to foster a powerful understanding and resonance between two kindred souls who are still all things considered... just two kids trying to recover from the past. It was giving:

"I was badly hurt, how did you stop hurting?"

"I didn't"

(Volleyball, Steven Universe)

To me, there's such narrative power in character's finding strength in each other. Not because it fully heals the pain, but because it shows that they're not alone. Misery likes company, and on the moon above, Sonic and Shadow are quite literally isolated from the rest of the world, a visual representation of how they're seen by society. Also the symbolism of stars was beautiful (Constellations by the Oh Hellos is their character arc will hopefully elaborate in a future post). Shadow is once again stargazing just like he did with Maria so long ago. And just like his friend did in the past, Sonic is there beside him to show him that there is light inside him too. Then, as if Maria herself appears to show her support, the sunrise appears and illuminates Sonic and Shadow, chasing away the darkness. It's serene as the two share this beautiful moment together. No words for this scene, it's the banana sundae on top of this already heartfelt scene. Then Live and Learn plays and I ascend into the heavens above.

I have so much I love about this movie might write more please gab and yap with me if you have anything too. <3

[glimmerclouddragon]

Imagined Ryokari moments

I wish they hugged and kissed in canon 🥲

[definitely-not-a-wasp]

Dimension 20 features a sliding scale of pet owners, with Zayn Darkshadow on one end (was actively dying and spent time freeing his rat) and Pinocchio on the other (“die for me, Pinocchi-crow!”)

[sugawara--san]

thinking about aizawa pairing bkdk together for the final exams based on their relationship instead of their grades or powers

[sunbloomdew]

he's not fooling anyone

the og meme

[ragnarockz]

screaming. crying. throwing up. dying.

[kingslionheart]

Just so some king in this world may have driven one of his favourites from him, or he may have been forced from the king against both of their wills; then hath he many torments and many mishaps in his exile, yet he may come to the same lord whom he before was with, and there be much more worshipful than he was. Then he will recall the misfortunes which he had there in his exile, and yet not be the more unhappy — Alfred the Great's translation of St. Augustine's Soliloquies

[qpjianghu]

...AND ON HIS TOMBSTONE WAS WRITTEN THE SADDEST OF WORDS: (HE TRIED.) -> Fang Duobing || Mysterious Lotus Casebook

[mariposita24]

post-nightmare scribbly colored doodle of this poor traumatized man. Let him get some rest.

(character belongs to @misupahana )

[shegoesbyjoy]

collecting images of lu guang's smile from this season like they're precious gemstones

[add1ctedt0you]

From this:

The most laughable one was the YunmengJiang Sect, the people of which either had been killed or had scattered, leaving only Jiang Cheng, who was younger than even Lan XiChen and was still a child born yesterday, who had nobody in his hands but still dared call himself sect leader, holding up the banner of rebellion as he recruited new disciples.

To this:

No matter which clan you chose to offend, you shouldn't offend the Jiang clan. No matter which person you chose to offend, you shouldn't offend Jiang Cheng

[courtney-deserved-better]

telling myself i can't start another tdwt rewrite but dear god do i want to write one focusing on alejandro and courtney in this weird situationship thats a lot more nuanced than just alejandro manipulating courtney and her falling for it. like theyre best friends they dont trust each other theyre the same person they dont know anything about the other one theres a mutual attraction theyre pining for other people theyre codependent they dont care about each other theyre platonic soulmates like i just want to do a deep dive into how messy that relationship couldve been building off of their friendship that exists in my head except the line between romantic and platonic is so fucking blurred they have no idea what they are to the other person

[redrocketpanda]

If you want me... come and steal me

There does not exist a more powerful moment in bluelock