#also it was giving me a lot of bad side effects so i just couldn't keep going with that one

[arataka-reigen]

You know, sometimes when you reach a low that is lower than your previous lows, that is when you realize you need to change your life and get some help

[mask131]

I am re-reading the Silmarillion, and something strikes me. The women of Tolkien's world have been talked about TO DEATH especially with all the recurring debates surrounding the Rings of Power series.

As we all know, Tolkien was not a "feminist" in the modern sense of the word. He had a very male-centric point of view and appreciation of the world, he had male-driven and male-centered stories, and actual women characters were sparse and rare. There are only five really big female characters in "The Lord of the Rings" - the quintet of Galadriel, Eowyn, Goldberry, Lobelia and Shelob. [No, don't talk to me about Arwen, she only really was a character in the movies, in the book she's just there in the appendix and she was literaly an afterthought of Tolkien to act as Eowyn's romantic double...]

Consider this. Galadriel, Eowyn, Goldberry, Lobelia and Shelob. This tells you everything you need to know about Tolkien's women, in good and bad.

The Silmarillion has the same motif of having a lot of female characters, only for most of them to be just footnotes, secondary characters with no lines, under-developped one-liners... with in a contrast a handful of super-cool, super-badass, complex and developed heroines at the center of the plot.

Aka, on the bad side, when listing the Valar, while Tolkien gives an interesting personality, great domains and cool attributes to all the male ones, half of the female ones are just... there. And do one stuff. And never appear again. I mean come on... Vana and Nessa? Estë and Vairë were done dirty... That's the actual type of "non-feminism" Tolkien has. It isn't about him hating women or trying to be offensive in his depictions - it is about him just, not putting as much thought, effort and care into his female characters as his male ones, a bit the same way he creates the vast expanses of the East and South of Middle-Earth and then never bothers actually developing more of it or seeking to tell tales of it - but that's for another discussion about Tolkien's "racism". Here we talk about women.

But here's the thing, aka the good side... When Tolkien does find the time and care to develop and flesh out a female character, by Iluvatar he goes all out! Again, we are back on what I said earlier: the women of Lord of the Rings can be counted on one hand... but these fingers are Galadriel, Eowyn and Shelob, so you can't claim he isnt writing powerful, important or uninterestng female characters. Which leads me to my original remark - as usual I get driven away in digressions of all sorts and kinds.

Have you ever noticed that Melkor's greatest enemies, the ones he fears the most, and his most effective foes... are women? Tolkien might not like to put them front and center of his tales, and he might have been a man of the early 20th century England in culture and mind, but boy does he has something to say about how women are actually the first enemies of the literal embodiment of evil and destruction! I mean think about it. Varda of the Stars, and Yavanna of the trees. Nienna has her ambiguous relationship to him - her tears work against him, and yet without her plea for him he likely would not have been released from the dungeons of Mandos. You have Melian with her Girdle, and Luthien with her Hound. And of course most of all Arien, guardian of the Sun, not only one of the rare fire spirits that Melkor couldn't corrupt (despite him basically ruling over all fire), but that frightens him so much he keeps hiding away and doesn't even dare to attack her... [I also reblogged some times ago a post praising the brilliance of Tolkien keeping the old European sun-moon motifs but switching the genders. The weaker, inconsistant, lustful, whimsical, disorderly, untrustworthy Moon is now a male principle, while the steady, dangerous, strong, powerful and beautiful Sun is a woman.]

It is actually REALLY easy to do a feminist retelling of Tolkien's work. Melkor doesn't fear Manwë as much as Varda. Aulë's works and servants get corrupted by Melkor, while Yavanna's do not. Melian and Luthien actively works against him. He friggin' pisses himself when the Woman of the Sun shows up. Sure, there are some evil female characters that serve him down the line and are relegated to the "obscure footnotes and undescribed secondary characters" zone - Thuringwethil the vampire or queen Beruthiel. I coul also dropped deleted characters from early drafts, like the ogress Fluithuin. But among them stands Ungoliant... THE only true female big bad on the dark side of Arda. THE badass, nightmarish, creepy eldritch abomination. And who ends up double-crossing Melkor, almost KILLING him, and again making him basically shit in his pants - as Varda and Arien do.

The first enemies of Morgoth are not the Valar, or the Maiar, or the Elves... It's women.

[writersblockiskillingme]

Can you do like a teen hades x reader? Like, can you do something like he has a crush on reader for a while but he doesn't know how to express it?

Sorry if it's bad! This is my first request I've ever done 😅

Unspoken Love | Hades

Pairing: (teen!)Hades x fem!reader

Summary: Hades has been in love with you for a while now, but doesn't truly know how to express it.

Warning/s: fluff, very short fic, reader is considered to be blonde and shorter than Hades, possible grammar and spelling mistakes

Author's note: Here you go, you did amazing with the request, don't worry. Enjoy!

It was so infuriating.

Hades was amongst Uliana's crew when she was treating Bridget. Once again. He was just standing aside, listening to Uliana's threatening as his eyes finally landed on you.

You were a new friend of Bridget's.

Somehow, someway, he found himself staring at you. Your blonde hair was gently flowing as the wind carried it around you. Your eyes, oh, your eyes. They were sparkling with determination as you stared at Uliana's as you stood by Bridget's side. Your soft lips that had somehow frowned along with your eyebrows as you listened to Uliana's speech.

He felt like you were some sort of angel. He had never seen you at the Merlin's Academy before today so that means that you were probably new here. And yet you already befriend Bridget, he thought, finding himself slightly disappointed.

He couldn't deny that he found himself drawn to you in many ways, but your friendship with Bridget was bad news to him. That meant that you were probably a lot like her or even exactly like her.

That meant that you would probably hate his guts, considering the fact that he's a part of Uliana's crew. But also, he had no idea why you had such a strong effect on him. He just saw you! He doesn't even know who you are!

But, Gods... he found himself loving the idea of finding out.

°

As days rolled by and as he saw more of your interactions with people and also with him, he found himself falling deeper and deeper in love with you.

Your courage, strength, and determination when you stood up to Uliana's bullying.

Your beauty that shined everywhere you went.

Your height that seemed to cause you difficulties every time you tried to reach the books on the highest shelves in the library of the Merlin's Academy.

Your willingness to give help to someone, but also take help from someone when you needed it.

Your ability to not judge anyone before you meet them and giving them opportunity to help you out. Even if it's a villain.

That's how the two of you officially met.

You were in the library of the Merlin's Academy, trying to reach one of the books on the highest shelf, but with no success. Your height was getting in the way. Only your fingers were able to brush against the shelf, but a shelf that was lower than the highest one. You were growing frustrated until you heard the voice behind you.

"Need some help, shortie?" Hades' smug smile was glaring at you as he leaned against the opposite bookshelfs.

"What are you doing here?" You asked him, your voice teasing. "I thought that you would rather die then spend time in here."

"Touché," He pointed as he found himself amused, "However, Morgie forced me to go get some books for him."

"Oh, well," you smiled slightly, "Would you look at that."

A few moments later, when he saw that you were still struggling, he was brave enough to offer you help, and you were brave enough to take it.

Later in the future, there was no way he would admit out loud why he offered to help you. Maybe it was the trouble you were in, maybe it was your helplessness in that simple situation, but when someone from the crew asked him why did he help you, he won't admit that he fell in love with you.

He didn't even admit it to you, even though he really wants to.

->

->

->

TAGLIST:

@xoxo-h3arts @i-am-fork @a-homosexual-homosapien @snixx2088 @heartsfromcoco @hiireadstuff @cyb3r-st4r @angeliangelo @judgment-days-kid @mitsiell @ratchetprime211 @milo-webp @teti-menchon0604 @pvmkyn-sp1c3 @mystic-mae @leftmooncollector

[4only1]

Could you please write Gitae obsessing over Jake's gf? Him getting jealous when he got to know that reader was dating Jake and when he tried to pursue her she had no intention of betraying Jake. This made him more determined to make her his and Jake hating his brother more. Thanks!!!

Trouble

Gitae Kim x Reader (Also technically x Jake Kim but barely) Word Count: 943 Masterlist -----------------------

Peace had finally returned to Big Deal. After the recent events, Big Deal was finally proven innocent, allowing the gang to return to the street. It made you happy that now you technically, weren’t dating a wanted man anymore.

You had been sweeping, when a large shadow had overcast you. Looking up, you are greeted with the sight of a very tall man. You couldn't recognize him, so he clearly wasn’t part of Big Deal. His words only confirmed your suspicions. 

“Hello, I’m looking for someone, can you help me? Where is Big Deal’s Number 1, Jake Kim?”

His voice was smooth, but still kept you on edge. You didn’t want to tell the man where Jake was, he sounded like bad news. Swallowing your nerves, you spoke.

“Oh Jake, I’m not quite sure, but he isn’t here at the moment.” 

It took a lot of energy to keep your voice steady, but it still wavered a bit. The man in front of you leaned closer, causing you to take a step back, clinging onto your broom tighter. He examined you, closely, seeming to like what he was seeing. 

He moved closer, again, causing you to take a step back. This pattern continued until your back met a wall. The man reached an arm above your head, effectively caging you in.

“Now I came here to see my brother, but I found something much tastier. What’s your name?” 

Brother? The gears in your head worked quickly to deduce that this man was in fact, Jake’s older half brother, Gitae Kim. What did he want with Jake, and why did he have to come after everything had just settled down.

“I’m not a fan of repeating myself, so I'll ask once more. What is your name?” He leaned in closer, his face right in front of yours. You didn’t really have a choice, knowing it would get ugly if you continued to refuse.

“(Y/n) (L/n). Why are you here?”

Since you told him your name, you felt you had the right to ask him a question. Maybe he was feeling friendlier than he looked and would answer. And he did, although whether it was due to him feeling kind or taking a liking to you was up to debate.

“I told you, I’m looking for Jake Kim. You said he isn’t here, so why don’t you keep me company until he is.”

Worry began filling you. You didn’t particularly trust this man. At all! His intentions with Jake were obviously bad and he clearly was playing with you right now. You needed to stay strong, and hopefully, get Gitae to leave.

"Jake won't be back for a while, so don't waste your time here."

"Now, now, no need to get upset with me. I was just asking a question. I can't help but wanna hang around a girl as pretty as you. I approched you for a reason."

He spoke with not a care in the world. It was as if he knew that whatever he wanted to happen, would happen. You tensed as he moved, his hand coming up from his side towards you cheek.

Thankfully, the tension was interrupted when someone grabbed Gitae’s wrist, pulling it away from you.

“Now, now, harassing girl’s is no way to get a date. I can give you some pointers if you want some romantic advice.” Sinu had appeared.

You breathed a sigh of relief, as Sinu’s appearance allows you to slip away from Gitae. You moved yourself to hide a few steps behind Sinu, out of harm’s way, but in reach if needed.

The conversation between the two men was a blur to you. All you could think about was what this man wanted to do to Jake. As the two men clashed, you took a few more steps back, until a kick to Gitae’s face caused him to look at you. No, he actually looked past you.

Following the gaze, you let out a sigh of relief as Jake’s figure appeared. You moved quickly, hugging yourself around Jake’s arm, who reacted in confusion.

“(Y/n), what are you doing? Not that I don’t mind, but can someone tell me what is going on here.” 

Just as Jake spoke, his brother’s arms wrapped around both of you, hugging you tightly. Gitae’s arm squished you between him and Jake, making it a bit hard to breath. He spoke, but you zoned out, too focused on the feeling of his muscular arm squeezing you.

Gitae removed his arm from Jake’s shoulders but kept it over yours. He took a step back, dragging you with him, being quite happy that you weren’t putting up much of a fight. He couldn’t help but admire you, despite not fighting back against him, you didn’t let yourself look weak.

Jake, getting angry at Gitae’s hold, moved, pushing his brother’s arm off, and pulling you behind him. You peaked out, finally paying attention to the conversation.

“I don’t care that you're my brother. You come here, asking about Gapryong Kim and now harassing my girlfriend! What is your problem?” Jake yelled, arm out, guarding you.

Gitae’s expression darkened. Girlfriend? Now that isn’t right. He had taken a liking to you, wanting to get a better taste, only for you to be taken by his brother. Despite this new information, that didn’t take away from your appeal. In fact, it made you even more delicious. 

He now had a second objective, making this girl his, no matter how much of a fight she put up. She seemed loyal to Jake, but that didn’t matter, a chase made things more fun anyways.

-----------------------

Please excuse any grammer and spelling mistakes.

That first picture is just 😘chef's kiss. But who TF is this man below?

😞 I still love him but why does he look like he hasn't eaten in days. He's losing muscle by the chapter. His downfall was when the art style changed and they unslutted him (buttoned his shirt up. Speaking of which, did this man only bring one set of clothes?)

Sorry for the rant, I didn't wanna make another post.

[magnagaruzenmon]

A man named Doom NSFW

I am jolted awake, and I notice three things. The first is a badge on my chest it reads, “Sheriff of charisma: Doom” the badge is mostly one solid silvery metal with the name plate portion slotted in. This portion seemed to be more personalized.

After getting that accounted for my eyes snap to the weapons on the desk I sense a familiar malignant aura and pull from them. My weapons had been turned into two revolvers and a carbine with their blades fused to the firearms from the looks of it.

So that means I’ve been unconscious for some time possibly 3-4 days as the craftsmanship is par none, and that takes time.

The last thing I noticed was the young lady sitting in front of me. I sat up as my eyes fully “adjusted” and she came into view, absolutely stunning gorgeous figure hair cut short and just how I liked it, full lips and eyes that breathed intensity. Her hair was a light color but somehow still held strength and buoyancy.

As I moved she noticed me and I said to her,

“Am I dead, and are you an angel?”

The young lady pursed her lips into a faint smile hiding her emotions,

“Well aren't you a Charmer?” she said, my heart skipped a beat her voice was soothing and her eyes now focused were comforting and soft, “to answer your question though not that I know of Sheriff, but who knows? The man with pale horse could have revived you.” the young lady says.

I scratch my face as I think… for me its love at first sight. This girl has stunned me and I don't know how to feel really. The young lady smiles and says, “cat got your tongue?” I nod and reply,

“Its not often I'm met by someone with such captivating beauty okay,”

The lady’s eyes narrow judging before she steps toward me her eyes lock with mine then she says.

“Oh yeah you're smitten. Well Sherrif Doom my name is Momo Hirai. Nice to meet you,” I smile and take her hand. She giggles as I carefully take it and shake her hand. Since she's closer I get a better look at her. Her eyes are a lot softer and sillier up close. There's still an air of intensity around her but she’s also got a… squishy soft aura for lack of a better term. Its distracting. Her blonde/white hair wolf cut is as mesmerizing as the rest of her is. Unable to stop myself my hand finds the side of her face.

Momo surprisingly leans into my touch. “You know you're a bad omen, with a name like Doom and all,” she whispered as our faces grew close. Our eyes locked our bodies inching closer.

“Then make me a good omen and yours!” I exclaimed before kissing her.

The kiss was weird but cathartic. For most kisses are an expression of affection but this felt like an exchange of ourselves. Like I could feel myself giving a part of myself up to her and vice versa. I felt myself give up part of my relentless fire of zeal and passion what I got from her was a spring of calm and joy. It was intense as our hearts marked on each other and the stars bonded us together. When we broke it we stared at each other panting trying to calm our racing hearts. Momo spoke first

“Couldn't help yourself could you?” she teased. I shook my head and said

“Why would I settle for anything but the best?” Momo beams at me then kisses my forehead before a loud crash can be heard. We both roll our eyes before I grab my weapons and then Momo’s hand.

“Oh!” she gasps as I follow her out.

We walk outside to see the whole town (I'm assuming) rioting. I sigh dejected. I noticed that the town didn't all just look like Momo, but had a myriad of men and women with different skin tones builds and heights. In the scuffle, I also noticed some others wearing sheriff badges. I considered my next moves carefully. I could use my magic to stop the riot (and definitely scare the locals) or I could use a cantrip to maybe achieve the same effect. (with less incurred local terror)

“Well there goes my initial thoughts that this was going to be a “peaceful” job,” I thought to myself. Momo turned to me and asked if I'd help I nodded then reconsidered the previous options. I went with the former. I air-wrote a magic circle to make my voice louder than the commotion.

“Excuse me,” I say my voice echoes noticeably through the crowd. Momo turns to me and comments on the ring,

“Oh you're a mage?” she asks

I turn away from the circle so my voice doesn't boom at her.“Kinda. I didn't “study magic” in the traditional way.” I responded

Momo nods and then we turn back to the riot.

“Do you have any other tricks you can do magic man?”

I scratch my head and then say, “I have a bunch the issue is scaring the locals.”

Momo notes this as she says, “a mage who’s mindful about his terrible cosmic power, wow you are different,” she teaes. I shrug I look to her and notice a small rune on the left side of her collarbone.

“What is it ?” she asks?

I point to her collar. She looks down and laughs,“Oh so I guess you are truly in love with me” she says before she giggles some more.

“Its a mark of binding rune akin to symbolizing I found my partner, and have promised myself to them. My race does this when engaging in… marriage I think is the common word. You have one on your right shoulder t” Momo explains and I look down to see. There is an M-shaped rune on my right shoulder. I smirk and Momo asks, “what is it?”

“Well its not often that one gets married to someone so gorgeous.”

“Really you're taking this in stride?” Momo challenges. I nod.

“Before waking up this morning the last thing I remember is walking in a desert, and now I'm not only not in the desert anymore but married to one of the hottest gals I've ever seen. While it's not the best-case scenario it's still pretty good.”

Momo narrows her eyes “And what would be the best-case scenario?”

“Well, we'd be on a beach making out and living on a little idyllic villa really enjoying the honeymoon,” I say. Momo smiles and says,

“We can enjoy the honeymoon still but later we have a riot to stop…well you Mr magic Man,” she challenges. I sigh and have her move slightly behind me before I use more of my magic. As the skin on my hands and feet turn to metal and Loathefire spews out of the a familiar visage of flames covers my chest and opens. About 60-65 tendrils come out to grab the rioters and separate them nonlethally. When I was done my Loathefire dissipated I asked a simple question.

“Are you all done?” the town stared at me with a mix of intrigue and horror.

After the riot was cleared up, I found myself in a meeting with the other sheriffs: Aion, Jojo, Nevin, Grendel, Dredrom, and me, all seated at a large table in the sheriff’s office. Momo had left to help her friends Mina and Sana, the town’s tailors.

The air was thick with tension from the moment I sat down. I could feel eyes on me, sizing me up, judging whether I belonged here.

“So, who are you?” Aion asked first. His eyes were calm, but I noticed a subtle tilt of his head, the way his fingers drummed lightly on the table—he was cautious, already trying to unravel me before I even spoke.

“Well, I can’t say much, as I don’t remember much, but the name’s Doom, and I woke up this morning,” I replied. As I spoke, Dredrom and Nevin exchanged glances. Their jaws tightened—doubt, maybe even suspicion, was etched in the slight narrowing of their eyes. Nevin crossed his arms, leaning back in his chair as if distancing himself from me, while Dredrom’s grip on the edge of the table betrayed his impatience.

“I’m sorry, but I find it a little far-fetched that you would just arrive in the cloak of night, brought in by the pale rider, and have no memory,” Dredrom responded, his voice clipped. He was trying to mask his discomfort, but the way his eyes flicked between me and the others gave away his insecurity—he wasn’t just suspicious, he felt threatened.

I chuckled lightly, watching the subtle shift in their postures—Jojo leaned forward, curious; Nevin uncrossed his arms, readying himself to argue.

“Well, this pale rider offered me a job, and I guess I said yes before collapsing in the desert,” I replied, deliberately keeping my tone relaxed. Humor was often a good way to diffuse tension, but Nevin and Dredrom weren’t in the mood. Nevin’s fingers tapped impatiently on his knee, his foot bouncing lightly under the table—he was on edge.

Before they could tear into me, Jojo interjected, his voice cutting through the building tension. “Your magic—what was it?” His eyes locked onto mine with an intensity I hadn’t expected. He was intrigued, not fearful.

“Loathfire. Specifically, Conqueror’s Spoils,” I answered. I watched for their reactions. Jojo’s expression shifted slightly—his mouth tightened, and a crease formed between his brows. Unnerved.

“It’s unnerving. Don’t use it,” Jojo said firmly. His tone was sharp, flat, like a command. I noticed how his hands remained still on the table, but his fingers curled just enough to signal discomfort. He didn’t like that power, and he wanted control over it.

I paused, knowing what I was about to say would ruffle some feathers, but that didn’t bother me. I caught Aion’s subtle shift in his seat, his eyes flicking between Jojo and me, sensing the coming storm.

“Um, no. If I need to use it, I will. I don’t care about scaring people if there’s a job that needs to be done. If it’s the tool I need, I’ll use it. Besides, you’re all magic users as well,” I said, watching their faces carefully. Jojo’s expression hardened, his lips pressed into a thin line, but he didn’t respond. Nevin’s hand tightened into a fist in his lap, his jaw clenched in frustration. Dredrom leaned forward, ready to argue, but Aion stood up before it could escalate.

Aion’s movements were slow, measured, the way someone steps in to diffuse a situation without directly taking sides. His eyes were steady as he looked between me and the others. “Then how about you teach it to us?” he asked, trying to maintain a calm but firm tone, though I could hear the underlying tension. It was a diplomatic move, but his clenched jaw revealed he didn’t fully expect me to comply.

I sighed internally, knowing again what I was about to say wouldn’t go over well. I noticed Nevin shift uncomfortably in his seat, bracing himself for an answer he wouldn’t like. Grendel’s eyes flicked between us, watching silently, assessing.

“No. It’s not something you can just teach or learn. And with some of y’all’s spirits, I don’t think you need this kind of power,” I said, my voice deliberately even, though I could feel the tension spike in the room. Nevin’s knuckles went white, gripping the table, while Dredrom leaned forward aggressively, his eyes narrowing with offense. His fingers twitched, as if itching to reach for something—a weapon, maybe, or just the control he felt slipping.

“Oh, and what makes you so right, Mr. Amnesiac and Mysterious?” Nevin spat, his voice dripping with sarcasm. He leaned in as if challenging me, his eyes burning with resentment.

I met his gaze calmly, keeping my tone measured. “You see power as a weapon. I see it as a tool. That’s the difference.” My words hung in the air, and I could feel the silent shift in the room—the way Nevin tensed, bristling under my response, while Dredrom leaned back, clearly agitated. Jojo’s gaze remained fixed on me, but there was something softer in his eyes now, a recognition maybe, or at least a grudging respect for my perspective.

Without waiting for a response, I stood up and walked out. As I reached the door, I caught Grendel’s voice behind me, low but unmistakable. “He’s strong, but he’s going to need to watch his back.” His tone wasn’t hostile—it was more of a quiet observation, the kind of thing someone says when they recognize the dangers that come with standing out.

I didn’t turn around, but I could feel the weight of his words. They weren’t a threat, but a reminder. In this world, power—whether as a tool or a weapon—always comes with a price. As I walked out I left my badge on the hook signifying I was “off duty”

Feeling hungry, I made my way down the dusty street to a building with a sign that read “Emanuel’s Victuals.” The sun hung high, casting sharp shadows across the wooden facade. As I stepped inside, the scent of sizzling meat and fresh herbs hit me—comforting, almost grounding.

Behind the counter, a man with kind eyes and weathered hands smiled at me, the kind of smile that felt like an unspoken welcome.

“How much is a heavy lunch?” I asked, stepping closer.

He chuckled, shaking his head. “We don’t really take payment here if you live here, especially not from the Sheriffs, Mr. Sheriff.” There was something about the way he said it—no fear, no awe. Just genuine warmth, like he’d already accepted me into the fold, even though I barely knew this town.

“We all work for each other here,” he added, and his words hung in the air. I could feel a sense of community in them, the unspoken bond that tied the people of this town together. It was different from the power plays I’d just walked out of with the other sheriffs. This felt real. Human.

I nodded, offering him a small, genuine smile of my own as I walked closer. He smiled back, something soft and shared passing between us in that moment. No need for words. We understood each other.

I ordered the special, and within a reasonable amount of time, a plate was placed before me—a ribeye, beautifully marbled and cooked to perfection, surrounded by spring vegetables that gleamed like they’d just been picked from the earth. It wasn’t just food. It was a labor of care, something crafted with the intent to nourish, not just feed.

As I ate, I found myself slowing down, really savoring the meal. Each bite was a reminder that life wasn’t just about conflict or survival—it was about moments like this too. Simple. Uncomplicated. I minded my business, letting the food and the quiet settle into me like an old friend.

When I finished, I reached into my pocket and pulled out a gold piece, something that was probably worth more than the entire meal. I set it on the counter and stood to leave.

The man’s eyes widened, his hand hovering over the coin like it was a foreign object. “I can’t take this,” he said, looking at me with a mix of surprise and confusion.

I laughed lightly, the sound escaping before I even realized it. “Consider it a tip,” I replied, as I headed toward the door.

His face softened, and I could feel the weight of the gesture sink in for him. In a town where no one asked for much, a small token of gratitude seemed like everything.

After leaving Emanuel’s Victuals, the warmth of the meal still sat in my belly, grounding me in the simple pleasures of this strange town. The gold coin had felt heavier in my hand than it should have. Something about this place—its people, its warmth—was getting under my skin. Despite the odd tension with the other sheriffs, I was starting to feel more… present. Like I could make something out of this place, out of whatever life I had left.

But before I could even take three steps out into the street, something shifted in the air. The world around me blurred, colors bleeding into each other like water on a canvas. My stomach lurched as the ground disappeared beneath me.

I barely had time to react before the world snapped back into focus—except now, I wasn’t in town anymore.

I blinked, taking in my surroundings. The warm sunlight outside had been replaced by dim, flickering candlelight. Shelves lined with jars of herbs, strange crystals, and an odd assortment of trinkets stretched along the walls. The air here was cool—almost unnaturally so—and carried the scent of damp earth and incense.

At the center of the room sat a woman. She stirred a cup of tea with slow, methodical movements, her pale fingers tapping the rim of the cup in a rhythm as cold and precise as her surroundings. She hadn’t acknowledged me yet, but I knew she was aware of my presence.

“You’re earlier than expected,” she said finally, her voice devoid of any warmth. She didn’t even glance up. “I thought you might have taken your time with that meal.”

“Where am I?” I asked, my voice still hoarse from the abrupt shift between spaces.

“My home.” She still didn’t look at me, her tone almost clinical, as if this was nothing more than a routine transaction. “You’re here because I brought you here.”

“And why’s that?” I took a step forward, my eyes searching her face for any sign of emotion, anything to indicate why I was here.

She finally looked up, her cold blue eyes locking onto mine. Her gaze felt like ice against my skin. “Because your only purpose is to be Momo’s companion. Nothing more, nothing less.”

The words hit me like a punch to the gut, but I refused to flinch. I could feel the heat rising in me, the frustration bubbling just beneath the surface. “Only purpose?” I echoed. “That’s it? You drag me out of wherever I came from and tell me my only purpose is to serve someone else?”

She shrugged, a slight tilt of her head. “You’re here as a favor to my friend Giselle. She asked, and I delivered.”

My hands balled into fists. I wasn’t the type to explode, but the way she spoke—detached, emotionless, as if I were nothing but a cog in some grand machine—was stoking a fire in me. “You don’t get to decide that. I’m not just some tool for you to use.”

“Tool?” She arched a brow, her lips curling slightly in what could only be described as mockery. “You misunderstand, Doom. Tools have value. You are simply a means to an end. A temporary necessity.”

The chill in her voice clashed hard against the heat in my chest. Every word she said was like a slap in the face, stripping away any semblance of humanity I had left in this situation. But I wasn’t going to let her see me break. No, I needed to get her to understand something—and it wasn’t going to happen through anger.

“Look,” I said, my voice lowering, trying to rein in the heat. “I’m not trying to start anything here. I want to understand what’s going on. Maybe we can work together—figure this out.”

Her eyes flickered, but not with understanding. If anything, they grew colder, more calculating. She set her teacup down, her fingers resting lightly on its edge. “Work together?” She chuckled, but there was no humor in it. “Why would I need to work with you? You’re here to fulfill your role. That is the extent of your usefulness.”

My heart pounded harder against my chest, not from fear but from frustration. How could someone be this detached? “You think that’s all I am? A role to play in some game? You’re talking about a person here.”

“A person,” she repeated, as if the word was foreign to her. “Your personhood is irrelevant. What matters is that you fulfill your function.”

I could feel the burn rising in my throat, but I held it back. This wasn’t the time to lose it. “There’s something else going on here. You say you brought me here, but you’re not the only one pulling strings.”

She raised a brow, her expression narrowing ever so slightly. “What are you talking about?”

“The man,” I said, my voice firm. “The tall pale man who claimed he brought me here, gave me a job. You expect me to believe that’s all part of your plan?”

For the first time, her cold exterior faltered. A flicker of confusion crossed her face, brief but telling. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

I stepped closer, sensing the crack in her façade. “So you don’t know everything after all.”

Her gaze hardened again, icy walls snapping back into place. “I brought you here. That is all that matters.”

“No,” I said, my voice steady with conviction. “It’s not. You might think you can use me however you want, but there’s more to this than you’re telling me. We both know it.”

She stood up suddenly, the air around us growing even colder. “You are here because I allowed it. Don’t mistake whatever other forces you think are at play as important. Your past, your future—they mean nothing.”

I laughed then, surprising even myself. “You think my past doesn’t matter?” I shook my head. “You don’t even know what I left behind, do you?”

Her lips tightened, but she didn’t respond. For the first time, I felt like I had the upper hand, even if only slightly. There was something she didn’t know, something beyond her control.

“You want to know why I’m really here?” I asked, stepping forward. “Then let me show you.”

Before she could react, I felt a surge of energy in the room. My memories flooded back, crashing into me with the force of a tidal wave. Blood. Battles. Victory. And then… silence. I had saved a city, defeated a warlord who had terrorized my people. And then, when it was over, I’d made a choice—a choice to erase everything, to forget, because I knew the temptation of power too well. I couldn’t become the thing I had defeated. then memroriew of the desert flashed and The white rabbit witch saw the pale man i reffered to earlier.

The witch watched me carefully as I came back to myself, her calculating eyes taking in every shift in my expression.

“Now,” she said, her voice quieter but no less cold, “do you see? You chose this. You chose to forget, to walk away from everything. That was your decision.”

I shook my head. “I chose to leave behind a warlord’s crown, not my humanity.”

She said nothing, her gaze fixed and unyielding, but I could feel the tension between us shift. Neither of us trusted the other completely, but there was an understanding now—something had brought me here that even she didn’t control.

“Whatever brought me here,” I said, “it’s not done with me. And it’s not done with you either.” The white rabbit Witch smirked.

The air in the White Rabbit Witch’s home was unnaturally still, the kind of silence that made every heartbeat feel loud, every breath too shallow. The room itself was strange—walls lined with trinkets that felt out of place in any reality I’d ever known. But despite the oddity of the surroundings, it was the woman before me who unsettled me the most.

The White Rabbit Witch sat with an elegance that bordered on eerie, her delicate fingers wrapped around the handle of a cup that never seemed to empty. Her gaze fixed on me, cold and calculating, as if I were a puzzle to be solved, a piece on a board she had already mastered. I felt the weight of her scrutiny, but I wouldn’t let it break me.

“Why me?” I asked again, slower this time, my voice straining to remain calm. I needed answers, not more riddles.

She raised an eyebrow, almost amused by my persistence. “I thought I made that clear,” she replied, her voice soft but icy. “You were the perfect choice.”

“Perfect for what?” I snapped, frustrated. “To be Momo’s—what? Companion? Some… pawn you shuffle around?”

Her lips curled into a faint smile, but there was no warmth in it. “If you want to use such crude terminology, then yes. But I see you as more than that, Doom. I see you as the toy Momo needs.”

Her words hit me like a punch to the gut, my hands curling into fists. “A toy?” I repeated, incredulous. “You brought me here to use me like some mindless servant?”

“Not mindless,” she corrected smoothly, her tone never wavering. “Far from it. I chose you precisely because you have a mind—a heart. One that Momo would find endearing. One that she could fall for.”

She leaned forward slightly, her eyes gleaming with a knowing look that made my skin crawl. “You were never selfish. Always putting others before yourself, always sacrificing your own desires for the greater good. It’s why you wiped your memories, isn’t it? You couldn’t bear the thought of becoming the very thing you fought against.”

Her words slithered through me, and I felt an icy weight settle in my chest. I had made that choice, long ago. To forget. To walk away from the power that could corrupt me. But the way she spoke about it—so casually, as though it was all part of some grand design—made me sick.

“And that’s why Momo would love you,” she continued, as though she were explaining an equation that had already been solved. “You’re exactly the kind of man she would want by her side. A good boy who always does the right thing. Who helps everyone but himself.”

I felt my heart twist at her words. Not because she was wrong, but because of how cold and detached she made it sound. Like I was nothing more than a carefully chosen pawn in her scheme. A chess piece placed just so.

“That’s not love,” I said, my voice tight. “You can’t force someone to love another person just because it fits into your plans.”

She tilted her head, her eyes narrowing with a glint of amusement. “Oh, Doom, you misunderstand. I didn’t force anything. I simply created the conditions. You’ve already done the rest.”

I stared at her, confusion knitting my brows. “What do you mean?”

Her smile deepened, as though she were about to reveal a hidden truth I wasn’t ready for. “You’ve already begun to fulfill your role, Doom. You care for Momo, whether you’ll admit it or not. You can’t help it. It’s in your nature.”

“That’s not—” I started to protest, but she cut me off with a wave of her hand.

“You think I haven’t noticed?” she said, her voice still eerily calm. “The way you look at her. The way your heart shifts when she’s near. It’s written all over you, in your eyes, in the way you talk about her. You’ve already started falling for her.”

I clenched my jaw, feeling my pulse quicken. “That’s not… you’re twisting things. I care about her because she’s a good person, not because of whatever game you’re playing.”

“Is it really so different?” she asked, leaning back in her chair, her cold gaze never leaving mine. “You think you’re immune to the pull of destiny, but you’re already tethered to her. Even now, you’re thinking of her—wondering if she’s safe, wondering if she needs you. You were always going to fall for her. That’s why I chose you.”

I took a step forward, my voice rising with anger. “You don’t know anything about me.”

She chuckled softly, a low, almost mocking sound. “Oh, but I do. You’ve always been predictable, Doom. Even without your memories, you follow the same patterns. You’re the hero, the protector, the one who sacrifices himself for others. You don’t see power the way others do—as something to wield like a weapon. You see it as a tool, something to be used carefully, sparingly.”

She stood up, gliding toward me, her presence filling the room like a shadow. “That’s why Momo will love you. Because you’ll protect her. You’ll put her before yourself, just as you’ve done for everyone else in your life. And in the end, you’ll realize that you were always meant to be by her side.”

I stepped back, my fists still clenched. “You’re wrong. I’m not some… plaything for you to manipulate. My feelings are my own.”

She tilted her head, a cruel smile playing at the corners of her mouth. “Am I wrong? Look inside yourself, Doom. You already love her. You can’t even deny it.”

Her words hung in the air, suffocating me. And as much as I wanted to argue, as much as I wanted to push back against her manipulations, I couldn’t shake the truth of what she was saying. There was something there—something that had been building since the moment I met Momo.

But that didn’t mean I was going to let her control me.

“I’m not your puppet,” I said, my voice low, firm. “Whatever feelings I have for Momo, they’re mine. Not something you’ve created.”

She waved a hand dismissively. “You can tell yourself that, if it makes you feel better. But the truth is, you’ve already fulfilled the role I needed you to play. You care for her. You want to protect her. And soon, you’ll realize that everything I’ve said is true.”

I shook my head, anger burning in my chest. “You don’t get to decide that. I make my own choices.”

Her eyes gleamed with a cold, calculated certainty. “Perhaps. But the choices you’ve made so far? They’ve already led you here. And they will lead you back to her.”

There was no arguing with her, not in that moment. I could see it in her eyes—the absolute conviction, the belief that she had me figured out, that I was just a piece on her board, moving exactly as she wanted.

But I wasn’t going to let her win.

“Whatever you think you know about me,” I said, my voice steady, “you’re wrong. I won’t be controlled by you. Or anyone.”

She smiled, but it was cold, hollow. “We’ll see, Doom. We’ll see just how much control you truly have.”

As I turned to leave, her final words echoed in my mind, chilling me to the core. But no matter what she thought, no matter how deeply she believed she had orchestrated all of this—I knew one thing for sure.

My heart, my choices, were mine.

The air outside the White Rabbit Witch’s home was cooler than I remembered, though maybe it was just the weight of the conversation hanging over my head. The world around me seemed hazy as I walked beside her, my thoughts swirling like a storm I couldn’t outrun. The Witch’s soft footfalls barely made a sound as she led the way toward the tailor’s shop, her demeanor unchanged—calm, calculating, as if she were already three steps ahead of me in this game she claimed we were playing.

For a while, the only sound between us was the distant murmur of the town and the occasional rustle of leaves caught in the breeze. I thought she might stay silent the entire way, but then she spoke, her voice carrying that same eerie certainty that had unnerved me inside her home.

“You’re struggling,” she said softly, not even turning her head. “You’re trying to fight the inevitable, Doom.”

I clenched my jaw, not in the mood for another round of her manipulations. “I’m not fighting anything,” I replied, though the words tasted hollow even to me.

She glanced at me, her eyes sharp and knowing. “You are. I can see it in the way you carry yourself. The way your mind races, trying to reconcile what you feel with what you think you should feel.”

I didn’t answer. What could I say? That she was wrong? That I wasn’t confused, wasn’t battling against this… thing building inside me for Momo?

I’d never been good at lying, especially to myself.

“Let me make it easier for you,” she continued, her voice unyielding but not unkind. “Momo… she’s drawn to you for a reason. You’re exactly the kind of man she needs. Someone selfless, someone who will always put her first. You already do it without even realizing it.”

I swallowed, my throat suddenly dry. “I don’t… I don’t want to be just some puppet in your game.”

“You’re not,” she said, stopping briefly to face me, her gaze piercing. “This isn’t about me. It’s about her. And you.”

She began walking again, and though I tried to keep my mind focused, her words burrowed deep into my thoughts.

“You protect her because it’s who you are,” she said softly, almost like she was talking to herself now. “You care for her in ways that are impossible to fake. And I’ve seen how she looks at you too, Doom. Momo isn’t blind to it. You just haven’t let yourself fully see it yet.”

I shook my head, struggling against the truth she was laying out in front of me. “It’s not that simple.”

“It never is,” the Witch replied with a small shrug. “But don’t mistake complexity for resistance. Feelings, real ones, grow despite the complications.”

I didn’t have a response to that. I couldn’t, because she was digging at something I didn’t want to admit, not even to myself.

“She needs someone like you,” the Witch pressed on, her voice taking on a more personal tone, almost… gentle. “A man who isn’t driven by selfish desires. Someone who sees the world as more than just a place to take from, but as something to give to. And you—” she glanced at me with something that looked dangerously close to pity, “you’ve always given more than you’ve taken, haven’t you?”

I looked away, my chest tight.

Before I could respond, we turned the corner, and there was the tailor’s shop, nestled between two smaller buildings. The Witch stopped a few paces before the door, turning to face me fully.

“You’re perfect for her, Doom. Whether you want to believe it or not.” She stepped closer, her eyes locking onto mine, and I felt that weight in my chest again, heavy and suffocating. “Stop fighting it. It’s already there. You just have to let it be.”

I opened my mouth to argue, to say something that would counter her manipulations, but the words caught in my throat when the door to the tailor’s shop swung open.

And there she was.

Momo.

She stepped out, her eyes lighting up the moment they met mine, and before I could react, she rushed forward, throwing her arms around me in a tight, warm embrace.

It was like time stopped. My arms instinctively wrapped around her, holding her close. Her scent—sweet, familiar—washed over me, and every single flutter and jump in my heart felt like an earthquake in my chest. My pulse raced, and I could feel her heartbeat against mine, the way her body pressed into me like we were meant to fit together.

For a moment, the world disappeared, and it was just her.

Just Momo.

And in that instant, I knew the Witch was right.

I did care for her. More than I was ready to admit. More than I could hide anymore. It wasn’t just a passing feeling—it was something deeper, something real. Something that had been there since the moment we met, whether I’d seen it or not.

When Momo finally pulled back, her eyes were shining with warmth, her smile soft and genuine. “I’m glad you’re here,” she said, her voice like music in the stillness between us.

I swallowed hard, feeling the intensity of her gaze, the way my heart was still racing. “Me too,” I managed to say, though my voice sounded distant to my own ears.

And then, just as the world seemed to settle back into place, I felt a presence beside me. The Witch leaned in close, her voice a whisper in my ear that sent a shiver down my spine.

“Don’t fight it, Hero,” she murmured, her breath cold against my skin. Her whispers echoed in my mind even after she left

I felt a strange, soothing warmth seep into my mind, calming the storm of emotions that had been raging just moments before. It was subtle, like a soft wave washing over me, but I knew immediately what she had done.

A spell.

She had cast something to calm my emotions, maybe. But despite the initial resistance in my gut, I didn’t fight it. I couldn’t. Not now. Not with the way Momo was still looking at me, her eyes full of something I couldn’t name, but felt in every fiber of my being.

The Witch pulled back, her expression unreadable, though I could feel the satisfaction radiating from her. “See?” she said, her voice carrying a note of finality. “It was always going to be like this.”

And as Momo gently took my hand, leading me toward the tailor’s shop, I couldn’t help but wonder if the Witch was right about everything.

Maybe this was always how it was meant to be.

The warm light of the tailor’s shop cast long shadows across the floor as I stepped inside with Momo still holding my hand. The feeling of her fingers intertwined with mine was grounding, almost like an anchor keeping me steady amidst everything swirling in my mind. The White Rabbit Witch’s words still echoed in my head, but I pushed them aside for the moment.

Mina and Sana were waiting inside, their faces lighting up as we entered.

“There’s our new sheriff!” Mina grinned, giving me a once-over. “Or, should I say, soon-to-be well-dressed sheriff.”

Sana gave me a playful wink, already pulling out fabrics and boots from the back of the shop. “We’re going to make you look fantastic, Doom. Momo’s been talking about this all morning.”

Momo laughed, the sound soft and melodious. “I figured you could use something a bit sturdier than what you’ve been walking around in. Especially since you have a tendency to… well, burn things.” Her eyes twinkled with mischief, and I couldn’t help but smile back.

“Fair point,” I replied, squeezing her hand gently before letting go. “I’m not exactly… subtle with my magic. But I’ll try not to destroy your hard work.”

Sana and Mina exchanged glances, clearly amused by the banter between us. Mina stepped forward, placing a hand on my arm as she led me toward a row of neatly hung clothes. “Don’t worry, we’ve got just the thing. Boots and clothes enchanted to withstand whatever magic you throw at them. We don’t mess around here.”

Momo stood next to me, her gaze warm. “And besides, I’m sure you’ll look amazing in whatever they pick.”

I raised an eyebrow, leaning closer to her. “Is that why you’re here? To make sure I don’t look like a fool?”

She grinned, a playful glint in her eyes. “Exactly. I have to protect my investment, after all.”

“Your investment?” I chuckled, playing along. “I didn’t realize I was part of your portfolio.”

“Oh, you are,” she said, stepping a bit closer. Her voice dropped to a soft, teasing tone. “And I expect a high return.”

Sana pretended to gag in the background, making exaggerated faces. “Oh no, they’re flirting. Someone stop them.”

Mina smirked, folding her arms. “Let them have their fun. Besides, it’s cute.”

I felt the heat rise to my cheeks, but I didn’t break eye contact with Momo. The tension between us felt electric, but it wasn’t uncomfortable. It was warm. Inviting. I was still getting used to the fact that I wasn’t fighting it anymore, and now, standing here with her, it felt… right.

Sana came up behind me, tapping me on the shoulder. “Alright, lovebirds, let’s get to work. Doom, off with the coat.”

I hesitated for a moment, glancing at Momo. “You sure about this? I’m not exactly… a fashion icon.”

Momo laughed, crossing her arms as she watched me. “Oh, I’m very sure. Now, stop stalling and let the professionals do their job.”

I grinned and shrugged out of my old, worn coat. It felt strange to be standing there without it, like I was missing part of myself, but Momo’s approving smile was enough to keep me from second-guessing.

Sana and Mina wasted no time, throwing a perfectly tailored shirt over my head and pulling me toward a tall mirror. The fabric was light but sturdy, the cut sharp but comfortable. The designs were floral and pretty yet still masculine in color.

“Looking good already,” Sana said, adjusting the collar. “But we’re not done yet.”

Mina came forward with a pair of dark pants and a belt, holding them up with a smile. “Try these. They’re enchanted with anti-burn magic. Even your flames won’t get through these bad boys.”

I took them from her and quickly changed, feeling a little out of my element with all the attention. When I stepped back out, though, I couldn’t help but be impressed with how well they fit. The pants were flexible, and I could feel the enchantment humming faintly in the fabric.

But it wasn’t until they handed me the boots that I really felt like I had stepped into something new. They were heavy but balanced, they were a metallic sheen that was tough but comfortable. I tugged them on, rolling my shoulders as I stood up straight.

“We call them lavaspur boots,” Mina said happily.

“They are the only non enchanted clothes we made as they are made of magical leather and metal that can take temperatures up to 15 million degrees,” Mina added

“So how do they feel?” Sana asked wide-eyed.

I moved my feet around a bit and took a few steps. “I like em… I like all of the outfits and clothes you've given me thus far. Thank you so much,” I responded

The two girls smiled and said, “Well you're very welcome Sheriff Doom,”

I turn to Momo to get her take and she stares me focused.

“You look…” Momo’s voice trailed off for a second, her eyes wandering over me appreciatively. She cleared her throat, her cheeks flushing just slightly. “You look great.”

I smiled at her, feeling that same flutter in my chest I’d felt outside the shop. “Thanks,” I said softly, stepping closer to her. “Though I’m sure it’s not just the clothes. I’m pretty sure it’s the company that’s making me look this good.”

Her face broke into a wide grin, and she punched me lightly on the arm. “You’re impossible.”

Sana and Mina exchanged knowing glances before stepping back, clearly deciding to give us some space.

I reached out, brushing a strand of hair behind Momo’s ear, my fingers lingering just slightly. “Maybe. But you seem to like me this way.”

She laughed, a soft, breathless sound that made my heart skip. “Maybe I do,” she said, her eyes locking onto mine.

For a moment, we were just standing there, inches apart, the world fading away. It was just her and me, and the warmth between us. It was real. Tangible. And it scared me how much I wanted it to stay.

Before I could say anything else, I felt a light hand on my shoulder. The White Rabbit Witch had reappeared, silent and sudden as always. She leaned in close to my ear, her voice a low whisper that sent a shiver down my spine.

“Don’t fight it, Hero,” she murmured, her words echoing the spell she cast earlier. This time, though, there was something else—a deeper, almost primal magic settling over me, calming the rush of emotions I’d been battling. “Just let it be.”

I closed my eyes for a second, feeling the tension leave my body. When I opened them again, Momo was still there, smiling up at me, her eyes filled with warmth and something more. Something that made my heart race all over again.

The Witch stepped back, her presence fading into the background as Momo reached out and took my hand again, her fingers fitting perfectly with mine.

“Come on,” she said softly, tugging me toward the door. “Let’s show everyone the new and improved Sheriff Doom.”

I let her pull me forward, a smile tugging at the corner of my lips. For the first time in a long while, I wasn’t afraid of what came next.

The tailor shop buzzed with laughter and warmth as I looked down at my newly acquired outfits, all thanks to Momo, Mina, and Sana’s tireless efforts. I had to admit, they’d outdone themselves. I felt different in these clothes—lighter, yet somehow more grounded. The enchanted fabrics hummed with magic, shielding me from burning them away, which was a relief.

As I finished buttoning the last shirt, Momo looked up at me, her eyes soft and warm. “You clean up pretty well, Sheriff.”

I grinned. “All thanks to my personal fashion squad.”

Sana smirked and brushed off an imaginary speck of dust from her sleeve. “Well, we do what we can.”

Mina clapped her hands together, her excitement palpable. “Okay, now that the makeover’s done, what’s next?”

Momo’s face lit up. “How about dinner? I was thinking we could all have a nice meal at my place tonight. What do you think?”

Sana immediately perked up, her eyes gleaming. “Ooh, count me in! What about you, Mina?”

Mina nodded eagerly. “Definitely. We’ll bring some food—and maybe a couple of extra guests?”

Momo smiled. “The more, the merrier.”

With plans made, we all parted ways for the moment, agreeing to meet later for dinner at Momo’s place. As Momo and I walked toward her home, the evening air seemed charged with something unspoken between us. Her hand was warm in mine, her laughter like a melody that lingered in the spaces around us. It felt effortless, as if we’d always been walking side by side like this.

And yet, the warmth in my chest grew harder and harder to ignore.

Stopping in our tracks, I turned to her, letting the feeling take hold. Before either of us could speak, I leaned in and kissed her. It wasn’t like the others we’d shared earlier. This time, it deepened, grew more insistent, and with it, something stirred in the air around us.

I felt the pulse of my own magic responding, flaring up like embers catching wind. Behind Momo, shimmering waves of light began to dance in the dimming sky—auroras, glowing ribbons of colors that wove and twisted with a beauty that seemed almost alive.

When we finally broke the kiss, I stared at her in awe.

“You’re a mage too?” I asked, my voice barely more than a whisper.

Momo nodded, her cheeks glowing almost as brightly as the auroras behind her. “Not a war mage like you, though,” she said with a soft laugh. “My magic is music and dance. It’s… gentler, I guess.”

I nodded, still mesmerized by the lingering traces of light around her. As the magic faded, we continued walking, the quiet between us now heavy with unspoken understanding.

Imagine my surprise when, as we approached her front door, I saw a familiar figure curled up on the porch—a hulking, scaly mass that could only be one thing.

“Blastoise?” I called out in disbelief.

At the sound of his name, his large, glowing eyes snapped open, and his massive tongue lolled out in joy. With a low rumble, he bounded forward, licking my face enthusiastically.

I laughed, my arms wrapping around his neck as I hugged him tightly. “I missed you, big guy.”

Behind me, Momo tilted her head, her expression one of delighted curiosity. “You know this big guy?”

Still scratching behind Blastoise’s ears, I glanced back at her and nodded. “Before I was brought here, I set him free. He was one of the warlord’s experiments—one of the few that survived.”

Momo’s smile softened as she crouched down to pet Blastoise’s sturdy shell. “I’d never have guessed,” she said.

Blastoise gave a satisfied huff, leaning into her touch as if he already adored her.

Inside, as we began preparing dinner, I couldn’t help but notice Momo’s enthusiasm in the kitchen… and the minor chaos it caused. Her measurements were off, her timing a bit rushed, and some things were on the verge of burning.

“Uh, Momo?” I asked gently, stepping in as she reached for a skillet that was a little too close to charring its contents. “Mind if I help?”

Her eyes flicked to mine, relief evident in her smile. “Please do.”

Together, we salvaged the bread from over-baking, adjusted the seasoning on the stew, and kept the vegetables from turning into an unrecognizable mush. By the end, the kitchen was filled with delicious aromas instead of the smoky haze we’d narrowly avoided.

Just as we were setting the table, I heard a low growl coming from outside.

Blastoise.

Momo glanced toward the door, wiping her hands on her apron. “Blastoise, stop it! They’re our guests,” she called as she opened the door to reveal Sana, Mina, Jojo, and Nevin standing on the porch.

Sana gave a low whistle, eyeing the tortoise-dragon hybrid with amusement. “Finally gave him a name, huh?”

Momo shook her head, grinning. “Nope. Garuzen named him—since Blastoise is his friend.”

Jojo and Nevin exchanged a look, their collective sigh audible as they stepped inside.

The moment their eyes landed on me at the stove, an expression of surprise flickered across their faces.

“Wait, you’re cooking?” Jojo asked, his tone teetering between disbelief and amusement.

Mina, ever the peacekeeper, laughed softly as she nudged him. “It’s not that hard to believe. He does seem like a man of many talents.”

Sana smirked, leaning casually against the counter. “Guess you’re full of surprises, Sheriff.”

Momo beamed at their reactions, clearly proud of how seamlessly I’d stepped into the evening’s preparations. I chuckled, shrugging as I plated the last dish.

“Just trying to make myself useful,” I said simply, though the warmth in my chest had nothing to do with the food. It was the way Momo looked at me—a mixture of gratitude, affection, and something deeper—that made me feel, for the first time in a long time, like I belonged.

Dinner was ready, the table was set, and the room buzzed with laughter and conversation. Blastoise, ever the vigilant guardian, settled himself outside the door, his glowing eyes keeping watch over the night.

Just as we were setting the table, I heard a low growl coming from outside.

Blastoise.

Momo glanced toward the door, wiping her hands on her apron. “Blastoise, stop it! They’re our guests,” she called as she opened the door to reveal Sana, Mina, Jojo, and Nevin standing on the porch.

Sana gave a low whistle, eyeing the tortoise-dragon hybrid with amusement. “Finally gave him a name, huh?”

Momo shook her head, grinning. “Nope. Garuzen named him—since Blastoise is his friend.”

Jojo and Nevin exchanged a look, their collective sigh audible as they stepped inside.

The moment their eyes landed on me at the stove, an expression of surprise flickered across their faces.

“Wait, you’re cooking?” Jojo asked, his tone teetering between disbelief and amusement.

Mina, ever the peacekeeper, laughed softly as she nudged him. “It’s not that hard to believe. He does seem like a man of many talents.”

Sana smirked, leaning casually against the counter. “Guess you’re full of surprises, Sheriff.”

Momo beamed at their reactions, clearly proud of how seamlessly I’d stepped into the evening’s preparations. I chuckled, shrugging as I plated the last dish.

“Just trying to make myself useful,” I said simply, though the warmth in my chest had nothing to do with the food. It was the way Momo looked at me—a mixture of gratitude, affection, and something deeper—that made me feel, for the first time in a long time, like I belonged.

Dinner was ready, the table was set, and the room buzzed with laughter and conversation. Blastoise, ever the vigilant guardian, settled himself outside the door, his glowing eyes keeping watch over the night.

The table was a lively mess of conversation, laughter, and the clinking of cutlery against plates. The meal had turned out better than I’d expected—Momo’s enthusiasm paired with my intervention had made for a hearty spread. Stew, roasted vegetables, freshly saved bread, and some kind of citrus-infused dessert had everyone raving.

Mina took a sip of her drink, leaning back in her chair with a satisfied sigh. “Alright, I’ll admit it—this might be the best meal I’ve had in weeks. Who knew the mysterious new Sheriff had a knack for cooking?”

I chuckled, shaking my head. “I had a good teacher,” I said, glancing at Momo, who blushed but tried to hide it by stuffing a forkful of food into her mouth.

“Oh, don’t let him fool you,” Momo said once she swallowed. “He basically saved the meal. If it weren’t for him, we’d all be choking down burnt bread and charred veggies right now.”

Jojo raised an eyebrow at me, smirking. “You know, Garuzen, you’re making the rest of us look bad. First, you survive a riot, then you’ve got a giant dragon-tortoise as your best friend, and now you’re a better cook than most of us. What’s next? You gonna charm the whole town too?”

Sana grinned, nudging Jojo playfully. “He’s already got a head start on that.”

“Alright, alright,” I said, raising my hands in mock surrender. “I’m not trying to outshine anyone here. Just doing my part.”

Nevin, who’d been quiet up until now, leaned forward with a thoughtful look. “So, Garuzen, what’s the deal with Blastoise?”

“Yeah,” Mina chimed in, her eyes lighting up with curiosity. “You said he was a warlord’s experiment? How’d you end up with him?”

I set my fork down, glancing toward the door where Blastoise lay outside, his massive body silhouetted against the moonlit night. “It’s a long story,” I began. “However, the short version is before I came to this town there was a warlord destroying my home. I was part of a small resistance group to stop him. The warlord I fought—before I ended up here—was experimenting with all kinds of creatures, trying to create the perfect weapon. Blastoise was one of those experiments. But he wasn’t a weapon; he was just a scared, confused animal. When I overthrew the warlord, I set him free. I didn’t think I’d ever see him again.”

“And yet here he is,” Momo said softly, her gaze warm as she looked between me and the door.

“He must really like you,” Sana said, her tone teasing but kind.

“Or he’s just as stubborn as his owner,” Jojo quipped, earning a round of laughter from the table.

As the conversation moved on, I found myself watching the easy camaraderie among the group. Mina and Sana shared a playful banter that spoke of years of friendship, while Jojo and Nevin took turns teasing one another like siblings. Momo fit seamlessly into the mix, her laughter contagious and her warmth grounding the entire evening.

At one point, Sana turned to Momo with a mischievous grin. “So, Momo, you’re awfully quiet about your new partner here. What’s the verdict? Is he living up to your expectations?”

Momo’s cheeks flushed a deep red, but she didn’t look away from me. “I think he’s doing just fine,” she said, her voice soft but sure.

Jojo leaned in, smirking. “Fine, huh? That’s not much of a review. Come on, give us the juicy details.”

“Leave her alone, Jojo,” Mina said with a laugh, swatting his arm. “Let the poor girl have some secrets.”

Momo giggled, and for a moment, the weight of the day felt lighter. I glanced at her, my heart catching in my chest as her eyes met mine. The White Rabbit Witch’s words echoed in my mind: Don’t fight it, Hero.

As the meal wound down, the laughter turned softer, the conversations more relaxed. The warmth of the room, the easy companionship of the group, and Momo’s presence beside me made it feel, for just a moment, like this was where I was meant to be.

Outside, Blastoise let out a contented rumble, as if agreeing with the sentiment.

After Dinner, the girls and other sheriffs left Momo and I alone. Blastoise was sleeping outside in the front peaceably which made me happy. He and I had been through so much together so him getting the peace he deserved was quite the reassurance. Momo smiled as she approached me her blonde hair bouncing as she neared me.

I notched my head up and said, “Now get that fat ass over here.”

Momo laughed and said, “So demanding.” I watched as she sauntered over to me. Her tight hips beckoned me to just run to her and take her there, but my rapacious appetite for her would soon be appeased as she sat on my lap.

Her big soft eyes stared into mine vulnerable and it made me pause. She wasn't the sex vixen she was moments ago but something softer.

“Is everything alright?” I ask. Momo nods then says

“It's just this is my first time so please take care of me.” our eyes lock and she notes my silence.

“Is there a problem?” she asks

I shake my head and reply, “no its just my first time as well” Momo chuckles softly and says,

“I should have known. You're much to dramatic to not be a virgin,” she teases. I roll my eyes and she kisses me. Her lips taste sweet surprisingly. As the kiss grows deeper she brings my hands to her chest. She breaks the kiss for a moment and her voice takes on a lustful husk to it, “Please get rough with me i can take it!” she growls and I grip her breasts. Their supple and softness surprised me. Momo smirks before she starts to grind on my bulge. Her breath is shaky as says,

“Harder” I grip her orbs harder as she asks and massage her mammaries. Momo moans before she whips her hair and goes in on my neck.

At first her kisses are gentle but they begin to pick up speed and intensity as she grinds on me faster. Her eyes narrow as her hands grip into my shoulders.

“Darling I need more” I say as I grope her breasts Momo pushes me down on the couch she gets up and lifts her dress all the way and I'm left to marvel at her bare body. Her curves are malicious as if sculpted by a demon of lust. I watch her eyes and she says

“Like what you see?”

Drooling I nod and she begins a small dance to show off. She twirls D

and sways fluidly as her body screams at me. Her magic flows in a beautifully enchanting aurora around her.

I take off my pants and the rest of my clothes as my bulge surges. Momo smiles as she continues dancing. I watch and groan as my erection leaks begging to be inside her, but every groan and buck of my hips Momo says.

“I am in control and your pleasure will come when I want to,” Momo continues her show as I watch until she crawls to me her naked body and daring eyes tempt me to touch her. I lose control as I lift her chin and bring her in for another kiss. As we kiss she pushes me onto the couch before impaling herself on my cock. She moans as she sinks on my

“Oh I could get used to this” she groans ditzy

I expected tightness but Momo’a walls happily opened for me and I bottomed out with no resistance. What I didn't expect was her ferocity. When I entered her, Momo tensed for a moment then her eyes narrowed to slits and she looked at me like she was a starved animal. She straddled me before she started bouncing on my crotch. She moaned as she took me deeper and deeper into her. Our eyes locked and she growled, “don't just sit there! grab my tits or my ass. I obliged as she rides me I put one hand on her tit and the other on her ass she growls at me before taking me deeper inside of her. She moans as her hips roll deviously on mine. I groan out as her walls envelop my length tenderly.

“You fill me just right!” Momo exclaims with an almost delirious look in her eyes. I groan as I feel my balls beginning to twitch. I look into her eyes and say

“Momo I'm about to cum,” she smiles as she continues to ride

“Inside” she moans as she rolls her hips in a way that causes me to just buck into her wildly before my seed rapidly fills her expectant womb. She groans as my release triggers hers. Her hands claw into mine as her pleasure rages through her then calms down

“Fuck you have a nice cock I like riding,” Momo exclaims proudly. I smile then say

“Glad I could be of service,” fully lost in her charms.

[xxventiswindblumexx]

Here I am. Do not hold back. Write the filthiest Dom! Tighnari in heat smut that you can. Forest chase, aphrodisiacs, primal urge, marking, knotting, choking. Go absolutely ham.

Of course! Sorry it took so long to get this one out! But I hope you enjoy my Smut Soulmate ❤

⚠Warnings:⚠Predator and Prey, Marking, Breeding, Knotting, Choking, Aphrodisiac usage, Hate fuck, Dubcon/Noncon.

You where a forest ranger, you where decent but not near as good as your superior Tighnari and you hated that. He was kind but comes off as cocky a lot especially with you.

You two have been arguing and always fighting anytime he corrected you, couldn't he just let you be? Well luckily you might get just that, the two months he hides away is coming up, it starts in a day and you'll finally have two months of peace.

During his last day the two of you where bickering as usual, you where supposed to survey parts of the forest but you missed some areas and according to Tighnari they where 'the most important area's' and if you hadn’t found the spot by sunrise tomorrow then ‘it wouldn’t make sense to go through it again tomorrow, so you must do it today’. You tried protesting but it only resulted in him huffing and walking back to his hut giving you no room to argue anymore. Great just how you wanted to spend your night, in the dark forest.

You packed what you needed and headed out that night, frustrated and annoyed but vigilant, you couldn't mess up again after all no matter how much you despised him he's still your superior.

Meanwhile at his hut Tighnari was pacing back and fourth biting his knuckles. He knew his rut was starting soon and he was very anxious on it, it always came so suddenly, no matter how much he prepared he was truly never prepared for it.

The thought of losing himself in his rut made him anxious. It was like a parasite in his mind, slowly taking over his thoughts. His brain kept telling him it wasn't going to happen, that he would be strong enough to suppress it, he had control. However it was never enough, so he always stayed in his hut during it, it wasn't too bad until you came around. He hated to admit it but his instincts wanted you, everything about you was perfect, well almost everything. He hated how you retaliated against him, to his animal side it was a sign of dominance and it was very degrading to him that this female he wanted as a mate kept trying to over throw him, he couldn't have that, but he also didn't want to admit he liked you. So he hid it under aggression, even when he was calm.

So tonight before you left to go on patrol he slipped some aphrodisiacs in your water bottles, if he must suffer this lust so should you.

It was late when his rut hit him like a ton of bricks, it wasn't something he could ever ease into, it always hits him at once.

He's on his bed rutting into his pillow, he couldn't get enough, he kept thinking of you, it didn't help the paperwork from your sloppy survey was scented by you. He got annoyed and stood up, he couldn't stop it anymore he needed you. He didn't even bother to put anything on, only wearing boxers. Tonight was the new moon so the area would be pitch black, hiding him well.

Back to you, after drinking almost all your water as you used a flashlight to look around, you noticed yours starting to feel hot, thinking maybe it's just humid you pull off your jacket leaving you in a tank top. But it didn't help, your body was reacting to something but as you looked around none of the flora or mushrooms should have any effects like this. Arousal bubbling in your stomach as you felt a bit dizzy, you continue to walk trying to find your way home as the dizziness made it more difficult.

"You don't look so good, maybe you should let me help" you heard his voice though it didn't seem like him at all. You turn to see Tighnari, well kinda it's hard to see but his green brown eyes shined fairly easily. They're hazed over with lust his voice also spoke of it.

"Tighnari.. i-i don't know what's g-going on its like some flora-"

"I'll give you one minute to run, after that I won't show any mercy to you or your soft body" he spoke as he looked down on you, it was like a predator looking at his pray, drool slightly gathering at the corner of his lips, picking them as he watched.

"But Tighnari-" interrupted again as he started to count down, realizing he was serious you turn and make a run for it, however it was hard to run with your head and body in another place, the dizziness making it hard not to run into something as your legs felt weak, but you continued.

Tighnari followed you but in a walk, he didn't need to run, your arousal was enough of a trail for him to find you easily, that and you weren't that quiet either as you ran. His tail swishing back and fourth eagerly as his ears twitched to every little sound you made.

Though you had more stamina when it came to running then he thought, annoyed it's taking longer he used his Dendro vision to create a root below you, causing you to fall over.

"Too bad you didn't survey the area huh? You would've known of these roots being everywhere" he scoffed, even though he did create this one, it was merely an extension to an already existing root.

You reached out trying to crawl away but was stopped as soon as you felt his body against yours, more roots gathering around your wrists to hold them still as his hands start to pull your clothing off, his claws tearing at them easily. You whine and squirm under him, only causing him to become more aroused if possible "You're not helping your case, then again when do you ever do anything right? " he scolds and degrades as he nuzzled into your neck, licking and biting at spots until he found your sensitive spot, causing you to let out a moan, his tail swaying faster at your response.

His hand traveled upwards slowly to stroke along your skin and he started moving his tongue up against your throat, lapping at your tender flesh. Your breathing grew heavier at the sensation and you tried to fight it but were unable, Tighnari started kissing your jawline and ear lobe and you let your head hang to the side.

He soon grew more impatient as his he wanted to make you his, he couldn't wait as you felt his tip press against your hole

"T-Tighnari wait!" you whined in protest yet he didn't pay any mind slamming himself into you, a low growl leaving his throat as his clawed hands grip your hips, his snapped into yours over and over, causing his claws to leave red streaks behind. With each shove he felt himself getting closer to his goal as his mouth latched on to your neck, teeth grazing the soft skin there as you squirmed under him.

Your hands clawing the dirt and vines holding them, your body felt closer to a release, as much as you tried to hold back you couldn't, his hand holding your throat tightly as he groaned, feeling your walls clamp against his cock, causing him to feel his release coming quickly. As he moaned loudly you couldn't help it, you were about to cum as your whole body tensed up, letting out a scream that you instantly regretted as your back arched as your climax washed over you with force, Tighnari bit your shoulder leaving his mark as you felt his knot swell, shoving it into as far as he could, filling your womb with his seed.

Once you calmed down he laid there panting and moaning,his knot finally going down, his claws digging into your arms which you could now see were covered in red welts. "I'm not finished yet" he said in a dark tone as he slammed himself back in "by the time the sun rises I'll make sure you take, you'll be so full of my pups" His hand grazing your stomach as he picked his speed up once more. Your body spasm as you couldn't stay awake, slowly passing out, feeling that he wasn't slowing down.

[googledetective]

my thoughts about the new drdt episode...

I want to start off that this episode has not left me in a great mental state and this piece of fiction is starting to effect my reality in a negative way, currently. I do suffer from mental health issues, so please be sympathetic. If something I say seems too emotional or a bit off, that's likely why. My therapist will be hearing about drdt, lol. No hate towards drdt, it's an amazing project, and I'm amazed at how the piece of fiction is able to make me react in such a way.

1. I am not educated on ASPD or anything like that, so if I say something wrong feel free to correct me. I had a feeling that Levi likely had it from his secret, but this is a cool confirmation. I like that this is represented in a really great way, and that the reactions to his confessions are also very realistic. I like Levi a lot, but now I understand him so much more, and it makes me really appreciate him.

2. I find it interesting how Levi is so detached, as Veronika said, to everything. Even if I was not capable of remorse, I would've remembered killing my own father. I wonder what his father did to be so looked down upon.

2.5. OKAY SO HES KINDA JUST LIKE ME FR. like I stated previously I've had some bad mental health issues in the past to the point I've kicked windshields of cars in and attacked people. It is not my proudest moment, but holy shit I can relate to this a lot. It makes me so good to see someone who's done shit like I've done who's trying to change.

3. Ace really did care about Levi and considered him a friend, which warmed and broke my heart at the same time. I really hope Ace finds another friend, because he deserves to feel some comfort and joy. I hope he learns about Levi's ASPD and realizes Levi has no malicious intent towards him. I find it nice that Ace did really trust and look up to Levi though, it proves him capable of friendship and deeper feelings that people usually overlook. Great complex character.

4. I was shocked that Levi sided with David, but honestly I do too. David is a good person, and we see that later in the ep where he doesn't tell Eden what Arei said.

5. J CALLED OUT HU??? UNEXPECTED. called her a stupid argument moderator. Interesting. I love you J, but watch it.

6. Veronika's secret isn't the worst thing she's ever done- interesting. I think it could be the thing she's the most ashamed of, but you never know. It really breaks my heart for Hu, and I hope we get a backstory on her soon.

I'm coming back after point 14 and adding this: these secrets don't seem to be any of the worst things they've ever done, nor relevant to the killing game (besides "Xander's"). These secrets are personal. I think they each have worse secrets but they are too related to the killing game so they couldn't give those out.

7. Excuse you, David. Freaky ass.

8. that is NOT Teruko's secret 😭😭😭

9. This is seriously rich coming from J, as she usually escalates the situation.

10. Eden's monologue broke my heart. I am so glad David lied to her at the end, or I think Eden's heart would've been broken. This just makes me so sad.

11. "That maybe there would be a world in which we would be friends." I'm sure there would be, since your fans have created worlds that you're dating her.

12. Arei needs to genuinely shut up. This is where I get very upset and irrational. I am so fucking mad at Arei for lying to Eden. For the rest of Eden's life she's going to be wondering what she could've done or if her friendship was enough. Why the fuck would you lie and say you believed you could change, only to come back and admit you know you can't. My heart breaks for Arei though, because I believe she could've changed. This especially makes me so upset because as a previously bad person who relates to Arei and tries to change, I feel like I'm going to give up hope to do so too. Obviously I gotta overpower and not let fiction effect my reality, but it really hurts.

13. Arei's worldview that nobody is a good person mirrors David's (though David excludes Xander). Makes me really sad. I can hope, but there's really no hope left.

14. Well we know who attacked Xander (what the actual fuck). I hope we learn how that ties in later. Eden's hidden quote, "you can never go back, no matter how hard you try." maybe it's referring to this incident instead of the situationship with her friends in the past.

15. Love this.

16. WE HAD A JRUKO MOMENT!!! So happy about this!!!

17. Why the actual fuck does Whit know so much about how that hanging mechanism would work. You're making yourself look so suspicious. High and low were highlighted, which was interesting.

18. Whit said this murder would've been hard if Arei wasn't a willing victim. If she was, this just makes this case even more tragic. She may have convinced herself to give up hope and cooperated with the killer, which pains me a lot. I think this was due to David's secret.

19. I love the carousel bit! And the banter between Arturo and Whit. They had banter last trial too, so that's a continuation. Maybe they'll have a confrontation in the future.

20. NICO FUCKED BRO

21. At this point my only logical conclusion of who I think the killer could be is J.

22. Everyone is bringing up Ace's friend- Taylor! It's seriously throwing me for a loop bc that's my name!

ENDING:

To clarify, I think it's sad that Arei believes she can't change and even started doubting Eden.

[withahappyrefrain]

Summary: The pain medication given to Bob after a training accident has some interesting, albeit endearing, side effects.

As you weave your way through the people, desperate to make it to the front desk, the words kept playing over and over in your mind.

Training accident. Had to eject.

The strong possibility always hung over in your mind, taunting you whenever he went to work. That one day you would receive that dreaded phone call.

And while you didn't get that phone call today the fact you came close was unnerving.

Hurt pretty bad. Needed surgery.

Your throat felt thick, as though you were almost choking on air. It was a surprise you could audibly tell the nurse at the front desk your name.

"He's still in surgery, Mrs. Floyd. You can wait in the lobby and we'll alert you when he's done."

Nodding because of your fear that if you spoke, the tears would spill out, you sat down in the uncomfortable chair.

You tried to people watch, see if you could spot someone you knew, who Bob knew. Tell you what happened.

But did you really want those horrible details?

No. You wanted to know that your husband was okay. That he would recover. That he would be back in your arms, where he belonged.

You could call his mom and sister, let them know what was happening. It could be comforting to hear their voices.

But it would also remind you that your husband was hurt and you didn't know if he was okay.

So instead, your fingers fiddled with his wedding ring that hung on the silver chain around your neck. He always gave it to you when he had missions.

That way you had a piece of him if anything happened.

"Mrs. Floyd?" You looked up to see a nurse standing near you.

"Your husband is all done with his surgery, he's-"

"Is he okay? How did his surgery go? Can I go see him?" The nurse took a step back at your numerous questions.

"His surgery went well. He's currently hopped on a lot of medication to reduce the pain, so he may be out of it. Once the doctor is done, you can go see him."

The next ten minutes were somehow even worse. Knowing Bob was so close, but not able to see him was absolute torture.

You practically ran when the nurse said he was ready for visitors.

The sight of Bob, eyes closed as he laid in the hospital bed, bandages covering his arms, hooked up to an IV bag was heartbreaking. Despite his tall, broad frame, he looked so small in that bed.

Maybe you should sit by the bed and wait for him to wake up. What even are the standard protocols when your husband has to eject from his plane and gets injured in the process?

Your feet had a mind of their own, bringing you to the bed. Then your hands had their own idea, reaching up to card your fingers through his ruffled dark blonde locks.

His shifted towards your touch, those beautiful blue eyes still closed.

"Hey love," you whispered before pressing your lips to his forehead. Seeing the rise of his chest with each breath brought you comfort; he was here, he came back to you, just like he promised.

A confused, drowsy hum left his lips as his eyes slowly opened.

"Robby?" You should take a step break. Should give him space.

But how could you, when those eyes deeper than the ocean looked up at you?

"Robby!" You all but threw yourself at him, burying your head into his neck, the comforting scent of sage filling your nostrils, "I'm so glad you're safe, I was beside myself when they called."

"I-huh?" His voice was drowsy and full of confusion. Makes sense, considering when he was last conscious, he was in a fighter jet, thousands of feet up in the air.

"Doctors say if you keep up your current trajectory, you'll be able to go home tomorrow. Gives me time to get your favorite meal ready."

"Beef Goulash?" Bob mumbled, his eyebrows knitted in confusion.

"Of course! Your mom's recipe." You pressed your lips against one of his red cheeks before capturing his lips with yours. You couldn't help it. Your husband had survived, he was right there. How could you not kiss him?

"Am I in heaven?"

You couldn't help but laugh at Bob's question, shaking your head as you kissed him again.

"No Robby, you're at the Miramar Hospital."

Bob pulled away, confusion written all over his face, "But....you're an angel?"

You shook your head again, but without laughing this time, "Robby. You okay?"

"I.....I was in the air and Phoenix, she kept telling me to eject and I think I did? Then I woke up and you're....you're here and wow. You're stunning."

Your stomach fluttered at his compliment, "Of course I'm here," you grabbed the hand that wasn't hooked up to an IV bag, "What kind of wife would I be if I wasn't?"

Bob's nearly widened, "Wife? Did you say wife?"

Oh boy.

"Yes, I'm your wife. We got the rings and everything." You held up your hand, showing the gold wedding band, which matched the one Bob wore.

"We're married?" His eyes were as wide as saucers, hope and confusion dancing along those oceanic irises.

"We are. Have been for five years now."

"Five years?!" Bob put his hand over his heart, as if he were afraid of it jumping out of his chest, "Wow. I bet those five years have been wonderful."

"They have! And I will tell you all about them, after I get the nurse!"

You began moving to get up when a large hand grabbed yours.

"Wait!" You stopped to look at Bob, "Are you.....are you sure you're my wife? Not that I'm complaining it's just you're so beautiful and lovely and I....I'm....just Bob."

So the pain medication could make him temporarily forget you, but not his insecurities? Go figure.

"No, you are not just Bob. You are the smartest, sweetest, kindest, most amazing man I have ever met. You're a wonderful husband and father, and every day I'm thankful I get to wake up next to you."

A small albeit sweet lopsided smile appeared on Bob's face, before his eyes widened once again, "Wait....did you did you say father?"

You couldn't help but giggle, "Yes. You are the father to three cats, two dogs, a rabbit, and three amazing kids."

"I am? With you?" His body was practically buzzing with excitement. His eyes were shining so brightly as he looked at you in pure amazement.

"You are. In fact, we were working on our fourth kid before all this," You smiled slyly as your fingers reached over his forearms.

"We-oh. Oh. We were-we did-um, I'm just wow I'm just going to lie down, oh look there's a bed."

The nurses rushed in upon hearing the heart rate monitor increase.

One even asked, "What did you do?!"

"Told him he was married with children."

************************************

The next day, the nurses alerted you that after the pain medication had worn off, Bob did remember you as his wife.

According to them, he wouldn't stop talking about you.

"My wife! There she is!" You smiled at hearing Bob's cheerful voice, knowing he was there, safe and sound.

"Hey hot stuff, you ready to go home? Mack has been asking when you'll show the Wizard of Oz," you paused, "You know Mack? Our daughter?"

Bob chuckles while shaking his head, "Yes. I remember all my children, as well as my amazing wife."

"Good, though I was looking forward to you recreating our first date. Was hoping you would kiss me this time."

Bob pulled you into his lap, his hands cupping your face, "Guess I'll just have to kiss you for the rest of my life to make up for it."

His lips pressed against yours briefly before moving to your cheeks, then your forehead, then to your nose.

"I think I can deal with that," you giggled as he continued to pepper your face with light kisses.

"Me too darlin. Me too."

[radioactiverats]

Thoughts: Ratchet's complicated relationship with self destruction

Ratchet x reader

TW: smoking

Ratchet scowls. The past few stellar cycles had been especially tough on him, with their rations running dangerously low at times and Optimus' repeated brushes with death - the pressure on Ratchet to save him, save them, from extinction. However, Ratchet remained torn between some moral quandary that, on one hand, stubbornly insisted he should be setting an example for the others by abstaining from bad habits - and on the other hand, argued that and a little bit of relief wouldn't hinder him from doing his job.

Ratchet's job: Saving others.

The line between his professional and personal life may have been more apparent, once upon a time. But since the war, he's become a lot more than just a medic. They have young bots on the team - Ratchet has begrudgingly embraced his secondary role as a mentor, so god forbid Bumblebee walks in on him with a cy-gar.

Himself: Not included.

He didn't have time for that. Why recharge another cycle when it could spent on precious research that could potentially save their lives?

You just happen to catch him, greeting dying on your lips as you take in his tense frame, optics locked on something in his hand.

He'd barely thought twice about testing the synth-en on himself. If anything, it was almost regrettable how liberating it felt. He let the others destroy it without a word of protest, knowing that he wouldn't be able to resist that fleeting feeling of invincibility if they hadn't.

He knows he's a hypocrite for nagging the others to quit their unhealthy habits, even if out of genuine concern.

It was wishful thinking, but he couldn't force his patients to take care of themselves. And now, watching Optimus hurl himself headfirst into danger, bots reaching for the engex more often than they did the energon - he didn't blame them. The war had taken a toll on everybody.

So, he's a physician. He should be the most well-informed to make decisions about his frame.

You wait for Ratchet to speak first. He doesn't acknowledge you, but you can tell by the agitated flicking of his audials that he knows you're there.

"Cy-gar," Ratchet eventually says, after a few beats of hesitation. He rotates it in deft fingers, eyeing it, before sighing as he gets up. "It's sometimes used in medicine for its pain reduction qualities, but only when there's no other alternative, because it has other... unpleasant side effects. Addiction, for one, and internal damage from rust buildup if used too often."

Ah. Very similar to cigarettes, then. "Do you...?" You ask, gesturing at it.

"Not in a while," Ratchet admits. "It would be ironic if the CMO went around smoking, wouldn't it?"

A long while, then.

Well, it seems the two of you are more alike than you thought. You turn away from him for a second to root around in your bag, digging out a slightly crumpled pack of cigs. You wave it at him, almost sheepishly. "Want to...?"

Ratchet squints at the pack in your hand as he connects the dots. "You really shouldn't be - oh, who am I kidding," he groans, giving up on admonishing almost immediately. Should you be grateful that he's so willing to cast the mask aside that easily in front of you?

"I only smoke sometimes," you mumble. "Only when I really need it."

Ratchet stares at you for a few more seconds, as if debating whether or not to play the good doctor again, before he slumps back with a sigh.

"That's why I try to avoid it," he grouses. "Who's going to believe a physician who doesn't follow his own advice?"

And you do see his point. But you also understand that sometimes, it's simply too much, and you need a little bit of something, anything, to take the edge off so that you can keep going as before.

"Ratchet," you call, yanking him from his self-deprecating spiral. "I'll indulge you this once if you'll indulge me."

His optics, focused wearily on you, widen for a nanoklik before cycling once, twice, as he takes this in. He's in no position to bluff his way out of this and honestly, he has no intention to. Both of you have long acknowledged your shared understanding with each other. It was the almost desperate need to take care of others which made you take notice of each other, and the helplessly comical inability to take care of yourselves which drew you closer together. The two of you are so similar that Ratchet takes comfort in knowing that he doesn't have to try so hard to pretend around you.

"Alright," he agrees, sounding half resigned, yet half grateful. "Just this once."

You nod, and climb into his outstretched servo. A blast of chilly air hits you both when you emerge on the rooftop, and you shiver involuntarily before Ratchet curls his servos around you to shield you from the cold.

He carefully sets you on his thigh, where you can lean into the warmth of his frame. You waste no time in lighting up, the miniscule roar of your lighter flaring into the quiet of the night. Ratchet watches you sag with visible relief as you take your first, shuddering drag, before lifting the cy-gar to his intake. It's your turn to watch him as his optics offline for the long, few seconds that his chassis rises, and cycle online again as he lazily ex-vents a haze of purple smoke.

You feel a flash of guilt for finding the scene before you attractive - but then Ratchet's optics find yours, bright and intense. "Don't worry," he says. "Not harmful to humans."

He glances back at you again through half-lidded optics when you continue to stare at him. Amidst the haze of purple, you can clearly see the tension drain from his frame, plating drawn less tightly around him as he settles into a more comfortable position.

His optics are no less dull, though. His gaze doesn't leave your face until he seems to find something he's looking for, realizing that health and safety is not necessarily a priority for you both at the moment. A smirk actually finds its way onto his faceplate, and you internally curse the fragger for being so goddamn attractive.

"Want a taste?"

You don't hesitate and find yourself in his warm servos again, lifted level with his faceplate. Ratchet takes a long drag from the cy-gar, optics never leaving yours.

"Open," he murmurs, and you breathe deep as he ex-vents a warm, purple mist over you. It's a funny sensation - tingly, almost, and a breath shudders out of you as you feel the effects take hold, a wonderful, lightheaded rush that blitzes through your veins like lightning.

"Oh," you murmur, grateful for the careful way he catches you as you tip backwards. "That's really good."

Ratchet merely hums, low and satisfied as he cradles you to his chassis, allowing you to float in a few more moments of lightheaded bliss.

Lying down, you bring your own half-burnt cigarette to your lips as you take in the starry night sky above you. It's beautiful, and you blow a puff of smoke upwards - a cloud of purple twines itself into the grey mist, and you watch the tendrils dance and coil around the outline of shimmering stars before dissipating into the cold night air.

Just because the moment is fleeting doesn't mean it's any less valuable. Both of you know that when the last cig burns out, it'll be back to business - but neither of you make a move to disrupt the peace that has settled in between deep inhales and long, slow ex-vents.

Tonight, it's just you, Ratchet, the stars - and a swirling purple mist that shields you from the rest of the world.

[aj-thegreatest]

Fame and Paparazzi in LO: An Underdeveloped Picture

So this is gonna be less of a "formal" essay, and more of a...ramble unfortunately. Stay around if you still wanna read lol.

I've always been interested in stories where the public eye, media, and/or paparazzi become one of (if not, the only) driving forces in the story. Or stories where the main character is always on guard, protecting their image against the people who twisting it for their own means. See also: any story set in Hollywood, or any story set in a royal/high status environment.

So you could only understand my disappointment on how it's used in LO. Because ideally, this should be a straight shot! And it started off fairly decently.

Persephone, a complete nobody, gets thrusted into the spotlight by meeting an influential powerful figure. And we do see the negative effects of this through Tori and Alex (I can't remember which one got their eye snatched but I honestly kind of don't care about their characters I'm sorry). Persephone can't readily make friends because of Hades' actions. For a moment, she's isolated among her peers. And it's good! And then...

It...barely gets mentioned for like, a majority of the series (Don't worry I will get to that part near the end) There are other moments mentioned (Hera disguising herself as paparazzi as a "test" for Persephone, this notable visual from Minthe's POV)

And it's not anything...substantial? The audience doesn't get to the emotional/mental effects from this. Especially directed at Persephone, who'd ideally be the perfect person for this. It encourages the audience to sympathize with her, which I know the narrative wants. Like, desperately. One of the main rules in LO is to be on Persephone's side, 24/7. And we know what happens if people aren't:

But I also know one of the secret rules of LO, is Persephone cannot suffer/go through genuine hardships. She can't get slandered (rightfully or wrongfully) by the press, because it'd be too hard for her. She can't have a truly unfair trial, because it'd be too unfair. And, if the ending of LO means anything, she can't even have her long distance separation with Hades.

It's why Persephone doesn't get this overall treatment from the press. In the context of the world, she kind of skirts by and doesn't get recognition for it? It's a bit like Retsuko Post S2, where she should probably start getting noticed more but it just doesn't happen.

Even after the trial and her punishment, she can freely walk down the streets of Olympus like she's the most hated goddess around (I'm not even saying this to be mean, if I had a family in the Mortal Realm and I couldn't see them for a decade? I'd be pissed).

I'm going to take time to mention the video that inspired this ramble, Lindsey Ellis’ “Yoko and the Beatles,” which goes into the history of the Beatles and Yoko Ono. It also touches on other famous women, like Courtney Love, Britney Spears and others, who were slammed by the media and press. There is/are a lot of elements at play, to misogyny and racism (in Yoko Ono’s case) that effected their treatment in the public eye. And a lot of this came in the late 90s/early 2000s, which was a very bad time to be in the press. No sympathy at all.

I’d highly suggest watching it for yourself if you haven’t, because the treatment in the video did remind me of an LO character, but not the one the narrative wants us to think of-

Minthe got dumped on in the story, in WT comment section, and by its own creator! It’s no wonder people give her more grace/sympathy, because she’s barely standing up by the time she gets planted. But back to Persephone because it’s always about her:

So. the only time Persephone gets slammed like that is near the end…where the narrative decides to input all the criticism to the evil scary villain who sucks sooooo much:

And it’s like…ok. So. Typically, when a character is getting mistreated in the press, the claims are usually sensationalized and inflammatory. Borderline slander. We, the audience, should not be on the press’s side unless we’re supposed to take validity in those statements.

The best example is the 2nd interview in Bojack Horseman, where the audience is expected to see Bojack as a deeply flawed and messed up person who, when things get really bad, will throw people under the bus to save his own skin (I.E, him mentioning Sharona in relation to Sarah Lynn drinking for the first time). 

And there’s obviously situations where it’s a lot more morally grey, when it comes to the media and press. It’s all about who’s telling the “real” story and which one is the “fake.” But in this, you as a writer need to make a decision: how is your audience supposed to take it? Should we be on the press’s side, like in the case of Bojack, or should we be on the character’s side?

Now. In this moment with Persephone, it’s clear we the audience are supposed to sympathize with her. But everything Apollo (and the other citizens) are saying is…correct. Persephone is responsible for this, and she hasn’t really owned up/done enough to manage it. She’s sitting there in her ivory tower, pulling the “woe is me” act like she did in the trial. And somehow, we’re supposed to be on board? When we haven’t been given enough evidence that Persephone genuinely cares and they’re wrong about her?

And this could’ve worked! If Persephone owned up to her mistakes and wanted to change, we’d be on board! Look, she’s actually developing! But because Persephone can never be in the wrong, the narrative bends itself like a game of Twister for her to always be right. And that’s boring in a story that’s supposed to have stakes.

I’m actually gonna end this off on a positive note, and talk about the best use of the media in LO. While Persephone is at school, after she’s spent the night at Hades place, she comes across this in the bathroom:

This is genuinely perfect! We see how the press/media defame Persephone, and how people are reacting to it. We see her being affected by this in her day to day life, with the Cherry on top being the “Goddess of Sluts.” It’s so bitter and borders on Highschool levels of petty, and it works. This is probably my personal fave moment in the LO Pilot!

And I will forever be shocked on why this wasn’t included in the WT version. It’s so simple to put in, but it’s almost like the press was sprinkled in…instead of being baked into the story. A dash of media slander here, a scoop of cliffhangers, and another sprinkle of SA, and that’s all it is, really. Or just a plot that didn’t spend enough time in the dark room

[slytherslvt]

im gonna be brave and not anon this, BUT ive been wanting to find holiday smut for AGES for even one sb, so might i suggest christmas or maybe halloween w/ theo? praise would be even better! 😌

By the Fire (smut)

Theodore Nott x FTM! Reader (reader has not transitioned yet.)

You and Theodore are staying in a cabin for the winter holidays, which Theodore rented. It's currently Christmas morning and the two of you are exchanging gifts.

Theodore hands you his last gift for you and he's smiling a lopsided smile. You're curious as to what it is.

The paper is ripped off the box and when you ope the box to reveal what's inside, you want to cry.

Theodore has gifted you a binder.

He knew you couldn't get one, considering the fact that you didn't have a lot of money for one.

"Teddy," you say softly. You move over to him, and kiss him. It's a soft kiss, but a long one. Theodore pulls you into his lap. You pull away, "Theo, thank you."

Theodore just smiles, "Anything for you, pretty boy."

The pet name makes your heart skip a beat. No matter how many times he calls you it, it has an effect on you.

Theodore leans in to kiss you this time and his lips are soft. He tastes like chocolate. Theodore's kisses are addicted and you're moving your hands to his hair, tugging on it gently.

Theodore's hands find the hem of your shirt and he pulls away to slip it off. He then goes back for another kiss. His mouth soon moves to your neck, kissing and biting at the skin there, leaving hickies.

Your head is rolled back, giving him more access.

He soon grows tired of your neck and moves down to your breasts kissing and biting at the skin there too.

"I need you so bad, Theodore," you plead.

"I know," Theoodre says. "And you'll have me. Soon."

"Not soon, now."

"Impatient, are we?" Theodore teases. You want to slap him.

He moves to slip off your pajama pants and underwear, and you're now fully revealed to Theodore.

"You're so gorgeous," Theodore says. He's seen you naked plenty of times, and he still compliments you. "My gorgeous boy."

He moves down, in between your thighs. He places kisses on them, before finally placing his tongue on where you need most.

A gasp escapes your mouth at the sensation.

Your hands find their way to his hair, needing something to hold onto. You tug gently at it when you orgasm.

You catch your breath before saying, "Theodore, I need you... I want you inside me, please?"

Theodore smiles softly, before moving to take off his clothes. He then positions himself above you, and slides his cock inside you. The feeling of him inside you makes you moan loudly.

His breathing is heavy as he moves inside you, almost gasp like. "Fuck, you feel so good."

Theodore's movements are soft and gentle. Your hands rake down his back as he leans in for another kiss. His kiss is soft too as his tongue slips inside your mouth.

You only pull away from the kiss when you're about to cum again. "Theodore, shit," you moan out. You cum.

Moments later, Theodore is about to cum as well, showed by the way his hips stutter and his messier thrusts. When he releases, he let's out a breathy whimper.

Theodore pulls out of you and rolls over onto his side when he catches his breath. The fire crackling brings you out of your haze.

"Now that my hunger for you has been satiated, I'm hungry for real food."

a/n: im so bad at smut i apologize. also on a different note, i need someone to call me pretty boy desperately.

[starlight-artbby]

Y'all the newest X-Men 97 episode blew me away. Like the animation ate down and it was just so good like I was thoroughly enjoying every second.

I knew that Scott was gonna hold some grudge against the professor and I don't blame him. He left his dream to his team and honestly failed him and damn did this episode remind him that over and over again. Especially Rogue who clearly was fed up with his ass. And I swear I was gonna cry when I saw her wearing Remy's coat and I had a tear nearly fall from my eye when Kurt looked so devastated to tell her again the Remy is dead like ugh I was in so much pain.

Speaking of pain Jubilee and Roberto. How dare they do this to me. I knew from a mile away that Roberto Was gonna go with Magneto (along with Rogue) and I completely understand why. His mother straight up abandon him and handed him to the people who wanted to kill him. Like of course he is gonna be pissed but when Jubilee said you still have me I felt like a part of me died because he walked away and that shit had to hurt.

Now I completely laughed when Magneto said the line about Lilandra. I can't remember exactly what he said but I do recall being gagged and gooped and not him telling Xavier to shut up like if those two don't just go to couples counseling...

Now I won't lie, Morph had me when he pretending to be Sinister so if I were Bastion I most certainly was gonna get caught. May I also express how I thought that Beast was going to get pieced through the chest during that fight sequence like I was on the edge of my toes.

Once again Sinister proved to me why I hate him so much. Having Jean fight her own son?!? Foul and then her contacting Cyclops to tell him that she loves him!!! Like why does X-Men 97 like hurting us? And if Storm or Forge ends up dead, I am most certainly fighting someone.

Now the new looks... Huh... Why did they have to put that cap on my boy Scott. And Jean she ate down with the boots but the gloves and the mask?!?! No mam. I loved Rogues outfit along with Logan's. They could've had morph in something a lot better. Kurt ate as usual and of course Jubilee ate up her look along with Storm. I couldn't tell if beast put on anything different so I can't say much about that but regardless, some of the team needed a better wardrobe.

Now I know some people will probably get mad at Rogue and Roberto for going with Magneto but honestly, Rogue was there on Genosha. It has messed her up so badly and we continue to see the side effects till this very episode. I already explained Roberto so I honestly am not mad at him but I am sad that he couldn't see that Jubilee was there for him just like sadly Rogue couldn't see that the team would be there for her but honestly, their feelings are still valid as fuck and I don't want to hear anyone else say other wise.

Also why did they have to do Wolverine like that!! Huh!!! Like y'all better have his regeneration ability kick in. I also feel so bad cause I know that nobody was expecting murder to occur up there that's for sure.

(also Scott stopping Xavier from forcing Magneto to return power was everything to me cause he did it for Jean and it's time he shows that woman some love.)

Also where is Bishop!?!?!

Now for the things I enjoyed. I loved the new opening. I was so happy to see Storm back in it again. It really made things start off well for the episode. I loved Rogue clocking Xavier and telling him exactly what she needed to say.

My favorite part of the episode though had to be when Jean and Storm had reunited and when they parted ways on the mission. Those two are sisters and I love the show for reminding us of their incredible bond I just lived to see it.

I also enjoyed Scott and Jean giving each other a hug before they parted ways and when Scott gave Nathan that advice I truly loved it. I am hoping that'll stop him from attacking Jean (possibly) if not, Jean will girlboss her way out of there.

I can't wait for the final episode (I hope I get Remy and Logan and anyone else who gets injured back) ♡♡♡♡

[local-hellhound-steals-spaghetti]

I don't know if this is something you'll be able to answer, but it's something I've been wondering for decades and I think you have the knowledge necessary for it.

So I used to ride horses for around 10 years, and when I first started to ride when I was around 8, when a horse was being super stuborn and didn't want to move. The riding instructor said it was okay to kick the horses as hard as I could (while I was sitting in the saddle) to get them moving, that they would bearly feel it cause they were so big, and their skin was thicker than ours.

And as a kid I trusted the adult instructor, but as I got older, and the more I interacted with horses and learnt how sensitive they could be to touch, I started to wonder if that was really okay, or if the only reason the horses seemed chill about it was cause they were used to it or something?

oh I just remembered a second thing I was wondering about, that same ranch also had a super old horse, I think he was in his 30s when I stopped going, was allowed to just wander around the ranch once he was retired, which I always sorta wondered if that was okay you know? he never seemed interested in leaving the ranch even tho there was nothing stopping him, and the part where cars could go was extremely small and they never went that fast anyways so I don't see why it'd be a bad thing, but I just couldn't shake the feeling it wasn't okay you know?

(I know these questions aren't about marine animals or even zoo animals, but I hope its okay for me to ask anyways, feel free to ignore if you want obvs)

Hi there! I don't mind horse questions - I used to work with them a lot and used to have my own horse!

I understand that feeling so well - there were so many times where I felt pressured to use excessive force with horses. Even with my own horse, because I was at the mercy of people who I thought knew best.

That's why I left the horse industry to work in the zoo and marine mammal field - so I could learn how to correctly, effectively and ethically apply positive reinforcement based training methods.

The last time I had a riding lesson was about a year ago. I wanted to give it a try again because I missed horses and it had been going fine. But the last time I was there, I left in tears because they put me on a horse that seriously needed to be retrained from the ground - and not be a lesson horse because he clearly hated it. I was not about to bully the horse into submission for the sake of getting my money's worth. I refused to "ride through" this horse's learned behaviour of stopping at arena corners and running my leg into the side of the arena. He wasn't listening to leg aids or rein aids. People had been riding him so inconsistently that he didn't even know what those signals meant anymore.

That's when people often will get out the whips and spurs to escalate those "aids". Because if all you're using is negative reinforcement/positive punishment and the aversive isn't working, you have to make that aversive even more uncomfortable/painful and "make them do it!". That's where things start to get really nasty, that's when conflict behaviours come up like rearing, bucking, bolting.

This animal was stressed, I was frustrated. He wasn't in a state to learn, he needed a break. He needed a chance to relearn those skills and be taught how to enjoy being ridden again. I refused to get into a fight with this horse. That isn't how I train and it won't be how I ride, either.

But horse riding is so heavily aversive based that escalation of aversives is just standard practise in riding schools.

When you were asked to kick harder, you were being asked to escalate the pressure for a horse that probably had become desensitised to softer leg aids. Lesson horses put up with so much incosistency, it makes sense that they get so "dull" to the aids.

There's also the issue of learned helplessness. When animals (and people) are put in a situation that they can't escape from, they give up trying to do so. They just sort of... tune everything out and become dull to any sort of learning process. It's sad because a lot of horses that people say are "bombproof" are just in a state of learned helplessness.

Horses absolutely do feel those kicks and they do not actually have "thick skin". They have thinner skin and even more nerve endings in their skin than we do!

The escalating use of force for "stubborn" horses is a symptom of an outdated industry that's still stuck in eltist tradition and would rather put a piece of twisted wire into a horse's mouth and spurs on rider's boots than re-teach skills from the ground or use positive reinforcement (treats are so taboo with horse people - they way they react, you'd think you'd brought a weapon into the yard and not a bag of carrots lol)

As for the wandering around? It's not ideal, sure. There's a certain amount of complacency in just expecting a free roaming animal not to leave the area. I guess as long as they're not standing in traffic/being a hazard/getting hurt it's okay but definitely not how I would be keeping my animals.

Anyway that was kind of long winded but I hope that helped!

[inchidentally]

Why do you think Max f protect Lando like his children? Do you think he does it because he saw how Lando struggled in f1 and couldn't just stand there and watch?? 🤔

oh anon idk how much Lando/Max F lore you know but Max has been Lando's protector from day one. Lando was teeeeeny tiny for his age up until like 19?? so Max was bigger than him up until around then. I'm still learning a lot about them as I go but Max's protective instincts toward Lando run extremely deep. it's why I can't decide if they're more common law husbands, platonic soulmates or each other's weird gamer racing gremlin guardian angels.

I think for me one of the biggest standouts for me about their bond is how much Lando wanted to look after Max when Max left racing for good. because when you read about Max's particular struggles, it's like hearing Lando all over again:

Getting bad results each weekend was just having more of a knock-on effect on my mental health. Normally, I’d say that’s one of my strengths through a championship. That’s how I’ve been able to win titles, I’m able to stay calm under pressure and I don’t let many things get to me but when you have a bad qualifying result and you see guys up there that you know you’re capable of beating, it definitely takes a dig at you inside and it’s been a lot to process throughout the year. -- As soon as more thoughts come into your head, it gets worse, then you start panicking, over-driving, and it all goes wrong. I think a lot of the pressure is in your head, but it does get to a point where it just all piles on you. [source]

it's got to mean the world to have a best mate who can completely and openly identify with exactly what you're feeling - esp since they're each now looking at racing from the inside and the outside.

what I find interesting is that Max was just as much of a hyper competitive kid as everyone who came up through that system and from what I can tell he performed strongly enough to easily assume he could make F1 (but he doesn't seem to have assumed that) so him taking to this tiny kid with all these little quirks who was absolutely dusting boys older than him, idk that's just something special about Max. he comes across as kind of gruff or misanthropic at first but he's extremely emotionally intelligent and self-aware - he's always the one to open up and be vulnerable to Lando and unlike Lando he doesn't squirm or make jokes when things get serious. it sounds like I know the guy super well which obv I don't but idk, it just feels like Max is an easygoing but also extremely loyal guy - especially with Lando.

anyway I'm not enough of an authority on nortrell and if anyone wants to add to this please do <3 but yea

side note I always love how in this video we get a sort of funny confirmation that Max approves of Oscar as temporary guardian of Lando. but then I get a little emotional and serious about that bc Lando has cited precisely Oscar's ability to stay calm and not let things pile on top of him as something he's reminded to do for himself. and that Oscar quickly observed Lando and after only a couple months (or maybe even just a month) as his teammate realized that patience and loyalty are what make Lando feel the most relaxed and comfortable with someone. he's adorable and fun w the friends who make him laugh all the time and swat him down when he gives them attitude. but as a self-described shy kid who's also hyperactive, you can see the difference between Lando alone with Max and Lando with other friends. and well, Oscar spent years before his McLaren contract watching that dynamic so. makes sense he'd get the nod of approval from Lando's closest friend <3

[our-queer-experience]

I'm a closeted transmasc and my periods are pretty rough but the pms/possibly pmdd is honestly worse. One time I tried to talk to a doctor about it but they only did a phone appointment and was just like "ok have birth control" without even bothering to look into what was causing it. I feel like my concerns about side effects (since my mum used to have pretty unpleasant side effects and a lot of the listed ones seemed like it would stick me in permanent pms mode) were just brushed off and still nobody bothered to answer whether it would still stop the period if I couldn't take it at the exact same time every single day (I can't do that with my ADHD medication let alone this). The pharmacist just kept repeating that I could get pregnant. The whole experience was so horrible, even ignoring the trans side of things. I haven't been taking it because while my cycle is horrible it's at least incredibly predictable and pain is easier to pre-emptively handle than the mood swings. I wish I could tell people the full reason why I really don't want to stuff myself full of estrogen but I don't have the guts to come out to my parents, and don't really want to tell my GP that with the current state of trans healthcare in the UK. Also it's made me super reluctant to try and get help for some related concerns I've been having lately because I don't want to just get the phone appointment then "okay okay just take these pills and go away" treatment.

Idk where I'm going with this I just feel kind of stuck. Compared to some other horror stories they're not even that bad. They're a week at minimum but are only heavy for the first half. I get anemic and nauseous but I don't pass out or throw up. I get cramps but if take a paracetamol and ibuprofen before they get bad they're really not a problem. The PMS sucks and I sometimes only realize it's happening when I alienate my friends or my brain thinks of something drastic after a minor inconvenience, but the thoughts regarding myself aren't anything I'd actually act on. I almost sort of wish it was worse so people would take me seriously and I'd have a shot at getting the offending organs removed, even though I know that's not how that works.

speaking as a trans man on birth control who is out to my doctor: if you’re not using it to prevent pregnancy, i was told by my doctor that it’s more about taking it around the same time each day. you can even miss a day and then take two, it’s totally fine.

while i understand your reluctance to take the medication, birth control is one of the most commonly prescribed things not just for general menstrual pain but for other conditions that affect people who menstruate. it regulates your hormones and is proven to make periods lighter and reduce the pain.

obviously, birth control is not the right method for everyone, and i am not trying to force you to do anything that will make you uncomfortable. i am trying to make you less uncomfortable with the possibility that these pills may help your hormones be regulated and your cycle become less painful to you, but i also understand if none of this is helping. if your doctor prescribed it, you might want to give it a try, at least for the sake of being able to work out another solution with them.

at the end of the day, it’s absolutely your choice and i am supporting you either way! i’m very sorry you have to go through this, and i hope your symptoms get better whatever solution you find for them. 🫂🫂

[mbti-notes]

Anon wrote: Hello, can you help me decide whether I'm bad for telling my poor friend she's actually the priviledged one now?

I met my close friend when we both started at a prestigious finance firm after college, bonding over the long hours, poor management, and tedious tasks. Our friendship largely revolved around complaining about work.

A few years ago, I left the corporate grind for the nonprofit sector. While I earn less now, I am much happier and healthier. On the other hand, she has climbed the corporate ladder and recently became a VP. She grew up in a financially unstable family, while I was raised in an upper-middle-class household with supportive parents who could help me in tough times.

I recently received my dream job offer, and was thrilled to share the news with her. But her response was, "I'm glad you have the financial privilege to take a pay cut," instead of congratulating me. I snapped back, pointing out that she makes triple what I do and needs to recognize her own privileges. Our conversation heated up, and we agreed to cool off before discussing it again.

Now I'm torn about whether to apologize or stand my ground. I feel defensive, which I realize is exactly the reaction that a spoiled rich kid would have. But I think it was mean of her to say that at my excitement. And while generational wealth gives privileges that income alone does not, she literally does make over triple the amount of money that I now make, so it seems hypocritical for her to be calling me privileged. Also, as a final note, while my parents certainly are well off, they do not support me financially in any way, and have not since I graduated. Thank you.

------------------------

The problem with me responding to these sorts of questions is that I'm only getting one side of the story. In the absence of the other party's perspective, I'm forced to read between the lines and speculate about what really lies at the heart of the conflict. It sounds to me like your reading of the situation is too superficial.

If your friendship developed around complaining about work, it means you share similar views. And there was a reason you left the firm, correct? The work was obviously having a very negative effect on your well-being. Now, imagine that you had stayed, what would you be like right now? A lot less happy and a lot less healthy. That's your friend right now. It's hard to be happy for someone else when you're miserable.

I say this not to defend or excuse what she said, but to foster empathy. What she said, while directed at you, actually had nothing to do with you. Rather, it had everything to do with the fact that she felt she couldn't leave like you did, due to not having the "privilege" to take that sort of risk.

The main point isn't to debate whether she could've taken the risk as successfully as you did, because that would just be pure conjecture. The main point is that, objectively speaking, she did not have as much freedom as you to leave the job due to having no safety net, so she opted to stay. This is a fact that you need to acknowledge, if you hope to repair this relationship.

And now, through no fault of yours, you've become a kind of symbol or reminder of her unhappiness. You trigger the "what if" or "what might have been" feeling that has obviously been gnawing at her ever since you left. While it is not right for her to resent you, feel jealous of you, or lash out at you, the way you reacted only made things worse.

The fact of the matter is that people are generally terrible communicators unless they have spent time learning how to communicate constructively. What people say isn't always what they really mean. People get easily agitated and confused in the heat of the moment, so it can be hard to decipher the underlying motivations at play.

For example, you took your friend's comment as "mean" because it's very clear that she intended to take you down a notch. And then you instantly went into battle mode and retaliated. However, knowing full well that money doesn't equal happiness, your retort really misses the point, doesn't it?

If you had paused for a moment to be curious rather than defensive, to give a friend the benefit of the doubt and examine her motivation more deeply, what would've happened? You could've said something like, "I told you this news because, as my close friend, I had hoped you could share in my happiness. But it seems you aren't happy to hear about it and that pains me. Would you be willing to tell me why? Would you prefer that I stop mentioning such things?"

By taking the time to investigate properly and get to the bottom of what she really needed in that moment, you would've created an opportunity to grasp the feelings and emotions behind the words, to see that her words were actually stemming from a pain about her own situation. This wouldn't have made what she said right, but it would've made it more understandable. And a deeper understanding would've helped you respond with greater emotional maturity.

It is not a matter of apologizing versus standing your ground, as that means you are still stuck firmly in self-righteous battle mode. What matters most is whether you understand exactly what you ought to apologize for. If you have a habit of immediately snapping back angrily every time you don't like what someone says, then it shows you have a similar problem to your friend of allowing emotions to get the better of you. It can become a recurring and damaging problem in your relationships if you don't address it.

While you shouldn't have to apologize for your hard-earned success, you should remedy a bad situation when you had a hand in creating it - the feeling of regret is meant to prompt conciliatory action. It takes two people to create a conflict, and you must take responsibility for your part in escalating and continuing it. Being the first to step up and take responsibility for your part encourages the other person to join you, which then reopens the lines of communication.

It's true that sometimes repair attempts don't work, because, for whatever reason, the other party isn't ready or able to move past the conflict. However, you'll never know whether there is an opportunity for reconciliation as long as no one is willing to climb out of their trench and extend an olive branch. The first step is to stop the blame.

In case it needs to be said, the key ingredient to maintaining any close relationship over the long term is kindness. Kindness was certainly missing during the snappy exchange, so the question is whether the two of you can bring it back. This requires the both of you to be more honest about the underlying feelings, as well as be more vulnerable in expressing what it is you truly need from each other. See also the article about Communicating Through Conflict.