#and not only accepting it but finding joy in it and finding his own purpose for living inside that joy but

[lizardkingeliot]

That can’t be all there is.

[froggiewrites]

hello i wanted to request a comfort fic with Law,Zoro and Sanji with their s/o being depressed,stressed

thanks in advance

Hi, sorry this took so long! This is the first time I've written a few smaller scenarios instead of one larger fic and I've gotta say, I really enjoyed it. It was a nice change of pace! So thank you for requesting this 😊 I hope this fic brings you the comfort you need, and that you're doing well!!

Hard Times

Pairing: Law, Zoro, Sanji x Reader

SFW

Summary: You've not been yourself lately, and he's been worried about you. Warnings: Mild Hurt/Comfort, Fluff Word Count: 1.7k total (a little over 500 each)

It didn’t take him long to notice something was wrong. There was a subtle change in you, something a less observant man would have missed. But you always had his attention, and he knew you well. You were a bit slower to respond, your eyes a bit unfocused, your smile less bright. He tried to tell himself it was nothing, that you were just a bit tired, but after the third time of finding you in bed, staring blankly at the ceiling, he knew that you needed some more support. He was more than happy to be that support.

Law

Law is a deeply caring man, despite his attempts to appear otherwise, but he is also, unfortunately, terrible at showing it. So he doesn’t talk to you about it, not directly. He instead racks his brain, thinking of every possible way to reduce stress and ways to treat depression. His instinct is to opt for medicine, but he knows he should start smaller first.

“I have a gift for you.” He places it in your hands unceremoniously, trying to hide his delight at your small smile. That’s the most joy you’ve shown in days.

“Thank you, Law! That’s really sweet of you.” You carefully peel back the wrapping paper he had spent far more time than he would admit on, only for your face to show confusion. “A…lamp?”

“A UV lamp.” He says it as though the purpose is obvious.

“Okay?”

“It mimics sunlight.”

You blink at him. “I–you didn’t clarify anything.”

He shifts on his feet, eyes focusing anywhere but you. “We’re down on the seafloor a lot, so you can’t always go on deck for sunlight. And I think some sun will help you.”

Your eyes narrow as you try to put the pieces together. “Why?”

“Sunlight boosts serotonin production.”

You make a soft sound of understanding, before you give him a smirk he would normally hate to admit made his heart skip a beat. “You were worried about me.” You say it like it’s such a victory, like it isn’t something you expected. Clearly he had failed you somehow, if you thought he wasn’t always fretting about you. He typically tries to deny such things, the vulnerability making him feel unsure and small, but you were worth feeling a little weak.

“Of course I was worried about you.” He spits it, like it was so very obvious, and you laugh at him. Normally he would prickle, his defenses growing higher, but that’s the first time he’s heard you laugh in over a week. He would never admit the sound brought a tear to his eye, the relief tearing through him like a hurricane. He can’t help shifting forward, his hands cupping your cheeks as he checks to see if you’ve regained the sparkle in your eyes. It’s dim, but it’s there. He can’t resist kissing you.

You accept his warmth quickly and easily. You practically fall into his arms, nuzzling into his neck when your lips part. “You don’t have to worry. I can handle it. It always passes eventually.”

He sighs, kissing the top of your head. “Just because you can handle it on your own doesn’t mean you have to. You aren’t alone in this. You have me. You have the crew. We’re here for you, whatever you need, whenever you need it.”

Your voice comes out much quieter this time. “I don’t want to be a bother.”

“You aren’t.”

“...You promise you’d tell me if I was?”

He chuckles. “I promise.” He gently takes the lamp out of your hand, places it on your desk, and guides you to your bed. “Now tell me everything you need to get off your chest.”

And, to his relief, you do.

Zoro 

Zoro is blunt. He doesn’t know how to dance around your feelings, and frankly, he doesn’t care to. The faster he breaks through your reluctance to tell him what you need, the faster he can help you, and the faster you’ll be happy.

“Why aren’t you asking for help?”

You jump, not having heard him come in, too busy struggling to ground yourself. “What?”

“Something’s wrong. Why haven’t you come to ask for help?” He’s still dripping with sweat, having just come from a particularly intensive workout that was a failed attempt to distract himself until you finally broke and came to him. He can see you try to avoid his eye, so he gently grabs your chin and steers you toward him. He tries to make his voice gentle, sweet in a way he can never quite nail. “Sweetheart, talk to me. I just want to understand.”

You still avoid looking straight at him, even now, but you finally speak. “I…didn’t want to be a burden.”

He can’t hide his obvious confusion. “Huh?”

You finally look at him, not understanding his reaction. “What?”

“Who cares if you’re a burden for a while?”

You look shocked, “I do!”

“Okay, well no one else does! Everyone is a burden sometimes. No one can do everything on their own. The crew’s job is to help each other.”

“None of you guys have ever been a burden.”

“Were we not a burden, or were you just happy to help?”

You open your mouth to argue again, but he can see the exact moment you realize you really have nothing you can say. You can’t deny helping your crew has sometimes made your life harder. He’s seen it countless times. Your Captain alone has gotten you into dozens of situations you could hardly think about without wincing. But you were always happy to help, and a burden shared is a burden halved.

“Everyone here is happy to help you if you need it. All avoiding us does is make us worry.”

You seem to shrink in on yourself. “I’m sorry.”

He pulls you close, chuckling a little at the discontented noise you make when you realize he’s still sweaty. You squirm halfheartedly, but it doesn’t take long before you snuggle into his warmth. He can feel the muscles in your back slowly start to relax under his hands as you accept his touch. “No need for apologies, sweetheart. Just fix it. Talk about it.”

You hold him tight. “I don’t know exactly what I need. Everything’s just…hard. I don’t remember it always being this hard.”

He tries to ignore the way his heart breaks at how pained you sound. He instead focuses on the positives: you’re here, you’re talking, and you’re willing to accept help if it comes. “It won’t be this hard forever. I’ll be right here to make it a little easier, alright? And you can talk to Chopper for some help, too.”

“...Do you think I should?”

“I think that’s up to you. But we’re here. That’s what matters.”

You spend the rest of the afternoon in Zoro’s arms, and if he sees you sneaking to Chopper’s office later, he doesn’t mention it, though his relieved smile might give him away.

Sanji

Sanji is very in tune with your emotions, often realizing you’re upset before anyone else, and sometimes even before you register it yourself. It’s not uncommon for him to suddenly appear, food and drink in hand, ready to pamper you to your (or, maybe more accurately, his) heart’s content. So you don’t seem to suspect a thing when he starts setting up picnics for you on the deck, each dish carefully prepared to boost serotonin production and the drinks designed to reduce stress and anxiety. You’ve probably had more chamomile tea in the past few weeks than you’ve ever had in your life. 

He sets up the picnic blanket in the perfect location: enough room in the shade for you to rest if you get too hot, but positioned in a way that encourages you to soak up the sun. As you eat, he oh-so-subtly encourages you to talk, maintains skin on skin contact as much as he can, and observes everything he can to improve the next one.

You sit blankly for a while, letting him do as he pleases but not reciprocating, before you finally speak, your voice much flatter than usual. “Sanji?”

“Yes, my love?”

“Why are you doing this?”

He freezes. “Why am I doing what, angel?”

You shift in his arms, forcing him to look you in the eye as you do so. He can’t help but brush a stray crumb off of your cheek, his thumb tracing down to your jaw. You gently catch his hand in your own, squeezing it. “These picnics aren’t just little dates, are they, Sanji? Something is clearly wrong.”

He doesn’t know how to explain he’s worried about you without you feeling pressured to speak. He doesn’t want to push you if you aren’t ready, but he can’t stand to sit by and watch as you drown in your own head. “I–do you have anything you want to talk about?”

“What?”

“You haven’t been yourself lately. I just thought…you could use something like this.”

You seem to relax a bit. “So you’ve been worried about me?”

“Yes. I didn’t want to push you, but you clearly need some help, darling. I was hoping I could make this a bit easier for you.”

You give him a real smile for the first time in a while. “Is this why you’ve been sneaking me so many little treats? And why you’ve been so desperate to keep me away from caffeine?”

He tries not to flush. “I thought you could use a pick-me-up. And I read getting better sleep can help with mood.” He pulls you closer, pressing your face into his neck to hide his redness from you. “I was hoping it’d make talking about whatever’s wrong a little easier for you.”

You snuggle into him, accepting your warmth. “Talking about it is always hard. Everything is, right now.”

“Are you willing to try? I think it might help.”

He can feel your sigh. Your reluctance. But slowly, carefully, you unfurl the tension you’re holding, and you allow him to carry some of your burdens for you. You talk for hours, about everything, including things you were clearly frightened to speak aloud. By the end, you may not be perfectly happy again, but he can see your steps are a little lighter. He’s never been more relieved.

Tag List: @pandora-writes-one-piece @shy-writer-999 @saturogojosgirl @dreamcastgirl99 @tochillwithamockingjay

[mylovesstuffs]

OT13 reacting to their s/o financially struggling behind them

Request: What if ot13 with s/o that financially struggle behind them?? -⭐

Protective & Help

Seungcheol: The most protective about it. He’d never make a big deal but would always make sure you’re taken care of. If he notices you hesitating to buy something, he’ll say, “I got it, don’t worry.” He might also send you money like, “Oops, I accidentally transferred too much. Guess you have to keep it.” HE DID IT ON PURPOSE.

Wonwoo: He’s super observant, so he’ll notice things you don’t say out loud. If he sees you skipping meals to save money, he’ll just bring food over without making a fuss. If your phone or laptop is old and glitchy, he’ll be like, “I upgraded mine, you can take this one” (he bought a new one just for this excuse).

Woozi: Acts like it’s no big deal, but he’s always thinking about your comfort. If you stress over bills, he’ll normally pay for things and say it’s because “I just wanted to spoil you.” He also encourages you to pursue your passions, reminding you that your worth isn’t tied to money. (And he's RICH rich).

Minghao: Lowkey but very intentional. He doesn’t want you to feel burdened, so he’ll support you in classy ways. If he sees you working too hard, he’ll treat you to a spa day. He also teaches you financial tips so you don’t struggle alone.

Spoil You Without Making You Feel Guilty

Jeonghan: Master of sneaky generosity. If you say you can’t afford something, he’ll find a way to gift it to you later. “Oh, this? I won it in a game. You can have it.” HE DIDN’T WIN IT, HE BOUGHT IT FOR YOU. If you struggle with rent or bills, he’ll sneakily slip extra money into your bag with a little note: Because I love you, sweetie.

Joshua: He’s so gentle about it 🥹 If you hesitate to accept his help, he’ll remind you, “Relationships aren’t about money. Let me take care of you sometimes.” He’d rather see you comfortable than struggling. Also, huge on acts of service—he’ll help you plan your budget or find side gigs to make things easier.

Dokyeom: Gives without expecting anything back. If you feel bad about him paying, he’ll be like, “But you make me happy, so we’re even.” 😭 He’ll always bring you food, take you on fun free dates, and remind you that your value isn’t measured by wealth.

Mingyu: LOVES spoiling you but never makes you feel bad about it. If you say, “I don’t want you spending money on me,” he’ll pout like, “But it makes me happy to see you happy.” He’ll cook for you, buy you cute things, and pay for stuff behind your back (you’ll only notice when the bill is already settled).

Motivate & Hustle With You

Hoshi: Instead of just helping you, he’ll hustle with you. If you’re struggling financially, he’ll figure this out together. He’ll cheer you on, help you find better opportunities, and celebrate every little success. “You paid off a bill? LET’S GO GET CAKE!” He believes in you 100%.

Seungkwan: He’d be really emotional about it because he hates seeing you stressed. He’ll find ways to uplift you, whether it’s sending cute motivational texts or finding ways to ease your burden. “Let’s meal prep together so you don’t have to spend on takeout.” He makes sure you never feel alone in your struggles.

Dino: Wants to prove that money doesn’t define love. If he knows you’re struggling, he’ll focus on making amazing memories together that don’t cost anything. He’ll say things like, “Let’s have fun in our own way.” Even if he deep down wants to spoil you, he’ll respect your pride and support you in other ways.

Reassure You That Love > Money

Jun: Very emotionally supportive. If you ever feel bad about not having as much money, he’ll tell you that it doesn’t change how he sees you. “You’re still the same person I love.” He’ll celebrate small joys with you, making sure you never feel ‘’less than’ just because of finances.

Vernon: He never makes a big deal about money. If you feel insecure about not being able to afford things, he’ll remind you, “I’m with you because of who you are, not what you have.” He’d rather have deep convos and simple moments with you than anything expensive.

[hero-the-meep]

Why is the Doctor making Donna a cup of coffee so significant?

Well, he is trying to impress her, to get her to travel with him again – like he tried to do by using the TARDIS to make it snow at Christmas the first time he asked her to travel with him.

But he got that attempt wrong. Donna doesn't like Christmas, and the Doctor having the power to make it snow "scared her to death."

A cup of coffee, just how she likes it, is (on the surface of it) a smaller gesture to show that he remembered the little details about her. A cup of coffee is what brought them together all those years ago.

But it's what Donna told the Doctor about what Lance making her that cup of coffee meant to her that the Doctor really listened to and remembered.

"I was temping. I mean, it was all a bit posh, really. I'd spent the last two years at a double glazing firm. Well, I thought, I'm never going to fit in here. And then he made me a cup of coffee. I mean, that just doesn't happen. Nobody gets the secretaries a coffee. "And Lance, he's the Head of HR, he didn't need to bother with me. But he was nice, he was funny. And it turns out he thought everyone else was really snotty too. So, that's how it started, me and him. One cup of coffee, and that was it."

Donna fell in love with Lance because he made her a cup of coffee. So used to being unnoticed and uncared for, something as simple as an 'important' man taking the time to make her a cup of coffee meant everything to Donna.

She thought it was a sign that he was kind, that he was nice. She thought it was a sign he noticed and cared for her.

And the Doctor sees how it devastates her to learn the real reason why he was making her coffee was to drug her for his own ends. Despite their differences, he's gentle when he breaks it to her. And it connects her to him in a shared grief.

So when the Doctor makes her a cup of coffee after she regains her memories, he's not just telling her that he remembers the little details about her like how she likes her coffee, but the big things too.

He's showing that he sees her, that he cares about her thoughts and feelings, that he wants to care for her after all these years when he couldn't. That he knows how important this is to her.

But that's not all.

In the alternative timeline, Donna never meets Lance. And yet, when she is upset, and afraid, she asks Rose Tyler for a cup of coffee. Steam rises from her mug as they stand around the console inside the dying TARDIS, and have the most honest conversation they've had yet about the Doctor and their feelings towards him.

In the proper timeline, the person we see Donna drinking coffee with is Wilf. In moments of joy and moments of upset they bond over coffee. Before she finds the Doctor again, Donna brings Wilf a thermos to escape Sylvia's criticisms.

Wilf is the only person in Donna's life who she can be herself around, who has unconditionally cared for her, and who she takes joy in caring for back.

Even in the alternative timeline, Wilf has held onto not only the telescope but the exact same thermos Donna brings him coffee in when he's up on the hill.

For the Doctor to remember how she takes her coffee, we know they must have had moments together like this off-screen too.

So when the Doctor makes her a cup of coffee, just how she likes it, he is communicating he remembers not just the small details of her but that he remembers all these things that she associates with making someone a cup of coffee – kindness, acceptance, being noticed, caring for someone and being cared for, home, and family.

It's possible, for the Doctor, there's an apology in that cup of coffee too.

But wait, there's still more.

Did Donna spill the cup of coffee on the console on purpose?

The slight of hand was rather obvious. And it came at a time when Donna was trying to convince him not to leave her, to come back home to her, if only just for a visit.

He'd not said no, but she'd easily seen through him the first time he lied about coming inside to have dinner with her family that first Christmas, and likely saw through him again – the avoidance of eye contact, fiddling with the TARDIS, the wane "yeah, maybe."

She also rather clearly wanted to go on another trip with him (she never wanted to stop in the first place), and was only saying no because of her obligations to her family. It's possible she was buying time by spilling the cup of coffee – just one more than one last trip, without it being her "fault."

She had, after all, just dropped a cup of coffee on a computer and lost a job she'd probably hated, knowing Donna. And before things had gone really wrong, she'd definitely been enjoying herself.

It's also possible she's still quite angry with the Doctor, but unable to fully verbalise this yet.

He connects the cup of coffee to remembering every detail of her. She has not been able to remember any detail of her life with him. The last time they were standing around the console together, he took her memories against her will. He says it killed him; but she – or that version of herself, the one she actually liked – was arguably the one who was killed.

And she might be remembering Lance, another man she truly loved and trusted, and how a cup of coffee seemed like a kindness but was in fact a lie, a violation.

The Doctor quite possibly also suspects something like this is what might have happened, given his level of anger at her.

Despite the fact that this Doctor is more able to admit his feelings, we don't see what happened between them when he took her memories ever properly resolved in words.

Instead, there are a series of proxy arguments that stand in for it – Donna's anger that she gave away all her money because of him, that he sees taking the slow path, living a life day after day as such agony when he made her do it, his anger at her faith that he will know how to defeat the Toy Maker.

And their most emotional proxy argument of all – who is at fault for stranding them at the edge of the universe? Is it Donna, who spilt the cup of coffee, or the Doctor, who she couldn't stop from wandering off?

Thematically, however, there is some resolution. The Doctor lets Donna decide to regain her memories, even if it means she'll die. The Doctor knows Donna enough to save her from being left to die alone, even if it is at the very last moment. The Doctor admits he used to think he knew everything, but now he knows he doesn't.

Donna gets to tell him it's not all about him saving her, gets him to stop, finally gets him to come home with her.

And in their last scene, it's the Doctor who is having the cup of coffee.

[lu-is-not-ok]

What do you suppose is the underlying difference that determines someone getting Magic Bullet or Fell Bullet E.G.O.?

It's something that's been on mind since WP5 began and remembering there being a lot of E.G.O overlap between Heathcliff and Outis (Ya Śūnyatā Tad Rūpam, Holiday, Binds, and Sunshower if you count Heath's TLA ID).

I keep thinking about this ask and turning it in my brain so I think it's about time to figure out an answer here.

So. Der Freischütz (who I will refer to as Der Frei from now on) and Der Fluchschütze (who I will refer to as Der Fluch).

Der Frei comes from an opera of the same name, and literally translates to The Marksman or The Freeshooter.

Der Frei's concept as an abnormality is a man who recieved a gun from the Devil, one that had bullets that could never miss, but the last of which would kill the one he loved. In response, Der Frei chose to kill everyone he loved first, so that he would never reach that final bullet. This act had unknowingly still fulfilled the Devil's contract, causing the man to become a sort of Devil himself, now being the one offering the bullet to others himself.

The Lobcorp flavor text "Long ago, Der Freischütz’s heart was pierced by the magic bullet, which always hits its mark." implies that the target of that final bullet was actually Der Frei himself, leaving him unable to feel joy or love, only the impulse to hunt and kill.

Der Fluch doesn't appear to have a direct name inspiration, but his name translates to The Curse/Cursed Shooter.

Der Fluch's concept as an abnormality is similar to Der Frei, but with notable differences. Just like Der Frei, he recieved a gun from the Devil on the condition that its final bullet would hit the one he loved.

The first difference comes from what the gun is enchanted to do. For Der Frei, the bullets are said to never miss. For Der Fluch the bullets are said to be able to "blow up anything". Notably the type of gun differs between the two as well, Der Frei using a sniper rifle (a gun associated with precision at a distance), while Der Fluch uses a shotgun (a gun associated with large damage at short range).

The second difference is the way the two tried to wiggle their way out of their deals. Der Frei simply killed all of his loved ones before ever reaching the final bullet, showing he never actually loved them and cared more about himself, thus the final bullet hit his heart.

Der Fluch on the other hand simply doesn't remember who his beloved is, having been a part of the war for so long that he simply forgot. As such, he believes himself to be able to kill without any worry about harming whoever his beloved might be, even finding it exhilarating to imagine those he kills to still remember their loved ones. However, Der Fluch is always carrying a pendant holding a picture of that beloved, and if he's made to look into it, he's filled with fear and grief as the next bullet he shoots immediately goes for that beloved, and he laments that he didn't want to remember the people he loved anymore.

There's also the interesting choice of the name of the E.G.O. Der Frei's Magic Bullet brings to mind a miraculous item, something that he finds to be desireable, which reflects how he had no qualms with taking out his loved ones for the sake of keeping the gun and bullets. On the other hand, Der Fluch's Fell Bullet gives the impression that the bullet is actively harmful, dangerous and cruel, reflecting Der Fluch's own cruelty in the warzone and how in the end the bullet will still find its true mark.

...That was a lot of yapping. Ok. Let's get back to the question.

I think these are the main differences between Magic Bullet and Fell Bullet that might be determining which goes to what Sinner. The ascribed purpose of the Bullet, the method for avoiding the consequences of the deal, and the actual consequences in question.

Magic Bullet is the promise of precise results, to reach the target regardless of what is in the way. The one who accepts it is someone who is willing to sacrifice everyone and everything around them, even those they believe they care about. In consequence they lose their heart, being left alone and unable to turn back to the way things were.

Fell Bullet is the promise of mindless destruction, to do whatever one wants just cause. The one who accepts it is someone who wishes to forget their past, who ignores their surroundings just so they can live without thinking about those they care about. The consequence is that, eventually, they cannot ignore what's in front of them and end up bringing destruction to those they wished to protect by forgetting.

Focus on the goal vs mindlessly indulging. Sacrifices that lead to losing oneself vs willful ignorance that leads to hurting someone else.

[shisasan]

Moving to Japan many years ago and being introduced more meticulously to its culture, history, and philosophy sparked a deep and lasting fascination that took root within me. Through extensive reading, research, observation, and reflection, it offered me valuable insights that, for some reason, blended organically with my own Balkan mentality. Japanese thought is like a quiet, endless ocean - vast and mysterious, yet full of deep truths for those curious to explore its depths. It’s not only that we can learn from it - it’s that we are drawn to it. The soul, restless and searching for meaning, finds itself captivated by its quiet elegance, by wisdom that is not shouted but whispered, like a secret offered in the stillness of the night. Herein lies its true beauty: it doesn’t force itself on you, it invites. It calls the spirit to explore the unknown, to face its own shadows, and in doing so, to find peace.

Here are a few philosophical principles that I find deeply compelling, each reflecting a unique idea or value within the expansive spectrum of Japanese aesthetics, ethics, and spirituality:

In the philosophy of "kensho" (見性), the gradual awakening to one's true self, there is a calm defiance against the rush of modern life. How easily we are deceived into thinking self-worth is built overnight, but Japanese thought insists on a far more patient, sometimes demanding journey - a slow, deliberate peeling away of the surface until only the real essence of the self remains. This is not comfort, but truth, and the search for truth is never without a bit of struggle. Yet in this struggle, in this slow awakening, there is beauty - one that cannot be grasped by those who seek only the fleeting joys of instant satisfaction.

Much like "bushidō" (武士道), the way of the warrior, this journey demands honor, integrity, and the kind of inner strength that does not waver, no matter how treacherous the path, a kind of inner strength that stands resolute in all circumstances. Bushidō embodies Gi (rectitude), Yū (courage), Jin (benevolence), Rei (respect), Makoto (honesty), Meiyo (honor), Chūgi (loyalty), and Jisei (self-control). It is not simply enduring hardship - it is about living with powerful intention, where loyalty, integrity, and courage form the foundation of a purposeful life. This spirit of Bushidō isn't about suffering but about a fierce dedication to living with honor and resilience, and within that struggle, one’s character is shaped. There is no arrogance in true confidence, only a hard-won resilience, the kind that grows in the cracks like a delicate flower breaking through stone.

Then comes "shibumi" (渋み) - that quiet, understated elegance that goes almost unnoticed, simplicity hiding a depth of complexity. True self-esteem, true understanding, doesn’t need to shout. It exists in the way a person holds themselves, moves through the world with calm, steady presence that speaks volumes without saying a word. This is confidence born not from pride but from humility, from understanding one’s place in the larger order of things, and finding peace in that awareness.

The beauty of "wabi-sabi" (侘寂) lies in its celebration of imperfection. It rejects the idea of flawless perfection and instead finds beauty in the cracks of imperfection and flaws. There is something both bittersweet and freeing in this acceptance - that we are all, in some way, broken, and it is through those very fractures that we find our true beauty. It’s a perspective that would resonate deeply with Dostoyevsky, who found humanity in the brokenness of his characters.

Perhaps the greatest gift of Japanese philosophy is the concept of "yūgen" (幽玄), that deep, elusive beauty lying just beyond reach, in the shadows and the unseen. Life is not meant to be fully understood, and some things are better left as mysteries. This unknowable depth gives life its meaning, its richness. The surface may seem dark, but beneath lies an entire world for those willing to look deeper, to feel with their soul, rather than just see with their eyes.

Finally, there is "fudōshin" (不動心) - the unshakable mind. To be calm, to be still, in the face of the storm - that is where true strength lies. It lies not in the victory and worldly achievements, triumph or success, but in the calm, steady enduring of life’s storms. This is the magnetic presence that draws others in, not through force or charm, but through the quiet power of someone who has faced the abyss and emerged, not untouched, but unbroken.

In Japanese philosophy, I’ve found a mirror to the human condition - beautiful, tragic, profound, and endlessly deep. It teaches us that self-esteem, like life, is not something to be attained in a moment, but something to be continuously sought, patiently, through humility and acceptance. There is no end to this journey, and in that endlessness lies its greatest beauty.

[p3achyxdoll]

Ensnared by His Words

"That's it. Eyes closed, brain off, all mine," the hypnotist says, finger lightly stroking your forehead. "Feels so peaceful, doesn't it? Feels so safe. Feels so addictive. You can't get enough of my voice or me.

"You can't escape it, so accept it. I'm in your dreams, your thoughts, your body.

"When your little pussy clenches and leaks, those are my hands playing with you. Phantom hands that hold your mind, body, and soul in its palm."

You feel the control he weaves over you. The waves of pleasure that course your body at every syllable. Every hypnotic dip in tone.

His voice.

God, how voice is everything

And you are nothing.

Because without his words, you feel like you would disappear into the blackness. They tethered you to purpose. To pleasure. To joy.

Without him – his hold over you – you'd be lost in darkness, unable to find your way back to self.

But even that isn't scary, isn't something to fear.

His words are a system of knots so deliberate and refined that each loop, each coil, had become its own language – an intimate procession of not just your flesh, but thought, too.

"That's it, tighter and tighter. Deeper and deeper. My words are pleasure. Your obedience is pleasure.

"Give in. There's nothing left for you out there. In here, you're safe. You're mine."

The rope begins at your wrists, spiraling with tension across your forearms.

Word after word.

You can't move.

You don't want to move.

"Give me everything," he murmurs.

The strands are smooth but firm, their pull not painful, only precise.

From the arms, the rope fans across the shoulders and chest in a harness that both restrains and accentuates.

You hear his voice but nothing else. A timbre smooth as honey, and as sticky, that lulls you deeper and deeper into his thrall.

"A treasured plaything is to be decorated. Even in its cage."

Then the binds descend in a lattice, crossing the stomach and hips in diamond-shaped weaves, tightening slightly with breath, syncing to the strokes *his* fingers lay on your forehead.

Again and again.

Each knot is a point of focus, a reminder. Not just of stillness, but surrender. Submission. Each knot takes away another piece of you.

Your name.

Your opinions.

The way you like to be touched.

You.

And it doesn’t stop at the body.

From the base of the spine, the rope rises again – not physically, but real all the same – wrapping around the mind.

It binds through your anticipation, steals the edge of your awareness, and pushes that beyond the darkness.

Your thoughts spiral like the rope itself for a moment, looping in tandem with the coils.

Maybe you think you can outrun it or push it away.

But as the rope tightens around who you were, it begins to unravel more than just muscle and movement. It erases the ego, strand by strand.

Each knot now acts like a key, unlocking who you once were.

One lock at a time is broken through, until identity, pride, jealousy, and the endless inner monologue fade into silence.

There’s no need to perform, to decide, to be anything. Put down your mask. Set aside your petty dreams.

In their place, a hollowing, a soft emptying, a clearing of space where the mind can rest, weightless and obedient, occurs.

Replaced by him.

His words.

"There's nothing left but me," he whispers to you.

His voice.

His desires.

His opinions.

His hopes for your future.

Him.

And when he is done, you are a living map of desire and surrender, molded by his will.

Your body and mind are sculpted perfection, a reflection of his ideal little plaything.

[bafvkun]

I just feel like talking about how deep Mikayu’s bound runs don’t mind me (HEAVY spoilers ahead).

Lets get this straight : i don’t care if you ship them or not (even if you would be a fool not to) but no one can deny that they’re literal soulmates and I’m gonna show you exactly why.

Yu and Mika were ALWAYS bound to find each other and reunite. I’m not saying that because I’m delusional it’s literally canon. Their relationship is as old as dinosaurs and once again : this is canon.

Yu (or should I say Mika but like whatever if you didn’t read the scans it would take an eternity to explain) was literally created for Mika. The sole purpose of his existence was to look after Mika and be his only friend. Since day one they were ment for each other.

They swore on every stars and defied fate itself that they will always found each other again no matter how many times they die or get taken away from the other in a way or another, no matter their race, age or era.

There I was talking about the first versions of them, but let’s talk about the main one, the one we all know in the anime and throughout the whole manga, Yuichiro and Mikaela Hyakuya.

Mika was the first one in this life to get Yu to open his heart, to make him accept his fate and push him to make the best of it. Yu was just a traumatized child that almost got killed by his own parents yet Mika made him feel like he belonged somewhere, he showed him that family wasn’t always meant to be bound with blood.

When Yu lost Mika it was like he lost all hopes, for the longest time Yu was suicidal, already from young age and this loss just made him feel so much worse. Yes the loss of his whole new family, including Akane and the kids was bad for him, but deep down what truly broke them was the loss of one another.

Years later they reunited, Mika like Yu both changed deeply because of their own experiences and yet their relationship stayed unchanged. Just the dynamic between them switched, Yu was now the one to convince Mika that he could trust his new family (Glenn and his own squad).

One day my mom told me « if when you reunite with a long lost friend and it feels like not even a day has passed, then it’s real friendship » and it’s been proven to me that this is true, Mikayu being yet another exemple of this.

As a vampire Mika doesn’t feel much anymore, it’s said loud and clear that turning into a vampire takes away from you any vulnerability, any love or lust. Yet Mika feels so vividly for Yu, it runs so much deeper than his own nature. His loyalty towards him is beyond any words could ever describe.

And it’s also so damn obvious how Mika is just so grumpy with anyone but smiles whenever Yu is around. He didn’t smile for anyone else than him throughout the manga, Yu is his literal everything, he is the only one that brings him peace and joy.

Now we skip forward a bit, Yu and Mika are in a deadly situation and against everything Mika dies. First let’s get the obvious out of the way, his last words were « Yu, I love you. ». I mean. There’s nothing more straightforward than that.

But then, when a vampire dies he becomes a demon, so of course Yu had to take him as his cursed weapon. So that’s exactly what he did, after so much struggle that I will pass here he finally got to talk with Mika and have a contract with him.

But the thing is when a vampire dies and becomes a demon he loses all his memories from his previous life, so Mika didn’t remember Yu at all. Yet, despite everything their bound didn’t die, quite the contrary. Even before they did the contract, so before Mika had access to Yu’s memories, there was still something inside him that screamed « that guy is important to me », even if he didn’t understand where it came from.

All the memories Mika had of Yu after that was again : from Yu’s own memories.

And what Mika saw broke him, the desire to die was so overwhelming even in his demon form he found himself speechless and hurt. He didn’t remember Yu but he knew that he was important to him more than he could ever tell. And he didn’t only see their memories together, he saw Yu’s whole life, the moment with his parents, the years they spent apart, Yu and Glenn’s relationship and his new family, he saw everything.

He swore his loyalty to him yet again, ready to do anything for him and face the end of the world hand in hand with him. And of course, even when he lost his memories Yu never once doubted him and that he would still follow him.

Now. I’ve been talking a lot about Mika’s love for Yu but what about the other way around ? Moving forward in the story again Glenn revealed something to Yu, his squad and Mika that left a dilemma hanging in the air. Yu had to chose between humanity and Mika. And what did he do ? He chose Mika, betraying not only Glenn, the man that save him physically and psychologically and that he respected the most in the world, not only his squad with who he shared ups and downs like a family but humanity itself for the survival of Mika.

If this doesn’t speak volumes to you I don’t know what will. Yu sacrificed EVERYTHING down to his own survival just to spend one more day with Mika. Now not only vampires, demons and angels were against him, but humanity too all for the sake of one man.

Both of them constantly put their whole life and universe on the line for the other and they always do it in a heartbeat, like any other decision would just be unthinkable.

They had so many discussions that made clear how deeply their feelings for one another go, no matter if you interpret it as brotherly or romantic love. They confessed to each other so many times how they can’t live without the other, how life is meaningless if the other isn’t around. How there’s not even a point in trying to live if it isn’t to face tomorrow together and how each other’s happiness is more important than anything else in the world.

Both of them held on solely for the other, both of them are still breathing and living their truth thanks to nothing else than one another.

Their love is so fucking beautiful and pure, it stayed untouched through generations and generations of them.

Mikayu is an amazing ship and anyone would be a fool to not read Seraoh of the end just to witness such utter and raw love.

[kurishiri]

Liam Evans ┊ To our greed this Christmas

꒰ ִ ֺ ⊹ @ notice ⊹ ֺ ִ ꒱ this translation may not be 100% accurate or contain creative liberties due to characterization or narrative flow purposes. if you enjoy, please consider reblogging, but don’t repost these or claim these as your own!

— the 230 times sent bonus for elbert's promised christmas event.

— cw: a bit of angst maybe, ale cameo!?

Liam: Kate, look!

On the night of December 1st, Liam handed out a box with each number ranging from 1 to 24 written on it.

Liam: It’s called an advent calendar, where you receive a present every day until Christmas day.

Liam took apart the part of the box that said ‘1,’ and there appeared a cookie.

The interior of the box was split into 24 parts, each containing some sweets.

Kate: Ohh...! It really is wonderful that we get to enjoy not only Christmas, but the days leading up to it as well.

Liam: Right? Every day from now, I’d like it if you could enjoy it little by little.

And so, we spent our days looking forward to opening the advent calendar.

However, one day, a certain incident occurred...

Roger: ...I’m really sorry. I know you guys were looking forward to it.

In Roger’s hands was the advent calendar — albeit in a pitiful state.

Ale just happened to be around in the castle, and drawn to the scent of sweets, it seemed he ate all the sweets.

Liam: No no, it’s on me for putting it in a place Ale could reach, so don’t worry about it.

Roger did go out looking for an advent calendar to replace the one we had,

but apparently it was not a common thing in England, so they didn’t sell it anywhere...

And so, wanting to apologize, Roger treated us to some booze.

(I know Liam was looking forward to the advent calendar, too, so I wonder if there’s something I can do as well...)

(...Oh, I know!)

On the third day before Christmas...

Liam: A present for me?

Kate: Yep! Go ahead and open it.

Liam took out a small box from the bag I gave him.

Liam: Is this an advent calendar?

Kate: It’s handmade, so it doesn’t look the most pretty, and the date went from 21 to 23...

Liam: But you knew I was looking forward to the calendar, so you went out of your way to make one?

L: Thank you so much... I’m so happy.

Just like handling a precious gem, he treated it with respect and courteousness, his hands cautious.

Liam gently took the distorted handmade box in his hands.

Liam: ...You know, there was a time when I was little. My butler, Jacob, gave me an advent calendar.

—— Flashback ——

Jacob: Young master, would you take this?

Liam: What’s this?

Jacob: It’s apparently called an advent calendar. See, the dates are written on it, right?

J: Apparently, you can have a little present until Christmas.

Liam: But, I didn’t do anything to deserve a present...

Jacob: You did do something, though? After all, to be able to serve you, every day has been a joy...

J: This is a present to thank you for every day. So please accept it!

—— End flashback ——

Liam: And then... when I happened to find an advent calendar in a shop, I thought to myself, ‘I really want to enjoy this with Kate.’

L: Because just you being here with me has made every day shine... and I’m grateful for that.

L: So, it really makes me happy that you made this advent calendar while thinking of me.

L: Can we open today’s present then?

When I nodded, Liam opened the calendar——and his eyes lit up.

On Christmas day, after enjoying a Christmas party with Crown, we returned to our room.

Liam: Kate, could I use this?

The three tickets he brought out were ones put into the advent calendar.

Written on each one was ‘hug for 〇 minutes,’ ‘kiss 〇 times,’ and ‘〇 for 〇 minutes,’

where the circles were where Liam could write the numbers and words he wanted.

Of course, even without these tickets, Liam and I have hugged,

and we have kissed — and done more than that — as well...

But Liam sometimes does hold himself back for me, so I put in something that would let him think it was alright to touch me as much as he wanted without holding back.

(That said, I did realize afterwards it was a bit of a bold move, perhaps...)

(But every time Liam opened a part of the advent calendar, he looked so happy, which makes me happy in turn too.)

Kate: Of course. I gave them to you so you could use it, after all.

Liam: Yay, then I’ll start with the hug one.

Liam handed me the ticket, and I couldn’t believe my eyes.

Kate: A hug... for 1,000 minutes?

Liam: Yep, for 16 hours and 40 minutes.

While converting to numbers I could more easily understand, Liam pulled me into a tight hug.

Liam: ...Then we stay like this until 3:40 P.M. And then there’s the kiss ticket.

Kate: Kiss... 1,000 times.

Liam: I figured holding back wasn’t good, so I wrote the number, wanting to go all out. ...No can do?

Kate: It’s... not that... Just that I’m happy that you want to touch me—— ...nn...

He stole my lips while I was talking.

Liam: ...Sorry, I couldn’t hold myself back. That would make the first kiss. Can I have the second too?

Kate: ...Yes.

This time, Liam went further than a peck, his tongue entering my mouth.

Kate: ngh... ah...

The deep kiss made the heart of my mind go numb.

Liam: ...And that’s the second one.

Kate: R-really? Are second kisses... really that good...?

Liam: It counts as a kiss when we part after our lips meet, right? Okay, next is the third kiss...

And so, over and over, while hugging me, we spent hours exchanging many kisses.

Kate: Liam... I...

1,000 minutes of hugging had yet to pass, and we had yet to share 1,000 kisses.

But, a flame lit in my body, and the inside of my stomach throbbed, wanting Liam.

Liam: Mhm... I’m also at my limit. Let me use the last ticket then.

Written on the third ticket was ‘doing pleasurable things together for 1,000 minutes.’

Liam: ...Let’s feel good together for 1,000 minutes, then, Kate.

I accepted the greedy love that Liam showed, as the Christmas night went on until late.

Fin.

<- prev next →

masterlist🐈🎁 ┊ ko-fi ☕️ ┊ comms 🤍

[sp00pypumpkins]

This is how I feel Zero would met player HAHHA, they werent prepared to face an adult human per se XD.

Au belongs to @asamary!

I am going to rant a bit about it under the cut.

He uses they/he pronouns

He is slightly smaller than catnap

So Zero was just in a intership for a short period before he found the truth and wanted to out it but they got him and turn him into a toy! When he found the truth he met the prototype but his fascination of gadgets and mechanism was stronger than feeling fear XD

He can produce energy via his emotions and on his own will if he is in good shape, he met the critters soon after, he was in charge of the time for movies or shows and story telling. His knowledge in mechanism made him be able to have more dinamic storytelling using tricks with lights and such.

Zero then loses their temper electrocuting a scientist not on purpose trying to stop them for taking more kids, in wich the scientist take notice and take him to the labs in wich he got experimented more and amplifying his production of electricity.

He then kept being experimented while being plugged to the facility providing electricity to a portion of it. He became a living generator.

The prototype then offered them to be part of the hour of joy by the promise of revenge and freedom and no more pain, he accepted and shut the facility down from electricity and closed the doors from many places trapping everyone inside.

Now this is where the the au and canon takes different paths

Since in canon Zero gets deceived by the Prototype and was kept as a generator for the prototype (basically he will still be used as a generator by the prototype) the prototype would carve a mouth in the shape of a smile on Zero so he can feed. Zero dislikes him after being betrayed.

In the au since the prototype just killed the scientists and the bad people, Zero is very loyal to the prototype and helps them finding the more bad people by hacking security cameras or websites, but he stays in the town most of the time.

In the au Zero lives in the basement of the aparment the critters live in (if they are in a building and not just a singular house lmao) He produces the energy of a portion of the city, if he doesnt their electricity would go hirewire, he just plugs himself at night and acumulates the electricity in the generators.

If there is a storm and ther ei s apower outage he can easily feed the building, you just need to wake him up and tell him about it.

Zero has 6 minicritters of themselfves in wich some are patrolling and some are around him, they are like security cameras in a way

They go around fixing a lot of stuff around town specially electronics,

He likes to create gadgets, toys or artwork from metal, thats why he would go to the dupmster zone to search for parts and bring them home, they find admiration how the prototype can dissamble an object to create another so he looks up to the prototype like a teacher.

He is usually in the background doing mundane fixes there and there, because he was isolated and the only contact was when they experimented on him, he gets veyr anxious around adult humans but with time you can see he is just a silly guy who adores affection he just doesnt know how to handle it yet.

I like to think they are the guy whom people go when something gets broken or need assitance with.

I really couldnt stop thinkning about the au, its 2 am but I probs forgot things.

If ya dont mind I shall keep doing lil comics about this au with my oc in it qwq

Now just a wip of a future ref I am making

Some fun facts:

He dislikes being touched in the back

The Prototype helped zero gain a mouth and get unplugged from the cables since it was a tedious and careful task.

The minicriters have different shapes (i forgot to put the x body marks on the square anthena minicrtitter :()

Simple shape on anthena= complex shape on body and vice versa.

He can speak human language very soflty but it feels off for him specially if he talks for to long it starts to hurt. (He normally talks in gibberish like puppycat from the show :D)

The stronger the emotion the more energy he can produce

If there are tvs plug on them or he touches them, he can comunicate with those using memories and replicating the voice from that memory (is like doing a collage of different voices and images in a tv) he can also project their dreams on tvs

He is very light

The scarf/coat is attached to them like part of their body.

They are protective of their friends he isnt very strong but will fight for them

He gets sometimes ghost pains in their back, the scale of pain depends of the day

ANYWAYS thats it me thinks I shall make lil comics about all the facts and other stuff other times qwq

If u read everything, thank you and hello! Hope u have a good day :D

Also sorry about the grammar and writting english is not first language and its 2 am HAHAHA

They have a hard time hidding how they really feel because the color their anthena, eyes and stars may change by how he feels

He tries to always stay calm and with right composure but he is actually very emotional, he just had learn how to manage the emotions

[froggiewrites]

Possession

Pairing: Doflamingo x Reader

NSFW

Summary: Doflamingo wants you, and he has always been good at getting what he wants. Warnings: Smut, Possessiveness, Manipulation, Yandere (i think this counts?) Word Count: 1.8k Notes: This is pretty different in vibes from everything else I've posted here, but Doffy has bewitched me a little bit. I was trying to finish Dressrosa before writing about him but I just had to get this one out. Crossposted from Ao3

Doflamingo did not know exactly when you caught his eye.

It was small, at first, the instinct to seek you out. He didn’t indulge in it. He had far more important things to worry about. But as time went on, as you appeared again and again, he found himself more and more determined to have you.

You were a sweet thing, innocent and uncomplicated, ripe and ready for the taking. It took very little effort to endear himself to you. A few well timed words and well placed smiles and you were falling at his feet. It was adorable, really, the way you fell apart when he came around. He expected the passing fancy to end at that, a short dalliance that would end in you being thrown to the side as his ambitions led him somewhere far greater than here, somewhere you couldn’t and shouldn’t follow.

But he found himself enjoying you more and more. Your wide eyes and gentle smiles, your soft hands and thighs, your plush lips and warm mouth. You may not be an asset to the family, ignorant to his work and his purpose, but you were…useful, in your own way.

The nightmares didn't stop, but it was a little easier to come back to reality with someone beside him, not that he would admit that. And if some days he awoke with his hands primed around your throat, ready to squeeze, well. Nobody had to know. That was the risk you took, you naive little thing, when you followed him home. When you accepted his invitation into his bed, into his arms. If you noticed the bruises when you woke up, you never mentioned them. He doesn’t know if it’s ignorance or pity that keeps your mouth shut. He doesn’t know which is worse.

It turns his stomach to think you would pity him, dare to see him as small enough to deserve anything less than utter devotion, than worship. But the idea of you leaving if you truly knew him, knew better…it’s worse than revolting. It makes every one of his muscles tense, his chest tighten, his teeth clench. Every part of him primed to chase you down, hold you tight, ensure that you would not and cannot leave him.

Once he had a hold of the thought of you leaving, it stayed buried beneath his skin, a constant nagging feeling he couldn’t shake. He was haunted with the image of you sneaking away, catching a ride on a ship somewhere far out of his reach. In the days following, he holds you closer than ever before, grip strong enough to bruise. You cannot move an inch without his permission. As it should be.

He begins his careful construction of your cage soon after.

It begins slowly, with small gifts that earn him that soft smile. Then the next step, as you slowly start losing contact with old friends, start coming to him more and more as the only person in your life there and willing to listen. He keeps you coming back for companionship, for joy, for pleasure, ensuring that you can come to him and only him for such things.

When he takes you, he studies you, carefully plans each action to lead you further and further into this delusion you seem to have. That he loves you. That you’re safe in these arms. That you chose this. 

“Doffy!” You cry sweetly when his teeth find your neck, nipping at you gently, finding and latching onto your most sensitive parts. Tomorrow he will pretend the marks are an accident, that the small amount of blood he draws was simply due to an excess of enthusiasm, and not just him taking what he’s owed. Every part of you is his, including the blood in your veins. If he wants it, it is his to have. He savors the taste of iron on his tongue, the taste of your very life, your vital essence.

Doflamingo’s hands are calloused, and you gasp as you feel their roughness against your skin. He holds himself back, ensuring his touches are firm but not cruel, that his pace is steady but not brutal. His hands find your breasts first, pinching and prodding demandingly. He keeps his eyes on your face as his fingers find their place, teasing as he watches you struggle to keep your eyes on his, lashes fluttering. You keen sweetly as he rolls your chest in his hands, and he almost struggles to keep the smirk off of his face. You’re putty beneath him, ready for him to shape in whatever image he pleases.

His hand slips lower, fingers tracing slowly down to where he knows you want him. He carefully plans his steps in this dance, and he can see in your eyes that you’re following his lead without question. You shine with adoration, and when he intertwines his free hand with yours, you light up, a goofy, lovesick smile overtaking your lust for a moment. He grins, a sense of warmth blooming through him. Surely a sense of accomplishment, for continuing the charade successfully. For leading you further and further into your cage without a moment’s hesitation. You’re eating out of his hand, just as you were meant to.

His fingers push past your panties, and he begins by inserting only one, slowly sliding it into your hole as you moan. He keeps his pace slow even as you wiggle your hips in frustration, even as you begin to softly whine. He doesn’t give you what you want until you beg.

“Doflamingo, please, more!” Your voice is tinged with desperation, and he chuckles.

“I need you to be more specific, little bird.”

“Faster, please.”

He had planned to make you beg far more than that, until you were nearly crying for him, but the sweet little whimper in your voice makes it hard to deny you. “That’s all you had to say.”

He begins to thrust his finger at a significantly faster pace, then adds another, then another, prepping you well for the real show. As much as he would love to take you immediately, to take and take and take until you’re broken beneath him, he was sure you would leave for that. You wouldn’t look up at him with that sickening admiration in your doe eyes anymore, and he simply would not lose that. He attempts to take the hand intertwined with yours back, to rub at your clit as you clench around him, but you curl your fingers around him harder, and cry out, “No, stay, please!”

He allows you to keep the hand, for now.

He can feel you near your precipice, can see it in your eyes, and chooses the exact moment before you break to pull out his fingers. You sob as they leave, and he gives you a sympathetic smile, hoping you’re too far gone to realize it’s far closer to a predator’s smug grin. “I know, sweet thing, but you can’t have all the fun to yourself.”

He finally peels your panties off, leaving you bare and caged beneath him, where you belong. He lines himself up with your entrance, and he stares you dead in the eyes as he plunges his full length into you at once. You cry out, eyes closing, and he tuts quietly. “Eyes on me.”

You obey.

His pace is fast but not punishing, and he keeps his thrusts on the softer side of brutal. Another thing he will blame on his enthusiasm tomorrow, when you quietly whine that it hurts to walk and he shushes you and tells you you belong in his bed anyway. You’ll laugh like it’s a joke, and he’ll laugh at your ignorance. One day you’ll realize it was the truth, and you’ll willingly nest here at his side, ready and wanting whenever he asks. But that is the future, and right now he should be more focused on how deeply his cock is buried inside you, and how you cry and tighten around him, calling his name.

His teeth long for your neck again, but he can’t bring himself to break your intoxicating eye contact. He can see himself reflected in your eyes, looking a far more innocent and giving man than he is. Is this how you see him? His hand finds your clit, willing to continue the charade. You nearly scream as you feel his finger rub against the nub, and he almost laughs. How easy you are to unravel. A few more thrusts and a few well practiced movements of his fingers and you come undone, squeezing around him tightly, eyes falling shut, back arching off the bed and pressing your chests together. He keeps moving, allows you to keep riding it out, burying you in your pleasure. He cums a few moments later, burying up to the hilt in you, filling you, marking you as his. He bites down on your shoulder, hard enough to bleed, and after his orgasm subsides he licks the wound, lavishing in the taste of you.

He falls on top of you, pinning you to the bed, and you don’t complain. You bring your arm up to run your hands through his hair affectionately. With the hand still held to the bed, you gently run your thumb over his knuckles, memorizing the feeling of it. You lay in silence as Doflamingo begins to slowly ponder the next stages of your entrapment. You’ll stay tonight, of course, but likely still go home tomorrow. Perhaps the next step should be ensuring you stay here every night. Accessible, willing, waiting for him. After that, he’ll find you work to do in the family, find some busywork that keeps you here. You can have everything you’ll ever need in these walls, if he so chooses. And choose you he does.

“Doffy?” Your sweet voice breaks him out of his pondering, and he looks down to see you staring up at him with something resembling worry.

“Yes, little bird?”

“Are you alright? You were frowning. Did I do something?” Your tone is filled with anxiety, your eyes searching his face for answers.

He chuckles. He can’t deny the pleasure he finds in you looking at him for comfort, for reassurance. You trust him. “No, of course not. I was just thinking about some plans for the future. Nothing to worry your pretty little head about.” To ensure the matter is laid to rest, he kisses you on the forehead, watching as you flush red, as your lips twitch into a smile and you hide your face in his shoulder. So sweet. So simple.

You fall asleep crushed beneath him, dreaming of a life shared. He falls asleep holding you close, dreaming of the next step in making you well and truly his.

[memento-morianon]

(Image description: simple colored drawings of a fat drow with a long tail, titled "Mori's dance friend: Holiday." The drawings include a full body pose of Holiday sitting on a bench, a small doodle of them dancing on a pole, and a close up profile their face. They have short white hair tied in a small ponytail, long facial whiskers, and very pale skin with a slight purple tinge and freckles. Their nose is red and blue like a mandrill nose. They are shirtless in the full body drawings, only wearing dark colored dance shorts, and they have a sunflower tattoo on their right shoulder. They also wear tinted glasses and have three piercings in each ear. End description.)

Need a new dude for a minor plot reason, because Mori needs to have a chat with a friend while he's dancing to take his mind off his anxiety, and the friend he usually hangs out with when he visits the university campus is definitely not a dancer! So now he has a dancer friend.

Holiday is a drow minstrel in the more traditional way. drow have two different types of males: chamberlains and minstrels. chamberlains are the ones who bond with matriarchs and become leaders in the actual cavern colonies. minstrels are the ones who wander the outside world and only visit the caverns now and again. they both go through puberty and gain a powerful instinctive urge to leave their birthplace, but minstrels also go through rapid weight gain to sustain them on their long journeys. they have come to accept many other non-male drow as fellow minstrels over time, and they especially accept half-drow as their own kindred. in the time of the main story "minstrel" has come to mean "drow who live outside the caverns/ drow who live as nomads/ half-drow who don't connect with the culture of cavern drow"

terms of address: ki/kir (though it's easier to use human pronouns in the image description)

minstrels have their own culture, mostly traveling alone but also having permanent camp areas where they keep communal supplies and gather up to exchange stories and information. traditionally, a young minstrel will forsake kir birth name and go on a journey of self discovery to pick a new one. this new name is chosen by finding A Favorite Thing about the outside world. something that really brings joy or comfort in contrast to the lonesome and frightening experience of leaving the caverns. something that helps the minstrel embrace kir new life outside. many half-drow also follow this tradition but keep their new name as a middle name or nickname instead of their main name.

if a minstrel finds a way to claim a personal territory, ki might be able to settle from all the wandering and live in a more permanent home. which is what happened with Holiday, who met Mori as a fellow student in the university dance studio and has now gotten a job as a dance instructor. Holiday named kirself after visiting a gnomish sunflower festival, which is a harvest holiday. ki got a tattoo of a sunflower as a memento of the occasion.

probably not the absolute closest of Mori's friends, but they hang out at the dance studio together pretty much every time Mori is at the university for his regular work and they pass along gossip and chat about things.

Holiday prefers pole dancing, Mori prefers aerial silks. I don't think Holiday is in a long term relationship at the moment, but I do think ki has game and pulls hotties with ease. Look at that physique. That power. Typical cavern drow are aroace by default and only some of them discover they feel attraction when they venture into the world for a time to gain more education and experience. But minstrel drow are usually allosexual by default, and their whole original purpose in the eusocial structure of drow culture is to have sex with random matriarchs so their species doesn't hit another awful genetic bottleneck. Holiday doesn't really visit the caverns much, but ki does enjoy sex. Might have a few casual partners, for fun.

I'll be retconning Holiday into the story for a chapter lol but on my next draft I'll make sure ki is more reasonably present.

[nerdygaymormon]

Hey, I'm a member of the church and enby. It's been rough ever since I came out. I'm still a teen, but all the talk about being sealed in the temple and God only creating men and women has really been hard. Do you have any advice?

First I'm going to address the idea that God only created men & women and then I'll follow that with some advice.

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The Bible states that “God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he them; male and female created he them.” (Gen 1:27)

God creates a person and calls it adam, which is Hebrew for “human” or “mankind.” Adam isn’t even necessarily male. 

That the first person created in this story is a ‘human’ or ‘mankind’ is a big clue that this story is allegorical and meant to represent all of us. Adam and Eve are there to teach us lessons about the purposes of life.

One way to think of “male and female” is that these are the two options, God made the male and God made the female and that’s it. However, another way to look at this is one end of a spectrum and the other end of a spectrum, and everything in between, like when we use the first & last letter of the alphabet to mean everything, A to Z, or Alpha & Omega.

Biologists say that the idea of 2 sexes is overly simplistic, that actually it is a spectrum. Whether you’re looking at X & Y chromosomes, at genes, at hormones, at internal or external reproductive organs, or secondary sex characteristics, the reality is not as simple as either M or F.  

Even the other parts of the creation which are presented as a binary are actually bimodal, meaning most incidences are concentrated around two ends of the spectrum but they aren’t the only option. For example, God made day & night, but there’s also sunrises and sunsets. God separated the sky from the water, but the sky has clouds which hold water. Separating the water from the dry land still includes marshes, bogs, & swamps where the water & land are mixed. 

The binaries presented in the creation story are not binaries but spectrums, and are pleasing unto God. Why would we not expand that lesson to include other parts of creation, including people, especially since that fits what we find is the reality? Gender is a spectrum, sexual orientation is a spectrum.

These thoughts are from a post I made, click here to read the rest of the post.

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You are not alone, you are not the only one who faces this situation. Thank heavens we have the internet and ability to connect with others. It’s good to find friends who are nonbinary and Mormon because they’ll get you in a way that most others won’t. I’ve found interacting with other queer people really helps me feel better and normal about my own concerns and feelings.

You have claim to two great histories and legacies–LDS & LGBT+. Both the queer community and LDS church, in different ways, teach me about being kind and accepting others.

This church teaches that we’re each entitled to pray and seek revelation and confirmation. You can pray to ask if God loves you, all of you. You can seek confirmation for decisions on your path. Your Heavenly Parents love you as you are and for who you are. You are precious to them. Jesus loves you and offers the blessings of the gospel to you. His ministry elevates those who are on the margins.

We are that we might have joy! That is a beautiful teaching. Find joy. Take steps towards it.

Go slowly, or rather, I mean, at your own pace. You don’t have to run faster than you want as you’re figuring things out. In fact, I hope you can think of this as an opportunity for deeper happiness and more joy and meaning in your life. People who fit the binary have handed to them in what ways they should seek meaning & happiness, but you get to explore and learn much of this on your own.

Mormons have a lot of expectations regarding dress and appearance, but it’s okay to do things your own way. Want a short haircut, fine. Want to dye your hair blue, terrific. Want to wear pants, okay. Want to wear colorful shirts, do it. Want to wear bow ties & suspenders, perfect. Clothes are an example that much of gender is a social construct, clothes are not inherently gendered. If you don't fit the gender norms don't feel obligated to stick to the gender constructs.

I suspect 2nd hour is most troubling as it’s when Mormons segregate by gender. It’s okay to skip and spend time on the couch or take a walk around the building. If Sunday School is about a topic that is causing you stress, I don’t think forcing yourself to sit there uncomfortable is going to yield a lot of benefit. Don’t let the good you could be getting be swamped by the negative, find ways to remove or minimize those things that cause you trouble. Recognize it’s going to be complicated and frustrating.

Even things in the gospel that seem simple to others can be difficult for queer people. If something doesn’t feel right, don’t ignore that feeling. In those situations I ask myself these 3 questions — “Does that sound like me, do I resemble that remark?” — “Does this sound like the God that I know?” — “Does this fit with the great commandment to love one another?”

Being a nonbinary Latter-day Saint often means hungering, aching to the depths of your soul, just to be acknowledged, to have any of our theology reference you at all. One small thing you can do at church is simply saying 'a child of God' instead of 'a son or daughter of God.' Instead of praying, “Dear Heavenly Father,” try saying “Dear God” as a gender-neutral title.

When someone figures out they're nonbinary, things shift in ways they may not have anticipated. Be curious about yourself. For example, maybe you hated shopping for clothes, but actually maybe you just hated shopping only in the men's or the women's section because that's very limiting. Now the whole store is open, perhaps clothes shopping can be enjoyable as you get to express your gender in what you wear.

None of us comes forth from the womb fully-formed—we all grow, transform, and become. Those who are nonbinary get to do it in unique ways and I hope you, and those around you, appreciate the wonderful journey it is. Being nonbinary is not a mistake, it is not good or bad, it just is. You choose whether it’ll be a blessing or a curse in your life.

I wish you much joy in your journey of self discovery!

[itjazzbicch]

The Way You Are

Pairing:  MK1!Kenshi Takashi x Reader 

First time writing for Kenshi so I hope I did well! 

Summary: Returning home to the reader who was worried about his travels with Lord Lui Kang and his fellow champions, the reader is in shock when they see that he not only has Sento, sees what Sento can do, and also learns why Kenshi came back wearing a red band across his eyes...

Warnings:  MK1 story mode spoilers (If you don't know what happened to Kenshi in story mode lol) Slight swearing, established relationship, little flirting toward the end (And that's it, pretty much!)

Word Count: .9k 

Kenshi setting out to find Sento already worried me since he was going on this conquest alone, being his only support, and learning how it turned out to be much more than finding Sento put me in distress.

It took him some time, but he finally came back to me, telling me over a phone call; his low tone built up more anxiousness, but I was glad he was finally back.

Learning about the realms and how he was being sent to Outworld was a lot to take in as it was all new knowledge to me, and I was relieved when I saw the hilt of a new sword out the window.

He must've gotten his hands on Sento! Hearing the door open, I nearly jumped for joy but came to a slow halt once I saw a blindfold covering his eyes.

"Kenshi?"

"I did it, Y/N," He started smiling at me, pulling out the centuries-old sword to show me, "I have Sento."

"I never doubted you, Kenshi," I smiled back, nervous to ask, "What's with the blindfold?"

"About that," He sighed, hand caressing the red band, clearly nervous to explain why he was wearing it, "Don't worry. I can still see, sort of."

"What happened while you were gone?" My voice grew stern as I approached him, wanting to know what he was hiding, going to touch the band, but he gripped my hand:

"You don't want to see. Don't worry about it. I'm fine."

"I do," I said more sternly, showing him that I was acting out of care, "I want to know what happened because if someone did this on purpose, I'd gladly visit them."

"That's not necessary," He huffed, letting my hand go, "It wasn't intentional."

"Please, just let me see," I whispered with a sweeter tone, his deep sigh a signal to allow me to lift the band, seeing how his eyes were gouged, "Oh my goodness."

I covered my mouth with a hand as tears filled my eyes, angry at the thought that someone would do such a thing to him, someone I cared about more than anyone.

"This wasn't intentional? Are you kidding me?" This disbelief was strong, unable to accept that this was somehow an accident.

"It truly wasn't, Y/N," Taking my hand to provide comfort, he assured me, "But as I said, there's no need to worry. Sento gave me back my sight in its own way."

"What do you mean?" I knew Sento was a mighty sword but didn't understand until he entered my living room.

"See how I can move around with no issues?" He pointed out, watching and beginning to understand, blown away as he wielded Sento, "Just watch."

Going to a fake plant I had in the corner, he sliced the leaves into pieces, my jaw dropping at the blue aurora that flowed around Sento's blade, not believing my eyes:

"What the hell? What was that, Kenshi?"

"Sento has my ancestors within it," He explained, "They guide me, make me stronger. I can finally free my clan from the Yakuza and their crimes."

I still couldn't believe what I witnessed, but I knew it was true. I ran to hug him as he put Sento away, hugging him tightly and praising, "I knew that you could get Sento back. You will fulfill all your goals. I know it."

"Thank you, Y/N," He hugged back, squeezing me as he whispered, "Thank you for always being the one by my side."

"Forever will be, Kenshi," I vowed, holding his face, staring at that blindfold and only able to imagine the hell and pain he went through to make it this far; there was still a far way to go.

Tears swelled in the corner of my eyes again, and he quickly noticed, trying to apologize:

"I know that I worried you while I was gone, and seeing me like this-; I'm-"

"It's okay," I assured, swallowing a breath to shake off the sad tears and mean wholeheartedly, "You came back to me, and if Sento brought back your vision in a new way, that's all that matters. I'll always love you the way you are."

My last sentence made him smile, his embrace warming with his words, "I may have lost my eyes, but I'm not easily defeated. Don't stress over me. I'll always come back to you."

"You better," I teased but meant firmly, bringing his lips to mine, filling our connection with all the passion in my heart that I had for him, making him chuckle some as our lips briefly parted, "Or you better take me with you."

"You'd be in for culture shock. I'm not even sure if that's what I should call it," We laughed more, but I was serious despite my giggles:

"Maybe, but I'd still go and kick the hell out of anyone who even thinks of harming you."

"So protective," He joked, smirking at me while gripping my hip, "I still have skills, you know?"

"I am protective, and I own that," Kissing one more time as I hugged him again, I made sure he knew all my actions and words were made from love, but also trying not to be too serious and play along, wiggling the hip in his hand, "And trust me, I know you have all kinds of skills." 

2023 © itjazzbicch — do not repost or translate my work. Likes, reblogs, and comments are always welcome 

[ghostnotoast]

I'm having withdrawal symptoms from waiting for the new episode to come out, and this has been buzzing around my head since this part came out (also I wanna talk about my wife Lily)

Relistening to this part twice made me cry I'm not even gonna lie but weirdly enough it made me think of the end of season 1 where John gets a taste of being the king for a split second but then chooses to go back to Arthur. After he returns, he says:

"But it was in that time in the hospital, that month alone. Trapped in this body without you, when something changed"

"I found meaning. I found that the challenges of life within the boundaries of death were not only acceptable, but could be meaningful. That without a purpose I could forge my own. Is that humanity?"

Don't get me wrong, I don't think it was Lily who was fully responsible for giving John humanity - if anything, that's the mistake Arthur makes in season 3 when comparing John to Yellow (which John calls him out for). It was Arthur who laid out the pieces, and Lily was basically the one to make it click.

Buttt I think reducing John's reason for humanity to only one thing is almost a disservice- because developing a sense of self is so much more complex than that.

It was Arthur's love, it was the stories and thoughts he would share with John, it was being in awe of seeing trees and nature again after so long of living in the dark, it was hearing music, it was listening to the radio, it was the joy he felt after they complished something and he was finally able to feel something other than fear, it was seeing the wraith help them, it was holding a cute baby and picturing her future as a pianist, it was seeing her mother and recognising that she had just lost something priceless, it was having to hold onto hope that anyone is capable of redemption, it was defending and having empathy for the widow despite what Arthur had said.

The last moment is paralleled in season 3 with their conversation about Yellow. Listening to all these makes me realise just how much Yellow missed out on.

Arthur no doubt played a massive role in helping John find humanity and meaning, but honesty? I don't know if purely being with Arthur is what made John who he is. John himself has a conscious and had to make decisions on his own and, on multiple occasions, fights Arthur about ideology with basically little to no outside influence (e.g, their infamous first divorce).

Despite all that though, I still do think Arthur was one of the biggest reasons, I mean just look at Yellow 😭 I'll write an entire essay about him one day

But this entire yap session was basically me trying to imagine what exactly was so special about that month at the hospital because let's be real if I were John I would go crazy BUT sometimes i just imagine John being there, in a hospital without Arthur, being able to do nothing but think

He thinks about the bright clear blue sky he saw, a bird that landed on the windowsill when they were at the library, he thinks about how alive this world is compared to where he came from, he thinks about the radio that's playing, he thinks about the piano, and then he thinks about Arthur

And I imagine he looks at Lily, at her tending to them, at her chatting to them, at her turning on the radio for them so they're not bored and even though people would call all these extra bits of care pointless - she does it anyway, and she does it for them, and John is there to witness this, and that's the moment where it clicks.

I imagine it sort of being like being moved back to see a finished puzzle and finally understanding what you've been making this entire time after spending so long up close looking at individual pieces

And I think that's what the witch didn't understand about John's story. Lily's care was the climax of John becoming John, and even though John acknowledges that for her it was probably another Tuesday - it still doesn't dampen the fondness and love he has for her, he just loves for the sake of it

[earthlybeam]

For @stormchaser819 💛☀️✨

Generally humans tend to be more openly affectionate and physically expressive than elves. They engage in actions like holding hands, giving their friends a quick kiss on the forehead or cheek for good luck or as a way to say goodbye, or when showing how much they’ve missed each other. It’s also common for humans to casually drape an arm around a friend’s waist while sitting together and chatting comfortably.

how would the elves react to this?

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Glrofindel version only as stranger, friend, lover

☀️𝓖𝓵𝓸𝓻𝓯𝓲𝓷𝓭𝓮𝓵

Stranger:

𖤓 Glorfindel, as a hero of the First Age and a warrior reborn, carries a profound sense of purpose and a touch of otherworldliness that sets him apart. When a stranger displays human affection—a quick clasp of his hand in greeting, an arm slung around his shoulder, or a cheeky kiss on the cheek—his initial reaction would be one of polite surprise. He is not unkind, but such forward gestures would be unexpected, given his elven heritage and the natural reserve that comes with his centuries of life.

𖤓 His first instinct might be to step back, though not out of offense—rather out of sheer unfamiliarity with such an open display of emotion. Glorfindel is gracious and understanding, knowing the ways of Men differ greatly from those of Elves, and he would not wish to cause embarrassment. Instead, he would offer a gentle smile, perhaps bowing his head slightly as a way to respectfully acknowledge your gesture while maintaining a certain distance.

𖤓 Internal thought: How strange and bold are the ways of Men. Yet there is a warmth in their hearts that is both disarming and endearing. Public action: A warm, understanding smile, with a courteous inclination of his head, though he would not yet reciprocate the physical aspect of the gesture.

Friend:

𖤓 As your friendship with Glorfindel deepens, his initial reserve would begin to fade. With time, he would come to understand and appreciate your affectionate nature, even finding it refreshing compared to the often formal relationships among his kind. He would still be hesitant to mirror your gestures outright but would allow them with a sense of quiet acceptance, knowing they come from a place of genuine care.

𖤓 For instance, if you were to throw an arm around his waist during a moment of camaraderie, he might respond with a soft chuckle, perhaps allowing his hand to rest lightly on your shoulder. A kiss on the cheek when saying goodbye might still catch him off guard, but he would mask his surprise with a warm expression, silently marveling at the openness of your spirit. Over time, he might find himself unconsciously responding to your touches—a reassuring squeeze of your hand or a firm clasp on your shoulder during moments of shared triumph or loss.

𖤓 Internal thought: There is strength in their affection, a courage to lay one’s heart bare. It is a quality I find myself drawn to, though it is so unlike our own ways. Public action: A light, thoughtful touch—his hand resting briefly on yours or a gentle clasp of your shoulder, accompanied by a smile that speaks of trust and growing affection.

Lover:

𖤓 As your lover, Glorfindel’s approach to affection transforms into something deeply meaningful. Having fully embraced the bond between you, he sets aside the elven restraint that once defined him, allowing himself to meet your gestures with his own. Though his touch is still deliberate and purposeful, it is no longer hesitant. Instead, each caress, each kiss, each lingering embrace is filled with the weight of his devotion and the eternal nature of his love.

𖤓 In private, Glorfindel becomes more openly affectionate, finding joy in the ways you express yourself and reflecting that warmth back to you. He would hold your hand as you walked together, press a kiss to your brow when words could not suffice, and pull you into his arms with an ease that feels both protective and loving. Your human openness to affection would inspire him to show more of his heart, and he would cherish these moments as rare treasures.

𖤓 In public, however, Glorfindel retains a touch of elven decorum, though subtle gestures—such as a hand resting lightly at your back or a fleeting, tender glance—betray his feelings. For him, love is both a joy and a responsibility, and he carries it with the same grace and strength that defines all he does.

𖤓 Internal thought: You have brought light to my heart once more, brighter than the fires of Gondolin. Your touch is a balm to my soul, a gift I had never dared to hope for. Public action: A hand lingering on yours, a tender smile shared across a crowded room, or a subtle, protective touch at your waist. In private, he is far more open, often pulling you close and letting his actions speak of his boundless love

If you want anymore of any other elven characters like lindir, haldir, feren, meludir, Galion, elros, elladan, elrohir, Legolas, celeborn, erestor, thranduil, Elrond, Gil-galad.

Let me know 💚🍃