#and that means i have to rely on other people to even get to wherever it was i needed to go

[panspy]

hmmmmmm.................vent post under tags...... feel free to give advice or dont¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[writingwithcolor]

How can non-Jewish writers include Jewish characters in supernatural stories without erasing their religion in the process?

Anonymous asked:

I have a short story planned revolving around the supernatural with a Jewish character named Danielle (who uses they/them pronouns). Danielle will be one of a trio who will be solving the mystery of two brides' deaths on the day of their wedding. My concern with this is the possibility of accidentally invalidating Danielle's religion by focusing on a secular view of the afterlife. At the same time, I don't want to assume that Jewish people can't exist in paranormal stories, nor do I want to use cultural elements that don't belong to me. So, how do I make sure that Danielle is included in the plot without erasing their Jewishness?

Okay so to start with I think we need to ask a question about the premise: what is a secular afterlife? I’m not asking this to nitpick or be petty, but to offer you expanded ways of thinking through this issue and maybe others as well.

A Secular Afterlife

What is a secular afterlife? To begin with, I get what you mean. The idea of an afterlife we see in pop culture entities like ghost media owes more to a mixture of 19th-century spiritualist tropes drawn from titillating gothic novels than to anything preached from the pulpit of an organized house of worship. Yet those tropes--the ominous knocking noises from beyond, the spectral presences on daguerrotype prints, the sudden chill and the eerie glow, all of those rely on the idea of there being something beyond this life, some continuation of the spirit when the body has ceased to breathe. For that, you need to discount the ideas that the consciousness has moved on to another physical body and is currently living elsewhere, and that it was never separate from the body and has now ceased to exist. Can we say that this is secular?

More so: Gothic literature, as the name suggests, draws heavily on Catholic imagery, even when it avoids explicit references to Catholicism. Aside from the architectural imagery, Catholic religious symbols permeate the genre, as well as the larger horror and supernatural media genres that grew from it: Dracula flinches from a crucifix, priests expel demons from human bodies, Marley’s Ghost haunts Ebenezer Scrooge in chains. The concepts of heaven and hell, and nonhuman beings who dwell in those places, are critical to making the narratives work. 

The basis also draws from a biblical story, that of the Witch of Endor. The main tropes of Victorian spiritualism are present: Saul never sees the ghost of Samuel, only the Witch of Endor is able to see “A divine being rising” from wherever he rises from, and her vague description, “I see an old man rising, wearing a robe,” evokes the cold readings of charlatan mediums into the present (Indeed, some rabbinic sources commenting on this assert that this is exactly what was going on).

While neither of these views of its origin define the genre as the sole property of Catholicism--or of Judaism for that matter--it would be hard exactly to categorize them as secular.

A Jewish Perspective on ghosts

However, it’s not the case that ghost media is incompatible with Jewishness, assuming that it doesn’t commit to a view of heaven and hell duality that specifically embraces a Christian spiritual framework. 

Jewish theology is noncommittal on the subject of the afterlife. The idea of a division between body and soul in the first place is found in ancient Egypt, for instance, earlier than the earliest Jewish texts. In Jewish text it’s present in narratives like the creation story, in which God crafts a human body out of earth and then breathes life into it once it’s complete. It also appears in our liturgy: the blessings prescribed to be recited at the beginning of the day juxtapose Elohai Neshama, a blessing for the soul, with Asher Yatzar, expressing gratitude for the body, recited by many after successfully using the bathroom. 

Yet it’s not clear that this life-force is something separate than the body that lives beyond it, until the apparition of the Witch of Endor. The words we use to describe it, whatever it is, evoke the process of breathing rather than that of eternal life: either ruach (spirit, or wind) or neshama (soul, or breath): neither is a commitment to the idea that it does--or that it doesn’t--go somewhere else when the body returns to the earth. 

Jewish folklore, however, leans into the idea of ghosts and other spiritual beings inhabiting the earthly plane (and others). Perhaps most famous is the 1937 movie The Dybbuk, in which a young scholar engaging in kabbalistic practices calls upon dark forces to unite him and his fated love, only to find himself possessing her body as a dybbuk. It appears that he is about to be successfully exorcized, but ultimately when his soul leaves her body, hers does as well. 

More relevantly to your story, a Jewish folktale inspired the movie The Corpse Bride. In the folktale version, a newly-engaged man jokingly recites the legal formula he will soon recite at his wedding, and places his ring on the finger of a nearby corpse--a reference to a time when antisemitic violence is said to have gotten worse not only at Jewish and Christian holidays as it does still to this day, but around Jewish weddings as well. The murdered bride stands up, a corpse reanimated complete with consciousness, and demands that the bridegroom honor his legal obligation. 

In the movie, the bride gives up her demand willingly: her claim on him is emotional rather than legal, and she finally accepts that he has an emotional connection with another person, that he doesn’t love her. In the folk tale, the dead woman takes him to court to decide whether their marriage is legal, since he spoke the legal words to her in front of witnesses as is required, and the court rules that the dead do not have the right to make legal demands on the living. In this version, the moral of the story is that a legal formula is an obligation; that when he jokingly bound himself to the corpse, he not only disrespected the dead but also the legal framework that structures society, and by so doing risked being obligated to keep his side of a contract he never intended to enact. 

This speaks to the ways that a Jewish outlook can differ from a Christian-influenced ���secular” one. Christian-influenced cultural ideas can often focus around feeling the right thing, while Jewish stories will often center on doing the right thing. Does the Corpse Bride leave because she realizes she is not the one he loves? Because she--or he--learned a valuable lesson? Or because she loses her court case? It’s not that the boy’s emotions are irrelevant to the story--the tension, the suspense, the horror of the story takes place primarily within the boy’s emotional landscape--but emotions on their own are not a solution. The question “should he marry her” can be answered emotionally, but “has he married her” can only be answered by a legal expert, and once it has been the deceased bride may not have changed her emotional attachment to him, but she no longer has legal standing to pursue her claim. 

Centering legal rectitude over emotional catharsis isn’t a requirement for having Jewish characters in your story, but it’s worth thinking about what is and isn’t universal, what is and isn’t actually all that secular. 

Meanwhile, back at the topic:

Where does any of this place Danielle?

Well, unless you’re positing a universe in which Christian or other deities or cosmologies are confirmed to exist (See Jewish characters in a universe with author-created fictional pantheons for more on that topic), there’s no reason why they shouldn’t be perfectly fine interacting with whatever the setting you’re building throws at them. 

My wishlist for this character and setting runs more to the general things to consider when writing fantasy settings with Jewish characters: 

Don’t confirm or imply that Jesus is a divine being. That means no supernatural items like splinters of the cross, grails, nails, veils, etc. There’s nothing particularly powerful or empowering about this one guy who lived and died like so many others.

Don’t show God’s body and especially not God’s face, or confirm that any other gods or deities exist, whether that’s Jesus, Aphrodite, or Anubis, or someone you made up for the context. 

Don’t put Danielle in a position where they’re going to play into an antisemitic trope like child murder, blood drinking, world domination, or financial greed. If you have to, name it and let Danielle express discomfort with or distaste for those actions both because Jewish values explicitly oppose all of those things but also because Danielle as a Jewish character would be painfully aware of these stereotypes as present and historical excuses for antisemitic violence. 

Do consider what Danielle’s personal practice might look like. What does Danielle do on Shabbat? What do they eat or refrain from eating? What are their memories of Jewish holidays and how is their current holiday observance different than their childhood? I know I say “Jewishness is diverse” on every ask, but it is, and these questions--which also underscore how very much Judaism is rooted in one’s actions during this life--will help you develop how Judaism actually functions to inform Danielle’s character, even if you don’t spell out the answers to each of these questions in text. 

Do let Danielle find joy, comfort, and identity in their Jewishness not just in contrast with Christianity but simply because it’s part of the wholeness of their character. I know the primary representation of Jewishness is a snappy one-liner in a Christmas episode followed by the Jewish character joining in the Christmas spirit, blue edition, but make room for Jewishness to inform how Danielle approaches the events of your story, or why they decide to get or stay involved.  

-Meir

Hi it’s Shira with some Jewish ghost story recs written from inside–

When The Angels Left the Old Country by Sacha Lamb (deliriously good queer YA Jewish paranormal, mainstream enough that it’s got a good chance of being at your local library and won all kinds of awards)

The Dyke and the Dybbuk by Ellen Galford (sorry for the slur, warning for a paragraph of biphobia in the book but it’s an older book. I read this right before my divorce so my memories are super fuzzy but it’s about this modern day lesbian who gets possessed by the ghost of a different lesbian from hundreds of years earlier in Jewish history.) Nine of Swords Reversed by Xan West z’L of blessed memory - another queer Jewish paranormal.

The general plot is that two partners are struggling with how to be honest with each other about the effect disability is having on them. It’s got a very warm and fuzzy cozy vibe but kink culture is central to the worldbuilding so if that isn’t your vibe I didn’t want you to go in unaware.

The Dybbuk in Love by Sonya Taaffe. I don’t remember the details but I remember loving it, it’s m/f and romance between possessor and possessed.

I wrote a really short one called A Man of Taste where a gentile vampire woman and a Jewish ghost/dybbuk get together.

~S

[drinkabletoxicdishsoap]

the fandom’s characterization of peri becoming a father to dev will always be interesting to me because where it did it even come from ???

I mean in operation birthday takeback, bro CLEARLY did not care. He honestly seemed so disinterested and didn’t even care when they went into his dad’s private office by accident. He didn’t seem care or smile for his godkid when he was happy. Even got a little mean when Hazel made a nice wish for him with the rocket boots (“Well that should keep him entertained for about 10 minutes” or smth like that)

Lost in Fairy World he didn’t really seem to care either??? he really only just wanted his wand and to ‘look good’ in front of his godkid and do things his way without his parents interfering. Sort of like how a babysitter wants to look good in front of the family of the kid they’re looking after if that makes sense.

The only time we ever seen him actually care about dev was in the finale when he said that. But even after fairy world got turned to normal he didn’t really seem sad about dev??? he was just smiling after, seemed genuine too and not a fake one. Maybe it’s just me, but if I was a fairy and lost my first godkid, who took over my home, I would be doing anything BUT smiling, even if we won in the end. Peri doesn’t seem like one to hide his emotions easily either (maybe I’m reading into his character wrong)

You could bring up best of luck, which I would say is a fair point, but I’m going to bring back the babysitter/job synonym. Wouldn’t you get jealous of the person that stole your position or place in a work environment after you got fired?? Especially if your rival/enemy took that position?? I PERSONALLY don’t think the jealousy comes from a place of care, but maybe that’s just me.

It could honestly just be the fandom’s way of coping since Dev doesn’t seem to have any good people in his life after the finale, but why Peri? I mean if you really want to make one of the fairies a father figure to dev, I’d say the anti fairies more over are his family but that’s IF we have to choose.

Don’t get me wrong, I do think all of the peri and dev being a father son duo is super cute and heartwarming!! I love seeing all of the art and fics of that because it really is sweet :3 but to me, it just doesn’t really make sense and seems more out of character for Peri if anything.

He seems to care more about following Da Rules in my opinion. And while I do think it’s important to follow rules, especially when it comes to a job, you shouldn’t rely on them. At a job, you shouldn’t be constantly looking over rules to make sure you’re following them, you might end up tripping over yourself. That’s what Peri ended up doing.

If I assign the duo as anything, it would be the tired babysitter who just wants to get paid and the kid he’s looking after. A dude working a 9-5 at his job he couldn’t really care less about (dev).

I mean (only from his words) he wanted to go into the family business. Not because he genuinely cares for kids, but because it’s what his family has done. He’s treating godparenting as work, not stepping into a kids family and genuinely looking after them.

I do wonder if he would act the same way if he had an easier godkid.

BUT!!!! that’s just my thoughts. I’m sorry if I got anything wrong and feel me to correct me if I did !! Also if you disagree with anything that I’m saying, tell me why in either the replies or reblogs !! I would love to hear other people’s perspectives or opinions.

That’s it 😨 thank you so much for coming to another yap session and I hope you have a great day/night wherever you are in the world <3

[homunculus-argument]

I was born and raised American, but with everything that's happened over the past few years I've been considering moving to another country. but I don't know if this is just "the grass is greener". Not sure if this really fits with your blog, but as someone from Europe what's your attitude towards living in the US?

I've visited there a handful of times and most of my thoughts are "damn bitch, y'all really live like this?" People in Finland like to complain about the climate, the taxes, and how stingy the welfare systems are (if you currently rely on them) or how costly they are (if you're currently not relying on them), but honestly most of the time that's because people are used to having it so good, or don't really have a perspective of how bad everyone would be doing without the infrastructure that everything runs on.

Sure, nowhere is perfect, and there's always room for improvement, but honestly the people I've met in the US only really seem to think that their system is good because they've never been anywhere else and don't know any better.

Mostly it's stuff that you'd never think about if you hadn't been to both places, like being able to trust that tap water is drinkable or that you can safely walk/bike to wherever you need to go. The US really doesn't have the kind of ability to just hang out in public places, just walking to the town and sitting on benches. Having public parks and libraries isn't really the same if you can't just walk there, and you genuinely need a car to go anywhere.

I moan and lament a lot about how the winters here are hard to endure - at the darkest time of the year the sun rises at 9 and sets before 5 pm - but I wouldn't move from here just because of that, mainly because of how reliably everything is structured here. Sure, it's all run with funds from relatively high taxes, but that is a self-feeding loop on its own. The tax-paying workforce isn't a disposable resource that's wrung dry once and tossed out when it's broken, but even when you're just another cog in the machine, you're one that's maintained, not replaced if broken.

I had a lot of breakdowns when I was younger, largely due to depression and other mental issues I had due to the undiagnosed ADHD. When I started breaking down at work in my old factory job, they couldn't just fire me on the spot because of the workers' union fought tooth and nail to make sure that you can't throw people out for getting sick, and mental illness is treated no different from other health issues. I was allowed to take two years off work in order to study into a career I thought would fit me better. That didn't turn out well either, but I was still allowed to bounce back and forth between odd jobs, sick leave, and studying - all on government pensions during the spots when I wasn't working a wage - until I found the right diagnosis, the right medications, and the right job.

It's not a hyperbole to say that I owe my life to the ample and studry social welfare systems that Finland has in place. Sure, you're just another brick in the wall, a cog in the machine, but if you keep breaking down, it takes a long time until they completely give up on you if you can somehow make them believe that you're trying, because it's cheaper for the tax system to figure out how to make you fit into the machine than just toss you out. A human being is an expensive investment and if getting you to the right job, education, diagnosis, medication or even arranged housing is what it takes to get your ass back into the workforce, they'll at least try.

I'm perfectly happy to pay the taxes here to fund the system that helped me onto my feet when I was in no condition to function, and to support the people who never do recover, find their place, or be able to support themselves on their own. And I can live with the peace of mind that even if I fall apart again, that safety net is still there. It's brutal, pragmatic, and regards your health and welfare as a means to an end - to get you working and paying taxes again - but they still do prioritise your welfare. Cogs are cheaper to maintain than replace.

[starjxsung]

okayyy i guess i will make the first request !!! :3 what do you think jealous sex with skz would be like ? the type of sex where they're so jealous and frustrated by something (or someone), they need to fuck their frustration into you

giggles and runs away

-🦢

Chan: quiet at first about why he’s frustrated or jealous tbh. sorta just makes it obvious that he’s horny (I lowk feel like he would get horny as a result of being frustrated or mad??), fucks his anger out on you and it’s v sloppy, not rushed per se but closer to a quickie even though he can still go a few rounds. Lots of heavy grunting and he’s not trying to be quiet at all. And only after he’s finished and you’re in bed beside him catching your breath, he’ll indulge you in the details of what’s got him so bothered. Become the sort of thing where you’re horny if he comes home in a visibly frustrated mood because you know what it implies ! Very talkative during aftercare though. Like your own personal little Channie gossip sesh

Minho: will rant to you between kisses while he’s ripping your clothes off. Hes definitely indulging you in all the details the second he’s alone with you- you’re the type to be on the same page about everything together, and naturally, you hate the people he hates and vice versa. So when he’s frustrated, he goes to you first about it. Sometimes it can be a very emotional sort of thing, could mean he’s shedding a few tears out of frustration and you’re there to console him about it. But when it’s just straight anger or annoyance, he’s going to rant to you until he physically cannot talk in between kisses anymore. He’ll probably even just start to fuck you while he’s still ranting until his frustration turns into the type of pleasure that replaces his words with nothing but heavy breathing and moaning. Not even sure what he was so annoyed about by the time he’s done w you !

Changbin: doesn’t want to make a big deal about it ! You have to sorta coax it out of him. And honestly, he’s simultaneously best coaxed and relaxed after a good fuck. He’s not one to be too rough or anything just because he’s upset, but he’s just grateful you’re the best stress reliever. Lots of kissing, desperate grabbing at each other and sometimes the sex can even feel lighthearted when he’s aware that you’re doing your best to comfort him. Sort of the realization that no source of frustration or jealousy is worth letting it come between the two of you. So he’ll just give himself to focusing on your pleasure and then talk it out after. He might even deny it after and joke around that he was never frustrated or jealous to begin with, but he’s still thanking you for it and eventually you’ll be on the same page about what’s bothering him.

Hyunjin: sweaty. When he gets consumed by frustration or especially jealousy, he’s particularly sloppy with his thrusts, very sweaty, probably sucks a few hickies wherever he can reach and doesn’t care to make them discreet. He’s all heavy breathing, loud groaning, just kinda wants to fill you up with his load as a stress reliever tbh. Feel like he wouldn’t say anything about it but you’d know he was jealous in the way he fucks. Also evident in the way he speaks very little- of course he’ll pay careful attention to cues to make sure he’s not hurting you or anything, but the talking will be very minimal. He just relies on his body language to indicate what he wants. If he is jealous about something, my guess is you won’t know until he’s had a few days to wait on it before saying anything.

Jisung: needier than usual ! Feel like especially if he got jealous over something, he’d be itching to get you home and fuck you like he never has before, just to prove a point. Maybe uses it as an opportunity to try something you’ve both been wanting to try. The guy at the bar was staring at you a little too long? He’s going to drag you to the car and fuck you right there, knowing you’ve been vocalizing your desire to try it, but he sees it as an opportunity to get your head spinning before you can get him even more frustrated. You can bet he’s going to walk back into the bar with his shirt half-on and a cocky fucking smirk. Has you wrapped around his finger tbh, so jealousy isn’t a huge deal ! Frustration is just opportunism for him.

Felix: particularly keen on pleasuring you. He’s vulnerable with his emotions at first, so you’ll know that he’s got something on his mind, but then he just wants to make you feel good in turn. Has you on the edge of his bed very fast, all desperate to eat you out and channel all his frustration into his tongue and his fingers. Your mood is often aligned with his- which means if he’s stressed, you’re stressed, and vice versa. Solution is to make you cum as many times as you can- and then pretty soon your satisfaction is his, too. Definitely won’t lose an opportunity to fuck you too, probably transitions to fucking you when you’re just nearly tired enough so he can make sure you’re both exhausted and satisfied by the end of it. Just treats you good all around !

Seungmin: actually doesn’t get frustrated or jealous very often. And when he does, he’s largely nonchalant about it. Will offhandedly mention something that pissed him off, and you know it’s a little more than mild annoyance when he gets quiet. It’s you who wants to pleasure him as a result, and it quickly becomes some unspoken thing between you both to just fuck out the frustration. He probably doesn’t even realize how annoyed he is until he’s thrusting into you and his emotions are elevated tenfold. He’s still gentle with you, and very set on making you feel good. But you both have the same idea to pleasure each other as much as possible, so it quickly gets rougher and sloppier. The aftercare is A1 though and you probably take like a 10 hour nap after it tbh

Jeongin: a little embarrassed that he’s even frustrated or jealous in the first place! Feels like he’s not supposed to be for some reason. He has this opinion that as a boyfriend, he shouldn’t drag his emotions into your relationship and potentially let it get between you two. But also king of healthy communication, so he’ll reluctantly bring it up to you and then apologize and swear he’s not frustrated or jealous anymore (even if he is…) and the sex that follows is sweet, but desperate. He’s just desperate to be a little closer to you, like a physical reminder that you’re his and you’re not going anywhere regardless of his moods or whatever made him jealous. He loves taking control and being able to look at you, kiss you, touch you wherever he can and just have a tangible reminder that you’re satisfied with him.

[sativaonsaturn]

random sun observations

some of these are based on requests :)

libra sun

great conversationalists! they know how to read a room or even just the person they’re talking to and do a great job catching the vibe so to speak. given that, sometimes they can mirror the people they’re around too. because of this sometimes people may think libra likes them even if they don’t 😭 a lot of times the only way you’ll know how libra feels (especially september) is if they reach a boiling point or if you know them well enough.

they’re great at dressing themselves as well, i’ve never seen a libra who didn’t know how to carry themselves. even if a libra chooses to dress down, they still happen to look put together.

if you’re dating/ pursuing one, (ofc factor in their venus) they typically love love. so (if they really like you) they’re dedicated, love a storybook relationship and will absolutely provide you with that in return. also very diplomatic in any relationship, they want things to be balanced and fair - but keep in mind this depends on their own moral compass, not yours.

capricorn sun

disclaimer! i’ll try my best not to be biased 😭 but i’ve had the worst experiences with them; i have to be honest before i begin.

capricorns are literally the goat, so often they can be blinded by their “horns”. meaning that their pride can make them short sided, especially the men. this can be good sometimes because when a cap goes for something they get it. saturn is about learning from mistakes, discipline; a lot of capricorns go through some real shit before they’re even adults. that being said they are often harder than most and therefore sometimes have a difficult time maintaining interpersonal relationships - they’re often too focused on results and surviving for too long.

often very funny, dry humor. like other earth signs, they tend to just get it. the men tend to spend quite a bit unless developed. they also tend to buy things because they’re 5 star or the most expensive, not necessarily because of the quality. however, great providers and if you are relying on one to get shit done, get somewhere on time, to lead a team - cap is the one because of their tunnel vision and practicality.

aquarius sun

another sign who just gets it. aquarians are the people who laugh at the joke no one got, who catch the little nuances, who actually do like things before they’re cool. i’ve said previously they are one of the most intelligent signs because of how much they observe and how much they remember.

people tend to dub this sign as emotionless but similar to aquarius moon, i think people just misunderstand how they handle emotions as a whole. they need to intellectualize and understand their emotions on a practical level before addressing them. also they’re ruled by uranus, so the way they see the world is always going to be different or abstract. but if you lead with patience, they’re usually open to talking out their feelings/ thoughts - aquas just want to know that you want to understand, that you’re open minded.

very practical and sometimes worry too much. usually on time to every event/ job and great planners because they think of everything. i will note however, that they tend to be very forgetful or reckless until they’re developed. they are often the children who break their glasses a lot or lose their new sweater 😭

as they rule the 11th house (networking), they are wonderful, fun and considerate friends. they make jokes about literally everything (very unserious people 💀) and often give thoughtful gifts because of how observant they are.

leo sun

truly the life of the party, they really carry the sun wherever they go. if it seems like they always have energy it’s because they do, whether it’s natural or manufactured. i’ve found that they can’t be as high functioning if they stay in a funk too long. even if these people are insecure, they will create the confidence.

they often do care about how others perceive them, especially those close to them. this includes leos who are less of the golden retriever type and more of the lioness type. lioness leos are the ones who walk and talk w/ pride, command attention and respect, usually leaders. golden retriever leos are usually bubbly, friends w/ everyone, keeps things light and jovial. sometimes they tend to let things slide or don’t say what they mean because they’d like to maintain their image or aren’t actually as confident as they seem.

much like leo venus, they are passionate and intentional lovers. very thoughtful and compassionate friends too. you want a leo in your life if you want someone who will bring you warmth and a sense of belonging.

sativaonsaturn 🪐🍃

[ladykailitha]

Never Hold Back Your Step... Part 9

Yay!! Another chapter of this lovely chronicle. I really do recommend going back and re-reading a bit since it's been so long.

But in this we have Harrington Sr. being an ass, the most epic confrontation I've ever written, and Dustin being sweet and asshole at the same time. The kid has range.

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7 Part 8

****

Late at night in the last days before the school ended, they would climb up on the roof of the trailer and talk about their hopes and dreams.

Eddie had told him that he was going to try third time lucky to graduate. And then if he didn’t make it next year, he’d take the GED and walk away, ready to join Steve wherever he was. Not that he wanted to leave Eddie behind or the kids. But if he was to go to college, he’d have to.

Steve walked across that stage to thunderous applause, all his friends, the kids, Eddie and Wayne all cheering for him. Even Nancy and Jonathan had been there to cheer him on. But there, in the stands frowning at the people Steve had surrounded himself with, were his parents.

Steve knew he should feel grateful that they came at all. But he knew it was more about image and appearing to be the perfect parents than any actual interest. He saw them clap politely and then his father pulled out a newspaper and his mother fussed with her hair and makeup the whole time.

They took pictures with him afterwards with fake smiles plastered on and took him out to dinner to talk about his future. Which was all about joining the company and getting his business degree. Two things that Steve had no interest in doing.

He had hoped to get scholarships for college based on his sports so that he wouldn’t have to rely on his dad’s money, but that fell through.

He had missed the early decision deadline, because he had had his head smashed in. So he had sent the applications off at the start of the new year. But by then his grades had slipped due to the concussion and the letters coming back weren’t a good sign.

He would just have to try and reason with his dad about college and keep his fingers crossed he’d get out of this town somehow.

****

“These are your grades?” Mr. Harrington bellowed. “How are you supposed to get into good colleges and universities with these?”

The first week of June was not a good week, ever, in Steve’s opinion. It was when grades were mailed out and he had to listen to the screaming for a full week.

“I had that concussion in the middle of the year, remember?” Steve asked. “That set my grades back a bit. But I thought I would take a year of community college and build my grades back up to get into the better schools.”

“No son of mine is going to a state school!” Mr. Harrington roared. “And you can forget about that summer internship at the company! I will not have tell others that you didn’t get into a proper school.”

Steve could feel his stomach sink to the base of spine. He didn’t like where this was going. At all.

“You will get a job,” Mr. Harrington continued to menace. “I don’t mean some cushy life guard bullshit where you sit in some high tower, looking pretty, either. A real job. Retail. Build character.”

“But I already told Mr. Jones at the community center that I would lifeguard again this summer,” Steve protested.

“You go back there and tell him you have better things to do with your time!” Mr. Harrington shouted. “That new mall opened up. Starcourt. You’ll find something there.” He leaned forward into Steve’s space. “Do I make myself clear?”

Steve gulped, but nodded, not trusting himself to speak.

“Good.”

Mr. Harrington turned on his heel and stormed back into his office. Mrs. Harrington stood at the edge of the room, almost swaying on her feet as she would move forward to comfort Steve, but then would change her mind. Back and forth.

Steve pinched his nose and rubbed the end. He looked up at her with dead eyes. “He’ll keep moving the goal posts. You know he will.”

This time she did surge forward. “You know it’s not like that. He only wants what’s best for you.”

“Best for me?” Steve murmured, barely holding back the tears. “Or what will make him look the best? Because I’m tired, Mom.”

“It’s hard,” Mrs. Harrington said, rubbing his arm gently. “But come autumn he’ll see how well you did and maybe he’ll let you try for the state school.”

Steve knew it was a lie or whatever that she was telling herself more than she was tell him.

He pinched and rubbed his nose, forcing back the tears. He wasn’t going to cry in front of either of his parents. It only enraged his father and prompted mocking from his mother.

Oh, she hid it under the guise of ‘tough love’ but it was all tough and no love.

He thought of Wayne and Eddie. Of how they didn’t have a lot of material possessions but they had each other and their love for each shone brightly.

Steve held up his chin and nodded. Then he grabbed his keys and wallet, forcing on his shoes.

“Where are you going?” his mother huffed. “Storming off like that after a fight with your father is so childish, Steven.”

Steve turned to her slowly and blinked. “To talk to Mr. Jones about not being able to lifeguard this year and go job hunting at the mall like Dad wants?”

She rolled her eyes. “You’re always so dramatic, Steven. I suppose that was why you took so well to it. Of course, if you had any real talent you would have gotten a more substantial role.”

He squeezed his hand around his keys, the ridges digging into his palm, as he fought down the bile that rose to his throat.

“I’ll be back for dinner,” Steve said through gritted teeth. He rushed out the door, careful not to slam it behind him.

He drove out to the community center and hit his steering wheel over and over as he cursed out his parents until he was exhausted.

He sighed and got out the car, making his way to front desk. “Hey, Janis, is Mr. Jones in today?”

Janis smiled at him. “Sure thing, sweetie. Just go on back.”

Steve caught Mr. Jones as he was coming back to his office.

“Hey, Steve!” Mr. Jones said cheerfully, coming up to him with a big smile. “You here for your schedule?”

Steve shook his head. “My dad didn’t like my grades and told me I had to get a real job. Sorry.”

“Shit, Steve, I’m sorry,” Mr. Jones said crumpling. “And there’s no chance he’ll let you do both?”

“No,” Steve said bitterly. “If he finds out I’m working here he’ll beat my ass. I wanted to come back, but I guess my dad had other plans.”

“Well, well,” a cruel voice said behind them, “it looks like you have an opening after all, Mr. Jones.”

Steve and Mr. Jones turned toward the voice slowly, knowing with complete dread who it was.

Billy Hargrove was leaning against the wall, arms folded and a giant smirk on his face.

“Looks like your loss is my gain, Harrington,” he said coolly.

Steve rolled his eyes. “Story of my life since you rolled into town, Hargrove. You stole my friends, the captain of the basketball team, hell you probably would have stolen my girl if she liked jocks instead of tortured artists or some shit. It ain’t new.”

“You’re just bitter that I’m the superior you in every way,” Billy said with a sneer. “The sooner you admit it, the less heartache you’ll have, pretty boy.”

Steve threw back his head and laughed. “I have other talents, asshole. I can draw, I can act, and I can fucking swim. While you were out there fucking anything with a pussy that would let your scaly ass, I was beating records and making it to nationals as part of our swim team. You are just some washed up surfer in desperate need a wave. I am a swimmer.”

He nodded to Mr. Jones who had a smug smile on his face.

Billy was taken aback. “So you do have a spine. Huh. I would have never guessed it. Not with Max and Munson doing your dirty work for you.”

Steve got right up in Billy’s face. “I didn’t go after you, dipshit,” his voice low and menacing. Quiet enough that only he could hear. “Because I just wanted to graduate. But now that I have that diploma, I’m more than ready throw hands with you. Plus we all know I had you against the ropes until you cheated by smashing a plate to my head.”

He patted Billy’s chest and waving goodbye to Mr. Jones, he walked out of there, chin held high.

****

Steve had gathered somewhere around a dozen or so applications to the stores that surrounded him and sat down in the food court to fill them out. His eyes were starting to go cross-eyed when Dustin came up to him and sat down across from him.

“Dude,” Dustin greeted. “What’s all this shit?”

Steve looked up at him and sighed. “Job applications. My dad wants me to get a summer job.”

“But you have a summer job,” Dustin replied with a frown. “The rec center. You’re a lifeguard.”

Steve sighed again and shook his head. “My dad was pissed that I only got into a couple of schools and not the good ones.”

Dustin frowned and tilted his head to the side. “Is that because of what happened with Billy?”

“That’s part of it,” Steve agreed. “But I was really counting on a sports scholarship and with how shitty everything got I didn’t get a single one.”

“But you went to nationals with your swimming though,” the gap-toothed kid grumbled.

Steve put down his pen and planted his hands on either side of his applications. “Look, bud, I get that you think you’re trying to help or whatever but my team came in last at nationals. In everything. No scout was going to give us so much as a passing glance. No sports scholarship plus missing the early acceptance deadline and having to wait for regular admissions means that I’m on a waiting list for most of the good schools, didn’t get in to the decent schools, and my dad won’t let me go to the community college. So here I am doing the best I can, okay?”

Dustin pouted but gave up on pushing the issue. He grabbed the applications and began looking through them.

“Hey!” Steve cried trying to get them back, but Dustin kept dodging him.

He set down three applications. “You can put in for all of if you want, but I’d focus on these three.” Scoops Ahoy, The Gap, and Shapiro’s.

Steve picked them and looked at them. “Why?”

“Those are going to be the ones that kids aren’t going to want to try for,” Dustin said. “And you have to get this job because of your dad. These are more likely to hire you.” He pointed to the ice cream shop. “That one is your best bet.”

Steve nodded. That was one he had been expecting to get too.

“So when are you leaving to nerd camp?” he asked, taking the applications from the kid.

“It’s called Camp Know Where,” Dustin scoffed. “Know as in k-n-o-w where. It’s really cool.”

Steve rolled his eyes. “That still doesn’t tell me when you’re going, dork.”

“Oh!” Dustin said, eyes wide. “Tomorrow. My mom is buying me the things I’ll need so I can leave bright and early.”

Steve’s expression softened. “I’m going to miss you, you know?”

Dustin nodded back. “I’m going to miss you, too.”

Someone called his name and he looked up. “It looks like my mom’s calling me. Good luck on the job search.”

Steve stood up and gave him a hug. “Have fun, okay?”

Dustin nodded and ran to catch up to his mom as Steve went back to his applications with a sigh. He really was going to miss that butthead.

****

Part 10 Part 11 Part 12 Part 13 Part 14 Part 15 Part 16

Tag List: ELEVEN SLOTS OPEN

1- @mira-jadeamethyst @rozzieroos @itsall-taken @redfreckledwolf @zerokrox-blog

2- @gregre369 ​@a-little-unsteddie @chaosgremlinmunson @messrs-weasley @kultiras

3- @maya-custodios-dionach @goodolefashionedloverboi @val-from-lawrence @carlyv @wonderland-girl143-blog

4- @justforthedead89 @irregular-child @bookbinderbitch @bookworm0690 @blondie1006

5- @anne-bennett-cosplayer @yikes-a-bee @awkwardgravity1 @littlewildflowerkitten @genderless-spoon

6- @dragonmama76 @ellietheasexylibrarian @thedragonsaunt @useless-nb-bisexual @angels-of-hades

7- @mugloversonly @y4r3luv @greeniebean911 @birbsauce @acingthecounts

8- @cryptid-system @counting-dollars-counting-stars @ravenfrog @dreamercec

[guardian5tiger3]

Career/money Pick a Picture Tarot Reading

1. 2. 3.

Group 1

I feel that for you guys there's some connection to your heart here, some of you need to look in your heart. If you are not fully sure what you want to do exactly, this is definitely what you can do to help find the answers to that. Healing something within your heart may be needed if you do not know right now by looking within. So once your heart is healed you will feel there what you desire most. I'm picking up on the feeling of freedom. For some of you this has to do with travel. Maybe you want to read the second pile as well. I'm getting something about your families, and for someone something about a dog (s). Maybe for some of you, you have worries but you need to be honest with yourself and find that your priorities in your heart may be towards what you truly want to go do, and that it will be ok if you go forward with that. You guys will be happy. I want to tell you for those that may be worried about leaving anyone behind or being homesick, you will enjoy your present moment wherever you may find yourself, and that distance can grow fondness. I understand though, feeling you only have so much time on the topic of mortality. I have faith you all will figure it out, cause all I get now is the greatest feeling once your heart shows you clearly and you feel what it is you should go for, and it is so much love and freedom in it. Beautiful. Take your time though, this seems like a vague prediction in a sense, as destiny will be what it will be. Peace

Group 2.

You as a group seem that you really want advice and are really just wanting to take in anything I can give you all right now...you guys may be kind of guarded right now , mainly getting energetically. You guys have a big purpose, each one of you. Yes an airplane may *actually be significant. Some of you know then of course, one of you, it's an actually. And you don't even know it yet. I saw a little clock. So , with that I'm getting time of course. And right now it may be a matter of relying on that. I'm getting a lot about a spiritual like journey, but we don't have to put it that way, a journey of self discovery , self transformation. It's heavy, but I don't mean that in a negative sense. I mean, it's a deep thing you all are experiencing in what this is that we call life, your lives. A concept that seems to come into play with you guys and your journeys in life and what you will end up doing or for a few already doing, maybe just starting. If so you're young in this. The concept is about duality;within yourselves. Balancing your yin and yangs. You seem naturally very balanced people, in your spirits. I feel this is a reminder for some of you, to make sure you're not giving too much to the "good", "light" side, it's perfect when there is complete balance of the two opposites and embracing the dark side is not negative, it's necessary for both to prosper, and it is a positive thing. Both dark and light are naturally positive , like, good , but both can have bad qualities. When good is too much that is bad, kind of plain, can be too bright if you understand what I'm saying, hopefully. I'm getting something like spirit animals are significant, and wisdom. For a majority of you when it comes to career things, your soulmate or forever person is somehow involved/ going to be involved. I would just stay open to that so that things may go smoother if so. I'm not supposed to specify any further on that for whatever reason.

For right now, you're being guided, and do what you can and accept what you cannot do and know for now. It will come to you. You're on a specific path, trust that. And trust yourself. Every move you decide to make is for a reason, and I see that you will not fall. For any possible financial struggle , it's all for a reason, but maybe so to sympathize with other people in the world, for one. It may be so for a few of you to learn to ask for help and or to think further outside the box, the box being your mind and as far as it is expanded thus far. But you'll be okay. Peace and love.

Group 3.

You all may work with other people. I'm really picking up on desert vibes somehow for some reason,... Initially I picked up on a camel, actually. Maybe some of you have something to do with Egypt specifically too... Maybe you'll travel one day, maybe some of you live there, Im not sure but you'll know cause that's kinda specific... I'm also getting an oven , some of you have considered baking? Someone's family is involved already in some culinary business..

*side note, some of you aren't even meant to work. If you feel that, boom. There's your message. Go backpacking or just trust the universe on a level to work it out. Hell you can get an RV or something and go to a national forest and they'll let you stay there free if you help out working there. Nature rules! You'll figure it out.

You guys have some dope ancestry, just saying, I guess.. maybe you don't know and would be surprised about far back who was what from where I don't know. Anyway, If you have family who would hire you or help you get hired, that's nice and I'm supposed to tell you all that you should take any offer for that and basically give whatever it may be a try, but mainly you should be honest with yourself, it's OK if it isn't for you, it's OK if you love it or it just works and you stick to that. You know, I would say for instance some famous people have kids and they may want to hand down a legacy or business to their children, but what a shame if the child doesn't want that and yet some young person unrelated would love that to happen to them, if that makes sense. We're all children and family on this earth and there's no need for strict boundaries when it comes to bloodlines like that . Be true to yourself. Well if it's just you getting help to be hired, it's alright if you end up quitting or whatever even if for some of you feel like you'll be resented ,screw it don't live your life for anyone but yourself. Unless you have kids I guess... But still!.

Overall message for this group, if nothing else, let yourself be free.

[kassian-ck]

With what has been going on recently with the series, and what one of the writers said regarding Robby's situation, it really has been some pretty grim few days for Cobra Kai. So I wanted to lighten up the mood a little (and because I have been in a very yapper mood) by talking a bit in depth about one of the better aspects of season 6 imo:

Robby's and Miguel's relationship

Warning this is long af woops

Imma outright say it. It's been a while since I've rewatched the whole series, but besides Tory, Sam, and maybe Kenny (with the hesitant inclusion of Daniel), Miguel has been the only person Robby has built genuine trust and companionship throughout the whole series. And to an impactful degree I'd say.

I could argue all day about how their transition from enemies to friends was a little rushed, and how I would have liked a heart-to-heart conversation like what Tory and Sam had, but hear me out with what we got 🗣🔥

Robby's life has proven to him time and time again that opening his heart to people only led to him getting hurt. He never knew what it was like to rely on the people who were supposed to protect him. He never knew (presumably) what it was like to have people who genuinely cared for him. Until Daniel came into the picture. We know how that went.

Daniel, Sam, and Tory to a certain degree, they have fractured his trust in a way that reminds him of that cruel truth his life unfortunately continues to stumble upon: He will get hurt if he opens his heart to people. But he continues doing it because at his core, he wants to get rid of that lonliness he's been in for so many years. He's willing to swallow up his pain and forgive people if that means keeping them in his life. And if that's really the case, it makes so much sense why he went to seek Johnny when he had every reason to continue to resent him (and messy writing but we dont talk about that ehem). After telling himself Johnny wasn't and would never be an option for him, he was so lost that the only one he felt like he could turn to was the one absent father that has somewhat shown some interest in his well-being. Cobra Kai barely gave his life direction after juvie, and after losing that, what else did he have?

Tory was a kind of a pillar for sure. They understand each other well thanks to their shared experiences. But with the amount of baggage and trust issues Tory herself has to deal with, they hurt each other as much as they help each other. It's the status quo Robby has grown too used to.

And then there's Miguel.

Lil side tracking but I swear I am not tweaking when I say Robby is so touchy with Miguel. He's given other characters friendly gestures such as fist bumps and whatnot BUT WITH MIGUEL? That man's face beams like crazy when he sees him bro. Any chance he gets, he goes there touching his arms, chest, shoulders – wherever just to be close to him. He always turns to him whenever something happens, he openly messes around with him. He is just so happy to have Miguel in his life 😭

They are such small moments, but after seeing how closed off and reserved he has been even with past relationships like with Sam and Daniel, Robby feels safe enough to enter Miguel's space and vice versa. Miguel has proven him he's somebody who unconditionally has his back. He explicitly tells him he wishes to keep a connection with him and that he's willing to put the work to do so regardless of the past.

It's such a deeply rooted trust that he keeps Miguel's opinion in such a high regard compared to everyone else's. Throughout the whole damn season, Miguel was the only one that made him see his potential and capabilities of being a captain. He saw his worth when everyone else either ignored him or crossed him as incapable, and Robby was very willing to believe that. Because he's always the problem, he always does things wrong. Miguel's sole words were enough to help Robby pick himself back up regardless of how polluted his mind was with demeaning thoughts he's reaffirmed to himself for years.

You can't be real man, that's all Robby could have ever asked for. Something so simple and yet he had to cut bits and pieces of himself to be able to get it. But not with Miguel

Nah I like the pair a normal amount wym

[sweetycupcakeslove]

⭐ Astrology observation 3 ⭐

Hi, I'm once again after a long time I came up with an observation. And please take it as a grain of salt as I'm not a professional astrologer as such. These are my opinions just by observing people around me. It might be true in someone's case and it might not be true in someone else's case.

💫 People shouldn't hate a sign just because they had a experience with them. Because a birth chart consists of different aspects and house placements. A leo stellium in 5th house placements and a leo stellium in 12th house will have different personalities. Yes, you can find something common but not all.

💫 Like damn, a person with Virgo stellium will also have to give a opinion even though you don't ask for.

💫 Aquarius placements loves compliments so much. Just go towards them and say that I didn't have a good opinion of you before and they will go in-depth with you why you didn't have a good opinion about them.

💫 And also having heavy Aquarius placements can make one can have god complex.

💫 Cancer rising are easy to spot because they have this cute and round face structure. In fact, cancer rising men also have round face structure. Two of my male friends also have a round face structure.

💫 Wherever your saturn is in your birth chart, you have to work hard there and you'll also notice that at start you've ignored your saturn house and once you start taking it seriously you have found changes in your life. E.g. If you have Saturn in the 1st house, whenever you start a new job, new school or college at start others were looking down upon you and after you put effort in yourself they started relying upon you or you became their role model. Another example, if you have Saturn in the 4th house then your family didn't take you seriously, they didn't have a good opinion about you or they don't know about you much. But once you start putting effort there, it was easy to get along with them.

💫 Leo in top 6 and you naturally attract attention. I have seen many leo placements they don't even do much but still they get attention from others. Maybe the sun is the ruler of the sign that's why.

💫 Having too many Scorpio placements can make them difficult for themselves and others too. I have a friend who is a Scorpio stellium and damn the kind of anxiety she has. It's like she thinks everyone is out there to get her. Thus she breaks friendship on her assumptions.

💫 Scorpio sun men are the worst men to have in your life. They will stab you in the back. But if they have other placements that say otherwise.

💫 Sagittarius placements 🤝 not standing in one place.

💫 Having too many negative aspects to the sun can also mean that you have problems related to your ego. It doesn't always mean that you had a bad father figure. Or it could also mean that male figures are the problems in your life.

💫 Same as sun, mother isn't the problem always when there too many negative aspects towards your moon. It can sometimes mean that you have problems related to your emotions or else other female figures in your life will be the problem.

[vivalas-vega]

new perspectives // part ten // jake 'hangman' seresin x reader

howdy !! I think this is the shortest chapter in this series yet, but kind of a heavy one nonetheless. I'm getting back into the swing of writing and am hoping to bring this series to it's close within the next 3-5 parts! as always, please let me know what you think!

new perspectives // part ten // jake 'hangman' seresin x reader

prologue - one - two - three - four - five - six - seven - eight - nine

add yourself to my taglist

word count: 2.5k

warnings: we are diving into jupiter's deployment so mentions of warzones and guns but nothing too graphic or in depth

The Hard Deck was thrumming just as it always was on a Friday night but lately Jake had lost the desire for after-work hangouts at the bar… darts and pool didn’t feel the same anymore, and he was having a hard time enjoying anything because he knew wherever you were you weren’t having fun. He tried to tell himself that maybe in the quiet moments, when the sky wasn’t falling and people weren’t relying on you to save their life, you and your team were able to unwind. Maybe kick around a soccer ball or play card games to pass the time and provide some sense of normalcy but he knew even if that was the case it didn’t change anything. You were in a warzone, and he was here at the bar. 

But, that didn’t stop him from trying. Your deployment was hard on everyone, not just him, and he knew that if he pulled away it would only make your friends feel it more deeply, he was the only tether to you and he also knew he needed to be here. If he wasn’t he’d be at home staring off into space and making himself sick with worry. It was better for him to be preoccupied, which was why he had taken on more responsibility at Top Gun, and why he was currently engaged in a game of darts with Coyote, trying to distract himself from the fact that he hadn’t heard from you in a month.

You two had discussed this going into it, and he knew communication would be infrequent. You had real life or death problems on your hands day in and day out, in a foreign country in the middle of an active warzone. Just because you didn’t call, or didn’t answer any of his, didn’t mean that something had happened to you, or that you didn’t want to. It just meant you were doing your job, and trying to stay safe in the process… but knowing that didn’t make it any easier of a pill to swallow. 

He also knew there was an order, and it wasn’t his turn. You two were no strangers to infrequent communication and you were adamant that your marriage could handle it. His turn had been first, and then your parents, and the next time you had the opportunity to call home it would be Rooster’s. He wasn’t angry about that, not at all… Rooster had quickly become your closest friend and confidant outside of him and he knew that you missed him just as much as everyone else, that in your darkest moments he would be one of the people you needed to see. He was grateful for it, to know that you had multiple people in your life you loved so deeply, trusted so implicitly… but that didn’t make it fun to know that the next time someone heard from you it would be the goofy guy across the bar laughing loudly with his arm slung around his new girlfriend’s waist and not him, that the next time he got an update on you it would come from him. 

He was endlessly proud of you, for how strong you had been and how devoted you were to your life’s calling. Putting yourself into such imminent danger to help others was just about the most you think he could think of, and he knew you could handle yourself. When you left you were off to a very condensed boot camp where you learned basic survival skills outside of medicine, you received a crash course in all the things you would need to know, and received training if god forbid you ever found yourself in the position of needing to defend yourself. He knew you were well equipped to take care of yourself, but he also knew that you likely had seen things and done things that would leave a lasting mark… but that was all he knew.

That was the hardest part for him… not knowing what you were going through. Even in your spottiest bouts of communication over the course of school and deployments he always knew what was going on with you, and his worst case scenarios he’d concoct when he worried were you stressing yourself into exhaustion. Now, his worst case scenarios were something he couldn’t even dare to verbalize, something if he thought about even a second too long would send him careening towards a ledge. 

“I’m sure she’s fine,” he heard from beside him suddenly, jumping slightly as he turned to see Coyote and he gave him a soft smile. 

“I know,” he replied and Coyote just nodded.

“She’s tough. Like, scary tough, my shoulder still makes a weird creaking sound from when she tackled me during dogfight football,” he said and this made Jake laugh, something that was pretty infrequent now.

“I still can’t believe she took you down like that,” he replied.

“Yeah, that one fights dirty, man… so I’m sure she’s holding her own just fine.” This provided Jake just enough reassurance in the moment that he was able to shift his focus somewhere else entirely, so much so that he didn’t notice the way Rooster pulled out his phone and quickly ran out of the bar.

“J?” he asked, the video on his phone taking its sweet time connecting and he heard his second-favorite laugh on the other end.

“Hey Roo, sorry, the video is super spotty here,” you said just as it fully connected and he finally got to see you for the first time since your wedding night. His first thought was that you looked different, almost unrecognizable if it weren’t for those few characteristics that were so completely you. You were thinner, primarily in your face and he couldn’t ignore the way your eyes lacked their usual warmth, it sent an ache through his chest to see you look so… hollow. 

“How are you? Are you okay? What’s going on over there?” he fired off in rapid succession and this pulled another soft laugh from your lips. You hadn’t realized how much you needed to see that stupid porn stache until it was staring back at you through the screen of a tablet. 

“Don’t worry about me, I don’t have long so tell me everything… what have I missed?” you asked and briefly he wanted to press, try to get you to open up about what you were going through over there but he realized that probably wasn’t what you needed right now. You needed a distraction, reminders of home, and you didn’t have much time to get it.

“Well, Eliza and I made things official a few days ago,” he said and you smiled, a real one that almost fully reached your eyes.

“Oh my god, that’s amazing! I’m so happy for you, Roo. Where did you take her for your first date?”

“Well, our unofficial first date was your wedding, but the real first date was mini golf… where she completely smoked me by the way,” he said and you chuckled. “She’s… incredible, JJ, I’ve never met a woman like her before.”

“Well I’ll be damned, Bradley Bradshaw is serious about someone? I leave for two months and suddenly the world turns upside down.”

“Shut up, I’ll have you know I’ve been serious about people before,” he protested before adding, “but not like this. I think this is it, J.”

“You keep that to yourself for a while longer, don’t spook her too soon,” you teased. “How is he?” you asked suddenly, getting serious and he knew what you meant without further clarification.

“He’s… good,” he replied and you furrowed your brows. “He’s just worried, is all. Just wants to know if you’re okay, we all do.” 

You nodded, “I don’t know if I am, Roo… and you can’t tell that to him, okay? I just… I don’t want him worrying anymore than he already is.”

“I won’t, but… talk to me? What’s going on over there?”

You sighed, “I don’t have enough hands, or supplies, or time… I’m picking and choosing who lives and who dies based on a twenty second evaluation and I just… never know if I’m making the right choices, never know if I’m actually making a damn difference out here.”

“Hey, you are. If I know you like I think I do, I know you are.”

You nodded but it didn’t really do anything to make you feel better. “I know this is our turn, but-”

“I texted him a few minutes ago, he should be out any second,” Rooster cut you off and you just smiled softly. 

“Thank you. I miss you way more than I thought I would, Roo,” you said and he let out a shocked laugh.

“What the hell does that mean?” he asked but he was interrupted by the door to the patio opening.

“Come outside in two minutes, alone? What kind of cryptic bullshit is that, Chicken?” you heard distantly and couldn’t help but laugh, warmth filling your chest at hearing your husband's voice after so long. “Is that- give me that,” he said, snatching the phone from Rooster’s hand and confirming for himself it was really you.

“Hey you,” you said and you thought his face might split open from how wide he was grinning. “Might want to not be so hard on Rooster, seeing as he gave up some of his phone time for you.” 

“God, I miss you, are you okay?” 

You nodded, forcing yourself to smile and Jake saw right through it, saw the way it didn’t fully reach your eyes. “I’m okay.”

“I’ll give you guys space,” Rooster said from beside Jake, “I love you, JJ, stay safe, okay?”

“Love you too, Roo,” you replied and suddenly there was a commotion from outside your tent that made him stop in his tracks as Jake’s eyes widened in concern.

“Jupiter, what’s going on?” he asked, trying to pinpoint the sounds he was hearing. The visual was blocked by you pressing the tablet against your chest as you poked your head outside the tent and the sound became clear as day on their end. Gunfire. 

“I have to go.”

“Jupiter, talk to me,” Jake tried but you’d barely heard it, barely registered.

“I can’t- I’m sorry, I love you,” was all you said before the call disconnected and Jake stood there frozen, staring at a black screen as he tried to process what had just happened. 

“Was that…?” Rooster started, not entirely sure of what to say. He knew whatever he was feeling was magnified in Jake tenfold, but that didn’t make it any easier to push through to try and be there for him. 

“I think so,” Jake said after clearing his throat. Logically he knew you’d face situations like this, it was the biggest thing he was struggling to come to terms with, but actually hearing it was a completely different beast. Right now he was standing here with your best friend on the patio overlooking the ocean at sunset… it was peaceful, yet somewhere halfway across the world you were under fire, undoubtedly under stress as you were probably assessing wounded soldiers and civilians, trying to do your job the best you could. 

Rooster noticed the slight tremble in Jake’s hands, noticed the way he was currently retreating into himself and trying to not spin out and he gently pulled the phone away and put a hand on his shoulder. “Hey man, come on, let’s go sit for a minute,” he said, and Jake followed him almost mindlessly out onto the beach where they both sat down. “I know this might not sound helpful, but she’s been out there two months already, I’m sure this isn’t the first time… she knows how to handle herself.”

Jake let out a humorless laugh, “you’re right, it’s not.” He knew what Rooster’s intentions were behind the sentiment, you’d gone through this before and made it out the other side, and you’d do it again now, but all it served as was a reminder that this was your life right now. He was focused on the fact that you didn’t sound worried at all, you’d said you had to go and that you loved him as simply as you used to when you’d call him in between patients. He was sitting here, mind spinning with the possibilities of what could be happening and you’d sounded as calm as ever. That should have proved reassuring, in some small way, you weren’t fazed… you weren’t scared, but it wasn’t. If anything, it made his chest ache more. 

“She’s gonna be okay, man. It’s Jupiter, she can handle anything,” Rooster said, even though he might not have fully meant it. He saw you, heard the unsure tone as you spoke to him and saw those hollow eyes, you were different. You weren’t the Jupiter you left as, weren’t the Jupiter they knew like the back of their hands… and Rooster knew it would happen, had told you as much sitting right here in this same spot just a few months ago. 

“I don’t know… I should have told her no, told her not to do it, anything to get her to stay put,” Jake sighed and Rooster chuckled.

“We are talking about Jupiter right?” he asked and Jake couldn’t help but laugh too. “She knew what she was signing up for. We talked about it, you know... what she'd see, what she'd do, briefly, but she knew. She never bites off more than she can chew.”

“Yeah, I think this time is different,” Jake said and Rooster nodded.

“Maybe… but she’s got you, and she’s got the rest of us. We’ve all got her, no matter how she is when she comes home.”

“If she comes home,” Jake nearly whispered and this took Rooster aback. It felt like a weight off his back to finally say his biggest fear out loud, but only seconds later that weight came crashing down as he fully realized it was a genuine possibility. It wasn’t some hypothetical worst case scenario he’d concocted, hearing that gunfire proved that, it was simply how things were. If you came home. 

“You can’t think like that right now. Her tour is over in just a few weeks, she’ll pull through.” 

Jake sighed again, “I just need to know that she’s safe.”

“She’ll call when she can. That much I know for certain, I’m sure she didn’t want to leave things like that. She’ll call, or she’ll email just as soon as she’s able.” 

“I think I get it now,” Jake said and Rooster gave him a confused look, “why she likes you so much,” he practically mumbled and Rooster laughed. 

“Come on, man. There’s nothing either of us can do except wait, and she wouldn’t want you spinning out over this. Let’s go back inside,” he said as he stood and dusted the sand from his pants, and Jake followed reluctantly. He was right after all, he couldn’t do anything right now except go back inside, nurse his beer and hope you were okay.

taglist: @mamaskillerqueen @clancycucumber230 @the-romanian-is-bae @alldaysdreamers @zzsloth @emma8895eb @novagreen04 @classyunknownlover @purplevortexx @mamachasesmayhem @ohgodnotagainn @smoothdogsgirl @swiftsgirlfriend @memoriesat30 @the-fandom-ness @midnightmagpiemama @shanimallina87 @charles11700 @angelbabyange @wildxwidow @sp1rit-realm @alluringshawn @taytaylala12 @starcatcher48 @buck-nasty @misshoneypaper @4evinlovewithfictionalmen @devil-angel-winchester @callsignspirit @thegodessc @failuretothrivestuff @olliepig @cruelmissdior @underaveragefangirl @grxcieluvr @amatswimming @camilaricci @nolita-fairytale @dempy @pinkpantheris @aviatorobsessed @tiredqueen73 @pono-pura-vida @binnieslove @nik2blog @waklman @abaker74 @halstead-severide-fan @percysaidnever @memeorydotcom @eli2447 @dumb-fawkin-bitch @toobouquet @a-v-a123 @rae-you-gotta-be-kidding-me @86laura11 @justenoughmadnesss @yoonbutterfly @djs8891 @mamamaystbr

[hoejosatoru]

Got Game? Haikyu edition !

Ranking Hiakyu characters on how good they are at hitting on people. Basically does your fave has rizz or nah? 

A/n: there are sooo many haikyu characters so if I forgot your fave I'm sorry feel free to add them in wherever you want & if you disagree be nice about it or I'll bite you this took a long time there’s SO MANY OF THEM

33. Mad Dog

He’s scaring hoes. No explanation needed.

32. Aone

He was dead last until I remembered mad dog existed. He is scaring hoes as well. But like if someone could give him a chance I think he does have a good heart. He really needs to be introduced to someone or something, bc cold walking up to someone is never going to work for him I fear.

31. Ushijima 

More intimidating that scary, but still makes people nervous. He’s just like super dry and has bad social skills. Does not know how to be flirty at all. He’s cute so I think on occasion there’s girls that want him enough to look past all that but honestly he will almost always strike out unless he has a wingman (Tendo) to help balance him out.

30. Sakusa 

Bro is mean and grumpy. I also feel like he doesn’t really care for random hook ups anyway so he is not trying to pick up people a lot. On the occasion he does see someone he wants to approach, I just struggle to see him being flirty. Like you almost get the sense he is judging you when he’s talking to you. Which, to be fair, he probably is. He is another person who would benefit from having a wingman, though he won’t admit it. He’s getting past Ushijima by the skin of his teeth just because he isn’t as imposing.

29. Kita

Another one who I don’t see trying to approach too many people. I think he would come off as disinterested even if he did find you cute. Would probably try to flirt by asking weird philosophical questions. Does better than Sakusa bc his energy is slightly less intense. 

28. Yamaguchi

He’s just too awkward. He gets super shy and flustered around anyone he thinks is cute. Sometimes gets lucky when he goes for someone who finds his shyness cute, but often is shit outta luck.

27. Tsukishima

Of course Tsukki and Yams are next to each other. Tsukki is another grumpy one, but not as intense as Sakusa. He too doesn’t approach too many people, but more than Kita or Sakusa would. I could totally see him being one of those dudes that relies on being tall for getting girls. Like he thinks he doesn’t have to try that hard since he is over 6 foot💀 I think he flirts by being mean but it comes off too mean or condescending at times. Definitely tries to be more selective with who he approaches though, won’t approach anyone he doesn’t think he has a good chance with.

26. Goshiki

Talks a big game in front of his friends, but gets really nervous in front of the person. Blushes like crazy and trips over his words. Can get past that at times, but flirting definitely doesn’t come as naturally to him. 

25. Tendo

Tendo is fearless, which does help his success rate because he just will walk up to anyone he thinks is hot. Doesn't really get nervous at all. However, he is a little weird (I say that affectionately) so he's definitely not everyone’s cup of tea. Strikes out a decent amount bc of that, but honestly it doesn't really bother him at all. Will just move on to next one. He’s really just there for a good time.

24. Yamamoto

Gets very nervous around girls he thinks are hot. He gets loud when he is nervous which can freak people out. Tries his best, but either comes on really strong or really stiff. Sometimes can get past that if gets hyped up by his friends beforehand.

23. Kunimi

He’s okay at it. He’s quiet and a little snarky, which doesn’t alway connect well. I think if he is able to break the ice and get a conversation going, he has a good success rate. But if he isn’t able to get the person hooked into the conversation quickly, he fizzles out.

22. Asahi

He is like 50/50. He’s the guy who comes up to you and you get super excited because he’s cute, but he can fumble it. If he is in a nervous mood, it is really hard for him to get a convo going and be natural. Those days he is striking out more. If he is feeling confident that day, he has a really good success rate. Again, 50/50.

21. Oikawa

I know this is low but hear me out. Because girls were crazy over him in high school he really never had to try to get someone to like him. Therefore he really doesn’t have good skills in that area, especially when just approaching someone random. I think he would learn fairly quickly, but it would be a tough start.

20. Kenma

He’s kinda shy and doesn’t like approaching people bc he’s a lil lazy( but mostly nervous). However, he’s super smart and if he can figure out a way to get you to approach him, he’ll definitely do that. Can have trouble standing out to people since he is on the quieter side. But circling back to the smart thing, I think he is good at zeroing in on his type & what will get that person hooked on him. Definitely spends some time observing you before he makes a move. His success rate does go up a lot if he has a wingman, but he doesn’t NEED one like some people on this list.

 19. Tanaka

He’s very similar to Yamamoto, but I think he is just a bit better at staying calm. Just a bit. Definitely is nervous to start& can come off a little strong at first, but if you give him a chance he’s able to show he’s a good, genuine guy. Also feel like if he is with a friend his success rate goes up like crazy. Like he doesn't need the wing man to intervene for him, it’s more like having his friend there makes him feel confident and takes away his nerves. This is why he is always begging Nishinoya to come out with him.

18. Matsukawa

Middle of the road guy. I feel like he is bad at opening conversation, which hurts him. However, if someone gives him a chance for a longer conversation he does a lot better. 

17. Daichi

He’s not bad, but he’s also not amazing? Like I don’t really see him as someone who gets very nervous around people he finds cute. However, he’s not super flirty and can struggle to hold people’s interest if that makes sense? Just kinda mid tbh.

16. Koganegawa

He has like puppy dog vibes. He has a lot of fun flirting. I feel like he is a lil bit of an air head, so he doesn’t even realize he should be nervous. But since he has such positive, easy going vibes it’s super easy to talk to him. His down fall is that he can be a little too spacey and forget to follow through, ex forgets to ask for your number or tell you he thinks you’re cute.

15. Kageyama

He’s not super flirty either. But I feel like as he gets older he grows in confidence and gets better at approaching people. Let’s be honest them beautiful fucking blue eyes has him picking up most people he wants. His weakness is sometimes he’s too reserved and the other person thinks he’s not interested. Either than that a pretty solid success rate

14. Akaashi

Honestly bro is so fine he really doesn’t have to try that hard. Similar to kageyama in that he can struggle with coming off too aloof. Still, I think he’s super polite and engaging which makes him charming without even really trying

13. Lev

He also has some puppy dog vibes but I think he is more in control of it. Especially as he gets older he mellows out more. Being a professional model gave him a lot of confidence, but he still is a lil goofy on the inside, so it never comes off as cocky or anything. I could see him trying a little too hard to be suave at times that it works against him. Like it comes off a little disingenuous. But he’s a 6′4 model, he’s not struggling THAT hard to get numbers lets be real.

12. Nishinoya

He’s higher than Tanaka bc I think he comes off slightly less strong. Maybe it’s just because he’s small 💀. But he doesn’t feel intimidating even though he does come on strong. He’s able to do it in a way that’s very endearing. Also once he gets talking he’s able to reel himself in more. He’s also super funny which helps his success rate a TON.

11. Kuroo

Idk why but I can see him wanting to use like pick up lines 💀 like he thinks he’s being smoother than he really is. Kenma tells him he’s being a dork(which he is). He’s hot enough that most people will give him a chance, though. Once he gets past that he genuinely charming and doesn’t struggle to get someone’s number

10. Bokuto

Another one that can come on strong but in a way that works for him. I can deadass see him just walking up to someone and flat out telling them they’re gorgeous. And it feels so genuine(bc it is genuine) and not just like someone trying to get in your pants (even if he is trying to get in your pants). If he strikes out tho it totally kills his mood and it’s hard for him to recover.

9. Atsumu

He’s the opposite of bokuto where him calling you gorgeous sounds like he’s just trying to get in your pants 💀 but he is SUCH flirt oml. I think that can hurt him at times bc he’s laying it on a little too thick. But usually finds a good balance. Can charm the pants off most people if you give him enough time.

8. Aran

Solid flirter. Confident enough to approach you and make conversation without being overbearing. Chill and easy to talk to. Even if you don’t end up going out with him after, you still enjoy the talk you had. Also doesn’t make it weird if you decline him.

7. Sugawara

Suga is so good at getting your guard down. He’s just sweet and genuine you feel at ease with him (it’s those big brown cow eyes). So easy to talk to and is surprisingly funny. Plus when he tells you he works with kids it makes him seem even sweeter.

6. Terushima

And then we have to total opposite. Honestly he should be lower. He comes off strong to the point of being cocky but somehow makes it work. Let’s be honest it’s the tongue ring(he definitely makes suggestive jokes about it). I also hc that he’s super tatted as an adult. I think he does well because he’s superrrrr good at picking out the girls who would be into his vibe. Also like who doesn’t wanna hook up with a bad boy every now and then?

5. Hinata

Listen. This may be high but I truly believe Hinata has good game. So good that at times he doesn’t even realize the effect he is having. I think his favorite way to flirt is getting you to do something competitive with him. Has no issue walking up to you at the beach to ask if you wanna play volleyball with him or even just asking to play beer pong at a party. He doesn’t even really have to try once you agree because he is super good at everything he does (which is a turn on) and you have a lot of fun. Great at asking you on a date without even realizing you’re being asked. Like he’ll say you should go get something to eat after playing together and you immediately agree. Then you’re like wait a second... this is totally date. And you’re very happy about it.

4. Semi

I feel like we don’t know that much about his cannon personality, but he has such a cool vibe. Liken effortlessly cool so you’re naturally drawn to him. Plus he’s super good looking like come on. Really just knows how to curate his look. He’s someone expect to be a little mean but he’s actually a sweetheart. Has you head over heels in no time.

3. Osamu

Atsumu is punching the air rn. He’s got Atsumu’s confidence but is able to keep from being too much. Subtle flirt, but super good at it nonetheless. Loves flirting with costumers who come to his shop because it gets him extra tips but also you keep coming back to order shit just so you can talk to him more. He knows he’s got you right where he wants you. He gets soooo many numbers left on receipts and absolutely will call them if he liked you.

2. Suna

God. This man. He was born to flirt look at him!! He’s so fucking smooth. He’s sorta aloof but he is really able to work that to his favor. Definitely confident enough to just walk up to you and start a convo. He is a good talker but he almost doesn't need words??? Like he can just look at you a certain way and god you’re sweating (in the best way). Easily gets anyone he sets his sights on.

1. Iwaizumi

Iwaizumi has the best game idc. He’s equally hot and approachable. Has plenty of confidence but is never cocky. Truly has a kind, warm aura that makes you feel so comfy talking to him. He’s super smart and funny. Like you just feel like you’re having a conversation you don’t even realize he’s flirting with you but you’re absolutely developing a huge crush on him. The type you talk to and immediately feel like you’ve known him forever. He truly never strikes out. It’s a gift. 

Bonus: Coach Ukai

It didn’t feel fair to compare Ukai to everyone bc he is a few years older and definitely more experienced but I couldn't leave him out. He has INSANE game. Like just look at him. He’s fine, a lil bit of a bad boy vibe, has a heart of gold (LOVES dropping in that he is a volunteer coach with kids). I think he would be sexy n fun flirt like it’s just too easy for him.

[mintaikk]

Analyzing the Circus & Biblical Design Elements in Hellaverse: Beelzebub

The Queen Bee of Gluttony herself, Queen Beelzebub!

Honestly, when I first saw her design, I was so surprised to see that she was a fox. I mean, she's the Lord of the Flies, right? Why is she a fox? Then her design grew on me, and now I can also talk about the demonology references, the biblical references, and the Divine Comedy references.

Why Beelzebub is a Fox

The first reason that she is a fox is bcuz Vivzie wanted to make a reference to her Die Young video, and to separate her from Hellhounds.

Then there's the lore reasons she's a fox!

In a lot of fables, foxes are tricksters, always cunning and using sweet talk to get what they want. And in so many of those fables, it's always to get food (looking at you, Aesop). Farmers also hated them because they come in and streal baby animals, like chicks and small baby lambs, to take away and eat. This has also made them seen as being greedy and, well, gluttonous. Beelzebub herself even mentions that Belphagor has to lock away her party drugs so Bee doesn't come in and steal them.

OH! Foxes are also tricksters, I've said that! But that also fits Bee so well! She says she's a honeybee, but bees have two sets of wings, while she only has one. And I think this is because of how flies are seen. Flies are seen as greedy, obnoxious, and really gross pests. They steal the food from others and will drink and eat anything. But honeybees are seen as hard workers who make delicious food. So, it's not that bad if she was to lean into being a Bee more than a Fly. Even if it's a little misleading, it's not harming anyone.

She also does somewhat trick the guests at her party. She starts Cotton Candy with, "I'm what you need," before switching to "I'm what you want, not what you need." She starts the song saying that gluttony is what they need, but then by the time she says it's what they want, they already believe it's what they need. It's like how the foxes in these fables always tell the truth after they've lied and got what they wanted.

Demon Aspects

She's Beelzebub! Lord of the Flies!

Before I do this, fun fact: while Beelzebub is mostly male in mythology, he was said to sometimes change his appearance to female to trick men into lusting after him (Gluttony and Lust were very tied together in The Lesser Key of Solomon). So, Bee being female isn't actually that out of the ordinary!

BUG WARNING

Anyways, biblically accurate Bee. Aren't they cute?

(He has a little jester thing on his neck. What a silly little guy)

Alright, ik it seems difficult to compare this to her ultra fem furry design, but hear me out! Bee shares the same antenna as Beelzebub, and her ears are in the same shape as his abdomen (they're also shaped like Beehives). They also both have six limbs. That's pretty much it. But there's other stuff that relates her to him!

(Ik I said flies only have one set of wings and Biblical Bee has 2 and is a fly, but that's because he's the king of the flies. He's going to be extra)

Bee herself acts more like a fly than a bee. While she can conjure up food wherever she goes, she relies on the people in her parties and in her ring to work for her. She needs the guests to have a good time so she can "get high on all of this tasty energy," and while she advertises Beelzejuice and can probably make some herself, I don't think she's the sole provider of it. Ozzie makes sex toys, but he has an entire factory and workers to help him with it. I bet Bee has the same thing, but she doesn't help out with making it as much. She'd rather sit around and indulge in it than help out in making it. Like a fly stealing the hard-earned honey made by bees, which, in this case, would be the hellhounds.

Also, yeah, that. She's the Lord of the Flies, but she's a canine. I think it's because she's queen of the Hellhounds. Beelzebub being s fly matches his subjects, but Beelzebub being a Bee here in most fan designs wouldn't fit with her being their queen, especially since she's shown to be more involved in her subjects than the rest of the sins. So, think of the Hellhounds as the flies and her as their lord.

(Not me hating the fan designs, tho. I absolutely love Bee Beelzebub)

Also, wanna know why hellhounds are in the Gluttony ring? It's because Cerberus, the OG Hellhound, is in the Gluttony Ring in Dante's Inferno.

Circus Elements

Vivziepop herself stated that each sin represents a Circus Act and that Beelzebub is an animal tamer, which is why she has so many hoops that she flies through in her mansion.

Her being an animal tamer also makes sense away from her design and house. Many animal trainers train the animals using food or something else they want. Beelzebub doesn't train the Hellhounds to do anything, but she does use food and alcohol to attract them to her parties and watch her perform.

I also want to compare Beelzebub's design to stereotypical Animal Tamer costumes.

Beelzebub's fluffy shoulders remind me of the cuffs on stereotypical tamer costumes, snd the open chest and shorts is present in a lot of them as well. The crown present in her design is a reference to her being the Queen of Gluttony, but it could also be how tamers are now the "kings/queens" over the animals they tame, especially lions, since most she known for taming lions and lions are seen as the Kings of the Jungle.

Also, while most sins are animals, Beelzebub resembles an animal the most because of her specific act.

Thanks for reading this far! I'm tired!

[thefiery-phoenix]

PLATONIC YANDERE HANSU SEONG HEADCANONS

It doesn't matter if you're his actual child or not, he will get over protective of you one way or another so there's just no denying or escape from him. You could meet him by being a friend of Taehun's as surprising as that is or you could take Taekwando lessons from him. It doesn't matter what you do, you're a literal angel in his eyes who can't do anything wrong. Ever. Frankly he's surprised that you've managed to befriend his hot tempered son but he's still glad his son has someone to rely on

You'd drop by his house most of the time and Hansu looked forward to your visits, you were such a sweet little thing, always checking up on him and asking him about his day and you even manage to get his son on line. Taehun might be a platonic yandere for you as well in this scenario and honestly, I wish you luck because these two when they work together as a duo, consider them to be an unstoppable father son duo. Hansu will feel his over protective instincts kick in instantly when you tell him you feel like learning Taekwando from him because of bullies in your school. He might look calm and collected on the outside but inside, he's a seething and raging volcano. How dare a bunch of random brats pick on you? He gets annoyed at teenagers these days who have nothing better to do than make others feel insecure about themselves and you can bet your allowance he and Taehun will take care of those punks for you. And by taking care of them, I mean kicking them to another dimension altogether till they forget their name by using their famous 1440 kick

He will never let you go anywhere by yourself, he has free time on his hands so he's always willing to drop you wherever you need to go. If you're meeting with someone else, he'll have pages and pages of their biodata with him to simply ensure you're not meeting with someone suspicious that can possibly threaten your life and safety. What? He's simply making sure you're safe and no, he's not following you around or stalking you like how Taehun puts it. Actually scratch that, he totally is but in his defense, he does get quite paranoid about your safety. He's already dealt with Taehun running away from home plenty of times, he can't let the same happen to you. Besides, he's made far too many enemies in his lifetime, he'll be DAMNED if he lets anything happen to you

He feels reluctant to let you leave his house, he just wants to keep you safe. Pretty soon, his over compulsive need to safeguard you and protect you will overcome him and before you know it, you'll now be living with him and his son. He knows it's a big change for you and it'll take some time for you to adjust but don't worry, he's willing to do whatever you want and will give you whatever you ask for. Except for your freedom of course. He treats you like a fragile porcelain doll that'll break at any given moment and sometimes that does a bit frustrating. He knows how trapped and uneasy you feel about the situation but he really can't help it, he doesn't like the way your parents are supposedly taking care of you. What parent doesn't even realize their child returning home late at night? If he was actually your parent he'd have a damn heart attack and possibly prevent you from going wherever you wanted to in the first place anyway

He won't keep you locked up forever though, he knows you need some time outside so if there's anywhere you want to go, Taehun will be ready to accompany you and he doesn't need any convincing to keep an eye on his new sibling. Hansu isn't borderline insane to keep you locked up forever. However he'll have to put his foot down when you tell him you feel like fighting other people, you can expect a firm no from him. It doesn't matter what form of martial arts you've learnt or how many awards and trophies you've won for MMA boxing or wrestling, a no means a no. That's it. He does have a good reason to be worried for you though, his son is always busy getting into fights, he does NOT need to worry about you injuring and hurting yourself. As much as Taehun loves Taekwando, he might teach you a few basic moves but that's it. He doesn't want you getting involved in fights either and putting yourself at risk

They might be over protective of you and they'll do whatever it takes to ensure no harm befalls upon you. I can't really say the same for your enemies or rivals though. Boy, they're going to rue the day they've met you and avoid you like the damn Corona after Taehun and Hansu are done dealing with him by kicking them to oblivion. They will show zero mercy on anyone who dares to even THINK to lay a single finger on your head. Yakuza boss, drug addict, teenager they don't give a damn

Unfortunately for you, you won't even be allowed to be a part of the Hobin Yoo company either since they're always getting into some kind of dangerous mess. If you're into reading books Hansu will buy you all the books you want. If you love writing, he'll love reading your works and encourage you with your writing. If you love to sing, he'll be more than happy to listen to you sing and will of course, kick Taehun on the head when he tells you that you sing like a screening cat, jokingly of course. If you're into cooking, you can share your recipes with Hansu but he won't allow you to come near the fire or touch the knives and the stove so, you're out of luck there. Be glad he didn't end up baby proofing the house instead

You aren't allowed to talk to guys either so you can say sayonara to your love life. As long as he's alive he won't allow to even TALK to another guy other than Taehun, the idea of you dating someone else is a pretty far fetched idea altogether. He's just worried someone will try to steal you away which is something he clearly doesn't want happening. Doesn't matter if it's a girl either, no dating for you. He'll just give the person you're interested in a death glare till it literally burns a hole through their soul and if they're smart enough, they'll get the hint and severe ties with you. You'll be upset but don't worry, your dad is there to comfort you and provide you with whatever support you need. You can tell him anything you want, except everytime you tell him about how someone wronged you, they'll be dealt with

All in all, Hansu really cares for you as his own. He adores you and just wants to see you happy, like any other parent. Is it so wrong to protect your loved ones from the harshness and reality of the world?

[joking-suggestions]

Albedo A-Z Fluff Alphabet

prompt list by @/imagineimagineimagine

!!! : gn reader. might be present grammar mistakes. i apologise, since english is not my first language.

I just love this man too much, I have to create my own headcanons because consuming his media online is not enough-

A = Attractive (What do they find attractive about their partner? Physically and Mentally)

I think that Albedo is not a person who pays much attention to physical appearance, for him it would be something that would be secondary and would only get added value if he was already taken with someone, as we've already seen in the game (in fact, he tells us more than once that he likes intelligent people). Albedo values mentality, so he'd be particularly attracted to someone who's open-minded, smart, even better if they can play along with his mindset, and whom he can have complex and profound conversations with, someone who can offer him new points of view, inspire and stimulate him, not only in his work, but also in his daily life. Intelligence is what really attracts him, physical appearance comes after. For him beauty is all a matter of attitude.

B = Baby (Do they want a family? Why/Why not?)

I don't think Albedo ever thought about starting his own family before he had a romantic partner, he's just too busy with his job that he wouldn't have the time to dedicate to it properly. and Albedo already has Klee, who's like a little sister to him, therefore a family to dedicate his attention and care to since she's a young child. however, after finding a partner, i don't deny that the thought of starting something of his own with them would cross his mind at least once, but it would just be a sterile thought, imagining a concept that is impossible. Because of his non-human nature, Albedo is unable to procreate. He is aware that it's not his fault, because he knows that it wasn't him who decided how to give birth, but sometimes he can't help but feel a little guilty, especially in the case his s/o particularly wanted to have a child. if his partner doesn't want children, so much the better (after all, he'd be the first to know that there's no traditional way to have a family... if we look closely at his family tree, lol). He just wishes to have the person he loves by his side to be happy, and Klee, of course. After all, being a family means being good together and being able to rely on each other without anyone being left behind, regardless of blood ties, right?

C = Cuddle (How do they like to cuddle?)

for him, cuddling with his s/o would be a way to regenerate and relax after a long, stressful day. it'd be a sweet moment, a little blurred by sleep and tiredness, but very deep and intimate. some evenings he might seem more sensual than others (and so getting carried even further than that). albedo likes to rest his head on his partner's shoulder or chest, as if seeking comfort or protection from them. he would give gentle kisses wherever his lips could land, play with his partner's hair, lose himself in the scent of their skin and clothes, often collapsing in their arms (he looks so adorable istg).

D = Dreams (How do they picture their future with their S/O?)

whatever his partner desires, so does him. First and foremost, Albedo wants to make the other person happy, to be able to live carefree and at peace by their side, to discover new things together, to explore the world together, to experience new adventures by each other's side.

E = Everything (You are my ____ (e.g. my life, my world…))

For Albedo, his partner would be his muse, his source of inspiration, his safe haven, his home, his certainty, what makes reality more beautiful to face.

F = Feelings (When did they know they're in love?)

Albedo noticed almost immediately that he felt different in the presence of this particular person. how shall i put it? he didn't feel the same as usual. he wouldn't even know how to properly explain the strange sensations running through his body, from butterflies in his stomach to his pounding heart. there is something - some kind of force majeure - that draws him to them. he feels the need to be in their company even when they are not present, as they take up most of his time and often distract him from his work. this seemed strange to him already, but other people from the outside also started pointing out that lately, the chief alchemist seemed head over heels in love. when kaeya started teasing him about whether he had fallen in love or not... it was like an epiphany for albedo, like he had discovered something he might have known all along. not only that, but Klee herself asked him if he had feelings for (name), leaving him completely stunned and unable to deny it any longer. at this point, albedo could no longer lie to himself, having searched within himself for as many answers as possible. what seemed impossible to him was actually the irrefutable truth. Love. it had always been there, maybe he really had always known it, but he didn't know if it was right to admit it to himself first, despite his incessant curiosity to explore this new and nameless feeling that did so much good to his heart.

G = Gratitude (How grateful are they in general? Are they aware of what their S/O does for them?)

of course Albedo is a very grateful person. both to life for putting this person trough his path, and for all the things they do for him; from taking care of him, to listening to him when he ramble on for hours about incomprehensible subjects, to understanding and accepting him for who he is. albedo didn't even believe it was possible that such a person could exist in this world and still love him. of course, he tries his best to show that gratitude because he knows it wouldn't be fair otherwise.

H = Honesty (Do they have secrets they hide from their S/O?)

Albedo is a person full of secrets and we know that very well. however, when he starts to trust someone, he tends to open up more. of course, it is not easy to gain his trust. Albedo is a very selective and in order to open up completely to someone, he has to feel that this person is different from the others. obviously in a relationship he'd feel that it would be only right to let the other person know basic things about himself, because a relationship must be built on mutual trust and honesty, it wouldn't be fair to hide anything from his partner. then slowly (probably already in the friendship stages) albedo would start to open up and reveal more aspects of himself, probably even the darker ones, but only when he's sure that he won't be rejected and that he can trust his other half completely.

I = Injury (How would they react if you got hurt?)

outwardly, albedo would appear calm, placid and logical as usual, but actually, he would be trying to maintain a rational composure in order to react in the best possible way and help his beloved. in reality, inside albedo would be panicking, frozen with the total terror of losing the love of his life. thoughts of all kinds would be running through his mind. luckily, Albedo is good at regulating his emotions and would try to channel them into action in order to defend his beloved from danger and then to help them with love and whatever else they may need. although he would seem to be handling the situation in the best possible way, you would still notice the anxiety through his worried look and the trembling in his voice and hands, at least until he would be completely sure that the danger is gone.

J = Jealousy (Do they get jealous? How do they deal with it)

albedo is not a person who is prone to jealousy, but if he was, he wouldn't let it show. for example, if his partner were particularly affectionate with someone, i couldn't deny that he'd sometimes feel a gnawing feeling in his stomach. he wouldn't be able to explain it at first, but the thought of being abandoned, or of his favourite person choosing someone else over him, would embitter him. of course, Albedo would still try to maintain his typical rationality, but sometimes you can tell from some of his cold looks and answers that he is actually jealous. however, he would do his best to keep it to himself, and only if the situation became unbearable he'd talk about it. this is because he'd not want to worry his beloved, he has great faith in them and their love.

K = Kiss (How do they kiss you? How do they like to be kissed?)

Albedo's kisses can have different shades: sometimes they are sweet, full of love, the kind that seems pure and can only be found in fairy tales, the ones that express affection and last only a few moments, but still leave you with a sweet warm sensation in your heart. other times (very often, especially when you are alone) they are the slightly sensual kisses that make you feel wanted, that express hunger, love, a slight possessiveness. albedo loves to be kissed on the lips, especially when these kisses make him feel wanted, even if it's just a simple greeting. other kisses he loves to give and receive are those on the neck. if you kiss that diamond mark on his neck? he will be yours forever.

L = Love (Who says ‘I love you’ first?)

i think that would depend very much on what kind of person Albedo would find as a partner. before saying something like that, Albedo would want to have some confidence. not that this phrase has no value to him, on the contrary, but he would want to be sure that this phrase is clear and unequivocal. in any case, i think Albedo could very likely be the first to confess.

M = Memory (What’s their favorite memory together?)

for albedo, there would be many beautiful moments to remember, many firsts, many new beginnings; their first meeting, the first time his partner bonded with klee, their first fight during an adventure, their first kiss. for albedo, they would all be things to treasure in his heart, all moments of shared happiness that he would never forget.

N = Nickel (Do they spoil? Do they buy the person they love everything?)

albedo is not a stingy person, but at the same time he is not materialistic. ergo, for him, gifts would not be just material things, like expensive, worthless things bought in some fancy shop just because they are "trendy". of course, he would have no problem giving his s/o gifts, buying them something he saw them looking at so longingly. but for him, the gifts of real value are the moments they spend together, the things he can make with his own hands, because he is an alchemist and an artist. so what he is able to create can not be compared to anything that can be bought with money. if his loved one wants a new dress, Albedo would be able to design and craft it for them. he would draw them a lot and dedicate many of his inventions to them. in this respect, he would certainly shower them with gifts. gifts whose value can not even be determined, so deep is the love that goes into them.

O = On Cloud Nine (What are they like when they're in love? Is it obvious for others? How do they express their feelings?)

i think it is quite obvious when Albedo is in love. first of all, he seems more distracted than usual (this particular person takes up a lot more space in his mind) and for Sucrose and Timeous it would be obvious that something with their master is off, especially because in the presence of this person he'd become much more attentive, he'd talk and smile a lot more. it would be a fact that would not go unnoticed by others. a person who is normally as composed and deeply devoted to his work as albedo suddenly seems to be shaken by something new. then it is really true that love makes people blind! Lisa would like to discuss this matter with Jean and point out to her that, contrary to the grand master's expectations, the boy is not actually ill, but just in love. for Albedo, on the other hand, everything would seem normal, but in reality the people closest to him would be very aware of the novelty - hell, even Klee managed to notice that there was something unusual about her brother! especially because when that person is in the albedo zone, he will look for any excuse to be in their presence, to talk to them, to discuss alchemy with them, to show them his latest drawings or his newest experiments. these are subtle things, but to a loner like albedo, they mean a lot. it means that he feels comfortable in the presence of that person.

P = Pet names (What pet names do they use?)

i imagine albedo would use things like "love", "darling" and "honey" a lot. The more corny ones like "sweetheart", "my Cecilia", "my queen/princess or prince/king" would be saved for rarer, special, particularly emotional occasions.

Q = Questions (What are the questions they’re always asking?)

albedo is a person who asks a lot of questions. sometimes he just wants to know his s/o's opinion about something, sometimes he asks deep questions, but most of all he asks a lot of strange things. things that frighten you and make you wonder how the hell they got into his head. after all, what do you expect to find in the head of a genius?

R = Rainy Day (What do they like to do on a rainy day?)

usually, when albedo has to work, not even the rain can stop him. however, if he could, he would much rather to stay at home to avoid colds (at least for his partner, considering that he rarely gets sick). it would be an excuse to be together, cuddle under the blankets and watch the rain, and only when the storm has passed they can go out and explore the fruits of the earth's rebirth.

S = Sad (How do they cheer themselves/S/O up?

albedo, contrary to what many people expect, is good at understanding human emotions, even if he is still learning how to manage them. he doesn't usually feel sad very often, unless he is reminded of his master. but he is good at chasing away his sadness by distracting himself with other things, like work and the people who love him. then again, having managed a child for so long, he knows the secrets of cheering people up all the more....although maybe it works differently for adults. in any case, he would have his own strange little ways of offering support to his beloved, offering them ways to talk and let off steam, and then doing all their favourite activities together. albedo would be close to them, affectionate, and he'd even cook them something good to cheer them up. albedo is actually a very caring and supportive boyfriend.

T = Talking (What do they like to talk about?)

Albedo loves to talk about his experiments, he'd go on for hours about them, and the fact that his partner would be willing to listen to him would only make him fall even more in love. he loves talking a lot about klee too. albedo is the kind of person who is open to everything, with him you could talk about deep, somewhat philosophical things, exploring the meaning of life, of the universe, gradually moving into strange, indefinable, absurd and sometimes even abstract things. he'd be willing to talk about scientific things, sometimes diving into detailed and nerdy explanations about the mechanics of the world. then I like to think there would also be that good dose of gossip because it never hurts. what did kaeya do today to upset albedo, for example? but let's face it, he'd love to talk to his s/o about anything.

U = Understanding (How well do they know their partner? Are they empathetic?)

i repeat, albedo is actually a very empathetic and emotionally intelligent person, otherwise he wouldn't be able to deal with children so well. i have no idea why the genshin fandom sees him as an emotionless robot. of course he would get to know his partner inside out and take note of their every trait and mannerism, he'd try to understand them deeply in order to understand and help them. he's the kind of guy who doesn't make you feel lonely, who will stand by you and help you, but who will also give you practical advice on how to deal with a problem and offer his help where it's needed.

V = Value (How important is the relationship to them? What is it worth in comparison to other things in their life?)

albedo tends to give the right amount of space to everything in his life: work, family, but also his relationship. especially after finding the love of his life he would try to learn to be more balanced with work as well, to give the right amount of space to the people he loves. each of these things has an important place in his life, but he could not deny that his family and his relationship are probably the two most important values to him.

W = Wedding (When, where, and how do they propose?)

to be honest, albedo would think about it for a while, he would not find marriage absolutely necessary at first, he would be happy just to live together without giving in to social pressure. but once he is convinced, he would certainly make a very deep and emotional proposal. It would happen during a moment of vulnerability, of loneliness between him and his beloved, while they are out walking or having a good time together. he'd have to feel that it is the right moment, that it's the time. i won't even hide the fact that he would feel a little nervous before getting down on one knee. wait, does everything have to be done in the traditional way? at the fateful moment, he would whisper those words, almost as if they were powerful magic. the moment would be intimate and magical in its simplicity. he probably wouldn't propose right away, he would rather wait a few years after starting the relationship, but when he will be sure, he wouldn't back down. the ceremony probably wouldn't even be that big and ostentatious. if anything, something nice and simple where only the closest people could attend, but still romantic and beautiful. a memorable day for everyone. even the chief alchemist got married, crazy, right?

X = XOXO (How affectionate are they? In public/in private)

albedo would find it difficult to let go at first, as everything in a relationship is new to him. How exactly is he supposed to behave? but once he is comfortable, he would certainly become very affectionate. certainly very touch starved, as he has never received enough affection and care in his life. this is especially true in private. outdoor, he'd be more reserved and his displays of affection would be more subtle unless his partner isn't bold enough to be affectionate in public. This would probably make albedo a little uncomfortable at a first (it would also depend on how and how much his s/o is affectionate), but over time he would begin to appreciate and reciprocate, albeit very slowly. you will need to be patient with him.

Y = Yearning (How well do they cope when they're separated from their S/O?)

mainly by keeping busy with work, which helps him distract himself just enough. but in the moments when even that is not enough he dedicates himself to painting his beloved, at least to remember their face and recall the memories they shared by imprinting them on canvas.

Z = Zeal (Are they willing to go to great lengths for the relationship?)

albedo is a very busy man, so it would depend on the reason behind this distance. but of course he would be willing to do anything for reasons of force majeure. he'd do everything in his power to ensure that this relationship will last.

[timdrakesbussy]

Do you have a Stardew fic recommendation list?

Oh, sure!

1. Stick Season by laststardrop | (Shane/Harvey) | Rated M

Harvey was two years into medical school when his boyfriend of three years up left him without a proper goodbye. Five year later, he finds him again.

2. No Place Like Home by Ash_Fountain | Multi (mainly Alex/Penny) | Rated E

[…] An AU where Penny buys the abandoned farm in order to build her own life. This fic follows several points of view, allowing for the drama of some of Stardew's younger citizens to unfold.

3. Things We Don’t Mean by maxRebo | (Alex/Sebastian) | Rated E

Sebastian has a complicated life. He’s been pining over his best friend for years and Sam loves him, too… just, not the way he wants. One day he finds some solace at the spa with someone he would never expect. Life doesn’t get less complicated after that.

4. In the Moonlight by UrsulaNoodles | (Emily/Shane) | Rated E

Shane's life has gone to hell, and he spends most of his nights sulking at the Stardrop Saloon, but Emily's positivity and friendship keep him afloat. He never meant to develop feelings for her, and he convinced himself that she didn’t feel the same way, but a night alone in Cindersap Forest has him thinking otherwise.

5. the wilderness farm map raises a lot of questions by eke | Multi (but mainly Shane/Male Farmer and Marlon/Marnie) | Rated M

6. Lighthouse on the Shore by CharalampidisGruber | (Alex/Sebastian) | Rated M

There's a small house in Pelican Town. Like every home in Pelican Town, this house keeps secrets. Tonight is no different when Sebastian shows up drenched on Alex's doorstep needing someone.

7. I Think I Love the Boy Next Door by animeboysruinedmylife | (Haley/Sam) | Rated M

Haley's not being dramatic, but the worst thing that ever happened to her was Sam moving in next door. She could tell from the second she first saw him that he’d be a pain in her ass. That smug little people-pleasing face. Gelled-up hair. Scuffed-up shoes like some kind of wannabe skater boy. She’s always been a good judge of character, even back then, and time has only proven her right.

8. Splinters by BlueberryFarmingForever | (Male Farmer/Others) | Rated T

The actions of a highly indecisive farmer from Robin's point of view.

9. In Your Eyes by Mouse_213 | (Sam/Sebastian) | Rated E

[…] Seb has his secret reasons for disliking Sam. Deeply rooted anger and anxiety whenever he sees Sam’s bright green eyes that Seb can’t even bring himself to tell Abigail about. And it seems like lately, all Sam wants to do is shove his way into Seb’s private, fiercely-protected life and become his friend. What’s he supposed to do now?

10. Things We Don’t Say by maxRebo | (Haley/Abigail) | Rated E

It's no secret that Haley and Abby have never gotten along. When a surprise coupling overlaps their social circles, they're forced to rely on each other for the sake of their best friends, and come to terms with what the tension between them is really all about.

11. on the (re)founding of rome by Sinister_Queer | (Alex/Sebastian) | Rated E

Sebastian remembers, in technicolor detail, the moment he first saw Alex. […] This is a story about falling in love. This is a story about re-building Rome. (Or: a jock and a goth fall in love)

12. i found nowhere (it got to know me) by szemkel | (Sam/Sebastian) | Rated E

The worst part of living in the city wasn’t the smog, the stench of car exhaust or the constant noise of traffic coming in through the opened windows; it wasn’t Sebastian’s current diet, made up mostly by instant noodles and delivery takeaways; it wasn’t the gray, soulless concrete which greeted his eyes wherever he went, either, and it wasn’t the berserk hoards of teenagers wandering about the streets every evening. To put it shortly, the worst part of living in the city wasn’t anything he had been warned about before moving there. The worst part of living in the city was the absence of Sam.

13. Book of Caroline by J_Unlimited | (Caroline/Male Player) | Rated E

For as long as Caroline could remember, she’s lived her life for others. Saddled with an unsatisfying life, she looks to the new farmer for comfort. Will he be the spark that Caroline needs to set herself free?