#and yes. he's bringing food back for her. and gifts. and medicines.

[tenebriism]

Of all the people Jean has come to find gifts for, Tsuki is by far the hardest. There are so many things she wants to gift to him. So many simple things that he has been denied throughout the course of his long and perilous life. But while the novelty of an ugly winter sweater or a batch of homemade cookies may convey some of what she wants him to know, it still falls short of the gravity of compassion she wishes to bestow upon him. 

So this Winter, as the year draws to a close and the lantern rite looms on the horizon, it is an envelope that she gives to the former Wanderer. Just a small little thing, sealed with a wax stamp that bears the Gunnhildr family crest. Contained within that elegant paper is a simple key to the place she now calls home and a note that conveys a sentiment that perhaps carries more weight than the outside world can ever truly comprehend. 

---

Wherever the wind may take you; know that you will always have a home to return to for as long as you need it.

- J x

This, still, is a strange concept to him. The idea that a time of the year can seemingly shift an entire nation and beyond, in unison, and have everyone in an auto-piloted endeavor to shove it in each other's faces. This goes FAR beyond some annual festival, he's noticed. The decor stays up for weeks, mora passed around aplenty for materialistic trading, and where, normally, he may have been able to tuck himself into a tree for an extended spell of silence, he CAN'T, now, what with some fashion of festivities going on every single night.

Perhaps it's the ' most wonderful time of the year ' for those actually INVOLVED in it, but to him, it feels like it's more trouble than it's worth ( and, a right detriment to his already fragile nerves ).

So what, then, keeps him lingering outside of Mondstadt, in particular, watching how the town evolves day by day? Lights strewn and the Angel's Share more packed than usual. Gift exchanges at the Anemo Archon's statue, sometimes with tears ( a proposal, a baby announcement... alright, so ' gifts ' aren't always materialistic, then, he learns ). Holiday carols and seasonal plays at the fountain, whilst food and drink is passed around. He loathes the thought of admitting it seems somewhat NICE... that he would dare YEARN for something like this, even if he knows it would only end up overwhelming him.

The Acting Grand Master, though, is the exception. Though not a modicum of understanding exists in regards to why she endeavors, so fiercely, to take care of and INCLUDE him, he never turns her down despite it. Like a lost puppy, he follows her out of town, away from the hustle and bustle of Mondstadt as yet another party kicks off. She's come to know him relatively well, he fears, and it's likely why whatever she wishes to speak with him about will be done outside the city.

Away from interruptions, away from prying eyes, away from an atmosphere she knows he won't like.

" If you need help with something, just say so, moth--- ugh. Jean. " the Wanderer mumbles. He won't hesitate to, she should KNOW this, considering he's one of few people who even bothers to make sure she doesn't kill herself amidst all the duties she takes on. The envelope, extended towards him, then, earns her a sigh, like he'd had the audacity to forget the kind of person she was. Of course she would make sure to include him in her pot of generosity, no matter how much he may act like he doesn't want to be. It's why she continues to hold out the envelope to him with that... gentle, PATIENT smile of hers, and doesn't force him to accept it while he battles with himself over why he should in the first place.

Is it to make HER happy? Or, is it because he wants to know how it feels to be given something, when all his life, everything has been TAKEN?

Thumb glides against the fold, carefully separating it from the adhesive, and as he pulls both the key and the note from its confines, he shoots her a very confused look. " What is this? " Obviously, he could just read the note to find out, but forgive him for not being a fan of the unknown. As she gestures for him to read the note, he sighs and relents... and that's where the interaction stops for several moments.

He reads it once. Reads it twice. Flips it over to look for something else he may have missed, and when nothing is there, he looks at her. To the soft eyes that have only ever gazed upon him with kindness and adoration, and the even softer smile that he feels, deep down, he doesn't deserve to see.

Don't cry... no, don't cry.

He hasn't had a home in so very long. Not a proper one to go back to, at least, besides Lesser Lord Kusanali's domain. It doesn't matter that he, in a way, doesn't need one--- it isn't as if he functions off of food and sleep like mortals do, but he wanders largely because he doesn't HAVE one to return to. If he keeps on the move, keeps occupied, he needn't worry about everything WRONG with him ( and it's a wonder that's not ALWAYS on his mind, because there's a LOT. )

Tsuki ducks his head as he pulls the key from the envelope and squeezes it within his palm, as if he fears it may up and disappear, or get lost, if he doesn't clutch onto it as hard as he can. In a swift motion, he swipes his opposite arm against his eyes, growing in silent frustration at how futile his efforts were proving to banish his emotions. Eventually, though, he gives up, and slowly steps forward, leaning his face into her body with a stupidly childish hiccup.

He can't say thank you right now, or even BEGIN to verbally convey just how much this means to him right this very minute, but he hopes his inability to get himself together is proof enough that this is a gift he does not mind at all. Even if he's far, far older than her, she still feels like the mother he never had, but always needed, and maybe this is the gods' way of finally showing him MERCY, by giving him the one thing he has always wanted.

@gunnhildred ;;

[writersdrug]

Simon "Ghost" Riley is the kind of man who:

In your shared home, always sits with his legs spread. Manspreading king. Adores it when you cross your arms and give him a disapproving look, saying there's no room for you. "Course there is, luv. Jus' sit between my thighs."

Refuses to let you do simple tasks around the house, like making tea, folding his underwear, or putting away the dishes. One might think it's a sweet, husbandly gesture - but he's just super picky. You made tea in the microwave once, and now you're banned from ever touching his tea stash. Likes his underwear folded in a specific way, and you don't understand the importance of it. He got tired of you stuffing his underwear in his drawer, so now he folds it himself. And the dishes? Couldn't stand how you put them away. "There's no rhyme or reason to 'em." "I didn't think there had to be, Si-" "Just gimme the damn bowl." Fewer chores? You aren't complaining.

Looks like he's always on edge - and he is, kinda. When he's out with you, he can't help but be alert and watchful, and extremely protective of you. You've tried to get him to loosen up - it's the supermarket, what could happen? - but have just come to accept it as his nature. Plus, you get that giddy feeling when you see other men look straight down at the floor, avoiding Simon's stare as the two of you pass.

Is the grumpiest, poutiest, and most indignant man ever when he gets sick. Doesn't want you doting on him in case you catch whatever he has. But, wait - where are you going? "Get your ass back in this bed - 'm cold." Grumbles like a child when you force him to let you get up to grab him soup, tea, or medicine. And no, he doesn't care how sick he is, he's not wearing that stupid, floppy ice pack hat.

Brings Johnny over unannounced, and you've grown used to it. The moment you hear that Scottish yapping out the front door as the key unlocks, you grab a third plate for dinner - he insists you don't need to feed him, but you always make extra for Simon's lunch the next day regardless, and the last time he'd said that, he ended up grabbing an extra fork and picking from Simon's plate. Which, of course, had Simon up at 1 am making instant ramen because he was still hungry, but didn't have the heart to ask you to make him a decent meal. So, yes, Johnny would be fed.

Loves spoiling you on your birthday. What is a man if not someone who spoils his partner rotten? Orders in food from your favorite bakery, sets all your presents neat and nice on the table (the excellent wrapping job done by yours truly, Gaz), flower petals sprinkled on the ground and the table top (also Gaz's idea), and a seat on his lap so for you while you open your presents. Loves watching your face light up, and each little "you remembered?!" fall from your lips as you open each gift. Scoffs and shifts in his seat. "I's not that much of a fuss, luv..." as you squeal excitedly, but you know he's biting back a proud smile. The blush, he can't even attempt to hide.

Is somehow a magnet for your young nephews. Every time he comes along to your sister's place, he's either making conversation with her husband in the living room, or he's interrogated and cornered by her two sons. And, lord help him, he doesn't understand it either. He'd always expected kids to look at him like a monster, but, especially with these two, that was never the case. They'd ask him for stories about "being in war" - half of the time, he'd make up some not-too-gory adventure, sparing them the details of real war. The rest of the time, he'd talk about "Soap, my mate who blows everything up." And they'd listen with wide eyes and jaws on the floor.

Has scared you unintentionally, more than too many times. He'd come home at three in the morning from a mission, and all he wanted was to quietly peel his dirty uniform off and slip into bed with you. His main intention was to avoid waking you up, because you'd force him to shower before joining you in bed - and he was too tired for that. However, you'd been rounding the corner, up for your 3 am glass of water - you screamed as you saw the hulking, dark figure by the front door, launching your phone at him. He'd caught it effortlessly and shoved it into his back pocket. "What've I told ya 'bout using the bat?" "I was just getting water!" "I coulda been anyone." "Well you're not." "Missed ya, luvie." "Missed you too- but you're grimy. Go take a-" "No." He grabbed you and threw you over his shoulder, ignoring your protests as he hauled you back to bed.

[bejeweledblondie]

Simon “Ghost” Riley Headcannons

A/N: these are loosely inspired from real life experiences I’ve had living on a military base, these men have a on & off switch it’s crazy

Simon “Ghost” Riley x F! Reader

Warnings: NSFW

• Simon first saw you while he was in the States for a training exercise, he was out at one of the local bars with some of the other soldiers he was with

• Soap had actually asked for your number first & since he was so intoxicated you turned him down

• Simon apologized for Soap & that’s how you met

• he did have a heart attack when he found out there was a bit of a age gap between you two but quickly got over it when he realized how mature you were

• it was a long distance relationship at first (from personal experience it sucks in the beginning)

• there were times when he couldn’t talk due to the risk of potentially exposing his teams location so you had to write letters every now & then

• you cried constantly whenever you saw some horrific news in the paper about what was going on overseas, the anxiety was awful

• but when he returned the reunions were euphoric

• you have a bottle of his cologne & aftershave so you can always feel close to him

• and you’d spray your perfume on the letters you sent so he couldn’t always smell the paper when he was missing you

• it took him sometime to open up to you about what had happened to him in his past, & your respected that

• when he first met your family, he was shocked by all the support he had received from them

• he asked your parents to marry you the first time he met them & showed them the ring too (ofc they said yes)

• he proposed to you in private after a nice dinner, he got choked up during the proposal

• your dad specifically was elated, he got to brag at how bad ass his son in law is

• your mom if she’s a teacher, had her entire class send cards, candy, anything they’d need in care packages Soap nearly cried when he opened the sweetest letter from a little girl (this actually happened irl my mom’s class did this & one guy got really choked up)

• Simon always would be your fiercest protector

• since he’s like an freakin tree he will guide your head with his bear paw of a hand in crowds

•he CANNOT sit with his back facing the door it stresses him out

•this man is strapped 24/7 whether that be a knife, bear spray etc. he’s ready

•he has a trauma kit in his car because “you never know”

•Simon is 1000% one of those apocalypse preppers you have freeze dried food, medicine, water, etc. he’s always on edge

• he sleeps with a damn rifle next to y’all’s bed

• you have a whole security system too

• your guy’s apartment is impeccable like you could eat off of the floor

• hell your guy’s bed has damn hospital corners

• Simon adopted a cat so you don’t feel as lonely when he’s deployed

• He’s your chonky boy & you do send plenty of photos to Simon when he’s deployed

• Gaz & Soap tease him about him living his “cat dad” life

• you start trying for a baby two years into your marriage

• Simon does fall victim to the “curse of the infantry” (which is not a negative thing btw it’s a running joke that infantry soldiers have all daughters) he makes girls

• he was deployed during your pregnancy & was worried sick he nearly missed the birth of your daughter

• that little girl is the most well protected baby in the whole world, the Task Force gifted him not just baby stuff but damn security for the nursery

• He watches your baby from his phone in the nursery on deployment, he was silently crying once when he was watching you sing a lullaby to your baby girl

•Price had to comfort him father to father

•In reality Simon has a very hard cold exterior at work for the sake of keeping his mental health for the profession he’s in but deep down he’s always held a soft spot & your relationship just brings it out

✨NSFW ✨

• there is a big size difference between you two & it drives him insane

• the first time y’all had together he didn’t want to break you in half

• when he returns from deployment y’all go at it like rabbits for multiple rounds, your poor pussy was so sore afterwards

• has a massive corruption & daddy kink

• he’s an ass man I don’t make the rules here so any position where your ass if the focal point is his favorite

• y’all have made so many sex tapes for him when he’s deployed, he has a whole folder on his phone & jerks off to them in the bathroom or the porta potty (it’s a canon event, trust me) to them

• he lets your cockwarm him constantly when you’re on the couch, when he’s working, hell y’all had even fallen asleep like that

• I know people say he has a Prince Albert piercing but alas per army regulation that is safety risk I think it’s more likely he’d use a cock ring on you

• during a military ball you two snuck off & fucked in a supply closet

• he couldn’t wait to get back to the hotel room after seeing you in your gown, it was red his favorite color

• and he just looked so fucking good in his dress uniform, that was the night you totally conceived your baby girl

• he groans into your ear when he cums & he’ll use his body to just eclipse yours

• “one more baby girl” & “c���mon pretty girl use your words tell me what you want”

• is a sucker for babydoll lingerie it brings your innocence & triggers his corruption kink

• moral of the story Simon Riley fucks

[motthe]

Married+jayce viktor, visit relatives +she/her reader? Continuation please!! I gotta know more

i hope you enjoy the continuation!!!

warnings: more crazy family shenanigans

Dirty Santa had the family in an uproar when cousin Pat drew number one for the second year in a row. Seeing as your grandmother had made the pieces and walked around with the bowl, no one had any real proof Pat had cheated.

You were happy with your number. It wasn’t dead last like you’d hoped but close enough to see more gifts and get your pick of the litter.

Jayce was scrambling to understand the rules again with Viktor’s help, but even then you’d had to correct him on a few rules.

“Okay,” Jayce muttered, thick brows set in a determined line, “stolen twice and it’s frozen, no stealing back, number one gets to go again at the end and you’re stuck with whatever they trade you.”

“Perfect,” you said. “The rules change from family to family but that’s ours.”

Your more rowdy aunt who was a bit too serious when it came to any type of games shouted for Pat to get a move on. You sat back with your husbands, head cushioned by Jayce’s arm and one of Viktor’s hands in yours. You don’t know where your energy went after dinner, but you could fall asleep to your insane family after years of these events. Although loud and encompassing, it was home, and you were happy your loves were sharing in the madness.

“Who’s five?”

“That would be me,” sighed Viktor as he leaned forward. No one had a chance to offer him assistance as he snatched his cane and use the handle to snag a bag. Everyone whooped as it slid down the length and into his lap.

“Show off!” someone called.

Viktor merely smiled to himself, passing you tissue paper as he revealed a pack of pens, a book of crossword puzzles, and a few of those brain teasers you’d see in bookstores made of wooden figures or metal rings.

“That’s right on the nose for you,” you said, tossing the trash to your father who had the black bag by his chair.

“Yes, I’m quite happy with these,” he hummed, flipping through the crossword puzzles.

“I’m glad someone got them who will actually do them,” your mother sighed, clocking herself as the buyer. “They’re good for your brain!”

After a few more turns, Jayce browsed the lingering gifts on the table in the midst of everyone before eyeing the tool set in Uncle Jimmy’s arms.

“Now, son,” your family member began, mean mugging, “think about that decision.”

Jayce hummed, tapping his chin and staring at ceiling. He was so dramatic. God, you loved him.

Finally, he sighed and shook his head. “I’m thinking I need a new tool set.”

“Ooh, that’s cold,” Great Aunt Lynda cackled, sipping her wine. You could’ve sworn she mentioned a dry December when you all were fixing your plates. Apparently she’d had an incident at Thanksgiving, but you hadn’t been here. You all had gone to Jayce’s mother’s.

Now or made sense why your mother had made it clear that no was to bring beer into this house on the holidays—only wine.

Viktor was sipping some of his own as your number was called. Pulling yourself from his side, you looked over each gift that had already been opened. None of them appealed to you, so you went for the smallest gift bag.

Your husbands leaned in as you pulled out what was clearly a gift card, opening the little flap to see where you’d be buying from.

“How much we talking?” Aunt Pat asked.

“If it’s for fast food I’m taking it,” one of your younger cousins declared.

Viktor choked on a sip while Jayce shrugged, clearly confused as he read the brand. “I don’t dont know this store. Is it local?”

“Oh, it’s local all right,” Great Aunt Lynda said. Everyone snapped their heads to her when she spoke.

“It’s not fast food,” you announced, shoving the card back into the bag. “It’s for medicinal purposes, kiddos.”

“Ew! Medicine?” one of the twins whined, sticking out a tongue. “Who’d want that?”

“Ooh,” Jayce said, tapping away on his phone. “That makes a lot more sense.”

“Lynda there are kids playing!” Dad barked.

She waved a hand, draining her wine glass. “It’s a gift card. Be glad I didn’t bring a D-I-L-D-O—they were two for one!”

“A dodo?” one of the kids questioned.

Jayce lost it. You just shoved the gift bag behind your back and told them to move the game along.

In the end, you and your husbands got to keep your gifts. Aunt Lynda was all too happy to waddle over and talk about the best things to buy before you excused yourself for a bathroom break. Viktor was safe chatting away with Jimmy while Jayce was heading for another snack in the kitchen.

You had all of three, peaceful minutes in the bathroom before your phone lit up.

Groupchat: Jayce 💍 Viktor

Jayce: someone save me Lynda’s blocking the kitchen exit and there’s a mistletoe hanging above her!!

Viktor: That sounds like a trap.

Jayce: no shit!

Viktor: I meant for me. If I come to the rescue, I’m sacrificing my lips for yours.

Jayce: So you’re just going to leave me here?

Viktor thumbed up the question, hearing your laughter from down the hall.

You: Hold on my damsel in distress. I’m on the way.

Jayce: I’m glad to see SOMEONE loves me in this marriage

Washing your hands, you pocketed your phone and readied yourself for the last bit of the party which always ended in more christmas games or old home videos.

Only time would tell.

[genshin-squabbles-and-wobbles]

Headcannons of xiao, scaramouche, zhongli, and al haitham, patching you up after a serious battle? 🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸

Yes you may, my dear. :) Please enjoy and stay clear from allergies this spring. :)

Xiao: ◈━◈━◈━◈━◈ ◈━◈━◈━◈━◈ ◈━◈━◈━◈━◈ ◈━◈

He is lecturing you on your recklessness, and how you are disregarding people's worries and cares for you. Mostly him though.

He wraps your wounds gently, and keeps asking if your bandages are too tight, or if it stings or hurt.

He ask Zhongli if there are medicines for healing "Humans Wounds."

He checks your wounds every night, and keeps an eye on you since you don't fully have your footing back.

He sometimes massages and rubs it for you, to help ease the pain or help ease your mind.

He will ask about it everyday.

He will 100% fight you to the death for you to not fight monsters or get into trouble. He will pick you back up and take you to bed and stay there with you until you give up.

He would kiss your wounds, giving it his own little custom prayers to help it heal faster and easier.

Will make sure everything is accessible to you before he leaves to go fight fallen gods and demons.

Sometimes will bring healing charms and little gifts in hope it would make you happy.

I don't think he fully understands human wounds apart from adepti wounds, so he will treat your wounds as if you have karmic debt of your own, but easier to manage. He has some idea of it.

Scaramouche: ◈━◈━◈━◈━◈ ◈━◈━◈━◈━◈ ◈━◈━◈━◈

He doesn't actually know what to do at first, but he definitely calls you an idiot, or other names of you being dumb and reckless. But you can tell it was because he was scared and didn't know how to react.

Instinctively, He probably things he will lose you like he lost his child friend in his past. Despite him knowing better.

He would rip some of his own clothes to wrap around your wounds to stop the bleeding, since he has seen people done so in the past.

Once you reassure him, and calm him down, he will carry you to a nearby area that has medical equipment.

As for this scenario, let's say Mondstadt since you know the area well.

He would snap at Barbara to heal you and to hurry up. But he would gently ask her if you are okay, and if you are holding up alright.

Once you are out, maybe having a little cane to support you, he would full on take care of you, no questions ask.

He would always have one arm around you, or holding your hand to make sure you are okay, but also to reassure himself that you are okay.

He would buy foods, or do most of the cooking, it's not the best, but that's because he doesn't need to eat since he is a puppet.

Probably hold you close to him and gently adjust your bandages for you when it gets a little sloppy.

100% annihilate any monsters that turn their eyes on you.

Zhongli: ◈━◈━◈━◈━◈ ◈━◈━◈━◈━◈ ◈━◈━◈━◈━◈

Immediately knows what to do, based on his past knowledge, he will immediately have medicine or bandages on him to take care of you.

He would cook healing meals, and do everything within his knowledge to help heal your wounds.

Thanks to that, it wasn't as fatal as before, since he has experience and he is prepared.

He would definitely carry you, because the less stress on wounds the better.

He would take you to Baizhu to look after your wounds and checking up on your wounds.

He makes tea for you everyday.

He would lay in you bed with you, and tell you stories to help you sleep.

He would rub medicine on your wounds for you, and keep you to a strict schedule no matter how much you protest.

Gently stroke your hair as you are laying down in bed and resting, offering extra pillows and blankets.

Bringing you your favorite desserts.

He might sometimes rest his cheek on your head in bed and keep his arms around you to keep your warm, of course with his button up shirt open.

He wouldn't express his worries for you by words, but definitely by actions, such as sealing the door so no one can get in to hurt you, but also so you won't sneak out. Leaving out breakfast, or comfy clothes for you.

Al Haitham: ◈━◈━◈━◈━◈ ◈━◈━◈━◈━◈ ◈━◈━◈━◈━◈

He would probably sigh and say stuff like he knew you'd be reckless and get seriously hurt.

He would also lecture you on how to properly fight the monster you were fighting, and pinpoint why you got hurt in the first place.

The next time he sees the monsters you were fighting of any kind, he would take over for you and defeat them. If you got seriously hurt from a hilichurl? He got it. But you can handle Azhdaha just fine.

He wouldn't need to take you to a medical facility since he knows what he is doing, we are in Sumeru forest after all, you have the best medicine there already is.

Despite his aloof and distant nature, he handles you very gently, and he becomes more touch base with you, such as when asking if if your wounds are healing, he would immediately place his hand gently on your bandages.

He would stick nearby you, but he won't show his worries, as he feels the rational thing to do right now is to offer you assistance, not stress you with his worries.

He tries to hold back his own emotions when he hears you wince in pain and see you have a pained face. Immediately would finish the task for you, such as putting your plate away, picking things up.

Usually, when he reached his limit of that, he would pull you in between his legs and ask you to stay with him so you can heal in peace rather than in pain. He would hold you close to him and push your head into his neck, as a way to help you ease down and relax. He would be reading a book in this process as well and maybe throw up an excuse on how him doing this has healing properties.

[queen-of-prophecy]

@cruel-as-the-midday-sun

Year 1836 A.D~The Ring of Gluttony:

The shimmering pink portal came unannounced, unexpected, uninvited to the Palace of Beasts. Dressed in rich reds that hung from her body like silken wine, Queen Vine exited the portal with an air of regal disinterest.

She was crashing a party, per her custom. But her heart wasn't really in it this time.

Anytime Prince Rakesh held one of his grand banquets, it promised to be a good time. The baths were open for groups to refresh together, food and liquor flowed freely, spiced, sweetened, and every flavor under the sun. Music played in various spots throughout the house, so it could always be heard no matter what room you were in. The nobles gathered here with enthusiasm, sampling the new recipe of fanchonettes in their delicate pastry.

Vine entered, but so quietly that for once she was overlooked. Before she might have been insulted no one saw her right away. This time she....was a bit grateful.

She had buried a friend six months ago. Ferdie.

It was to be expected. Ferdie had been a hellhound, a skinny lad with dark skin and barely any fur, goofy looking eyes and a smile that made his tongue loll out. Vine had 'adopted' him, after he'd taken a stint as a bodyguard...but failed when he kept giggling at his charges. Vine liked a fellow bold enough to laugh at a noble, and took him in. He had made her laugh countless times during his tenure as her friend.

Then he got a cough. And the cough got worse. No matter what medicines or tinctures Vine poured down his throat, his condition worsened. And eventually he curled up into bed, shivering until his body stopped moving entirely. He had been with her a short time....only five years.

So when Vine entered the room unseen, the others absorbed in their pleasures, she moved unseen as well. She had attended without permission out of habit, and perhaps to prove she could keep to the old schedule. But she did not shower anyone in gifts, or pass around concerning prophecies with a wink. She passed through the crowd slowly, and went to find a room with a view of the gardens. Perhaps hoping that the presence of others might soothe the ache of loneliness she'd been feeling. Most times after losing a companion, she might not emerge from her tower for a year.

But the solitude had been getting to her. More and more each time a companion died.

In time, she found a guest room with a suitable view of the palatial gardens. There was still the playing of music, and the sound of guests chattering. That was enough, perhaps. And when a little imp servant found her, she ordered the wine the staff knew she liked.

Except when it came, it tasted....wrong.

"It's wrong. Send it back."

The imp blinked in confusion. "But Your Highness, it's the same vintage you ask for every time you come."

"Yes it is. But this time it tastes wrong." She set the cup back down on their tray. "Send it back and bring one that tastes right."

The imp left in confusion, and Vine sat in the armchair, looking out over the sculptural jungle Rakesh had built for himself. There was another sound that could be heard over the murmur of the party, a bird singing in the garden, or the animals of his menagerie yowling and making their animal calls.

Yet something like silence was filling her on the inside, dimming her joy.

[beatleswings]

I've been sick with COVID for days so might as well share one of my world famous CarDon headcanons. Here is how they would be if they got sick.

When Carmen gets sick

Don really worries for his girl. "Oh mi amor, ¿estás bien?" he would always ask with concern or say "pobrecita" and spoils her even more. She lets him know repeatedly that she's fine even though she sometimes isn't. She just doesn't want to worry him.

He brings her a bouquet of roses with balloons and a get well card filled with cute, cheesy stuff. He even buys her a stuffed animal. Carmen is very touched by it.

He makes her a chicken soup and even if it isn't the best, Carmen still eats it because she knows Don made it with love.

And whatever Carmen wants, he gets it for her.

He always gives her medicine and checks her temperature to see if her fever is down.

He never leaves her side but sometimes leaves the room to let her rest alone though sometimes Carmen wants him by her side.

If Carmen gets sick and if it falls on a day where Don hangs out with Hondo, Hugger and Tiger, he lets them know and apologizes. Thankfully they are understanding and encourage Don to be with her.

Carmen hates being sick but if there's something she likes when she's sick, spending more time with Don and Don nursing her back to health. She loves him even more when he's caring for her.

When Don gets sick

Oh Don, that's a different story. He is super dramatic when he learns he sick, complaining that he's too pretty to be sick and that he's going to die. :p

When Carmen tells the Major Circuit guys Don is sick, they would tell "good luck with that" because they are aware of how dramatic and needy he can get.

Yes, he is needy and I mean REALLY NEEDY. He would beg Carmen to be with him (which of course she would say yes to and stays by his bedside) and have her spoon feed him soup (he's used the excuse he's too tired to grab the spoon), read him a story or an article from a magazine and give kisses (even though Carmen doesn't want to catch his cold).

Even though his whining and his neediness can be too much, Carmen still does what Don wants because she loves him and because she loves to spoil him, in fact, that's why Don acts so needy. Heck, she finds it adorable.

Carmen always makes him a chicken soup with buttered saltine crackers on the side.

She will also make him anything he wants be it cookies, preferably red velvet cookies.

When he has a cold, he leaves the tissues everywhere.

Oh and cough medicine, he hates it. It takes Carmen bribing him to take it, even if it means pinching his nose to take it.

As a get well gift, she brings him roses and a get well card complete with a balloon and a plush. She also gets the Major Circuit guys to send get well stuff. Don is really touched.

When they're BOTH sick

Oh boy, when they're sick at the same time, Carmen is still her calm self and Don is still his dramatic self.

They are in the same bed be it a cold or when they get food poisoning. The latter, the worst part is when they BOTH have to get up to go to the bathroom and they have to battle over who gets the toilet first.

Even in sickness, they try to make each other feel better.

They watch a movie together either in bed or on the couch with a bowl of chicken soup.

They both take their medicine together. Don, hating cough medicine, will be okay taking it when Carmen takes it too.

Being the lovable cheeseballs they are, they send each other get well cards filled with super loved dovey stuff and a rose.

[evereinefaust]

. . . ⇢ ˗ˏˋ 𝐅𝐥𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 ࿐ྂ

Pairing: Kurama (Shuichi Minamino) X afab!Reader

Sypnosis: Every day, Shuichi visits and brings her flowers. He was her ideal boyfriend, yet, she knew that they would be nothing more than just friends. However, a certain visit from him proved her otherwise.

Word Count: 930

"Lalala~ Hmmmm~" You hummed while watering your precious garden. Your garden had plenty of flowers, a few herbs and shrubs, and one sakura tree. Every day, a certain redhead gives you different kinds of flowers as a gift. You loved the redhead, he was kind, polite, and most of all, handsome. Shuichi Minamino, your ideal boyfriend. You wished that the redhead was your boyfriend, but he is nothing more than a best friend. Well, that's what you always thought. Though, a certain brunette told you that Shuichi had fallen for you, which you actually didn't believe. But there is a possibility, is there?

"I hope Shuichi would visit me today..." You mumbled to yourself, pouting a bit. You are living alone, both of your parents were working abroad. And Shuichi always visits you at your place to keep you company, which is why you are always expecting him to come. After you finished watering the flowers, you wipe away the sweat on your face then place the water bucket back in its place. You smile to yourself while admiring your finished work. "Might as well as clean myself" You stated then entered the house. You removed your gardening clothes and then headed to the bathroom.

You entered inside and then locked the door. You strip all of your dirty clothes then put them inside the hamper. You step inside the shower and then turn it on. "Hmmmm~ I wonder what kind of flower Shuichi will give me today~" You wondered while thoroughly cleaning your body. After showering, you exit the bathroom with your bathrobe and then head towards your room. Once you enter inside, you search for a clean dress in your closet. You got out a [f/c] Chinese dress that reaches your ankle, it is strapless, covers your neck, and has a slip from the end up to your knee. You dried your [h/c] hair using a hair blower and then tied it into [f/h]. You put on some powder and a lip gloss. "Shuichi will be here any moment now," You said, putting the lip gloss down on your table.

Just after you finished, there was a knock on the door. "Coming!" You yelled while hurrying down the stairs. When you arrived in front of the door, you opened it quickly with glee. Standing outside your door revealed a handsome young man with crimson hair and emerald eyes. "This is for you, milady" He gave you a bouquet of several different flowers. "Thank you" You accepted the gift and then smelled the fragrant flowers. "Come in" You step aside for him to enter. Once he was inside, you unwrapped the bouquet and placed the bundle of flowers in a large vase filled with water. Shuichi sat on the couch and admired your features, he had to admit, you look gorgeous in that dress.

"I'll make some tea, Shuichi. Please stay here for a while" You informed him as you entered the kitchen, your dress trailing behind. "Take your time, [Name]" Shuichi replied. While waiting for you, the redhead played with his signature rose. "My love is sweet as the rose..." He muttered, smiling to himself. "Here" A cup of tea was placed on the coffee table in front of the redhead, he snapped out from his gaze and then smiled at you. "You're welcome" You understood what his smile meant and then smiled back, sitting next to him. "Hey, Shuichi" You called, tugging on his sleeve a bit. "Yes?" He looked at you after he took a sip of his tea. "Care for some quotes that I made?" You asked, eyes pleading for him to say yes. "Of course" He chuckled then placed the cup down.

"Okay, here it is" You took a deep breath then straightened your posture. "Flowers always make people better, happier, and more helpful; they are sunshine, food, and medicine to the soul" Shuichi smiled at your first quote. The flowers that surround your place inspired you to make quotes about it, and he is proud of you because of that. "Flowers are the music of the ground. From earth's lips spoken without sound," There comes the second one. "Every flower is a soul blossoming in nature" The third. "Love is the flower you've got to let grow" This one earns the redhead's attention. "Life is a flower, so precious in your hand" This one is about life. "A flower cannot blossom without sunshine, and man cannot live without love" is another one that earns his attention.

"Really [Name]?" He smiled. "I don't know, I just thought about it" You shrugged. He referred the question to your 6th quote. He just smiled. "The rose speaks of love silently, in a language known only to the heart" You continued, eyes closed while reciting the quote. You personally love this quote, and a certain green-eyed male started a liking to it too. "Well, that's it! Do you like it?" You said, turning your attention to him. He is awestruck, you can say that he liked your quotes very much. "That was wonderful, [Name]" He complimented. "Thanks" You blushed at his compliment. "But you know..." He said, earning your full attention. "My love is sweet as the rose" He stated. He looked at you and locked eyes with yours for a while, you could melt under his beautiful gaze. You didn't also realize that your face is only an inch apart from him, before slowly leaning in. Both of your lips touched and you stayed like that for a while, kissing your beloved future boyfriend.

[mushibashiraas]

djsjxjsj i hope i'm not late?? i probably am. aaaa my own faultcjxjsj [but] i haven't written for my fave disney nrc malewife (/j ily, jamil bbg—) in a while. but i forgot the contest either ends on the 10th?? or submissions close on the 10th aka. i missed the deadline?? aaaaa for submissions to @merotwst 's and @cvlutos 's #jamilsummercontest (here) aaaaaa also was this also an excuse to write for najma/write some najma-jamil brother-sister action? uhhhh looks away. LISTEN. i love them! the crumbs we got of their interactions are still on my mind aaaaaa lastly, am i also using this fic as an opportunity to brainrot about the new spiderverse movie and its album? yes.

mention of the ramshackle prefect (gn!yuu). but it'll mainly be about jamil and najma bc i love his sister almost as much. spoilers for al'ab naariya story, scarabia chapter plot, jamil's backstory, and maybe???? a spoiler for the new spiderverse movie?? if you squint. also really bad arabic.... i tried.... other than that, i present very cute, soft fluffy letters between reader and jamil detailing their lives apart during summer break (assuming the scalding sands' fireworks festival is in the summer. aaaa).

jamil could practically see (name)'s red face as they read his letter briefly written amidst the asim family chaos.

Dearest (Name),

Kalim and Najma were disappointed you couldn't join me this year for Summer break. I actually had to stop him from convincing his father into sending for you personally... Camels, elephants, and all. You're welcome!

Despite that, they wish you all well. My mother is insisting I return to NRC after break with some of her homemade shawarma. And please tell Grim that there will be enough for him as well.

The fireworks were beautiful but it wasn't the same without you by my side, ya nujumi. I missed turning to the side and seeing your smiling face, eyes alight with a childlike wonder. My heart swells with remembering that first Al'ab Naariya. You turned back to me urging me to join you and the others to dance.

Najma just asked what I was smiling about. I tried to lie but the smug look on her face told her all she needed to know. She'd like to also say a few words.

Hello, (Name)! My older brother is laying on his bed right now screaming into his pillow. Ya ummi and I are laughing right now; she has never laughed so hard in a long time. Yesterday the Asims gave us the afternoon off to enjoy the bazaar. You should see the haul Jamil brought home for you and Grim. There's— lotliIItLyjkq

Sorry, ya shamsi. Najma does not know what she's talking about. I got them as gifts for her— ljyIL

Jamil is lying! He is so red right now, (Name)! I want to take a picture to send you but he took my phone! So awful, right? Ah, the Asims are calling for us and abina is about to bring out the belt if we don't resume our work soon.

My apologies, ya qamar, but as Najma said, I have to return to work. There are rumors from the other servants that Kalim is "missing." He's probably with the animals in the garden. I will write to you again shortly. You are always in my thoughts, (Name), ya hubi. Make sure to not stay up too late talking to Ace and Deuce. Take your medicine and potions and eat at least two full meals a day (I know you're not a fan of breakfast). Don't forget to drink plenty of water too.

With Love,

Jamil Viper.

he wanted to write more and tell them all about the new stalls selling mouthwatering foods, soft, vibrant, assorted silks, and other painted, colorful wares he saw at the bazaar. he wanted to tell her about the concert he miraculously got tickets to for one of their favorite music artists. there was also the pet parrot his parents finally let him get! it had to stay on the asims' property. but kalim said he'd personally look after iago for jamil.

there was also a new playlist he made the other night after coming home from a movie he and his sister went to see. jamil lays in bed thinking of his sister's latest fictional crush and thinking of all the things he'd do to keep his girl and her father while living his best life doing what he loved. jamil wished that were him. he wished he could have (name) by his side, still please his family, and see the world. he wanted to learn about the magic and cultures of other lands in twisted wonderland.

wishes and reality are two separate things, though. and the chance of them intersecting and wishes becoming reality was slim. for now, though, he was content and letting things be. he'll find kalim, drag him to his next meeting with possible mergers and other clients, read the evening itinerary to kalim, go home, help with dinner, wash and dry najma's hair for her, bathe, and go to bed.

....that was the original plan. however, najma must have thought it funny to hide his headphones after she finished her chores and homework.

"what are you looking for, brother?"

jamil glared at the girl leaning against his door frame as he rifled through the belongings on his desk. "you know exactly what i am looking for. drop the act, najma!"

"not until you write another letter to (name)." she grinned and crossed her arms over her chest, straightening her posture.

"huh?!" he stuttered.

"it was written all over your face. you wanted to write and tell them more about everything that you saw and experienced yesterday and today. ever since you came home from school with your friends and (name), you've changed. mom and dad haven't stopped talking about it; they think i went to bed but i can hear them. they aren't as quiet as they think." the younger sister laughed at jamil's stunned face. "you don't know all this since you sleep like that one princess in those fae tales. i've caught you snoring a few times, actually. wanna hear it? i can show you if you don't believe m—"

jamil grabs najma's phone again before she can pull up the videos. "just—! give me back my headphones. and i'll write to (name)."

"nah," najma shrugged and walked off. "letter first. mom and dad are out finishing up some business with kalim's parents in their estate. you can blast your music all you want."

groaning in exasperation, he still couldn't deny that he'd rather have sent (name) a proper letter rather than the one he mailed earlier that afternoon.

normally, he and (name) would text each other or call. but one magic carpet ride after a rough exam, they told him about how they used to write letters to their childhood friends whenever they'd change schools. so the first time jamil and (name)'s other night raven college friends went home for holiday break, he started writing letters to them. and ever since that sweet, thoughtful surprise, whenever they were apart, jamil'd write letters to them while they'd send back recipe cards with handwritten notes featuring the story behind each food. sometimes they'd drop details about their family back home or include tiny magic trinkets or bits of stationary sold at sam's shop. a note and a smiley face tied around each item: "saw this and thought of you, ya qamar. ;p"

bringing himself back to reality, jamil sat down and began another letter. with this one, though, he made sure not to leave out a single detail of his day. softly he smiled as he included lines from old poets and added in folded star maps, photos of a dog he saw sitting outside a cafe, a tea bag from the little old lady next door. but this time — instead of signing off with a simple "With Love" like his last letter — he penned a lyric from their favorite song, nodding his head to the music as it played from his speakers.

"Your my star, hubi. My one light. We gon' link up, just like the rumors."

Jamil Viper.

VOCAB:

ya shamsi: my sun

ya qamar: my moon

ya nujumi: my stars

hubi/ya hubi: love/my love

ya ummi: my mother

abina: our father

— is2g if i got the arabic vocab wrong, i am going to cry. @softbajis djsjsj idk if this is right or notdjdjdj i am so upset. oh well....?

[aajjks]

it’s long 😬😅

TPOL!JK

jungkook’s past is sad and only holds pain, loss, and insanity. it plays over and over like a bad dream, and his source of peace is you, his calm to weather the storms. you listen as jungkook reminds you of that pain, the reason he doesn’t desire children, and you empathize with his pain.

however, that shouldn’t rob you of continuing your bloodline. you can imagine the smile on your mother’s face when you hand her the gift bag containing pictures of your baby’s ultrasound, but that vision isn’t complete with jungkook by your side.

if jungkook isn’t there, she’ll be so disappointed in you, but you don’t tell jungkook that. by the time your eyes meet with his, he’s walking out the door, leaving you alone with a mess you never made by yourself. by the time he comes back, he’ll want to hear your agreement, but the longer you stare at the black-and-white picture on the bed, you lean further and further away.

*knock knock* “hello ms. y/n,” greets dr. seong mi-na. “so, you’re good to go. i prescribed you some medicines that will help with your nausea and prenatal vitamins. also, no more caffeine. no sodas, coffee—nothing. you want to drink as much water as you can and look into foods that are beneficial for your pregnancy.” you place your hand over your heart when she tells you, ‘no more caffeine.’ you suppose this is where you tell the doctor about jungkook’s ‘choice,’ but you don’t.

“any more questions for me?”

“yeah…the-the baby is trying to hurt me, right?”

“the baby is trying to hurt you. your body is changing and preparing to make room for your embryo. what you’re feeling are the early signs of pregnancy symptoms: morning sickness, fatigue, changes in mood, constipation, cramps, spotting—the list goes on, but it varies”

“i don’t think i can do this,” you mumble to yourself as you place your head into your hands and sigh. sensing your distress, the doctor takes your hands in hers and looks you in the eye. “hey, i know this is a lot, and i can tell this pregnancy was unplanned, but i promise you, the journey is so rewarding. what you have inside you is a baby that will bring so much light into your life and fill you with joy. of course, if you do not want the child, you can have an abortion and be better prepared next time.”

but what if there isn’t a ‘next time?’

you appreciate the doctor’s encouraging words and thank her for reminding you that joy can sometimes come with pain, but it’s all temporary. this little ball of sunshine inside you is the light jungkook needs, a reminder that he is nothing like the monster who raised him.

you change your clothes and take the elevator to the pharmacy on the second floor, and yes, you’re keeping the baby.

~🫧

Jungkook steps into the cold, sterile halls of the mental institution, his usual calm veneer cracking with every step.

He just wants to be in his arms of his mother right now.

This is not a place where she deserves to be…

The air feels heavy, almost suffocating, as the faint murmur of voices and the occasional clatter of trays echo through the corridor.

He stops outside the familiar door, his hand hovering over the handle as his chest tightens.

Behind that door is Jeon Jiyeon, his 어머니 (mother), a woman whose once-vivid spirit has been eroded by tragedy.

When he finally pushes the door open, he’s met with the sight of her sitting by the window, her frail figure bathed in moonlight.

Her hands tremble slightly as she folds and refolds the edge of her blanket.

She turns her head at the sound of his entrance, her eyes dim yet flickering with recognition. “Jungkook-ah,” she says softly, her voice like a fragile thread threatening to snap.

He swallows the lump in his throat, forcing a small smile. “Eomeoni, how are you feeling today?” He approaches her slowly, his heart pounding in his chest.

Jiyeon tilts her head, studying him like she’s trying to piece together a memory.

“You’ve grown so much,” she murmurs, her lips curving into a faint smile.

“So much like your brother… Junghyun.” Her expression falters, her brows knitting together as her mind drifts. “But he’s not here.. He’s busy just like you.”

Jungkook’s throat tightens as he kneels beside her, taking her fragile hands in his. “No, eomeoni, it’s me. I’m here,” he reassures her, his voice trembling. “I came to see you.”

Her gaze sharpens momentarily, her hand moving to touch his face.

“You’re always so busy, my son. Always working, always running… You don’t need to be like your father,” she whispers, her words cutting through him like a blade.

“I’m not,” Jungkook says firmly, though his voice wavers. “I’m nothing like him.”

Jiyeon blinks, confusion clouding her expression again. “Your father is so cold. So cruel… He took everything from me. And Junghyun… he tried to protect us, didn’t he? But it wasn’t enough.”

She begins to shake, her voice rising with panic. “I couldn’t save him, Jungkook. I couldn’t save any of you.”

Jungkook grips her hands tighter, his own trembling now. “Stop, eomeoni. Please, stop,” he says, his voice breaking. “You didn’t fail. None of this was your fault.”

Tears well up in her eyes as she looks at him, her mind wavering between the past and present.

“You’re all I have left,” she whispers. “But I see the pain in your eyes, Jungkook. Don’t let it consume you like it did him. Promise me.”

He doesn’t respond immediately, his jaw clenching as he fights back his own tears. Finally, he nods. “I’ll try, eomeoni. I’ll try.”

For a moment, the room is silent, the weight of their shared grief hanging heavily between them.

Jiyeon leans back into her chair, exhaustion taking over, and Jungkook stays by her side, holding her hand like a lifeline.

•••

But she needs to know he’s been talking to her for half an hour.

She can help him.

Jungkook exhales deeply, his trembling hands resting on his knees as he prepares himself to speak. Looking at his 어머니,

Jiyeon, he notices her fleeting moments of clarity, the way her eyes sometimes pierce through the fog of her mind. Tonight, he hopes she’ll understand.

“Eomeoni,” he begins softly, his voice low but steady. “There’s something I need to tell you.”

He pauses, searching for the right words. “Yn… she’s pregnant.”

At first, Jiyeon doesn’t react, her gaze fixed on the window as if she didn’t hear him. But then her head slowly turns, her eyes locking with his.

There’s a flicker of surprise, followed by something deeper—recognition.

“Pregnant?” she whispers, the word barely audible.

“Yes,” Jungkook confirms, his heart hammering against his ribs. “She’s carrying my child. Your grandchild.” The words feel foreign in his mouth, almost surreal.

A faint smile graces Jiyeon’s lips, and for a moment, she seems entirely lucid. “She’s good for you, Jungkook. So gentle, so kind.”

Her voice grows softer, tinged with a warmth he hadn’t heard in years. “You love her, don’t you?”

Jungkook stiffens, his throat tightening. “I do,” he admits, the confession leaving him vulnerable. “I love her more than I’ve ever loved anyone. But, eomeoni,”

his voice cracks, “I don’t know how to be a father. I don’t think I can do this.”

Jiyeon’s eyes widen slightly, and her hand reaches out, trembling, to touch his face.

“You think you’ll be like him,” she says, her voice filled with sorrow. “You think you’ll fail.”

He closes his eyes, her words hitting the very core of his fears. “I’m not ready,” he whispers, his voice hoarse. “I never wanted this.”

“And because of me, because of this… she fainted, eomeoni. Her health—what if something happens to her? What if I can’t protect them?”

He’s breaking…. He doesn’t know what to do.

Jiyeon’s expression softens, and for the first time in years, she seems entirely present. “Listen to me, Jungkook,” she says, her tone firm but tender.

“You are not your father. You have love in your heart, even if you don’t see it. That girl… yn… she is your anchor.”

She’s right about that, but…

“She will guide you if you let her. And that baby… it is not a curse. It’s a gift. A part of you and her, something pure amidst all this pain.”

He looks at her, his chest tightening as emotions threaten to overwhelm him. “But what if I fail? What if I hurt them?”

Jiyeon shakes her head, her frail hand cupping his cheek. “You won’t,” she says softly.

“Because you already love her enough to worry. You already care enough to fear. That’s more than he ever gave us.”

Her voice falters, her own pain bubbling to the surface.

“Don’t let your past steal this from you, Jungkook. Don’t let it take them away like it took Junghyun.”

Her words strike him deeply, and he lowers his head, the weight of her understanding pressing on him. “I just… I don’t know if I can do this.”

“You can,” Jiyeon says firmly, her strength surprising him. “Because you have her. And because you are my son.”

She doesn’t understand…

The room falls into a heavy silence, Jiyeon’s breaths growing slower as exhaustion takes over.

Jungkook stays by her side, gripping her hand tightly as his thoughts swirl. Her words linger in his mind, battling with his doubts.

Finally, Jiyeon speaks again, her voice faint.

“Don’t push her away, Jungkook-ah. Don’t let fear take what little happiness you have left.”

Jungkook nods, though his heart is still heavy. “Rest now, eomeoni,” he whispers.

“I’ll stay a little longer.” As she closes her eyes, he leans back in his chair, staring at the ceiling as the weight of everything crashes down on him.

Even she doesn’t understand…

•••

It’s past midnight when Jungkook unlocks the door to his penthouse, stepping into the silence that greets him.

The lights are dim, and the cityscape beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows glimmers faintly.

Where the fuck are you? How could he even leave you like that at the hospital?

He loosens his tie with one hand while the other clenches his phone.

“Yn?” he calls out, his voice sharp, almost frantic. “Yn, where are you?”

He paces through the living room, his heart pounding as he checks the kitchen, the hallway, the bedroom.

The thought of not finding you where you should be gnaws at his chest.

Finally, he spots you curled up on the sofa in the corner of the room, a blanket draped over you.

Relief floods him, but it’s short-lived. You look so small, so fragile, and he can see the faint shadows under your eyes.

“Why didn’t you answer?” he asks, his tone stern but trembling at the edges. “Do you have any idea how worried I was?”

You sit up, startled by his intensity, but his eyes soften when they meet yours.

He kneels in front of you, his large hands cupping your face. “Are you okay?” he asks, his voice quieter now. “You’re not… feeling faint again, are you?”

You shake your head, trying to reassure him, but he doesn’t look convinced.

His thumb brushes against your cheek as he studies your face, his brows furrowing.

“You scared me, yn,” he admits, the vulnerability in his voice catching you off guard.

When you murmur a soft apology, he pulls you into his arms, holding you tightly as if you might slip away.

His lips press against the crown of your head, lingering there as he closes his eyes.

“I can’t lose you,” he whispers, more to himself than to you.

“Yn… but… I need to ask you what is your decision?”

[mykingdomforapen]

courage of stars, ch3 | writer's commentary

Hello all! Thank you for coming back to chapter 3! This chapter is one I was so excited to share with people, as it introduces the characters to a new setting that the story will take place for a good chunk--and it's a setting near and dear to my heart. It also contains QUITE a lot of historical background, which I might take for granted as someone growing up with the stories but may be new to another reader, so I will try to explain succinctly. Without further ado, let's get into some notes!

***

“Little chicken cookies!” he gasped. “Kai zai,” Popo said, correcting his Cantonese pronunciation. “Not muscle cookies, silly boy.” “Kai zai,” Xiaoshi repeated, although his mind was entirely elsewhere.

If I had a writer's commentary for every bit of food that these characters eat in this story, we would be here forever, so I will resist doing that. However, I just want to shout out little chicken cookies. Little chicken cookies, aka 'kai chai paeng' (or kai zai, Cantonese romanization varies), are a very Cantonese biscuit. They're originally called 'little phoenix biscuits' but I have mostly heard them be referred to as chicken biscuits. They're crispy, lightly meat-flavored, and delicious, and they are generally popularly sold in a specific historical neighborhood in Guangzhou.

“Did you know, Xiaoshi?” she murmured. “That the moon has mountains?”  “It does?” Xiaoshi said incredulously. “Where? Can I see?”  “Not from here,” she said. “But it has many. One of them is so tall, it’s over half the height of Everest. Do you remember learning about Everest?”  Xiaoshi nodded, transfixed.  “What else?” he asked.  Cai Liangxing hummed.  “Did you know,” she said, “that the moon gets moonquakes?”  “Mooncakes?”  “Silly! Moonquakes!”

Shout-out to this episode of Radiolab for all their wonderful moon facts that I learned to include in this fic. But yes, these are true facts! I highly recommend giving that episode, and that podcast as a whole, a listen, as there are just some incredible thoughts on the moon and about human curiosity. I can't recommend it enough.

“What about the rabbit?” Xiaoshi asked. “Do you think they get scared from all the shaking?” “No,” she said assuredly. “They’re there to be with their friend. So that she is never lonely. They can be brave if it helps their friend.” 

The Chinese legend of Chang'Er is probably quite well known, but I'll give it a quick summary in case anyone is unfamiliar: legend has it that Chang'er, the wife of a legendary hero, was entrusted with magic pills that would make a human immortal, which were gifted to her husband. While he was away, a baddie came and try to threaten her into giving him the pills. In order to keep it from the hands of the baddie, she swallowed the pills and ascended to the moon, but she has no way of coming back home to her husband. Her pet bunny did come along though, to keep her company. Legend has it that the bunny is pounding medicine in order to concoct a pill that would reverse the effects and bring Chang'er back home to Earth. There's a shadow that is bunny-shaped on the moon if you look at it in its fullness. But this is also where Cheng Xiaoshi gets his nickname from his mother!

“Ah,” Qiao Ling said softly. “They probably didn’t want you accidentally slipping it to her.” “I guess,” Cheng Xiaoshi said, somber. “I wonder if it even helped.”

It is rather common in China that if a loved one receives a terminal diagnosis, the doctors will actually tell the loved one's family, but not the patient themselves. Then, the family will elect not to tell their loved one about the diagnosis, and instead take care of all of their health matters in a subtle way to not let their loved one know that they're actually dying. The belief behind this is that if the patient finds out that they're dying, the distress will only worsen their health, and so the family will take upon themselves the burden of the truth and do what they can to give their loved one an unburdened remainder of their days.

Peidi University

In Guangzhou, and perhaps in other cities of China but I only know about one city, older universities will also be a residential neighborhood. It's all still within campus, but there are apartment buildings and living spaces where professors, faculty, and retired staff live, right next to student dormitories and school buildings. They're usually a peaceful oasis within the city, because traffic is very controlled so there are very few vehicles driving in and out, and generally only residents and workers mill about. Retirees still have a lot of privileges on campus, and they can still access the food canteens. Peidi University, while fictional, certainly draws from real beloved places! They were also older places, long-established universities from the 1800s, so I do not know if for example the university that the trio attend in the show would have been the same setup. Theirs look a little more modern.

“And his hair was pitch black too!” another retiree piped up.  “I’m starting to think you don’t like my hair, Professor,” Lu Guang chided lightly.  “Oh, you know that I’m teasing,” she laughed. “You may look like Yang Xier, but you are still so genteel.” 

Yang Xier is the heroine of a Chinese modern opera called The White-Haired Girl. My memories of the storyline are very vague and hazy, but what I know of it is that this young girl's father was killed (?) in front of her by enemy soldiers and she ran and hid in a cave for years. The shock and trauma then turned her hair pure white, and eventually came out of the cave and fell in love with a kind comrade or something along those lines.

Professor Lu's story

I'm not ever going to claim to be an expert on the CR. It almost feels strange of me to even try. As I've mentioned in a previous commentary, I will not claim to aim for historical accuracy, at the same time, I drew Professor Lu's stories almost entirely from oral history and I don't typically exaggerate or make something up--after all, truth is generally far more intense than fiction. There is a possibility I misunderstood, or parts of history become compounded into one.

Professor Lu does serve as like the Exposition character in this chapter, as he does have the role of tell vs show. Indeed, university campuses were pretty dire places to be during the CR, especially for a professor, especially for a physicist. Students were really passionate about this birth of New China, really championed this cause, and then sadly were swept up in the movement. As Professor Lu mentioned re: Wang Dai, not every university student would turn against their professors, but certainly many did (and, just as Professor Lu mentioned, many of them have come to apologize for it later).

Professors and academics indeed were sent to 'reform camps,' usually if not always in the countryside, to work in the farms with physical laborers. Tea farms or mountains or bricklaying are examples of them. They could be there for a year at a time, or several years. They might be allowed back to their homes for major holidays but otherwise they're living in the camps.

One had to be extremely careful about what you say or do for fear of it being interpreted as anti-Party, and then you are going to get in big trouble. Even if your intentions were absolutely not anti-Party, you can still get in big trouble. It got to the point where there was for lack of better words rampant witch hunts--people fervently turning in their neighbors, or forced to denounce their spouses, or children manipulated into turning in their parents. Sadly, a lot of people died this way, whether by the crowds or by suicide.

I know anecdotes of people walking outside of the campus and there would be bodies hanging from the trees, or buildings set on fire, etc. And technically, things in Guangzhou were tame compared to other regions. It was much worse elsewhere.

A capitalist roader, which Professor Lu mentions at one point, is someone who was perceived to be trying to hold China back from its Revolution, or try to bring China back to the ways of ye olde capitalism. Basically, someone who was in the Party but seemed to capitulate to capitalist ways or systems.

The CR is a very dense topic, and I wrote to be anecdotal rather than historical, so I don't want to try and explain why any of it happened the way it did, but rather think of what someone like Prof. Lu would have lived through in his humble life.

Sun Yihan's Story

This is where I do fudge the timeline a bit, and that's mainly because of how young Lu Guang is. Sun Yihan and LG's Grandma hunting for frogs to stave off hunger would have happened during the early 60s, because at the time of the Great Leap Forward there was a nationwide manmade famine. People had so so little food, and so I know anecdotes of family indeed hunting for frogs at the university pond for extra bites to eat whilst pregnant, but that was around the early 60s. Lu Guang is quite young though, and I reckon his dad is born later than that. So this is a part where I muck up the timeline. That isn't to say that people wouldn't have been hungry in the late 60s or early 70s, because there was still some heavy rationing of food all the way up to like, the 80s so people didn't have all that much access too food (hence how in chapter 1, one of the characters mentions that they only have chicken once a year, and meat only about twice a week). There very well may have been frog-hunting as a mean to survive. But I want to be transparent about where my stories are coming from.

“Han Ge, your face is like Buddha,” little Lin laughed once. She wiggled her finger over Sun Yihan’s birthmark. “What if they chop your head off too?”

Buddhism wasn't really acceptable during the CR. Temples and Buddha statues were among the casualties of destroyed historical or cultural relics during the CR, hence little Lin's childish comment.

And, within that millisecond, Lu Tianbao was pierced with what he had long tried to forget. A memory that he never reopened, but instead let it rattle and howl like a ghost in a haunted hall. The memory of when he was ten years old when Japanese soldiers grabbed his uncle by the hair and dragged him to the edge of the Pearl River, where three other men shivered at gunpoint. They tied him with a rope to the doomed men, tight around the waist and only an arm’s width apart. 

We take another look back at the Japanese invasion of China here, with Professor Lu's memories. There was an incident where the Japanese soldiers tied Chinese men together, where one of those men could not swim, and then threw them all into the waters. The one drowning man dragged all of them down, and so they all drowned.

The Library

Book-burning and book-banning was, of course, prevalent in China's modern history. Western physicists would not have been smiled upon and would have likely been tossed into the refuse pile. Other banned books included Chinese classic novels, European novels...basically, anything that wasn't written by Mao or by Russian Communists were on thin ice. And while people were tasked to toss out those books, those who appreciated them would sneakily read them all beforehand. After all, no one's going to bother you when you've got the library to yourself.

Einstein's quote mentioned in the story is from a letter he wrote to someone, so frankly it is dicey how accessible that quote would have been to a Chinese person in the 70s. However, it was a good quote, and relevant, so I used it.

-

Gosh, that was a lot of notes, and I KNOW that I was purposely vague or brief. I don't mean to be blase as to dismiss anyone's desire to learn, but I want to emphasize I'm not the word of truth, and also I want to be mindful of how I explain things since the internet is quite public, and I would like to avoid causing trouble. But, I really hope that this adds to your reading experience. These historical and cultural contexts are going to be important for other aspects of this story, so I do appreciate you reading through this and hope that they all make sense. Happy to talk on DM if you have questions or want details! Thank you so much!

[contreparry]

Hello! Id love to see where you take the prompt “A window filled with eerily smiling faces”

Absolutely! Here’s some preteen f!Hawke from the roommates AU for @dadrunkwriting !

“Oh, isn’t that nice, Marian?” Mother asked, and she pointed to a dress in the boutique window. “It would look so pretty on you!”

Marian Hawke bit her tongue. Papa asked her to go for a walk with Mother while he and Carver stayed with Bethany at the hospital. Look around at the shops downtown, he suggested. Get an ice cream. Pet a dog. And because Mother was pacing in the hall and Bethany was clinging to Carver’s hand tight enough that the skin over her knobby knuckles went as white as bone and because Papa never asked for anything, Marian shrugged her coat on and ruffled Carver’s curly dark hair before pressing a kiss to the top of Bethany’s head.

“We’ll be back soon, ‘kay?” she murmured.

“‘Kay.” Bethany’s voice was so soft and small it could have been the autumn wind blowing through the window. Carver, who stood as straight as a lamppost, nodded stiffly. His bright blue eyes were fierce, as if he thought he could beat back Bethany’s sickness by glowering at it, at everyone, at the whole damn world.

“I’ll bring something good for you. Both of you,” Marian promised them, and soon enough she and Mother were on their way.

That’s what Marian was looking for now as she and Mother walked down the sidewalk: something good she could get the twins once Mother had walked off her nerves (that’s what she liked to call it, walking off her nerves). Downtown Denerim had to have at least one bookstore or toy shop, right? But it was all high end boutiques and cafes and the occasional fast food joint, and every window reflected her tense, fake smile back at her until all Marian saw was that wide, eerie grin.

“Yeah. It’s a nice dress,” Marian hollowly agreed, her eyes staring past the pale yellow wisp of a gown that looked like a summer sunbeam given form. Mother always hoped she’d start enjoying frills once she got older. But here Marian was, thirteen and allergic to dresses. Bethany was the feminine one, the one who liked pretty things and dressing up (even if she fought like a demon and chucked snowballs better than anyone else in the neighborhood). It really was more of a Bethany dress, the sort she could wear to a party someday, when she…

When she… Marian clenched her jaw. Bethany WOULD get older. Her baby sister was going to be fine, everyone said she’d be fine, they caught it early and there was a cure now, it was going to be- she would be fine. She’d get better. She was tough and a Hawke! Bethany would be fine.

You could heal from the Blight. Healing magic and medicine had come a long way these days.

“Mum?” Marian asked softly, half-hoping that her mother wouldn’t hear her.

“Yes?”

“D’you…” Marian paused. Stared at her reflection in the glass and that strained smile. Her gaze drifted up to her mother’s reflection and the smile that mirrored her own: stiff, cracked, fake. It would be so easy to break those smiles. Marian wanted to do it. Instead she cleared her throat.

“I, uh… the gift shop has a bad selection of kid books. Just so you know,” Marian said. Mother paused. Blinked. Marian turned her head and faced her, traced her elegant, weary profile as she waited for a response.

“Really now?”

“Yeah,” Marian replied. “Baby stuff, Bethany and Carver won’t like any of it. Can we- d’you think we can go to a bookstore? A good one?” She couldn’t fix Bethany’s sickness. She might be a Mage but she wasn’t any good at healing. They didn’t even let apprentices practice at hospitals anyways. And Carver bristled whenever she tried to reassure him, and Bethany was just so tired and Papa and Mother were on edge all the time- but Marian could find some good books for her siblings. She could bring them a toy and a book and a sketchbook and crayons and- and whatever else they needed.

Marian would always make sure her siblings got what they needed.

[realpeanutjam]

I’ve been lurking on tumblr for a long time, but it seems like a good place to start to see if I can’t get a little fanbase. So I think I’ll just post some writhing.

It should be noted that I’m not a professional writer and I’m purely doing this because it’s fun. I feel I’m more of an amateur at writing, so feel free to critique it.

I like warrior cats a lot, and I’ve been rewatching some old Moonkitt videos and it gave me an idea. Me and a friend developed four new clans, completely separate from the warrior cats series. If this gets attention I’ll post more detail about the clans we kept created. I hope you enjoy, and have a glorious day/night

—

Every day felt more grueling than the last. Or perhaps like a never ending sand-swirl, forever going round and round, being forced to spin endlessly by the wind.

They wake just before sunrise, organize their little patrols, and hunt. Hunt until Starclan gifts us food so we won’t starve. Drink what little water we have left. Then sleep. Every day is more brutal than the last. It’s never different. It’s always the same. Worst of all, Sandstar can’t do anything but watch her clan slowly disappear and join Starclan.

Soon, they will all die from either starvation or dehydration. That is unless the sickness doesn’t finish them off first.

She lost such great warriors in a matter of days. She missed Leafbelly’s excitement for patrol and Fernbeetle’s attempts to make jokes. Sweetroot’s passing was the most heartbreaking. She fell ill and passed her sickness to her apprentice, Stempaw. No. Stemheart. It wasn’t fair for Stemheart not to receive a warrior name when they were shy, one moon away from becoming a warrior.

Harefoot was a gifted medicine cat, and they needed her more than ever. Poor Mousejump… he relied heavily on Harefoot’s Sunny personality and is more unsure than ever.

Sometimes, Harefoot visits Mousejump’s dreams, but it isn’t the same. Though Mousejump and Ghostcough say they can still feel her presence, they can’t hear her soft voice.

Sandstar stared at her paws. No more wallowing in her selfishness. She had to do something. The sandy cat stretched and slowly crawled out of the den. She looked for Viperstrike, who trotted to her side.

“You seem tired,” he rumbled.

“Yes. But there is no time to rest when my clan needs me. We must have a meeting.”

“Of course. I have my faith in you, as well as Starclan.”

Sandstar closed her eyes and thought of her previous leader, Lionstar. She focused on his image, his being, his soul.

“May Lionstar guide my speech and gift me wisdom to share with my Clan.” She waited for some feeling of a presence. Yet she felt nothing but a pit in her stomach.

Sandstar looked at Viperstrike and slowly shook her head. He said nothing but lowered his head.

Why Starclan? Why won’t you answer my calls?

She leaped on top of the large burrow and sat stoically.

“Let all cats who are old enough to dig a burrow gather above the sand,” Sandstar voice yowled. One by one, she watched as her cats emerged from their dug burrows. The queen Spottedstem crawled out of the nest, leaving Sorrelspot with her three kits.

Please, Starclan. Give Sorrelspot’s kits strength so they may become warriors.

She prayed but once again felt nothing.

Jackalpaw and Lilacpaw sat proudly next to their mentors, Adderbelly and Lizardtail.

Sandstar’s hair stood up as Spiderfrost, the messenger, lurked out. Frogtuft was close behind, affectionately licking her ear. Sandstar’s and Spiderfrost’s eyes met, equally glaring at one another. But in a split second, Sandstar’s eyes softened.

It wasn’t fair for me to hold Spiderfrost responsible. I failed her as a leader.

Sandstar’s eyes darted away, and she looked over her clan. Her small, starving clan. She nodded her head to every cat, counting them. She got to twelve before Viperstrike spoke up,

“Fifteen,” he said plainly.

“No,” she corrected, “three. Three cats that can properly go on patrols and bring back food. Two are still in training, and the kits won’t be ready to prepare until six moons.”

Every cat grew silent.

“I apologize,” she lowered her head sympathetically, “This drought has been hard on us all. We lost many great warriors. Let us never forget them. Leafbelly was young yet brave. He never gave up hope that rain would come, and we must thank him.”

“Thank you, Leafbelly,” Every cat yowled.

“Fernbelly, you traveled to Starclan too soon, but you did not want to be separated from your brother. I’m sorry you didn’t have an opportunity to train an apprentice. For your loyalty to your kin, we thank you.”

“Thank you, Fernbelly,” Every cat yowled.

“Sweetroot, we thank you for your loyalty to your clan and for staying out during the night searching for food, even when you weren’t on patrol. You were a wonderful mentor to Stempaw. And Stempaw, it wasn’t fair for you not to have a warrior name. If you are with us and listening, I will grant you a proper warrior name. Stemheart, for your generosity and kindness,”

Cats began to yowl Stemheart’s name for all of Starclan to hear.

“Let us thank you both,”

“Thank you, Sweetroot and Stemheart.”

“Finally, Harefoot. You came from SwampClan yet chose to join us here. We thank you for that, as well as your optimistic attitude. If you have advice for us, please, our ears are open. Let us thank her,”

“Thank you, Harefoot.”

Her eyes opened and fell back onto Spiderfrost and Mousejump. They lost two of their siblings in a matter of days. All they have are each other. Sandstar can only hope they will support each other through this endeavor.

“Five wonderful and brave cats. And though their spirits will always be with us, I’m afraid they can no longer help us thrive,” Sandstar paused, her gaze falling onto the queen. “Spottedstem. I understand you’re from Swampclan, and I can not thank you enough for joining us when we needed more kits. If you ever wish to return to your original home, I would understand,”

Spottedstem stepped forward, “Thank you, but I volunteered to come here when I heard of the situation. Yes, it is hard some days, but I love watching my kits grow, and I’m proud to be a part of SandClan.”

Sandstar grew a tired smile. The weight in her chest softened, “Thank you.”

She took a deep breath,

“Now, we just discuss our plans for the future. We have three cats that can properly hunt, and next moon, we will have five. I am aware it isn’t traditional to have our messengers hunt, but we are in desperate need of food. Spiderfrost, Frogtuft, I request you two to search for a new watering hole and bring back any food you find.”

Spiderfrost said nothing, and Frogtuft nodded accordingly.

“Do you two understand?” Hissed Viperstrike. Sandstar glared a warning to him, but he was too busy staring at the couple with uncertainty.

“Yes, you—“ Spiderfrost began,

“-We do! Understand, I mean.” Frogtuft shuffled with her paws, avoiding eye contact.

“Thank you,” mewed Sandstar, “now, we must discuss gaining more warriors.”

Suddenly, Rootspring, the elder, stepped up,

“If I may,” she began. Sandstar nodded her head. Rootspring stood firmly in front of her clan,

“I am only ten moons old. I will admit I sometimes sneak off at night to hunt for my clan, but then I’m gently reminded of my age. I still have some years to kick, and if possible, I would like to reverse my retirement and become a warrior once again officially. I can not stand by doing nothing while my clan slowly starves.“

Sandstar blinked. She could feel her eyes begin to water from joy.

“Thank you, Rootspring,” she began. Sandstar wanted to leap from the burrow and hug her friend, but she wasn’t a kit. Sandstar instead stood up firm, “From the power I hold as a leader, I now declare Rootspring a warrior, once again. Starclan light your path,”

“Starclan, light your path,” the clan echoed.

[vuulpecula]

The way he almost looked surprised to see her there so soon had her shit-eating-grin back on her face. "I clean up well, yes?" It was a lot easier to joke around than to say that prison taught you how to shower quick and it was no different in jail, not really. He didn't need to know that--or maybe he already knew that, being on the force. With a small nod, Fox picked up the bags offered to her. Trying not to look as if they were heavy at all as she stuffed the protein bar into one of her pockets. It could be saved for later.

"Rick Grimes," she repeated, following. After a few heavy steps, she gave him her own. "Fox, only Fox." Of course she had a last name, but the world had ended, did she still need to have that stain of family blood attached to her?

Closing her eyes against the Georgia sun, Fox paused in the doorway to the outside. "Yes, I can carry it. I am not so weak." The outside. She hadn't thought she was going to see it again. As different as it was now, the trees were still green, there was still life despite the abandoned cars and burned out places. His other words broke her from her trance and she hurried to the car. Sweating already, her breath rasping in her lungs, she was thankful that he was at the drivers side already.

Putting down the bags, she could hear clearly the one that clinked with the medical supplies. Her hand was on the zipper before she could think better of it. Looking down into the jumbled mess of supplies and medicine. She reached for one, some kind of low-grade painkiller, fingers caressing the box, about to take it out, take it for herself when the car started. Her hand flinched back and she closed the trunk quickly before pulling open the passenger side door and climbing inside. It felt so good to sit down, to rest. Only then did she take out the protein bar, opening it to take a few small bites before closing it back up once more. It would be savored, this free gift of food.

"A few minutes away?" Fox's gaze drifted to the windows, looking out over a town that was once familiar and now looked like the set of some kind of apocalyptic film set. "You said there were others at this camp?" Others that probably expected him to bring supplies, not another mouth to feed.

@rickgrimesdoingrickthings

He opened his eyes when she spoke, looking at her. She was ready to go? Really? Like that? The deputy threw her a protein bar, then moved a couple of bags to his back, the straps on his shoulders, and took a third one. The heaviest ones. "Can you take the one with the clothes?" The marks on her nose, the dry lips...he wondered...

"What's your name?" He asked, knowing what to call her. It was important to know someone's name to approach them and even manipulate. "I'm Rick Grimes." he said his own first to break the ice a bit, walking to the car, putting the bags inside. "The camp ain't too far, but we can't take long." His stare asked her to hurry up- but damn...she looked so weak, he almost felt sorry. His hand brushed over his gun, considering if he should put her off her misery. He didn't want to be delayed by her...at least not much. A little bit he was willing to wait. He had an idea of why she was behind bars, he just wasn't sure yet. "Can you carry it?" Despite looking to have near zero empathy, his actions spoke differently. He wanted to give her a chance- if he could save someone who wasn't trouble...he would. And maybe she could be useful, maybe she could cover his back one day, hard to say.

He was aware of how she had watched him. He tried to ignore and pretend he didn't care- but truly he felt so...shy and embarassed about it. He thought it was stupid to feel that way- did it even matter anymore? How much of him she had seen? The man took a hand to the back of his neck and scratched his curls as he waited. No, he had no interest in her. Zero. He was just...helping. He didn't think she could carry much either. He was just doing it. He hated himself for helping actually. Why was he still losing time being nice to people? He closed his eyes for some seconds, trying to not hate himself for helping...trying to not hate himself for not wanting to help. She said others had asked things from her? Seriously? Only some freak to feel turned on in a place like that- it would be like trying to eat something while sitting on the floor of a filthy hospital while not hungry and nauseated.

"Are you coming? The camp is just some minutes away. Put the remaining things in the car..." He sat on the driver's seat and started the vehicle.

@vuulpecula

[weskin-time]

Jill or Carlos with a S/O that has autism or ADHD? Listening intently to their partners rants and rambles about their hyperfixations or stimming with them when they get too excited or their emotions get too strong

YES! i am on the spectrum so this made me so fucking happy to write you have no idea

Jill Valentine and Carlos Oliveira with an Autistic S/O HCs

i am. on pain medication from getting my wisdom teeth out today so im sorry if anything makes no sense or there are errors i am just vibing

Jill Valentine

she keeps a pair of ear plugs in her pockets when you two go anywhere just incase

loves to hear you infodump and stim after shes had a rough day. just loves to unwind at home while listening to your voice

and she’ll nod her head, hum in agreement and ask questions when you’re talking. never in a ‘im not fully listening’ she actually loves to see your eyes light up and the happy expression on your face when you talk about a hyperfixation or special interest

she was a little confused when you first visually stimmed but instead of asking you she just followed your movements which made you even more excited

if you get too excited about something where you’re starting to hyperventilate and you feel like you’re going to explode she will open the bedroom door and make you wiggle around on the bed. full body stim so good good yes

will get you little trinkets or gifts from the things you’re obsessed about to show how much she listens and cares

doesn’t mind cooking you your samefood over and over again, it gives her a chance to brush up on her cooking skills plus she loves to cook with you (she kinda sucks at it but it’s okay i love her so much *smooch*)

if you’re starting to get overstimulated in public she quickly learns the early signs and tries to get you away, or you could just tell her “i’m starting to get overstimulated here” and you’re out of wherever you’re at instantly. she can come back another time if there’s something she needs

she keeps every rock, flower, marble or what ever you bring her. she has old police books with pressed flowers you gave her, the rocks are in a jewelry box.

when you start to freak out and have a breakdown she’s sorta at a loss to help but in a split second she runs and grabs your weighted blanket and puts it around your shoulders while getting you your favorite drink. it all depends on you and how you deal but she’s quick to make adjustments

non verbal moments? she will help you make little cards to show your wants and needs and other information.

angry? ripped your shirt in anger? banged your head against a wall? tore some hair out? she will try to help you calm down as best she can and then patch you up. she’ll take safety pins and pin your shirt. she’ll give you an ice pack and some pain relief medicine. she gives you kisses

don’t like a certain texture? boom it’s gone. if you feel it still even after you’ve touched it she’ll bring you your favorite texture

loves it when you sit on her lap and rub your face on her like a cat. she will join you in the face rubbing

food textures you don’t like? give them to her she’ll eat them. don’t like mushrooms bc they’re squishy and weird and make you want to punch a man? she’ll give you a tiny fork to pick them off your pizza and she’s putting it on hers

Carlos Oliveira

he’s an adhd haver

autism and adhd solidarity

when he washes his hair it’s so soft and fluffy and thick that you could sit there and pet his head and rub your fingers thought it for hours. he doesn’t mind at all. he’s sitting there almost purring like a cat

vocal stim echo chamber

y’all can make sounds or words over and over again and just keep bouncing them off each other for hours no matter what you’re going

his beard is also very soft. he keeps very good care of his appearance so it’s not like super scratchy it’s a very good texture please rub your face against it once or twice before kissing his nose

this man can’t cook for shit. normally it’s take out. most of the time y’all develop a samefood at the same restaurant so you two must order the same place for weeks and just get the same food

WILL LAY ON YOU AND CRUSH YOU WITH HIS WEIGHT.!! he loves cuddles so much and now he’s getting cuddles and helping you? his new favorite cuddling position is him laying on top of you while you run your finger through his hair

He’s the one who goes into places and talks to the workers there for you if you need him too. want to order lunch but feeling not up for it to order? tell him what you want he’s got you <3

non verbal moments? he talks enough for the both of you honestly. he knows sign language so you two could take that way or he’ll use cards too. if you text him he will read out your text before responding lol

pillow fort movies/tv show/ video game nights. filled with all that good sensory shit and your favorite snacks and his.

he stims with you. every time. it’s involuntary on his part.

more than likely there is one texture he loves that you hATE. you hate velvet? the first time you come over to his place he had a velvet blanket on his bed.

stocks the fridge with his and your favorite food textures. he likes pudding and cottage cheeses textures

he’s better at preventing meltdowns or breakdowns before they happen than helping you during the act

you two bring each other things. he picked up his paperclip to throw it away but he gained emotional attachment to it and he’s giving it to you bc he doesn’t want to loose his new friend. has all the thing you give him in a shoebox under his bed for safe keeping

one of his favorite stims is running his callused hands up and down your softer skin at a medium pace. he starts out slow before speeding up a bit more. just placing his hand on your body and running it down before picking it up and putting it where he first started. loves if you do a ‘cat making biscuits’ stim on his body while he does that to you

[silenceofthecookies]

Hello cookie, congratulations on 700! For the event, can I plz ask for domestic headcanons for the bleach captains? If not that's ok! Thank you!

Of course! Enjoy!

Shunsui Kyouraku

Shunsui is at the age where he no longer plays around in a relationship. He's in it until the end, or not at all. He insists on open an honest communication and on being able to talk differences out like adults instead of screaming at each other like two stubborn teenagers.

He will do pretty much anything you ask him to do in the house. Captain or not, you shouldn't be the only one keeping your house clean and organized.

Waking up with a bad mood when living together with Shunsui is impossible. He prefers to have you in his arms when going to sleep, and he will hold on to you throughout the night. When he wakes up, he'll stay as still as possible until you wake up. Then it's time for morning kisses and cuddles.

Shunsui enjoys stargazing with you in the garden, accompanied by a nice bottle of sake and some snacks. He'll have his arms around you, or even have you sitting on his lap if you're comfortable with that, just so he can comfortably hug you and still watch the stars.

Juushiro Ukitake

Due to his illness, Juushiro can't do all that much in the house on bad days. On good days though, he likes to take the opportunity to cook for you. He enjoys is and is very good at making typical home-food. Nothing fancy or exotic, but the kind of things that are nutritious and make you feel happy.

Juushiro enjoys being near you more than anything. It doesn't matter if you two are doing different things in the same room, as long as you are near him and sometimes look up to smile at him, he will be happy. This is why he insists on getting a house with an open kitchen.

He also likes to decorate the house with lots of potted plants. Flowers to brighten up the room, some herbs for in the kitchen to cook with, and some bonsai trees for him to occupy himself with on days when he can't leave his bed.

He really enjoys you combing his hair, and if possible, he will gladly return the favour. Ideally, he'll sit in front of a big mirror when you do so, so he can look you in the eyes though the mirror as he talks to you. You can style his hair pretty much anyway you want.

Bakuya Kuchiki

Byakuya does what he can to be a good boyfriend/husband, but he is and will always be a noble. Things like housework is done by the servants, not by him. This counts for you too, of course. You won't need to lift a finger. He won't really understand if you want to do certain things in the house anyway (be it for the sake of control or just because you like something), but he'll let you.

Well-taught as he is, Byakuya wouldn’t be able to cook a meal if his life depended on it. He never learned how to cook, and he has no intention of learning it either.

Despite his busy schedule, he tries to have dinner with you every night. It’s not always possible, and sometimes when it is he has to go back to finish work afterwards, but he wants to make some time for you every day.

He will often get you little gifts. Flowers, chocolates, jewellery… Sometimes because he saw them and thought of you, sometimes just because he wanted to spoil you a little. Whenever he has something to apologise for, like for example not being able to make it to dinner with you, he gets you something as well.

Unohana, Shinji, Yoruichi, Urahara, Toshiro, Soi-Fohn and Kenpachi below the cut!

Retsu Unohana

Retsu's house is full of plants, and it wouldn't be complete without a garden as well. Most plants that she grows have some kind of medicinal properties, or can be used to make a nice, calming cup of tea. Teatime is a must, and if the weather allows it, she prefers to have it in her garden.

The plants are pretty much the only bright colours in the house. Aside from those, everything is in soft colours so the plants really pop out. There's also very little dark colours in the house, she prefers everything to be light. Big windows/windows that cover a complete wall are a must.

Retsu insists on no shoes in the house. They are left at the door and changed for indoor slippers or socks. No. Dirty. Shoes. In. The. House.

Marriage is no big deal for Retsu. If you want to get married, she'll be on board, but if you don't want to, she's just as fine with that as well. She appreciates the symbolism but at the end of the day, that's all marriage is. She doesn't need a piece of paper to tell people that she loves you and that she wants to spend the rest of her life with you.

Shinji Hirako

Shinji loves teasing you and once you live in the same house, that just gets worse. His terribly cheesy sense of humor is also still a daily occurrence. Yes, even when you're in a bad mood. Especially when you're in a bad mood.

Shinji is very lazy when it comes to his household. He'll make sure it's clean enough to not get sick from living in his own trash and dirt, but he'll push his chores off a lot and he'll leave his stuff lying around throughout the house. If you're a person who likes a clean and/or tidy house, you'll either have to kick his ass or clean up after him.

Surprise kisses. They happen a lot in general, just when he feels like it, but especially when you're in a video chat. He thinks it's hilarious to have your friends/family/co-workers think you have a perfect and loving boyfriend/husband, while he's actually a cheeky little bastard.

He leaves little notes throughout the house when he leaves. Some are sweet, some are jokes. He'll put them in the fridge, on the toilet, inside the shower, on his pillow,… anywhere he knows you'll come.

Yoruichi Shihoin

There is one night of the week dedicated to movie night and takeout. Both the eating and watching the movie will be done in bed. No, this is not up for debate. Lazy movie nights in bed are a must.

Be prepared for this woman wearing little to no clothes when she's home. She doesn't give a damn if people see her naked or not, and you're living together anyway, who cares if she's naked? Clothes are for going outside and for when visitors come over.

She loves taking baths or showers together as well, and not (necessarily) in a suggestive way. It's just a nice way to relax together, ‘and it saves water, right? *wink wink*’

She's actually a pretty good cook, at least when it comes to comfort food. When either of you are in a bad mood she'll step into the kitchen and make some of the best comfort food you've ever had. Which will then, of course, be eaten on the couch or in bed, in front of the tv, with a comfort movie.

Her favourite movies are comedies and romcoms. Anything that'll give her a good laugh is fine.

Kisuke Urahara

Another very laid-back person to live with. There is no rush at all when living with this man, with anything. He's the type of person to be at least a little late to every party or meeting because he just wanted to take his time and get ready in a relaxed way.

Don't let him take care of plants. He is the worst plant dad and they will die. Only cacti survive, and even those will struggle to do so.

Kisuke moves around in his sleep a lot and will steal the covers. A good way to remedy this is to use his chest as a pillow, he'll barely move at all then. Does the pressure on his chest really keep him still, or did he move around a lot on purpose as an excuse to get to you cuddle up to him at night? You will never know.

This man is very clingy. It doesn't matter what you're doing, he wants to have his arms around you. You're cooking? His arms are around your waist. You're trying to clean up? Good luck. His favourite moment is when you're both watching tv though. He'll pull you as close to possible to cuddle up on the couch.

Toshiro Hitsugaya

Toshiro has the windows open all-year round in his bedroom. Even when it is freezing outside, he'll want to open the windows for some fresh air as he sleeps, so he doesn't wake up in that stuffy sleep air that gets stuck in bedrooms. This does give a great excuse for cuddling while sleeping though.

He'll get you flowers every week, on the same day. It's a habit, one he doesn't want to miss. It's his way of reminding you that he cares, even though he's usually very busy with his work as a captain.

He'll agree a schedule with you to do chores in the house, just to make sure it all gets done and nothing gets forgotten. Of course, he helps in the house as well.

If you're not a fighter, Toshiro will want a dog in the house to protect you. Toshiro is very good at training dogs, as he is already used to being a leader and giving orders, and this dog will be the sweetest thing until either you or him give it the command to attack. He really counts on the dog to protect you when he cannot.

Soi-Fohn

Soi-Fohn will decorate her home in a minimalistic way. The colours don't jump out at you and there is just enough decoration to make it feel homely without having trinkets and pictures all over the place. Her home basically radiates calm and is so clean you'd almost wonder if she cleaned every day.

She sleeps with a lot of blankets. During the night she will want to say warm and she'll get closer to any source of warmth, which usually is you.

You need but say the word and Soi-Fohn will help you out with whatever she can in the house. Grocery shopping, the dishes, the laundry,… you name it. She will also start doing things without saying it if she notices you are a little overwhelmed.

She REALLY wants a cat. She loves the little creatures and has always wanted one of her own, but due to her often being away from home for extended periods of time, she never got one. If you've got a job that allows you to go home every day, she'll definitely bring it up.

Of het days off, she likes to cook something for you. She's actually a pretty good cook, though she rarely has the time to prepare something special for you.

Kenpachi Zaraki

Kenpachi is oddly clingy when you're home. He loves you, so he wants to be around you. Preferably have an arm around you. He's not shy about admitting it either. Why should he be? He wants to hold you. He's your boyfriend/husband. It's only normal.

He is the easiest guy ever to cook for. As long as you have made it, Kenpachi will eat about anything. Doesn't matter if you burnt it a little, doesn't matter if it's something he usually doesn't like. If you made it, he will eat it.

His favourite food is BBQ though, and when you eat BBQ he's the one making it. It's about the only thing he can cook, but that meat is prepared perfectly. He'll wear an apron will some stupid BBQ-related pun on it whenever he's doing so.

Kenpachi needs a dog in the house to play with, to get rid of that excess energy of his. It's likely a breed that's generally seen as dangerous, like a Pitbull. The dog is the absolute sweetest thing though, wouldn't harm a fly, and it loves playing fetch.

Kenpachi lets his dog sleep on his bed, which will cause some funny moments while trying to cuddle because the dog wants in on the affection too.