#but I happen to love and adore those things
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plethorawrites · 2 days ago
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So we’ve seen all of the batbros as cats but what about the reader? What would happen if they were turned into a cat?
This took forever, sorry! But yes, I totally can!
Bruce: Weary and worried.
• Before all else, he's concerned with making sure you're alright. He calls Zatanna immediately to ensure it's not permanent and then after he knows it's not, he can relax enough to try to comfort you.
• He was never a cat person, only ever owning dogs, so he really has no clue how to take care of a cat. Let alone a cat who's really the love of his life. He tries, though. He gets Alfred to make you dinner, something that's fresh and not gross Tuna or Salmon from a can. He gives you your choice of every throw pillow in the manor to tear up when he sees you get antsy, your claws flicking in and out in stress. And of course, everything poisonous to cats like the peace lilies in the living room are moved far away.
• Bruce still has to go to work, unfortunately and with no idea how to keep you entertained, puts on those "Soothing cat videos" on the big TV in his bedroom for you to watch. A six hour loop of a fishtank is less than ideal but seems to work well enough.
• You're in the same place as when he left you, so he assumes you didn't mind too much. He notices you grooming yourself, not because you want to, but out of some strange instinct you've developed and he can tell you're grossed out by your own actions, so he does his best to clean your fur himself. You might be a cat, but you seem to like water so he puts you in the bathtub and scrubs your fur with your normal soap which makes you pur.
• Until he takes you out of the warm water and you're absolutely freezing, shivering from the cold. He wraps you in a towel and holds you to his chest until you're mostly dry, then, despite the dampness of your fur, let's you curl up under the covers since you're still a bit chilly. It makes his own skin wet, but he doesn't mind since at least you seem a bit happier.
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Dick: Amused and empathetic.
• He tries not to laugh. He really does. It's just...so much harder than it should be. You look so small, so adorable, so fuzzy. You have a tail, for God's sake. How could it not be hilarious? He only stops chuckling when you swat your paw at him, catching him with sharp claws, cutting him. He doesn't get upset since he knows he deserved it.
• Goes to the pet store with you, letting you sit in the cart and pick out your own things, which, he can tell you dislike but reluctantly comply—otherwise he'd buy you a rat themed toy instead of the feather one you wanted. You gurgle and growl repeatedly when he picks up those stupid cat costumes, but he still buys them anyway.
• And yes, he does force you to wear them. You resisted, at first, of course, but eventually gave up when he gave you those puppy dog eyes. If you thought being a cat was humiliating, you couldn't have prepared for being a cat wearing a sombrero and poncho. "Those are our Christmas cards this year," he tells you, kissing the top of your head while you meow in protest.
• Despite that, he's still sweet to you, apologizing for you having to go through this and swearing he'll fix it. In the meantime, just try to stay positive. He'll say you can rip up the drapes if it makes you feel better. You do and it does. You always hated them and he refused to get rid of them, but now there was a valid reason to.
• He sits on the floor with you, swinging the feather toy around as you chase it, gaining a good amount of height the longer you play. His arm gets tired but you're clearly not, so he sits there until you eventually get sick of it and he sets it down while you crawl into his lap for a nap. He was going to make something to eat, but he supposes he can wait.
---
Jason: Paranoid and terrified.
• His initial response is to reassure you that you'll be fine. He'll do whatever it takes you turn you back into a human, no matter what. His second response, is to freak out. He has no idea how to take care of a cat, let alone his partner who's a cat! What if he hurts you? What if he can't fix it?
• Being a cat, you, unbeknownst to him, sense him apprehension and almost immediately start rubbing against his legs until he hesitantly picks you up, cradling you in his arms as gently as possible. You rub your head against his jaw, trying to soothe him and he takes a few deep breaths, relaxing and nuzzling your fur.
• It takes him a while, and a lot of trial and error to figure out how to take care of you, be it buying food you don't like, to accidentally leaving the window open and panicking that you escaped (you were under the bed, because it was warm and safe) but he eventually calms down once the day is finally over.
• Cuddling with you on the couch, he can barely even feel your claws kneeding on his arms because there's so much scar tissue it's too hard to scratch and hurt. Your purring is what calms him down the most though, after an extremely long, stressful day. You sitting on his lap, his hand resting on your back as he slowly and accidentally falls asleep.
• When he wakes up, you're still a cat, still sleeping on him. He picks you up carefully, taking you to the bedroom so he can sleep in his bed and you aren't left alone in the living room. He has a feeling you'll be yourself soon enough, even if he doesn't know exactly when. He'll keep you safe until then.
---
Tim: Shocked and Frantic
• He immediately starts to panic. You're a cat. A freaking cat. How? Why? What does he need to do to fix it? He has a million questions and no answers. But his stress only adds to your own and he quickly tries to calm down before soothing you: "No, no, no. It's fine. You're gonna be fine. I swear."
• Still, the second he gets you out of the room, convincing you that you'd be more comfortable in the living room than in the batcave, he starts to pace and freak out again. It's actually Damian, of all people, who gets him to snap out of it, literally slapping him across the face and telling him to be there for you instead of worrying about the details.
• He listens, to an extent, going back upstairs to where you were chewing on the fern in the living room, ripping a leaf apart. Pulling you away from it as you meow in protest, he cradles you in his arms, apologizing for fretting and promising he won't leave again.
• And he doesn't. He does, however, keep working on a way to fix you. He tries to be annoyed when you start knocking things off his desk, pushing stuff into a water bowl, jumping into his bottom drawer, laying on his papers, but he can't do it. You're just acting too cute to genuinely be mad. Eventually, he takes a break, closing the drawer you were sitting in and hauling you to his bed.
• He'll admit, he threw you with a little less caution than he probably should have, but you didn't mind, crawling onto him the moment he laid down, eager to close your eyes after being awake for far too long. Aka 5 straight hours, which, for a cat, was a lot. He didn't quite realize that, but notices almost immediately how fast you fall asleep once you lay down, curling into a ball, tucking your nose under your tail to keep it warm.
---
Damian: Is both fascinated and prepared.
• He has over a dozen pets, so when you're turned into a cat, he already knows everything there is to know and gets you anything you could possibly need. A nice cat bed, toys to keep you entertained, a post to scratch so you don't ruin any furniture.
• His others pets want to play or chase you, but he scoops you up before any of them can get even close to you. And he insists you stay close to him and not wander off, because you could get lost, kidnapped, or hurt.
• You always knew his knowledge of animals was extensive but didn't realize how much so until he was petting you, explaining how the hair follicles on cats work, which is why they never like to be pet in certain areas.
• Despite having an extremely nice bed, you'd really rather prefer his and he allows it, reminding you not to scratch the pillows or the sheets. "They're Egyptian silk. Don't ruin them." Still, when he catches you clawing at them in your sleep, unaware you were doing it, he doesn't stop you.
• In the morning, he switches feeds you breakfast, in a human bowl so it's not so degrading and takes you with him while he works on a way to fix you. He quickly gets distracted, though, by how you're looking around at everything like it's the most interesting thing ever.
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mamawasatesttube · 3 days ago
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Do you think Tim ever had one of those moments where once he realised he was bi, he reflected on how he felt about Kon, and realised it was a crush? In retrospect?
HMMM. ive been sitting on this and pondering. and ... kinda?
but the thing to me about tim, his feelings for kon, and his bisexual realizations, is that they are all tied up in one big tangled knot. he's been in love with kon for years without realizing it; he had a crush on kon in his yj days (guy who is constantly going "what is kon's opinion of me. i need kon to respect me and likeys me and think i'm a good leader. for normal reasons" ok tim), but even after he eventually figures out he's bi, he doesn't realize that that's what he felt for kon, because that crush has developed over the years into full-blown adoration, and he... uh... didn't notice.
like, by the time kon dies and tim goes off the deep end and tries to clone him 99 times, tim is head over heels. it's just that tim has not noticed that he's in love with kon at all. to him, it's just - this is normal, right? he has a huge depth of feelings for his best friend, and that's how he's always felt about kon. when he thought he was going to die on apokolips, he just wished he could have reconciled with kon. that's normal for him. that's baseline. right? this is a normal way for a guy to feel about his best friend. and yeah, tim is bisexual, but after ives he just kind of doesn't really seriously date any other guys, because, like... he could, and maybe he goes on a single date here or there, but there's always this little thought in the back of his head that, like, none of the other guys he meets are as hot and funny and smart and kind as kon. man, guess having a best friend who's a 12/10 really just sets his standards high, huh?
like i just think tim's feelings for kon are such a huge part of his life for so long that the actual nature of them and the depth of them kinda just creeps up on him. it happens so gradually and is such a deep and abiding love by the time they're adults that he doesn't notice for a long time. because he's always adored kon, and by the time kon died and came back, tim already knew he loved him so so so much that living in a world without him felt unbearable. the fact that that love turned romantic somewhere along the line? he has no idea!!! he doesn't even know he's bisexual when that happens, so he's just so used to that being "how he feels about kon, his boy best friend" that he takes forever to realize he is, in fact, in love with him.
but yeah eventually he does put together that, ah, he has been into kon for an embarrassingly long time. without noticing. oop! he's going to go sit on a rooftop and brood and wonder if anyone else noticed before he did (most people who know him did).
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justallihere · 1 day ago
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Okay, I did some laundry, I've had lunch, I've breathed fresh air and taken some deep breaths (did not touch any grass because it's covered in snow), and we're back. My wrap up thoughts of Onyx Storm are below! Be warned it's chock full of spoilers, and these are all my honest opinions. I haven't even given this a rating yet because I don't really know what I want to rate it! Nothing's really in order so sorry about that. But I look forward to hearing everyone else's thoughts!
I loved that the importance of the bond between dragon and human was emphasized so heavily in this book. That Asher called Aimsir Lilith's first love, Violet telling Tairn he's the gift of her life, that even Halden knew that the true barrier to her would be the dragon bond - and especially that when Xaden channeled again, in a way that he knew would irreversibly damn him, he did it for Sgaeyl. To keep her safe, because she chose him before and above everyone else.
I adored the Riorgail of it all. They were open and honest with each other, saying I love you practically every other breath, declaring their loyalty and devotion to each other in front of anyone who would listen. I loved that we got them as a team, facing stuff together and trusting that what they couldn't the other could handle it.
On the other hand, it may just be me but they didn't quite feel like themselves. Maybe because it was the first time we've truly seen them be public about their feelings, but they didn't feel like the same Xaden and Violet from the previous two books. Xaden felt so intense that everything he said gave me anxiety, devoted to the point of obsession. I would actually call Violet morally gray here, but it came out of nowhere; there wasn't a great transition into that change in her character, none of the hesitation or guilt I'd expect.
In short, they kind of felt like my Xaden and Violet and not canon? I loved them, but I'm not sure it matches what we know of them from FW and IF and the change in character didn't feel entirely smooth.
But Xaden IS her sword!!!!
The worldbuilding was ridiculous. Violet was dropping facts left right and center like the details of the aristocracy and politics at play were common knowledge - and maybe they are in world, but if they're that obvious then I feel like those details should've been worked into earlier books. I felt like I was floundering trying to keep up with all the new names and titles and roles.
In the same vein, the lore about magic made no sense. So only the Continent has magic but why? Was it drained from other places? Does it only occur naturally in certain areas? Dragons don't have magic that exists within them - they also draw from the source which? Hello hypocrites much? That was another thing that was said so casually, but that should've been one of those things we learned in Fourth Wing, at Threshing or right after.
There was too much happening with the plot to the point that I lost it completely. The trips to the isles were overwhelming. I know the venin and the irids were tied together, but those two things competed so much that I kept forgetting about whichever one we weren't talking about. Literally just. . . forgot about the venin there for a bit in the middle. We were looking for a cure but we were looking for Andarna's kind but we were trying to stop the venin and we were also gathering allies and making trade deals and none of those points were fleshed out completely.
The ending was vague and confusing in a way that made me frustrated instead of interested or anticipatory. I read the last two chapters three times and I still don't know what the fuck was going on there. So the Sage is. . . Fen? Is Garrick the one who also turned? Bodhi? Brennan? Ridoc? Fuck if I know. I understand the point of the marriage, to give Violet control over Tyrrendor legally, but I'm also pissed at the way it happened.
I know we don't want anyone to actually die, but I literally didn't even flinch when Mira's throat got cut open because I figured she'd be fine. There were no important deaths. Trager and Quinn didn't hit that hard. Not putting any of the main characters in significant danger makes the stakes feel lower than they should.
The fan service made me roll my eyes. I get it to a certain extent, but there were several times when I legitimately kind of felt like RY had been in fandom spaces or someone on her team was just feeding her popular theories to include.
The marked ones having second signets was. . . not my favorite choice, because logistically it doesn't make much sense. We should statistically see at least one of them go mad from the power instead of developing a second signet. And I actually think if that had been included it would have been more interesting! I'd like to see the reality of the risks that were taken to make the rebellion happen, but instead they just got really really lucky a bunch of times?
The use of the word Riorgail in print sent me to the fucking moon. No.
Violet's second signet. . . I don't want to talk about it.
Actually no I do. Since when are signets based on situational need and not who a person is at their core? Was that not what we were told previously? Am I tripping? I don't mind the power itself but I am confused.
Professor Riorson had me on the ground laughing. What the hell was that. There are enough barriers to their relationship, and that one felt too forced (but great fodder for smutty fic).
The characters and their relationships are the standout of the book and the series. I already said I loved Xaden and Violet here, but I also loved their friendships and how real especially the relationship with Brennan and Mira and Violet felt. The humor and the quips and the squad's constant support of each other was wonderful.
I'm holding onto those Sloane and Dain crumbs like a teddy bear you all have no idea. I love them.
Aaric being the one with precognition I didn't see coming, but I surprisingly liked it! I loved him stepping more into his role as prince and seeing how cunning and smart he really is.
Halden was unnecessary but I live for possessive and jealous Xaden.
Overall I think the pacing was crammed and the worldbuilding left me with more questions than answers, but did I still like it? Yes! I don't think it's my favorite in the series but it still was an enjoyable read. I'll want to read it again at some point I think, but not immediately!
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semisasseater · 1 day ago
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ᴄʜ-ᴄʜ-ᴄʜ-ᴄʜ-ᴄʜᴇʀɪsʜ ᴍʏ ʟᴏᴠᴇ !!
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childhood!best friend se-mi x fem! reader
Summary: you had the biggest crush on your childhood best friend the biggest, so what happens when you accidentally ask if you can kiss her when you were thinking about it?
Tw: fluff, pillow fights, romance tension, jealousy, wuh luh wuh, very little suggestive things, very very little angst ig if you squint, reader is just down bad.
authors note: ahh i really wanna become a writer now!! i hope you’ll like this though because my mind was BLANK butttttt any tips or suggestions or requests would be great!
Not proofread!
Word count: 576
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“Would it be okay if I kissed you?”
“What?”
Your head spun as you tried to process how you ended up in this situation.
You had a crush on Se-mi—a huge one—for as long as you could remember. Ever since elementary school, you admired her, but you always tried to brush it off as simple friendliness. After all, you were both girls. What if she wasn’t into girls? What if she never saw you as someone she could date?
Those questions lingered in your mind for years. The first was answered when she started dating a girl in eighth grade. You’d felt an unexpected surge of rage and jealousy when you saw them together. You wished more than anything to be in her girlfriend’s place, but life didn’t work that way. Now, years later, you were both in college, yet your feelings hadn’t faded. If anything, they’d grown stronger.
Every time another girl tried to flirt with Se-mi, your jealousy would flare up. You’d lie and tell people the two of you were dating or convince her not to hook up with them. Se-mi never questioned it. She always listened to you. Why? You didn’t know. Maybe it was because you were her best friend—or maybe, just maybe, she felt the same way you did.
“Se-mi can you help me with this math problem?” you whined, sprawled out on her bed with your face buried in her pillows.
She walked over, smiling as she ran her fingers through her messy hair. Plopping onto the bed beside you, she scooted closer and glanced at your laptop screen, giggling.
“Wow you really don’t know this?” she teased.
“Shut up! You know I’m terrible at math” you retorted, grabbing the pillow you’d been lying on and swatting her with it.
Laughing, she tried to block your attacks. “O-okay okay! I’m sorry! I’m sorry!” she said between bursts of laughter.
But instead of stopping, she grabbed a pillow and swung back. What started as a playful hit turned into a full-blown pillow fight, the room filling with the sound of laughter and giggles.
Eventually, you tackled her, pinning her down and crawling over her as you both laughed breathlessly. Exhausted, you flopped onto her lap, resting your head against her shoulder. Her arms instinctively wrapped around your waist, holding you close.
Your thoughts wandered as her warmth surrounded you.
“Would it be okay if I kissed you?” you wondered aloud, the words slipping out before you could stop them.
“What?” Se-mi asked, her voice soft but surprised.
Realizing what you’d said, your face flushed a deep red, and you scrambled to sit up. “O-oh my gosh, I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean to say that! I-I was just—”
You couldn’t finish your sentence. Panic surged through you as you tried to explain yourself, but Se-mi’s grip on your waist tightened. Her free hand cupped your cheek, pulling you closer.
And then she kissed you.
It was deep and passionate, her lips soft and warm against yours, fitting together like two puzzle pieces that had been waiting for this moment. The kiss wasn’t rushed or hesitant; it was filled with unspoken emotions, affection, and love.
When she finally pulled away, your face was flushed a hot pink. She chuckled softly, running her fingers through her hair again, a habit you adored.
“So…” she murmured, pressing a finger to her lips. “How long have you been wanting to kiss me, pretty girl?”
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@semisasseater
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echo-riot · 1 day ago
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✞⛧ Sevika/Abby/Ellie: Love letters ✞⛧
Warnings: fluff
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𝕊𝕖𝕧𝕚𝕜𝕒
Hey Brat,
I don’t know what you want me to say in this. You should know by now that I’m not one for long speeches or anything sappy. But since you’re still here, I guess I’ll give you something to chew on.
You’re mine. That’s the only thing you need to remember. No one else matters. No one else will even get close to you while I’m around. I don’t care if you think it’s possessive or crazy, but you’re not going anywhere. And don’t even try to argue with me about it. You wouldn’t win.
It’s cute how you think you need to take care of me sometimes. You’re not the only one who knows how to survive, but I’ll admit—your little touches, your care, it’s not the worst thing in the world. But don’t go thinking I need you. You’re not my damn therapist, and I’m not your project. But I’ll let you fuss over me anyway, since you seem to enjoy it. I’d kill anyone who made you feel less than adored, so don’t get any bright ideas about being too independent.
You’ve got a good thing going, so don’t fuck it up. I might not say it outright, but I’d burn this whole damn city down before I let anything happen to you. So yeah, maybe I’m a little soft on you. But don’t get any funny ideas. You’re not gonna change me, and you’ll never hear me say anything cheesy, like those damn love words. That’s not me.
But in the quiet moments, when you’re all tangled up with me, I’m not thinking about anyone else. Just you. Keep that in mind next time you get all worried.
So, there. That’s your “love letter,” for whatever the hell that means to you. Take it or leave it.
-Sevika
•|||——————————————————————|||•
𝔸𝕓𝕓𝕪
Hey,
I’m not great with words. Never have been. So, you’ll have to bear with me.
I’m not some romantic, and I don’t do the whole love-letter thing. But I guess I owe you this, if only because you’re the one thing in this messed-up world that’s made sense. You’re the constant, the one person who’s been there even when I didn’t deserve it. I don’t know if you get that, or if you’ll ever really understand how much that means to me.
I’m not good at talking about feelings—hell, I’m not even sure what they are half the time. But I know this: I trust you. I trust you in a way I haven’t trusted anyone in a long time. And yeah, maybe that’s not saying much, but I’m not exactly the type to let people close. You’ve earned your place, and I’m not just letting anyone in. So, don’t take that lightly.
I won’t sugarcoat it—I’ve made my share of mistakes. I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to make things right, but I’m trying. I’m fighting for something, for us, and I don’t know where that’ll take me, but I know I’ll keep pushing forward as long as you’re by my side. You’re the reason I keep going when it’s easier to quit. You make it worth it.
I’m not perfect, and I don’t expect you to be either. We’re both broken in our own ways, and that’s okay. I just want you to know that, no matter what happens, I’ll fight for you. You mean more to me than I can say.
So, yeah. Maybe not the flowery words you expected. But that’s the truth, and it’s the best I can do.
<3 Abby
•|||——————————————————————|||•
𝔼𝕝𝕝𝕚𝕖
Hey you,
I don’t even know where to start, but I guess that’s pretty typical for me. I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about what to say, how to say it, and if I even have the guts to send something like this. But here it is, I guess.
I’m not great with words—never really was. I tend to get stuck in my head, and even when I have something I want to say, it comes out… wrong. But I hope you understand that I mean every word, even if it’s clumsy or awkward.
There’s something about you that makes everything feel… right. Even on the days when I’m a mess, when I forget to text back or I zone out for a bit because my head’s too loud—whenever I’m with you, I feel like I can breathe. And I don’t know what I did to deserve that, but I’m grateful for it. I’m grateful for you.
You make me want to be better, even if I don’t always show it in the best ways. I know I can be a little weird and I overthink things like a lot, but the truth is, I’m just trying to make sure I don’t mess things up with you. You mean more to me than I’m probably letting on, and sometimes that freaks me out.
I catch myself looking at you sometimes, like I can’t help it, and I know I probably look like an idiot when I get all flustered, but it’s because you’re… I don’t know. You’re just everything to me. It’s hard to explain, but I think you already know.
When I’m with you, I don’t feel like such a loser anymore. I don’t have to be perfect or say the right things or try to impress anyone. You make me feel like I don’t have to be anything other than just… me. And that’s probably the best gift anyone could give me.
So, yeah. I guess I just wanted to tell you that. You mean the world to me, more than you know. And I’m sorry for all the weirdness, the moments when I get quiet or lost in my thoughts. It’s just… I think about you a lot.
I’ll stop before I get all awkward and ruin this, but I hope you understand.
I love you. And I’m so damn lucky to have you.
Love,
Ellie
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somewhere-in-the-rain · 1 day ago
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3 things I loved about Onyx Storm (and 3 things I didn’t)
Disclaimer: I gave Onyx Storm 5 stars. Any book that has that kind of emotional effect on me is an immediate favourite. This is just my opinion :)
Spoilers for Onyx Storm ahead
3 things I loved
Domestic Riorgail. Omg. They are my favourite fictional couple ever. Xaden washing Violet’s hair? *chefs kiss*. Calling her “love”? Instant dopamine. I need these two like I need air.
Violet being the most intelligent person in every room. If I wasn’t in love with her before, I am now. I was eating up every moment of her verbally taking down people in positions of power, and she fucking killed it in this book. My personal favourites include telling Halden her plan for the quest squad and getting her way, outsmarting and poisoning the triumvirate, and her monologue to the riders and fliers at the beginning of the book. And Xaden just sitting back and watching and being so proud of her 🥺.
Xaden. Ugh, I adore him. I don’t even feel the need to explain this one. Him having infinite faith in Violet’s ideas and plans, being willing to do anything to protect her, throwing Halden into a wall with his shadows, being 100% down to marry Violet whenever and wherever. He’s still such a drama queen, but I love him.
3 things I didn’t love
That one scene where Violet falls off Tairn and into Xaden’s arms and says “my, my, what else can you do with those shadows” or something. This is so specific, but I got insane second hand embarrassment and had to shut the book because I was cringing so much.
The multiple POVs. Xaden’s, I understand. That happens every book. But Rhiannon’s and Imogen’s just felt so out of place and unnecessary and just really took me out of the story. I think they’re both great characters, but I don't care about their stories like I do Violet’s. I’m going to be so disappointed if RY decides to do multiple POV again in book 4 with anyone other than Xaden and Violet because I think it could genuinely ruin the series.
The plot felt a little episodic. Especially when they were in the Isle Kingdoms (unfortunate, as some of my favourite moments took place here), just going one island to another, meeting new people who all worshipped a different god and had a different trial they had to undergo and a different government system and a different personality type… I just felt a little overwhelmed by the worldbuilding sometimes.
Anyway, I’m not going to emotionally recover for at least a week from binge reading this book, and basically just needed to blurt my thoughts somewhere to clear my head before I forget them all. I hope no one is too emotionally drained from reading Onyx Storm (that’s a lie, you all had better be suffering along with me).
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prettybabywhowrites · 1 day ago
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𝐉𝐉 𝐌𝐚𝐲𝐛𝐚𝐧𝐤 - "𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐛𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐦𝐲 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧"
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You were ready to head to bed, freshly showered and in fresh Pj's. *Tap Tap* You turned around, seeing a wobbly JJ tapping at your window.
"JJ?" you walked over to your window to let him in. Taking his face in your hands, noticing his split lip and swollen cheek that was slightly tinted purple. He hummed softly at the contact of your cool hands against his face. " It's nothing that hasn't happened before, no need to worry princess" he slurred.
You shook your head, light frown on your face as you helped keep him upright. You began to lead him over to sit on your bed, wrapping a blanket around him. "Gonna grab you some clothes and then we'll get you taken care of" you said as you walked over to your closet, to the designated spot where your friends tend to leave clothes in just in case something happens and they need a place to crash.
You grabbed one of JJ's t-shirts and a pair of his shorts, walking back over to hand it to him. "Thanks sweets" he said hazily as he attempted to strip off his shirt. You sighed, small smile forming on your lips as you watched this adorable scene unfold. "Okay, arms up" you instructed. He obliged, his arms going up above his head, you pulled the shirt off of him and pulled the clean one over his body. "Think you can manage your shorts?" you asked to which he nodded in response.
"Okay then, i'm gonna grab some things, be right back" you stated as you walked to your kitchen to grab some water and a snack, JJ's favorite, a box of cheez its.
You walked back to your bedroom, walking into your connected bathroom before going back over to him, reaching in your cabinet for your first aid kit.
As you walked back into your bedroom, your eyes flickered to JJ, bundled in your blankets, getting cozy. You couldn't help but smile at the adorable blonde.
"JJ" you rubbed his arm gently to not startle him, he groaned in response, grumbling against the comfort of your bed. "Cmon JJ it'll only take a few minutes and then you can go back to sleep," he didn't budge.
"I'll give you a head massage if you let me clean those cuts," this time he perked up a bit, "until I fall asleep?" You laughed softly, "Sure." He sat up quickly, "You've got yourself a deal" he said, face pulled into a smug, cheeky grin.
You made quick work on his cuts, cleaning, bandaging, and repeating the process. "There we go, all done!" He let out a content sigh as you placed the first aid kit to the side, joining him in bed. Instantly, you felt your hand being pulled to the blondes head. You just giggle, "I was getting there."
He huffs sleepily, content sigh slipping from his lips as he feels your hands massaging his temples. "Thanks for being my person" he says, drunken state making him sappier than usual. "Course" you respond.
As the night went on, JJ subconsciously moved towards your warmth, laying on top of you, his face against your neck. You simply basked in the silence, the only sound audible was his heavy breathing as he drifted off to sleep.
"Thanks for being my person" his voice rang through your head, you couldn't help but feel a little giddy. Arms holding him close to you as you began to nod off yourself.
Side note - Just a quick little fic, don't love it but it is what it is. Please comment any requests you may have!! Happy dreams lovelies :)
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daydreamgoddess14 · 3 days ago
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😭😭 Annaaaaaaaaaa!!!
This was gorgeous. As always, little River broke my heart. I loved seeing the depth of his relationship with David - and how much David cares for him - the scent at the market was a lovely balance of 'training' and guardianship. David's conversation with Rose was perfect, how protective they are. It's so clear that staying with them is in River's best interests, and of course little River wants to sneak around to make sure that's going to happen!
It's so warming for River to see that Rose and David kept those sentimental items, I wonder if he assumed that they wouldn't do that because they're not his parents? 🤔
You really broke me with Catherine, though! Absolute perfection - she cares so much, but she's not afraid to tell him off when he needs it. I love that he felt comfortable enough firstly to cry around her, but also to take her to the home to see David. The little white lies here and there were heartbreaking, I imagine River has to do that every visit, how that must chip away at him really hurts but it's beautifully done out of love for David 😭😭😭
Orla is a great character, sunny and kind, she really has to potential to turn things around for River, and I love that for him 🥰
Beautiful, adored it 💜
Echoes from the Past - Chapter 3
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Apologies for the long delay in posting this chapter, but the holidays and end of year work stuff was such a huge time drain. Hope the wait was worth it! If you've missed the earlier chapters you can find chapter one here
Chapter Three
All hushed and still within the house Without – all wind and driving rain But something whispers to my mind Through rain and through wailing wind                                             Never again Never again? Why not again? Memory has power as real as thine                                                  - Emily Brontë
David Cartwright woke early, blinking and attempting to bring the dim room into focus. He reached over to his left to grab his glasses off the nightstand. Finally, after putting them on things came into view. His heart sank. This wasn’t home. Yes, there was a wardrobe of his things and his favourite slippers were on the floor next to this bed, but this was an institution. A place to tuck away a problem you didn’t want to deal with anymore. Sighing, he reached for the picture frame on the night table. It was of him and River taken a few years ago almost around the time he began his training for MI-5. Rose would’ve been proud, but concerned. She always chided David for training River since he was a boy, but he couldn’t help it. They boy was sharp and was good at being stealthy, all qualities he’d need to be successful.
Smiling, David thought back to around the time River’s tenth birthday. While he couldn’t remember a damn thing from yesterday, he still remembered things like this so vividly. How the day was unseasonably warm for late April and how bright the sun shone on their walk to the village to pick up some things for Rose and the cake she was baking especially for River’s birthday in a couple of days.
“So young man, you’re going to hit double digits soon. Excited?”
River nodded and smiled. “Yeah, it’s so cool. Next thing you know I’ll be old enough to drive!”
“Ha! That’s not for a while, my boy. Though if you get a good grade on that maths test this week maybe I’ll let you sit in the driver’s seat to see how it feels and I can explain all the levers and knobs.”
“Really?” River asked excited at the prospect of feeling more grown-up.
“Yes, really.”
Once at the market, David nudged River, “What did I teach you?”
“Take the whole space in. Notice everything, don’t have tunnel vision,” River answered.
“Excellent. What have you noticed so far?”
“There’s a man over there stealing grapes by eating them to the left. Ms. Hamilton is busy gossiping at the register to our neighbour Mrs. Farley and it looks like the rolls in the bin are leftovers from yesterday since there are hardly any left.”
“Very good.  Anything else?”
“The butcher is chatting up that young woman with the little girl in the trolley.”
“Perfect!” David said smiling brightly. 
They picked up the groceries from the shop and came in through the side door nearest the stairs and heard Rose talking to someone.
“Rose? We’re back.”
“Oh, excellent, David. There’s a special guest in the kitchen for River.”
River looked at his grandfather, David shrugged.
They entered the kitchen together to find Isobel sitting at the table which caused his heart to sink. He hoped she wasn’t here to take River away. He had promised Rose he’d never allow it, but then he wasn’t yet attached to the boy. David loved River with every fibre of his being. River was his whole world along with Rose.
“River! You’re so tall!” Isobel said smiling and looking up at him from her chair.
River just stood there with a confused look on his face.
Isobel got up and went over to him to give him a hug which he didn’t fully return. David could tell River was wary, as well he should be under the circumstances. She might be his daughter, but he was disappointed with her as a mother. It took full year for them to bring River around, make him feel comfortable and safe and loved. Now she decided to show up unannounced and make a muck of things. 
David looked to Rose who shot him a worried look.
“Yes, well boys do shoot up when they’re growing, Isobel. It’s been three years,” David said.
“I know. How’s my chap?”
“Fine.” River said shyly avoiding his mother’s eyes.
“Well that’s not the welcome I expected.”
David and Rose looked at each other again knowingly.
“Sorry, mum. I…wasn’t expecting you.”
“I thought I’d surprise you for your birthday!”
River looked less than pleased. David knew that because he could see the look in his eyes change from happy content boy to the scared and cautious one that arrived on his doorstep three years ago.
“Isobel has just returned from Malta. She’s thinking of coming back to England, David,” Rose said.
“Oh, really. Well I’m surprised you would want to given you enjoy living aboard so much in the warmer climes,” David said glaring at Isobel.
“Yes, well I’m not certain yet on what I want to do next, but I thought it would be nice to see River,” Isobel said stroking River’s arm affectionately.
River shrunk back from her touch. David could tell River wanted to retreat to his grandmother’s side for protection as he eyed her, but all Rose could do was smile back at River.
“Why don’t you take your mum to see your room, River. I’m sure she’d like to see it,” David suggested.
River of course obliged and took his mother upstairs.
“What the devil is she doing here, Rose?”
“I don’t know. She showed up in a taxi with some luggage. I was stunned,” Rose said getting up from the kitchen table.
“You had no idea?”
“No, she only sends River postcards and letters. I had no clue. Maybe she’s run out of money”
“Well if she has, I’ll gladly give her some to get her out of here. Did you see how unsettled River looked?”
“Yes.”
“Like you said Rose, he’s ours now. She’s no good for him. “
Rose nodded.
Later that evening after a very strained dinner, David took Isobel to the side while Rose did the washing up and River went upstairs to get ready for bed.
“Isobel you can’t have River back.”
“What? He’s my son.”
“You left him here with hardly anything one afternoon to run off to Spain with a man who is now long forgotten. I promised your mother, he stays here.”
“No. I want another chance.”
“Isobel you had your chance. He’s our boy now. You forfeited your rights that day.”
“Mum would never agree,” Isobel said.
“Yes, I would,” Rose said re-entering the room, drying her hands on a tea towel. “You abandoned him on our doorstep and haven’t seen him in three years. You don’t get to pick him up like a toy you suddenly want to play with again. He’s a sweet and loving boy who deserves more than your half-hearted interest. He doesn’t need you to discard him again when you get bored of him. He deserves more.”
“Rose is right Isobel. By all means spend time with him here, but I will not allow you take him,” David said.
While River was quite good at remaining unseen his grandfather spied him peering from around the corner towards the end of the conversation and River darted off when he had been ‘made’.
Late that night after everyone was in bed, River went downstairs as the fire in the study still blazed and his grandfather sat in the near dark room, clutching a crystal tumbler.
In a small voice River said, “Grandad?”
David turned to see River clad in his cosy flannel pyjamas with no slippers – better for creeping about soundlessly which River had achieved. “Yes, my boy.”
“I want to stay here with you and Nan.”
“Of course, you do and you will. I’m sorry you overhead that business earlier. I saw you lurking.”
“I should’ve hidden better.”
“You were upset and not thinking. But do remember there may be a time when you’re emotional and have to keep your head,” David said.
“Yes, I know. When it’s important I won’t let you down, Grandad.”
David smiled. “I know you won’t, River.”
And when it did matter River didn’t let David down.
“He came for me that night…he made it better...” David mumbled as the past merged with the recent present.
David’s heart swelled. He did train River well and he did make him proud no matter what the Park thought of his grandson. He was too good even for them.
**************
River woke slowly Saturday morning, blinking as the room came into focus, a sliver of light peeped through the curtains in the middle. He moved to get up but his head throbbed. “Ugh,” he said plopping his head back down on the feather pillow. He glanced over at the night table with the empty whisky bottle and glass, the evidence of his solo drinking stint and his pounding head. River rubbed his eyes and yawned. He had to pull himself together. He was in dire need of aspirin and coffee.
Still in his clothes from yesterday, he hoisted himself from his grandparents’ bed. The contents of the box strewn about him. He staggered to the loo and was about to go in when knocking on the door left him groaning. Who would be here so early? The knocking continued. “Coming!” River shouted.
Bounding down the stairs as quick as his aching head would allow, he ripped open the door to find a surprised looking Catherine Standish holding a box of pastries. “Catherine?” River asked.
“River did you just wake up?”
“Yeah.”
“It’s after eleven in the morning.”
“Shit – is it? I was up late and fell asleep going through some stuff.”
“It smells more like you were going through a bottle.”
“Yes, I had a little something to drink.”
She cocked her head, staring up at him with her laser vision eyes, assessing him. “Judging by the state of you, I’d say it’s not a little. Let me make you some coffee.”
River extended his arm welcoming her into the house. As she’d been here before she knew where the kitchen was located and went straight to work. He wondered what Nan would have made of Catherine. She’d like that she was tidy and considerate and well organized if nothing else.
“Why don’t you get freshened up while I make you breakfast. It’ll help.”
River nodded, went upstairs to shower and change and popped some pain tablets. True to her word when he returned to the kitchen Catherine was sliding scrambled eggs onto a plate and he could smell coffee brewing. “Everything smells great. Thank you, Catherine,” he said shyly not making eye contact with her.
Catherine smiled. “Of course. This is such a hard time for you River. I want to help. Eat up before it gets cold,” She urged. “I’ll tidy upstairs.”
Shit, he hadn’t tried to hide the whisky bottle as he didn’t think she’d go upstairs. “Catherine you don’t have to!” he shouted as she went up the steps.
“No, it’s fine I don’t mind!” she shouted back.
River felt uncomfortable. He didn’t want to let yet another person down, especially after she pulled him to the side a few weeks ago realizing he had been coming to work hungover a little too often. Catherine warned him this is how drinking problems started. He sighed and dug into his eggs and once done poured himself coffee and one for her as well.
“River really?” Catherine held up the empty whisky bottle in one hand.
“I know. I don’t know how it happened. I was looking through all those things in the box and time got away from me and I fell asleep.”
“More like passed out. Do you want to be like Lamb? That’s where I see this heading, River!” Catherine chucked the whisky bottle in the recycle bin and it made an angry sound as it hit bottom. She huffed over to clean the crystal glass he had used last night at the sink.
“I made you some coffee,” River offered as he brought both his empty plate and a steaming mug to her.
“Thank you,” she grabbed the plate and fork and cleaned them vigorously.
“I am sorry. I had no intention of drinking that much last night. I found that box and it upset me and just brought so much back…” River said making eye contact this time.
Catherine put the plate and fork in the drainer on the sink. “I saw the things strewn across the bed. Did you make those for your grandparents?”
“Yes. I was surprised they saved all of it. Grandad never seemed sentimental.”
“Sometimes we can know people our whole life and never really know who they are because they don’t want to show us their true selves because they are afraid it will make them look weak.”
River broke in that moment. He’d never heard anything truer spoken about his grandfather. Months of dealing with his grandad and the fallout with his father and his mother’s lack of responsiveness about everything came washing over him in that bright, sunny kitchen at that very moment. He began to sob uncontrollably.
“Oh, River,” Catherine said putting the mug down she had only just accepted a moment before. She didn’t know what else to do but to embrace him. “Come here,” she put her arms around him and let him have a good cry. He had no one else and she was glad to be useful and supportive. She needed to save him from the demons that were creeping into his life where he thought drinking was the only answer.
After a couple of minutes, River broke away, “God, I’m so sorry, Catherine.” River wiped his face with the back of his hand. His blue eyes as sad as ever and so very bloodshot.
“No, don’t be sorry. We’re friends and friends support each other. Now, why don’t you freshen up and I’ll have my coffee and maybe we can go visit your grandfather?”
“Yeah, that would be great,” River turned to leave the kitchen, but turned back around. “Thank you for coming Catherine – you’re a real-life saver.”
Catherine smiled all the way to her eyes, she succeeded and made a difference and hopefully saved River. “Glad I could be here for you, River.”
*****************
River pulled up to the care home. Catherine got out of River’s car and grabbed her pastries from the backseat. They walked up the path and into the care home together and River lead her through to where the day room was but he didn’t see his grandfather. He spotted Orla helping a resident with her needlepoint.
“Orla, sorry but where’s my grandad?” he asked.
“Oh, River, hi…is this your…” Orla began as she looked over at Catherine.
“This my friend, Catherine. She knows my grandad. She looked after him recently,” River replied, cutting Orla off from assuming who Catherine was to him.
“Oh. He’s in his room. I think the stimulation in the common rooms are too much for him. Sylvie said he seemed better this morning and even asked for you,” Orla replied with a warm smile.
“Would you like a pastry?” Catherine offered.
“No, I’m good. I do appreciate it, though. I have some homemade shortbread waiting for me during my tea break.”
River smiled and motioned for Catherine to follow him.
“She’s a lovely young woman,” Catherine said as River guided her down the hallway towards David’s room.
“Yeah, she’s nice and seems to care a lot for the residents from what I can tell so far. Let’s hope he still wants to see me as things weren’t great yesterday when I left.”
“Sadly, that’s normal for someone with his condition. I hope I don’t upset him. I am worried about that as I’m not tied to the best memories he’s had,” Catherine said furrowing her brow and looking up at River.
“Nah, last time he saw you he seemed fine,” River said as he paused and peeped into his grandad’s room to find him in the chair by the window, practically where he left him yesterday but at least this time he had a book.
River knocked on the doorframe. “Grandad?” River said expectantly.
“Oh, River, my boy! That woman said you’d come and you did!” David smiled brightly at River who returned the gesture.
River crouched down to give his grandad a hug. He looked into his eyes when he pulled away and saw that old, familiar glimmer. He was cognizant for the time being which lifted River’s heart. He hoped it would last the whole visit. “Grandad, I brought Catherine. You remember her from when she looked after you.”
“Hi David, you stayed at my flat.”
“Oh, yes. You were with Lamb and Big Sam. How is Sam? I could always depend on him”
“Umm, David…” Catherine began.
“He used his flight fund to get away. Lamb got a postcard from him recently,” River lied. He wanted to spare his grandfather being the cause of Sam’s death. Plus, no need to change the tone of the visit unnecessarily.
“Hope it’s somewhere warm and tropical for his sake,” David said with a smile.
River wondered if there was a hell and if so, if people like Sam ended up there. He forced that thought from his mind given all the things he managed to get himself into since Slough House. “I’d tell you but I’d have to kill you!”
David chuckled at the old line he would tell River when he was too young to hear some of the more alarming spy stories David and the others at MI5 got up to back in the day.
A couple hours passed, including David having lunch and the pair even playing chess. David conceded that River could learn a lot from Catherine’s skills at the chessboard as she was a superior player. As the visit began to wind down River worried his grandfather would get upset when he left, as he always did as he wanted to go home with him.
“Knock, knock,” Orla said popping into the room, smiling.
“Oh, hey,” River said.
“She’s also better than you at chess.”
“Oh?” River asked confused.
“We played last night. You must be terrible if I’m better than you,” Orla said with cheeky grin.
River felt his cheeks warm. “Apparently I need to brush up on my chess skills from the sound of things.”
Catherine went to get her coat which alerted David to everyone’s imminent departure. “You’re not leaving me here still, River? Surely I’ve been here too long already.”
‘Grandad we’ve been over this before, it’s not safe at home.”
“River is right,” Orla added, “You see this place is really a sort of safe house for very special people and it’s still not safe for you to leave. I know it’s hard to be away from the place you love. I’m far from home, too.”
David narrowed his eyes, looking between the three people standing around him. He did remember that awful business with the man who wanted him dead. “Is the lunatic still out there then?”
“Yes, grandad, he is. The Park is working very hard to find him.”
There was no point telling his grandfather anything else if it placated him. At least he still understood certain concepts like a safe house for now.
“And your father is still out there then, too?”
“Yes, he is.”
“You need to be vigilant then, my boy. He’s very dangerous!” David said clearly becoming agitated.
Orla came closer, smiling and said, “Your grandson is very capable and he’ll be fine, won’t you?” she asked looking over to River.
River gave her a small nod, “Yes, absolutely. Don’t worry, I’ve got this, grandad.”
River did wonder if he truly had everything under control where Frank was concerned. The man was a highly skilled maniac and could come back to do God knows what to him or his grandad.
While Catherine said her goodbyes to David, River followed Orla out into the hallway to have a chat.
“Thanks so much for spending so much time with him and trying to keep him calm. I do really appreciate it,” River said with a smile.
“Oh, I owe you,” Orla said with a sly wink.
“What?”
“It was ages ago when we were kids, but I used to stay with my grandparents some summers when I was like ten or twelve. They lived a few houses away from your grandparents house. The Murrays?” Orla could see a light bulb go off in River’s expression. “You saved me and my kitten when I stupidly went up the tree to grab her.”
“You had very long hair then. God, I didn’t recognize you! I feel so stupid.”
“No, it’s fine! I didn’t realize you were the same River as I didn’t remember what your surname was since so much time had passed since the last time I saw you. Though I did think it unlikely I’d run into someone else in Kent named River.”
River chuckled. “Yeah, not one of the top ten baby names in the UK to be sure.”
“It’s a lovely name,” she said.
“My grandmother invited you to dinner a few times too now that I remember.”
“Yes, when your grandfather mentioned his wife Rose, it dawned on me. I rang my grandmother, she lives with her sister in Cornwall since my grandfather passed years ago now. I asked her and she confirmed it was the right family. It was such an odd coincidence, no?”
“Very odd, but definitely a happy coincidence,” River said with a broad smile.
“Indeed,” Orla said feeling colour rise in her cheeks. She was grateful when Catherine joined them in the hallway.
“I’ll see you tomorrow, Orla!” River said as they were leaving and even gave a small wave accompanied by a smile.
“Absolutely.”
“I feel like I missed something,” Catherine said as they got outside into the cold air.
“Apparently Orla and I didn’t realize we knew each other as kids when she visited her grandparents in the summer.”
“Oh, that’s nice. I like her, River. She really cares about the residents.”
“She does,” River said.
Catherine smiled noticing the far away look River had on his face. She hoped Orla might prove to be a positive distraction for him.
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a-stars-art-blog · 4 days ago
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#3 for those two ace attorney gays you're always drawing 🥰
#3 Something in canon you dislike
YOUUUU knew what you’re doing…making me say something bad about my darlings that totally never did anything wrong-
ANYWAYS…
Barok - do I even have to say it?? Do I REALLY even have to say it??
That’s the easy and obvious answer so I’m gonna say something else.
Wish he had some more variety in his animations. Most of the time, they’re pretty subtle. Only the slightest of movements. Very boring.
Albert - I am actively struggling to think of something…he’s just too silly!!!
I mean, the way he stubbornly kept self sabotaging his trial for the sake of his hypothesis is understandably annoying. But I kinda admire his dedication and I kinda like the trope of characters loving their creation to the point where they’ll sacrifice themselves for it. It says a lot about the character which i appreciate. It’s kinda sad actually.
And actually for both-
The fact they don’t keep in touch for 10 years is pretty upsetting :((( we don’t get reasons why but it’s not hard to assume of VERY plausible reasons why. It’s just a shame they consider each other close personal friends but didn’t write to each other.
But at the same time, it’s actually cute that they can still think deeply of each other after all that time
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giantkillerjack · 2 years ago
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Today my therapist introduced me to a concept surrounding disability that she called "hLep".
[plain-text version of this post can be found under the cut]
Which is when you - in this case, you are a disabled person - ask someone for help ("I can't drink almond milk so can you get me some whole milk?", or "Please call Donna and ask her to pick up the car for me."), and they say yes, and then they do something that is not what you asked for but is what they think you should have asked for ("I know you said you wanted whole, but I got you skim milk because it's better for you!", "I didn't want to ruin Donna's day by asking her that, so I spent your money on an expensive towing service!") And then if you get annoyed at them for ignoring what you actually asked for - and often it has already happened repeatedly - they get angry because they "were just helping you! You should be grateful!!"
And my therapist pointed out that this is not "help", it's "hLep".
Sure, it looks like help; it kind of sounds like help too; and if it was adjusted just a little bit, it could be help. But it's not help. It's hLep.
At its best, it is patronizing and makes a person feel unvalued and un-listened-to. Always, it reinforces the false idea that disabled people can't be trusted with our own care. And at its worst, it results in disabled people losing our freedom and control over our lives, and also being unable to actually access what we need to survive.
So please, when a disabled person asks you for help on something, don't be a hLeper, be a helper! In other words: they know better than you what they need, and the best way you can honor the trust they've put in you is to believe that!
Also, I want to be very clear that the "getting angry at a disabled person's attempts to point out harmful behavior" part of this makes the whole thing WAY worse. Like it'd be one thing if my roommate bought me some passive-aggressive skim milk, but then they heard what I had to say, and they apologized and did better in the future - our relationship could bounce back from that. But it is very much another thing to have a crying shouting match with someone who is furious at you for saying something they did was ableist. Like, Christ, Jessica, remind me to never ask for your support ever again! You make me feel like if I asked you to call 911, you'd order a pizza because you know I'll feel better once I eat something!!
Edit: crediting my therapist by name with her permission - this term was coined by Nahime Aguirre Mtanous!
Edit again: I made an optional follow-up to this post after seeing the responses. Might help somebody. CW for me frankly talking about how dangerous hLep really is.
Plain-text version:
Today my therapist introduced me to a concept surrounding disability that she called "hLep".
Which is when you - in this case, you are a disabled person - ask someone for help ("I can't drink almond milk so can you get me some whole milk?", or "Please call Donna and ask her to pick up the car for me."), and they say yes, and then they do something that is not what you asked for but is what they think you should have asked for ("I know you said you wanted whole, but I got you skim milk because it's better for you!", "I didn't want to ruin Donna's day by asking her that, so I spent your money on an expensive towing service!") And then if you get annoyed at them for ignoring what you actually asked for - and often it has already happened repeatedly - they get angry because they "were just helping you! You should be grateful!!"
And my therapist pointed out that this is not "help", it's "hLep".
Sure, it looks like help; it kind of sounds like help too; and if it was adjusted just a little bit, it could be help. But it's not help. It's hLep.
At its best, it is patronizing and makes a person feel unvalued and un-listened-to. Always, it reinforces the false idea that disabled people can't be trusted with our own care. And at its worst, it results in disabled people losing our freedom and control over our lives, and also being unable to actually access what we need to survive.
So please, when a disabled person asks you for help on something, don't be a hLeper, be a helper! In other words: they know better than you what they need, and the best way you can honor the trust they've put in you is to believe that!
P.S. Also, I want to be very clear that the "getting angry at a disabled person's attempts to point out harmful behavior" part of this makes the whole thing WAY worse. Like it'd be one thing if my roommate bought me some passive-aggressive skim milk, but then they heard what I had to say, and they apologized and did better in the future - our relationship could bounce back from that. But it is very much another thing to have a crying shouting match with someone who is furious at you for saying something they did was ableist. Like, Christ, Jessica, remind me to never ask for your support ever again! You make me feel like if I asked you to call 911, you'd order a pizza because you know I'll feel better once I eat something!!
Edit: crediting my therapist by name with her permission - this term was coined by Nahime Aguirre Mtanous!
Edit again: I made an optional follow-up to this post after seeing the responses. Might help somebody. CW for me frankly talking about how dangerous hLep really is.
#hlep#original#mental health#my sympathies and empathies to anyone who has to rely on this kind of hlep to get what they need.#the people in my life who most need to see this post are my family but even if they did I sincerely doubt they would internalize it#i've tried to break thru to them so many times it makes my head hurt. so i am focusing on boundaries and on finding other forms of support#and this thing i learned today helps me validate those boundaries. the example with the milk was from my therapist.#the example with the towing company was a real thing that happened with my parents a few months ago while I was age 28. 28!#a full adult age! it is so infantilizing as a disabled adult to seek assistance and support from ableist parents.#they were real mad i was mad tho. and the spoons i spent trying to explain it were only the latest in a long line of#huge family-related spoon expenditures. distance and the ability to enforce boundaries helps. haven't talked to sisters for literally the#longest period of my whole life. people really believe that if they love you and try to help you they can do no wrong.#and those people are NOT great allies to the chronically sick folks in their lives.#you can adore someone and still fuck up and hurt them so bad. will your pride refuse to accept what you've done and lash out instead?#or will you have courage and be kind? will you learn and grow? all of us have prejudices and practices we are not yet aware of.#no one is pure. but will you be kind? will you be a good friend? will you grow? i hope i grow. i hope i always make the choice to grow.#i hope with every year i age i get better and better at making people feel the opposite of how my family's ableism has made me feel#i will see them seen and hear them heard and smile at their smiles. make them feel smart and held and strong.#just like i do now but even better! i am always learning better ways to be kind so i don't see why i would stop
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sweetieviktor · 3 months ago
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viktor x lab partner! reader (headcanons + tiny scenarios)
summary: working with viktor and jayce is all fun until you start wishing your lab partner was well.. your partner.
content warning: minor spoilers about season 1, arc 2 and fluff!!
author notes: im sorry for the waiting!! life has been chaotic and im pretty busy doing things but i've managed to finally write down this adorable request yeey! hope you like it :D
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» working with the hextech genius and piltover’s golden boy surely wasn't an easy job. high expectations, sleepless nights, doing experiments and calculations all day...
» at first, it was difficult to blend in as part of the group. jayce and viktor had been good friends for a long time now, and being added as a scientist alongside them in their own lab seemed like something experimental, almost incorrect.
» but things soon started to fall into place. and just like two plus one is equal to three, in the late hours was the time you all could be more free, more like your true selves. maybe it was the sleep deprivation, but it finally felt like there was a little place for you after all.
» whenever you needed to breathe a bit of fresh air and they were too focused on some research, you would go out and get them lunch on your way back. when you return to the lab, jayce would welcome you with a side hug and such a big smile that it could possibly blind you, while viktor would thank you with a little nod and a ghost of a smile on his lips.
» on these lunch breaks, it was common for you to talk about anything and everything that came to your minds at the moment. the hextec, politics and the council, how chaotic or abnormally normal life has been, literally whatever.
“i swear, i can't stand councilor hoskel anymore! why does he never listen to me but when mel says the same thing, then he is all ears?” jayce said while running fingers through his hair, smothering the mess to it place again.
“maybe because you can't verbalize things as good as her?” viktor suggested, tilting his head to the side, taking a bite of the cookies you've got for them earlier. “eeh, i mean, she works at the council for quite a time, right? you're still new to it.”
it was true, of course, but there was one thing they didn't consider yet. “or maybe you just ain't a woman!”
“surely a smart remark, i must say.”
“NO!”
» of course there were times where you could be more relaxed, but almost everyday was the same: calculation, experiment, malfunction and all again. it was frustrating, but worth it. after all the failed prototypes and explosions (so many explosions), now it is finally working.
» also, going on all nighters is a common occurrence (but jayce can't work through the night, because in the day time he needs to attend on the council and can't be late, so the boy needs to sleep early) and when this happens, you often go get you and viktor a mug full of coffee and then continue working on whatever you've been up to.
» oh, and the hexcore. magic and science at once. runes and mathematics all together, the almost impossible and so ethereal dream.
» to be able to study it this close was one of the best things that happened to you, to see, understand and manipulate hextech was incredible. the soft blue light it casted on the lab walls was beautiful, but to see it shine against viktor's skin was a delightful sight.
» his disheveled hair, dark circles, cheek bones. all of the shadows in the right places. the shining amber eyes, his nose and, oh, janna, his mole, the one just above his lip. it drives you insane. like it was luring you into locking your lips on his.
“why are you looking?” he asked, still focusing on the source of the light in front of him, molding its runes, the core moving along it. “studying?”
“yes, yes!” your tone more high pitched than you intended to. shit. “just studying the... hexcore.” you tried to remain your voice at a normal level again, inhaling and exhaling to calm down.
pulling his goggles up, he let his head fall back, laughing, “i'm just messing with you,” he looked at you from between half closed lashes, smirking, “good to know you like to study this.”
» the stealing glances, the absolutely profissional soft touches, the desire for something more, something you couldn't quite have. godness, if you could use hextech to solve your love equation, you would. maybe it would be easier to focus on work with a little magic.
» but it was so hard to focus while he kept looking at you like this, calling your name so sweetly, brushing his fingers on yours whenever you handed him something. you were head over heels for him but why does it seemed so hard to just tell him how you felt?
» again, this love equation was a confusing one, but you wished that the cup of sweet milk you left alongside a little sticky-note saying “you + me = date?” for him to find on his workplace was enough to be called a confession.
» now, you were almost ready to head home, but first you needed to look for jayce and update him about the research you've been working on lately.
» and after doing so, you headed towards the academy's lockers, unlocking yours, sending the same sticky-note you left on the lab flying to the pale ground. when you picked it up, you noticed some words written just below yours. “this is an easy one! the answer is yes. so... at the coffee shop near the academy, at 4pm? – v.”
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luck-of-the-drawings · 9 months ago
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"I think this is the most inhuman; and human, that I've ever felt.." MUCH CAN HAPPEN IN A YEAR. IN FIVE YEARS. A DECADE. imagine how much can happen in a century. just ONE (1). How will you grow? what phases do you find? even in 5 years, you will find patterns.
#jrwi fanart#jrwi show#jrwi suckening#jrwi suckening spoilers#jrwi the suckening#arthur bennett#HEY SO THE REALLY FUNNY THING THAT THE CHARACTER DID THAT SEEMED RLY SILLY N GOOFY IN THE MOMENT?#LIKE THE WHIPLASH BETWEEN SERIOUS N SILLY ALMOST PISSED YOU OFF? WHAT IF I FOUND A WAY TO MAKE YOU SAD ABOUT IT#this was meant to be a scribble that would be a bigger part of a bigger page.might leave it on that page.#but still. bc o that i nearly posted it onto my wacky side blog.BUT NAYY I SPENT TOO MUCH TIME N ENERGY N YOU GOTTA SEE IT#ARTHUR BENNETT DRIVES ME CRAZY. I FEEL LIKE ITS ODD FOR HIM TO BE SO TECHNOLOGICALLY OUT OF TOUCH#WHERE HAS HE BEEN. HAS HE BEEN IN WAR? IS THAT WHERE MAGNUS CAME FROM? WHERE WAS HE WHEN HE WAS WITH EDWARDS CREW?#ARTHURRR I HAVE QUESTIONS ARTTHUUURR!! HEY CAN I ALSO ASK; WHAT THE FUCK HAVE YOU BECOME#DO YOU THINK HE HAD ANY IDEA HE WOULD VEER CLOSER AND CLOSER TO THE MONSTER HE DESPISES. ALL BC HE DESERVES IT. OR WATEVER#HE FASCINATES ME SO MUCH. TO LOOK AT THE STONE COLD STOIC FOOL FROM THE START OF THE SHOW#AND TO FIND OUT THAT HE USED TO BE A BAD BOY.. A DELINQUENT... A LIL PRANKSTER.... MY GODDD THATS ADORABLE#I WOULD LOVE TO KNOW MORE.... BUT I DOUBT THE LAST EPISODE IS GONNA ANSWER THOSE QUESTIONS..i love arthur bennett so much....#AS FOR THE ART!! i mostly used the fire alpaca watercolor brush. tbh im not a brush guy. anti aliased default pen tends to be my main game#but LATELY IM SQQQUIRMIN OUT OF AN ARTBLOCK so expirimenting like this is helping#DONT LOOK TOO HARD AT IT!! im still proud tho. colors are fun :3 im also very proud of the backgrounds#I LOVE THE CARTOON THING where the background looks all fancy n painted but the characters are solid colors#what else can i ramble abt. OH YEAH. i looked up the bikes to make sure they were time accurate tehehehe. 1913 to 2012.#almost a century apart!! isnt that neat? ALSO FUUUCK CAN I JUST MAKE A QUICK CONFESSION. DOWN HERE IN MY TAGS.#only the strongest can read my tags anwyay. SO I REALIZED WHY I LOVE ARTHUR SO MUCH. TIME IS A FLAT CIRCLE#while arthur is a Stoic and Cool vampire w a knack for being playful/silly; who alsos been alive fora century thus witnessing HORRORs#THERE HAPPENS TO BE A ROBOT FROM A BAND W A TITANIUM ALLOY SPINAL COLLUMN#WHOS A Stoic and Cool ROBOT w a knack for being playful/silly; who alsos been alive fora century thus witnessing HORRORS#the fuckkkiiinnngggnn The Spine from steam powered giraffe. WHATEVER. i cant escape from my heart. i guess.#i think The Spine and Arthur could be friends. Arthur saw the band perform back when they were the Steam Man Band#EDIT: WOOPS I DIDNT REALIZE THIS WOULD END UP IN THE SPG TAG. HI GUYS DIDNT KNOW U WERE STILL ALIVE SORREE 4 THE CROSS CONTAMINATION
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ywpd-translations · 10 months ago
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Ride 768: Doubashi attack!!
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Pag 1
1: Orange....
“Less of a hero”? Ah!?
2: Nonsense!!
You've never been a hero to begin with!!
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Pag 2
1: Ha..... Hakogaku!!
Even Hakogaku caught up!!
2: Thick.... thick.....
3: A man like this holds the strongest of powers!!
6: I'm thin compared to him!!
That's not true, Oosumi-kun!!
7: Senpai, is he strong?
The Hakogaku member who last year defeated Sohoku's Kaburagi in the first day's sprint is
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Pag 3
1: him, Doubashi Masakiyo!!
Buah!!
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Pag 4
2: Buah...
So in the end you've decided to run?
3: “Chicken”
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Pag 5
1: We're passing by the sign the signals 5km until the sprint line!!
2: Hakone Academy.....!!
3: Ace sprinter, Doubashi!!
Ugh.....
6: We're at “5km left” until the sprint
7: There's not much left
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Pag 6
1: It won't take more than “10 minutes”!!
2: So you've come, Doubashi!!
It's “san”!!
San!!
How many times have I told you!!
3: Again!!
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Pag 7
1: You want to get revenge against me!!
2: That's how someone who won last year would speak, but you lost against me!!
3: Hahaha, are you being a sore loser?
I'm telling you you're the one who lost!!
4: Whatever, come at me!!
It's not whatever, what are you even thinkin when saying that!!
Are you that self confident
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Pag 8
1: We'll definitely win!!
2: Interesting, buah!! I came here to humble you!!
4: Ugh....
He's different.....!! He's much more dangerous now that he's running rather than when I met him this morning in the tent!!
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Pag 9
1: Hakone Academy's Doubashi!! He's so overwhelmingly intimidating!!
It's like the pressure of a huge raging bull that has its eyes on you!!
2: Just by looking at me he makes me feel like my hands and feet are restrained
Issa fought against someone like him last year!?
4: No!!
5: Calm down
Steady your breathing
6: Swallow your nerves, Danchiku Ryuuhou!!
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Pag 10
1: He moved on his own!!
Everyone is so overpowered by Hakogaku that they're not moving!!
For me, on the contrary
2: It's a chance!!
Nagoya's Komao used the curve and jumped ahead
He plans on going ahead alone!!
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Pag 11
3: The sprint line is 5km from here!!
Horse acceleration!!
I think I can aim for a breakaway victory!!
4: That guy has a reputation for running solo!!
Gallop!!
This is bad!!
5: Doubashi has an incredible pressure!? But isn't this kind of things
6: just fears that we create ourselves!?
7: I can keep going like this!!
Doubashi isn't worth fearing!!
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Pag 13
1: Where are you going?
3: Uaaaaaaagh
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Pag 14
1: I thought I was 200m ahead of him, and yet
2: I could have let you go freely, but if you keep wandering around in front of my eyes like that
3: I can't win comfortably!!
Wa-
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Pag 15
1: Hakogaku's Doubashi accelerated in an instant and passed Nagoya!!
Gallop!!
2: Together with Sohoku!!
3: Ah!? “Sohoku”!? Tch!! He reacted at the same time as me...?
4: You're the only one who can react at the same speed as me in this leading pack
Orange!!
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Pag 16
2: Chicken!!
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Pag 17
2: Orange is still behind!?
3: Did he give an order to this guy?
4: And he still managed to keep up with my speed of reaction!?
6: What, this guy's eyes, this running
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Pag 18
1: What happened, your expression has changed!!
So this guy wasn't a chicken!!
2: Sorry, Doubashi-san
We'll take this sprint
3: The two of us!!
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Pag 19
1: Garuaagh
2: After stopping Nagoya down, Sohoku number 5 jumped out from there
3: and attacked again!!
Tch
4: Hahaha
I told you!!
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Pag 20
1: “We'll definitely win”!!
2: Orange!!
Hahaha, what we're aiming for is to be
3: “Japan's number one”!!
4: I'll make you Japan number two!!
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sillyxaly · 4 months ago
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The most fun thing about the scum villian fandom to me is that I have my favorite ships. And then I have other ships I like. And then some people throw a ship onto my dash I had never before considered and I give it a long stare before I say "Ill take it. Please tell me more."
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icewindandboringhorror · 3 months ago
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It's always interesting to hear about people's weird/unexpected "alternate life paths". Like, something that you could have done with your life, a job you almost took, a school you almost went to, etc - that was still actually realistic enough that it could have happened, but NOW it seems to not suit your current personality.
Like for example, I currently hate advertising (how manipulative it is, brands trying to be 'relatable', social media amplifying it to an obnoxious extreme, etc.) so much that even seeing a little ad before a youtube video is grating to even witness, but there was a point in time where I was genuinely seriously considering going into marketing/making commercials as a career lol. Or like, I have a relative who was very inclined to be a pastor when they were younger, even though today they're a super strong atheist, etc. etc.
#BECAUSE I knew I really liked filming and editing things and doing set design and costume design (from having done little bits of that#here and there in media classes and my own stuff - i used to be a lot more into making videos than I am now). BUT I was always thinking#that a movie is WAAY to big and long. even a short film. So I was trying to think of ways I could still like#have the fun of scouting locations to film and dressing up actors and etc. etc. without it having to be a Huge Million Dollar Production#on tv show or movie level. SO then I was thinking about like... just doing commercials. Or music videos. Like shorter things where I still#get the fun of the filming and everything but it's less of an intensive long term project.#So there is an alternate version of me (I suppose if i somehow did not end up having physical and mental health issues#as badly somehow.. or like.. randomly came into wealth and was able to pay my way through a nice college despite missing#days constantly being out because I'm sick or something lol) that works in some corporate advertising office coming up with commercials#and directing or filming them or doing the sets for them or something in that general vicinity.#I also was considering being a corporate psychologist. or whatever its called.. oh from google:#''Industrial and organizational (I/O) psychologists study and assess individual group and organization dynamics in the workplace''#I don't think I even knew what the job entailed. I was at the time just thinking like.. the type of person that comes into a business offic#and gives everyone personality assessments or does MBTI or big-5 testing crap for whatever reason that some businesses get that#done for people. Really i just wanted to be in a Corporate Big Office setting yet still do psychology. Because I used to be really fixated#on living in a big city. Like the ideas of everything being walkable. picking up a coffee in the morning. walking to my job in a Big#Skyscraper Building. people watching in a huge hotel lobby for lunch. flying frequently (I love airplanes and airports aesthetically).#living in an apartment with a giant window overlooking the city. etc. etc. BUT that was before i had really BEEN to a city. Then I actually#hung around a city a few times and went places and I was like... AUGh... The Sensory Overwhelm.. cars people lights loudness noise scary#everything happening all at once. etc. etc. (though even when I wanted to live in a city i NEVER strove for the Night Life. when i say I#enjoy city imagery I mean like... in the day time. Many people who like cities talk about The Night Life and post pictures of cities all#lit up at night and clubs and dancing and restaurants. none of that EVER appealed to me. perhaps a sign I am not a real city person. Like#I am NOT standing in a crowded bar full of loud people in the middle of the night lol.. get AWAY from me!!) but I do adore the#architecture of like bright white clean sterile modern spaces like huge airport lobbies or malls or etc. I think thats what reminded me of#city and what I liked about the idea of that life. Like I always LOVED the layout of schools and hospitals and trainstations and public#transport in general. Though even then I knew enough that I would not be a good architect/city planner. so I guess my adoration for those#spaces was merely to be channeled into LIVING there. but then I realized I didn't even really want to do that that much. I mean I still#definitely aim to live NEAR a city. like the little areas outside of it. I would never live in a rural place 4 hours from anything. I liter#ally just COULDNT since I need close access to hospitals sometimes lol. But I used to want to live in the CENTER of citites like high rise#condo. and now I'm like.... eh....... perhaps a smaller quieter walkable space nearby lol.. ANYWAY.. alternate me in my Business Suit eheh
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misscrawfords · 4 months ago
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Had an amazing afternoon today. Odeon in the UK are currently re-releasing Star Wars in cinemas and I booked to go and see A New Hope. And then, checking when Empire Strikes Back was on, it turned out it was only on... immediately afterwards or during my choir rehearsal later in the week! So I did what I haven't done since I was a teenager and did a double bill at the cinema. Watching Return of the Jedi straight afterwards was too much though and I'll see that next week, hopefully.
Guys, it was SO GOOD. I feel so priviledged to see these films on the big screen. They stand up so well! Seeing that star destroyer come over my head in the opening scene of ANH, watching Han say "I know" in full technicolour, hearing The Imperial March fully blast through the cinema... I felt such a connection with my cousin (who is 20 years older than me) who apparently was obsessed with SW as a boy when they first came out, and I thought of my late uncle who introduced me to the OT on VHS as a teenager. It was so, so special.
It makes me so sad to see what Disney has turned this into and what so-called fanboys and antis have done. Maybe there always was a gatekeeping and nasty side to the SW fandom even in the 70s and 80s but it's such a shame. These are magical, perfect films telling a beautiful story. I hate that that's been ruined in so many ways.
In other unrelated news, I've put myself forward to give a talk on Star Wars and fandom to the school's feminist society. My only trouble will be only talking about it for half an hour!!
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