#feeling useless

[aventurineswife]

don’t wanna be annoying buuuut can i request a sick fic with Aventurine taking care of Reader?

maybe Reader is kinda overemotional when they’re sick — they’re always feeling sad or irritated when they’re like this. they try their best to behave tho!!

(my dad may or may not have gotten sick. and just being around him may have gotten me sick too… 😭)

Calculated Kindness

Summary: When you fall ill, Aventurine takes it upon himself to care for you, blending his characteristic charm and subtle vulnerability. As you struggle with the emotional toll of being sick, he offers comfort in his own unique way, revealing glimpses of the man beneath his flamboyant facade.

Tags: Aventurine x Reader, Sickfic, Hurt/Comfort, Fluff, Emotional Vulnerability, Subtle Angst, Protective Aventurine, Reader Feels Useless (me honestly), Tender Moments.

Warnings: Mild emotional distress (Reader struggles with feeling weak and overemotional while sick), Brief mention of dehydration (in a lighthearted context), General themes of vulnerability and comfort.

A/N: bestie, you're never annoying me 😭🙏. Also, rip I hope you get well by the time this fic comes out 😔🙏 (ngl I can relate lmaoo happened to me plenty of times)

The first thing you noticed upon waking was the ache, sharp and unrelenting, throbbing behind your eyes. The second thing was Aventurine’s voice, low and teasing, cutting through the fog of your illness like a finely sharpened blade.

"Ah, you're awake," he said, his tone laced with that familiar blend of charm and calculation. "And here I thought I’d have to call the medics—or, at the very least, write you a will."

You groaned, shifting beneath the blanket cocoon he'd apparently wrapped you in. The weight of his gaze made you simultaneously want to melt into the bed and throw something at him.

“I’m not dying,” you muttered hoarsely. “Just… sick.”

His lips curled into a smile, one that didn’t quite reach his eyes. He was seated at the edge of your bed, legs crossed, his overcoat draped casually over the back of the chair. His hat rested on the nightstand beside a tray of what looked like soup, tea, and a suspiciously well-folded napkin.

“Good,” he said lightly. “Because while I’m known for extravagant gambles, I draw the line at dragging corpses around.”

You tried to glare at him, but it came off more as a tired pout. "You could at least pretend to feel bad for me."

He leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees, and tilted his head with mock concern. “Darling, I am positively heartbroken. Can’t you see the sorrow etched into every perfect feature of my face?”

Despite yourself, a weak laugh bubbled up. "You're insufferable."

“And yet, you keep me around.” His grin softened into something warmer as he plucked the tea from the tray and handed it to you. “Here. Drink. Hydration is key, or so I’m told.”

You took the cup, cradling it in trembling hands. The warmth was soothing, though it didn’t do much to quell the swirl of emotions bubbling beneath the surface. Being sick always turned you into a mess—sad, irritable, and just a little bit pathetic.

He must have noticed your expression shift, because his voice dropped to something quieter, less performative. “What’s wrong?”

“I’m just…” You trailed off, swallowing hard. The tea in your hands blurred as tears pricked at the corners of your eyes. “I hate feeling like this. Useless. Weak. I hate that you have to take care of me.”

His brow furrowed slightly, though the gesture was almost imperceptible. “Is that what this is about?”

You nodded, biting your lip to keep the tears at bay. “I’m trying to be good, I promise. I’m just—”

“Stop.” His voice was gentle but firm, cutting through your spiraling thoughts. He reached out, placing a hand over yours. The warmth of his skin was a grounding contrast to the chaos in your chest. “You don’t have to ‘be good’ for me. And you’re certainly not weak.”

“You don’t understand,” you whispered. “You’re… you’re you. Always in control, always on top of everything. And I’m just…”

“Human?” he supplied, his tone laced with dry humor.

You scowled at him, though it lacked any real heat. “I mean it, Aventurine. You’re too good at this.”

A flicker of something crossed his face—an emotion you couldn’t quite place. For a moment, his usual mask of confidence and charm slipped, revealing a glimpse of the man underneath.

“I’m not as infallible as you think,” he said quietly. “I’ve just had a lifetime of practice pretending.”

You blinked at him, startled by the honesty in his words.

“But this?” He gestured vaguely to the tray of soup and tea, the carefully tucked blankets, the feather-light touch of his hand against yours. “Taking care of someone I care about? That’s not pretending.”

Your chest tightened, a fresh wave of tears threatening to spill over. “Aventurine…”

“None of that now,” he said, his teasing tone returning as he gently brushed a stray tear from your cheek. “If you cry too much, you’ll dehydrate, and then I really will have to call the medics.”

You huffed out a weak laugh, the tension in your chest easing just a little.

“There’s the smile I’ve been waiting for,” he said, his grin widening. “Now, finish your tea like a good patient, and maybe I’ll let you win our next card game.”

You snorted, lifting the cup to your lips. “You never let anyone win.”

“True,” he admitted, leaning back in his chair with a satisfied smirk. “But I do make an excellent nurse, don’t you think?”

As much as you hated to admit it, he wasn’t wrong.

Now I need to see him in a nurse dress... 😔🙏

[kuromipuzzles2000]

i'm Crystal, i am supposed to be a SMG4 content creator specially focused on Mr. Puzzles, so far, i've created 4 Mr. Puzzles AUs (5 counting Icing's Puzzles but he's fae from principal) SMGP, Trickster, GOP and Trivia

but sometimes i ever ask how people really takes these drawings that i almost do daily, they like them?, the notes reach between 15-20 notes alone but sometimes as a person that got cheer up by...being told everything i did was the most perfect creation/thing on universe all my life, make me wonder if all these likes are a lie or not...

other small artists like me wishes they get my notes, and not to presume, is because they always tell me when i vent about this type of things, they wish they get over 15+ likes on their SMG4 art or any other (even if i do other type of art it barely reaches 4 likes)

but i...sometimes feel my work in SMG4 community as Mr. Puzzles #1 fan is annoying, no one recognizes me, no one takes me in care as a backup at least from the big of the biggests, just, a random user, and when one of my friends tag me with other big users makes me a bit uncomfortable...not because i no like it, i love being tagged but being tagged with the biggests ones, makes me see myself i no even fit in their side...nobody recognizes me even on my own feed man

sometimes just wish i could quit, but, my lack of friends and feel i am useful for anything makes me stay here...drawing for a community that even if i enjoy, it makes me feel invisible through lot of other artists and make me feel jealousy of see, i've never would be big, only for my friends and boyfriend but not by other people

....like when i was a kid...everything feels on a loop

idk how can i support that

[kalopsia2002]

I think one thing that most women do is compare themselves to others. And i never understood why we compare ourselves to others, failing to understand we're all built differently. And none of us. Will ever be like those around us. What we need to understand as individual women is that we are all a part of ourselves and that we all have something to give to the world and just because you can't do what she does, doesn't make you any less. Your probably giving what she thinks she can't and that something we all need to understand. That we all have a purpose. And comparing will only destroy what ever peace is left in our minds.

I guess as a young teenager i was much stronger then i am today, as an adult. Everything i do is to make myself feel worthy of everything around me. From people to the tiniest things. I don't feel ashamed to say i do alot of people pleasing just to feel known and wanted. Something i wasn't desperate for when i was small. As an adult i wish to have the confidence i had when i was young. The confidence that let no body break me. Walk over me. Or make me feel like I'll never be enough.

The small version of me would have judged me for being so tiny and puny about things like this. I'm more then a zit on my cheek. I'm more then the awkward silence i hold when i meet new people. Im more then the Abaya that covers my body and makes me stand out. I'm more then those hair that aren't groomed well in the beauty parlour. I'm more then my skinny body. I'm more then the dress that won't look nice on me. I'm more then the tanned feet i bear because I'm too lazy to cover them in the sun. I'm more then my pigmented eyes that look like they've never slept. I am me.

And that me is still beautiful. Periodt.

As i was growing up. I think I noticed people noticing my flaws more then they ever saw the good things in me. There's a sense we're all something but i wish it was in terms of good attributes that we have rather then all that we don't have. I've always been a shadow my entire life. It's takes alot of time to notice me from across the classroom. And the most painful part is i was only ever noticed by people when i was pretty. And i think this shit messed me up so bad one tiny ass pimple possesses the power to shatter my confidence.

I stand in front of the mirror today, feeling as though I've lost the power to be noticed again. Or to be wanted again. Pathetic how it scares me that people will never want to unravel my soul because I'm not pretty to look at. Because im not her.

I stand still…not moving an inch from infront of the mirror. I am me. Not her. I am beautiful. I wish that i stop being unkind to myself just because i don't look like them.

My wish for us as for women is to be kind to ourselves no matter what we feel. And i pray that i stop letting these petty things control my life. Cause someone once said. My insecurities are my fears, not my abilities. And I'd hate myself for the entire lifetime if i let my fears run me around.

[an-asexual-crow]

Yall ever get so tired of life all you want to do is sleep but then at the same time you don't want to go to bed because that means you're going to have to wake up at some point? Or worse. Wake up in the morning.

[rel8able-lyrics]

"I'm far, so far from the front line. Quite the opposite, in safe inside. But I give money, and I feel useless behind this computer. And that just barely scratched the surface of my mind."

- "The News" sung by Paramore

[tapiokauwu]

I gave up on my dreams.

Now everything feels useless... I feel useless...

I wish I had the strength to chase after my dreams, but I'm too tired for that. Everyone wants me to do what they think is right for me, but I want to do what I love...

It's too late now anyways. It doesn't matter anymore.

[ssolariiss]

The worst feeling ever is failing at the only thing you're good at

[nekofra]

Feeling like shit. The only thing that would make me feel better is a Vash plush

[starsonmarsy]

i don't think im meant to be alive

[medra-gonbites]

Having mental breakdowns when doing basic stuff I had no problem doing a year ago (groceries, driving, accounting) and no signs of getting better...

But hey I started FFVII again so there's that!

[melvinthedepressedrobot]

.

[severalneatgerbals]

Just got off of overwatch, been playing for 4 hours and I only won 1 game. I just want to play with my sister and cousins but I'm so far behind I dont think I'l ever be on the same team as them. I feel so ostracized just cuz im not good at the game. and it hurts even more because when I used to be good at the game, its just that the skill pool has increased and I havent played in so long it just feels useless to even play it now. it makes me feel like im in chemistry again and everyone is understanding the course work and I can barely keep up.

I know some assholes are gonna say 'play the game more, you'll get better' but i just get constantly shitted on in every game that its hard for me to not cry like a baby. I dont even think i like overwatch anymore but i wanna play it with my sister and cousins so bad

[xpierce]

The feeling of not being helpful or enough for people sucks. Including on projects.

I feel Liek a let down and just wanting to do what I do normally(write draw and build) feels tedious.

But sometimes I pick up new things like this Minecraft town I’m making with this mod that has prebuilt houses but I’m redoing some of them and have terraformed the land by a lot. Hell today I built some of the gardens area!

But even then in the background I felt useless to stuff I’m meant to be helping on.

Heh

Always have had this feeling and it does terrible damage to my mental health

[bixels]

Learning that fans hated Applejack and called her "boring" is crazyyy to me because I genuinely, unironically believe AJ's the most complex character in the main six.

Backstory-wise, she was born into a family of famers/blue collar workers who helped found the town she lives in. She grew up a habitual liar until she had the bad habit traumatized outta her. She lost both her parents and was orphaned at a young age, having to step up as her baby sister's mother figure. She's the only person in the main gang who's experienced this level of loss and grief (A Royal Problem reveals that AJ dreams about memories of being held by her parents as a baby). She moved to Manhattan to live with her wealthy family members, only to realize she'll never fit in or be accepted, even amongst her own family. The earlier seasons imply she and her family had money problems too (In The Ticket Master, AJ wants to go to the gala to earn money to buy new farm equipment and afford hip surgery for her grandma).

Personality-wise, she's a total people-pleaser/steamroller (with an occasional savior complex) who places her self worth on her independence and usefulness for other people, causing her to become a complete workaholic. In Applebuck Season, AJ stops taking care of herself because of her obsessive responsibilities for others and becomes completely dysfunctional. In Apple Family Reunion, AJ has a tearful breakdown because in she thinks she dishonored her family and tarnished her reputation as a potential leader –– an expectation and anxiety that's directly tied to her deceased parents, as shown in the episode's ending scene. In The Last Roundup, AJ abandons her family and friends out of shame because believes she failed them by not earning 1st place in a rodeo competition. She completely spirals emotionally when she isn't able to fulfill her duties toward others. Her need to be the best manifests in intense pride and competitiveness when others challenge her. And when her pride's broken, she cowers and physically hides herself.

Moreover, it's strongly implied that AJ has a deep-seated anger. The comics explore her ranting outbursts more. EQG also obviously has AJ yelling at and insulting Rarity in a jealous fit just to hurt her feelings (with a line that I could write a whole dissection on). And I'm certain I read in a post somewhere that in a Gameloft event, AJ's negative traits are listed as anger.

Subtextually, a lot of these flaws and anxieties can be (retroactively) linked to her parents' death, forcing her to grow up too quickly to become the adult/caregiver of the family (especially after her big brother becomes semiverbal). Notice how throughout the series, she's constantly acting as the "mom friend" of the group (despite everything, she manages to be the most emotionally mature of the bunch). Notice how AJ'll switch to a quieter, calmer tone when her friends are panicking and use soothing prompts and questions to talk them through their emotions/problems; something she'd definitely pick up while raising a child. Same with her stoicism and reluctance at crying or releasing emotions (something Pinkie explicitly points out). She also had a childhood relationship with Rara (which, if you were to give a queer reading, could easy be interpreted as her first 'aha' crush), who eventually left her life. (Interestingly enough, AJ also has an angry outburst with Rara for the same exact reasons as with EQG Rarity; jealous, upset that someone else is using and changing her). It's not hard to imagine an AJ with separation anxiety stemming from her mother and childhood friend/crush leaving. I'm also not above reading into AJ's relationship with her little sister (Y'all ever think about how AB never got to know her parents, even though she shares her father's colors and her mother's curly hair?).

AJ's stubbornness is a symptom of growing up too quickly as well. Who else to play with your baby sister when your brother goes nonverbal (not to discount Big Mac's role in raising AB)? Who else to wake up in the middle of the night to care for your crying baby sister when your grandma needs her rest? When you need to be 100% all the time for your family, you tend to become hard-stuck with a sense of moral superiority. You know what's best because you have to be your best because if you're aren't your best, then everything'll inevitably fall apart and it'll be your fault. And if you don't know what's best –– if you've been wrong the whole time –– that means you haven't been your best, which means you've failed the people who rely on you, which means you can't fulfill your role in the family/society, which makes you worthless . We've seen time and time again how this compulsive need to be right for the sake of others becomes self-destructive (Apple Family Reunion, Sound of Silence, all competitions against RD). We've seen in The Last Roundup how, when no longer at her best, AJ would rather remove herself from her community than confront them because she no longer feels of use to them.

But I guess it is kinda weird that AJ has "masculine" traits and isn't interested in men at all. It's totally justified that an aggressively straight, misogynistic male fandom would characterize her as a "boring background character." /s

At the time of writing this, it's 4:46AM.

[tanadrin]

[dasloddl]

bored :(