#i couldn't help it I'm sorry

[hatsunemikuismyspiritanimal]

I keep thinking of roach from COD...

[what-am-i-doing-in-this-fandom]

Pokemon AU my absolute beloved 🙏🙏

(Translation for Ford's cursive/complete image description in the ALT text ❤️)

Made a companion piece to this!! See it here ❤️

[damienns]

[killerplink]

FRACTURED

Characters: Dick Grayson x Female Reader, Bruce Wayne and Dick Grayson (bonding)

Words: 4,5k

Plot: When a casual night turns into a nightmare, you fight to stay alive, but all you can think about is the one you can't bear to lose.

CW: established relationship, angst, mention of blood, violence, injury, near-death experience, hurt/comfort

Part two here

It happens so fast.

One moment, you're walking to your car, lost in your own head, thinking about nothing important. What you're gonna make for dinner, whether Dick's already home, if you should stop for coffee on the way. Just the usual thoughts that fill the quiet in between moments, the kind that don't really matter but keep your mind occupied.

And then? Then everything changes.

The sound of footsteps echoes behind you, too close, too deliberate. At first, you don't think much of it, just another person walking to their car, heading home for the night. But then the steps don't slow, don't waver, and something shifts.

A bad feeling creeps up your spine, settling in your gut, a prickle of unease spreading over your skin. It happens so fast you barely have time to process it, barely have time to react before—

Impact.

Something slams into your side, hard, shoving you forward with brutal force. The air is knocked from your lungs in an instant, your body lurching forward as your balance tilts dangerously.

You stumble, hands flailing for something, anything to catch yourself on. Your breath comes in short, ragged gasps as your mind scrambles to catch up, to understand what's happening, to see who—what—where—

Pain.

Searing, hot, and sudden. It rips through your side with an intensity that steals the ground from beneath you, burrowing deep, tearing through muscle, sharp and wrong. Your nerves scream, your body jolting from the shock of it, and for a split second, it doesn't even feel real. It's too fast, too brutal, a kind of pain that doesn't belong in the quiet of a normal evening.

Oh. Oh, fuck.

Your brain stalls, takes a second too long to catch up, a second that stretches endlessly, feels like forever. It isn't until you feel the warmth spreading across your skin, wet and slick, that the reality of it finally sinks in. By the time your gaze drops, by the time you see the blade—gleaming, stained red, still buried in your side—it's already too late.

You're already falling.

Your knees hit the pavement first, jarring against the rough concrete, sending another sharp jolt of pain through you. Your hands follow, weak and trembling, barely catching you before your body fully collapses. Your palms scrape against the ground, but you hardly feel it over the white hot agony radiating from your side.

It's spreading too fast, a sickening pulse of heat that won't stop, that won't let you breathe. Beneath your fingers, something warm pools, thick and sticky, soaking into your skin.

Blood. Your blood.

The guy, whoever he is, mutters something under his breath, but the words are lost to you. Your ears are ringing too loud, drowning out everything else.

You can't move, can't react, can barely think, and for a terrifying moment, you can't even breathe. Your chest tightens, your lungs refusing to expand properly, and it's not just the pain now. It's fear.

You're bleeding. Fuck, you're bleeding.

And then? Then he's gone.

Vanished into the night like he was never even there. No hesitation, no second glance, just a shadow slipping away, leaving you behind, crumpled and gasping on the cold pavement.

And you? You're alone. Alone, bleeding out, the night stretching wide and empty around you, swallowing your shuddering breaths. The cold creeps in faster than it should, seeping through your clothes, through your skin, making everything feel distant, unreal.

No. No, you can't.

Your phone. You need your phone. Your fingers fumble weakly at your pocket, shaking too hard to get a proper grip. Everything feels sluggish, your body fighting you, but you force yourself to move, to breathe, to focus.

You can't stop, not now, not when the weight pressing against your ribs feels heavier by the second, when your vision is already starting to blur at the edges. You need to—

You need to call—

Dick.

It takes everything in you just to press the button. Your hand barely cooperates, slippery with blood, but you manage. You barely have the strength to hold the phone to your ear. And when he picks up? The second you hear his voice, warm and familiar, filled with that easy confidence that's always made you feel safe—

That's when you realize. You're not gonna make it home. Not without him. His phone buzzes once. Twice. And then he picks up immediately.

"Hey, pretty girl," he says, voice warm and easy, like he's been waiting for you to call, like he's already smiling, ready to tease you for taking your time. There's a lightness to his tone, the kind that makes it sound like nothing in the world could be wrong, like this is just another night, another conversation. "You heading home?"

And then... Then he hears it.

The way your breath hitches, sharp and unsteady. The way the silence stretches just a second too long before a shaky inhale rattles through the receiver. The way you suck in a gasp—pained, uneven—before forcing out something so small, so fragile, it makes his stomach drop.

"Dick—"

And just like that? His heart stops.

"Baby?"

His voice is different now. The warmth is gone, replaced by something sharper, something tense. His whole body goes still, instincts kicking in, every nerve suddenly alert, his muscles locking as if bracing for impact.

A pause. A tiny, pained inhale. "I—"

Then a whimper. Soft, broken, like it barely made it out at all. And then, barely above a whisper, "I need you."

Fuck. That's all it takes. His body moves before his brain can catch up, muscle memory kicking in, pure instinct driving him forward. He's already grabbing his keys, already shoving his comm into his ear, barely registering the click as it connects.

His pulse slams against his ribs, loud and insistent, drowning out everything but the sound of your breathing—too shallow, too unsteady—on the other end of the line. He throws open the door to the garage, doesn't bother with the lights, just moves, grabbing his helmet, swinging his leg over his bike in one fluid motion.

"Where are you?" His voice is tight, controlled, the edge of panic barely restrained.

A sharp inhale. A weak, wobbly breath.

"I—fuck, I don't—" A choked noise, a shudder. And then, so fucking small, so fragile it makes his throat close up, "I think I got stabbed."

And everything inside him freezes. No. No, no, no—

His grip tightens on the handlebars, fingers pressing into the leather so hard they ache. He swallows back the immediate rush of panic threatening to claw its way up his throat, forces himself to move, to breathe, to act. His free hand fumbles for his comm, shoving it deeper into his ear before his fingers flick over his GPS, pulling up your location.

Thank fuck for the tracker on your keys. There. There you are. His blood runs cold when he sees how far.

"Stay on the line," he breathes, voice barely holding together, his other hand turning the key, the engine roaring to life beneath him. He doesn't even think, just goes, peeling out of the garage so fast his tires screech against the pavement. "I'm coming, baby. Just—just stay with me, okay?"

And then? Then he drives. Fast. Too fast.

Because Gotham is too fucking big. Because you're too far away. Because every second that passes is a second too long, a second where you're bleeding, where you're hurting, where you're alone, and he can't let that happen. His body is running on pure adrenaline now, hands gripping the handlebars so tight his knuckles go white, jaw clenched so hard it aches. He doesn't care.

All that matters is you. By the time he gets there, you're barely conscious. Sprawled on the pavement, one hand pressed weakly to your side, blood pooling beneath you, your phone discarded just inches away.

"Baby," he breathes, voice wrecked, raw, barely able to force the word out.

And for one, horrible second, he can't move. Because this... this is his worst fucking nightmare. But then he's off the bike, barely registering the way it skids as he drops it, his feet hitting the ground hard as he runs, closing the distance between you in a breath, a blink, a heartbeat. His knees hit the pavement beside you, hands shaking as he reaches for you, grabs your face, tilts it gently toward him.

His fingers brush over your cheek, warm despite the chill settling into your skin, desperate to find you through the haze of pain, to ground you in him.

Your eyelids flutter. Your lips part. And then, so soft, so fucking weak, "Dick."

And just... his heart shatters.

"I know, baby, I know," he whispers, voice tight, pained, barely holding on. His hands press firmly against your wound, trying to stop the bleeding, to keep you here, to—

"Fuck," you whimper, body twitching, and just—

His throat closes. "I'm sorry, my love," he breathes, barely above a whisper, pressing his forehead against yours, his grip gentle despite the way his hands shake. "I know it hurts, baby, I know, but you have to stay awake, okay?"

A pause. A weak, trembling inhale. Your fingers curl into his sleeve, barely able to hold on. "So cold," you mumble, voice so quiet it nearly gets lost in the night air.

And just, fuck, his jaw clenches.

"I know," he whispers, voice cracking, slipping his jacket off in one swift motion. He tucks it firmly around you, making sure it covers every part of you, his arms wrapping around you like it'll be enough to keep you warm, to keep you here. He presses a kiss to your temple, soft and lingering, his breath unsteady, his chest aching. "Help's almost here, baby, just—just hold on."

A shaky, tiny breath. A ghost of a smile. "Knew you'd come."

And just like that, he breaks. His arms tighten around you, pulling you closer, his breath shuddering as he buries his face in your hair, lips pressing against your forehead, against your temple, his grip desperate, aching, pleading.

"Shhh, I got you," he whispers, voice wrecked, breath shaking. "I got you, baby."

You barely nod. Just the faintest tilt of your head against him. And then... then your body slumps. And Dick? Dick falls apart.

He doesn't even realize he's shaking as he stares at your unconscious form, the life draining out of you too fast, too violently, and there's nothing he can do to stop it. His hands are slick with your blood, staining his gloves, seeping into the cracks of his fingers, and for the first time in a long time, he feels helpless. Utterly, terrifyingly helpless.

The entire ride to the hospital is a blur. He remembers shouting, pushing, running, people yelling at him to step back, but he doesn't, he can't, not when you're barely breathing in his arms. It's only when the ER doors swing shut, when you're wheeled away from him, disappearing behind sterile white curtains, that reality slams into him like a freight train.

And then he's left in the waiting room. Pacing. Restless. Agitated.

His boots echo against the linoleum as he stalks back and forth, jaw clenched so tight it aches. Every muscle in his body is coiled, wired with adrenaline and fear and something deeper, something primal that he can't shake. His hands are still stained, and no matter how many times he scrubs them against his suit, he still feels it—your blood, your warmth, fading, slipping, and he can't fucking breathe.

"She's been in surgery for hours," he mutters, voice raw, almost hoarse. He's barely stopped moving, his fingers threading through his hair, gripping at the roots, chest rising and falling too fast. "Why is it taking this long?"

Bruce is there. Silent at first. Watching.

"Dick," his voice is calm, measured, but firm, that same tone that used to keep him steady when he was a kid, when the world felt too big, too cruel. "She's going to be fine."

Dick laughs, but it's humorless, breathless, shaking. "You don't know that," he snaps, and immediately regrets it. He exhales hard, pressing his palms against his face, dragging them down like it'll somehow ground him. "Sorry. I just... she was right there, Bruce. Bleeding out. And I—I couldn't do anything."

Bruce doesn't flinch, doesn't let the words shake him. Instead, he steps forward, places a heavy hand on Dick's shoulder, the weight of it solid, grounding.

"You got her here."

Dick swallows hard, his throat burning. "What if it wasn't enough?"

Bruce squeezes his shoulder. "It was."

Dick shakes his head, jaw tightening. "You don't know that—"

"I do." Bruce's voice is unwavering, steady in a way that makes something inside Dick crack wide open. "She's in the best hospital in Gotham. The best surgeons. The best care. She will make it through this."

Dick wants to argue, to push back, to say but what if? But when he looks at Bruce, really looks at him, he sees it—an unshakable belief, the same certainty that carried them through years of impossible odds, of near death escapes. Bruce isn't just saying it to calm him down. He means it.

And that? That makes it a little easier to breathe.

Bruce exhales softly, a rare moment of warmth breaking through his usual stoicism. "I know what it's like to sit in these rooms. To feel powerless." His voice drops, quieter now, something heavier laced between the words. "I've done it too many times with you."

Dick's throat tightens, his breath catching.

"I know it's terrifying," Bruce continues. "But she's strong. And she's got you to fight for."

Dick's legs finally give out beneath him, and he drops onto the chair, elbows on his knees, head in his hands. He doesn't even realize he's shaking until Bruce sits beside him, a steady presence, and—God—before he can stop himself, Dick turns into it, leans against him just enough to feel something solid.

Bruce doesn't push him away. Doesn't lecture him. He just rests a firm hand against the back of Dick's head and stays there. Silent. Steady. There.

And when the doctor finally comes out, when they say you're stable, that you're out of surgery, that you're going to be okay, Dick breathes for the first time in hours.

When you wake up, it's to warmth. A steady weight, something solid, something real, wrapped around your hand, grounding you, keeping you from slipping back into the dark. It's the first thing you register, the soft press of fingers against yours, the way they tighten slightly, as if making sure you don't drift away again.

And then—

A voice. Soft. Shaky. A murmur of your name, so quiet, so hoarse, like it's been spoken a hundred times before you even heard it. Your eyelids flutter, heavy, sluggish, but you fight against it, pushing through the lingering haze of unconsciousness. And when your vision clears, the first thing you see is him.

Dick. Sitting beside your hospital bed, his fingers clinging to yours like a lifeline, like if he lets go, you'll slip right through his grasp again. His eyes are red rimmed, exhaustion painting dark circles beneath them, his face wrecked, jaw tight, like he hasn't slept, hasn't eaten, hasn't even breathed since you collapsed in his arms.

And when you stir, when your fingers twitch the tiniest bit in his grip—

His breath catches. "Baby?"

It's barely a whisper. Barely even a word. Just a breath of hope—raw, desperate, aching. You swallow, throat dry and sore, and part your lips. It takes a second. It takes effort. But then—

A pause. A shaky, slow smile. "Hi."

The way his breath shudders out of him, the way his entire body sags forward, forehead pressing to the back of your hand, his grip tightening like he's trying to memorize the feeling of your skin against his. He exhales hard, like he's been holding it in for hours.

And then, so soft, so fucking wrecked, "You scared me."

And just, fuck, your heart cracks. Because you've never seen him like this. Never seen him so wrecked, so raw, so utterly drained in a way that has nothing to do with sleepless nights and everything to do with you. With the fear of losing you.

So you squeeze his hand. Just the tiniest bit. Just enough for him to feel it, to know you're still here, that you're real, that you're alive. And when he looks up, his eyes are glassy. Red. Wrecked. So full of love, of relief, of something too heavy to carry alone.

And you whisper, small, so fucking gentle, "But you found me."

And just like that? He melts. A quiet, wrecked laugh escapes him, something wet and breathless, something that sounds like it's carrying the weight of every single fear he's ever had about losing you. His fingers tighten around yours, holding on, grounding himself in the fact that you're still here.

Then he leans forward again, pressing his forehead against your hand, against your knuckles, against anything he can reach.

His voice breaks. "Of course I did," he breathes, so soft, so full of something you don't even have a name for.

And in that moment, there's only one thing that makes sense to him. "You're my home."

Because you are. Because you're the one thing that always pulls him back. Because without you, he's lost.

Fuck. You don't even get the chance to say anything back, to let him know that he's yours, that he's the one thing you always come back to, because there's a soft cough from the corner of the room. And when you blink, when you manage to turn your head, you finally notice.

You're not alone. Bruce is here. Standing near the window, arms crossed, his entire posture so tense, so rigid, like he's holding something back. His eyes are sharp, serious, but gentler than you've ever seen them.

And when you meet his gaze, when he sees the way your breathing steadies, the way your eyes focus, the way your fingers are still wrapped so tightly around Dick's, his shoulders relax. Just a fraction. And then, finally, "You gave us quite the scare."

His voice is even. Neutral. But there's something underneath it, something warm, something grateful.

Something that tells you he was worried. That maybe, just maybe, he was scared too. And God. That's when it hits you. Bruce wasn't just here for you. He was here for Dick. Because Dick—

Dick is his son. And he almost lost you. And for Bruce? That's almost the same thing. Losing you would've been almost as bad as losing Dick himself.

Because you're not just someone to Dick, you're everything. His home. His safe place. The person who grounds him, who keeps him from feeling lost. And Bruce? He knows that. So when Dick almost lost you? It wasn't just your life on the line. It was his son's heart.

Bruce watches you for a long moment, his expression unreadable, but his silence says more than words ever could. His shoulders are stiff, his stance unyielding, but there's something else beneath it now. Something hesitant, something restrained, like he's holding back more than just exhaustion.

And when he finally steps closer, it's not much, just a fraction of a movement, but it's deliberate. Intentional. Close enough that you can feel it, that you know he's here.

His eyes flick down to where your fingers are still tangled with Dick's, to the way his son is gripping you like he's afraid you'll slip through his fingers again. And when he looks back up, there's something tight in his expression, something carved into the set of his jaw, the pull of his brows. He doesn't say anything at first, just watches, and you can't tell if he's searching for something in your face or just making sure you're really awake, really here.

And then—your voice. Quiet. Guilt ridden. An apology you don't even realize cuts deeper than any wound ever could.

"I'm sorry."

Bruce exhales, slow, measured, but something flickers in his eyes. Something sharp. Something that almost looks like anger, but not at you. No, never at you.

Because why the hell would you even think to say sorry? Why would that be the first thing out of your mouth after nearly dying? After everything?

He hates it. Hates that you feel like you have to carry that weight, hates that it even crossed your mind to apologize for surviving. Because it wasn't your fault.

Because you were the one bleeding out in Dick's arms, and yet here you are, looking at him, at Dick, like you need to make it up to them. Like they wouldn't burn the whole damn world down just to make sure you stayed.

His jaw tightens. His fingers twitch at his sides, like he wants to reach out, to do something, but Bruce Wayne has never been good at this—at softness, at warmth, at saying what he actually means. So when he finally speaks, his voice is quieter, steadier than before, but there's an edge to it. Something firm. Something final.

"There's no need to apologize." A slow exhale through his nose. And then, quieter, like it's the only thing that really matters, like maybe if he says it, you'll believe it, "I'm glad you're back with us."

It's not much. Not flowery, not emotional, not even close to the way Dick is looking at you like you hung the stars in the sky, but for Bruce? It's everything. It's as much as he'll allow himself to say. And somehow, that makes it hit even harder.

Then, just like that, his entire demeanor shifts. The warmth, the hesitation, the careful softness—it's gone, replaced by something sharper, something colder, something that leaves no room for hesitation. His expression hardens, his jaw sets, and when he speaks again, his voice is steady, firm, like he's already made up his mind about what's coming next.

"I just want to know what the guy looks like. If you remember."

Dick stiffens beside you. And you—you do remember. Clear as day. So you swallow. And you tell him. Everything. Every detail. Every scar, every feature, every fucking thing you can recall.

And Dick doesn't move. Doesn't shift, doesn't loosen his grip, doesn't even blink as he stares at you, like if he looks away for even a second, you'll disappear again.

And Bruce? Bruce just nods. Once. Then turns and walks out the door. And just like that? You know. It's over for him. Whoever he is. The room feels quieter when Bruce leaves, like the air has settled, like the weight of everything that just happened is finally catching up to you. You breathe in. Slow.

And then, soft. A press of warmth against your forehead. A kiss. Gentle. Lingering. Just his lips, just his breath, just the quiet weight of it grounding you in a way nothing else could.

And when he pulls back, his thumb traces over your knuckles, slow, careful, like he's memorizing them. Like he needs to. You exhale, try to shift, but pain lances through your side, sharp, hot, and you flinch, sucking in a breath through your teeth. Dick reacts immediately.

"Hey, hey—"

His hands are on you in a second, firm but careful, steadying you, stopping you from moving too much.

"Baby, don't—just... stay still, okay? You need to rest."

And just, God. The worry in his voice. The way it wavers, the way he looks at you like you might break all over again. It makes your chest ache.

You swallow. Blink up at him, slow, tired, voice small, "I'm a little thirsty."

And Dick, God. The relief on his face, like he's so grateful that the only thing you're asking for is water and not a damn doctor—it's almost heartbreaking.

"Yeah," he breathes, voice lighter, steadier, "I've got you, baby."

But he doesn't let go. Not really. One hand stays wrapped around yours, tight, secure, while the other reaches for the water pitcher on the table beside you. He pours you a glass, careful not to spill a single drop, and then he shifts.

Braces an arm behind you, supporting your back, keeping you steady as he helps you upright, soft, softer, like you're the most fragile thing he's ever held.

You wince in pain, a sharp jolt shooting through your side, and his heart clenches at the sound. The way you flinch, the way your body tenses, it breaks something inside of him. He'd give anything, everything, to take that pain away from you. But all he can do is hold you, steady you, whisper words that feel too small for the weight of the moment.

"Easy, pretty girl," he murmurs, voice soothing, so full of something warm. "I've got you."

He brings the glass to you, cool against your fingers, the coldness of it a small comfort. He's right there. Watching you. Close. So close, his presence a steadying force as he tilts the glass toward your lips. You take a sip, your throat aching slightly as you swallow, but his careful hands keep the glass steady, guiding it just the right way.

When you lower the glass, his eyes are still locked onto you, taking in every little movement, every little shift, still taking in everything, still not letting a single thing slip past him. And you... you can't help it. Your lips twitch.

"You know," you say, voice still hoarse, still exhausted, but teasing all the same, "you can blink, baby. I'm not gonna disappear."

And Dick... his breath hitches. Then, a small, wrecked, quiet laugh.

"Yeah," he breathes, pressing another kiss to your knuckles, voice so fond, so full of relief, "I know."

But you pout, just a little, because even though you're tired, even though you're sore, you just want to curl up against him, feel his warmth, let it chase away the ache in your bones.

"Wanna snuggle with you."

Your voice is small, laced with exhaustion, barely above a whisper, but he hears it. He always hears you. His face crumbles. Just a little. Just enough that you see the way his jaw clenches, the way his throat works around something thick, something painful.

"My love," he murmurs, shifting, brushing his knuckles along your cheek, so soft, so careful, like you're something fragile, something precious. "You need to rest. I don't wanna hurt you."

But then, softer, like a promise, "Soon, okay? As soon as you're a little stronger. I'll hold you all night."

And then, like he can't help himself, like he needs you to believe it, he leans in, pressing the gentlest kiss to your lips. Just a soft, lingering peck, warm and tender, filled with everything he can't say yet. Then another, and another, the barest brush of his lips over yours, like he's trying to soothe something deep inside you.

And when he pulls back, his forehead rests against yours, breath warm against your skin.

"I'm right here," he whispers. "Not going anywhere."

And just like that? You believe him. Because he never has. And he never will.

@ellesthots, your man comforting my man is everything to me ✋🏻

[anzekopistar]

[gotchibam]

Espeon, Dusk Lycanroc, and Sylveon ko-fi doodle for Kaitlyn!

I'm accepting pokemon ko-fi doodle requests here! ✨

[herewegobebe]

TAEMIN | 'Horizon' MV [x]

[adas-trashheap]

Just the two of us, you and I

[spidybaby]

"Gavi, look at me. This is not you."

"Gavi, stop. It's not worth it."

😞😞😞

[itsahotminuteinbetween]

some gitm sona doodles (because we wanted to practice drawing them and because we need to cope)

gitm is of course by @venomous-qwille (feel free to ignore this sorry!)

closeups under the cut:

[vsimp]

"glimpse of us"

pairing: zhongli x reader

genre: angst, no comfort

w/c: 850

summary: "glimpse of us" by joji, but you are not her

You have been through everything with him. Through the archon war, through the cataclysm, through the ongoing erosion, and through the “death” of Morax. You wanted to think that you were the closest person to him. You knew all of his likes and dislikes. You knew what all of his hobbies were. You knew how much he cared about his people, the people of Liyue. You understood him more than anyone.

“My dearest and oldest friend…” Zhongli’s deep voice rumbled through the plains of Liyue, like a gentle breeze that could soothe even the most unfortunate of souls. “My y/n… You have truly proved yourself to be my most loyal companion. I was once an archon, and now I am merely a man, yet you love me anyways, and it has taken me this long to realize that. Will you accompany this old soul for the rest of his modest life?”

When he had proposed to you, you felt like the happiest person in the world. The man who you had been in love with over the last thousands of years had finally realized your feelings, and you were ecstatic. But despite his whispers of love to you, despite all of the passionate feelings that he vocalized, there was always a lingering thought in the back of your mind. 

Indeed, you knew everything about Morax. Even his heartaches and troubles. Even his old love who he lost many, many millennials ago.

The death of Guizhong broke your heart as well. She was loved by many, that included the Geo Archon himself. You didn’t think your unrequited love would ever be returned, and yet, you still somehow felt guilty now that you’ve taken the place of your old friend, the one who used to stand by his side.

He had never once looked at you the way that he looked at her. He had never once smiled at you the way he did her. And even at night when he dreams, he dreams of her.

But you smiled on, hoping and wishing that Zhongli would be happy by your side. Minutes passed like hours, as you kissed his lips, and hours passed like seconds as you laughed by his side. But you knew that you were just her replacement. You knew that whenever he looked into your eyes, he was not looking at you, but instead at a glimpse of her. 

“I love you, Guizhong,” Zhongli had let out one day. Whatever you had in your hand had fallen to the ground at the time, leaving a loud thud amidst the silence. “No… No, I meant y/n. I love you, y/n.” Zhongli was flustered, which was unlike him, and also quick to correct his mistake, but it was too late. You had already found out about his true feelings.

He chased you outside as you ran straight into the rain, calling your name and asking you calmly to come back inside. You didn’t know how to feel. You didn’t know how to react. You just knew that you could no longer face him. The thunder roared loud in the sky as your heart ached.

Your fears were confirmed that night. You had never seen Zhongli look so desperate and scared before. It was like he knew what his true feelings were, but he just didn’t want to lose you. The damage, however, had already been done.

He held you in his arms tightly, catching you before you got too far, your back against his chest. 

“Y/n,” he pleaded, “please… come back inside. It’s raining and you’ll get sick.”

“It’s been thousands of years, Morax.” Zhongli’s grip tightened as he heard your firm voice, as if he was afraid he’d lose you like how he had lost everybody else in his life. “I’ve always been yours… but when will you ever be mine?”

“I apologize. I truly am sorry. It was a slip of the tongue.” But he couldn’t deny the truth. You had hoped he would say that you were the only one in his heart right now. That you are the only one he thought about. He remained uncharacteristically silent but still clinging onto you.

It was time you put yourself first for once. Everything you had done had been for him, the man you love. But his silence spoke louder than his actions in this case, and it cracked open your heart even further. 

“I think… we need a break. I’m sorry.”

There was a long pause before Zhongli let you go.

“Very well,” he said hesitantly and cautiously. “I cannot force you to stay. But remember this, I truly love you. And when you would like to speak again, I will be here waiting for you.”

“Unfortunately, I’m tired of doing the chasing,” you said simply. 

“The chasing…? Oh, my dear…” You couldn’t look at his expression, but you could tell he finally understood your feelings. Still, he hesitated to say what he truly wanted to say, a long pause between his words. “It appears I cannot convince you to stay…”

“Yes. Goodbye.”

Zhongli watched as you walked away. The light of his life had faded, and now, he truly was all alone.

[cnth-rb]

He's probably listening to Kenjaku (against his will)

[slutforpringles]

http://xhslink.com/a/hrF2gaFbixIW

A translator of redbull/vcarb posted their tributes to Daniel on Chinese social media xiaohongshu and their words are just so touching and had me cry again 😭 he imprints on so many people and he will always be Danny ric to them

🥹😭🥹 Thank you so much for sharing!!!

[abunnsburrow]

Jay from Ninjago has an eyebrow notch. He doesn't not have an eyebrow notch and has always had an eyebrow notch. Nothing against normal eyebrows, but he has had an eyebrow notch for 6+ years. We all grew up with Jay with an eyebrow notch and why would we let them change his character for absolutely zero reason? The new writer should just create a new character without an eyebrow notch, not rewrite one of the best Lego characters in history. Sign this petition if you agree Jay should keep his eyebrow notch. Once we reach a good amount of people who have signed, I will stop using this copypasta I'm sorry I just couldn't resist doing it again

[localravenclaw]

MC: *staring longingly at Sebastian from across the Great Hall

MC: I can fix him.

Poppy: Girl, you are worse than him!

[queenie-ofthe-void]

Steddie soulmate drabble (shared pain) || 3.9k words || rating: E || tags: homophobic slurs, period-typical homophobia, physical and emotional distress, panic attacks, Canon-divergent soulmate AU, Eddie Munson Whump, Steve Harrington Whump, one brief sex scene (so so brief) between Steve and the girl he brought to the basketball game in S4

Eddie experienced his first soul pain at twelve years old. Younger than most, but not worryingly so. The concern was the intensity of the pain. His momma held him tight, shushed him as he cried about how he feels all alone, doing her best to reassure him that loneliness wasn’t his and that she would never hit him. She held the frozen bag of peas to the blossom of red on his soft, round cheek and rocked him until he fell asleep in her arms.

The pains continued, giving him headaches on and off for years. He always wondered what his Half was going through for Eddie to have this much soul pain before puberty, but he grew used to it, stashing tiny vials of aspirin in his backpack or jacket pocket. The intensity was never as bad as the first time, eventually decreasing to a dull ache when they cropped up. His momma told him stories about people who could temper their pain to spare their other half, a difficult feat for even adult souls who’d spent years bound together. It was more likely the pain for his other half was dulling over time. He hoped it was true, but couldn’t push away the uneasiness he felt lying in bed each night and knowing the feeling wasn’t his.

Eddie was fourteen the first time he felt his own pain connect to his Half. Daddy called him a fag and locked him in his room for the weekend with nothing but the snacks and water bottle in his backpack. Unlike a sharp slap or the break of a bone, the pain of hunger was slow to build. Eddie still felt the tell-tale pop in the back of his mind as his stomach cramped. Unexpectedly, he also felt something almost akin to surprise riding the coattails of the pain. When the surprise faded into a distant comfort, he couldn’t object. Eddie knew this wasn’t normal, and decided from then on out to keep his soul pains a secret.

After his momma died, and his daddy grew drunk and violent, Eddie couldn’t stop his pain from connecting like he knew his Half could. Even after he’d moved in with Wayne, everything from the smallest shove to hushed slurs passed through the invisible bond, and even though pain connections can’t be controlled, most people only sent their most intense pains. It felt like he sent everything. Any little thing that set him off, the signature crack followed by soft comfort settled in his mind. 

The only consolation was that he felt less and less of his Half’s pain. Eddie wished that’d meant his Half was happy, with no pain to speak of. Between the dullness of the sensations when he happened to notice, and the immediate comforting response he received at his own suffering, he doubted that was it.

At sixteen Eddie had started looking into what it meant to experience some sort of response after connections, but couldn’t find anything in the low budget collection of soulmate information at Hawkins’ Public Library. Most likely on the banned book list, he figures, since that’s something kids are supposed to learn at home. 

Eddie couldn’t help wondering if the stories about Empaths were real. Rare, with absolutely nothing to do with pairings, it’s rumored Empaths experience the emotions of anyone physically close to them, but more importantly, are able to control the intensity of their own emotions and pain as how it’s experienced through their bond. Eddie’s couldn’t find anything about actually sending feelings through the bond as some kind of response. But like with his Daddy, he knows what happens after asking too many questions, so he keeps it to himself.

Eddie’s almost eighteen when there’s an intense, piercing crack behind his eyes. He’d been on his way back from the picnic table out behind school when the sudden pain had him curled up on the forest floor completely out of breath. It took him a few moments to get his bearings back, but he managed to walk to the van and get home. 

Wayne made him soup that night, let him put whatever he wanted on TV as long as he held the bag of peas over his bruised eye. At least it was light in color, barely noticeable, and would most likely fade by morning. However it was only a few hours later when shot off like a bullet from the couch, falling to the carpet on his hands and knees. He could hear Wayne saying something to him, could feel the gentle circling of his uncle’s hand on his back. None of it mattered. 

Eddie was filled with adrenaline. He’d never had a panic attack before, but his heart pounded as his breaths came in short spurts, the pungent fear squeezing his stomach. His hands vibrated and he clutched the carpet in a white knuckle grip to stave the phantom sensation. After what felt like hours, entirely wrung-out, Wayne let him have two shots of whiskey before climbing into bed.

It was quiet for another year. Unless, of course, he counted his own soul pains that crossed over, which he tried not to. Eddie’s emotions felt more in control of him than the other way around. Pressed into lockers, a scuffle at the picnic table with Hagan, being roughly kissed and then immediately knocked to the ground by Hargrove. It all connected. He tried to temper it, to be strong like his Half, but he always failed. Eddie was a coward, too scared to handle his pain alone. Like clockwork, the warm reassurance of love was quick to follow.

It was November 1984 the first time Eddie thought he was going to die. The panic set in, but unlike a year ago, it didn’t go away. He paced the living room, violently wiping tears from his face because even though the pain wasn’t his, the distress was so palpable he broke into cold sweats. Eddie did everything he could to think of to stave off the adrenaline– jumping jacks, whipping his hands around like a mad-man, screaming his voice hoarse.

Uncle Wayne suggested exercise, reminding him most athletes’ Half’s were people with an abnormal intensity of emotions and chronic pain, since it helps them process the constant stream of excess energy. So for the first time in Eddie Munson’s life, he went for a run. 

They started out at a jog, but it wasn’t enough. It felt worse than curling into himself on the ground like a pillbug. The only relief he felt was at a dead sprint, able to focus on the burn of his underutilized muscles. They ran until the adrenaline trickled from his system, and as always, was followed with love and comfort.

Halfway through their third lap around the park, an intense dread hit Eddie so abruptly he fell to his knees and vomited. They’d just made it back inside when Eddie’s vision went white. He came to only a few moments later, as Wayne hauled him across the kitchen and dropped him onto his bed. He held his mouth closed tighter than a vise, keeping every sob and groan deep inside himself to stop it from exploding out of him. Worried he wouldn’t be able to stop sobbing once he started. Wayne watched in horror as purple bloomed across Eddie’s face in real time, like a dye spreading under the skin. He placed a cold, wet cloth over his nephew’s eyes. 

Early into the morning, once the crying stopped, the migraine leveled out, he followed his uncle out onto the front porch to share a joint. The swelling in both eyes went away after two days, and he went back to school as usual. 

He noticed Harrington looked pretty fucked up, definitely worse than Hargrove. A panicked, fleeting part of Eddie’s brain worried Hargrove could be his Half, but he knew better. There’s always at least some amount of chemistry and attraction between soulmates, and all he needed was the one, ill-fated kiss to remind him his Half was still out there. Kudos to The King’s Half, however. If The Hair himself wasn’t at the hospital, then his Half surely would be. With a face like that, he can only imagine the pain Harrington’s soulmate had to manage during that fight.

It’s the fourth of July, and it’d been almost eight months since the last time he experienced this level of pain. Not his own, of course. No it never seemed to be his own when he’s left gasping for air, nails clenched into Wayne’s hand in the back of an ambulance they can’t afford.

He felt the bruises explode across his face, on his sides, behind his eyes. A sharp stab of pain in his neck lit up every nerve in his body. The howl ripped from him was grotesque, animalistic. His back arched up from the bed, thrashing his limbs into the metal bars of the stretcher until the medics did their best to restrain him. A pinch on the back of his hand. The world started to slow until he was wrapped in heavy darkness. 

Four days later there were still yellow, mottled stains on the sides of his ribcage and dark bags under his eyes. A routine of Tylenol during the day and painkillers from his own stash at night helped. Every night, Eddie layed in bed and silently cried. Their pain mixed now and the thought haunted him as much as it comforted. He only wished he could help his Half the same way they always soothed him. 

The guilt of his failure to help ate away at him, so it connects. Of course Eddie couldn’t control his emotions enough to spare the person who’s actually hurting, injured with no pain meds to help them, if Eddie had to guess. To top it all off, the cherry on the shit cake was that there's still the warm comfort at the back of his mind. His Half was living in excruciating pain, yet used what little energy they had left to help him with his. 

Eventually, Eddie had asked Wayne about different types of connections between Halfs. Not surprisingly he knew a bit more about it than the library, and didn’t hit him for it like his Daddy. 

“Each Half is meant to balance out the whole. Most people live somewhere near the middle, mild pain and mild emotional distress.” Eddie nodded, rapt with attention as Wayne continued. “But there’s always gonna be people at the fringes, the extremes. Like how I told ya about athletes usually being paired to trauma survivors. Why d’ya think you’re always so damn depressed after your incidents?” When Eddie had mentioned the soothing presence, Wayne had replied, “yep, sounds like an Empath,” like it was nothing to be ashamed of.

“Wait,” Eddie interrupted, “so the only reason I’m so emotional is because my half is an Empath? Or is it because they get hurt all the time. And if I'm so emotional, does that mean they're athletic?” Questions flooded his mind before Wayne cut him off.

“Could be because you were so young for your first connection. Could be because the severity of their pain made you feel it more. Or, maybe you were born that way, made that way for each other– destiny and all that.”

The pain lessened. The comfort remained. And Eddie felt the whisper of love each morning he woke up and every night before he fell asleep.

~~~ ~~~

Hands underneath Brenda’s shirt, her tongue moving across his bottom lip, anticipation glistens across Steve’s open chest as he grinds down into her. She moans into the kiss and runs her finger tips over his shoulders, grazing her nails down his back. Goosebumps erupt over his skin. He’s panting into her open mouth when his thrusts turn erratic, desperate and rushed. Her legs wrap around him, she crosses her ankles to pull him in closer and a moan crawls from the depths of his chest. His abs clench, hurtling towards his climax when he’s interrupted by the signature pop of a soul pain behind his eyes.

A cold sweat travels down his spine, adrenaline punching him in the gut. Horror claws Steve’s throat, he can’t seem to catch his breath as he hurriedly pulls out of her and falls to the floor. She’s saying something he can’t make out through the screaming urge to leave, run, hide. With enough faculties to grab his clothes on the way out, he dashes into the night where the chilled March air cools his sweat soaked skin. Distress clouds his mind on the drive home, so he pushes comfort, pleading with them to relax, breathe. The pain fades, but only slightly. 

The next day, Steve parks outside of a boat house. He doesn’t know Eddie Munson well, outside of the table top tirades and the glowing accolades from Dustin, Lucas, and Mike. They’ve never been friendly, even sometimes slightly antagonistic when Munson’s not satisfied with ranting about the government and decides he needs an actual face to point the finger at. No one better than The King, apparently. 

Steve played the role of snotty royalty to appease his shitty friends, but Eddie’s rants were contagious and always left Steve buzzing and manic. Of course Steve had thought about it before. Let himself wonder if his Half was some nice, pretty suburban girl, or if his Half was actually a crazed super senior he had absolutely nothing in common with. It was easier to consider the residual energy just a side effect of being an Empath, and not because he could actually feel Eddie’s emotions in his own subconscious. 

Robin told him about a Zine where she’d read it was possible for Empaths to absorb emotions from people in the same physical space as him, but they would have to be very close by and the emotions much stronger than normal. Which, in Steve’s mind, explained Munson to a tee. The guy always made sure to wander across the jock’s table, where his emotions were highest, typically with annoyance and disdain. Did Eddie’s eyes linger a bit longer on Steve than Tommy or the other athletes? Maybe. Maybe not. Steve did his best not to think about it too much.

Right now, with the tip of a broken bottle grazing his neck, he’s failing miserably at not thinking about it. Panic seeps out of every pore in his body. Adrenaline chokes him like it had the night before, but this time it’s from both himself and his Half. It’s too much. Steve can’t focus, can’t hear anything Dustin’s saying. There’s a sharp poke, then a trail of wet on his neck, and Eddie gasps. His grip loosened just enough for Steve to tilt his head away, readjusting his hold on Eddie’s sleeve, where his fingers accidentally brush against cold, pale skin. 

The panic gives way to euphoria. Steve breaks out into a fit of giggles, and morphs into hysterical laughter. He sounds completely unhinged, now doubled-over and furiously wiping his misted eyes with his free hand. Because his other hand has clamped itself around Eddie’s small wrist. The fizzing sensation like tiny bubbles flows from where they’re joined. The tingles climb his arm, root into his chest, and sprout in the back of his mind. 

Steve’s overcome with the hiccups. Robin’s rubbing small circles into his back and he works towards matching his breaths to her counts. It’s enough to pull his focus back to reality. 

He is Steve Harrington. He’s in Reefer Rick’s boat house with Robin, Dustin, and Max. The Upside-Down is probably back. Something wet drips down his neck. The dock is rough beneath his knees, even through the denim. His back aches where it hit the wall. And Eddie Munson is his Half.

Eddie is crying. Steve registers the shock, the guilt, the despair at the back of his mind. Eddie’s guilt– iit’s always guilt. It dulls his own joy, but just a little. 

Tentatively, Steve pushes comfort. To his delight, Eddie gasps again. His big, dark eyes lock onto his, and Steve can’t help but smile. He knows now isn’t the time to talk, that there’s so much more happening to Eddie than just finding his soulmate in a rundown boathouse on the edge of town. But they’ve come so far, been through so much that Steve decides they can spare a moment, just for them. 

He cups the back of his hand behind Eddie’s neck before releasing his wrist, unwilling to lose contact, and guides his Half into his lap. The guilt spikes. Steve knows Eddie doesn’t want to be here, with him, on some level. But Eddie crawls between his legs, pushes his face into Steve’s neck and inhales. The crush of Steve’s grip calms him, and panic eventually subsides. It’s quiet. Steve looks to find Robin corralling the kids towards the door. She throws him a thumbs up as she closes it behind her.

He pushes to her too, and he feels her relax in return.

Eddie mumbles something, but it’s muffled into his neck. Steve leans back as he scruffs his Half’s hair, pulling him away just far enough to make eye contact. The poor boy still hasn’t stopped crying. Steve’s still pushing, pushing love into him.

“I’m sorry. Steve, I’m so sorry,” Eddie sobs. Steve watches as Eddie rubs his dripping nose on the sleeve of his leather jacket, the snot smearing with the drag instead of absorbing into it. Steve uses his own free arm to wipe Eddie’s nose for him which earns him a pinched expression and a small, awkward chuckle. “That was disgusting.”

Steve smiles. “I’ve seen worse.”

Eddie’s eyes dart away, and guilt spikes again. Steve gently swipes his thumb under his eyes to catch the stray tears. “Talk to me. Tell me what’s going on in there.” He taps on the back of Eddie’s head.

“You– you’ve been through so much. Like, so much awful shit, Steve, and I don’t even know. I just–” Eddie pauses, scrubs his hands over his face until Steve pulls one away, slowly guides it toward the side of his own neck–skin to skin– places the tip of Eddie’s thumb in the cradle of his jaw. Momentarily entranced, Steve squeezes the back of Eddie’s neck again to regain his focus.

“You just, what, Eddie? You’re going to be ok, just tell me.” He pushes. Eddie shudders, the effect intensified with proximity.

“See! That, exactly that. You always comfort me when I need it. When my dad kicked me out, anytime Wayne and I argued, every time I got shoved into someone’s locker. You were always there, just wrapping me up in love. Which is such fucking shit.” Eddie’s cold huff of laughter is wet and self-deprecating and Steve hates it. Doesn’t have to feel it in the back of his skull to know Eddie’s full of misery. “All I could ever give you back was shit. Just anger, frustration, depression and fucking teenage angst. I tried so hard to hold it back, like I knew you could. I tried so fucking hard, Steve, to send you anything good, like you always did for me. And all you got was my bullshit.”

Steve’s own eyes water as Eddie dissolves back into a fit of sobs. He tucks his Half’s head back into his neck as he rocks them back and forth. Struggling with his own thoughts, Steve chooses each word slowly and carefully. “Eddie, I felt everything. Your happy moments might not have been as strong as your bad, but they were still there. Like how I know Hellfire plays Friday nights, and I always thought I felt great on Friday nights because I finally got a break from the kids. Or how my best games were always after you’d do your little cafeteria table speeches, because it filled me with so much energy I would practically vibrate. Every single day, I’d feel little pops of bubbles that could only be you. You were always the best part of my bad days, Eddie.”

He feels raw, laid bare and exhausted as Eddie looks up to stare at him, lips parted in disbelief. “You knew? You knew it was me the whole time?” His voice croaks, and Steve makes a mental note to get him some water when they leave. 

Smiling, he grazes Eddie’s sweat and snot and tear-soaked bangs off his forehead. “I had a hunch. I just–”

“Just what?” The swell of heat behind Steve’s eyes pinpoints Eddie’s anger, rejection, and more guilt. Always guilt. “You were just hoping you could go as long as possible without mentioning it. Hoping maybe you were wrong, and your soulmate wasn’t the satan-worshiping, drug dealing Freak of Hawkins?”

With one hand still woven into the hair at the nape of Eddie’s neck, Steve uses his other hand to cover Eddie’s mouth, and he’s thrilled to discover his hands almost completely wrap around his head. He pushes hard again. Eddie squints, glaring at him over the ridge of Steve’s pinky finger, but Steve still feels him relax, so he counts it as a win. 

“I didn’t want to drag you into my bullshit.” The pinprick sensation of curiosity heightens and he answers before Eddie can even ask. “You know exactly what bullshit. That’s why I’m the one who should be sorry. Fuck I can’t– I can’t imagine how all of that must’ve been for you. How painful it was, especially when you didn’t know what was happening, or why. You were forced to bear through all of my shit and just hope it would end.”

Eddie gently pried Steve’s hand from his mouth and eyed him warily before using Steve’s own sleeve to wipe at the boy’s tears. “Steve, what happened to you?”

Steve sniffles before he places a feather-light kiss to Eddie’s brow, reveling in a champagne pops of love and awe. “I’m sorry, baby, but probably the same thing that’s happening to you right now.”

A heavy silence settles between them. Steve feels a separate, more distant curl of anxiety in the back of his mind and knows they’re running out of time. Robin can only keep the kids distracted for so long. Steve pushes more comfort at her, receiving her expected impatience in return.

“Come on,” Steve says, rising to his feet and he reaches down to help Eddie up as well. “You can tell us what happened, and we’ll fill you in on the rest.” He takes Eddie’s hand as they walk towards the boathouse door. No use in forcing him to sleep here when Steve’s house is always empty. 

“What about us?” Eddie’s voice is timid, but still hopeful.

(Continue for one-sentence hurt/no comfort)

Steve smiles, squeezing his Half’s hand before softly kissing his knuckles, cool metal rings grazing his chin. “After this is over, we’ll have all the time in the world.”

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~~~

The pain is Eddie’s, sharp and piercing in places that bleed the most. It’s agony and it’s death, but he only feels a surge of love as he falls to darkness.