#i don't know about medicine but i do know about sewing and i like that there is overlap

[lightna312]

If at all possible, usually we just tough it out. Even with insurance, healthcare can be expensive. We pop some painkillers, anti-acids, or cold medicine and go about or day. Sometimes we don't even stay home from school or work because we can't afford to do that. If something is serious like breaking a bone or getting a bad cut, yeah people will usually go to the hospital.

That said, I know plenty who avoid going even then. People use sewing skills to give themselves stitches. I broke a finger (on my dominant hand mind you, as an artist and musician) in high school. My mom refused to take me to the doctor because it wasn't worth the cost. I also grew up without insurance, so the debt really just wasn't worth it. Hospitals charge thousands of dollars for really minor things, and the average person can't afford that. Even the act of getting picked up by an ambulance can be ridiculously expensive.

A lot of people either die or get chronic illnesses because they feel like they can't go to the hospital. It took two months of having seizures for me to finally seek medical care because I hoped they would just go away. Speaking for myself, the concept of something being so bad that I'd need to go to the hospital is scary because of how much it all costs.

So yeah, long story short, usually what we do is take some sort of over the counter medicine and pray it doesn't get worse. At least in my experience both personally and with the people I know. I'm sure there are plenty of other reasons.

For the purposes of this poll, do NOT count the following:

Your own birth (unless there were complications/urgent concerns)

Routine check-ups or scheduled-in-advance appointments that just happened to be at a hospital

Visiting or accompanying someone else to the hospital

Use your discretion as to whether to count visits to urgent care.

–

We ask your questions anonymously so you don’t have to! Submissions are open on the 1st and 15th of the month.

[bonyfish]

When I was in the operating theater for my top surgery and my surgeon was doing his little last minute adjustments to the arcane sigils that had been drawn on my chest, I made a comment about how it was like he was putting darts in, and he was like, "yeah, I'll go ahead and add some ruching while I'm at it" and I was so delighted and I still think of that little joke when I'm applying my various healing balms

[citrus-writing]

yandere phantom troupe- depressed darling

Thinking about how most yanderes would be terrible at dealing with a darling with mental illness? Because even if darling already struggled with their mental health, being kidnapped and held hostage can't help. And no matter how badly their yandere wants to help, they can't ever let their darling go, even if it would help them more than anything. The best they can do is try to make life with them as good as possible.

This is written with depression in mind, but kinda blankets over any struggling mindset. (this doesn't mention any kind of self harm or suicidal ideation, i might make a part two touching on that, but this one is safe from that content.) 

---------

Chrollo, paku, and shal- all enable mental illness by accident. You're precious and helpless and so so weak, so it makes sense when you can't do things for yourself. Don't even worry about trying to get better, just be yourself- you're perfect, they don't want you to change at all (not even for the better). But all three of them would at least try to offer comforts, because they hate to watch your struggle and hurt. 

---

Pakunoda knows what kind of self care and healthy habits suit her, and she tries to push those on you. She'll run you a hot bath, light scented candles, paint your nails, get you a journal to write in. But if those things don't help you she doesn't really listen to what you want or need. She simply insists that she knows best and you're being difficult- she wants you to trust her judgement on this, even if you know she's wrong.

Chrollo notices immediately the shift in your mood and demeanor. He insists you talk to him about whatever's on your mind, even if all you really want is to keep your mind off it. He presents it as a way to help you, so you can get all those thoughts out of your head. Sometimes it works. Sometimes you're grateful that he listens so intently with no judgment. But sometimes you don't really want to share what's on you mind- but you don't really have a choice, and he always knows if you're keeping something from him. Anything you ask for is yours instantly, anything he can do to try to help you. But when you ask to go home, he looks at you like you’re not making sense. He reminds you, gently, that you ARE home. 

Shalnark is the worst of the three, he doesn't really offer much in the way of support, even though he thinks he does. He keeps you near him all the while, holding you close and trying to keep you from crying, constantly trying to distract you. But as soon as the distraction fades away you feel just as bad as before. It's a Viscious cycle, one that has you constantly needing to rely on him for comfort because there's no real progress being made. But that's OK, because he loves getting to dote on you. He really does think it’s going to help, keeping your mind off of it, but the truth that always comes back is your separated from everything in your life, everything you love, and he refuses to acknowledge that. 

--------

Machi, phinks and uvogin- both do their best to genuinely help, but neither of them are good at it. Both of them try to offer support however they can, because they both hate seeing their darling so miserable, but neither of them have a very good sense of how to help. At the very least, they are trying, and that counts for something. 

---

Machi knows a lot about medicine, between her nen and her extensive knowledge she can fix up almost any wound or injury. But with things like mental illness it's harder. She can't understand why you're so unhappy, and she can't figure out how to fix it. She even lets you outside (only in the backyard, and only with her) but it doesn't seem to help. She does a hundred thousand little things to try to help, from cooking your favorite food to buy you your favorite books to sewing or buying you new clothes. It's frustrating to not be able to help you and she hates being helpless in this. 

Phinks doesn't understand, and that makes him so much more volatile than he needs to be. He wants to be able to help you, and on some level, believes he should just know how to help you. It’s frustrating- almost infuriating- that he can't help you. And no matter what he does, how considerate he tries to be, it never helps. At the very least, he can't get mad at you when he sees how sad you are all curled up and crying. But being spared his fits of rage is one of the only upsides when he is so clueless on how to help. With phinks, I really do think you’re best off just asking for anything you need. He is willing to indulge you a little bit to make you feel better. 

Uvogin also does his best to help, but he’s equally bad at it. He doesn't have machi’s understanding of medicine, and is all around much less patient. But he is more patient and understanding than phinks. if it’s for you, he’ll do his best. Uvogin does his best to do little things he knows normally make you happy- from little jokes, to your favorite shows and music, to your favorite meals. And to be fair, life with him isn't nearly as bad as life with some of the other yanderes in the troupe, so he’s already better off than a lot of them. 

-----

Feitan, shizuku, illumi- Completely ignore it. Of course they notice you seem down- not like yourself, sad, depressed even. But what can they do? Isn't it enough they make sure to meet all of your physical needs, isn't it enough that you get to live with them, their darling pet? It had better be enough, because you’re very unlikely to get any kind of comfort. 

---

Feitan doesn't notice until it gets concerningly bad. Sure, he knew you were unhappy, miserable even. He didn't blame you for that, afterall, even he would admit he’s been cold to you. And since you've come here, you’ve been subjected to so many horrors it’s almost a given that your mind would be caving under the pressure. But Is he really so unbearable? He doesn't think so. For a while, he tries forcing you to go about your day with him like normal. But by now, he’s gotten used to seeing you smiling, acting almost lively, at least pretending to be happy. It grates on him that he can't see you smile now. He keeps you in your room, checking on you incessantly, but content to let you rest until you’re feeling better, or at least able to fake it. 

Shizuku is the most likely not to notice at all. She doesn't keep quite as close a watch over you as a lot of the other troupe yanderes do, and for the most part, you're grateful for that. But in this care, it’s not such a good thing, because if she noticed you were sad, of course she'd try to help. But sadness can be subtle, and unless you're outspoken about it, she might miss it. She loves you more than anything, but your moods and feelings are something she struggles to keep track of. It’s hard for her to know how you feel, and she doesn't know what you need without knowing how you feel. If you do manage to open up to her about how down you feel, she’s more willing to try to help you. 

Illumi has gone through quite a bit of trouble to make everything in your home suited to your tastes. Your clothes- while all picked out by him- are all in colors and patterns you like. Your meals- while all cooked by him- are all your favorites. Your bedroom- once again, set up by him- is almost perfectly to your taste as if it’d come straight out of your pinterest board. So what more could you possibly need? What needs of yours aren't being met? If you tell him, there’s a chance he’d listen, especially if the thing you need is simple. But don't even bother asking to be let go, or you will be punished, no matter how much you cry. 

[alllgator-blood]

I have ten billion WIP sketches I need to finish, but for some reason I stayed up from 9 PM to 4 AM conceptualizing, making patterns, sewing, painting and applying makeup on this stupid fucking felt squid......the detailing needs to be cleaned up cause there's only one coat of paint so far, but he's pretty much done

my neighbors probably think I'm insane because I was running around the yard clenching this toy kallamar in a death grip and flying him around like an airplane/putting him in the barbecue/poking him with a stick. I want to tie him to a string and recreate the opening of napoleon dynamite >:) ALSO I MADE HIM SMOKE OUT OF A STUPID CRYSTAL PIPE BUT PLEASE DON'T ACTUALLY USE THOSE, THEY ARE SUPER TOXIC LMAO MINE IS FOR DECORATION

I don't have any process pics because I had tunnel vision autism style and forgot the rest of the universe existed while I was working on him. BUT if you're curious I'll ramble below the cut

Okay I am not a seamstress by any means. I've sewn my entire life but very, very infrequently. I've done plushies, clothes, cosplays, fursuits, accessories, etc. but I only do one like once a year, so while I planned to make all 5 bishops, I'm not really sure I'll get them all done. The material cost was like 20 bucks tops so I'm not too upset if I don't finish them. I AT LEAST WANT TO GET SHAMURA OR HEKET DONE.

here is the concept sketch ft. heket's toes and shamura's fingers. I decided to do his pre-schism version so I could fit him with jewelry! I did him first because like I said I sew infrequently and don't know wtf I'm doing, everyone else seemed a lot more complicated.

So I basically just traced this drawing on a printer paper-sized canvas in SAI, and guesstimated how everything would look in a 3D space. His head is four pieces, one triangle identical to the one in the picture, two wide triangles that are sewn together in the back, and a circle for his chin. You can't really see it in any of the pics but he's literally like a black cylindrical stick with little tentacles sewn on where his mantle connects to his cloak. The leg tentacles are one piece of felt that look like tassels, where they're connected by a rectangle but branch off into individual pieces. He can't stand up very well, so his cape keeps him up (that's gonna be an issue for every other bishop too except heket cause she's gonna be ROUND). Mostly everything like the crown, cloak, head, etc. are cones so I just had to make a lot of wide triangles.

For the details, I just used acrylic paint that was watered down so he's not especially crunchy, and for the blush tone I used a makeup palette my mom bought me 10 years ago in hopes I'd get in touch with my "feminine side", but I grew up into a nonbinary butch lesbian so OOPS. Kallamar looks better with makeup than me anyway. I'm kinda sad I couldn't get his freckles as lopsided as I draw them but it probably looks better in plush form to have them even anyway....

I could just post the pattern so I don't have to explain this but 1. I am mentally ill about the thought of my kallamar being in someone else's house and 2. the original pattern had to be tweaked while I was working on him so the final pattern straight up doesn't exist, I winged it the whole time

OH and the jewelry is just scrap pieces I had laying around, I might repaint it all to be gold instead of silver + bronze. I used 20g aluminum wire for his armlet thing, jumper rings for his earrings + ring (+ a diamond dot from my mom's kits for the gem) and chain for the bracelet. I made him an amulet as well but it felt like overkill so I took it off. I'm probably gonna make him a plague doctor mask and medicine bag sometime because I think about nurse kallamar more than I probably should :') I've already sewn one as a prop for a toy raven before so it shouldn't be too hard

[that-basic-simp]

Blood & Bruises PT. I

Mizu X Fem!Reader CW: Blood WC: 1.2k+ Uses he/him and she/her pronouns for Mizu. Changes depending on who is being spoken to.

"Again, Mizu?" I asked as she stumbled into the house with blood dripping down her upper body. Puffs of her breath could be seen as well as the sound of her heavy breathing.

Slowly nodding her head, she walked towards me, immediately collapsing. Rushing up, I caught her before she could fall. Sighing, I carefully laid her down and that was when the door opened up.

"Go away. I need to treat someone," I stood up, turning around. "Oh, Ringo. My apologies."

"And Taigen," Taigen poked his head out from the left side of Ringo.

"Quickly, get in here. Actually, Taigen, leave."

"Why do I need to leave?"

"I need Ringo's help."

"He doesn't have hands."

"Not in that way. He knows how to make medicine for Mizu. You know, medicine Mizu will actually take," I shot a glare towards her.

I knew Ringo knew about Mizu, but Taigen still doesn't know. I don't want him finding out without Mizu telling him. She should be the one to inform him of her true identity. But would it even matter to him at that point? All he sees her as is a monster. That's all he'll ever see her as.

"Fine," Taigen said and walked away from the front door.

Ringo stepped inside and closed the door.

"Get to making the medicine," I said and walked to where Mizu was laying.

"I-I'm sorry, Y/N," she breathed out.

"Save your breath," I sighed. "I'm just glad you come back to me in one piece."

Removing her top, I found the stab wounds were by the top of her shoulder, the left and right side of her abdomen, and one in the center. Typical Mizu. Always stepping in front of harm's way.

"You do know you're supposed to block with your sword. Not your body."

"Sorry I can't help it," Mizu said in a serious tone.

"Lighten up, Mizu. I was joking. I know you can't help it."

"Then why say it?"

"To get you to smile. You're pretty when you smile. Or handsome. Whichever you prefer."

"Either is fine, but handsome in front of Taigen."

"Understood. But I am speaking the truth. You are pretty when you smile. And when you let your hair down. Does it need to be trimmed?"

"No. The length is fine. And I only let it down when I bathe."

"I know. Which you need to do since there is a lot of blood. You can bathe in my bathroom and I'll sew your clothes back together. Sound good?"

"Yeah. Thank you, Y/N."

"Anything for you, Mizu. Ringo, is that medicine ready?"

"Getting there."

"Of course," I breathed out, continuing to stitch Mizu's wounds. "How are you not dead?"

"I don't think I can die, even if I tried to."

"Mizu, the last thing I need you to do is die on me. You still have a mission you need to do."

"And I will get it done. No matter what it takes."

Once I had finished stitching up the wounds, Ringo came over and handed Mizu a hot bowl filled with broth and vegetables. After she finished it, she headed towards my room to get undressed and to bathe. She even set her clothes outside so I could have easier access to them. Heading outside, I began to rinse the blood from her clothing. Every time she visits or comes by, she's always bleeding. I guess I solidified a place for her as a trustworthy person. Because I never judged her when I first found her almost bleeding out in the snow. Even after everything she told me, I still cared for her like how my parents cared for me.

"You don't have to do that for him, you know," Taigen came over to me.

"Do what?"

"Take care of him. He can take care of himself."

"I know Mizu can, but who will take care of Mizu when he himself can't?"

"What?"

"He can't stitch up every wound he gets. He can't even make medicine without Ringo. Someone needs to watch after him at times. But in battle, that's a different story."

"Have you seen him fight?"

"I have," I said.

"He's a monster," Taigen whispered.

Reaching down, I grabbed a soaking wet towel and smacked him with it.

"Hey! What was that for?!"

"Mizu is not a monster."

"Clearly you haven't met him."

"I have. I know of his eyes. I know of his heritage."

"And you don't think he's a monster?"

"No. He's just another person."

"That is a monster."

"You need to stop thinking about how you were raised and think of Mizu. You were one of his childhood bullies, weren't you?"

"I was."

"And yet you're working with him."

"I am making sure he doesn't die by another person's hands. Him and I are set to duel one another."

"Ah yes, because the mighty Taigen never loses. Not ever. And yet wasn't your top knot cut off by him?"

"Yes."

"And you have yet to do the same to him. Shows how strong he is compared to you."

"He could never beat me."'

I turned and faced Taigen with a 'are you serious' look, "Wasn't he also the one who showed that you could be taken down by a chopstick? While he was still recovering too?"

"Who told you that?"

"Same person who told me about you and the fight at the Shindo-dojo," I said.

"Mizu," he snarled.

"Don't think I don't know everything about you, Taigen. Mizu tells me everything."

"Why?"

"Simple: he trusts me."

"Or he's looking at sleeping with you."

"Mizu is not that kind of person."

"You don't know him."

"You're right, I don't. And neither do you."

Taigen scoffed and walked off. I kind of hated talking to him whenever he talked down about Mizu. Picking my head up, the window to my room was open and Mizu was leaning against it, a smile on her face. I waved up to her and she waved back to me. After cleaning her clothes, I walked inside and hung them up before getting her a kimono to wear. Knocking on the door before sliding it open, Mizu has dried off and was wearing her chest binding and undergarments.

"Your clothes are drying. Here," I handed her a kimono.

"Thank you," she said.

"Y-Your arms," I noticed her forearms. They were covered in bruises. Scanning down, I found she also had bruises on her calves and shins.

"Training weights," Mizu said.

"Where else do you have bruises?"

Mizu stood up and put the kimono on. There were bruises on her thighs and abdomen as well. How did I miss those?

"Like my wounds, I get a lot of bruises, too."

There were scars along her upper body, close to or exactly at the same place she repeatedly got wounded at. Now that I could see them, there was faint bruising on her lower abdomen, where her stomach was. I let out a sad sigh, shaking my head.

"I'm worried about you, Mizu."

"You don't need to worry about me, Y/N," she wrapped the kimono around her body, tying it together with the belt.

"But I do. I worry every time you leave this place and when you come back bloodier than before."

"It's what happens when you're on the path for revenge."

"When you heal, and you're not leaving until those stitches come out," I pointed a finger at her. "Please promise you will be careful out there."

"I-I'll try to, Y/N."

That's all that mattered. Is that she would try to. Stepping towards her, I pulled her in for a rare hug only we share. I had feelings for Mizu, there was no denying it. But I don't think she had feelings towards me that I knew of. Her arms wrapped around me and she held me close.

[creekfiend]

As a history and folklore enthusiast I gotta admit the amount of "ye olde European folk traditions" was actually made up by 19th century eugenicists is very disappointing and makes me engage in the genuine middle ages folk traditions of throwing people into gorse bushes, whilst also asking them why the fucking so-called "master race" needs to sew goat balls into their testicles (the latter part is not from the middle ages)

Like seriously that was a fad in the early 20th century for eugenics reasons. Wtf.

(Sorry I have been researching the history of quack medicine, which turned out to have links to both eugenics and occult shit, and also I am drunk)

SOOOO MUCH WAS JUST INVENTED WHOLE CLOTH BY SOME GOLDEN DAWN FUCKERS BROOOO I think about this all the time. racism 🤝 occultism is the thing.

my view is that you don't need to try to locate some untainted continual practice in order to do stuff like pick a favorite tree and sing it songs or go on walks on the full moon because it's really bright and you don't need a flashlight. or write someone's name on a paper and burn the paper while chanting "fuck this guy in particular"

you know. regular stuff

[hypersomnia-insomniac]

TKR Men Taking Care of Their Sick Partner HCs

Characters: Hakkai, Mitsuya, Taiju

CW: None

Reader: GN w/ high fever/super sick

Part 2

Mitsuya

As much as he loves you, he will be wearing a mask and maintaining a 3 feet distance at all times. He has little sisters to take care of and a sewing club to run, getting sick is not an option.

He'll sit you on the couch swaddled in blankets with your favorite show/movie playing while he goes and cleans. Mitsuya's the type to clean so well that he'll leave things better than when he arrived.

If you're the type that has a chronic illness or get sick often, he'll make you a few sets of custom of PJs that are so comfortable you feel like you're floating on clouds.

Since he often cooks for his sisters and mom, you bet you're gonna get an easy to eat, nutritious meal that is so good you groggily propose to Mitsuya right then and there.

"I'll think about it. Get better first," he says calmly. Deep inside he's already designing your wedding outfits.

Once you're asleep, cuddling the plushy he made, Mitsuya will gently push your hair out of your face and just bask in your beauty.

"Sorry I can't cuddle with you, baby. I'll make it up to you when you're better, promise."

Hakkai

Even though the both of you have been dating for some time, Hakkai is still nervous when it's just the two of you. So, his visits will usually be with Takemichi or Yuzuha and you guys might play some games or watch some shows if you're up for it. He'll slide you some sweets or takeout you're craving as well.

If he visits by himself, however, that's different.

When he first enters your home, he's flustered. He hasn't been in your room before, especially not with just the two of you alone. But when he sees you passed out on your bed with a flushed face and heavy eyebags, he puts all his nervousness aside.

If you end up waking up a little, Hakkai will bend down beside your bed and caress your face.

"Ho- How ya feeling? Have you eaten yet?" He'll whisper, eyebrows furrowed.

You say no, and he gets straight to work. He lifts you gently from your bed and props you up on the couch. After opening the blinds just enough to let some needed light in without adding to your migraine, he'll unpack the soup he brought.

Let's be honest, no one can top Mitsuya's food, but he tried and that alone made you feel better.

Once you're done eating, he'll let you hold his hand or let you lay on his lap if you ask. Of course, Hakkai's face will be just as red as yours and trembling like a leaf. But, he loves you and you're already his partner, so he'll brave it.

Taiju

My HC for him is that he's a germaphobe, total clean freak. He hardly ever gets sick, but something about snots and boogers grosses him out. Taiju runs a tight ship, a clean ship.

He probably won't visit very often. If you're just sniffling a bit, he'll drop off food and snacks before leaving. Maybe a hug, and definitely no kiss.

If you're having a full on coughing fit and sneezing like your lungs are filled with dust, he isn't coming within 10 feet of you. Taiju will use his long limbs to keep you faaaar away from him.

Taiju is the type to call you and stare at you through a window scolding you for getting sick. You're tired of it, but you know he cares when he sends someone by with a goody bag.

It's usually Yuzuha or the cat and dog duo (Koko and Inui). Most often it contains medicine and food that he forced had someone make. If you're lucky you might even get a card!

"Get Well." It reads. You're unsure if it's heartwarming or a threat. Either way, you're happy.

Author's Note:

This is the first installment of my "Sick S/O" HC series! I'll be adding onto it as I watch the anime and read through the manga. I hope to do all the characters and eventually do a girl version, but I don't quite have a grasp on Senju's personality yet and I want to release all the girls in one post.

[concook20]

The Virus (AU) 2

Same thing like I said before, only this time though, it's the villains turn! Hope you enjoy!

Part 1/Part 2

Pt 2: Villains

⚠️Trigger Warning⚠️

Mention of body horror, death, blood, amputation, cannibalism, sexual assault, and suicidal thoughts

⚠️Trigger Warning⚠️

Zach Varmitech

Age: 24 years old

Mental Status: Stable, somewhat, but very exhausted and traumatized

Inventory: Robot parts (just in case), tool kit, axe, his own CPS he built, canteen, night vision goggles, and notepad and pen

What happened to Zach?: Like Aviva, he is also exhausted and helps her figure out what this is, but he's suffering PTSD from seeing many people becoming animals in a brutal way. He couldn't figure out what that does, but he knows that the person is still alive, meaning they're still suffering.

Zach wrote down his time with the team, how he is beginning to like Aviva and Chris, don't mind Koki and JZ, but is very scared of Martin, not knowing what he'll do next after some outbursts he does.

Donita Donata

Age: 25 years old

Mental Status: Stable, somewhat only very traumatized

Inventory: A picture of Dabio, machete, a pistol and ammo, med kit, fabric and sewing kit, and batteries

What happened to Donita?: She just wanted a zebra for its stripes... That's all she ever wanted with Dabio... But when she was taunting the brothers, they heard Dabio screaming in agony, as they ran to see him getting eaten alive. After that, not only Martin blames himself for not saving Chris better, but also, Donita hates herself and blames herself for Dabio's death.

She couldn't sleep right, eat anything, or even think right when she hears about someone mentioning Dabio or losing someone close to her, whereas she even looks at the bodies that look just like Dabio...

Gaston Gourmand

Age: 41 years old

Mental Status: Stable, somewhat, but can be unpredictable, somewhat

Inventory: Knives (Kitchen knife, hunting knife, butcher knife, etc), rifle and ammo, binoculars, canteen, snacks, med kit

What happened to Gourmand?: After this started, he had a near death experience, where an animal attacked him, which he survived from, only has a blind eye. He notices Martin's outburst and helps him out of doing something crazy, but he still has some outbursts, too.

He and JZ are the chefs, where they became somewhat acquainted, to the point he helps JZ use a gun in order to protect himself.

Paisley Paver

Age: 35 years old

Mental Status: Stable, but very exhausted

Inventory: Axe, med kit, flashlights (enough), medicine, pistol and ammo, hiking axe, and canteen

What happened to Paisley?: Like Aviva and Zach, she's exhausted, but she tries to be helpful. She is mostly worried about Rex though, after he lost a limb to protect her, which she's very grateful for, keeping a close eye on Rex to see if anything happened, even staying up at night, where she talks to Aviva mostly about this.

Rex Grayson

Age: 35 years old

Mental Status: Stable, but very traumatized

Inventory: Pistol and ammo, flashlights, machete, tool kit, medicine, bandages, and knife

What happened to Rex?: After he got his arm cut off, he thought he would be fine and such, however, he feels anxious, has many nightmares, and is still paranoid that the bite might still work, even if they cut it off. The only thing that gives him comfort is Paisley, after she tries to take care of him, which he's grateful for, but he knows she needs sleep

Chris was the one who cut off his arm, so he thanked him for that, even if it hurt as hell. He's very nervous to be left alone, so he stays close to anyone just in case, like Paisley and Chris, but he's still fine...

Though... Three of them will die...

That's all who survived! Hope this helps!

[stiltonbasket]

Hi, I love all your fics and adored the one with fem!Wei Wuxian who seems even more of a chaos goblin than her canon counterpart and tries to break apart her engagement to LWJ. Could we see some more of what of what happens after LWJ moves into the Burial Mounds, perhaps how Wen Qing realizes that this man is hopelessly in love with his oblivious fiancee and maybe tries to prod them together (bonus points for LWJ being so obvious Wen Ning, Granny and the rest of the Wens notice XD).

"They need a chaperone."

"They don't need a chaperone."

"They do," Popo insists, watching with enormous eyes as Lan Wangji glides up to Wei Wuxian and offers—for what must be the eleventh time that week—to take over her chores in the vegetable field, presumably so that Wei Wuxian can spend her time improving the wards around the Burial Mounds instead. "Oh, good heavens. I'm nearly eighty years old, and I've never seen a man looking at a maiden like that."

"Be that as it may," Wen Qing says doggedly, "they have no need of a chaperone. Wei Wuxian ended their engagement before she seceded from the Jiang clan, and neither she nor Hanguang-jun chose the betrothal to begin with."

"They don't need a chaperone because Wei-guniang doesn't know that Hanguang-jun is in love with her," Wen Ning mutters, from the grimy depths of the lotus pond at Wen Qing's right. "When Lan-zongzhu visited last week, he told me that Hanguang-jun cried like a baby after Wei-guniang refused to marry him. I think she likes him, too, but she doesn't seem affected at all."

Two tiny fingers pluck at Wen Qing's skirt, and she glances down to find Wen Yuan trying to stand on her shoes, grasping a fold of her gown in one hand and a grubby stuffed tiger in the other.

"What is it, A-Yuan?" she asks. "Are you hungry? Xian-jiejie will feed you in just a little while, so be patient until the congee finishes boiling."

"A-Yuan's not hungry," the little boy says, before putting Hu-shixiong's tail in his mouth. "But, jiejie—Lan-gege loves Xian-jie very much! Gege told A-Yuan!"

At this juncture, Wen Binbin materializes at Wen Qing's right with Uncles Three through Six trailing behind her.

"How long were they engaged, Qingqing?" she asks, in a conspiratorial whisper. "We never heard much news from the other sects in Dafan—but you and A-Ning went to school with them, so you must know something."

Wen Qing sighs.

"A-Xian's parents contracted the betrothal before they passed away," she replies, "but they didn't meet until the year Lan Wangji turned eleven."

Popo clasps her hands in delight. "Were they childhood friends, then?"

"Of a sort," Wen Qing acknowledges, frowning. "I once heard someone say that Hanguang-jun started sewing toy frogs for their future children when he was only a boy, but that can't possibly be true."

She feels another soft tug at her skirt. "Qing-jiejie, A-Yuan wants a frog."

"Hanguang-jun can make you one, Yuan'er. And the part about the frogs is true," A-Ning pipes up, tossing a seed-filled lotus pod to Wen Binbin. "She had one of them with her in the dungeon at Bu Ye Tian when I went to bring medicine to the prisoners during the indoctrination camp."

"Really?" Fourth Uncle gasps. "She carried Hanguang-jun's gifts all the way to Qishan, so that they could comfort her in her time of need?"

"Zewu-jun had better be thinking of a way to have the betrothal reinstated," Wen Qing says, crossing her arms in frustration. "Why did Wei Wuxian break it in the first place? Hanguang-jun would have honored the engagement no matter how the jianghu dared to slander her."

"I suppose that's why," Wen Ning says morosely. "She's afraid that Hanguang-jun will stand by her, no matter what she does—"

"A foolish thing to be frightened of, if you ask me," Wen Binbin mutters. "There are worse things in the world than a devoted husband."

"—and that he might suffer for it. It's difficult to tell, but she loves him just as much as he loves her."

At this, A-Yuan beams like a miniature sun and toddles over to the edge of the pond.

"Really, Ning-shushu?" he asks, enchanted. "Can Jiejie have a wedding?"

"I suppose she can, if Hanguang-jun asks for her hand in marriage again."

Fifth Uncle nods and strokes his chin. "But how can he muster up the courage to ask if Wei-guniang treats him so coldly?"

"I saw her sneaking a second helping of chicken into his porridge the other day," Liu-shu mutters. "If that is a cold woman, Langdan, then I've never met a tender-hearted one."

At this juncture, Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji bow to one another and go their separate ways, having reached some kind of agreement about the wards and Wei Wuxian's daily chores. Wei Wuxian gathers up the powdered cinnabar she was sunning and retreats into the cave that serves as her workshop and bedchamber; and Lan Wangji goes off to fetch the laundry from the patch of grass by the potato field, where it had been hung up to dry early that morning.

The Wens disperse as well, not wishing to be caught gossiping in broad daylight by the very subject of their discussion. Popo takes Wen Yuan back to her little house for a bath, dragging A-Ning along with her; and Wen Qing dives into her little infirmary, leaving the door open a crack so that she can eavesdrop on the would-be couple if Lan Wangji seeks A-Xian out again.

And since Wei Wuxian and Hanguang-jun could not avoid one another if their lives depended on it, Wen Qing overhears them discussing the subject of A-Yuan's education less than a quarter-shichen later.

"After all of this is over, I suspect the Wens will be sent to the Cloud Recesses," Lan Wangji says quietly. "I do not think they would be at ease living in close proximity to Jiang-zongzhu, and Xiongzhang has set aside three living compounds for them close to his Hanshi. What is more, A-Yuan would be allowed all the privileges of an inner disciple if he were educated there—and he would not have to surrender his family name, either."

"You'd take him in as an inner disciple?" Wei Wuxian's voice is both louder and more indistinct than Hanguang-jun's, somehow, floating back to Wen Qing in bits and pieces as if it had passed through a veil of thick fog on the way. "I suppose that's for Popo and the others to decide if Zewu-jun has already made the offer, but what if the other disciples mistreat him? I won't stand for it, Lan Zhan."

"He will be my ward, since his parents have passed on: so that should be sufficient to keep him safe. And if you join the Wens in Gusu, Yuan'er will have your protection as well."

A moment's silence, and then:

"Do you mean to return to Lotus Pier when the Dafan clan is granted amnesty?" Hanguang-jun inquires, sounding positively heartbroken. "I—how will they go on without you, Wei Ying? A-Yuan scarcely leaves your side now that he is beginning to forget the horror of the camps, and Wen Ning—"

"I don't intend to go back to Yunmeng," Wei Wuxian says at length, after a pause that lasted the span of about seven perilously sluggish heartbeats. "My place is with the Wens now, I think. There should be someone at the Cloud Recesses who can guard them night and day, out of love for them and not under orders from you or Lan-zongzhu; so wherever they go, I will follow."

Though Wen Qing cannot see him, the soft, stricken pitch of Hanguang-jun's voice is proof that his heart had come very near to melting.

"En, that is good," he murmurs. "It is settled, then."

And with that, the two of them depart together, their footsteps fading away down the old dirt track that leads to Sishu's favorite apple grove.

They belong together, Wen Qing thinks fondly, before turning towards the heap of dried herbs awaiting her attention on her desk. And I pray that some day soon—Heaven willing—A-Xian will realize it, as well.

[spacefacedtragedy]

Things you can do to prep for Trump 2025!

Please keep in mind this is based off of things I'm actively doing or trying to encourage others to do. Only participate in activities and actions that genuinely bring you safety and/or joy. The most important thing right now, is staying alive.

1: Make connections

Go out and meet people! Connect with groups, friends, anyone in your community that is supportive of you and any lifestyles you have. There's going to be a horrible rise in conflict and aggression, it's best to stay together and focus on helping support each other, love will win in the end!

2:Stockpile resources

As inflation hits, discrimination rises, and people may loose access to resources, stockpile what you can afford. If you have EBT, stockpile rice, canned food, frozen things esp, and be ready to distribute if you hear about it in the community. Food banks may be allowed to deny food, same with medicine and even health products for daily living. Try getting what you need the most of, or things that are hardest to grab first. If you're staying as long as you can, keep a small bag of food near you too, that can easily be snagged.

3: EDUCATE

They love banning things, from books to expressions to people's activities. Read everything you can, get copies and make libraries. Open your mind to how other people think and feel so you can try to relate and help. Learn skills you might not have, like sewing so you can fix clothes, making your own books, ect. Read up on laws, and keep an eye on your area for warning signs. Learn about survival tactics, self defense, basically anything you might need.

4: Start programs/community

Even if it's just a small meeting once a month, start organizing events. Ask spaces to use them if you trust them, but definitely keep private, enclosed areas as a plan too. Meet as much as you can handle it, and talk about that others might need vs what you can actively do. I meet up with people once a week to drink tea and knit, and I've learned how to make clothes just by doing that. You could teach them the trick you learned on cooking something, or good ways to cope with loss/fear/dread. Support groups are important, but lgbtq focused ones need to start hiding now.

5: See a doctor

There's massive plans that will affect those in lower classes. Go to a doctor, get a check up before it all goes down. However much you usually pay, will no doubt doubly by a year in, so get what you can out of the way now.

6: passports!

Legal papers, like birth certificates, IDs, immigration documents, these can help so much! But a passport is almost certain proof for some us agencies that it may even help if they start doing harder crack downs. Some news sources also report locking down our borders down, so I'm not sure how real that's gonna be but it's best to have the documents, than having to wait nearly a month or two to get the card.

7: Save money

I know, inflation is so harsh rn, everyone is struggling to even eat it think. But it's gonna get so much worse for the lowered classes, and if you don't have a savings you need to start. Even $50 could change something for the better, or get you somewhere safer. Pull out cash if you can't trust your bank, but save as much as you can over the next few months. It's not gonna be easy, and giving up going out to eat is really hard, I miss it so much too, but you're not doing this because it's fun. You're gonna survive it, and you can control yourself.

The very worst thing one can do to their enemies, is stay alive and be happy.

[thoughtsonhurtandcomfort]

Shun the Light - Ch 13 - The Talk

Slow Burn | Refuge | Decision | Mend | Hunger | Thin Mints | The Garden | Philip | Moments | Full Moon pt 1 | Full Moon pt 2 | Tend | Absolution |

Author's Notes: Just some long overdue conversation~

Content Warnings: werewolf whumpee, vampire caretaker, sprained ankle, recovery, emotional whump

----

One step at a time.

Matteo clings to the railing with both hands. He lowers his good leg first, then follows with his sprained one. His body protests each and every movement, but he persists, intent on reaching the living room. A record is playing low and Dante will be there, reading or drawing or some other hobby.

"Almost there...Almost there..."

"What do you think you're doing?"

He looks up to find Dante standing in the foyer with his hands on his hips. Matteo sighs and sits down on one of the steps.

"I never thought I'd say this, but I can't spend another minute in that bed. I needed a change of scenery."

And some company would be nice.

"You could have called for help. Did you at least take your medicine first?"

"What are you, my mother? Yes, I took it."

Dante gives in and goes to help him up. They make it to the living room without incident, where Dante eases Matteo into a recliner.

"Thank you," Matteo says quietly. He never wants to take the care he's been given for granted.

Once Dante has him settled he goes to the record player and turns the album over. He resets the needle and gentle instrumental music begins to play.

"All of the records are Mr. Townsend's," he says, motioning to a full shelf. "I never got to get my music...or any of my things."

Matteo relaxes into the chair and watches Dante return his spot on the couch and pick up a shirt he is in the process of mending.

"I get that. I didn't take much with me when I left home. And what I did bring I lost during a transformation."

"So...you left home because this happened to you."

"Yeah," Matteo admits quietly. It still hurts to think about. "On my first full moon the wolf wrecked my apartment. I got lucky that the tenant on the lower floor was away that week or god knows what might have happened. After that, I left the landlord most of my money for the damages, sent a letter telling my family I was traveling, and got out. Never looked back."

Dante hardly reacts, but there is a deep sadness growing in his eyes like gathering storm clouds.

"And the one who turned you," he asks carefully, "was it the boyfriend you told me about?"

"Yeah, the bastard. He must have known something would happen - he asked to stay over on the full moon. I never found out why, or why me. Maybe he wanted to kill me, maybe he wanted a...a mate or something." He makes a face at the thought.

Dante silently takes it all in while still working the needle in and out of fabric in a steady motion that's as relaxing to Matteo as the music.

"When it happens," Dante asks after a while, "you don't have any control?"

He sighs. "No. It's like I go to sleep and the wolf takes over. I don't remember a thing the next day - I just wake up with the consequences of whatever it did."

"Like jumping out of a third story window?"

"...no. That was all me."

Dante abruptly stops sewing and turns to stare at him.

"You were right there," Matteo tries to explain. "Another minute and it might have attacked you. I had to do something."

Dante slowly puts the shirt aside and gives Matteo his full attention. "You were protecting me?"

"Well, yeah. You let me stay here. Gave me food. You've been really good to me. I couldn't just let it rip your throat out."

"So you..." Dante almost laughs. "Wow. That was..."

"Stupid?"

"Brave."

Oh.

Matteo blames his post-moon hangover for the stinging in his eyes.

The two fall into a thick but comfortable silence, both reflecting on the things they have said and heard. Dante resumes his sewing and Matteo rests.

By the time Dante speaks again, the final song on the record is fading.

"The house has a fallout shelter. Maybe you can use it next time."

Matteo's heart skips a beat.

"Next time?"

"If you want to stay that long, of course. You can do whatever you want."

The offer is only for him to stay another month, but it's so much more than Matteo dared to hope for.

It takes him a moment to find his voice.

"Okay. Yeah. Yeah, it's worth a shot, right?"

Dante doesn't reply, doesn't look over. If Matteo wasn't watching him so intently he might miss the hint of a smile. But before it can fully take shape, Dante is up and crossing the room to change the record, and the moment is gone.

[milesfingers]

Outlast antagonists headcanons

I'm only considering the ones from the first game, because for the other ones I haven't much to say. I consider Father Martin a morally grey character so he isn't here.

Chris Walker

The little pig plush it's always been his confort toy since he was a child. When he came back from the war Chris used it to mourn himself to cope

If he wasn't killed in the underground laborator and managed to kill everyone there he eventually would stay in the asylum and kill anyone who came near the facility, becoming a sort of urban legend

He really wanted to kill Trager but he was too concentrated on Miles. He barelly know him but he's still very angry with every Murkoff employees to think straight

Chris surely knows everyone in the asylum, judging Father Martin's purpose as ridiculus.

Richard Trager

I actively decided to ignore canon so before the mutation he had grey hair tied in a ponytail and glasses

His dedication to self-learning medicine is at the point that he sewed a ton of cuts himself. Also he told peolpe that he was an actual doctor and convinced them to be analyzed by him

When was a regular employee Trager used to call "kiddo" any coworker younger than him

(I once saw a fanart of this on pinterest) I think Trager is the type of mindfucker that tells kids things like "Don't smoke kids, its dangerous” but then snorts cocaine

The Twins

Not much to say about those guys exept they were sigly abused by their negletful parents who leave scars on their bodies. Later the social services took them and entrusted them to another family, but the damage was already done

They always lived symbiosis, isolatimg themself from the rest of the world, Their adoptive parents tryed to help them, but slowly they gave up. Later the two brothers killed them

They decided to follow Father Martin for basically no reason. They think that being under his protection would have make them untouchable, somehow.

Eddie Gluskin

I am a horrible person and I hc his birthday as February 14th

While he was basically a serial killer, I like to think that he worked in a wedding dress shop. At some point of his life he dropped school and the owner of that shop thaught him how to sew and pack clothes. Eddie could have stabilized himself, but he was already too deranged

Eddie hates women that much because his mother always knew what his father and uncle done to him and when they get to prison she blames him for taking her husband away from her

I actually think he would be a decent father. Of course he's a borderline psychopath and would rise his child in a sick environment full of torture and murder, but I don't think he would ever hurt them (intentionally, at least)

Frank Manera

I do think he murdered his family and cooked them after years of instabiliy

When he went to the Mount Massive he was put in the hands of a pretty sadistic guard who basically starved him in order to "punish him in the proper way"

His hair turned gray due to the stress of captivity

Actually he managed to not being catch by the SWAT but later he died for some kind of diase because of eating raw human meat

Jeremy Blaire

This man screams daddy issues. Like, have y'all present the song "Are you satisfied?" by Marina? Yeah, that's Jer.

While he was friend with Trager he used to be very embarassed of him and his chaoticity. They went on golf club like any bored rich but Jer constantly avoied Trager at parties

Actually treats like shit EVERY employee that's not his superior, but he really targeted Waylon more than anyone. Like one time he challenged him to arm wrestling and kept him busy for an hour and a half to make him understand how a real man behaves

Example of a cisgender straight white male, bye

[alola-reblogging]

Hi idk if requests are open? I was wondering If you could do a request for what the alola crews addictions are? I Hope this makes sense! Thanks have a wonderful day/night 😊

Hi yes requests are OPEN! Though...I wasn't sure who you meant by Alola crew so I chose who to write for if that's okay? Re-request with someone specific if you like :) also not sure if you mean like addiction or addicted as in obsession?

Hau

I mean...its gotta be malasadas right? If you thought the answer was anything different then that's on you, my friend ♡

Gladion

Ima say Monster true emo kid bc I imagine he had a lot of long nights out training silvally, especially since they could only train at night. He needed the extra energy to stay awake. Not to mention all of the late night jobs he probs had to do for Team Skull as well. He also totally collects the cans with cool designs and keeps them displayed in his motel room, theyre all neatly stacked like its 2006 again

Moon

Judging by the manga...I'd say medicine! Moons a pharmacist in the manga so I'd say her obsession is plants/poison types, anything that can improve medicine or be studied.

As for in game Moon obviously people can kinda make her how they want too since she's a protag, but I think pokemon battles are a safe bet!

Also cannon that she's a masked royal fan! So I guess she could be addicted to battle royals too!

Thou since I'm a big fan of lonashipping ima throw Gladion as an obsession into the mix too hehe

Professor Kukui

Pokemon battles for sure, but specifically the moves. Like we know he basically uses himself as a test subject for his Pokemon to test their moves against so I guess he's a move addict? I mean let's not forget that one line in sumo about my body is ready! Woo!

Guzma

Weed. Like really....let's face it...Team Skull are definitely all pot heads. I mean one bro tried to steel a bus stop??? If that MF wasn't high then Pikachu is a dragon type.

Plus he probs smokes up to forget all of his childhood trauma stuff.

Nanu

Cat man. This guy is addicted to Meowths. I mean it's literally cannon, every conversation you have with him in game that isn't a cutscene he's legit talking about meowth. Man sees a random meowth outside, just chilling? He's taking it home fr

Lillie

It's cannon she loves the stars and astrology, so ima go with that! I know she loves fashion and sewing but I'd say the cosmos has been a more life long addiction...

Also loves plushies

Sophocles

Coding & hacking !! This guy could hack into any bank and deposit 10 billion pokedollars into your bank account if he wanted ~ but he's a good boy so he won't!!

Molayne

Weeb. Big phat weeb! His addiction is anime & video games, Molayne's secret dream is to one day become so advanced with computer science he can bring his waifu to life.

Also what is this gif I love it xD

Lusamine

I mean....it gotta be ultra beasts...she was crazy for them afterall....like anime lusamine doesn't exist in my book....even ULTRA sumo Lusamine don't exist....that first expirence playing sun left me fucked up fr....those poor frozen pokemon 😢

[kaycode1999]

hi! i was wondering if i could get male lmk matchup?

please don't ship me with mk, sandy, tang and pigsy because i see them only in platonic way<3

ᓚᘏᗢ general info:

/ 19 / she/her / enfp / 7w8 / leo /

𓆈appearance𓆈

𓆈 i'm tall, taller than most of my friends → i'm 6'2. my figure is hourglass shaped, something like models in 50s/60s fashion magezines, i think. i have shaggy golden blonde thick curls, my hair is long so i usually tie it up in two buns and two braids (like goldilocks from puss in boots: the last wish). my eyes are amber. i have skinny hands with long fingers

𓆈 my clothing style is mix of whimsigoth, cryptidcore and grandmacore. i really like unusual jewelry → weird shaped rings, earrings, brooches (i especially love the insect shaped and art nouveau ones)

𓆣personality𓆣

𓆣 i'm positive and upbeat person, i try to see the bright side in most situations. i'm friendly, cheerful and bubbly. i'm full of energy and i can be a bit chaotic, but i try to be as responsible as possible, i want people to feel that they can rely on me

𓆣 i'm really confident and i'm not afraid to express myself

𓆣 i care about my friends and family a lot, and go out of my way to show it. i love making people smile

𓆣 i'm super kind person, but won't take any nonsense

𓆣 i have morbid, dark sense of humor. sometimes i randomly say a weird obscure fact in the middle of conversation

𓆣 i'm kinda struggling with taking rest, doing nothing, because there is always something to do, something new to learn, etc. → i'm afraid of stagnation. i overwork myself a lot

𓆣 can't think of anything that i don't like, guess i'm so fixated on my hobbies and passions, i don't pay any attention to other things

𓃹 my hobbies 𓃹

𓃹 dancing and performing. i'm ballet dancer since i was a kid. i also try my skills as figure skater

𓃹 sewing and knitting. i sew most of my clothes and i made for myself tons of sweaters, with most silly patterns like characters from old cartoons, for example "wilk i zając" or "krecik"

𓃹 playing on instruments. i can play on violin, cello, piano, guitar, saxophone, harp and drums, i'm currently learning how to play on trumpet

𓃹 learning. about world and universe or learning new skills. i'm deeply fascinated by space and oceans, they're still unknown to humanity, learning about them makes me sigh in wonder and admiration. i also love nature, i could spend days wandering in forests, observing and learning about animals, insects, plants

𓃹 doll making. i love making dolls, puppets, marionettes. wooden, porcelain, rag, basically every type. i organize puppet theaters, sometimes i give my works as gifts to my loved ones

𓃹 art, any kind of art actually. i like to learn about artists and their work, and i like to try different types of art. sculpting, painting, ceramics, photography, filmmaking, i adore them all. i work as illustrator for fantasy books and books for kids (and honestly this job is dream come true for me!)

𓃹 gardening and herbalism. i work on in garden a lot, i grow flowers, vegetables and herbs. i know herbal medicine, i make my own infusions and tinctures

𓃹 cooking and baking. i learn new recipes whenever i have the opportunity. my favorite things to bake are bread and cookies. i also pick mushrooms, dry them or pickle them

sorry if it's too long or chaotic

thank you so much for even reading this!

I match you with

Monkey King- AKA Sun Wukong- AKA The great Sage equal to heaven

I’m pretty sure he's a little taller than you so your height works out well, and he just thinks you're the most gorgeous thing he's ever seen

He really likes your jewelry, like a lot. Almost like a bird with shiny objects, your jewelry just fascinates him

He loves and admires your confidence. He finds it inspiring

Your kindness is one of the reasons he adores you

He appreciates your expressiveness and he needs someone who isn't afraid to tell him when or if he does something that upsets you

Your sense of humor was a surprise, but honestly he finds it so funny. Also he enjoys any facts you have

He helps you take things more easy so you don't overwork yourself as much, and you get him more interested in learning and doing things

If you're dancing or just performing in general he's completely entranced with the most heart eyes look on his face

If you make anything for him, be it some kind of clothing or a doll he will treasure it forever

He's an immortal being so he will make special trips into outer space or into the ocean to bring you some special souvenirs like a piece of space debris or pictures of a deep sea creature

The monkies and the other animals that live on mountain all love you being around

He actually loves helping you with your gardening and herbalism. You have 2 beautiful gardens near his house and the monkies all make sure not to mess with them

While he loves anything peach-flavored, he's just generally a foodie so he loves anything you make him

P.S. I'm sorry this took a minute. I've had a rough couple of days but fingers crossed things are looking up👍🏻

[taters169]

Tin Drabbles

Dark

Masterlist

The first few days living with this new human were weird. Michael had been allowed to eat as much as he'd wanted, sleep as much as he'd liked and generally been left to his own devices. He hadn't ventured much further than the kitchen table other than a few trips to the bathroom where again he'd been left alone to bathe in private without a strict time limit. Definitely weird. Bit by bit Michael started to feel slightly less tense, and with every passing day when he wasn't hurt or humiliated he started to hope that maybe that part of his life was really over.

It had been so long since he'd felt safe. His mother had died when he was very young and her couldn't remember much about her, just a little tune she would hum to herself when she was sewing. It had just been him and his dad since then and he'd been taken out to start learning how to borrow when he was 10. He'd never been as good at it as his dad but he was keen to learn and eager to help. Then his dad died when he was 15, he'd had a nasty cut from a nail and got really sick. Michael had even borrowed some medicine from the humans cupboard but it must not have been the right kind because after a few days his dad was gone.

All alone in the world Michael had carried on as best he could, the human in his house was an old lady who lived alone but when she died a new human moved in. Michael knew he would have nightmares about that man until the day he died. It was just meant to be a quick trip along the kitchen counter in the middle of the night, he'd taken a couple of grapes from the fruit bowl and was on his way back home when the lights suddenly switched on and he was seen.

Michael shuddered wanting to push away the memories of that horrible man.

Vince didn't seem like that at all, he seemed to actually want to be friends. Michael just wanted to know for certain so he decided to test his limits

"Vince?" Said Michael one evening as they finished their dinner

"Yeah bud?" Vince replied

"Um, I was wondering if it would be ok for me to sleep somewhere else tonight?" Michael asked nervously

"Yeah of course you can! You don't need my permission for stuff you know you can do as you like! Where were you thinking of?"

"I'd like to try in the walls" said Michael

"In... the walls?" Asked Vince confused

"Um that's where Borrowers usually live, in the gaps in the walls or under the floor boards." Answered Michael nervously

"Oh OK, is that so you can stay hidden?"

"Yes. It's meant to be somewhere humans can't reach"

"Ok so do we just knock a hole into the plaster?"

Michael chuckled at the human being willing to wreck his home to help him "no I'm sure I can find a gap somewhere, there's usually space under the sink where the pipes come in"

Michael was right there was a tight gap where he could squeeze in around the pipes under the kitchen sink. Vince had provided him with a new hook and string as well as a pin to use as a weapon if needed. He'd thought being back in the walls would give him that sense of safety he'd been missing for so long. He'd always been safe in the walls but now the darkness wasn't comforting. The tight space felt like it was closing in around him Michael closed his eyes and tried to breathe through his oncoming panic attack but with his eyes shut he could see the face of his captor laughing as he was closed into the tin. He couldn't breathe he had to get out.

A moment later he was back under the sink thankful for the light where Vince hadn't closed the cupboard door yet. He fell to his hands and knees sobbing and crying to get his breathing back under control

Vince noticed Michael back sooner than he'd expected but when he saw how upset the little man was he dropped to his knees to get a better look

"Michael! What happened are you OK? Are you hurt?"

Michael just shook his head not trusting himself to speak yet

"Can I pick you up?" Asked Vince

Michael gave a small nod and was gently scooped up into Vince's hand. Holding him to his chest Vince gently rubbed his thumb down the little man's back like he had done that first day. Michael gripped onto the huge shirt in front of him and sobbed.

Eventually the crying quieted and stopped but Vince kept gently stroking down his back.

"Sorry" sniffed Michael quietly rubbing his face and trying to pull himself together

"Don't be daft, nothing to apologise for. Are you OK?"

Michael sighed deeply "no, not really"

"You can try again later if you like?"

"Urgh! I hate this!" Exclaimed Michael. "Small dark spaces are meant to be safe, to feel safe. But all I could think of is being trapped in that tin again, thinking I was about to die. How is it that I'm free of him and still not free of him? It's not fair" Michael began to cry softly again.

"Give it time, give yourself a break. You said you were stuck with that guy for years right? Well it's barely been a week of course you're still gonna struggle. I'm positive it will get easier with time" Vince lifted Michael so he was at eye level and gently brushed a tear from the tiny man's cheek. "You know the offer still stands to beat the shit out of that guy, you just tell me where he lives and I'll go tear him a new arsehole"

Michael chuckled softly and hugged the giant thumb, "We moved 3 or 4 times when I was with him I wouldn't know where to start. I don't even know his name, he always insisted on 'master' or 'sir'. "

"What do you want to do about sleeping then? Do you want to try something else?" Asked Vince

"I dont know what else to try, I've always either lived in the walls or in a cage" replied Michael sadly

"Ok so we need somewhere that's your space, that you can get to easily but not feel trapped or in the dark" Vince said as he began wandering around his flat still holding Michael in his hands "what about the bookcase? I could empty out the bottom shelf?"

"Um yeah that could work" said Michael "as long as its not too much bother"

"No bother at all! Here look" Vince placed Michael on the floor by the bookcase and started removing books from the shelf. When the shelf was about half empty he arranged the books in stacks on the floor in front so that the empty space behind was partially hidden. He fetched the blanket that Michael had been using as a makeshift bed and put it on the empty shelf

"How's that?" Asked Vince

Michael stepped into the space, it was small enough to be cosy without feeling trapped, covered enough to feel private without being too dark

"Its perfect" said Michael with a smile

"We can definitely work on it, set up something more permanent for you. I'm off work tomorrow I'm sure we can get at least the bones of a house up for you. Oh wait a sec I've got an idea" Vince suddenly stood up making Michael back up nervously. The giant returned a moment later with a small pen torch. He clicked it on to show Michael how it worked then placed it on the blanket

"This way if something spooks you, you can switch on the light. Or you can leave it on all night if you like" said Vince

"Thank you" said Michael, genuinely touched by the gesture. He could feel tears threatening to fall again. Blinking them back he walked towards the giant's hand resting his smaller one on top of Vince's finger. "Thank you for everything" he said smiling up at the kind giant

Vince smiled back and gently brushed his thumb over the tiny hand

"Happy to help, you deserve to feel safe Michael. Anything I can do to help that just let me know"

[literaryspinster]

Skills

One of the easiest ways to endear me to a character is to give them a skill (another reason Tiana, Mulan, Esmeralda and Rapunzel are a few of my favorite Disney Heroines, they all have/gain skills that are at least somewhat valuable to the plot and their character development). Ariel too but since everyone in the Disneyverse has an amazing voice it's hard for her to stand out in that way. But I'm not sure why I went on a tangent about Disney heroines when this post is actually about Gen V. For fanfic and meta purposes I've been thinking of what skills the characters should have that don't inherently pertain to being superheroes.

Marie: Medicine. This is a popular one and for a reason. I'd love it if in the coming seasons we see her going even beyond the instincts of her powers to understand how bodies work and how to fix them, and the healing properties of certain drugs, herbs and plants. This would make her powers even more efficient and would come in clutch if she was ever unable to use them for whatever reason. She's already expressed interest in learning CPR (in the funniest way possible), and is generally invested in saving lives rather than merely fighting, so let's see where that goes. Jordan: Music. I'll admit that this was mostly spawned by the shot of a guitar in their room and the fact that listening to music is the first thing we see them doing, but having musical abilities is also considered a plus in Vought world. However, I don't think performing at award shows and telethons is going to make them happy. For Jordan I see playing instruments as something they do as a very personal, stress-relieving activity that they just happen to be very good at. They do open mics out of costume and write melodies in a journal and give their friends little concerts. It's what centers them.

Emma: Sewing, costume design. I headcanon that she makes her own tiny outfits (although they are just as likely doll clothes). After embracing her growth abilities she will probably also have to learn to make giant clothes, or garments with a lot of stretch and versatility. She has a fairly quirky and dynamic sense of fashion so I'd imagine she'd get a lot out of this creatively as well.

Cate: Event planning, hospitality. Cate, with all of her many many flaws, has a very warm and friendly demeanor, and a way of making people feel comfortable. She also has that confident popular girl quality and just wants everyone around her to have a good time. I bet she throws a bitching party.

Sam: Painting, drawing. Sam sees the world in an unconventional way to say the least, and he has a lot of troubles that he could use a peaceful outlet for. The idea of him getting inspiration from his comic books and learning to draw and paint is a solid one in my opinion.

Andre/Luke: Athletics. It's difficult to talk about Andre right now, and Luke left before I got to know him better, but they both have athlete vibes to me. I see Andre being really into a rowdier sport like hockey or soccer, and Luke gravitating more toward something preppy like lacrosse or rowing. But if they were on the same team I think their sport would be baseball.