#it feels so wise and dreamy to me

[jazzzzzzhands]

Skating into the Groovy AU, Here Comes Julie!! Also known as WildFlower!! Oh she has skates, so she is so much more chaotic! She has boundless energy and loves dragging all of her friends onto the rollerblading rink for a very fun game!! (and the most wild of dancing!) Catch her and Groovy doing a lil hip bump as they pass eachother! Ty to my partner in crime for helping me to develop her design!! @sketchy-tour <3333 I would not have had such a vision without their help!

Ty ty for making me learn how to draw a braid because i am falling in love with drawing hair so muchhh OHH OHHH!! the only reason Julie is not in a dress, is because ! i already crossed her legs and i struggle to convey that under a dress ahahahaha! BUT Julie ABSOLUTELY goes into dress mode!!! She also has these

Oh she has such a wardrobe, I am sure of it!!

[movingthisblogcelestialtarot11]

What can indicate intense eye contact with some one? Is that something astrology can tell? 🤔

Intense Eye Contact

—Sag sun are masters of strong eye contact. They have that wise beyond their years look. Like they’ve been alive for centuries and this is another re-run of their last shitty trial.

—Scorpio degrees/big 6 placements have strong eye contact. And some may avoid it actually because it feels too intimate. Everytime they look at someone its as if they’re skinning them to see their soul.

—Virgo 8h is another one. Always staring at you to figure out who you are behind what you say. Studies your body language to a T. They don’t take anything at face value. Bonus points if mercury sits in the 8h.

—Aquarius placements/stellium their stares penetrate through flesh and bone. They have this manic pixie look at first and it drives you in real deep, you have no idea what you’re signing up for.

—Mars 1h undressing you with their eyes, both in the spiritual sense and physical :) id say this is more so spiritual if they have strong neptune asp to personal planets, neptune conj mars, pisces/cancer placements. They just want to read your soul, but often comes across like they’re trying to figure out what color your underwear is. (Love ya mars 1h)

—Taurus placements have so much soul and rhythm behind their eyes. Serenade me. Hold me. Beautiful gazes, like gazelle. Reminds me of 90s rhythm and blues.

—Cap Venus has that look, similar to a thousand mile yard stare but more solemn. Tranquil. Somber. Always aching for more and wishing for what could’ve been. It moves you.

—Saturn dom has a resting bitch face, it’s iconic. Always looks annoyed or slightly disgusted at something they saw. Rarely stays for long so you can really see the depth in their eyes. Quick glances, or long drawn out eye contact so you know your place, especially if you messed with them.

—Gemini moon can also have intense eye contact. They’re always analyzing the moment and studying in their head, so it looks as if they’re focused innately on you. Paired with Leo gives them a languid, sultry stare. Feline like and does not approach first, no, they invite you with their eyes.

—Pluto-venus asp is another one entirely. Crash and burn with me gaze. Catch me if you can. Play games with me and chase after me. Never gives away their real intentions, always hidden with that same smirk and their flaunting eyes.

—Cancer moon looks absolutely whimsical, embodying the stars. Droopy, bedroom eyes. Can have a delicate tilt to their head when they listen to you. God, it really draws you in. Like two pools of honey, warming you.

—Neptune asp personal planets. A stare you can’t explain. Dreamy, hazy, personal yet you’re placed on the outside. Feels like a sacred reunion when they look at you, adorning you. Strange familiarity like they’ve always known you.

[matchatarot]

My beautiful Bunny, let me remind you of the enchanting charisma you possess through this reading. You bring so much magic into the world! To pick a pile don’t overthink it; choose the one that draws you in the most while thinking about the reading’s intent. Only take what resonates!

Love, Matcha ♡

☆ masterlist

1 ₊˚.༄

Your eyes look innocent but also full of wisdom. Your beauty is dreamy, it’s like you’re from another dimension, one where magic exists. Your energy is very pure and heroic. You have the charm of a princess or a prince, graceful and compassionate. Your bubbly personality makes you fun to have around, people around you are very grateful to have such pure energy in their life. Spending time with you is healing, it’s as if your simple presence makes life’s challenges feel so much lighter. You have this way of bringing people together that is unlike anyone else. You’re the kind of person we only meet once in a lifetime. People from your past, present and future dream about you, your energy is so comfortable that it becomes addictive. People around you will cherish having met you even decades after losing contact because you’ve had such a positive impact on their lives. Your admirers know that they’re just one in plenty. There’s a before and after meeting you, your presence is life-changing. Your eyes are the most attractive thing about you, but it’s not just the way they look, it’s the way they make people feel. There’s so much depth in your stare. You make people feel vulnerable yet dignified. The way you hold yourself and move your body is magnetic. It’s like you’re dancing. We can’t help but follow you with our eyes.

10, 2, owl, mermaid

↳ book a personal reading with me on ko-fi ★

2 ⊹˚˖ ☆

Your energy is felt before you enter the room. The energy of a leader, a mentor, a wise soul. We can’t help but be drawn to follow your guidance, to bow down to your excellence. The power you quietly exert on others feels warm and safe. Like being in the arms of a father figure. You seem connected to a higher power. Behind your back, people describe you as the “goat” or the “og”. Powerful and successful people want to associate with you, your energy is attractive to strong characters, they feel like they’ve met their match. You have such an enticing charisma, even if you can initially come off as intimidating, we can’t help but be drawn to you. Your contagious laugh lights up the hearts of anyone who hears it, even a simple passerby is impacted by your positive energy. People want to play and cuddle with you, you seem like the perfect friend and lover. Before meeting you, most people already heard great things about your character. Your peers’ spirit guides have orchestrated their meeting with you to push them in a generous and light energy. Once someone enters your life, you uplift them and give them newfound confidence. People who are going through stressful times are miraculously able to finally relax and have fun in your presence. You have a beautiful duality, your practical side and creative side is well balanced. You’re grounded but flamboyant and free-spirited. Beneath all this beautiful energy hides the pain of a soul that can’t help but extend its generosity to even the most dark-hearted ones. The spirit realm is thanking you for the love you share with the outcasts and misfits, this love will come back to you tenfold.

elephant, frida kahlo, lgbtq+, hibiscus, 333, taurus sun, leo moon

↳ book a personal reading with me on ko-fi ★

3 ‧₊˚ ♡

Your energy is a drug, a psychedelic. As soon as you’ve entered someone’s life you suddenly feel like an integral part of it. When we look at you, we let go of our limiting beliefs, we find clarity in the depths of your eyes. With your spiritual knowledge, you’ve helped many get over strong blockages. The way you see life is just different than others, you’re guided by spirit, and it’s felt from your celestial essence. People believe that whatever life throws at you, you’ll always find a victorious way out. The way you’re vulnerable with yourself and others makes us confident to show you different parts of ourselves. Your charm encourages others to share themselves with you. You’re someone unexpected, we never know what’s your next move. You don’t follow the status quo. You’re a trendsetter, not a follower. The way you follow your heart’s guidance will ensure your success in life, your dedication to your authenticity is heartwarming and impressive. You attract stares everywhere you go from all kinds of people… And when we start to look at you, it’s hard to stop. Your aura is the most enticing and powerful when you’re dedicated to yourself when you work, work out, practice your hobbies and self-care. You’re so beautiful, your playful grace is unique to you. When we think about you sometimes we say to ourselves “If everybody was a little bit more like Bunny, the world would be a better place”.

bee, pisces moon, dryad, angel aura quartz, 1

↳ book a personal reading with me on ko-fi ★

4 ₊˚. 𖤓

Bunny, you sway people’s hearts and forever mark their souls. You’re majestic, magical, impactful. Your presence commands respect. You attract people toward you like a magnet. We can’t help but be in awe of you, fascinated by your powerful aura. It seems like you don’t go out often, but when you do, your appearance is cherished. We want to make you laugh, to see the joy sparkle in your eyes. You have that witty smile that tells us you know more than you’re sharing. You have the aura of a perfect summer day or a colourful autumn walk. You’re always evolving, allowing life to teach you lessons, learning from everybody you meet, and everything you go through. You’re someone pleasant, conversations with you are a delight. You connect with people from both genders, showing that you have a good feminine and masculine energy balance. You have a name or nickname people can’t forget because it’s so iconic and suits you perfectly. When you’re brought up in a conversation, people feel proud to announce that they know you. People are motivated by you, you’re a positive leader. When you succeed, others do as well. You’re someone courageous, and resilient. Even though you help others in their journey, you’ve personally gone this far mainly by yourself. You’re popular, Bunny, protect yourself. Some can’t get enough of you and some envy you strongly. You’re the it girl/boy.

111, 2, 4, unicorn, blue candle

↳ book a personal reading with me on ko-fi ★

5 ⊹˚˖ ꩜

Bunny, how many lives have you lived? I respect your energy and your soul’s journey. You’re a pro at transmuting energy. Every hardship you’ve gone through made you stronger, smarter, and more spiritual. You’re a master at introspection and your life goal is self-development. Most people won’t even get the chance to meet someone has high vibrational as you. You’ve gone through so much to get where you are, and I’m not just talking about this current lifetime. Bunny, no matter what’s your current situation just know you’re a legend. If your outside world doesn’t show it right now, it’ll at some point. You change people, every time you see them, you shift their perspective. I expect fellow tarot readers to pick this pile, as you have in you the gift of divination. Your peers feel it. You have a profound soul. Meeting you makes us reconnect with our inner child, it's something about your own childlike wonder. You have an innocent spirit that profoundly touches the ones who get to know you. You’re so sweet, you have a very cute appearance and people wish to be your partner. They fantasize about holding your hand and walking in the park… You might be in a lot of people’s dreams. You’re cherished and loved. The ones that admire you the most are in the spirit world. In the material plane, people get jealous and might compete with you secretly because you inspire people to be better and do better. However, most people don’t have malicious intent and just admire you so much. The phoenix appeared twice from two different decks by the way!

0, 2222, 7, phoenix, tiger eye, carnelian

↳ book a personal reading with me on ko-fi ★

6 ‧₊˚ ★

What would we do without you, Bunny? Your love and light are soothing to our souls. Your face is also a blessing to our eyes! You’re so pretty, you’re a muse. Your beautiful feminine energy appeals to creative minds. Your femininity pairs so well to your masculine side, they are balanced even though your masculine energy is more subtle. Not everybody knows how determined and courageous you are, even though it’s felt. You’ve developed a strong discipline, you don’t let obstacles deter you from your goals. It’s one of those things people learn by being the rare ones in your circle. It’s a privilege for people to get to know you, you have the type of personality that leaves us always wanting more. You’re the kind of friend people want to spend the whole day with because your presence is so healing. You’re a good healthy influence on people. You have a beautiful voice and you speak of deep interesting topics. It’s a clash with your appearance, to be honest, you seem so innocent that we wouldn’t expect you to hold that amount of (esoteric) knowledge. It makes you even more enchanting to have those details about you that most wouldn’t guess. You’re someone who works hard and has a good set of values. You’ve gone through a lot and always remained kind and loving. You’re not scared to try new things or you're scared but you do it anyway. You’re a sunshine in people’s life and when you’re not there anymore, you’re dearly missed and remembered. Children love you because of how safe your aura makes them feel. You’re a protector of those around you. You might be so protected by your spirit guides that everybody well-intentioned who comes in contact with you ends up being blessed by their protection as well.

1111, 222, 5, 9, beetle, fawn, roses

↳ book a personal reading with me on ko-fi ★

decks used for this reading : animaux totems by Else Oreve & Pricilla Moore, mystical wisdom by Gaye Guthrie, art oracles by Katya Tylevich

☆ photo credits go to their rightful owner

[lavenderangeltarot]

𝓌𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝑜𝓉𝒽𝑒𝓇𝓈' 𝒻𝒾𝓃𝒹 𝑒𝓃𝒸𝒽𝒶𝓃𝓉𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝒶𝒷𝑜𝓊𝓉 𝓎𝑜𝓊𝓇 𝒶𝓅𝓅𝑒𝒶𝓇𝒶𝓃𝒸𝑒 🪞🪷✩ // pick a card!

hey angels! 👼🏼 this will be a general pick a card reading on what people find enchanting about your appearance/how people view your appearance (physically & generally- usually these things naturally overlap). It's of course, not healthy to fixate on these things, however I think it can be uplifting to hear the nice things people might've thought of us. It's natural to be a bit curious! Pick the image you're most drawn to, proceed to your reading & take what resonates! If you're interested in a personal reading from me, check out my Etsy Store :) // https://www.etsy.com/shop/LavenderAngelTarot

#1 #2 #3

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

#1 - the Moon, Page of Swords & Knight of Wands 🌙

With the Moon card coming out first, I see people being heavily captivated by a sense of mystery surrounding you- you come across as introverted or at least, initially reserved. In your presence people are not so sure what you are thinking, but your demeanour remains peaceful and possibly very feminine. Dreamy & vaguely moody too, but with the Moon card it's like everything is a little concealed. I think for some of you, people can sense you're going through something heavy right now too since the Moon relates to psychological turmoil in some cases, but you hold yourself very gracefully. Physically I feel like you have very immediately pleasant features, people might find there's this 'beautiful darkness' to you- maybe some of you dress in a sort of gothic inspired aesthetic, or perhaps it's this mysterious/contemplative look in your eye.

With the Page of Swords (especially combined with the Moon) people immediately see you as intelligent. Very sharp minded and skilled at communicating (even if you're not a big talker, your speech or vocabulary is clear). Since in this reading we're focusing on appearance, despite the softness illustrated with the Moon card, you may also have some features that are slightly sharper. Like for example, having a very soft, rounded face but a sharp/edgy haircut, or piercings. Pages are also associated with youth, so people may see you as youthful in your appearance. A lot of you who picked this pile are very young too I'm getting- not sure if it's the reading, or just me talking but I have this urge to remind you guys to be safe online!

Finally, the Knight of wands to me shows that people see you as healthy, athletic or just generally physically capable & attractive! You may look strong or agile- I'm getting some of you are dancers (or you look like you would dance, especially ballet!). Despite your calm, intellectual energy, you come across like you live a very active and adventurous lifestyle in some way. I also see that while you might not lead with it when you meet people (initially people noticing that mysterious, intellectual, perhaps shy aspect of you)- you have a very spontaneous and passionate nature that people reallyy love :)

2# - 3 of Pentacles, The Star, 9 of Wands 🌿

Immediately, this group is really emanating 'it girl' energy to me.

With the 3 of Pentacles, I see people being quite in awe of you and viewing you as a very hardworking, competent person. You inspire others in some way, people feel they have something to learn from you. Since the 3 of Pentacles is traditionally related to collaboration & learning, you could be someone who's always around other people, or maybe are a positive representation of your school/work out in public (like for example, often being out and about in your uniform, or being seen as part of a collective like a band or a certain friend group). Appearance wise, to me the 3 of Pentacles feels as though there is something artistic & skillful about your appearance- maybe you're really skilled at makeup, or your clothing is very beautiful and well coordinated.

The Star card speaks for itself! You stand out appearance-wise and garner attention whether you realise it or not! The Star card to me, especially combined with the 3 of Pentacles tells me that you inspire people a lot with your appearance alone but also in other ways. People feel there is something aspirational and 'untouchable' about you- it's sort of Gossip Girl 'Serena Van Der Woodsen' adjacent lol. Again, it could be that there's something about the way you dress that's very skillful and others are in awe of, it could also be that you're very popular or seem as though you would be from the way you carry yourself. A lot of you are very talented or just 'different' in some way and people notice that. (I wish I could specify a bit more but since it's a general reading it could be a variety of reasons people view you this way, follow your gut) :)

The 9 of Wands to me shows that you come across brave and ready for anything, very resilient. Maybe slightly wary or mistrusting too. It also shows that people can tell you're tired/exhausted- not necessarily in a bad way but it's like people can sense in the way you carry yourself that you're trying to keep strong despite struggles you are facing. Maybe you're not getting as much sleep as you need, or just work super hard. For some of you, it's as though people can sense in your expressions/posture/etc that despite being this abundant, inspiring person; you're not totally happy right now and there's something or many things getting to you. I see for some, what's going on is that you have a lot of expectations on you to be this 'perfect', skilled, hardworking, 'golden girl/boy' aspirational person and it is wearing you out deep down. I definitely do see things getting smoother for you with time 🤍

#3 - King of Cups, The Chariot, The Hierophant 🌊

The King of Cups as the first card tells me that you appear to people as somebody who is very in touch with their feelings & emotionally authentic. I don't see an obnoxious person who is always bawling their eyes out (lol), but I see someone who is very warm, welcoming and jovial. When you laugh, you laugh for real. When you smile, it is genuine and sweet. You may not always feel relaxed, but overall you do come across as a very relaxed and mature person and it's really attractive to people. The way you move could be very flow-y and sensual, you might prefer to wear flowing fabrics/styles rather than stiff or sharp ones. Whatever your age or gender is, I see you also come across very parental in the sense that people immediately feel they can trust you, like you're the person a little kid would want to come up to for help if they were lost 🥹

The Chariot tells me that something about the way you appear has a very positive and change-agent energy about it. It could be that you dress very bohemian, or wear very bright colours, or perhaps you do something different with your hair that really subverts expectations and inspires positivity in others. It's as though you stand for something- a certain cause or mentality that shines through in your demeanour. You come across very confident in your style, who you are and what you stand for- you're not afraid to look unique or be 'over the top' and that really makes people happy to see whether you notice it or not! As though you're the one person who wears a beautiful colourful dress/shirt in a sea of people wearing black and grey + looking 'done' with life. Again I'm seeing that the way you move stands out as attractive! While many walk kinda sluggish & dispassionately, you have a bit of a spring in your step, or appear very in command and in tune with your body.

Finally, The Hierophant tells me that you appear spiritual, religious or just having a very strong moral conviction in some way to others. For some of you it could be your facial expressions & the way you react to your environment that leads people to think this. For others, it's more overt things like perhaps adorning yourself in religious or spiritual symbols. The Hierophant also speaks of traditionalism, so you could be someone who prefers slightly more traditional dress styles and values in a way- for a lot I'm seeing dressing in vintage fashion :)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thankyou !! 💞🔮

[loufr6]

pick a card – what your future boyfriend will be like

hey loves! so many of you have asked me for love readings, and the ones I’ve done so far have gotten such positive feedback, so I thought… why not try my very first Pick a Card for you all?

take a moment to relax, clear your mind, and simply choose one of several piles or images that resonate with you the most. Each pile is linked to a unique tarot spread, and the cards in that pile will give you insights into your situation trust your intuition, let’s see what the cards have to say about your future boyfriend!

scroll down for your reading…

pile 1 – the dreamy but insecure romantic

cards: the star (reversed), the empress, the high priestess, the world

your future boyfriend has so much potential, but he tends to doubt himself a lot. the star reversed shows that he might have gone through some tough times that have shaken his confidence in love, but don’t worry—he’s healing. with the empress and the high priestess, he is deep, sensitive, and very in touch with his emotions. he admires someone who is emotionally intelligent and knows how to connect on a deeper level. the world suggests that this relationship will be whole and fulfilling, possibly involving travel or being from different backgrounds. it will feel complete and full of potential, but it might take some time for him to fully open up to you.

♡ where you might meet: through travel, online, or a creative/spiritual setting.

pile 2 – the mysterious intellectual

cards: the hermit, the hierophant (reversed), strength, the magician

this man is not the type to rush into things. the hermit shows he is introspective, wise, and prefers to take his time. he might even seem a little distant or reserved at first. the hierophant reversed suggests he might not follow the traditional path in love, and he could have an unconventional view of relationships. but here’s the beauty—strength and the magician show that once he’s ready, he’s incredibly powerful and determined. he’s someone who knows what he wants and isn’t afraid to make things happen. he’s likely to be successful in his career and creative pursuits, and his quiet confidence will draw you in.

♡ where you might meet: at a place of learning or intellectual discussion, work, or a deep event that sparks curiosity.

pile 3 – the reformed bad boy with a golden heart

cards: the devil (reversed), the sun, judgment (reversed), death

this guy has been through a lot and is really learning how to let go of his past. the devil reversed tells me he’s breaking free from toxic cycles or habits. he might have a wild side, but he’s working on finding balance. the sun shows that when he’s in a good place, he is radiating positivity and love—he’ll light up your world. but he’s still navigating a few things. judgment reversed suggests that he’s a little hesitant about embracing the full change he needs to grow. still, death is here, and that’s a card of transformation. he’s on the verge of letting go of what no longer serves him and stepping into a much better future.

♡ where you might meet: during a period of change or a big life transformation for both of you.

pile 4 – the passionate but mysterious lover

cards: the lovers, the wheel of fortune, the moon, the chariot

this man is a mix of deep passion and mystery. the lovers shows that he’s someone who is very romantic and could be torn between a few paths in life, especially when it comes to love. it’s possible he has a lot of options but is waiting for the right one to come along. the wheel of fortune suggests that your connection will feel fated—as if it was meant to be. things might fall into place at just the right time, but he does have a secretive side (thanks to the moon). he might not always show you all of himself at first, but the chariot tells me that when he commits, he does it with everything he has.

♡ where you might meet: an unexpected situation, or perhaps when things in your life are shifting or changing.

which pile did you pick? does it resonate with you? let me know in the comments!

[majikkulu]

✮ ˖° ⸜ masterlist ꕤ ･

╭₊˚๑ i'm  not  a  professional  astrologer,  so  they  may  not  resonate  with  everyone. take  them  with  a  grain  of  salt.  consider  the  planets, degrees, etc! these  are  just  my  personal  observations  and  opinions!

☁️₊˚੭

⋆⁺₊ planets  in  the  first  house  or  conjuncting  your  ascendant  persona  chart  can  totally  transform  and  complicate  the  vibe  you  give  off.  it’s  kinda  like  in  the  natal  chart,  but  way  more  intricate.  these  planets  or  conjunctions  can  completely  overpower  or  reshape  how  your  rising  energy  plays  out.  the  rising  sign  is  like  the  canvas  of  a  painting,  and  the  planets  placed  within  or  near  it  are  the  brushstrokes  and  colors  that  bring  the  entire  image  to  life,  altering  its  mood  and  style.

⋆⁺₊ for  example:  i have capricorn  rising,  but  with  chiron  conjuncting my  ascendant.  that  makes  me  come  across  as  wounded,  insecure  about  my  self-image,  but  also  wise  and  compassionate  because  of  the  struggles  i’ve  been  through.  i  get  how  it  feels,  so  i  can  help  others  through  it.  self-confidence  can  be  a  real  issue  with  this  placement.  then  add  neptune  and  uranus  in  the  first  house,  and  suddenly,  i  might  look  like  a  hard-to-read,  dreamy  mystery.  neptune  tends  to  soften  the  energy  of  the  risign  sign,  so  it  makes  my  serious  capricorn  vibe  a  little  more…  fluid.  i  don’t  always  see  myself  the  way  others  do,  and  that  adds  to  the  confusion.  uranus,  though,  makes  my  capricorn  rising  unpredictable,  way  less  steady  than  your  average  cap.  it  leaves  me  torn  between  capricorn’s  need  for  stability  and  the  freedom-loving  pull  of  uranus.

⋆⁺₊ conjunctions hit  harder.  they’re  more  obvious,  more  in  your  face,  while  planets  in  the  first  house  will  still  shift  things,  but  in  a  softer  way.

⋆⁺₊ if  you  have  no  planets  or  conjunctions  in  the  first  house,  whatever  sign  sits  there  takes  the  lead.  but  don’t  forget, other aspects  to  the  ascendant  can  shake  things  up  too!

✮ SUN IN THE 1ST you have a  cosmic  spotlight on you.  if  you’ve  got  this  placement,  consider  yourself  truly  blessed.  the  sun  is  the  dominant  force,  and  with  it  in  the  1st,  you  can't  help  but  shine.  this  placement  brings  a  natural  radiance  that  makes  you  stand  out  wherever  you  go,  even  if  you're  not  trying  to.  people  are  drawn  to  your  energy  and  notice  you  right  away.  no  matter  what  your  ascendant  is,  the  sun  amplifies  its  traits,  making  them  more  obvious  and  pronounced.  without  this  placement,  you’d  be  more  of  a  quiet  observer,  but  with  it,  you  become  the  full-on  main  character.  the  sun  makes  you  hyper-aware  of  how  you  present  yourself  and  how  others  see  you.  you're  aware  of  your  own  personality,  and  even  if  you  don't  try,  you  naturally  give  off  leadership  vibes.  with  the  sun  boosting  your  rising  sign,  your  traits  become  even  more  dominant.  you’re  less  likely  to  hide  who  you  are.  your  authentic  self  just  radiates  out,  making  you  impossible  to  ignore.

✮ MOON  IN  THE  1ST     you’re  likely  someone  who  wears  their  heart  on  their  sleeve.  your  emotions  are  easily  read  by  others,  and  you  come  across  as  emotionally  open  and  approachable.  people  can  sense  your  genuine,  heartfelt  energy  right  away.  this  placement  makes  you  naturally  vulnerable,  which  can  make  others  feel  seen  and  understood  by  you.  because  the  moon  is  a  deeply  sensitive  planet,  you're  attuned  to  the  moods  and  energy  of  those  around  you,  often  picking  up  on  subtle  shifts  in  atmosphere.  your  mood  can  influence  your  behavior,  making  you  appear  adaptable  and  fluid.  one  moment  you  might  seem  more  cheerful,  the  next  more  introspective—it  all  depends  on  the  emotional  climate  around  you.  this  also  extends  to  your  appearance,  which  might  change  based  on  how  you're  feeling.  you  likely  feel  most  comfortable  when  you're  nurturing  or  comforting  others,  and  this  side  of  you  may  be  the  most  visible.  intuitively,  you  might  protect  your  emotional  space  or  express  your  feelings  in  a  way  that  makes  you  seem  instinctive  and  open.  while  the  sun  helps  express  your  ascendant  traits  confidently  and  boldly,  the  moon  invites  you  to  express  your  inner  world  more  openly.  your  emotional  responses  to  situations  are  often  immediate,  and  you  might  rely  heavily  on  gut  feelings  and  intuition  to  guide  your  actions.  for  some,  the  moon  can  bring  out  a  more  private  side,  making  you  appear  sensitive  or  withdrawn,  and  people  may  see  you  as  someone  who  keeps  their  deeper  emotions  hidden.

✮ MERCURY  IN  THE  1ST         you’re  immediately  seen  as  sharp,  witty,  and  quick  with  your  words.  expressing  yourself  comes  effortlessly,  and  you  know  exactly  how  to  make  your  point  land.  people  are  drawn  to  engage  with  you  because  you’re  mentally  active  and  always  ready  to  process  information  and  come  up  with  solutions  on  the  fly.  this  placement  gives  you  a  youthful,  curious  vibe—you’re  the  kind  of  person  who  loves  to  learn  and  dive  into  debates  or  intellectual  discussions.  there’s  a  playful,  talkative  quality  to  you  that  makes  you  approachable  and  easy  to  talk  to.  mercury  in  the  1st  also  makes  you  more  flexible,  adjusting  your  communication  style  to  fit  the  situation.  you  probably  don’t  like  being  bored  and  are  constantly  seeking  mental  stimulation.  your  movements,  gestures,  and  even  the  way  you  stand  or  walk  often  reflect  your  thoughts  and  mental  energy—there’s  a  quickness  to  you.  you  might  have  a  rapid  speech  pattern,  talking  quickly  or  excitedly  as  your  thoughts  race  ahead.  this  placement  makes  you  come  across  as  highly  expressive,  and  mercury  enhances  whatever  sign  you  have,  making  it  more  adaptable  and  dynamic.  people  will  first  notice  you  through  the  way  you  talk,  as  mercury  tends  to  intellectualize  everything  it  touches,  giving  your  outward  persona  a  more  articulate,  thought-driven  quality.

✮ VENUS  IN  THE  1ST     your  entire  persona  is  wrapped  in  the  essence  of  venusian  charm.  even  if  the  sign  on  your  ascendant  is  a  bit  more  intense  or  harsh,  venus  smooths  it  out,  making  you  more  approachable  and  naturally  magnetic.  this  placement  infuses  you  with  an  effortless  attractiveness,  making  it  easier  for  people  to  like  you.  whether  you  want  to  or  not,  you  carry  a  flirtatious,  almost  romantic  energy  that  draws  others  in.  venus  makes  everything  you  do—how  you  speak,  how  you  dress,  how  you  carry  yourself—feel  beautiful  and  captivating.  no  matter  what  your  ascendant  sign  is  in  your  chart,  you’ll  always  come  across  as  charming  and  likable.  this  placement  enhances  your  natural  traits,  making  you  more  aesthetically  pleasing  and  easy  to  be  around.  you  likely  have  a  sense  of  style  and  elegance  that  shines  through  effortlessly,  and  you  probably  express  your  artistic  side  without  even  trying.  venus  gives  you  a  warm,  inviting  aura  that  people  find  hard  to  resist.

✮ MARS  IN  THE  1ST                your  rising  sign  gets  a  major  energy  boost.  if  your  rising  sign  is  usually  more  laid-back  or  passive,  mars  will  push  it  into  a  more  dynamic,  fast-paced  mode.  you’ll  come  across  as  bold,  determined,  and  not  afraid  to  go  after  what  you  want.  this  placement  gives  you  confidence  that  can  sometimes  border  on  aggression  or  impatience.  unlike  venus,  which  is  more  subtle  and  charming,  mars  in  the  1st  is in-your-face.  direct,  forceful,  and  unapologetically  assertive.  even  if  your  rising  sign  tends  to  be  reserved  or  private,  mars  makes  you  more  blunt  and  outspoken.  you’re  the  type  to  take  initiative,  preferring  to  make  things  happen  rather  than  waiting  for  them  to  come  to  you.  with  mars  in  the  1st,  you’re  not  one  to  back  down  easily.  you  hate  delays  and  indecision.  your  body  language,  speech,  and  movements  tend  to  be  sharp,  quick,  and  full  of  energy.  you  might  attract  competition  or  conflict,  but  that  doesn’t  faze  you.  your  presence  is  commanding,  and  you  radiate  an  intense,  magnetic  energy.  mars  makes  you  more  independent  and  tough,  as  it  thrives  on  strength  and  hates  being  seen  as  weak.  others  are  likely  to  see  you  as  dominant,  fiery,  and  undeniably  attractive.  you  speak  your  mind,  say  exactly  what  you  mean,  and  do  what  you  want.  whatever  your  rising  sign  is,  mars  amps  it  up  with  boldness  and  power,  making  your  presence  undeniably  strong  and  full  of  life.

✮ JUPITER  IN  THE  1ST            it   supercharges  your  rising  sign,  expanding  it  and  filling  you  with  an  infectious,  radiant  energy.  it  brings  a  positive,  uplifting  vibe  that  makes  your  personality  and  appearance  shine.  no  matter  what  your  rising  sign  is,  jupiter  infuses  it  with  an  adventurous,  optimistic  spirit.  this  placement  is  often  considered  lucky,  as  jupiter  amplifies  the  traits  of  your  ascendant,  making  them  even  more  prominent  and,  in  turn,  attracting  more  opportunities  your  way.  people  are  drawn  to  your  warmth,  generosity,  and  natural  confidence,  seeing  you  in  a  positive  light  and  trusting  you.  even  when  faced  with  challenges,  you  seem  to  always  land  on  your  feet.  with  jupiter  in  the  1st,  you  come  across  as  someone  who  thinks  big,  often  exuding  an  aura  of  wisdom  or  having  a  deep,  almost  philosophical  outlook.  if  your  rising  sign  tends  to  be  more  reserved,  jupiter  makes  you  more  open-hearted  and  expansive.  you  rarely  think  small  and  might  have  a  sense  of  destiny  or  purpose,  believing  that  great  things  are  possible.  however,  with  jupiter’s  expansive  nature,  there's  also  a  tendency  to  overdo  things—whether  it’s  speaking,  eating,  spending,  or  taking  risks.  sometimes,  your  confidence  can  border  on  overconfidence,  and  there’s  a  risk  of  exaggeration  or  arrogance.

✮ SATURN  IN  THE  1ST            is  the  complete  opposite  of  jupiter.  where  jupiter  brings  expansion  and  a  carefree  energy,  saturn  brings  structure  and  discipline.  this  placement  makes  you  more  composed,  reliable,  and  reserved.  you  come  across  as  serious,  with  a  strong,  but  often  intimidating  presence.  at  first,  people  may  find  you  distant,  wise,  or  even  unapproachable  until  they  get  to  know  you.  unlike  sun  or  jupiter,  which  express  personality  boldly  and  openly,  saturn  refines  and  controls  how  you  show  up.  you  tend  to  hold  back,  carefully  considering  what  you  say  and  how  you  present  yourself.  your  demeanor  is  serious,  professional,  and  mature—there’s  a  sense  of  caution  in  the  way  you  engage  with  others.  saturn  in  the  1st  doesn’t  offer  natural  luck  like  jupiter;  instead,  it  pushes  you  to  work  hard  for  everything  you  achieve.  you  don’t  rush  into  things  and  prefer  to  observe  before  acting.  others  may  feel  they  need  to  prove  themselves  to  you  before  you  open  up,  and  whether  intentional  or  not,  you  project  an  authoritative,  no-nonsense  vibe.  while  this  gives  you  a  sense  of  strength,  saturn  can  also  create  self-imposed  limitations  and  fears,  especially  around  expressing  your  true  self.

✮ URANUS  IN  THE  1ST  this  placement  makes  your  rising  sign  constantly  evolve,  giving  you  a  vibe  that’s  rebellious  and  unpredictable.  you  express  your  ascendant  traits  in  ways  that  are  bold,  electrifying,  and  often  out  of  the  ordinary.  while  it  might  feel  completely  normal  to  you,  to  others,  it’s  always  a  surprise.  your  presence  is  magnetic  and  full  of  sudden,  unexpected  shifts,  making  you  someone  people  can  never  fully  predict.  whether  it’s  through  fashion,  beliefs,  or  changes  in  personality,  you  constantly  reinvent  yourself,  and  at  different  points  in  your  life,  you  might  appear  completely  different.  you  naturally  challenge  authority,  disrupt  traditions,  and  question  outdated  norms  simply  by  being  yourself.  this  can  bring  competition  and  unnecessary  tension,  with  some  people  disliking  you  for  no  apparent  reason.  your  energy  is  captivating  and  full  of  surprises,  and  your  life  often  feels  like  a  series  of  twists  and  turns.  while  it’s  exciting,  it  can  also  feel  chaotic  or  offbeat  with  the  expectations  of  society.  this  placement  gives  you  an  eccentric,  unique  presence,  often  bringing  a  hot-and-cold  energy  that  keeps  people  on  their  toes.

✮ NEPTUNE  IN  THE  1ST   your  rising  sign  takes  on  a  dreamy,  mysterious  quality.  it  softens  the  traits  of  your  ascendant,  creating  an  ethereal  and  fluid  vibe  that  can  make  you  seem  like  you're  from  another  world.  there's  a  sense  of  transcendence  about  you—like  you're  part  of  this  world  but  also  not  fully  grounded  in  it.  people  might  find  you  elusive  and  hard  to  pin  down,  as  your  energy  is  gentle  and  often  difficult  to  read.  you  may  be  seen  as  too  sensitive  or  easily  affected  by  the  world  around  you.  neptune  brings  a  sense  of  idealization,  both  of  yourself  and  others.  sometimes  you  can  project  a  perfection  that  isn’t  fully  accurate,  which  can  lead  to  others  feeling  let  down  if  they  get  too  close  or  if  things  don't  live  up  to  the  ideal  you’ve  created.  this  foggy  influence  means  you  may  struggle  with  presenting  your  true  self  clearly,  leading  to  confusion  or  contradictions  in  how  others  perceive  you.  ultimately,  you  come  across  as  mysterious,  with  an  air  of  wonder  but  also  a  subtle  sense  of  ambiguity.

✮ PLUTO  IN  THE  1ST                 pluto  amplifies  everything  about  your  rising  sign,  adding  a  deep  intensity  and  transformative  energy.  there's  a  magnetic,  almost  hypnotic  quality  to  your  presence  that  others  can't  help  but  be  drawn  to.  people  may  find  themselves  inexplicably  attracted  to  you,  and  whether  you're  aware  of  it  or  not,  you  have  a  profound  influence  on  those  around  you.  your  energy  is  compelling,  and  you  leave  a  lasting  impact  the  moment  you  enter  someone's  life.  pluto  in  the  1st  makes  your  self-expression  ever-evolving,  pushing  you  to  constantly  shed  old  identities  and  embrace  transformation.  you're  unafraid  to  face  uncomfortable  truths  about  yourself,  and  you're  aware  of  both  your  light  and  your  shadow.  through  personal  rebirths  and  self-discovery,  pluto  forces  you  to  confront  your  deepest  fears,  and  this  gives  you  a  resilience  and  depth  that  others  can  sense,  even  if  they  can't  quite  put  their  finger  on  it.

✮ NORTH  NODE  IN  THE  1ST          this  placement  encourages  you  to  step  into  your  most  authentic  self,  embracing  your  individuality  and  destiny.  it's  about  self-discovery  and  learning  to  express  who  you  truly  are,  rather  than  conforming  to  others'  expectations.  with  the  North  Node  in  the  1st,  you're  pushed  to  assert  your  personal  identity  with  confidence  and  independence.  you  might  feel  a  deep  desire  to  understand  who  you  really  are  and  express  yourself  freely,  with  a  strong  need  to  project  your  true  essence  to  the  world.  this  placement  calls  for  you  to  take  charge  of  your  life  and  make  choices  that  are  aligned  with  your  personal  truth.  it  often  leads  you  to  work  on  self-acceptance  and  assert  your  identity  in  ways  that  set  you  apart  from  others.  your  presence  should  feel  authentic,  as  you  are  meant  to  stand  out  and  live  in  a  way  that  reflects  your  unique,  true  self.

✮ CHIRON  IN  THE  1ST           your  wound  is  closely  tied  to  how  you  present  yourself  to  the  world.  you  may  struggle  with  feelings  of  being  incomplete  or  flawed,  which  could  lead  to  self-doubt.  this  placement  can  make  you  feel  misunderstood  or  disconnected  from  your  identity.  however,  it  also  gives  you  a  deep  understanding  of  others'  vulnerabilities,  as  you've  likely  experienced  your  own  challenges  in  this  area.  chiron's  influence  can  bring  a  lack  of  confidence  and  difficulty  fully  embracing  your  unique  identity.  there's  often  a  tendency  to  hold  back,  as  you  might  fear  rejection  or  not  fitting  in.  healing  for  you  comes  through  helping  others  with  their  own  struggles,  as  it  allows  you  to  work  through  your  insecurities.  issues  related  to  body  image  or  how  you  feel  others  perceive  you  could  also  be  present  with  this  placement.

[swetblom]

⟡ ◌ .ﾟㅤ‪ ∿ FOREVER DAYDREAMING OF . . 𑁯੭ BRIAN MOSER & ANGEL! READER ˚ . 𔒌 ⊹ ۫

❜ ׄ 𓏲 au work content, female! readers race not specified, dark content ( none done to reader — ice truck killer actives ), some nsfw content.

BRIAN MOSER & ANGEL! READER who are wall-to-wall neighbors in their building. they’ve never spoken to one another longer than 5 minutes and only exchanged a couple sweet smiles when crossing paths going to their apartments. BRIAN MOSER who doesn’t let the sweet woman go unnoticed when she’s near. noting that she always gives him the most genuine farewells he’s heard from a stranger and how soft her features are before seemly forgetting about her after entering his apartment. while . . ANGEL! READER thinks “oh my god, he’s a cutie” every time he sees him. adores how his hair and eyes are nearly the same deep brown and never misses an opportunity to send a short wave his way.

BRIAN MOSER & ANGEL! READER who only began to really speak to one another because brian continuously makes a lot of noise in his apartment interpreting her sleep most nights. and every time because she’s too sweet to be upset, she leads with a gentle “sorry to interrupt” and “know m’ bothering you again but . .” when asking him about turning it down a bit.

he fakes his sincerity and doesn’t bother to change his actions the first couple times she asked, keeping in mind she never really asks exactly what he’s doing unlike all the other neighbors who demand answers. until one night she comes to his door with sleepy features and a soft pout. “m’ sorry to bother you again but could you just stop for a little bit? so i can at least get into the first stage then you can continue, i swear.” he enjoys her. how she negotiates instead of out right demanding him. how she assumes the best of him, believes he’ll listen if she asks nicely enough. and for the first time, he actually quiets down.

when she comes to thank him the next morning with full eyes and asking his name he found himself giving her his real one, “brian but call me rudy” while holding out his hand. she squints at him unsure as she take his hand, “where did rudy come from?” unknown to her, he lies with a soft smile on his face, “nickname from when i was a kid.” but she believes it.

BRIAN MOSER & ANGEL! READER who’s relationship dynamic is the perfect twist of epic dreams and nightmares. the epic dreams being full of soft, deep kisses like her making him feel as though he doesn’t have to fake who he is, him giving her sweet presents with small, red, bows tied on each one or her actual gaining the nickname angel by him when he’s teasing her about something. his voice soft and low as he looks at her with dark, dreamy eyes, “come on, angel.”

while the nightmares run deep, they hold their relationship together the most because his urges prompt him to lie, he doesn’t tell her to hide them but to keep her exactly where he wants her: in his arms. when the moon is full, he brings women to his apartment and looks at them as though they’re his world until the door is shut and they have their guard down. if they get too loud when he’s strangling them he covers their mouths and whispers, “sh sh. don’t want to wake her”. keeping her in mind even in the midst of his ugres. if she comes over and hears or sees something he’s quick to make up an excuse that she’s quick to believe because he hasn’t made her believe other wise. “you promise?” he gives both her eyes the perfect amount of affection, shifting from one to the other as he swears, “promise, angel.”

angel! reader introduction

jealous! brian sweet surprise one, killing while talking about her two, killing while talking about her game of go fish brian’s possessiveness seeps into small details their first time together thigh riding

© 2025 swetblom — don’t try to imitate or use my work to your benefit.

asks are open for these two! read guidelines before submitting or i’ll just delete you’re ask lol.

— to see visuals, asks or answered questions about them, click the first tags!

[pitchsidestories]

What is this feeling ? (2) II Alexia Putellas x Reader

romantic masterlist | platonic masterlist | word count: 1288

summary: Alexia broke up with you, but what happens when a small accident makes her question if it was the right decision to let you go that soon ?

author's note: thanks for the love for part one, we hope you'll enjoy part two just as much. 🫶🏻🫶🏻

⏪ Part 1

“Alexia!”, Mapi shouted at the top of her lungs.

Composed, the midfielder answered:” Calm down, Maria.”

“No!”, she exclaimed passionately.

In a matter of fact-tone, Alexia explained:” It’s the only reasonable decision.” Much quieter, the blonde added:” This wouldn’t have worked out anyway.”

The defender cursed under her breath: “You’re an idiot.”

“I’m not.”, her team captain countered.

Mapi objected strongly: “Yes, you’re.”

‘”t's less heartbreaking in the long run”, Alexia lied to herself. This lie would have convinced anyone, but not one of her best friends.

The younger woman raised an eyebrow sceptically: “What are you talking about? You’re not even trying with her.”

“We were trying it out for a week, and it was wonderful.”, the older player reminisced with a dreamy look in her hazel eyes.

Pictures of the short honeymoon phase you both had shared came to her mind. You two were quite the opposite pair, not just age wise. Nevertheless, it was exciting to be in each other's company, especially because of your different personalities.

With a sad smile Mapi concluded: “And then you got scared.”

“Sorry, I have to take that call.”, Alexia apologized.

The midfielder had a bad sense of foreboding when she saw that Jana was calling her, she suspected that something must have taken place. Alexia picked up the phone with a queasy feeling.

“What happened?... Wait, where the hell are you?”, the blonde asked her with a worried undertone.

Jana's nerves seemed on edge as she was searching for the right words: “Uhm..”

“Tell me quickly.”, Alexia urged the younger woman.

She dropped your name and the captain’s heart sank.

“Apologies, Maria, but I’ve to go.”, the blonde announced.

The defender frowned in confusion:” What?”

“It has to do with her.”, Alexia emphasized.

“Oh.”

The midfielder was already on her way out of the front door: “So, if you excuse me now, I really need to leave.”

“Go.”, Mapi nodded understandingly as her friend waved goodbye.

Only a few minutes later, Alexia waited anxiously for Jana to let her inside. “Ale.”, she greeted her with a pale face.

In true captain's and older sister’s manner, the blonde assured the defender: “Hi, don’t worry, I’m here.”

“Thanks.”, Jana looked soothed by her presence. With a welcoming smile on her lips, she added:” Come on in.”

A few of their teammates were standing nervously in the hallway.

“So, where is she?”, she questioned them.

Nervously, Ona ran her fingers through her hair:” On the sofa.”

“Will you tell me now, what exactly happened? Jana was very vague on the phone.”, Alexia demanded.

It was Ona who spoke again, while the others looked down to the ground in dismay: “It’s not too bad. We wanted to cheer her up with a pyjama party and she kind of fell off the bed when we jumped on it.”

Alexia didn’t answer. Pinching the bridge of her nose in annoyance, she took a deep breath to steady herself.

Cata nodded to support Ona: “Exactly. So actually you happened to her.”

“Me?”, Alexia echoed, offended by the insinuation. She quickly bit down her anger and changed the topic: “Did she pass out?”

Only then you realised that she had caught sight of you.

Through the throbbing headache, you blinked at her. You were almost certain that she wasn’t real and would disappear if you blinked hard enough.

“This bump on her head will hurt.”, you suddenly heard her say right next to you while soft fingertips brushed the hair from your forehead, right above the tender spot above your temple.

“She was only gone for a few seconds so it can’t be that bad, right? Right?”, Jana asked, her voice rising with panic.

“Ale? Go away.”, you complained, trying to bat her hand away but the quick movement made you immediately queasy again.

The midfielder deliberately ignored you and turned to Jana: “No, she’s pretty much conscious.”

Even through that excruciating head ache, you didn’t miss the mocking tone in her voice.

Anger took over. You forced yourself to sit up: “I said leave.”

“No.”, Alexia replied calmly.

You both stared at each other for a while.

“Why not?”

“Because I said so.”

For the sake of your health, you fought the urge to roll your eyes at her.

“You can’t just leave and return whenever you please.”, you snapped at her, grimacing with pain.

The midfielder remained unimpressed: “I wouldn’t have returned if you were able to take care of yourself.”

“I had everything under control. This was just an accident.”, you assured her.

“Sure.”

“If you’re not leaving, I’ll leave.”

Tired of Alexias condescending replies, you tried to get up from the sofa and leave the living room but as soon as you stood upright, you started seeing black spots dance in front of your eyes. The dizziness forced you to grip the armrest of the sofa, just in case.

Alexia quickly grabbed the elbow of your other arm: “You can’t”

“It’s okay. I can walk from here to my flat.”, you said, pulling your arm away from her.

“You stay right where you are.”, Alexia warned and in the next moment, you were picked up by her and thrown over her shoulder like you weighed nothing.

“Alexia, put me down. I swear-…”

“You swear what, huh?”

You tried to reach for the right words but what came out was closer to the truth than you liked: “You’re so confusing… Hot and cold. Almost impossible to grasp…”

“That’s the head injury.” she explained.

Too exhausted to fight her you gave in:” I just want to go home, so the girls can enjoy their sleepover.”

“I’ll bring you home.”, the midfielder explained in a tone of voice that would not tolerate any protest from your side.

You said your goodbyes to your friends who you hoped would still enjoy the evening even though it didn’t turn out as planned. Before you had even left the flat, Cata promised you that if you felt better, you would repeat the event.

The bond you had with your teammates was special, and you wouldn't give it up for the world, even if it meant seeing your ex-girlfriend, who broke up with you after a week, almost every day - they were worth the stay.

“Thanks, although I could have driven home on my own.”, you whispered as you rested your head on the cool car windscreen, which helped to ease the pain a little.

Whilst doing so, you could still see her giving you the side eye: ”Sure.”

A little later, you thanked her once more for driving you, but to your surprise, Alexia got out of the car too:” You think I’m already leaving?”

“You’re not?”

“You’ve a head injury, someone has to stay with you.”, the responded the older woman who was known for her stubbornness.

When she helped you to bed, you told her:” I’m good, Ale.”

“Shut up. I won’t leave.”, Alexia grumbled.

A sudden intuition struck you: “If I kiss you right now would you leave then?”

To your and her surprise, she said no.

You both placed everything into the kiss, the sweetness, the pain, everything melted together when your lips touched. It tasted of heartache and the possibility of healing it.

“And you’re still here.” you realised out of breath.

Alexia confirmed this in earnest: “I’m.”

“What does it mean?”, you asked her, searching her hazel eyes for the answer.

She pressed a featherlight kiss to your forehead:” That this is only the beginning not the end.”

If Alexia had to answer the question of, what that feeling was, her answer would be simple: it was love, regardless of what the outside world might think because of your age difference.

gif source: https://www.tumblr.com/okboomer17/752550115290513408/alexia-labor-omnia-vincit-2022?source=share

[harmoonix]

𝓗 𝓐 𝓡 𝓜 𝓞 𝓝 𝓨

(Astrology Observations)

🦋------- 🦋 -------🦋 🦋-------🦋

~ Something like a dream has found me ~

🦋------- 🦋 -------🦋 🦋------- 🦋 -------🦋

🌺 - Every element symbolize a mythical creature your rising sign is associated with

Earth Risings with Fairies 🌺 ~ Grace

Water Risings with Mermaids 🌺 ~ Rarity

Fire Risings with Dragons🌺 ~ Power

Air Risings with Angels 🌺 ~ Serenity

🌺 - Moon - Jupiter aspects (both harsh and positive aspects) have an inner wisdom, their energy feels like a vortex, very wise for their age

🌺 - Sun in Pisces, (Pisces Degrees 12°, 24° Or Sun in the 12th house) are attracted to mysticism, fantasies, fairytales etc... The Sun here has the energy of dreaming/dreamy

🌺 - Cancer/Pisces/Scorpio Risings = Heart of the ocean, they're untameable like the ocean waves, very innocent with dangerous shadows, very romantic like the ocean aswell

🌺 - Moon in water degrees (4°, 8°, 12°, 16°, 20°, 24°, 28°) love with their soul, their love is so precious and surrounded of peace. They have a calming inner harmony

🌺 - Rising/Ascendant under water degrees (4°, 8°, 12°, 16°, 20°, 24°, 28°) have the most peaceful eyes you'll ever seen, their eyes are so serene and magical, their eyes will get memorized in your head

🦋------- 🦋 -------🦋 🦋------- 🦋 -------🦋

🦋------- 🦋 -------🦋 🦋------- 🦋 -------🦋

🌺 - Sun aspecting Chiron will heal your insecurities, like they can be the people to call out your insecurities and to help you overcome them

🌺 - Venus aspecting Neptune (Both harsh and positive aspect) = Hypnotizing beauty, both Venus and Neptune represent beauty and let me tell you when they're connecting eachother is like an explosion of cherry blossoms

🌺 - Chiron and Pisces/Chiron in 12th house can make you addicted of them, they are the type of people who are lonely or may like to stay alone but once you come up in their energy you can become addicted of them (Pisces effect)

🌺 - Capricorn Sun/Moon/Rising/Venus and Venus in the 10th house have ageless beauty, their beauty remains in time just like the old wine

🌺 - Asteroid Bella (695) in elements and your beauty

Bella touched by the air have an electric beauty, outstanding personality and they're very chatty in their words. They feel like the breeze of air in the morning, breath of life

Bella touched by the water have an mesmerizing beauty, appealing personality, something about them seems so magical and enchantix . Enchanting aura

Bella touched by the fire have an wild beauty, something that you'd feel in love when you see it, strong personality and wild at heart too

Bella touched by the earth have the gracious nature of a nymph, so feminine, so soft and elegant like a rose, natural beauty and classy vibes

🦋------- 🦋 -------🦋 🦋------- 🦋 -------🦋

🌺 - Ascendant - Moon aspects (Both harsh and positive aspects) give snow white vibes and I don't mean the skin color, I mean the vibe and the energy of snow white, that pure and nostalgic aura of it, just like that are these aspects too, very kind, helpful, positive, dreamy.

🌺 - Out of all the signs Sagittarius and Pisces give the most tropical and exotic vibes they're like this friend of the group who's gonna teach you their traditions and culture

🌺 - Mercury in Cancer/Taurus/Pisces have very soft voices, their voice can be very feminine aswell no matter the gender for example boys with those signs in Mercury can have soft/sweet voices

🌺 - Part of Fortune in the 7th house are really blessed/fated with a very good relationship/marriage because the Part of Fortune shows where you're the most lucky

🌺 - Libra, Leo and Gemini Moons can be the type of friend who always has a prominent smell of parfume. It can be from their obsession with perfumes

🦋------- 🦋 -------🦋 🦋------- 🦋 -------🦋

🌺 - Uranus aspecting the Midheaven (MC) can experience having unexpected moments in their career, on their career path or at their jobs (maybe as a surprise 🫢)

🌺 - Asteroid Hera [103] aspecting MC = Being seen as the loyal one in the relationship, the faithful one, the attention will be for you first

🌺 - Sun/Moon in the 5th house can make you very emotional and connected to kids, like that type of person who is always encouraged by kids

🌺 - Neptune and Jupiter in good aspects can make the native very spiritual/intuitive/ with these aspects you can often get lost in your dreams aswell

🌺 - Neptune aspecting the ascendant (both harsh and positive aspects) make the native stunning. They can literally look like some ocean/river nymph with those aspects

🦋------- 🦋 -------🦋 🦋------- 🦋 -------🦋

🌺 - Uranus aspecting Mars > If you are from the lgbt community this can be an indicator of attracting the same gender. Especially men

🌺 - Sun in the 11th house have the cutest relationship ever with their friends. Is really very precious what they have with eachother

🌺 - Virgo Sun/Moon/Risings can nurture themselves with long baths, it can be a nurturing method to escape the reality and to focus on yourself for a bit

🌺 - Virgo Mercury or Mercury in Virgo Degrees (6°, 18°) can really bring any topic in conversation. Like jumping from one topic with another and at the end you can forget what you were talking about

🌺 - Sagittarius Moon/Moon in the 9th house give the vibe of Tarzan/Mowgli because of their explorer spirit (If you have this placement and you like these shows it makes more sense). Applying if you also have moon in Sag Degrees (9°, 21°)

🌺 - Cancer/Moon in the 7th house is such a cute placement to have if you're looking for a cute relationship or partner

🌺 - Gemini/Mercury in the 5th house can make the person very sensual in talking and especially at flirting. They can also talk dirty at some points

🦋------- 🦋 -------🦋 🦋------- 🦋 -------🦋

🦋------- 🦋 -------🦋 🦋------- 🦋 -------🦋

🌺 - Aquarius Moon or Moon in Aquarius Degrees (11°. 23°) may like to stay alone/or to be left alone when they are in that type of mood, because they can feel way better alone than with people who stress them out

🌺 - Lilith h12 or h13 aspecting Moon can be the type of person who comforts you when you're low emotionally. Because they can understand you 100% perfectly

🌺 - Neptune aspecting the ascendant are really very sensitive/soft people. And there is nothing wrong with that. I actually think these type of people are the kindest people ever but they're born into a evil world who may hurt them at a soul level

🌺 - Saturn in the 4th house/Saturn in Cancer are the type of people to comfort you when you need to nurture yourself the most because even with all the chaos in their lives. They still have the most peaceful soul

🌺 - Moon in the 2nd house loves sweets, you can always see them sneaking to eat some, they're usually very picky when it comes to sweets tho

🌺 - Moon feels very chill at 3°, 15°, 27° degrees because it makes them be the most aware of the things that happen around them. They have a very strong sense of hearing aswell

🌺 - I wanna give a shout-out to the people with Cancer Lilith and Lilith in the 4th house because they were raised in toxic families/households and still manage to smile. They're so strong

🦋------- 🦋 -------🦋 🦋------- 🦋 -------🦋

🦋------- 🦋 -------🦋 🦋------- 🦋 -------🦋

🦋 This post is about harmony, the thing that puts our world to challenge, because unfortunately not everyone can live in harmony but we can have this harmonious energy in our lives 🦋

🦋 Have a very beautiful day to everyone reading my observations, have a blessed day 🦋

▂▃▅▇█▓▒░𝙷𝚊𝚛𝚖𝚘𝚘𝚗𝚒𝚡░▒▓█▇▅▃▂

🦋------- 🦋 -------🦋 🦋------- 🦋 -------🦋

[batsovergotham]

Chapter 5: Popcorn and Promises

"I've hurt plenty and paid the price… but I'm still here. I turned the page. There's no shortcut to redemption. And no schedule."

Main!Mark Grayson x Psychic! Reader

warnings: this chapter's just porn with feelings </3, unprotected sex, mark can't keep his hands to himself, lots and lots of fluff<3, mentions of abuse and trauma

w/c: 15.3k

a/n: thank you so much for the feedback on the poll! i guess I'll be giving you guys everything I have plot-wise, so enjoy this little slice of life chapter it's pretty corny<3 you guys are truly amazing <33

The morning finds you slower than usual. The sun slants through the half-closed blinds in languid streaks over the rumpled sheets, catching on the sharp line of Mark’s jaw where it lies on the pillow. He’s still asleep, face softened in a manner you’ve never seen before, peaceful, vulnerable, completely unlike the man you’ve battled with amid blood and rubble and fire.

You don’t move right away.

You lie there watching him breathe.

His arm is thrown across your waist like it was always meant to be there. His fingers twitch in his sleep, touch the small of your back, and your body responds without thought. Like you’d been waiting your entire life for that exact touch and never knew it.

You feel different.

Not physically. That pain is there, sure, between your legs, behind your knees, in the agony in your neck where he held you when you came so hard you forgot your name, but that’s not it.

You feel… understood.

Like something in you has been seen for the first time and not shied from. Not corrected. Not reprogrammed or submitted or reported. Just seen.

You’re still trying to digest it as he stirs.

His breath changes first. Then a twitch of his fingers again. Then a dreamy, half-formed sigh as he blinks blearily into the pillow.

“Mmmngh.” His voice is low, rough. “What time is it?”

You glance at the clock. “Eight.”

He groans again. “Too early.”

You smirk, just a bit. “You’re a superhero. I thought you didn’t sleep in.”

“I fought crime yesterday,” he mumbles, drawing the arm around you tighter, burying his face in the crook of your neck. “And did a lot of cardio last night.”

You snort despite yourself.

“I’m serious,” he mutters. “My legs hurt. My soul hurts.”

“You’re dramatic.”

“Only for you.” He lifts his head slightly, just enough to meet your gaze. His voice grows silent. “Hi.”

It’s a little word. Soft. Intimate. Your chest contracts a little.

You swallow. “Hi.”

He grins. Not huge. Only this lovely little curl of his lips that seems like it was fashioned only for you.

For a long minute, none of you talk. The air is warm and close, and the weight of everything you didn’t say yesterday seems like it’s bearing down now, demanding space.

You’re the first to break it.

“I didn’t think this would happen.”

Mark glances at you. “Last night?”

“This. You. Me. Together in a bed. Not fighting.”

He’s silent for a beat. Then, “I thought about it a lot. What it would be like. Waking up close to you.”

You shift, watching him. “And?”

“It’s better than I imagined.”

You blink hard, glancing aside.

He strokes your cheek with the back of his fingers. “Hey. You okay?”

“I don’t know,” you concede. “I’ve never done this.”

“This?”

“Woke up next to someone. After. Had a talk. I don’t know what the rules are.”

“There aren’t any rules.” His fingers glide to your hand, intertwining them between yours. “We just… talk. Or don’t. Whatever you need.”

You look down at your hands. His is larger. Warmer. And when you squeeze, just a bit, he squeezes back.

You take a breath.

“I was scared,” you say. “Last night. When you first came over.”

Mark’s eyes soften. “I know.”

“I didn’t think I could do it. I thought I’d shut down halfway through. Like I usually do.”

“But you didn’t.”

“No.” You gaze up at him. “You didn’t let me.”

He frowns little. “It wasn’t about letting you. I just… stayed. You did the rest.”

You lie there for a long while, breathing that in.

He draws you closer, placing his forehead on yours. “I know you’ve been through shit you don’t want to talk about. I don’t need you to. Not unless you want to. But I’m here, okay? I’m not going anywhere.”

You nod. The pressure behind your eyes tightens.

“I’m not used to that.”

“I’ll help you get used to it.”

Silence again. But this time it feels like a bridge, not a wall.

You shift slightly. “What about everyone else?”

He blinks. “What do you mean?”

“Cecil. The team.. Even Debbie. People who think I’m-” You pause. “Damaged.”

Mark sits up slightly, bracing himself on his elbow. “If anyone’s got a problem with they can go fuck themselves.”

You raise an eyebrow. “Including your mom?”

He huffs. “Okay, okay. Fair. But actually, she likes you. I mean, she really does. She told me you’re smart. Said you remind her of someone she used to know. I think that was a compliment but… I love you. This isn’t a PR problem. It’s not a team issue. It’s not something I have to explain.”

He looks at you like it’s the simplest thing in the world.

You want to believe that. You want to disappear into it and never resurface.

Your voice is quieter than you mean it to be. “I spent years being told I was a tool. Not a person. Not… deserving of any of this.”

Mark cups your face in both hands, gentle but firm. “You were always a person. You were always deserving. They were just too fucked up to see it.”

You nod. It’s little. A movement that feels immense.

“Thank you,” you whisper.

He leans forward and kisses you. Not hard. Not even deep. Just a press of mouth that tastes like sunlight and the beginning of something real.

When he draws back, he smiles again. “So… what do you want to do today?”

You blink at him. “Today?”

“Yeah. Anything. Everything. Or nothing. We could lay in bed all day and just get up for food and water.”

You smirk. “That’s lazy.”

“That’s romance,” he responds.

You roll your eyes.

“Or,” he says, “we could go outside. Touch grass. Maybe see a movie.”

You gaze at him. “I haven’t been to a movie theater before.”

He shrugs. “Then that’s what we’re doing.”

Your chest warms. A little smile pulls at your mouth.

“… You’ll have to help me pick out what to wear.”

“Huh. Never thought I’d see the day where you asked me for outfit advice. I’m honored…"

You narrow your eyes. “Don’t push your luck.”

He only chuckles, planting a kiss to your cheek before sliding out of bed. His bare ass disappears toward the restroom, and you let yourself look.

You lie there a minute longer, enveloped in the covers that still smell like sex and safety and something that could just be yours now.

Then you get up. Because you have a date. Because you’re allowed to.

Because you wake up next to someone who loves you, and that changes everything.

You sit cross-legged in the center of the bed, hair a mess, body fatigued. The blankets are still knotted around your hips. You haven’t gotten up. Haven’t even reached for your phone. You’re just monitoring the door.

The sound of running water stopped five minutes ago.

Now there’s sloppy movement. The muted thump of a shampoo bottle knocked over. Then. “Shit—uh—don’t fall, don’t fall, okay, cool, we’re okay,” followed by a sigh and a wet laugh.

You roll your eyes. 

Then the door opens.

Mark emerges in a cloud of steam, towel draped around his shoulders, body shining from the shower. His hair is wild, still flowing. He’s clutching his shirt with one hand, boxers draped on carelessly, like he got sidetracked halfway through putting them on and forgot how pants work.

He notices you observing him. Freezes.

“What?” he adds, like he wasn’t just talking to shampoo a minute ago.

You smirk. “You’re the loudest person in the universe.”

He grins shyly. “Yeah, well, most of my fights end with me getting thrown into buildings, so subtlety’s never really been my thing.”

He drops onto the side of the bed, still towel-damp, tugging on socks like it’s the hardest thing he’s ever done. His knee smacks against yours. He doesn’t move it.

“Hey,” he says unexpectedly. Quiet now.

You glance up.

His eyes are gentle. Serious in that manner that only happens when the mask slips, when he’s not trying to be humorous, or strong, or fine.

“I meant what I said,” he informs you. “Last night. I love you.”

Your breath catches.

Not because you didn’t know it. He told you previously. But it’s the way he says it now. Like he’s steadying himself with it. Like it’s a fact he’s going to hold onto even if the whole world tilts sideways again.

You gaze at him.

Mark. With his dumb hair, and his crooked grin, and the way he constantly chews his lip when he’s nervous. Mark, who could punch holes that could destroy cities, yet still checks in to make sure your hand isn’t cold when he holds it.

You say it back. “I love you too.”

His smile this time is smaller. Softer. Like it hurts, but in a good way. Like letting himself feel so much is still terrifying, but worth it.

He leans forward and kisses you.

Not some hot, post-sex, desperate kiss. This one is slower. Lips parted just a bit, his hand reaching up to cradle the side of your neck, thumb stroking under your jaw like he’s worried you’ll disappear. You open to him without even thinking. The fire between you is there, always, but this is something new.

It’s not about taking.

It’s about staying.

When he draws back, he lingers close, forehead pushed against yours. You’re both breathing a bit heavier than the moment called for, yet neither of you pulls away.

“I didn’t think I was ever gonna get to do this,” he adds.

You blink. “What, kiss me?”

“No. I mean yeah, but like… this. Just be with you. No one watching. No mission. No blood. No...” he swallows, and doesn’t continue the statement.

You don’t push.

Instead, you lean into him again. Your hand on his chest. His heartbeat under your palm.

“We don’t have to be anything right now,” you mumble. “We just have to be here.”

He exhales, like he’s been holding his breath for months.

You both sit like that for a time, the room warming with sun through the blinds, his flesh on yours, the quiet full with everything you haven’t spoken but don’t need to.

Then he straightens himself, ruffling his damp hair, gripping his shirt, and pushing his head into it like it personally insulted him. He gets his arm jammed halfway in the sleeve and curses.

You raise an eyebrow. “You literally fight aliens with your bare hands.”

“This shirt is fighting back, okay?”

You snort. “Do you want help?”

“No. I have dignity.”

You give him a look.

He gives you one right back, then yanks the shirt the rest of the way down with a triumphant grunt, his hair now sticking out in four different ways.

His eyes flick toward yours. “I don’t want this to just be… last night. I want to be with you. Not just behind closed doors. In the real world. With real dumb popcorn and real dumb movies.”

You nod. Slowly.

Then, softly, “Okay.”

His face cracks into a smile. It’s boyish and absolutely uncensored. “Yeah?”

“Yeah.”

He grins even harder. “Okay. Cool. We’ll—uh—I’ll buy food. And maybe not wear the shirt that tried to murder me.”

You bend over and kiss him again. This time quicker. A little surer.

And as you draw back, he’s gazing at you like you just handed him the sun.

“I really love you,” he adds again.

You smile.

“I know.”

And this time, when you say it, it doesn’t scare you.

You stand, carefully, letting the sheet fall off your body. There’s a ghost of discomfort between your thighs, an aching deep in your hips that reminds you where his hands had been. The way he’d held you last night like you were something worth loving, not just touching. Not just used. You breathe through it.

The air feels colder against your skin than you expect. You don’t grab for clothing right away. Just stretch, arms high, spine long, head tilting back as your body works away the residual stiffness of sleep. You hear something catch in his throat behind you.

You peek over your shoulder.

Mark’s sitting on the side of the bed, halted. Mouth a bit open. Eyes wide. Red crawling up his neck.

You blink. “What?”

He swallows. “Nothing—uh—just…” He waves vaguely in your way. “You’re… wow.”

That shouldn’t make you feel warm. You’ve been told you’re gorgeous before. You’ve read the notes in your G.D.A file. “Presents well. Psychologically distant.” 

But this is different.

He looks at you like you belong in your body. Like it’s something beautiful, not a tool to be honed and kept.

You cross your arms, more out of habit than shame. “I’m just going to shower.”

He nods swiftly, still watching. “Right. Yeah. You should. I mean—not because you need to. You don’t. You smell fine. Not like, fine, fine, but like—”

“Mark.”

He chews his lip. “I’ll shut up now.”

You roll your eyes, a grin pulling at your mouth. You move by him near the bathroom, the stretch of flesh between your shoulder blades prickling with the awareness that he’s looking. Not leering. Not consuming. Just… awed.

Before you approach the bathroom door, you hesitate.

You don’t know why. Maybe it’s instinct. Maybe it’s something else. But you stop. Turn slightly. Meet his eyes.

“Do you wanna come with me?”

His eyes grow wide, the way they do when a battle goes upside-down, or when someone says something so unexpected he doesn’t know what part of his brain to utilize first.

“I—I mean—yeah. I did already but, I want to—but also—are you sure? Because I don’t want to, like, interrupt your post-shower alone time if that’s a thing you need and—”

“Mark.”

He shuts up.

You glance down, then back up. Your voice is quieter. “You’ve seen me already."

His face softens.

You don’t explain. You don’t have to. He understands what this exposure means. How much you trust him. You were undressed under glaring lighting, cold metal tables accompanied with the beeping of machinery more acquainted with your body than another human ever had been. You just remember numbness. And quiet. And the way even the word “skin” sounded strange on your lips.

But this? With him?

It's different.

He stands. Walks to you slowly. Like you could vanish if he goes too fast.

“You’re sure?” he asks again. Not because he doubts himself. But because he won’t do anything unless you’re fully sure.

You nod.

The bathroom is still warm from his shower. Steam clings to the mirror. You can hardly see your reflection. You’re glad.

You step in first. Not turning the water on yet. Just letting the quiet grow heavy between you, charged in a manner that doesn’t seem like electricity, more like gravity. His presence drags you in, inch by inch.

He’s behind you now, observing. His voice comes gently. “Can I touch you?”

You don’t answer. Not with words.

You turn, walk toward him, and press your mouth to his.

It’s hardly the frantic collision of last night. It’s not lips straining for oxygen or tongues clashing like a fight you’re both trying to lose. This is slower. Softer. But no less intense.

Your hands rest softly on his waist, on the band of his half-fastened pants. His are on your back, fingertips skimming over your spine, not pushing, just learning.

When you split, it’s only for air.

His voice is low. Rough. “You feel different today.”

“So do you.”

He kisses you again. This time longer. His tongue finds yours in a leisurely, gentle rhythm that makes your knees threaten to fold. You breathe him in, clean skin, heat, the tiniest fragrance of shampoo. His fingertips move up your sides, not hungry, simply tracing. Mapping.

You push your chest to his, still naked. He moans into your mouth. The interaction isn't even overtly sexual, it’s more about proximity. Closeness. About the way your bodies fit together, skin to skin. Your nipples brush his chest and it makes your breath catch. He shudders.

“I could kiss you forever,” he says across your lips.

You close your eyes. “So do it.”

He does.

Your back touches the cold tile wall. You let him push into you, not hard, just enough that the rest of the world goes away. His hands rest on your hips, his thumbs forming delicate, attentive circles. His lips trace from your mouth down your jaw, to your neck, languid kisses that make your pulse stutter.

You tip your head back, eyes fluttering, and for the first time, you don’t think of the cameras. About the watchers. The doctors. You don’t think about the past or your file or the way you used to tighten at every hand that went too close.

All you think about is him.

You reach for the faucet, twisting it on. Warm water begins to rise up over you both, beading on your skin, soaking his shirt. He doesn’t care. Doesn’t flinch. Just lifts it above his head and lets it fall.

You’re both wet now, kissing like you have all the time in the world.

And for once, maybe you do.

The water hits your shoulders in a warm waterfall, steam billowing into the air like breath you’ve been holding for years. You tilt back into the stream, eyes closed, arms loose at your sides, and feel it wash over you, not just perspiration or sleep or the lingering aroma of Mark on your skin, but something more. Something more difficult to name. The last sharp edges of a life spent coiled and waiting.

Mark stands close behind you. Not squeezed in. Not demanding room. Just… close. Like he’s found out just where you need him without asking.

His hand travels to your shoulder. Just one. His fingertips move over your skin, languid and tentative, like he’s not sure if touching you like this will scare you off. You allow him.

No...you want him to.

You peek back, and he’s watching you as he usually does now. Not with hunger. With amazement. Like your body is something he never expected to be granted, something he’s still a bit terrified to break. And it’s not nervousness. It’s respect. It’s caring. It’s Mark.

You whisper, “You can help, you know.”

He blinks. “Help?”

You spin around gently beneath the water, the heat warming your skin, your hair clings to your skin, heavy and damp. His eyes roam, but cautiously. Reverently. You grab his hand, lay it softly at your hip.

“With the soap,” you say. “Unless you’re just going to stand there like I’m a statue.”

Mark breathes out a laugh, like the tension in him just fractured sideways. “Okay, yeah. No, I can do that. I can definitely do that.”

You hand him the bottle.

He lathers up gently, hands quivering just slightly as he rubs them together, kneading the soap into a delicate froth. When he touches you again, really touches you, it’s with both hands. Palms flat, fingers spreading wide, he starts at your shoulders, massaging the soap into your skin with small, delicate circles.

“This okay?” he says, voice hoarse.

You nod. Your throat’s too tight to talk.

His hands move down the curvature of your back, following the form of your spine, your waist. He doesn’t grope, doesn’t squeeze. He learns. 

You shudder.

Not from cold.

From the way it feels to be caressed like you’re special. Like he knows your scars are there, but he doesn’t need to look at them to realize they’re real.

You peek at him over your shoulder. “You’re doing fine.”

He grins shyly. “Is this a performance review?”

“Don’t push it.”

He chuckles again, sweet and honest.

His hands come around to your front, slowly now, and you tense, not because you don’t want it, but because the reflex to recoil is still there, programmed. But he notices. 

Because he's Mark.

His fingers hover just over your ribcage. “Too much?”

You shake your head. “Keep going.”

He does.

His palms slide over your stomach, your hips. He doesn't hurry. Even when his hands reach your breasts, he doesn’t knead or grab, he cups them softly, thumbs tracing over nipples already rigid from the warmth of the water and the nearness of him.

Your breath stutters.

Your hand comes up to rest on his forearm. Not to stop him. To stabilize yourself.

“You’re beautiful,” he says, and it doesn’t sound like a sentence. It sounds like a prayer.

You don’t know how to reply to it. No one’s expressed it like that before. Like the term denotes something beyond looks. Like it means worthy.

So you turn. Face him.

Water sluices down both of you now. You reach up carefully, fingertips stroking over his damp hair, the rest of your palm cupping his cheek.

“Mark,” you say.

He meets your gaze. So sincere. So open.

You kiss him.

It’s deeper this time. More sure. Less testing. Your lips part for him, your tongue touching his, the taste of him familiar now, something your body is already beginning to desire. He pulls you closer, and you don’t resist. Your bodies slip together smooth and hot, your breasts flush against his chest, your stomach to his, nothing between you except the buzz of everything that’s been building since you woke up next to him.

His hands are at your waist. Your back. Then moving down to your ass, squeezing gently, not greedy, not joking, just feeling you. You groan into his mouth, just once, and feel him tremble in response.

“You’re making this really hard to take slow,” he breathes against your lips.

You breathe him in. “Who says I want you to?”

He moans quietly, forehead sliding on your shoulder. “I’m trying to be respectful here. Chivalrous. I already had you crying in my arms last night.”

“Yeah.” You tip his chin back up with your fingers. “And I came harder than I ever thought was possible. I trust you. So don’t act like touching me again is going to break me.”

He kisses you again, harder now.

This time your bodies glide together quicker, hungrier, pushing against the curvature of the shower wall. His thigh slides between yours, and your breath catches as you press down on him, slow and instinctive, your hands tangled in his hair. He’s hard against your hip, cock jerking with every press of your body. You both feel it.

But he doesn’t go further.

Not yet.

He draws back slightly, breathing hard, water streaming down his eyelids. His voice is low, raspy. “We have a movie to watch. If I start now, we’re never leaving this room.”

“And that’s a problem?”

He swallows. Hard. “Not for me.”

The first time in your life, this...this mess, this lad, this water-slicked, skin-warm morning, isn’t a malfunction in your programming. It’s real.

And it’s yours. 

The water’s cooled a touch, but neither of you appears to care. You’re still standing close, steam obscuring the tiles around you, his naked chest inches from yours, the air heavy with that silent tension that sets in when kisses finish but the proximity hasn’t.

You run your hand through your hair, slicking it back from your face, and he does the same, brushing his ebony locks out of his eyes with a palm like he’s only now remembering he’s naked and dripping wet. There’s a subtle pink color to his chest, and a few bruises from the last battle you were involved in that haven’t completely healed, super or not, Mark still gets pummeled.

You gaze at him from your peripheral, “You were serious about that movie?”

He grins. “Dead serious. I’ve been meaning to see that new Seance Dog reboot. The animation looks cool.”

You raise a brow. “Seance Dog? Again?”

Mark looks moderately scandalized. “You’ve never seen the movies?”

“Cecil didn’t exactly keep a Blu-ray shelf in the containment wing.”

He cringes a little at that, yeah, he still does that when you talk about where you come from. Not because he pities you. Because he doesn’t know what to do with that history yet. But he recovers rapidly, eyes sparkling. “Okay, you’re in for it. Seance Dog movies were like… my thing growing up. Half-dog, half-sorcerer. I’ve collected figurines, limited-run comics like the one you saw before, even had Halloween outfit from when I was seven.”

“You still have the costume?”

“…I still have the cape. The rest stained in the wash.”

You blink. “You collect toys?”

“They’re action figures. And they’re... mainly unopened.”

You smirk. “That’s worse.”

“Okay, okay,” he chuckles, raising out both hands in surrender, “judgment accepted. But seriously, it’s dumb and funny and weirdly emotional for a cartoon about a dog that casts spells.”

You gaze at him. “You cried watching Seance Dog, didn’t you.”

He mutters something beneath his breath.

You lean in. “Say it.”

“I cried during four movies,” he confesses, sheepish yet unashamed. “Especially the one where he has to send his ghost owner to the afterlife. Don’t look at me like that, it’s devastating.”

You do laugh now, really laugh, and he looks so pleased to see it you almost want to do it again just for him.

The steam has started to recede. The borders of the mirror are visible again. You see the water pool on his skin, catch in the dip of his collarbone, glide down the line of his throat. And something soft twists in your chest.

You talk without thinking. “Your mom has Seance Dog mugs in her kitchen.”

Mark blinks. “Wait...you noticed that?”

“I like her. She was warm. Nice. She gave me tea and thanked me after what happened at her house.”

He nods. “That sounds like her.”

You hesitate. The words settle in your lips before you let them out.

“She didn’t mention your dad.”

You sense the shift instantaneously. Not dramatic. Just subtle, Mark’s spine gets a bit straighter, his smile flickers, eyes scanning your face like he’s preparing for a reaction.

“Cecil never told me anything either,” you add, quietly. “He said if… if something happened to you and Nolan came back, I might have to stop him.”

Mark’s breath hitches. Not loud. But audible.

“So I never asked. Not beyond the file.”

He stares at you now, not like a guy cornered, but like someone standing in front of a precipice they know they’ll have to leap over later.

“You should know,” he continues, voice low. “If we’re gonna keep… doing this. Being together.”

You don’t interrupt. You just nod. And wait.

“My dad was Omni-Man. Not was. Is. He's still out there somewhere.”

You don’t flinch. You let him talk.

“He was Earth’s greatest hero. My hero. And then… he wasn’t.”

Mark runs a palm across his mouth. “It started slow. Little stuff. Fights he didn’t explain. Disappearances. And then one day he slaughtered the old Guardians of the Globe. Every single one."

You sense a cold, even with the water still warm. But you stay where you are.

“I didn’t believe it. Not until he told me right to my face. He was never here to defend us. He was a scout. A soldier. Sent by Viltrum to ready Earth for invasion.”

His voice breaks there, just for a second. Then hardens.

“He called humans weak. Called my Mom a pet. Said I was a failure. He beat me so bad I couldn’t move. Left a hole in the ground with my body. And then he just… left.”

You come closer, one hand finding his wrist under the spray. You don’t hold tight. Just enough to let him know you’re here.

“I never knew why he left,” Mark says. “Not really. I used to believe maybe he saw something in me. Maybe I reached him. But maybe it was just guilt. Or strategy. I don’t know.”

Your thumb touches his pulse. “You didn’t stop him. But you faced him.”

He swallows hard. “I didn’t want to win. I just didn’t want to be like him.”

You grasp his face in your hands, gently, the water beading between your fingertips. “You’re not.”

“You don’t know that.”

“I do.” You say it with force. “You love your mom. You hung onto people when it would’ve been easier to let them go. You gave me time. You decided to love me when I didn’t even know how to exist outside a cell. That’s not him.”

Mark’s eyes sparkle with something wet. Not tears precisely. But close. “I’m scared he’ll come back. That I’ll freeze again. Or worse, that I won’t.”

You push your forehead to his. “If he comes back, you won’t be alone.”

He lets out a long, trembling breath. “I keep thinking about what he said. About how long I’ll live. How everyone will age and die and I’ll still be here. I think about it more than I should.”

You don’t look away. “Then we start now. With today. With popcorn and a stupid Seance Dog movie and maybe kissing in the back seat if you behave.”

He snorts. “Big if.”

“Then let’s find out.”

You stay there in the water, arms around each other, until it runs cold. And even then, you don’t move. Not until you're both ready to face the world. 

Together.

His arms are still around you. His forehead rests on yours, his eyelids closed like maybe he’s trying to drag this stillness out just a bit longer.

You don’t hurry it. You stay in it.

You let your hands travel over his sides, fingers stroking the ridges of his ribs, your thumbs brushing over old scars that didn’t entirely heal. He doesn’t flinch. He lets you touch him like it’s the most natural thing in the world. Like he’s never had a single doubt that you should be allowed to.

It’s your voice that eventually disturbs the calm. Raw. Quiet. But steadily.

“Cecil used to tell me love was a liability.”

Mark doesn’t answer straight away. You feel him breathe. Feel the way his fingers flex against your hips like he knows what’s coming but wants to let you say it first.

“Not just mine,” you continue, “but anyone’s. He said if I ever felt too much, it would get people killed. That love was the type of thing that made people make mistakes. Pause when they shouldn’t. Hesitate.”

Mark’s jaw tenses just slightly.

You gaze at him. “He said people in love get themselves killed trying to protect something that’s already lost.”

You don’t expect anything from him. Not really. You only needed to say it. Let it out, put it in the air so it’s not simply another infection cycling through your mind like code.

But suddenly he opens his eyes. And they’re so stable. So sure.

“That’s bullshit.”

You blink.

“Love doesn’t make things worse,” he says. “It makes things worth it.”

Your breath catches. Something moves in your chest. A tiny ache. But a nice one.

“Loving you doesn’t make me weak, it just reminds me why I fight. Why I keep going. Why I came back.”

You gaze at him. And he doesn’t look away.

He lifts a hand, stroking a knuckle across your cheek. “It gives you something to protect that matters.”

You don’t mean to produce the sound that slips out. It’s not quite a sob. Not exactly a chuckle. Just this little, wounded, broken little breath that holds years of anxiety in it.

“I didn’t think I’d ever get to feel this,” you acknowledge. “Not for real. Not… like this.”

Mark moves in, lips touching yours, but he doesn’t kiss you yet. Just lets you feel him there. Just near enough.

“You’re real,” he says. “You’re so real.”

And then he kisses you.

There’s no hesitancy. No awkward pause. Just the entire weight of everything you’ve been keeping back. His kiss is warm even in the air, his tongue sliding past your lips like he’s been yearning to taste you all over again. Your hands claw at his shoulders, clutching him closer, pressing into the curve of him like you need assurance he’s not going anywhere.

He raises you without a word, palms under your thighs, back pressed to the slippery tile. You gasp at the touch, legs tightening around his waist on reflex. The cold tile hurts your spine yet his body is all heat and action and want.

He grinds into you once, slow, methodical, not quite aligned but enough to make your breath stutter. Your nails bite into his back.

Then his hand glides between your legs.

Two fingers press against your folds, slow and reverent. Testing. Teasing. His mouth glides to your neck, breath hot despite the cold around you, and his fingers brush across your clit like he already knows exactly what you need.

“You’re still so wet,” he says, kissing the corner of your mouth. “Still tight. Still mine.”

You don’t say anything. You just breathe. You let your head fall back against the wall, water trickling down your shoulders, and let his fingers travel lower. One pushes into you, and your hips twitch. Your mouth parts.

He watches you. Watches the way your eyes flutter. The way your lips fall open. The way your body attempts to drag him deeper without a single word.

“You want this?”

“Yes,” you murmur, desperate now. “Mark, please—”

He adds a second finger.

The stretch burns, but just for a second. Then it feels right. So fucking right. He curls them slowly, finding that spot inside you that makes your entire body tense like a struck chord.

You cry out, low, wrecked.

His mouth finds yours again, swallowing the sound. His thumb circles your clit, delicate, steady, persistent, and your hips start to move on their own. The cold doesn’t matter anymore. Only him. Only this.

You come with a breathy moan, legs shaking around his waist, your hands clawing into his back like you need something to hold onto before you come apart.

He doesn’t stop right away. He slows his fingers, working you through the aftershocks, caressing your cheek, your jaw, the hollow behind your ear.

When he finally draws his hand away, he keeps you there, arms strong, body stable, water still falling around you both.

You rest your head on his shoulder.

And you breathe.

The water’s practically freezing now. It beads cold on your skin, but you hardly detect it, your body still pulsating with the aftershocks of what he just did to you, muscles twitching from where his fingers went within and reminded you that you were more than flesh, more than a ghost in a shell. You’re still struggling to recover your breath, forehead resting against his shoulder, the tile wall hard at your back.

Mark’s chest rises and falls against yours. He’s still holding you. Still anchoring you like you could evaporate if he lets go. You don’t beg him to. You don’t want to.

His palm glides up and down your back, slow and smooth, stabilizing you, even if your thoughts are starting to drift, again.

They always do, eventually.

You attempt to hang on to this moment. Try to keep your mind here, enveloped in warmth and flesh and him. But you sense it, sneaking in around the edges. That tightness behind your eyelids. The static that starts to buzz louder when things are too quiet. Too good.

Don’t think about what you did.

Don’t think about what you are.

But it’s there. You can feel the echo of it in your bones. The heat of something beneath your skin that shouldn’t exist. That thing you can do, that thing you did, the power that warped reality into something it wasn’t intended to be. The screaming. The quiet that followed.

And suddenly it was done.

You absorbed the moment into yourself like a black hole and left nothing behind. 

You blink, hard.

Mark’s hand is still on you.

He draws back, just enough to glance at your face. His brow furrows. His voice is calm as he says your name. “Hey. You still with me?”

You blink again. The world sharpens around the edges. His face comes into focus. The concern there. Not fear. Not judgment. Just care.

You nod. “Yeah. I’m here.”

But he doesn’t move his hand. “You kind of zoned out for a second.”

You swallow. Your throat feels constricted. You didn’t know how rapidly your heart was thumping.

“I’m okay,” you say. And you nearly believe it.

Mark doesn’t push. Doesn’t try to solve it. He merely leans in and puts a delicate kiss on your temple.

And somehow that cracks something open inside you. Not in a terrible manner. Just enough to allow the sensation in.

You draw back just enough to meet his gaze. “You’re the reason I even feel human.”

Mark’s expression softens like you’ve physically touched something inside him as he murmurs your name.

“I’m serious,” you say, before he can brush it off or dismiss it. “They trained everything out of me. Made sure I didn’t cry. Didn’t talk until I had to. Made sure I could pull a trigger with my hands or my mind and not feel a thing. And then you…” You pause. “You looked at me like I wasn’t broken. Even when I was.”

“You were never broken.”

You huff, breath catching. “Then you’re the only one who didn’t see the cracks.”

“I see all of them,” he says. “And I love you more for every single one.”

Something burns in your chest at that. A warmth that pulls the static back down. You don’t want to disappear. Not now. Not when he’s holding you like this. Not when he looks at you like he chooses you every time.

You move your hand down between your bodies.

Mark tenses. “Wait, you don’t have to—”

“I want to,” you say, quiet but steady. “Let me make you feel good.”

He opens his mouth like he’s about to complain again, but he sees something in your eyes, something real, something certain, and instead, he just breathes. 

Nods.

You kiss him once, soft and slow, and then glide down his body, letting the cold water soak your hair as you go. His hands hover, apprehensive, but he lets you direct him, lets you kneel in front of him, tile pushing against your knees.

You glance up.

He’s already half-hard, thick, and flushed, twitching in the space between you, the heat of him a jarring contrast to the chill of the shower. You bend forward, licking a gradual stripe from the base up to the tip, and his breath catches loudly above you.

“F-fuck,” he mutters, palm grabbing on the edge of the wall.

You wrap your lips around the head, tasting salt and flesh, letting your tongue swirl before sliding down farther. He moans, down in his chest, his hips jerking just slightly forward before he pulls himself back.

His voice is strained. “God—don’t rush—”

You don’t.

You work him slow, using your tongue and the flat of your mouth, letting saliva flow down the length of him, your hand stroking what your mouth can’t reach. His fingers creep into your hair, not to push, but to hold. To keep himself grounded. You feel him tremble through your palms.

The way he moans your name, it doesn’t sound like a demand. 

You hum around him, and he chokes out something between a laugh and a sob. “You’re gonna kill me.”

You draw back just enough to remark, “Good.”

Then take him deeper.

His thighs are quivering now, the muscles fluttering under your palms, and you know he’s close. You speed up, just a bit. Tighten your lips. Flatten your tongue. Swirl at the head.

He gasps. “I’m—I’m gonna—”

You don’t stop.

You want this. You want to be the reason he breaks apart.

And when he does, it’s with a gentle groan and your name on his lips, his body quivering, cock twitching in your mouth as he drips onto your tongue. You take everything. Swallow. Breathe around him till he’s gasping, fingers curling in your hair like he doesn’t know what else to grab onto.

When you finally draw back, his chest is heaving, his face heated, his eyes blown wide and stunned.

You stand.

He draws you to him before you can utter a word, mouth pressing to yours, tasting himself on your tongue like he doesn’t care about anything but you.

“You’re insane,” he breathes against your lips. “And I love you.”

You rest your forehead on his again.

“I love you too.”

And for the first time, it doesn’t feel like a danger to say it. It feels like home.

You are still catching your breath.

The tile makes your knees ache somewhat, your skin cold, and your heartbeat finally beginning to slow.  Mark's arms are wrapped around you as though to contain all he just gave you; his groans still ring in your ears, his breath hot on your temple as he lays his forehead against your damp hair.

Now the water is freezing. You feel it in the little chills running up your spine, prickling goosebumps on your arms, but none of you has acted to turn it off.

You could remain here forever. If you allow yourself. 

But your brain is beginning to tick once more. That constant low hum of ideas never truly stops even when your body has been wrung out.  And at the core of it is a question you have been avoiding since your first kiss with him.

You don’t know what this is. 

You don’t ask him. Not immediately. Not because you’re terrified of the answer, but because part of you wants him to explain it first. Reacting, responding, and following orders have you spent so long under someone else's authority. You're not going to pass that authority over again, not even to him. Not until he decides to deliver it to you honestly. 

You listen to the sound of the water hitting the tile. 

Steady. 

Relentless. 

And you say, gently, “So…” 

Mark moves slightly. “So?” 

You glance up. “What are we doing?” 

He stares at you, really looks—brows knit, as though he wasn’t expecting it so soon. But not in a bad way. 

Just… startled. 

“I mean,” you continue, still gently, “you said you love me. I love you too. We’ve had sex. You’re still letting me kiss you, so I don’t think that was a one-time thing…” 

He blinks. 

“I’m not asking because I need it defined right this second,” you add. “I’m not asking for flowers or labels. I just, I want to know whether you’re choosing this. Choosing me.” 

Mark’s eyes soften. His thumb touches your jaw. 

“I’m not figuring this out as I go,” he says. “I already figured it out.” 

You still. “Yeah?” 

He nods. “I love you. That’s not a question. And I want you. All of this. You don’t have to ask me to stay, I decided already.” 

You look at him, the chill settling in deeper now, ice trickling down your spine. 

He leans in. “You’re mine, if you want to be. I want to be yours. No maybe. No almost. Yes.” 

It lands hard in your chest. Not like a punch, but like impact. The type that reverberates. Like something tectonic just moved beneath your ribcage. 

You nod, slow. “Okay.” 

And suddenly your mouth’s on his again. 

The kiss this time doesn’t ask permission. 

You grind into him, teeth snagging his bottom lip, and he groans into your lips like he’s felt this building. Like he’s been holding back, and now, he doesn’t have to. 

Your hands travel up his chest, across his shoulders, tangling in his hair. His hands grab your ass, lifting you easily, like you weigh nothing, like he knows you’re strong enough to take it. That he doesn’t have to hold back. 

And you don’t want him to. 

You want all of him. 

You wrap your legs around his waist as your back hits the tile, and he grinds into you, harder than before. Less cautious. Your breath slams out of you, a broken little gasp against his jaw. 

He’s already hard again. You feel it through the smooth press of your bodies, the way his cock grinds against your entrance, and it makes you ache. 

You bite his neck. 

He hisses, his fingers tightening where they grab you.   “God...” 

You tilt your hips, guiding him, no teasing this time, no hesitation, and he pushes in with one deep thrust. 

You cry out. Not in agony. Not even surprise. Just need. You’re still hurting, still stretched, yet your body wants him. Takes him. Welcomes the burn. 

Mark grunts against your ear. “You feel fucking perfect.” 

Mark’s forehead is pushed to yours, his hair drenched, curling in dripping strands around his temple. His face is hot, breath rapid, mouth parted as he watches you, watching the way you tighten around him, the way your lips tremble, your cries die in your throat. 

He’s inside you completely, hips flush to yours, arms curled under your thighs as he pins you to the wall like you weigh nothing. Like he’s the only thing binding you to the world. 

“God,” he whispers, voice low and reverent. “You feel so fucking good.” 

You whimper at that. You didn’t mean to. The sound slips out before you can catch it, and the second it happens, he sighs, sliding his hips just slightly deeper, grinding his cock into that devastating point within you that makes your toes curl. 

You choke on a gasp, claws biting into the hard contours of his shoulders.   “Mark—fuck—don’t stop—” 

“I’m not going anywhere,” he mumbles. “You’re mine. You can take it.” 

The first thrust is hard. Not violent—intentional. Deep and certain, like he’s testing your limits. You cry out, loud, not caring how your voice echoes. Your body rocks against the wall, and it still isn’t close enough. You grip him tighter, legs locked around his waist, heels digging into the small of his back. 

He doesn’t stop. He slams into you again and again, and each stroke is harsher, more confident than the last—his fingers grabbing your thighs like he’s keeping you together while he fucks you apart. 

You’re soaked, but not just from the water. You can feel how effortlessly he moves inside you now, the slick of your pussy taking him in every time he pulls back. He groans with every thrust, every tightening of your walls around him. 

"I love you,” he pants. 

Your head falls back, a ragged breath slamming out of you as he slams deep again. “Please—please don’t stop—” 

He whimpers.  

Whimpers. 

It’s low and real and it vibrates against your throat as he latches onto the curve of your neck, lips and teeth dragging against your skin until you’re quivering under him. 

“You love this?”  he breaths, voice low. “You like when I fuck you?” 

“Yes—yes, I—” 

His hand slides between your bodies, finding your clit like he already knows how to pull you apart. His thumb circles it, slippery from your arousal, firm and fast in time with his thrusts. You sob into his shoulder, your entire body clenching around him again.

“Fuck—Mark—Mark—I can’t—” 

“Yes, you can.” His voice is raspy now. “Come for me again. I want to feel you. I want all of you.” 

You break. 

Your body rises off the wall, slamming down on his cock so hard he cries your name into your neck, hips stuttering. 

He doesn’t stop. 

He fucks you through it, every thrust keeping you trapped in the pleasure, his fingers never leaving your clit, his mouth pressing open kisses to your neck, your cheek, the corner of your lips. 

And then he snaps—you feel it in the way he groans, loud and raw and genuine, in the way he jerks inside you and buries himself deep, cock twitching, releasing in hot, thick waves that fill you so thoroughly it’s obscene. 

His whole body shudders. 

You hold him tighter. 

You stay like that, pinned to the wall, still connected, both of you gasping for air like you fought your way through something and survived it. 

Because maybe you did. 

You feel his breath warm on your neck, his body heavy yet reassuring as he leans against you. 

Your voice is hoarse. “We should turn off the water.” 

“Too tired,” he mumbles. 

“It’s freezing.” 

“Let’s die here,” he sighs. 

You push out a breath that might be a laugh. It rattles your chest. 

He finally moves, sliding out of you gently, both of you gasping at the loss, the unexpected emptiness. You grimace as your legs quiver, and he lowers you down with care, hands lingering at your waist like he’s not ready to let go. 

“You okay?” he says. 

You nod. “Better than okay.” 

He leans in. Presses a sweet kiss to your lips, and this one, this one is kind. Warm. Not hungry. 

Just… love. 

Just him. 

You draw back a bit. Look at him. 

“I meant what I said,” you mutter. “I want this. You. All of it.” 

Mark grins, stroking a damp strand of hair off your cheek. 

“Good,” he replies, voice low. “Because you’re stuck with me now.” 

You just hold each other. 

Even now, with the water frigid and brutal and the world waiting outside, it’s the only place you want to be. 

And somehow, in the coldest water, with bruises forming on your hips and his come still pouring down your thighs, you feel more alive than you ever have.

You feel human.

The bathroom is still heavy with steam, clinging to the mirror and fogging up the tiles. Your skin is flushed, moist from the shower, but not cold. Not with Mark there, moving around the bathroom with that quiet kind of presence he has, like gravity, like something drawing you toward him without ever demanding it. He’s half-dressed, towel draped low on his hips as he runs a hand through his damp hair. He’s not flexing or trying to appear beautiful. He just… does.

He doesn’t say anything as he tosses you his sweatshirt, the navy one with the little hole in the sleeve and the worn-out cuffs. The one he always wears when he’s home, comfortable, safe.

You grab it midair, sliding it over your head. It's warm and smells like the two of you tangled up together. You’ve been around it enough now that the aroma seems like yours now, too.

“We still have time before the movie,” he continues, voice low, nonchalant, like this is normal. Like showering together and getting dressed in quiet isn’t new, isn’t delicate in the way new things are. “You want to eat something before we go?”

You shake your head. “Popcorn is dinner.”

He huffs a chuckle. “You say that now, but halfway through the movie you’re gonna start taking about nachos.”

“Lies and slander,” you murmur as you scour the floor for your socks, catching sight of one beneath the edge of the bathroom counter.

Mark is observing you via the mirror, t-shirt now pulled over his head, sticking slightly to the wetness of his skin. His hair’s a mess and he doesn’t seem to care. He seldom does, not with you. Not anymore.

“You look nice,” he remarks unexpectedly.

You blink. Glance up at him. “I’m wearing a hoodie and socks that don’t match.”

He shrugs. “Still.”

And that’s when you notice the way his stare lingers, not in a manner that makes you feel self-conscious, but in that gentle, marveling way he occasionally gets. Like he can’t believe you’re real. You know the feeling. You look at him the same way.

He clears his throat. “Can I… ask you something?”

You halt mid-sock. “You just did.”

Mark rolls his eyes but smiles nevertheless, leaning back against the counter like he’s trying to be nonchalant about it. He’s not.

“I mean a real question. About your powers.”

You stand up straight. Still half-dressed. “Okay.”

He massages the back of his neck. “So. The psychic stuff—I get it. I mean, as much as someone like me can get it. Reading minds, illusions, making people feel things. That’s… sort of in the superhero playbook.”

You cross your arms casually. “Sort of.”

“But the other part…” He trails off. “The thing you did during the..." He doesn't continue. "That was something else.”

You don’t answer right away. You sense the shift in the air. Not risky. Not tense. Just… vulnerable. Like he’s not sure whether he’s overstepping, and you’re not sure if you want to let him in deeper.

He interprets your silence as license to carry on.

“You changed reality, didn’t you?”

Your throat tightens. “Not on purpose.”

“I know,” he adds swiftly. “I know. I’m not saying you meant to. But it happened. And I guess I’ve just been wondering—”

“If I can do it again?”

He nods slowly. “Yeah. I mean, can you?”

You look aside, fingers curling slightly at your sides. “I don’t know. It’s not like switching a switch. It’s not even like flying or lifting something. It’s like…” You hesitate, seeking for the proper words. “Weird. Natural. And that's what scares me.”

Mark absorbs that. He always listens when it’s about you. Really listens.

“So… you could, maybe?”

“Maybe.”

He pushes off the counter and moves closer. Not looming. Just near. “Would you try?”

You blink. “Right now?”

He shrugs one shoulder. “Yeah. Just something little. Nothing insane. No changing history or collapsing universes or anything.”

You snort. “So specific.”

“I’m serious.” He glances at you, sincere and steady. “I just want to know if you can. Not because I want anything from you—I don’t. But… I think you deserve to understand what you’re capable of. And I trust you not to break the world by accident.”

You gaze at him, heart thudding a bit harder than it should. “What if I do, though? What if I can’t control it?”

“Then I’ll be here,” he replies, straightforward and confident. “Like I always am.”

You detest how much that impacts you. How it glides straight under your ribs and sits there, warm and deep.

“…Fine,” you say. “Something small.”

You close your eyes.

There’s a murmur that lies just beneath your skin. Not the buzz of your typical powers, this one is older. Deeper. Something that doesn’t only go through the world but reshapes it. You reach for it softly, delicately, like touching the surface of quiet water. You think of something innocent. Something silent. Something that won’t catch too much notice.

When you open your eyes, there’s a small sunflower resting in the middle of Mark’s toothbrush cup.

You blink.

He stares.

“…Okay, that definitely wasn’t there before.”

“Nope.”

He picks it up. The stem bends a little, like it's been growing there for days. It’s fresh. Real. It even smells like sun.

Mark flips it over in his palms, like he’s terrified it’ll vanish. “You didn’t teleport this in?”

You shake your head. “Didn’t exist before I thought about it.”

He glances at you, lips parted slightly. “Jesus.”

You chuckle, a little wobbly. “Yeah.”

“You just made reality blink.”

“More like… nudge,” you remark. “But yeah.”

He’s still holding the flower, gaze flitting between it and you like he’s seeing you for the first time all over again. But it’s not fear. It’s not even awe. It’s something kinder. Pride, maybe. Something like love.

“I don’t even know what to say,” he whispers.

“You don’t have to say anything,” you say quietly. “I just… needed to know I could.”

“Well,” he adds, delicately laying the flower on the bathroom counter, “remind me to never get on your bad side.”

You smirk. “Smart man.”

He reaches out, intertwining his fingers with yours. “You okay?”

“Yeah.” You grip his hand. “I think I am.”

There’s something unsaid in the air between you, something fresh. The moment’s transformed, extended, made softer by the thing you just did and his reaction to it. But it’s not hefty. It’s not terrifying. It just is.

“Alright,” he replies, nudging your shoulder playfully. “Now that you’ve rewritten the rules of existence, I think we’ve earned popcorn and a magic dog.”

You chuckle, and it seems lighter this time. “Seance Dog’s gonna feel underwhelming after all that.”

Mark smiles. “Never. That dog saved the president and reunited a hurt family in the same movie. He’s a national treasure.”

You roll your eyes, still clutching his hand as he pulls you toward the door. “You’re such a nerd.”

“Yeah,” he responds, giving your hand a squeeze. “But I’m your nerd.”

And that? That makes things feel a little more genuine. 

Even the difficult bits. 

The trek to the door is sluggish. Not because any of you are stalling, exactly, but because it seems like something’s altered. Something in the way his fingers are still intertwined through yours, in the way his thumb glides softly over your knuckles every few paces. You’re still a bit breathless from what just happened, not because it depleted you, because it didn’t. That’s what terrifies you a bit more.

You didn’t have to fight for it. You didn’t have to pull anything apart to make it real. All it needed was the thought.

A sunflower. In a cup. And now it exists in a world where it didn’t previously.

“Mark,” you murmur gently as you both step into the living room, the lights from the hallway flooding in behind you, forming long shadows over the floor, “what if it gets worse?”

He pauses, turning to face you, fingers still intertwined with yours. “Worse how?”

You swallow, biting the inside of your cheek. “What if next time it’s not a flower? What if I think of something else and it just… happens? What if I lose track of what’s real and what I made real?”

His face softens. He reaches out with his other hand and grips your cheek softly, thumb caressing your temple. “Then we figure it out. Together.”

“But-”

“No,” he cuts in softly. No buts. You didn’t bring me back this time. You didn’t collapse a city or pull anyone into some alternate timeline. You made a flower.” His voice lowers, steadier. “You made a sunflower.”

He leans forward, places his forehead softly against yours.

“I’ve seen what happens when people with power don’t care who they hurt,” he murmurs. “You’re not one of them. You care. That’s the difference.”

You close your eyes. Just breathe.

“I’m scared,” you confess, voice hushed.

“I know,” he says. “But I’m not. Not of you.”

And somehow, that calms something inside you.

You stand like that for a long, heads bowed, your hand against his chest where you can feel his heart pounding slow and steady beneath your palm. Warm. Present. A tether.

Eventually, he draws back just enough to look at you. “Okay. Come on. Seance Dog’s not gonna wait. You know the last one ended on a cliffhanger, right?”

You let out a gentle laugh.

“Very important magical dog business.”

“Extremely important.”

You grab your bag, tug on a pair of boots, and he pulls on his jacket, zipping it up halfway and flipping the collar like he’s trying to be cooler than he is. He doesn’t have to try. Mark could wear a potato sack and yet somehow appear like he stepped off the runway.

Outside, the air is sharp, that early spring nip that hasn’t yet let go of winter. Mark’s car is parked crooked along the curb, like he gave up halfway through straightening it and just said "eh, good enough." You don’t comment. You’ve rode with him enough times to know that if the vehicle starts, it’s a victory.

The city feels quiet tonight. Peaceful in the rare, unfettered way it occasionally does. As you get into the passenger seat and he fumbles with the antiquated aux cord that he refuses to replace, you feel something settle over you. Not calm. Not precisely. But a kind of acceptance.

“Alright,” he replies, finally getting the cable to connect. Some indie rock tune starts playing over the speakers, scratchy and uneven. “Mission 'Get Snacks and Watch' Seance Dog 4, Ghost Trial, is a go.”

You grin, laying your head against the window. “God, the names for those movies are terrible.”

“Yeah, but you love it.”

“…Unfortunately.”

Mark grins as he pulls away from the curb, one hand on the wheel, the other resting near your leg, close, but not quite touching. “So, what now?” he asks, eyes still on the road.

You gaze at him. “Now?”

“Yeah. I mean… you proved you can do it. You touched that part of yourself again. What happens now?”

You shrug slowly. “I don’t know. Maybe nothing. Maybe everything. I think I just… keep trying to be a person.”

“You are a person,” he says, instantly. Firm. “You’re not your powers.”

You pause. “You don’t think they’re changing me?”

He doesn’t answer immediately away. Just taps his thumb against the steering wheel like he’s thinking.

“I think… power doesn’t change who you are. It just reveals it.”

You gaze out the window. “That’s a nice thought.”

“It’s true,” he says. “You didn’t have to show me that flower. You could’ve kept all of this to yourself. But you didn’t. Because you trust me. Because you’re still you.”

Still you.

You replay that statement over in your thoughts the whole ride. The city lights rush by outside the window, hues smudged over your reflection. Still you.

When you go to the theater, Mark holds the theater door wide for you, and you enter into the warm blast of buttered air and the subtle stickiness of a floor that’s never been cleaned properly. The box office is half-abandoned, some kid barely out of high school in a wrinkled polo waves you in like he’s doing you a favor by existing. You display the tickets on Mark’s phone and head for the concession counter.

He buys the largest popcorn they offer and two cokes. You watch him sprinkle on much too much fake butter and shake the container like a man possessed.

“I don’t know how your stomach survives this,” you mutter, amused.

“I’m half Viltrumite,” he declares proudly. “We have evolved digestive systems.”

“I have so many questions about that sentence.”

“Good. Save them for the next movie.”

You roll your eyes as you follow him into the dark cinema, the sort with luxurious reclining seats and the sound system that’s usually too loud. There's no one here and you both walk directly to the back.

You settle in. Mark kicks his feet up. And for a second, it feels like everything outside this room, your power, your past, Cecil, the impending strain of being, not quite normal all evaporates. You’re just a girl in a hoodie and a boy with too much popcorn, watching a magical dog untangle drama.

He leans down midway through the previews and says, “Hey. You doing okay?”

You gaze at him. His face is lighted by the screen, all lovely blues and warm yellows. His expression is open. 

Honest.

You nod. “Yeah. I guess I am.”

He doesn’t say anything else. Just grins a little and turns back to the screen. But he doesn’t move his hand off yours.

And you don’t ask him to.

Maybe you can’t undo what’s happened to you. Maybe you can’t guarantee the world won’t change again the next time you reach for that part of yourself that hums under your skin like a storm ready to break.

But for now, you’re here. You’re holding hands. You’re warm.

And Seance Dog is preparing to cross-examine a ghost on the witness stand.

So, you let yourself enjoy it. Just for tonight. 

Mark's already grinning like a fool, his eyes wide, virtually glowing in the flickering light from the screen. He appears younger here, strangely. Less worn. Like something from before the weight of the world landed on his shoulders is peeping out, only for a little bit.

He leans in, voice low near your ear. “I’ve waited years for this.”

You smile, not big. Just soft. Just yours.

“I can tell,” you mutter, letting your hand rest on his bicep now.

Still, you’re curled into him like the gap between your bodies is intended to evaporate.

His arm is thrown across your shoulders, hand resting on the side of your neck. His thumb glides intermittently, drawing absentminded tiny circles along your skin. It doesn’t feel like he’s even aware he’s doing it. But you are. Every sweep of it grounds you a bit more.

And his other hand, his left, drifts down, lands on your thigh.

Not high. Not insistent.

Just there. Warm. Steady. A reminder.

You peek at him from the corner of your eye, expecting him to be watching the movie.

He’s not.

His eyes are on you.

“Mark,” you whisper, brow arched.

“What?” He has the audacity to appear innocent. “I'm watching.”

“You haven’t looked at the screen in five minutes.”

“You’re prettier.”

You snort under your breath and move slightly in your seat, letting your thigh push more firmly onto his hand. You don’t say anything else. You don’t need to. The air between you is already humming, subtle, gentle, but there.

You let your hand travel down too, slow and deliberate, till your fingertips rest softly on the denim over his thigh.

He stiffens just little. Breath catching.

Still observing you. Not the movie.

You trace the contour of him through his jeans with the softest brush, just enough to feel the outline. He’s already becoming hard, slowly, softly, like his body’s been waiting for this as long as you have. You don’t rush. Don’t push. Just sit there next to him, face facing the screen, fingers working with languid, habitual ease.

Mark inhales as he says your name. Sharp and low.

You lean closer, lips touching his ear. “Shhh. Keep watching the movie.”

He takes out a hard breath and tries. You can see he, tries, his attention jerks forward again, eyes wide at the animation on screen, but his body betrays him. His cock twitches beneath your palm, pushing against the zipper, and his jaw clenches.

You undo the button. Real slow. Quiet.

His head tilts back slightly, and you think he might be holding his breath.

Then the zipper comes down.

The sound is muffled under the sound of the movie, a choir of ghostly canines invoking the soul of their fallen master, and your hand glides in.

Your fingers lock around him, hot and rigid and heavy in your palm, and he tenses, one of those full-body shudders that makes your chest clench tight with the wanting to devour him.

You stroke him. Slow. Gentle. Controlled.

You feel him pulsate in your hands. His hand on your thigh tightens in reaction.

Then moves.

Down.

Between your legs.

He turns his head, breath hot across your cheek. “Fair’s fair,” he murmurs, voice ragged.

You don't argue.

You move slightly, widening your legs just enough to allow him room. You wore something easy, thin leggings. You hadn’t meant for this to happen. Not really. But maybe part of you had hoped. Maybe part of you always hopes, when it comes to him.

Mark’s fingers slide in slow.

You bite your lip to keep quiet.

He glides along your folds, finds your clit like it’s the most natural thing in the world. His fingertips are warm, precise. He doesn’t hurry. He mirrors you, match for match, touch for touch, as your hand keeps sliding over his cock, your thumb spreading pre-cum over the tip, down his shaft.

You're both breathing faster now, the movie’s soundtrack building to some symphonic climax, dramatic, emotional, and you're fighting not to fall apart right now in an empty cinema with a dog on screen protecting ghost orphans or whatever the hell is happening.

You lean in, nipping lightly at his neck, and Mark groans beneath his breath. “Fuck—this is so good—”

You stroke him faster. He rubs tighter, harder, circling your clit with practiced pressure, his fingers slipping down to tease your entrance. You’re soaked. He feels it. You feel him twitch again in your hand.

“I’m close,” he breathes.

You place your lips to his ear. “Come for me, Mark.”

And he does.

He shudders in his seat, hips bucking slightly, his face buried in your shoulder to stifle the sound. You feel him stream hot and thick over your fingers, and you stroke him through it, slow, delicate, coaxing every last drop.

His fingers never stop.

You come thirty seconds later, silently, shaking, teeth clenched, body going stiff in your seat as his fingers work you with that same maddening rhythm, until you collapse against him, breathless.

You both sit there after, panting, bodies humming, with the theater still black around you as you wipe his spend off your fingers with a napkin.

Seance Dog peers out from the screen, tears in his large cartoon eyes.

You start laughing. Quiet. Giddy. Full.

Mark grins at you.

And somewhere in the backdrop, phantom dogs howl into the night.

You don’t even remember what the plot was.

But you’ll remember this.

All of it.

Him. 

The credits are still rolling by the time he starts talking again.

You don’t even get a chance to rise from your seat, he’s already half-turned toward you, eyes still reflecting the flicker of the screen, a bit dizzy from excitement, like he hasn’t completely returned to Earth yet.

“That was insane,” Mark says, dragging the last syllable out like he’s trying to make the feeling last. “Did you see that one shot? When the camera followed the fight straight through the building, like, no cuts, nothing! And the way they animated that explosion at the end? I swear they’re making movies for me now.”

His voice is bright in a way it hasn’t been in a long time. Unburdened. For a second, you don’t recognize it. You’re so used to the weight in his tone, the pause behind every word since everything went to ruin. But now, he’s beaming. Hands animated. Talking quickly. Rambling.

You smile.

It’s easy to, when he looks like this. When his eyes glitter like a kid who's seen a superhero for the first time, even if he is the superhero half the time. You wonder if he recognizes himself in those stories. You wonder if it helps him feel normal, for just a second. Like someone else's issues are larger than his own.

You move in your seat, drawing your legs up to your chest on the seat. “It was good,” you remark, your voice gentle, maybe a bit amused. You’re watching him more than you’re thinking about the movie. “Really good.”

Mark sits back into the sit, head falling on the top edge like he’s tired, like his body is only just catching up with the adrenaline high. “I swear, if they make another movie and it’s even half that good, I’ll lose it.”

You murmur, leaning your cheek against your knee. “You say that like you didn’t already lose it ten minutes in.”

Mark fires you a glance, mock-betrayal written all over his features. “Rude.”

“Accurate.”

He groans loudly, and for a second he’s just a guy in a movie theater. Not Invincible. Not the guy split between worlds. Just Mark. And maybe that’s what makes the next words hit you more than they should.

There’s a beat. Then he stares across at you, calmer now. “Hey.”

You elevate your head slightly. “Yeah?”

His expression shifts, just a bit. Something anxious in the way his eyes dip to your mouth, then flash back to meet yours. Something uneasy, not like him. “I was thinking…” He swallows. “Maybe we could go out.”

Your brow furrows. “We are out.”

“No, I mean—” He cuts himself off with a laugh, shaking his head. “Not like this. I mean… a date. A real one.”

That stillness that follows is soft. Electric.

Your breath catches, only slightly. It’s silly, really, the way your heart speeds up. After everything, after the conflicts, the danger, the chaos that has been your lives knotted together, you’d think something like this would feel smaller.

But it doesn’t. Not coming from him.

Not when he says it like it matters. Like he’s trying, even if he’s terrified. Like he knows he harmed you, and this is one of the ways he tries to make it right.

You tilt your head, scanning his face. “You sure?”

Mark nods. Not immediately. Not everything at once. But enough.

“I don’t want it to be just… us hanging out. Or hiding from everything,” he says. His voice is low now. Honest. “I want to do it right. Take you out. Buy you dinner. Pretend like the world isn’t ending for a couple hours.”

You glance at him, then huff a chuckle. “You think food is secret to saving the world?”

“No,” he grins. “But it might be the secret to saving my sanity.”

You don’t answer right away. You’re still staring at him, really looking at him. And the thing you see isn’t Invincible. It’s Mark. The guy who wants to be loved.

By you.

So you nod. Just once. And you try to ignore the way your chest hurts with something so naively gentle it terrifies you.

“Okay,” you say. “Let’s go on a date.”

He exhales, apparently relieved. And then his fingertips touch yours, just barely, but enough to make your skin vibrate with anticipation.

You pretend not to notice.

He pretends he didn’t do it on purpose.

Neither of you pulls away. 

Mark’s still smiling when he escorts you out of the theater, but something shifts once the crisp night air hits his face as you both walk back to his car. It’s like the excitement fades just enough to allow the anxieties seep in, and suddenly he’s not talking about the movie anymore. Not going on about camera angles or combat choreography. He’s silent. Thoughtful. His hand not on the steering wheel continues brushing against yours.

He seems like he wants to reach for it.

He doesn’t.

Not yet.

You peek over at him for a moment. “You’re thinking too loud,” you remark, softly.

He appears shocked for a second, like you caught him mid-thought. Then a little, embarrassed laugh escapes him. “Sorry. Just… trying to find out the best place to take you.”

Your steps slow. “For the date?”

Mark nods, raking a hand through his hair. “I don’t wanna do the usual stuff. No crowded restaurants, no burger joints with dumb stuff on the walls. I want to take you somewhere nice.”

You examine him for a time, noticing how serious he’s grown. His brows knit together like this genuinely matters to him, that it’s not just about getting things right, but about demonstrating something. That he can yet be soft. Still be the version of himself who deserves this.

Deserves you.

“And what’s nice to you?” you ask, quietly.

He shrugs, a bit helpless. “I don’t know. A restaurant with real silverware. Tablecloths. Maybe music that doesn’t suck.”

You raise an eyebrow. “That’s… oddly specific.”

Mark chuckles, but it fades soon. “I just want it to feel real. Not like we’re hiding. Or settling. I want to show up and sit across from you and not worry if someone recognizes me. Or if we have to run out halfway through because of some emergency. I want to take you somewhere that makes you feel… special.”

And there it is.

The real reason. It comes out unprotected and settles between you like a spilled truth he wasn’t sure he was ready to utter out loud.

“Mark,” you reply, gently, “you don’t have to impress me.”

“I’m not trying to impress you,” he adds, and it’s the most honest he’s been all night. “I’m trying to give you something good. Something that doesn’t end with me messing it up. I want this to feel like it means something.”

You reach for his hand, eventually. Thread your fingers through his. And he grabs it like he’s terrified you’ll change your mind.

“You already mean something to me,” you remark. “But if you want go somewhere with tablecloths and music, I’ll let you play pretend for a night.”

He exhales a laugh, relieved, childish, like a knot inside him suddenly relaxed. “Thank you. I swear it’ll be worth it.”

You smirk. “You better not take me somewhere with a dress code while I'm wearing this dumb hoodie.”

“Hey,” he grins, pulling your hand a little as he keeps driving. “That hoodie’s iconic.”

“It’s tragic.”

He glances at you then, and the way he watches you, it makes your heart throb. Like he’s already envisioning the date, the way you’ll look under soft lighting, the way your grin will undo him all over again.

The restaurant was hidden between a flower shop and a store that appeared like it hadn’t changed owners since the ‘90s. It was darkly lit, full of warm colors and mismatched furnishings, with soft jazz flowing from some concealed speaker overhead. A place for talk, not show. And maybe that’s why he invited you here, because there was nothing to prove tonight.

The host knew him by name. That was new.

He offered you a booth at the rear, one with thick wooden walls that seemed like a small castle. Mark thanked him politely and waited for you to sit first, lingering like he wanted to do more but didn’t want to overstep. You slid into the booth, and he followed, sitting across from you with his knees smacking lightly against yours under the table. Neither of you moved away.

The cuisine was straightforward. No price tags. No pretense. And when you both ordered, he, pasta with way too much garlic; you, something comfortable and warm, you realized how simple it was to just be with him. Not saving each other. Not avoiding pain. Just sitting across a table, figuring out who you were without the world tugging at your backs.

“So,” he began, agitating the ice in his water with his straw. “You ever pick up drawing again?”

You raised an eyebrow. “That’s random.”

“You mentioned it once. Back at the GDA. Said you used to sketch. I remembered.”

That shouldn’t have made your chest clench the way it did. But it did.

You paused, then shrugged. “Not seriously. Not in a long time. I didn't have hobbies while I was in... At the G.D.A. But sometimes… when I can’t sleep, I’ll grab whatever’s nearby. Sketch using a pen on napkins. Dumb small shapes. Trees. People I remember.”

Mark’s eyes softened. “I’d like to see them sometime.”

You gave him a twisted smile. “You’re going to regret saying that when you realize I’m terrible at hands.”

“Everybody’s terrible at hands,” he remarked, chuckling. “It’s basically the first rule of art.”

You laughed, and for a time it was just that, light, effortless. A shared warmth across the table.

He leaned forward a little, elbows on the table, and placed his chin on his hand. “Okay, your turn.”

“For what?”

“Ask me something.”

You thought for a second. “Alright. What’s anything you did that would surprise people?”

Mark blinked. “Surprise people like… ‘Mark Grayson has a secret Beanie Baby collection’ kind of surprise?”

“Exactly that kind of surprise.”

He grumbled. “You’re going to make fun of me.”

“I promise to only mock you a little.”

He looked down at his hands. “Okay… I used to want to be called Tape Man."

You froze. “Seriously?”

He winced. “I was like twelve, okay?”

You covered your lips, already chuckling. “Please tell me you still have pictures of it.”

“No way,” he murmured, shaking his head, yet he was smiling, his ears pink. “I think I burned it in a panic when I hit high school.”

“You are so lying.”

“Okay, maybe one or two survived. But you’d have to do something ridiculous to persuade me to show you.”

You leaned back against the booth, arms folded, arrogant. “Challenge accepted.”

He rolled his eyes, but he was still smiling. Still leaning closer.

There was another pause, this one milder. He gazed at you for a long period, and something changed behind his eyes, like he wanted to say something else. Something heavier.

“I like this,” he remarked finally.

You cocked your head. “What?”

“This. You and me. Talking about dumb stuff. Not… bleeding out or shouting or hiding. Just…” He shrugged, as if the words seemed too frail. “Normal.”

Your voice came out softer than you expected it to. “Me too.”

And you did. You liked this version of him. The boy who remembers your hobbies. Who acknowledged his nerdy interests and grinned like maybe the world hadn’t entirely broken him yet.

When the meal came, you lingered. Ate slowly. Swapped stories about the worst TV shows you secretly adored, the bizarre childhood worries you’d never outgrown, the time he threw trash into space when he first realized he got his powers.

You laughed more than you have in months. And so did he.

And when the check arrived, he didn’t let you see the total, just handed his card over without disturbing the flow of the conversation. It wasn’t about money. It was about doing this correctly.

As you went back outdoors, the environment felt quieter.

He didn’t reach for your hand this time. He didn’t have to.

You reached for his.

And the night kept on.

You don’t even know where you’re walking at first.

There’s no destination in mind. Just you and him and the buzz of lamps overhead, footsteps drumming out an unsaid rhythm on the pavement. The city’s calmer now. Not empty, but slower, shops shuttered, restaurants dimming their lights, late trains rumbling in the background. It seems like you’re going through the gap between heartbeats. A moment that isn’t quite real.

Mark’s hand feels warm in yours. Solid. Familiar in a manner that makes your stomach churn, since this could be normal. This might be your life, if things were different. If the world hadn’t cut so much out of both of you.

He doesn’t say anything at first. Neither do you. But it’s not uncomfortable. It’s just… silent. Safe.

You round a corner and find yourself at the edge of a tiny park. There’s no one else around, only a swing set, a few trees that have started to bloom with early spring leaves, and a bench half-sunk into the soft grass.

“Sit with me?” Mark asks, gesturing toward it.

You don’t answer. Just drag him along.

The bench creaks beneath your combined weight. He doesn’t let go of your hand.

And after a beat, he exhales. Like he’s been holding something in all night.

“I don’t do this,” he replies, voice low.

You peek over at him. “Do what?”

“This. Normal. Talking. Being…” He trails off, seeking for the term. “Present, I guess.”

You don’t press him. You just wait.

He runs a hand through his hair, messing it up again. “When I’m in costume, there’s always a clock ticking. Someone to save. Someone to fight. I’m always thinking about what’s next, what’s going wrong, who’s going to die if I mess up. And when I’m not in costume…”

“You’re still carrying all of it,” you conclude for him.

Mark nods. His jaw clenches for a second, like he doesn’t want to accept how heavy it becomes.

“You don’t have to explain,” you whisper. “I feel it too.”

He turns to look at you. “Yeah?”

You nod. “When you grow up locked away, trained to see yourself as a danger more than a person… it takes a while to learn how to just be. To let yourself exist without apologizing for it.”

That makes him go silent again. You can feel him mulling your words over in his brain, chewing on them like they’re a fact he hadn’t let himself contemplate.

Then, finally—“That’s what I like about you.”

You blink. “What?”

Mark adjusts to face you, one leg up on the bench, knee bent toward you like he’s trying to come closer without scaring you off. “You don’t flinch when you look at me. You don’t tiptoe around everything I’ve done. You just… talk to me. Like I’m still a person.”

You smile, just a bit. “You are still a person.”

“Yeah,” he responds, voice rough, “but sometimes I forget.”

He glances down, thumb stroking over the back of your hand like he’s anchoring himself with it. “You make me remember.”

There’s a pause. Not hefty. Not unpleasant. Just full.

You move, leaning toward him slightly, your voice soft. “You know what I like about you?”

Mark lifts an eyebrow. “What?”

“You’re a complete dork.”

He laughs, astonished. “What?”

“You’re a dork. You get way too into movies. You’re the worst liar. You make that stupid face when you’re pretending not to cry.”

His eyes become wide, “I do not—”

“You do,” you answer, cutting him off with a grin. “And it’s kind of adorable.”

Mark attempts to scowl, but it dissolves almost instantly. “Great. That’s exactly what I was going for. Adorable."

You brush your shoulder on his. “Well, you nailed it.”

And then his smile fades, just a bit. Not gone, just milder. Quieter.

“Can I ask you something?”

You nod.

“If we’d met under different circumstances… no GDA, no powers, no world-threatening crap… do you think we’d still end up here?”

It’s a question that shouldn’t hurt. But it does. Because you’ve thought about it. More than once. What it would’ve been like to meet him in a classroom, or at a party, or standing in line for coffee. What it would’ve meant to fall in love with him without all that followed later.

“I don’t know,” you concede. “But I think I would’ve noticed you. Even then.”

Mark’s eyes contact yours. Steady. Full with something you can’t quite name.

“I would’ve noticed you too.”

The quiet between you now feels strange. Charged. Not uncomfortable. Not tense. Just waiting.

And when he leans in this time, when his palm finds the side of your face, and his thumb strokes your cheek like he’s memorizing you, you don’t stop him.

You kiss him.

It’s slow. Not urgent. Not desperate. His lips are warm. Careful. Like he doesn’t want to break the enchantment. Like he doesn’t want to take more than you’re willing to offer.

When you draw back, you can feel his breath fan across your skin.

“I don’t want this to be a one-time thing,” he continues, voice barely audible. “I don’t want to go back to pretending this doesn’t matter.”

You nod. Your voice comes out wobbly. “Then don’t.”

He smiles, eyes still closed. “Okay.”

You sit like that for a long. No chatting. No hurrying. Just two people discovering what it means to exist without walls.

The breeze comes up just a little, enough to rattle the leaves above you, enough to make you snuggle deeper within the soft shell of his jacket. Mark’s thumb rubs circles into the back of your hand. Absent-minded. Thoughtful. Like he’s trying to communicate something without saying it, but it’s rising up anyhow, creeping closer to the surface with every passing minute.

You can feel it.

He moves slightly next you on the bench. Not pulling away. Just… hesitant. Like whatever’s resting at the tip of his tongue is delicate. Breakable if mistreated.

You peek over, your voice gentle. “What is it?”

He doesn’t answer right away. Just breaths in, stares at you for a long moment, his eyes holding something weighty and open and maybe just a bit terrified.

“I was thinking,” he adds, finally, “if you’re not tired of me yet…”

You grin, leisurely and affectionate. “Mark—”

“Would you want to come over?” he interrupts, almost too fast. “To my place. Just for the night. I mean—not like that. I mean, not unless you wanted… not that I’m asking you to—god, I’m screwing this up—”

You laugh, and it’s delicate, and it breaks through the stress like sunlight during a storm. You grip his hand. “Mark. I know what you mean.”

He exhales, eyes closing in relief. “I just… I don’t want the night to end. Not yet. I like being around you. I don’t get to have this often—we don’t get to have this often. A quiet night. Something that feels like ours. And I thought maybe… if you stayed over, we could watch something dumb, or just talk. You could sleep in my bed—I’ll take the couch. Or the floor. Or—”

“Mark.”

He stops. Looks at you.

You don’t tease him for rambling this time. You merely meet his stare and nod. “I’d like that. To come over.”

There’s a beat where you believe he could truly stop breathing. Then he smiles, wide and boyish and so full of that optimistic brightness you only get to see when he forgets to be cautious. “Yeah?”

“Yeah.”

He stares down at your hands, still intertwined, then back up at you. And you can see he’s not done, not quite. There’s more behind his gaze. A query that’s been bubbling since before supper, maybe even longer.

And when he talks again, his voice is softer. Slower. But steadier.

“There’s something else I’ve been meaning to ask.”

You tilt your head. “Okay.”

His hand changes, brushing his knuckles against your face, and his thumb catches at the corner of your jaw, delicate and respectful like he’s scared to push too far.

“I know we’ve been… whatever this is,” he says, and you can hear the nerves under the words. “More than friends… Less than official, technically. And I guess I didn’t want to rush it, or pressure you, or make it weird. But I also don’t want to keep pretending I don’t care about this.”

Your chest tightens. Because you do know. He’s been careful. Patient in his own messy way. But this thing between you, it’s never truly been casual, even when no one was courageous enough to name it.

“I care about you,” he adds, and his voice has that gentle grit to it now, the way it does when he’s struggling to be honest. “I care about you more than I’ve let myself admit. And I don’t want to keep dancing around it anymore.”

You feel his fingers lock around yours again, a bit tighter this time. Grounding. Anchoring.

“I want to be yours,” he says. “If you’ll have me. Like, really have me. Not just when it’s easy. Not only when it’s convenient or safe. I want to be your boyfriend. Officially.”

Your heart beats hard enough to hear it in your ears.

“Mark,” you mumble, and you don’t know your eyes are watery until his face blurs in front of you. “I told you I’m already yours. Seriously.”

His lips split, eyes wide. “Wait, really?”

You nod, laughing softly. “Of course. I’ve just been waiting for you to ask it. Officially, I mean.”

And then he kisses you again.

Not tentative. Not nervous. But full. Deep. Like he’s expelling a truth he’s been carrying in his chest for months. His hand cradles the side of your face like he’s scared you’ll disappear mid-kiss, like the world could steal this from him if he doesn’t hold on tight enough.

When you eventually pull apart, you’re both breathless.

You lay your forehead on his, eyes still closed. “So… boyfriend, huh?”

He laughs, a bit bewildered. “God, yeah. That sounds really good coming from you.”

You grip his hand. “Then take me home, Mark Grayson."

And so he does, holding your hand as you walk back to his car.

Fingers still entwined. Hearts still full. No longer hiding from what this is, whatever happens next, it’ll come. But tonight?

Tonight is yours. 

[lilithlounge]

Venus Retrograde 2025 – Love on Rewind, Chaos on the Horizon

Mark your calendars, lovers and ex-lurkers! From March 1 to April 12, 2025, Venus...the planet of love, beauty, money, and self-worth is going retrograde, meaning all things romance, relationships, and finances are about to get a cosmic reality check.

And this isn’t just any Venus retrograde. Oh no. This one starts in Aries (March 1 - March 27)—the bold, impulsive, burn-it-all-down-to-build-it-up sign—before diving headfirst into the watery, mystical mess of Pisces (March 27 - April 12). Translation? We’re going from “I don’t need you, I’ll set your car on fire” energy to “I still love you, let’s soul merge” energy real quick.

March 1 - March 27: Venus Retrograde in Aries – The Bold Bitch Era™

This is not your soft, poetic love story. This is love on steroids, then withdrawal. Aries is ruled by Mars, so Venus here is already aggressive, impulsive, and unapologetic. But when she starts moonwalking backward? Expect:

- Exes reappearing like they’ve got unfinished business (Spoiler: they do, and it’s messy)

-Sudden urges to end relationships dramatically (Blocking, deleting, "accidentally" sending that risky text? Yep.)

-Impulse spending that will haunt your bank account in April (No, you don’t need that $500 leather jacket.)

-Dramatic makeovers that may or may not be a regret later (Shaving your head? Piercing something? Think it through, babe.)

-Toxic relationship patterns coming back to test you (Did you really heal, or are you just ignoring the red flags?)

Best Advice? Pause before you act. Aries energy wants it NOW, but retrograde means it needs RECONSIDERATION. Don’t throw away something (or someone) just because you’re in your feelings.

March 27 - April 12: Venus Retrograde in Pisces – The Delusional Romance Era™

After all that chaotic, burn-it-down energy, Venus slips into Pisces, where she romanticizes the pain, writes a poem about it, and forgives everyone, sometimes too quickly.

-Dreamy nostalgia, missing people you swore you were over (Why does their name keep showing up in songs?)

-Old flames reappearing with “I’ve changed” speeches (Have they? Or is it just Neptune clouding your judgment?)

-Crying over movies, songs, and that one text from 2017 (If you suddenly feel like a poet, blame Venus.)

-Spiritual connections intensifying, twin flame chasers, this is your moment (Or your downfall. Choose wisely.)

-Illusions in love, seeing people as you want them to be, not as they are (Don’t settle for potential. Look at the reality.)

Best Advice? Don’t let the rose-colored glasses fool you. Love should feel magical, but not at the cost of your boundaries or self-respect.

So..... what should you do?

-Reflect, don’t react. Venus retrograde is about reassessing love, money, and self-worth, not making impulsive decisions.

-Avoid major beauty or financial changes. The haircut can wait. The new relationship can too.

-If an ex pops up, ask yourself: Why now? Not every “second chance” is meant to be taken.

-Focus on healing, not reattaching. If you’re missing someone, is it them or the idea of them?

-Don’t start a new relationship until Venus goes direct. Love formed in a retrograde often comes with karmic lessons (aka drama).

Final Thoughts – Buckle Up, It's a Ride

This Venus retrograde will test your patience, your heart, and your ability to avoid chaos. Some connections will burn, some will deepen, and some will make a dramatic return just to mess with your head.

By April 12, you’ll know what (and who) is worth your time and what you need to leave behind for good.

Feeling lost in love? Need clarity on an ex or a fated connection? I offer detailed astrology readings to help you navigate this retrograde without losing your mind. DM me or check my Ko-Fi, Buy Me A Coffee for a personal reading!

[cinnamorollcrybaby]

I won’t let you leave

Tags: Xavier x fem!Reader, possessive!Xavier, LADS, fluff

Synopsis: This is based on the 5-star memory Precious Bonfire. The Unicorns decide to go camping in the woods and have a bonfire. You’re appointed captain of the trip, and everyone keeps taking you away from Xavier.

An: Guyyss, I’m normally such a Zayne/Sylus girlie but… possessive!Xavier holds a special place in my heart 🤭

All day long it was always something with someone. Someone was always pulling your attention.

“Captain, I need help setting up my tent.” “Captain, I need help with the can opener.” “Captain, where are the extra polls?” “Captain, I cut my hand.”

Xavier had spent long enough staying quiet at your side, but inwardly, he was pretty disgruntled by how weak a group of deepspace hunters were while out in the elements.

He was also tired of having to share your attention. He only attended this bonfire party because you were going, but you were being pulled every different direction. You were clearly exhausted and wanted a moment without being asked a million questions. So, he started to answer questions for you.

“Captain, where’s-“

“Did you even check the camp resources before coming to ask?” Xavier speaks up, completely interrupting the hunter of his question. His normally soft blue eyes were sharp and narrow as he glares at the hunter.

“I… will go check there first…” The hunter mutters quietly as he spins to head the other direction quickly. Xavier certainly has.. a reputation amongst hunters.

“Wise decision.” Xavier mutters, and he subtly pulls your tired body closer to his. You two are sitting on a blanket on the ground, enjoying each other’s presence underneath the sunset. It’s the first time Xavier’s gotten your attention all day. “You’re done helping out for the day, okay?”

“Hm? But what if they need me..” Your voice sounds so sleepy, and Xavier tucks you under his arm.

“They don’t need you. They’re just using you instead of using their brains.” His finger gently boops you on the nose “I won’t let them keep using you like that.”

“The bonfire party should be starting soon.” You murmur, and you nuzzle your head closer to Xavier’s shoulder. A small smile spreads across his face. Nothing could beat this moment right here.

“Do you wish to go? It seems like you’re too sleepy to me.” He muses softly as he takes note of your droopy eyes and dreamy expression.

“I don’t want to miss out, and.. what if people notice we’re gone?” You ask softly.

“You can tell them that I won’t let you leave my side. Besides, I can make our own small bonfire celebration.” Xavier answers, and he holds out the palm of his hand, using his light evol to make sparks and light dance around his hand.

Seeing Xavier use his evol is always a treat. It makes you feel warm and fuzzy on the inside while you snuggle closer to him. You mutter a small, “Thank you.” He seems to know your limitations better than you do.

“You have nothing to thank me for. You take care of everyone else. It’s time someone takes care of you.” He presses a gentle kiss to your temple.

“Hey Captain..? Are you..-“

“Leave her be.” His voice immediately hardens as he shoots the hunter a glare. Xavier’s personality is able to switch so quickly, especially while he’s irritated like this.

“I just wanted to see if she wanted to come to the bonfire party.” The hunter persists, not giving up despite Xavier’s clear order.

Instead of fighting against the hunter, Xavier leaned his head down to face you. A clear prompt for you to speak up.

“I’m fine here with Xavier.” You finally respond, looking up at the hunter. “I’m not leaving his side.”

The hunter slightly frowns as he gazes at both you and Xavier together before turning around to walk away. Xavier eyes him the entire time he walks back towards the bonfire.

“You did good, little star.” Xavier whispers before pressing another kiss to your cheek.

“You make me sound so mean.” You softly laugh while shaking your head. Your hand reaches up and gently pinches his cheek.

“No, I make you sound assertive. Unless, you wanted to go hang out at the bonfire and leave me behind.” He responds with a small laugh. He grabs your hand that’s pinching his cheek, and he uses it as leverage to pin you to the blanket. His body moves on top of yours. “Did you want to leave me?”

“No, never.” His face leans in close to yours, lips just barely brushing against each others.

“Good. Then don’t.” He murmurs before pressing a firm possessive kiss to your lips, laying his claim on your attention and presence. The hunters would just have to make do without their captain.

[literaryvein-reblogs]

Hello! I absolutely love your blog, it has saved my ass from looking like a fool nine times out of ten. I was wondering if you have any tips for describing voices? Like the tone or even how someone's accent sounds, things of the sort. Thank you :)

Haha, I'm so glad to hear this. Thanks for telling me :)

Abrasive - causing irritation; rude and unfriendly

Acidic - marked by the use of wit that is intended to cause hurt feelings

Adenoidal - exhibiting the characteristics (such as snoring, mouth breathing, and voice nasality) of one affected with abnormally enlarged adenoids

Airy - exceptionally light, delicate, or refined

Animated - full of vigor and spirit; lively

Anxious - characterized by extreme uneasiness of mind or brooding fear about some contingency; worried; ardently or earnestly wishing

Authoritative - recognized authority; clearly accurate or knowledgeable

Barbed - characterized by pointed and biting criticism or sarcasm

Baritone - a male singing voice of medium compass between bass and tenor, also: a person having this voice

Barking - to speak in a curt loud and usually angry tone; snapping

Bass - deep or grave in tone; of low pitch

Big - expressed in an enthusiastic or unrestrained way; hearty; of great force; in a loud or declamatory manner

Bitter - caused by or expressive of severe pain, grief, or regret

Bland - not irritating, stimulating, or invigorating; soothing; dull, insipid

Blasé - apathetic to pleasure or excitement as a result of excessive indulgence or enjoyment; world-weary; sophisticated, worldly-wise; unconcerned

Bleak - lacking in warmth, life, or kindliness; grim; severely simple or austere

Blunt - abrupt in speech or manner; slow or deficient in feeling; insensitive

Bombastic - marked by or given to speech or writing that is given exaggerated importance by artificial or empty means; marked by or given to bombast; pompous, overblown

Booming - making a loud deep sound

Bored - having one's patience, interest, or pleasure exhausted; monotonous

Brash - lacking restraint and discernment; tactless; piercingly sharp; harsh

Braying - to utter the characteristic loud harsh cry of a donkey

Breathy - characterized by or as if by the audible passage of breath

Breezy - airy, nonchalant

Bright - lively, cheerful; intelligent, clever

Brisk - sharp in tone or manner; energetic, quick

Brittle - easily hurt or offended; lacking warmth, depth, or generosity of spirit

Broken - discontinuous, interrupted; imperfectly spoken or written; subdued completely; crushed, sorrowful

Bubbly - cheerful and high-spirited; lively, vivacious

Burbling - babbling, prattling

Calm - free from agitation, excitement, or disturbance

Casual - feeling or showing little concern; nonchalant; informal, natural

Caustic - marked by incisive sarcasm

Childish - marked by or suggestive of immaturity and lack of poise; simple

Chirping - to utter (something) with a cheerful liveliness

Choked - to become choked in breathing; to lose one's composure and fail to perform effectively in a critical situation

Clear - easily heard

Cloying - excessively sweet or sentimental

Coarse - crude or unrefined; harsh, raucous, or rough in tone

Complacent - unconcerned; self-satisfied

Conflicted - to be out of harmony or agreement usually noticeably

Contralto - a singing voice having a range between tenor and mezzo-soprano

Cracked- marked by harshness, dissonance, or failure to sustain a tone

Creaky - marked by creaking; squeaky

Croaking - to utter in a hoarse raucous voice

Crisp - notably sharp, clean-cut, and clear

Crooning - to sing or speak in a gentle murmuring manner

Curt - sparing of words; terse

Discordant - shrill; marked by or producing a harsh combination of sounds

Drawling - to speak slowly with vowel sounds that are longer than usual

Dreamy - quiet and soothing; delightful, ideal

Dry - reserved, aloof; lacking smooth sound qualities

Dulcet - pleasing to the ear; generally pleasing or agreeable

Earnest - characterized by an intense and serious state of mind

Ethereal - marked by unusual delicacy or refinement

Falsetto - an artificially high voice

Faint - lacking strength or vigor; performed weakly or languidly

Feathery - extremely light

Feeble - indicating weakness

Firm - not weak or uncertain; vigorous

Flat - lower than the proper pitch; lacking in animation, zest, or vigor; dull

Fierce - marked by unrestrained zeal or vehemence

Fretful - disposed to fret; irritable, restless

Gentle - soft, delicate

Goofy - being ridiculous or mildly ludicrous; silly

Grating - having a harsh or unpleasant sound

Guttural - articulated in the throat; velar (i.e., formed with the back of the tongue touching or near the soft palate)

Hesitant - slow to act or proceed (as from fear, indecision, or unwillingness); showing or feeling reluctance or hesitation

Hissing - to make a sharp sibilant sound; to utter or whisper angrily or threateningly and with a hiss

Honeyed - pleasingly sweet

Husky - hoarse with or as if with emotion

Hypnotic - readily holding the attention; soothing; tending to cause sleep

Indifferent - marked by a lack of interest, enthusiasm, or concern; apathetic

Insinuating - tending gradually to cause doubt, distrust, or change of outlook often in a slyly subtle manner

Jubilant - feeling or expressing great joy; exultant

Lifeless - lacking qualities expressive of life and vigor; insipid

Lilting - characterized by a rhythmical swing or cadence

Lush - sensual; pleasing to the physical senses

Mellifluous - having a smooth rich flow

Melodious - having a pleasing melody

Monotonous - tediously uniform or unvarying in tone

Nasal - characterized by resonance produced through the nose

Neutral - produced with the tongue in the position it has when at rest

Obsequious - marked by or exhibiting a fawning attentiveness

Piercing - loud, shrill

Piping - shrill

Polished - characterized by a high degree of development or refinement

Punchy - vivid, vibrant

Querulous - habitually complaining; fretful, whining

Raucous - disagreeably harsh or strident; hoarse

Reedy - having the tone quality of a reed instrument

Resonant - continuing to sound; echoing

Ribald - marked by coarseness or lewdness; crude, offensive

Robust - having or showing vigor, strength, or firmness

Saccharine - ingratiatingly agreeable or friendly; overly sentimental; mawkish

Scornful - full of scorn; contemptuous

Sibilant - having, containing, or producing the sound of or a sound resembling that of the s or the sh in sash

Silken - agreeably smooth; harmonious

Silvery - having a soft high clear musical tone

Sleek - smooth in speech or manner

Sluggish - markedly slow in movement, flow, or growth

Slurring - to utter with such reduction, substitution, or omission of sounds

Sly - lightly mischievous; roguish

Smarmy - revealing or marked by a smug, ingratiating, or false earnestness

Smoky - having a low throaty quality

Snide - slyly disparaging; insinuating

Somber - of a serious mien; grave

Sonorous - full or loud in sound

Soprano - the highest singing voice of women or boys and formerly of castrati, also: a person having this voice

Sour - unpleasant, distasteful

Staccato - marked by short clear-cut singing of tones or chords; disjointed

Steely - resembling or suggesting steel (as in hardness, strength, or coldness)

Strained - done or produced with excessive effort

Strident - characterized by harsh, insistent, and discordant sound

Stony - manifesting no movement or reaction; dumb, expressionless

Suave - smooth in texture, performance, or style

Surly - irritably sullen and churlish in mood or manner; crabbed

Tart - marked by a biting, acrimonious, or cutting quality

Teasing - to disturb or annoy by persistent irritating or provoking especially in a petty or mischievous way

Tender - delicate or soft in quality or tone

Throaty - heavy, thick, and deep as if from the throat

Thunderous - marked by a high volume of sound

Tremulous - such as is or might be caused by nervousness or shakiness

Unctuous - having, revealing, or marked by a smug, ingratiating, and false earnestness or spirituality

Undulating - to rise and fall in volume, pitch, or cadence

Velvety - having the character of velvet as in being soft, smooth, or thick

Wheezy - wheezing (i.e., breathe with difficulty usually with a whistling sound)

Whiny - having a high-pitched, shrill or plaintive quality

Wistful - full of yearning or desire tinged with melancholy

Effectively describing a voice requires encapsulating the volume, pitch, tone, style, and feeling evoked by the character. Choose specific adjectives to capture your character's voice.

Here is a category system that is fairly standard:

Soprano: C4 to A5 vocal range

Mezzo-soprano: A3 to F5 vocal range

Alto: F3 to D5 vocal range

Tenor: B2 to G4 vocal range

Baritone: G2 to E4 vocal range

Bass: E2 to C4 vocal range

Basically: if it’s a descriptive adjective, it can probably be used to describe the voice of a character. You want whomever is reading the description to immediately “hear” what makes the character unique. 

5 Tips for Writing Character Accents

Accents give us information about where a character is from, and the use of distinct speech patterns can give your story a rich texture and flavor.

Here are some tips to consider when giving your characters accents:

1. Make sure your character’s speech isn’t distracting

When writing dialect or a particular accent, it can be tempting to write a character’s dialogue using phonetic spellings.

However, this use of dialect can distract your reader.

If your character is French and is constantly saying “ze” instead of “the,” the reader will be focusing more on decoding the line of dialogue than they will on plot or character development.

When writing fiction, your reader’s attention should always be on the story, and anything that distracts from that probably isn’t worth including.

2. Research slang and colloquialisms

Each region of the world has its own standard pronunciation, sentence structure, and slang.

If your main character has an Australian, Jamaican, Spanish, or Scottish accent, their word choice will likely be different than if they grew up speaking American English.

Research commonly used foreign words, slang phrases, and colloquialisms from your character's part of the world.

Listen to podcasts that feature speakers from your desired region.

Be as specific as possible. Example:

If your character is from New York, their word choice might be different depending on if they’re from the Bronx or Staten Island.

3. Use pieces of other languages

If you’re writing a character who speaks a foreign language, one way to communicate their accent is to simply include snippets of their native tongue in their lines of dialogue.

This will demonstrate the character’s native language and implied accent without resorting to the distracting eyesore of phonetic spelling.

When writing words from languages besides English, you may need to include accented letters.

Writing accented characters is simple to do on a common keyboard; you can apply accent marks and special characters by using keyboard shortcuts.

You can also change your keyboard settings to an international keyboard, which will make it easier to type accents that use accent graves or other accent marks.

4. Don’t stereotype

Writing different dialects indelicately can make you appear condescending towards non-native English speakers or people who use the English language differently than you do.

One of the most common offenders is the use of “eye dialect,” which refers to using misspellings or nonstandard spellings in order to depict a character’s accent (for instance, writing “fixin’” with an apostrophe instead of “fixing” in order to demonstrate Appalachian or Southern accents).

By focusing on the “otherness” of regional dialects and non-native speakers, a writer may give the impression that they are making fun of the way people speak.

When writing different accents, keep eye dialect to a minimum.

5. Recognize that character speech is determined by context

Accents aren’t always determined by region or nationality.

Sometimes, our own accents change depending on who we’re speaking to or our emotional or physical state.

We may slur our speech when we’re drunk, or we may attempt to use complex English words when we’re speaking with someone we perceive to be of a higher status.

Seeing a character change their accents in different contexts can serve as a clever way of revealing the emotional condition of a character.

Sources: 1 2 3 4 5 6

Writing Notes: Tone

Hope this helps! If it does, do tag me or send me a link to your writing. I'd love to read your work.

[raven-at-the-writing-desk]

I'm so sorry to bring up the recent Silver card again, but I would like to get my love for it out of my system. As someone who has had, quite literally, a lifelong love for Sleeping Beauty, this Silver card is like my perfect card.

Any time Twst leans into the movies design wise or atmosphere wise, I'm immediately reminded of what drew me into the game in the first place, and Silver's brought up all my love for Sleeping Beauty all over again. AND THE GROOVIED VERSION?! THE PINK AND THE BLUE!! I can never really put into words how much I absolutely adore that movie and now I can't even put into words how much I love this card. I feel like it just really brings everything together, like this is the kind of thing I would expect a movie poster for Sleeping Beauty to look like.

Sorry this is kind of all over the place!

I don’t have an attachment to Sleeping Beauty myself, but it’s great that book 7 brought you joy in the form of it ^^

Silver’s Dawn Armor initial illustration and its groovy are for real works of art!! Twst usually has this issue where the groovy is “off” in some way, but this one was such a slam dunk 😭 The gleaming armor, Silver’s determined expression, the looming threat of the dragon in the distance… contrasted with his gentle and teary-eyed smile, his fluttering cape shifting from blue to pink and back, the dreamy colors of the ballroom—and!! His friends and family surrounding him, rather than the desolate, doomed battlefield of the initial artwork. (I still can't get over Sebek crying in the background while Grim's chilling on his head??)

It feels like a perfect encapsulation of the climax of the Sleeping Beauty story but also a showcase of the happy ending that results thanks to his heroic efforts.

[You can read my thoughts on the book 7 finale here!]

YOU AREN'T THE ONLY ONE 😭 I feel like I've been seeing this sentiment floating around a lot on socials and even in my own smaller Twst circles. The pre-book 7 "He's okay but sort of boring!" to the post-book 7 "He wrung all the tears out of me and left me emotionally devastated but I thanked him for it." is pretty wild. I'm happy that many more Twst fans are discovering his charms through book 7 and his character arc in it.

I'll admit that I wasn't a fan of him for most of the main story myself, but it was still so satisfying seeing him formally adopt Lilia's surname with all his peers in attendance, and Malleus officiating it. Silver had to work so hard to accept his father's love for him, and to realize that he is someone worthy of love... and you can tell he cares so much about having this thing to call his. Not something tangible that glitters like armor or a medal, but a name forever bound to his identity for as long as he shall live, and much, much longer after he is no longer here. A surname that once existed to mark a blood-stained warrior is now granted to the one that restored peace, at last bringing father and son together. (The official in-game character profile also reflects this change:)

[cozycottagetarot]

PAC: Your Person's Appearance

What Are Their Vibes & Characteristics?

PILE 1 (Source) | PILE 2 (Source) | PILE 3 (Source)

This was supposed to be a quick reading but idk what happened 🤨. I apologise if it's scattered though I think I saw that every time 😅.

Anyways, this reading covers your person's vibes they give off as well as any notable features about them. As always this reading is for entertainment purposes only. ✨

Version 1 Of This Reading

PAC Reading Masterlist | Paid Readings

PILE 1

Initial Impressions: Dark features, intelligent look, balanced masculine and feminine energies, ambitious, helpful, burnout, (Mount) Vesuvius, mystical, dreamy, starry-eyed, intuitive, regal, physically fit, wish fulfilment, hope, they brighten up the room, a new beginning, secure.

Vibes You May Pick Up On:

They have a quiet confidence. Even if they don’t say much of anything, you can sense their self-assuredness. They could be in a position of power career-wise where they oversee others or an operation but I don’t think that it’s something they’re particularly happy about or take lightly. People may think it’s all fun and games for them but actually, it’s quite the opposite. They could actually be quite lonely despite their work. They could have left home and they can’t return to it. They carry a heaviness with them. Working on themselves and levelling up. Focused. Lost in thought. Optimistic. They could exude a sense of hope and magic, just being in their presence may boost your mood. Busy. Moving from one thing to the next. Coffee shop vibes. Proportionate body. Someone new that you’re manifesting. You two could meet at a time of change and transformation in one or both of your lives. If you’re accustomed to unhealthy relationships or drawn to people that aren’t good for you, this is the opposite. They might not even look like they used to. They’ll have a very nice body… you may really like their legs. They may wear clothes that expose a part of their body... particularly their chest. Nurturing energy. I think you may just kind of know or you’ll feel a sense of peace.

Notable Characteristics:

Hair colours are pretty diverse— you’ve got black, red, blonde and grey (or platinum that came to me as well) hair. They could have curly or kinky hair types. The only one that came out for face shapes was square. Their eyes may be hooded or they may have a monolid. They could have a broad or roman shaped nose. When it comes to their mouth. They could have a cupid’s bow and thin lips, straight teeth and they may smirk a lot or their smile looks like a smirk. The last few physical things are they might be on the shorter side or shorter than you and they could have scars or a skin condition (eczema, vitiligo, etc). Their voice may be smooth or animated. Their style could be very aesthetic or vintage and they may wear a lot of formal/business wear. They may come across as quiet/reserved, intelligent and charismatic.

You can check out the discarded version of this pac here for any additional insights HOWEVER LOOK AT PILE 2!

If you enjoyed this reading check out my other readings here. You can also check out my paid readings as well if you're interested in getting a personalised reading

PILE 2

Initial Impressions: Symphony by Clean Bandit feat Zara Larson came to me, Someone you’re destined to meet.. the one who got away or someone who’s unforgettable from day one, dangerous look, security, a strong appearance, protective, fierce, a wish fulfilled, a musician, someone who moves with fluidity, muse, not the knight you expect, a little bit closed off

Vibes You May Pick Up On:

They may try to stay under the radar, but I think that may be a little hard… at least when it comes to you. You may need some help with them though, as in getting a relationship started. There’s a wildness to them but it might get them in trouble so they try to tame themselves (I also hear tame their desire for adventure). They may not look like their stable but they are and they worked hard for what they have. I think this person may look focused… a little bit scruffy or dishevelled if they’re a man. I felt like you may be cautious of them but I think that they may also come across as guarded and cautious of others. There’s definitely a sense of maturity to them and wisdom. Highly perceptive. They could have multiple ear piercings. You could meet this person by chance. In one of the previous versions (see the end of your pile’s reading) I think I wrote that you two might meet in a way ‘only the divine could have orchestrated’. I don’t know how to describe it, but it may not be a meeting you could have ever thought to dream of/up. I think of wolves when I think of this person based on the cards as well. They may have a tough exterior, not easily approachable. They’re everything you want whether or not you know or see it at first. They may carry a lot of stress. Actually very passionate and inspiring. A diamond in the rough or a lamp that needs polishing.

Notable Characteristics

Short, curvy (I also remember picking up on husky at one point in a prev version), they could wear glasses but prefer to wear contacts. For hair, you guys have a good set of cards so their hair may be a significant feature. The cards around hair were— wavy, unique cut/style, afro (or puffy hair), salt & pepper, short hair, blonde, grey hair, long hair, and straight hair. For facial hair, it’s either clean-shaven or a beard. Their face shape could be round, square or diamond-shaped. For lips, they could have a cupid’s bow. They could have brown or green eyes or their eye colour may look unique. Their voice could be youthful or higher in pitch or on the opposite end deep. You also got smooth and they could have a foreign accent (whatever that means to you). Lastly, some impressions about this person are they may come across as confident, charismatic, quiet/reserved and professional/polished.

You can check out the discarded versions of this PAC here for any additional insights HOWEVER LOOK AT PILE 1! Discard 1 (all piles) | Discard V.2 (your pile only)

If you enjoyed this reading check out my other readings here. You can also check out my paid readings as well if you're interested in getting a personalised reading.

PILE 3

Initial Impressions: Vibes of being a player. Not being from around the same location. Something about their eyes. A rake. Large and in charge. Good with words or a sweet talker. Lively. Someone not to be tied down. Awakening something with you. Happy. Young. Naive. Sociable. Could be from somewhere warm or they could make you warm. Strong. Visually impaired? Intuitive… like they know the "secrets of the universe”. Jewellery may be significant. Wanderer. Hands. Might wear lots of prints. Rings. Marriage material. They could be a risk taker or look like a risk you’re willing to take. They may be quite flamboyant which might resonate a lot if you’re more reserved in how you dress or present yourself to the world. Grey hair. Frustrating. Baby Charli XCX.

Vibes You May Pick Up On:

They might come across as slightly immature and before some of you roll your eyes, immaturity doesn’t always show up as a negative. It could be a playfulness to them that makes you think they haven’t really lived and explored life yet. They may give off the vibe that pursuing them is a risk of some kind on your part. You might feel like you’ve got to be very careful about pursuing them or allowing them to pursue you.

They could look like a social butterfly. An infectious vibe or personality. They may light up the room. For a lot of you, I feel like I’m viewing this person in an educational or work setting and like watching them from afar interact with other people. They could look like a drifter. One dynamic I’m picking up on as well is your person being the type of person willing to pack up and go anywhere on a whim while you may be more cautious and the type to need a plan first. They’ll say ‘runaway with me’ and look at you expectantly while your head and heart battle. They may seem very creative or flamboyant. There’s a sense of home or familiarity too. Not sure how you’re going to get the final cut of this atm, but I definitely picked that up in the first deck I used. “Your person could look familiar to you— it doesn’t necessarily mean that you know them though for half of you I think you could. I think when you see your person you may have that “Have we met before?” moment.”

Physically you may find their hands very attractive. They could be skilled in a profession where they have to use their hands a lot (mainly for crafting I’m getting this scenario) and could either hand you something or demonstrate something where you’re focused on their hands. Very attractive hands lol, this may make you blush. They could look very athletic. Very confident. They may turn your world upside down (in a freeing way I see).

Notable Characteristics

The most notable thing about your person may be their voice. I’ve made some traits/characteristics and the majority of what I got relates to voice. Some traits you’ve got for voice are: soft, smooth, deep, animated (they may speak in a way that paints a picture), youthful/high(er)-pitched voice

Their face shape could be round or oval. They could have wavy/shoulder-length hair or no hair at all. If they wear facial hair, it’d be a beard. Their nose could be upturned or described as aquiline. For eyes, they could be round or have monolids and they may have a unique eye colour. They may have full lips or crooked teeth. Freckles. Tattoos. They may look ethereal or be a boho/laid-back and/or vintage style.

You can check out the discarded version of this pac here for any additional insights.

If you enjoyed this reading check out my other readings here. You can also check out my paid readings as well if you're interested in getting a personalised reading.

[starkeyisthelastname]

Okay so I was like super angry and irritated all day but when I get mad I cry and throw things so could you do something where the reader is doing just that and rafes comes to calm her down and theyyy 😏 you know

It was just one of those days where everything seemed to irritate you. Rafe had been busy with Barry but had promised to take you out to dinner that night. With your makeup and hair both done, you headed towards the walk in closet to find something to wear. You were frustrated with every little thing you put on, it either looking wrong or you didn’t understand why you bought it in the first place.

Rafe was in a good mood for once after money had been made. He was ready to take you out to dinner and then pound your guts in. He wasn’t expecting you to be in the disaster of the closet now, pretty face covered in hot tears.

“Hey. What is going on?” He asked, voice firm as he walked over to you. Kneeling down, he gripped your chin to make you look at him.

With a wobbly chin, you glanced at your boyfriend with sad eyes and a frustrated sigh. “I can’t find anything to wear…” You mumbled, the amount of clothes in the closet saying other wise.

Rafe’s jaw ticked, looking around the space and shaking his head. You were a spoiled fucking brat who got handed his amex card on the daily to go shopping and now you couldn’t find anything to wear. “Are you serious?” His tone, incredulous.

You nodded, still barely covered in your pink little robe that you wore when you did your makeup. “Just wanna look good for you Rafey..” You told him, eyes averting his dreamy blue eyes.

Rafe’s felt himself relax when he heard you say that. Pouty lips and pink tear streaked cheeks and you were still fucking perfect. “Fucking brat..” He said under is breath. “You need some dick to make you calm down? Show you how good you look to me.”

Your gorgeous eyes glanced back up at him, already feeling better just from being there. Nodding your head with a small giggle, you wrapped your arms around his strong neck. Rafe let out a scoff, amazed that he could fuck you to make you not upset anymore.

“You make.. me f-feel better Rafey..” Tiny whines leaving your lips as the sexy man above you had a dick that filled you up with each thrust.

Thumb rubbing your sensitive pearl, Rafe laughed. Your dinner reservations had started 30 minutes ago as he was relishing in the feeling of your wet cunt. You looked gorgeous too taking his thick pipe, he didn’t know why you worked up about not looking good for him.

“Yeah I know.. dick gets you feeling better about yourself.” He told you, huffing out a breath as you squeezed his cock in a vice grip.