#it is genuinely causing me distress that i don't 'want' to work on it despite wanting to work on it

[hinotorihime]

head in hands. how do i get excited about my big wip again

[tinydefector]

Can we get a first contact au with Rodimus becoming increasingly possessive towards the human the lost light found.

My Human

Rodimus x Human First contact AU

Word count: 1.6k

Warnings: none

Rodimus masterlist

Request are open, please go to pinned post to read rules.

Rules and Masterlist

Had a lot of fun writing this. I may have written him as more Protective Possessions than anything else, but all up, I'm very happy with how this turned out. But I've seen so where the human is distressed by Possesive Rodimus in First contact Aus so I wanted to go with them being just as distressed about being taken away from him.

________

Rodimus hated this, he hated being away from his little human. He paces back and forth in front of medlab, at this rate he would wear marks into the floor, he regretted that his little friend had been found out. It had resulted in Ratchet and Ultra Magnus taking them from his care. It had now been nearly three cycles since they had been taken from him and he didn't like when others were in charge of their care. 

Ratchet and Ultra Magnus believed he wasn't skilled enough to care for them. Yes there was a language barrier between them but they had been working on it with hand signals, nods and head shakes along with visual items. He was gentle with them, he did his best to make them comfortable and they didn't set off any signs that they felt uncomfortable or upset with him. 

Rodimus keeps his energy field taut with restraint, his optics flick to the door as he faces Ratchet, though his unrest is clear. "Look, I know you and Magnus think I'm not 'responsible' enough or whatever, but that's my little human! I've been taking good care of them since picking them up, You can't just keep me away from them!." His plating flares briefly. " you both swoop in, say I'm not 'qualified,' and carry them off for your tests and whatnot. Please just let me see them!" Rodimus remains poised, despite his clear frustration he tries to not let it show.

Ratchet isn't impressed by the situation, Rodimus had hidden the human for who knows how long before they found out about them and it was due to the fact Swerve had seen the human with Rodimus late one cycle. The medic had a hard time trusting Rodimus to be responsible for such a fragile being. 

The smaller beings' eyes light up the moment they see Rodimus, a small collection of thrills and vocal chirps falling from them as they see the Speedster finally being let into medical, they stand quickly moving to the edge of the table calling out to him eagerly.  

Ratchet huffs in exasperation as the human calls out so eagerly for the red mech. He grudgingly has to admit their attachment seems genuine. But that doesn't absolve proper procedure. Rodimus had withheld information, hidden an organic, he was lucky that they were in good health otherwise Ratchet wouldn't have let him within the radius of the lab. 

"Alright, alright, calm down, both of you." Ratchet levels a stern glare between them. "I'm letting you see each other as a trial, Rodimus. One slip-up and they go right back to my care, and you do not get to see them at all. got it?" 

Rodimus nods eagerly, and Ratchet steps aside with reluctance. The human chirps happily as he swiftly moves closer to the table they are stood on. "Be gentle, and watch your energy, you're lucky you haven't caused any medical problems" Ratchet grumbles. But his rebuke as he reads over the few tests he had run over them. 

Rodimus beams down at his human. "Missed you too. Don't listen to Ratch', okay? I'll always keep you safe." He directs the latter at Ratchet. The medic huffs but doesn't disagree. Seeing the human's contentment, maybe Rodimus has earned his chance after all. He'd be keeping a close optic on the two.

The human almost flings themself at Rodimus snuggling against his plating, had it been any other Mech their plating would have been cold but Rodimus ran hot due to his Outlier ability and they seemed to swarm to him for the heat. Their arms curl around his shoulder plating little thrills leaving them in delight to see him after not being able to see him for days now.

Eventually they pull away hands moving quickly as more noises leave them, trying to ask him questions he can't understand, giving a rather rude gesture towards Ratchet as they voice their displeasure over being stuck here. Ratchet isn't particularly happy but given the circumstances it was better than the human needing multiple injections and a drip. 

Rodimus chuckles at the rude gesture aimed at Ratchet. "Eheh, I'll let that one slide since I know he's been keeping you against your will." He hums softly while pulling them back into a hug which they eagerly accept. "But play nice," Rodimus whispers, directing a pointed look at Ratchet. "Don't want Ratch' banning me from visits, y'know?" 

Rodimus strokes their back gently, happy to finally have them back even if it was only for a little, he didn't like it but he would fight if it came down to that so they didn't have to stay in the Medlab. 

It's only when Ultra Magnus walks into the room does the human become rather vocal, seeming to scowl in displeasure, another flurry of noise coming from them as they clinging to Rodimus expecting the larger mech to take them again.

 After all this was a massive violation of ship conduct having a human on board and Rodimus had hidden them for who knows how long. Rodimus himself was still rather angry over the separation for cycles. Magnus' field bleeds disapproval as he notes the organics ferocity. " Rodimus, your failure to disclose finding an intelligent alien has compromised ship safety. That you concealed them speaks poorly of your leadership. Do you have any idea what could have happened if it was another species, think of the Viruses, and other contamination you could have brought onto this ship!"

Rodimus' plating flares indignantly. "They were scared! I was looking after them, making sure they had everything they needed, rather than dragging them in here for pit knows what kind of tests and dragged me to the brig!" 

"Enough, both of you!" Ratchet interjects sternly. "Arguing will solve nothing. Your disapproval is clear, Magnus, but separating them now could cause harm. For their sake, I advise they remain in Rodimus' care, But they are to be brought in Every Luna Cycle for check ups, do I make myself clear captain?."

Magnus' optics narrow, he goes to argue about the situation, But the sound of heavy foot fall makes them tense as Megatron stalks in, red optics lingering on the group. The co-captain looks to Rodimus with a raised brow before his optics flicker to the human in his arms. "What is the issue here?" He finally asked. Rodimus' fields blast protectiveness as Megatron's gaze settles on the human clinging to him. "There's no issue, Megatron. Just everyone freaking out that I took in a stray. As if providing refuge is a crime." 

Magnus stiffens. "Harbouring an unknown organism without informing command put the whole ship at risk. Repercussions must follow regulations."

Ratchet shoots him a glare. "Perhaps. But separating them now risks worse harm." He faces Megatron decisively. Megatron considers it thoughtfully. While Rodimus broke protocol. 

" they remain in Rodimus' care. But you will face consequences, Rodimus, for keeping them hidden, you should have come to one of us over this when you found them." His gaze levels on Magnus, daring dissent. Magnus' field churns discontent but he nods curtly. Rodimus flashes Megatron a covert grateful look. “Look I'm sorry I didn't tell anyone but I knew this was how Magnus was going to react, they needed help and I wasn't just going to leave them” 

The group continued talking about how things would proceed from there. It's only after the medical check is finished are the two finally allowed to leave, the human clinging to Rodimus as he walks with them. It catches many mechs, some doing double takes and others just blatantly staring at the human shocked over the strange organic. Rodimus did his best to shield the human from prying optics as he strode briskly down the corridor. He didn't want to deal with the rest of the mechs, or overstimulate his companion. 

"It's alright,” he murmured soothingly. "Just ignore ee. They're not used to fleshies is all." He shot a warning glare at Swerve as the mini rolled by curiously. Relief washes over him as they reach his hab suite, Rodimus shut and locked the door behind them. "Whew, finally some peace! Nobody gonna bother us here, promise." 

He settled gently on his berth, cradling the human close. "I know it's all weird and scary dealing with bots as big as mechs. But you're safe with me" Rodimus' field radiated comfort as he chatted to help them relax, he knew full well they didn't understand him, but he knew the rumbles and vibrations from his chassis would calm them. He was careful not to let his distaste for how the others acted show - he knew he had messed up but it was worth it. 

They let out a soft noise as he finally laid down on his berth, it brought him comfort knowing he finally had them back safely. The human snuggles in to his plating, a hand coming up to his faceplate as they check him over as if he had been hurt. Rodimus' optics crinkled warmly at the human's gentle inspection of his faceplates. "Aww, you're checking me over now, huh? Making sure grumpy Ratch' didn't do anything to me?" 

He nuzzled their tiny hand affectionately with the tip of his nasal ridge. Primus, they were so tiny and fragile, but their caring touch warmed his spark. "Don't you worry about me, little bit. I'm tough, it'll take more than their glares to take me down." Rodimus chuckled softly. 

Turning serious, he added, "But it means a lot that you care. I'm here for you too." He let out a soft noise as they curl up against him, happy to finally have him back, it makes a smile etch into his lips as he covers them with one of his servos to make sure they don't fall off his chassis. “get some rest littlespark” he hums softly. 

_______

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[natsgrave]

FAVORITE CRIME | elizabeth olsen

i hope i was your favorite crime, 'cause baby, you were mine. i do not give permission for my work to be copied or translated on other sites. plagiarism is a crime!! masterlist whispers of heartache m.list

→ warning: self harm

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──

know that I loved you so bad, I let you treat me like that. I was your willing accomplice, honey.

It was a crisp autumn afternoon, and the park was alive with the vibrant hues of fall. The air was cool, filled with the earthy scent of fallen leaves, and the sounds of children playing and dogs barking created a lively backdrop. Y/N was sitting on a bench, enjoying the tranquility of the moment, when she saw Wanda hurrying towards her, a look of urgency in her eyes.

"Y/N!" Wanda called out as she approached, her breath slightly ragged from running. She plopped down beside Y/N, her cheeks flushed from both the cool air and her haste.

"Wanda, hey! What's up?" Y/N asked, surprised by her friend's sudden appearance and obvious distress.

Wanda took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. "I need your help. It's a bit crazy, but I really need you to do me a favor."

Y/N raised an eyebrow, curiosity piqued. "What kind of favor?"

Wanda glanced around nervously before speaking. "Remember the girl I met at the bar last night? Her name's Alex. Well, she just texted me, and she wants to meet up again. She's really interested, but… I don't know how to say this… I kind of panicked and told her I already have a girlfriend."

Y/N blinked, taken aback. "Wait, what? Why would you say that?"

Wanda sighed, running a hand through her hair. "I don't know, Y/N. I guess I just freaked out. I liked her, but I didn't want things to move too fast. And now she's asking to meet my 'girlfriend.' That's where you come in."

Y/N stared at Wanda, trying to process the request. "You want me to pretend to be your girlfriend?"

"Please, Y/N," Wanda pleaded, her eyes wide with desperation. "Just for today. Alex is supposed to meet us here in half an hour. I promise I'll explain everything to her afterward. I just need to buy some time."

Y/N sighed, seeing the genuine worry in Wanda's eyes. She couldn't say no to her friend, even if the situation was bizarre. "Alright, fine. I'll do it. But you owe me one, Wanda."

Wanda's face lit up with relief and gratitude. "Thank you, Y/N. You're the best. I swear I'll make it up to you."

and I watched as you fled the scene, doe-eyed as you buried me. one heart broke, four hands bloody.

They spent the next hour walking through the park, chatting about various topics. Y/N was surprised at how naturally the conversation flowed. She found herself genuinely enjoying Alex's company, and it was clear why Wanda had been interested in her. Despite the initial awkwardness, the three of them laughed and talked as if they had known each other for years.

At one point, they stopped by a small café in the park to grab some coffee. As they sat down at a table, Alex excused herself to take a phone call. Y/N turned to Wanda, her voice low.

"She's really nice, Wanda. You should have just told her the truth from the start."

Wanda sighed, her shoulders slumping slightly. "I know, Y/N. I just… I didn't want to mess things up. But I can see now that this was a mistake."

Before Y/N could respond, Alex returned, her phone call finished. She sat down, a thoughtful look on her face. "So, how did you two meet?"

Wanda took a deep breath, her hands trembling slightly. "Alex, there's something I need to tell you. It's about Y/N and me."

Alex's brow furrowed in concern. "Is everything okay? You two seemed so happy together."

Wanda shook her head, her eyes meeting Alex's. "That's just it. Y/N and I… we're not actually together. We're just friends. I asked her to pretend to be my girlfriend because I panicked when you asked me out."

Alex's eyes widened in surprise, her expression a mix of confusion and hurt. "Wait, what? You two aren't…?"

Wanda nodded, guilt washing over her. "I'm so sorry, Alex. I know it was wrong, and I should have been honest from the start. I just… I didn't want to lose the chance to get to know you better, and I got scared."

Alex was silent for a moment, her gaze focused on the table between the three of them. Finally, she looked up at Wanda, a small, rueful smile on her lips. "You know, I appreciate you coming clean. It takes guts to admit you were wrong."

Wanda reached out, her hand covering Alex's. "I'm really sorry, Alex. I promise I'll be honest with you from now on, no matter what."

Alex squeezed her hand gently, a thoughtful expression on her face. "Okay, Wanda. Let's start fresh. No more lies, just honesty."

you used me as an alibi, I crossed my heart as you crossed the line, and I defended you to all my friends.

Y/N was lounging on the couch, flipping through a magazine when her phone buzzed. It was a text from Alex. She hesitated for a moment before opening it.

"Hey, can we talk? Need to ask you something about Wanda."

Y/N's heart skipped a beat. She knew this conversation was coming sooner or later. She took a deep breath and typed a quick response. "Sure, what's up?"

A few minutes later, her phone rang. Y/N picked it up, trying to keep her voice steady. "Hey, Alex."

"Hey, Y/N," Alex said, her voice tense. "I just wanted to check something with you. Was Wanda with you the whole weekend?"

Y/N's mind raced. She knew Wanda had canceled her date with Alex, and now she had to cover for her. "Yeah, she was," Y/N lied, her voice steady. "She needed some time to unwind, so we just hung out at my place."

Alex sighed on the other end. "I see. She told me you needed her and that's why she canceled our date. It just seemed a bit sudden."

"Yeah, I wasn't feeling too great," Y/N continued, sticking to the story. "Wanda came over to keep me company. She's a really good friend."

There was a pause. "I guess… I just felt like she was avoiding me," Alex admitted. "It's been happening a lot lately."

Y/N felt a pang of guilt. She didn't want to lie, but she also didn't want to betray Wanda's trust. "I'm sure she's just been busy," she said, trying to sound reassuring. "You know how life can get sometimes."

"Yeah, maybe," Alex said, her tone still doubtful. "Thanks for clearing that up, Y/N. I appreciate it."

"No problem," Y/N replied. "Take care, Alex."

"You too." She said before hanging up.

Y/N let out a sigh of relief, but the weight of the lie still hung heavily on her. She decided to call her friends, Natasha and Maria, to talk things through. She dialed Natasha's number first.

"Hey, Nat, can you come over? I need to talk."

"Sure, see you in a minute." Natasha replied without hesitation.

Next, Y/N called Maria. "Hey, Maria. Can you come over? I need to discuss something important."

"Of course, I'll be there soon." Maria responded.

Half an hour later, Natasha and Maria arrived at Y/N's apartment. They could tell something was bothering her.

"What's going on, Y/N?" Natasha asked, sitting down on the couch.

Y/N took a deep breath and explained the situation. "Alex called me earlier, asking if Wanda was with me the whole weekend. She told her she canceled their date because I needed her, but that's not true. I lied and told her she was with me."

Maria frowned. "Why would Wanda do that? That's not fair to you or Alex."

"I know," Y/N said, running a hand through her hair. "But I didn't want to betray her trust. I didn't want to betray her. Wanda's been going through something, and I think she just needed some space."

Natasha crossed her arms. "Still, it's not right for her to put you in that position. She's being selfish."

"Yeah," Maria agreed. "She shouldn't be dragging you into her mess."

Y/N shook her head. "Wanda's not bad. She's really sweet and kind. She's just been… distant lately. I don't think she knows how to deal with whatever she's going through."

Natasha sighed. "I get that, but it's not fair to you. You deserve better than to be caught in the middle of this."

"I know," Y/N said softly. "But I care about her. She's my friend, and I want to help her."

Maria placed a hand on Y/N's shoulder. "We understand that, Y/N. Just don't let her take advantage of your kindness. You need to look out for yourself too."

"I will," Y/N promised. "But I'm not giving up on her. I know the Wanda I care about is still there, even if she's going through a rough patch."

Natasha nodded. "Just be careful, okay? We're here for you."

"Thanks, guys," Y/N said, feeling a bit better after talking to her friends. "I appreciate it."

As Natasha and Maria left, Y/N sat back down on the couch, her mind still racing with thoughts about Wanda. She hoped that whatever Wanda was dealing with, she would find a way to come back to the friend Y/N knew and loved. Until then, she would stand by her, even if it meant telling a few white lies along the way.

and now, every time a siren sounds, I wonder if you're around 'cause you know that I'd do it all again.

The tension in the apartment had been building for weeks. Y/N could feel it in every interaction, every forced smile, and every vague excuse. Wanda had been distant, using Y/N as an alibi for her mysterious disappearances. Y/N had tried to be patient, but tonight, she couldn't take it anymore.

Y/N paced the living room, waiting for Wanda to return. When the door finally opened, Wanda walked in, looking tired and somewhat annoyed. "Hey," she said curtly, tossing her keys on the table.

"We need to talk." Y/N said, her voice trembling with a mix of anger and hurt.

Wanda sighed, not meeting Y/N's eyes. "Can it wait? I'm really tired."

"No, it can't," Y/N replied firmly. "You've been distant for a month now, Wanda. You've been using me as an alibi to Alex, and I'm getting tired of it. What's going on?"

Wanda's face hardened. "I don't need to explain myself to you," she snapped. "I have my own life, Y/N."

"But we're supposed to be in this together," Y/N said, tears welling up in her eyes. "I love you, and I feel like I'm losing you. Why are you shutting me out?"

Wanda crossed her arms defensively. "Maybe because you're smothering me," she retorted. "I need space, and you're always there, always needing something from me."

Y/N was taken aback. "I'm not smothering you. I'm just trying to be there for you, to support you. But you keep pushing me away."

"Because I can't breathe with you around!" Wanda shouted, her eyes flashing with anger. "You act like everything is about you. Did it ever occur to you that maybe I need time to figure things out on my own?"

Y/N's voice broke. "Wanda, I just want to help. I want to understand. Why are you being so cruel?"

"Because maybe you don't belong here, Y/N," Wanda said coldly. "Maybe you never did. You should have been gone and never been born."

The words hit Y/N like a physical blow. She stood there, stunned, as Wanda grabbed her coat and stormed out of the apartment, slamming the door behind her. Y/N's knees gave way, and she collapsed onto the floor, her mind reeling with Wanda's words.

The silence in the apartment was deafening. Y/N sat there for what felt like hours, the weight of Wanda's words crushing her spirit. "You should have been gone and never been born." The phrase echoed in her mind, relentless and cruel. She felt numb, the emotional pain so intense that it was almost physical.

In a daze, Y/N found herself in the bathroom, staring at her reflection in the mirror. She hardly recognized the person looking back at her. Tears streamed down her face as she opened the medicine cabinet and took out a razor blade. Her hands shook, but her mind was made up. She couldn't live with the pain, with the feeling of being unwanted, unworthy.

The next few moments were a blur. She felt a strange calm as she dragged the blade across her wrists, watching the blood flow. It wasn't until the room started spinning and her vision blurred that she realized she was losing consciousness.

Y/N woke up to the beeping of machines and the sterile smell of the hospital. She looked around, disoriented, and saw Natasha and Maria sitting beside her bed, their faces etched with worry and grief.

"Why did you do it, Y/N?" Natasha asked, her voice breaking. "Why?"

Maria wiped her tears, looking at Y/N with a mixture of sadness and desperation. "Please, don't ever do that again. We love you so much. We can't lose you."

Y/N felt a lump in her throat as she whispered, "Is she here?"

Natasha and Maria exchanged a glance, their silence speaking volumes. Y/N's heart sank. She already knew the answer.

"No," Y/N murmured, tears streaming down her face. "She's not."

Natasha took Y/N's hand, squeezing it gently. "We're here for you, Y/N. We're not going anywhere."

Maria nodded, her eyes filled with determination. "We'll get through this together. You're not alone."

Y/N nodded weakly, her heart aching with a mixture of relief and sorrow. As she lay there, surrounded by her friends, she realized that she needed to find her own strength, to heal and move forward, even if it meant doing so without Wanda.

But she hate the fact that if Wanda asked her, she knows that she'd do it again. For her. For Wanda.

It's bittersweet to think about the damage that we do, 'cause I was going down, but I was doing it with you.

Y/N had always prided herself on her resilience. She had faced challenges head-on, never shying away from adversity. But lately, life had become an unending series of disappointments and heartaches. She felt like she was drowning in her own thoughts, the weight of the world pressing down on her.

One particularly dreary evening, Y/N sat in her dimly lit apartment, staring blankly at the television. The sound was on, but she wasn't really listening. Her phone buzzed beside her, but she ignored it, too numb to care. She had been in this dark place for weeks, and each day seemed to blur into the next.

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door. Y/N didn't move. She assumed it was just another delivery she hadn't ordered, or perhaps a neighbor. But the knocking persisted, louder and more insistent this time.

"Y/N, it's Wanda. Open the door."

Y/N's heart skipped a beat. Wanda had been her rock, her constant in the chaos. But she had been pushing everyone away, including Wanda. She sighed and slowly got up, dragging her feet to the door. She opened it to find Wanda standing there, concern etched on her face.

"Hey," Wanda said softly, stepping inside without waiting for an invitation. She took one look at Y/N and immediately wrapped her in a hug. "I've been so worried about you."

Y/N felt a tear slip down her cheek. "I'm sorry, Wanda. I just… I didn't know what to do."

Wanda pulled back slightly, looking into Y/N's eyes. "You don't have to do this alone. You're not alone. I'm here for you. Always."

They moved to the couch, and Wanda made Y/N a cup of tea, insisting she drink it. The warmth of the tea and Wanda's presence seemed to thaw some of the ice that had formed around Y/N's heart.

"You don't understand, Wanda," Y/N said, her voice trembling. "Everything feels so hopeless. I can't see a way out."

Wanda took Y/N's hand, squeezing it gently. "I know it feels like that now, but you're stronger than you think. We'll get through this together. I promise."

Y/N nodded, tears streaming down her face. "I'm so tired, Wanda. Tired of fighting, tired of feeling like this."

Wanda wrapped her arms around Y/N again, holding her tightly. "Then let me fight for you. Let me be your strength when you can't find your own. We'll take it one day at a time."

As the days turned into weeks, Wanda remained by Y/N's side, helping her find small joys in everyday life. They took long walks in the park, watched movies together, and shared quiet moments that slowly brought Y/N back to life. Wanda's unwavering support and love were the lifeline Y/N desperately needed.

Months later, the roles reversed. Wanda had been struggling with her own demons, overwhelmed by the pressures of life and the haunting memories of her past. One evening, Y/N found Wanda sitting on the floor of her apartment, tears streaming down her face.

"Wanda?" Y/N said softly, kneeling beside her. "What's wrong?"

Wanda looked up, her eyes red and puffy. "I'm so tired, Y/N. Tired of pretending everything is okay. Tired of fighting these battles alone."

Y/N took Wanda's hands in hers, squeezing them reassuringly. "You're not alone, Wanda. I'm here for you, just like you were there for me."

Wanda nodded, her tears falling onto their intertwined hands. "I don't know what to do anymore."

"We'll figure it out together," Y/N said firmly. "You were my rock when I needed you. Now let me be yours."

They spent the night talking, Y/N listening as Wanda poured out her heart. Y/N held Wanda as she cried, offering comfort and understanding. They talked about everything— Wanda's fears, her regrets, and her hopes. Y/N reminded Wanda of her strength, of all the battles she had already won.

"You've been through so much, Wanda," Y/N said gently. "But you're still here. You're still fighting. And that's what makes you incredible."

Wanda looked at Y/N, her eyes filled with gratitude. "Thank you, Y/N. For being here, for believing in me."

Y/N smiled, brushing a tear from Wanda's cheek. "We're a team, remember? We face everything together."

As time went on, their bond only grew stronger. They supported each other through the highs and lows, always ready to catch the other when they fell. They celebrated victories, no matter how small, and faced challenges head-on, knowing they were never alone.

One evening, they sat on Y/N's balcony, watching the sunset. The sky was painted with hues of orange and pink, a beautiful end to a long day. Wanda leaned her head on Y/N's shoulder, sighing contentedly.

"Thank you for everything, Y/N," Wanda said softly. "I don't know where I'd be without you."

Y/N kissed the top of Wanda's head, smiling. "You don't have to thank me. We're always there for each other. That's what love and friendship is about."

Wanda looked up at Y/N, her eyes shining with love and admiration. "Forever and always?"

Y/N felt a warmth spread through her chest. "Forever and always."

Yeah, everything we broke, and all the trouble that we made. But I say that I hate you with a smile on my face.

Y/N and Wanda had been inseparable since the day they met in the third grade. They were the definition of troublemakers, always coming up with new and inventive ways to wreak havoc in their small town. Now, as teenagers, their bond had only grown stronger, and their antics more daring.

One sunny Saturday afternoon, Y/N and Wanda sat on the curb outside the local convenience store, sipping on their stolen sodas. Mr. Rogers, the store owner, had long given up trying to keep the two from sneaking drinks without paying.

"Okay, what's the plan for today?" Wanda asked, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

Y/N grinned, wiping soda from her mouth. "I was thinking we could 'borrow' old man Fury's tractor and take it for a spin around the park."

Wanda's eyes widened. "You're insane, Y/N! He'll kill us if he catches us."

"Which is why we won't get caught," Y/N said confidently. "Come on, live a little!"

Wanda laughed and stood up, pulling Y/N with her. "Alright, let's do it. But if we get caught, I'm blaming you."

They made their way to old man Fury's farm, sneaking past the barn where he kept his beloved tractor. Y/N hot-wired the vehicle— an impressive skill she had picked up from watching too many heist movies— and they were off, the engine roaring to life.

They drove through the town, laughing and waving at bewildered pedestrians. By the time they reached the park, a small crowd had gathered, cheering them on. Y/N and Wanda took turns driving, each one trying to outdo the other with their daring maneuvers.

"This is amazing!" Wanda shouted over the noise, her face flushed with excitement.

"I told you it would be!" Y/N yelled back, her hands gripping the steering wheel tightly.

After an hour of joyriding, they decided to return the tractor before anyone could trace it back to them. They parked it back in the barn, carefully covering their tracks.

As they walked away, Wanda nudged Y/N. "We're getting really good at this."

Y/N smirked. "We're the best."

Another day, they decided to sneak into the local movie theater after hours. It was an old building, the kind that still had a reel-to-reel projector. Y/N had found a way in through a loose window in the back.

Inside, they explored the empty theater, making their way to the projector room. Wanda found an old film reel and, with a little help from Y/N, managed to set it up.

The screen flickered to life, showing an old black-and-white movie. They sat in the plush seats, munching on popcorn they had brought with them, feeling like they owned the place.

"This is perfect." Wanda said, leaning her head on Y/N's shoulder.

"It really is." Y/N agreed, feeling a warmth spread through her chest that had nothing to do with the buttery popcorn.

Their adventures weren't always so harmless. One night, they decided to sneak into the school pool. It was a warm summer evening, and the thought of swimming under the stars was too tempting to resist.

They climbed over the fence, stripping down to their underwear before diving into the cool water. They swam and splashed around, their laughter echoing in the still night.

"Can you believe we're actually doing this?" Wanda asked, floating on her back and staring up at the stars.

"We can do anything." Y/N replied, her voice filled with conviction.

Just then, the sound of a flashlight beam cutting through the darkness made them freeze.

"Hey! Who's there?" the night guard shouted.

"Time to go!" Y/N whispered urgently.

They scrambled out of the pool, grabbing their clothes and running for the fence. They barely made it over before the guard reached them, sprinting down the street in fits of giggles.

"That was too close!" Wanda gasped, leaning against a lamppost to catch her breath.

"But it was worth it." Y/N said, her eyes shining with exhilaration.

Despite their frequent brushes with trouble, they never got caught. Their reputation as the town's resident troublemakers only grew, and so did their bond. They were two halves of a whole, perfectly in sync.

One afternoon, they sat in Y/N's backyard, sprawled out on the grass and staring up at the clouds.

"Hey, Y/N?" Wanda said, turning her head to look at her friend.

"Yeah?" Y/N replied, still gazing at the sky.

"Do you think we'll always be like this? Best friends, causing trouble, having fun?"

Y/N smiled. "I don't see why not. We're unstoppable, remember?"

Wanda laughed. "Yeah, we are."

They fell into a comfortable silence, the kind that only comes from years of friendship.

"You know," Wanda said after a while, "I don't think I could have survived this town without you."

Y/N turned to face her, a serious look on her face. "Me neither, Wanda. You're my best friend. My partner in crime."

Wanda grinned. "Forever and always?"

"Forever and always." Y/N agreed.

They both sat up, and Y/N suddenly nudged Wanda playfully. "Hey, remember when we stole Mr. Roger's garden gnome and put it in Principal Stark's office?"

Wanda burst out laughing. "Oh my god, yes! He was so confused. That was brilliant."

Y/N chuckled. "Good times."

Wanda leaned closer, a mischievous glint in her eye. "So, what's our next adventure?"

Y/N pretended to think. "Hmm, how about we—"

Before she could finish, Wanda tackled her, and they both tumbled to the ground, laughing and playfully wrestling.

"I hate you!" Y/N said jokingly, a wide smile on her face.

Wanda laughed, her eyes twinkling with joy. "I love you too."

They lay there in the grass, catching their breath and laughing together, knowing that whatever trouble they found next, they'd face it together, as they always had.

oh, look what we became.

A few days later, Y/N was discharged from the hospital. The ride home was quiet, the weight of recent events hanging heavily in the air. Natasha and Maria were by her side, their presence a comforting reminder that she wasn't alone, even as she felt the void left by Wanda's absence.

Back at her apartment, Y/N sank into her couch, exhaustion washing over her. Natasha and Maria bustled around, making sure everything was in order. Maria brought her a cup of tea, while Natasha checked her medications and left a list of do's and don'ts on the fridge.

"You need anything else, Y/N?" Maria asked softly, sitting beside her.

Y/N shook her head, staring into her cup. "No, I'm good. Thanks for everything, both of you."

Natasha knelt in front of her, placing a hand on her knee. "We're here for you, no matter what. If you need anything, don't hesitate to call us."

"I know," Y/N said, offering a small, grateful smile. "I don't know what I'd do without you guys."

As the days passed, Natasha and Maria remained a constant presence. They took turns checking in, making sure Y/N was eating, getting out of bed, and taking care of herself. They were there when she needed a shoulder to cry on and when she needed to be distracted from her thoughts.

However, Y/N's relationship with Wanda had become a ghost haunting her every waking moment. She couldn't bring herself to face Wanda, couldn't bear to see the woman who had once been her world. The close friendship they had shared now felt like a fragile thread, frayed and on the brink of snapping.

One afternoon, Natasha found Y/N staring out the window, lost in thought. She approached quietly, sitting down beside her.

"You've been avoiding her." Natasha said gently, not needing to specify who 'her' was.

Y/N sighed, her eyes never leaving the view outside. "I can't face her, Nat. Every time I think about her, I just… I feel everything all over again."

Natasha nodded, understanding. "It's going to take time. And it's okay to need space. Just remember, you're not alone in this."

Y/N turned to Natasha, tears brimming in her eyes. "I just don't know how to move on from this. How do I let go of someone who meant so much to me?"

Natasha reached out, taking Y/N's hand in hers. "You don't have to have all the answers right now. One step at a time, okay? And we'll be with you every step of the way."

"I loved her, more than I should have."

Meanwhile, Wanda was struggling with her own turmoil. She regretted every harsh word, every moment of distance she had put between them. She wanted to reach out, to apologize, to try and mend what had been broken, but fear and guilt held her back.

One evening, Wanda stood outside Y/N's apartment building, hesitating. She had been there for almost an hour, working up the courage to go inside. Just as she decided to leave, Maria stepped out of the building and spotted her.

"Wanda?" Maria called out, walking towards her.

Wanda turned, her heart sinking at the sight of Maria's stern expression. "Maria, I… I was just leaving."

Maria crossed her arms, looking at her intently. "She's been through hell because of you, Wanda. What are you doing here?"

"I just wanted to see her, to apologize," Wanda said, her voice breaking. "I never meant to hurt her like this. I… I love her."

Maria's expression softened slightly, but her stance remained firm. "You've done enough damage. Give her the space she needs. If she wants to talk to you, she'll reach out. Until then, respect her boundaries."

Wanda nodded, tears welling up in her eyes. "I understand. I'm so sorry, Maria. For everything."

Maria sighed, her anger melting into empathy. "Just give her time, Wanda. And maybe someday, she'll be ready to hear you out."

Wanda watched Maria walk away, the weight of her mistakes pressing down on her. She turned and left, hoping that someday, she would have the chance to make things right.

Days turned into weeks, and Y/N slowly began to rebuild her life. Natasha and Maria continued to support her, helping her find new routines and rediscover old passions. Y/N started painting again, the act of creating something beautiful offering a solace she hadn't felt in a long time.

One evening, as Y/N worked on a canvas, Natasha and Maria sat nearby, watching her with quiet pride.

"You're really getting back into it." Maria said, admiring the vibrant colors taking shape.

Y/N smiled, a genuine warmth in her eyes. "It feels good. It's like… I'm finding pieces of myself again."

Natasha nodded, her eyes filled with a mixture of sadness and hope. "We're so proud of you, Y/N. You're stronger than you know."

Y/N set down her brush, looking at her friends with gratitude. "I couldn't have done this without you two. You've been my rock through all of this."

Maria reached over, squeezing Y/N's hand. "And we always will be. No matter what."

As they sat together, the sun setting outside, Y/N felt a flicker of hope. The road to healing was long, and the scars of her past might never fully fade, but she knew she wasn't walking it alone. And with Natasha and Maria by her side, she felt ready to face whatever came next.

Months passed, and Y/N continued to avoid Wanda. The once close friendship seemed irreparably damaged, and every time Y/N saw Wanda from a distance, her heart ached with a mix of longing and pain.

One day, while shopping for groceries, Y/N ran into an old mutual friend of theirs. They exchanged pleasantries, but Y/N could sense the underlying tension.

"Have you talked to Wanda?" Agatha asked cautiously.

Y/N shook her head. "No. I'm not ready. I don't think I ever will be."

Agatha nodded sympathetically. "She misses you, you know. She talks about you all the time."

Y/N's heart clenched. "It doesn't change what happened. Some things can't be fixed."

As Y/N walked home, her thoughts were a turbulent mix of past and present. She knew she had to keep moving forward, even if it meant leaving some parts of her past behind.

Back at her apartment, she found Natasha and Maria waiting for her, their expressions a mix of concern and support.

"How was your day?" Natasha asked, her tone gentle.

Y/N smiled faintly. "It was okay. Just ran into someone from the past."

Maria raised an eyebrow. "Do you want to talk about it?"

Y/N shook her head. "No, it's just… a reminder of everything. But I'm okay. I have you guys, and that's enough."

Natasha and Maria exchanged a glance, then pulled Y/N into a hug.

"We're here for you, no matter what," Maria whispered. "You're never alone."

all the things I did, just so I could call you mine.

After so long, Y/N finally found the courage to face Wanda. The thought of seeing her again had gnawed at her for weeks, and now, standing in front of the café where they had agreed to meet, her heart pounded in her chest. As she pushed open the door, the familiar chime of the bell overhead sent a wave of nostalgia washing over her.

Wanda was already there, seated at a corner table, her fingers nervously tracing patterns on the surface. She looked up as Y/N approached, a hesitant smile forming on her lips.

"Hey," Wanda greeted softly, her voice tinged with uncertainty.

"Hey," Y/N replied, taking a seat opposite her. The air between them was thick with unspoken words and unresolved tension.

For a moment, neither of them spoke, the silence heavy and awkward. Y/N glanced around the café, memories of happier times flooding her mind. This place had once been their sanctuary, a haven for shared laughter and secret confessions. Now, it felt like a foreign land, tainted by the weight of their fractured friendship.

Wanda broke the silence first. "I… I'm so sorry, Y/N. For everything. I never meant to hurt you. I was selfish and careless, and I didn't realize how much I was pushing you away until it was too late."

Y/N listened, her eyes focused on the table. She could feel Wanda's gaze on her, pleading for understanding, but she couldn't bring herself to meet it just yet.

"I know I messed up," Wanda continued, her voice cracking. "I was dealing with a lot, but that's no excuse for how I treated you. You were always there for me, and I took that for granted. I'm so, so sorry."

When Wanda finished, Y/N took a deep breath, finally looking up to meet her eyes. "I appreciate the apology, Wanda. I really do. But it doesn't change what happened. The damage has been done."

Wanda nodded, tears welling up in her eyes. "I know. And I don't expect you to forgive me right away. I just wanted you to know how sorry I am."

Y/N sighed, the weight of the past months pressing down on her. "Do you know what it's been like for me? You disappeared when I needed you the most. I had to deal with everything alone, and it felt like a part of me was missing."

Wanda bit her lip, her guilt evident. "I'm sorry, Y/N. I wish I could take it all back."

"I covered for you, Wanda," Y/N said, her voice growing more intense. "I told everyone you were with me when you weren't. I defended you to our friends, even when they told me to let you go. I did all of that because I wanted to believe that you still cared. Because I loved you."

Wanda's eyes widened in surprise. "Loved me? Y/N, I…"

"Not just as a friend, Wanda," Y/N interrupted, her voice trembling with emotion. "I loved you. I still do. But not in the way you think. I was in love with you. And every time I lied, every time I covered for you, it was because I wanted to feel like you were still mine in some way."

Tears streamed down Wanda's face. "I had no idea, Y/N. If I had known…"

"It wouldn't have changed anything," Y/N said, shaking her head. "You've changed, Wanda. Our friendship isn't the same anymore, and I don't think it ever will be. I've spent so long pretending, holding on to a hope that you'd come back, but the truth is, you're not the same person I fell in love with."

Y/N continued to confess her love, the words tumbling out like a dam had finally burst. She needed to let it all out, to say everything that had been weighing on her heart, as if this was the last chance she would ever get.

"You don't understand, Wanda," Y/N began, her voice trembling. "From the moment we met, I knew there was something special about you. I felt this connection, this bond that I couldn't explain. I loved the way you laughed, the way you saw the world, the way you made me feel like I was important. Every little thing about you drew me in."

Wanda sat silently, tears streaming down her face, as Y/N continued.

"I remember the late-night talks, the secrets we shared, the way you made me feel like I was the only person who mattered. I fell in love with you, not just as a friend, but deeply, completely, and utterly in love. You became my world, Wanda. You were my everything. And I was so scared to tell you because I didn't want to lose what we had."

Y/N's voice broke, and she took a deep breath to steady herself. "But then you started pulling away, and it felt like my heart was being ripped out of my chest. I didn't understand why you were distancing yourself, why you were using me as an alibi. I tried to hold on, to keep our friendship alive, because I couldn't bear the thought of losing you. I covered for you, I lied for you, all because I hoped you'd come back. Because I loved you so much, it hurts."

Wanda's shoulders shook with silent sobs, "You were my light, Wanda. And when you left, it felt like the world went dark. I kept telling myself that you'd come back, that things would go back to the way they were. But I can't keep pretending anymore. You've changed, and maybe I have too."

Y/N's eyes locked onto Wanda's, a mixture of sadness and resolve in her gaze. "I've been holding on to this hope that you'd see me, really see me, and realize how much I love you. But I can't keep doing this to myself. I need to move on, to find a way to heal. I need to let go of the idea of us, because it's tearing me apart."

Wanda's voice was barely a whisper as she spoke, her eyes filled with regret. "I never wanted to hurt you, Y/N. I wish I could take it all back."

"I know," Y/N replied softly. "But we can't change the past. We can only move forward. And as much as it hurts, I need to do that for myself. I need to let go of you, of us, so I can find a way to be happy again."

all the things you did. well, I hope I was your favorite crime.

Wanda's tears continued to fall, her expression one of deep regret. "Y/N, I… I never meant for things to get this bad. I never wanted to hurt you."

Y/N shook her head, a mix of anger and sorrow in her eyes. "But you did, Wanda. You hurt me again and again. You pushed me away, used me as an alibi, lied to me, and broke me over and over. Every time I tried to reach out, you shut me down. You made me feel like I wasn't enough, like I was nothing."

Wanda's voice trembled. "I know I made mistakes. I know I was selfish and careless. I'm so sorry."

"But sorry isn't enough," Y/N interrupted, her voice rising with the pain she had kept bottled up for so long. "I can't keep pretending that everything's okay when it's not. I can't keep letting you back into my life only for you to tear me apart again. It's suffocating, Wanda. Every time I see you, it hurts so much that I can barely breathe."

Wanda's face crumpled as she tried to hold back her sobs. "I never wanted to be the reason for your pain. I wish I could make it right."

"You can't," Y/N said, her tone resolute. "I've tried to forgive you, to move past it, but every time I think I'm okay, you come back and everything falls apart again. I need to let go of you, Wanda. I need to find a way to heal, and I can't do that if you're still in my life."

Wanda's voice was barely audible. "Are you saying we can't even be friends?"

Y/N nodded, tears streaming down her face. "Yes. We can't be friends. Seeing you, talking to you, it's just too painful. I hate you for what you did to me, for how you broke me and made me feel worthless. But even after all that, I know I'd do it all over again for you. That's the worst part. I'd let you hurt me again if it meant I could be close to you. And that's why I have to walk away."

Wanda reached out, but Y/N stepped back, shaking her head. "Please, Y/N, don't go. We can fix this. I can change."

"It's too late for that," Y/N replied, her voice cracking. "I need to do this for me. I need to find a way to be happy without you." She paused, "Because the more I love you, the more it hurts. I don't think that's how it should work."

With that, Y/N turned and walked away, each step feeling like a weight was being lifted from her shoulders, even as her heart ached with the loss. She knew this was the right thing to do, even if it hurt like hell.

Wanda watched her go, her heart shattering with every step Y/N took. She knew she had lost something precious, something she might never get back. And as much as it hurt, she knew she had to let Y/N go, to allow her to find the peace she deserved.

your favorite crime 'cause baby, you were mine.

[the-self-indulgent-corner]

Genshin Characters x a reader with adhd (part two!)

Summary: Your adhd may be strange, but you're convinced your (boy/girl) friend is stranger despite that.

Or, how the genshin characters react to a reader with ADHD. (Ft some lesser known aspects of ADHD)

Featuring: Hu Tao, Collei, Cyno. Can be read as romantic or platonic (except for Collei, I wrote hers only platonically)

A/n: Hey it's me again after *checks notes* about nine months. Whoops.

I don't have any crazy stories I just lost inspiration. Truth be told I had 2/3 of this already written out mostly but lost inspo and also time so it was kinda left in the drafts for a while. And I only finished writing it today with minimal proofreading so if there's mistakes no there isn't-

Anyways, you don't need to read part one to understand this, but as I said before I do use some more less known features of adhd in these hcs so i'm putting a general index of what they mean here. It's not a perfect summary but it'll give you a general idea of what it means.

And disclaimer! While I do have adhd, not everyone's adhd is the same. So what's common for me might be super uncommon for other folks with adhd and vise versa. So don't take this index or hcs as verbatim and do your own research if you don't know about something!

Index:

Executive dysfunction/ADHD paralysis: Wanting to do your job/work, but it feels like you’re physically unable to.

Food sensory issues/selective eating habits: A lot of people with ADHD are ‘picky eaters’ and refuse to eat certain foods even if it's good for them. Usually we pick foods with high sugar since it causes a ‘dopamine surge’.

Auditory processing disorder (APD): Having difficulty making out what someone is saying or processing what someone said too slowly.

Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD): Being much more sensitive to rejection or perceived rejection.

Verbal stim: Exactly the same as other stims (Like bouncing your leg or clicking a pen) but just with words. Usually being a certain phrase, sentence or singing, although any vocalization can be a verbal stim. 

Time blindness: Becoming so engrossed in something that many hours can pass when it felt like a much shorter amount of time.

Intrusive thoughts: unwanted disturbing thoughts and ideas that come to mind randomly. Can either be mildly unnerving to totally distressing.

Now with that word vomit out of the way, onto the hcs!

Hu Tao

Y'all can't tell me this girl also doesn't have ADHD. 

Once you tell Hu Tao about your ADHD she'll go "ayo that sounding kinda familiar 🤨"

Whether or not she has ADHD is up to the court to decide but NONETHELESS Hu Tao can absolutely relate to at least a few of these.

Impulsive? Check. Stimming? Check. Time blindness? Check. 

(Society not liking how you act? Check. /J)

If Hu Tao hasn't already latched onto some of your stims she definitely will after you tell her, even if she doesn't realize it right away LOL

You also steal some of hers <3 like her idle animation with the hillichurl song?? Yeah that. 

You two don't even notice it until someone (probably Zhongli) points it out.

The amount of times you two impulsively went out is kinda impressive tbh. Either one of you will be like 'hey are you busy?' And if the other says no they're dragged off somewhere LMAO

You two always have fun though

She’s good at helping you out but her ways are kinda unorthodox 

If your executive dysfunction or smthn is acting up girl will literally just. Pick you up and bring you where you need to.

“What? You need help getting somewhere and I can help! Besides, you said having others around helps you work, right?”

Stop being right about this Hu Tao how dare you /j

Really tho girl can and will just. Pick you up to get you to do something/go somewhere LMAO. Only stops if you get genuinely upset by it.

And while she’s good at helping you she’s also a bit 50/50 on what she does help you with.

If it's actively hurting you in some way she'd absolutely stop it, but if it's a bit more hehe silly goofy she'd prob just do it with you

Don't like this texture of food? Yeah her neither, let's get something else. Found something shiny and now you're distracted? She's looking at the shiny thing with you. 

If you mask/Your ADHD isn't very obvious people would view you as the one who keeps Hu Tao in check which, depending on what kind of person you are, could be true but it's much better imo if you both are equally as strange

Stranger: Oh, you'll keep Hu Tao in check, right?

You, about to do the same thing as her: Yeah of course!

Tbf even if you did try to keep everything in line Hu Tao has a way to always convince you to do it her/another way instead. She knows how to trick you.

You fall for it each time 😔

"Wait. We aren't supposed to be here! We have to go to-"

"Too late! We're already here! May as well have fun!!"

If you're playful like her you two love to tease each other all the time. The amount of inside jokes y'all have is insane

As long as you're fine with it you two try to one up embarrassing each other in other people's presence LMAO

"Hey, 'Tao, remember that one time when you-"

"If you're talking about the knuckleback incident then it's not even half as embarrassing as that time you-"

This can go on for days.

You two have a relationship not many understand but it doesn't really bother either of you. As long as you're both happy you couldn't care less.

You two are little freaks of society /lh 

Although, if you're also a bit of a troublemaker like Hu Tao, y'all turn into team rocket. Prepare for trouble and make it double fr

"Hey, y/n! You'll never guess what I just found!"

"Whatever it is, it better have the ability to mess with someone."

"It does!" 

"Perfect."

The people of Liyue often wonder how you two have that much energy. 

Hu Tao is a pretty good listener and loves to hear whatever you want to talk/rant about.

Probably the best person out of this list to rant about your hyper fixation to because girl will match your energy even if she doesn't care/knows nothing about it. If it's important to you, it's important to her!

You'd be stimming happily talking about it and she'd be doing the same; not to mock you but because if you're excited she's excited too and also needs to let out that energy 

Even if you're talking at 2x speed, she somehow keeps up with all of it. 

She also likes when you space out because it becomes 10x easier to scare you back into reality. She can’t help herself. What can she say?

“Boo~!”

“Ah! Hu Tao!? Why!”

“You were spacing out! Cmon, we can find something better to do besides staring at a wall all day.”

“... Who do you want to prank?”

“I'm so glad you asked!”

You're preoccupied for the rest of the day.

Collei

You 🤝 Collei

BEING NEURODUVERGENT/HAVING A MENTAL DISABILITY 

Even though ADHD and PTSD are nothing alike, girlie is still so happy she's found a kindred soul who personally understands (at least some of) what she has to deal with that many others don't. 

I'ma be real with you tho I don't think Collei really knew what ADHD was before she met you lmao

I feel like at most she's heard the term but not much beyond that. With that said though I don't think she'd have any preconceived notions on what ADHD entails, she's prob the easiest to explain your disability to honestly.

She also hears you explain some symptoms and is like ‘hey wait… Some of this sounds familiar to me!'

She actually confides in you quite a bit because of this. usually about her the lesser known aspects of her PTSD. It's usually the parts she feels bad about telling Tighnari, things like intrusive thoughts. 

She probably thought she was a terrible person for thinking that, unaware that intrusive thoughts are, well, intrusive. Once she tells you about them you tell her about yours as well and probably have to explain that it doesn't make her a bad person. 

Although a good bit of you and her talking about your guys mental disabilities is just that spider man pointing meme since quite a few things overlap LMAO

“Oh! So you say some things repetitively, too? I thought only I did that!”

“Yeah! I have a lot of vocal stims, honestly. Like one where I- Uh… you good, Collei? You look kind of confused.”

“Vocal stims…?”

Despite relating to quite a few things and already knowing she has a mental disability she's completely in the dark about more nuanced things than the standard. You'll have to teach her some things about it 😭

Although some things she's a bit lost on, she's got the spirit!

She can be a bit awkward about the things she doesn't relate to, though. She doesn't mean to be! But this is uncharted territory for her, and she's not quite sure what to say at times. After that initial phase of uncertainty though she sees it's not as scary/intimidating as it sounds on paper.

For example you'll tell her of your executive dysfunction and she'll get so nervous and absolutely blow out of proportion how bad it is/looks but when she once catches you just laying around while you were meant to/want to work she's like ‘oh, that's not as bad as I thought.’

She definitely tries to help you if you need it though. If you had food sensitivity issues she would prob try to make foods you dislike taste better. 

(Even if it failed you appreciate the attempt she made.)

You also teach her how to manage some of her own habits as well by sharing your own tricks. 

Some work perfectly and she's forever grateful you told her about it, but others completely flop.

(Even for those that don't work, she also appreciates that you tried.)

Sometimes though, she's completely flabbergasted by your antics lmao. 

She’ll see you working on something new and asks you about it, to which you respond in 2x speed about how you went down a rabbit hole these past few days and now are trying to learn a completely new skill from scratch and she lost you after your second sentence.

“Okay so basically a couple of days ago I saw this person who was making some pottery and I thought about how cool that was, so I looked into it and-” 

“Wh-what…?”

Girlie means the best but she's so confused 😭 by the end of your tangent she's giving hesitant encouragement because while she has no clue what you're doing or why you seem to be having fun at least. 

But honestly Collei worries about you sometimes, but that's more because she's anxious and even if she's been around you for years can probably never fully get used to your antics lmao. 

She's worried that others will see you as weird since at times you can be so unapologetic with your ADHD and worries you won't fit in.

She's too sweet. 

You always reassure her that even if that did happen, you wouldn't want to be friends with people who think you being yourself was weird or a bad thing.

If you keep this up you're going to completely rewire Collei’s brain. 

You probably inspire Collei quite a bit. She's a shy person so seeing you so open with your disability (and helping Collei with hers as well) makes her look up to you a little. She thinks it's so cool you can be so upfront and honest about it without really worrying about what others think of it. 

At some point, Tighnari pulls you aside and thanks you for being her friend. You helped her by just being someone who can relate to and understand her in some way, something that he can't do. Showing her that no, she isn't less than just because of a disability.

Congrats you officially joined the family.

“Ah, y/n! There you are! I um, have been meaning to give this to you… it's a plush of that character you like a lot! You've helped me a lot so I… wanted to give this to you as thanks! I-I hope you like it!”

Cyno

Congrats Cyno for being the only one on this list to know what ADHD is besides just knowing it exists!!!!!!

Fr tho I think Cyno knows a good bit about ADHD, like how it ties into other mental disabilities, sensory issues or even things like going non verbal… but at the same time he falls for a lot of the misinformation/generalizations about it as well 💀💀💀

If you mask well, he absolutely will not be able to tell you had ADHD. Completely unaware of it LMAO. But he's trying, give him a break.

It might even take a bit longer to explain to him since you have to correct any misinformation he has about it unlike the others who come in with mostly a blank slate. 

Like, no Cyno, not everyone is super hyper. No, not everyone is unable to sit still. No, some of us can mask. No, we aren't all connected to the ground itself- where'd you even hear that from!?

He grasps onto it pretty quickly though, and he remembers everything you say about it. And by extension, how it affects you specifically. 

“You shouldn't buy that.”

“?? Why?”

“It has that material you dislike the texture of in it.”

“Oh shit I didn't notice-”

Tbh Cyno is probably one of the best people to help with your ADHD since he's so observant. He’ll recognize when you're about to hit your sensory limit, remind you to do things you forget, and even helps you when your executive dysfunction is acting up. 

Although Cyno isn't perfect at everything and… honestly, you'll probably lose him at a couple parts.

He doesn't mean to be rude or anything, but some parts he just genuinely does not get. 

That doesn't mean he doesn't respect them or anything, but like when he hears you talk about verbal stims he’ll both think ‘huh that's kinda weird how they have certain vocalizations they like to say I don't think I've heard of that before’ and ‘it's cool they feel safe enough around me to tell me that I wonder what their vocal stims are’ simultaneously. 

Mans doesn't fully understand why you do some of the things you do (and tbf you don't either) but he also doesn't care as long as you're happy.

And while he's a great help, you can't forget that this is Cyno. Since he's helping you so much you know there's only one way to pay him back…

It's time to d-d-d-d-d-d-duel!!

That's right he forces you to play tcg with him LMAO.

He doesn't really care if you've never played before or not, he will lend you his cards and teach you right then and there if he must.

And if he gets you hooked on it? (or you already are hooked on it) Oh boy-

You two could battle each other for hours, you both probably have before. Cyno is so happy to have someone who likes the game as much as he does tbh. Even if you're not a pro, he still enjoys the battles. 

And if you are a pro, then you may just confuse everyone else around you with your in depth conversations about the most optional strategies and best support cards. 

But if you're not talking about and/or playing TCG, he'd love to hear about your current hyperfixations. He can keep up with you if you talk at 2x speed so don't be afraid to go crazy with it lmao.

He’ll listen attentively and even ask questions about it every now and then, but he tends to keep quiet when you talk about your own interests. Content to just listen to you ramble on and on. 

However with all this new information about your hyperfixation you've given him you accidentally made a monster. Because now that he knows how it works/what it's about, Cyno is going to make bad dad jokes about it and you can't stop him.

When he sees you again he'll tell you his new greatest joke about your hyperfixation. 

“So you remember when you info dumped about that book series to me yesterday?”

“Yeah? Why?”

“*Pulls out a written list* okay so I've got some new jokes about it and-”

Please he's SUCH a dork. Laugh at them he’ll be so happy about it.

He’ll be even more happy if you make your own jokes/add onto his. You literally just made this mans whole month with that. 

Cyno may even repeat these jokes to others if your hyperfixation is something well known.

Cyno will also probably find himself repeating some of your own stims (verbal and non verbal) too. Generally he only does your quiet/silent ones, (quiet humming, tapping a pen, clenching and unclenching his fists, etc…) 

I like to think that once or twice he repeated one of your more bizarre vocal stims and then just. Didn't elaborate.

He probably won't even notice himself doing it until someone else points it out. He doesn't mind it though, just probably was surprised he did it at all lol.

At first Cyno would probably see your ADHD antics as strange (and to an extent, he still kinda does lol) but takes it in stride. As said before he's of the mindset of ‘as long as they're happy and not hurting anyone I don't mind.’

After a while though it definitely grew on him lmao. Now he actively initiates conversations about it to better understand you and your adhd. 

If you ever feel upset about your ADHD he's kinda shocked because you probably never mentioned it before. Def the type to listen to your worries and calmly yet rationally tell you how that's actually not as bad as you think it is. Besides, you have like a thousand other redeeming qualities, so what if you can't always pay attention? Who else is Cyno going to duel with on a random Saturday afternoon?

… Yet even after learning all this about ADHD, he's still going to come to you asking weird questions.

“Y/n, is it true that people with ADHD like shiny things?”

“Cyno, that's every human.”

“Oh.”

He tries his best, okay?

Ending note: Annnnnd that's a wrap! Sorry if this one is shorter/less detailed than the last one but i'm tired. However if I don't do this now I probably won't post it later because of a lack of confidence oof. Anyways thanks for reading this far and I hope you liked it!

Also what characters do u think I should do next if any?

[tyrantisterror]

I'm still thinking about that fucking poor excuse of a villain song from Wish, and, like... ok so I'm thinking of two similar villain songs that feel like they're essentially doing the same thing but land a lot better with me and trying to reason out why that is, but it's almost midnight after an exhausting day at work and I don't know how well I can do that, but what the hell let's try anyway.

Ok, so, looking at The Cursed Object first, I think what it's trying to do is a humorous juxtaposition of an upbeat pop song with dark lyrics, to show the villain thinks of himself as a lovable hero while he's actually a piece of shit. We're supposed to see how the villain is a vain, self-centered monster who's willing to sacrifice anyone and everyone necessary to keep and/or increase his power, all while painting himself as a hero for doing so. I don't think it succeeds in this aim, but that's what it's trying to do, right?

When trying to think of songs that were similar, my first thought was "No One But You" from Galavant, where Magdalena, a damsel-in-distress who slowly turns into an evil queen over the course of the first season, has a bunch of conversations with her own ego via reflections of herself in mirrors, just like King Chris Pine up there. Magdalena also posits herself as the hero of her story, a woman who's faced a great deal of stress and discomfort and ultimately can't rely on anyone to save her except herself - No One But Her can solve the problems she faces. She genuinely views herself as the hero, as much as she can view anyone as a hero anyway, and the world as an enemy to be defeated, suppressed, and destroyed if necessary. And I think it works because, despite the jokes the scene is filled with, it's very clear Magdalena is a genuine threat. She's taken seriously by the scene in a way that King Chris Pine isn't - there's genuine menace here.

But perhaps I'm getting this wrong - I haven't seen Wish, and maybe King Chris Pine isn't meant to be a serious villain, but rather a comic one. His number definitely seems to rely on comedy way more, so maybe I need another angle.

Let's look at a different Galavant villain and a different villain song to go with him - "She'll Be Mine" by King Richard. King Richard is explicitly a humorous villain, a bumbling oaf who's only deadly because the feudal system decided to give him a ludicrous amount of power over people's lives by dint of his birth. He's an incompetent idiot with so much vaguely medieval fantasy land firepower at his disposal that he's actually more dangerous for it, because ultimately far more people pay for his incompetence than he ever does (in the first season, anyway). He's goofy and silly and not threatening on his own, but rather as a result of how his petulant whims will be carried out immediately and with excessive force, no matter how stupid they are.

All of that could apply to King Chris Pine from what I've gleaned from his villain song... but again, I feel it's done much more effectively with Richard's song here. It's a happy, upbeat song with wicked lyrics, just like "This Is the Thanks I Get," but the lyrics benefit from being, well... firstly, just better in general (the rhyme of "Job" and "Prob" in the Wish number causes me intense abdominal pain), but specifically by heightening the contrast of the evilness of the villain with the joyfulness of the song to a much more potent degree. The hilarious tonal disconnect between the words "I want to skewer him with swords and slowly twist them!" and the peppy way in which they're song is just delicious.

But I also think that, like with Magdalena's song, the real difference is that this song takes Richard's feelings and motivations seriously. Richard feels genuinely hurt by Galavant's very existence and how Magdalena holds Galavant in much higher esteem than him, and the song is focused on that thread. When Richard does describe his evil wishes, there's almost an innocence to it - "I'll get back to all my hobbies, like raising taxes and tormenting the poor!" - and then he switfly refocuses to his grievance with Galavant, as if he doesn't actually want to think about how his petty whims are cruel (because, as the story shows, once Richard actually thinks about his actions, he realizes they're awful and feels shame for them). He's always running away from self reflection to dwell in his grudge, and that's how he's able to stick to his villainous course while still viewing himself as in the right.

Meanwhile King Chris Pine's lyrics, in addition to just being bad ("I let you live here for free and don't even charge you rent" cool beans dude you just said the same thing twice), is so damn focused on his obvious character faults in a way that makes it clear the writers know he's a bad guy and want to relate that to the audience, but don't know how to do it without just having him say, "Yeah I'm an evil hypocrite." I don't feel I get a sense of his nuance, of how he justifies this to himself, from this song, not the way I do with Magdalena and Richard.

Though maybe I'm wrong! Maybe the difference is that I've watched Galavant several times, and can see how its songs relate to the inner workings of its characters because I have the rest of the series to point me in the right direction when analyzing them, whereas I'm just watching King Chris Pine's song in isolation without the context of the rest of the movie. Maybe to give it a truly fair shake I need to watch the whole movie.

I mean, I won't. It looks boring. But if I cared about making a good analysis, I probably would.

I don't though.

These are the posts you make when it's midnight and you're very sleep deprived.

[darkshrimpemotions]

No but the key thing about Allan is he's a foil for Ken. Ken is very much the Nice Guy of the film, whereas Allan is ACTUALLY a nice guy.

See, Ken does all these things to impress Barbie, he spends a lot of time trying to seem supportive of Barbie, and he hangs his entire identity on the idea of loving Barbie. And because of that, he thinks Barbie is SUPPOSED to love him back. But everything he does "for" Barbie isn't really for her, and it shows from the beginning. He has a clear ulterior motive that's all about getting what he wants. He doesn't actually care about her desires, needs, happiness, or well-being. Everything he does comes with a clear weight of expectation behind it, which Barbie appears to feel and to find uncomfortable.

He chafes at her clearly expressing what she does and doesn't want, because that doesn't align with his goals. He constantly pushes for more time and closeness than she's comfortable with, despite her clear irritation and attempts to create more space between them. And when she continues to not give him what he wants, he eventually lashes out and intentionally causes her pain and distress, which he sees as justified recompense for his pain. It doesn't matter to him that his pain is largely his own doing, and that she never actually did anything to intentionally hurt him. The very fact of her failure to capitulate to what he feels entitled to from her is enough justification for him to lash out at her, in fact he explicitly frames it as revenge for wrongs she's done to him (and IMO the one true weak point of the film is that she validates this position later).

And lest we are tempted to see his actions through the rose-colored glasses bequeathed to us by decades of romance films, the film makes explicitly clear how much the niceness was always false by the way Ken treats Barbie when she finally returns his affections. He drops any pretense of caring about her or what she wants or likes and is entirely self-absorbed in his interactions with her, preferring a dynamic in which she exists to be an ornament in his periphery, smiling adoringly as he sings the creepiest rendition of "Push" by Matchbox Twenty imaginable (that song IS ruined for me forever now, thanks for asking).

Allan, on the other hand, is comfortable and welcome with the Barbies because there is no expectation behind his presence except that he just enjoys spending time with them. He takes up space among them naturally, participates in their fun, and there is no ulterior motive behind it. He isn't competing with the Kens or trying to get a specific kind of attention from the Barbies. He's just their friend, and enjoys their company, and he's nice because he's NICE. When he does have a specific desire or need, he explicitly states it (as when he helps them get back to Barbieland by fighting the construction workers). But even then, he works with them because his goals and desires are aligned, not because he's looking for something else from them that he's not openly stating but still feels entitled to.

And it's CRUCIAL that Allan and Ken are in no way rivals for Barbie's attention or affection. Because they don't have to be to illustrate this difference, and in fact it removes any muddying of the waters. In most films, what qualities define a Nice Guy vs. a nice guy tends to be less consequential than who the heroine chooses at the end of the day. In fact in a lot of cases, neither guy is very nice by any definition of the word. Not only that, but in that narrative setup the heroine's eventual "choice" between two less-than-stellar options is such a foregone conclusion that it undercuts any attempt at displaying women's agency in romantic and sexual relationships. But I digress.

In reality, what defines a Nice Guy versus a guy who's genuinely nice isn't who the girl in question "chooses" at the end of the day. What defines a Nice Guy vs. a nice guy is whether the niceness is genuine, or a means to an end. By removing any notion of romantic rivalry from the equation, Barbie highlights how it's the two characters' behavior that makes one of them so clearly a positive presence within the film while the other is an antagonist.

[practically-an-x-man]

I saw you reblog the post "send an OC and you tell me which of your OCs would fall in love with them" and had a moment of oh no, how many non-furry/dragon characters do I have. So I'm throwing you a variety!! We're gonna have to put aside the fact that two out of the three here are furry characters. I'm genuinely severely lacking in human people, despite how much I talk about them. (Is this a game show where only the winner out of all of them gets a date, or are they all getting paired off? Up to you!)

CONTESTANT NUMBER ONE

I gotta throw you a character I haven't mentioned before much. Silver Bullet Babe, or just Silver for short, spends a large majority of his time studying magic. Coming from a well off family who encouraged his focus on his studies and seclusion from others, his social skills are lacking at best. On the plus side, though, being with him comes with the added bonus of a very extensive library filled with otherwise forbidden knowledge. He's also very pink with lovely hair.

(I'll never get over how beautiful this commission is, and I'm devastated that I've lost access to the artist since)

CONTESTANT NUMBER TWO

You already know this one. His info post isn't up yet, so his exact details might be blurry, but let me introduce you to the danger to aviation laws himself, Hazard! I don't. I don't have his picture on my laptop, so you're gonna just have to imagine a tall Canadian with the most mid fohawk ever who talks with an accent that is an affront to the concept of language itself. He's a great guy, I promise. Asides from how much danger he puts himself in for his own entertainment, he's a great guy.

CONTESTANT NUMBER THREE

*Shuffles through my characters* fuck okay who else is in here. hm. I feel I've gotta give you another one I haven't talked about before. I'm digging up Doe for this one.

Do you need a girl in your life that doesn't take shit from nobody anymore? Would it be even better if it were impossible to tell if she even liked you or not? Then let me present to you, Doe! I know for a fact she has an anthro design around somewhere, but evidently not here. I don't even have her regular design on this laptop, so we gotta just imagine an orange skywing woman together. What does she have to offer? She's fearless with the strength to back that up. She's punched both Sandwing and Skywing soldiers on two separate occasions. Her boss is, unfortunately for her, also her best friend, so they're a two for one deal, so you'll also be gaining a really weird uncle as well.

Oooooh, introductions to new OCs!! I love this!!

Let's see here...

For Silver, I could see him getting together with Kestrel. They're also super inquisitive and work with magic frequently, so I could definitely see them bonding over that initially. And like... Kestrel's social skills aren't fantastic either, being a changeling who's been told effectively their whole life that the only thing they're good at is causing havoc and distress, so I think those early interactions might be a little awkward. But after that, y'know, it all would work out great!

I think Quinn would probably fall for Hazard in like.... a weird way. Like the "buddy you're just really fucking Odd. I kinda want to punch you in the face but I also kinda want to kiss you and we'll figure out the logistics of that later" kind of way. She's absolutely a daredevil too and would initially be drawn to that thrillseeking side of him, always trying to one-up him until it becomes a weird sort of game, and then that game becomes a weird sort of flirting... they'd be the weirdest, most hazardous (pun not intended) power couple on the planet, but that's my answer.

Doe definitely strikes me as Eris' type - someone who can fire right back to whatever little battles they want to throw at her, who isn't going to flinch, who's good and strong and driven to keep pace. You've heard of people getting along like a house on fire? These two would get along like nuclear fission. This might be The Most Dangerous relationship I have ever come up with, maybe not to the two of them but definitely to everyone else in the immediate vicinity.

[ashadowofburnedoutstardust]

Hello again anon 🐯

Yeah, this bullshitshow has been anything but private

I don't think this man has any comprehension of the damage he has done to his image

As it stands he currently has no audience, no fandom, very little to motivate anyone to follow him around regardless of whatever project he has going

His fans are losing interest?

I started watching the video for the award and lost interest so I have no idea what's been said and I have zero interest in finding out, but then I'm not a Chris Evans fan either, I just stumbled across them after having a weird prophetic dream and following the algorithmic narratives

For the most part, they're pretty awesome people. I didn't like seeing them treated the way they have been so I took what action I could. I'm pretty picky about people and they're the only reason I've stuck around this long

He needs a better team?

He doesn't just need a new team, he needs a new name, a new house, a new life; the man needs to disappear out of the pure embarrassment he's caused himself and all of those around him

And he's badly embarrassed his fans by proxy for having supported someone with no fucking spine willing to betray even the lies he used to help con them with

(Sorry to be harsh, I haven't had dinner yet and it has been a long day at work)

Is he being honest with himself meaning it wouldn't end up like this?

I do truly wonder if he understands that he has also bought into his own image. Does he think that any part of the persona hes had curated over the years actually reflects who he is?

Christopher, you are nothing like any of the characters you've played and each piece of them that's been published in place of your actual personality traits in articles is simply another lie to yourself

Being private doesn't mean being ashamed?

If hes not he should be. Ashamed. Ashamed. Ashamed.

It ties into the lies he's told himself. Honey blocking people is not going to make them stop talking about you

If you are genuinely so scared that telling the truth about whats gone on then maybe you shouldn't have been doing it to begin with

Christopher if this is truly your choice, to fuck around with 20 somethings at your fucking age then yes you should be ashamed because you are a Hollywood cliche and still emotionally a 15 year old boy, basically a rich pervert and theres no amount of PR cleaning that's going to get you out of that after so badly knocking down the fan support system holding you up and paying your bills

Your team aren't the only ones who have been coasting

It's odd a little for me. I tend to be optimistic by nature and not the "hyper-critical debunking character" I've played so much on my blog so there is that genuine little part of me that despite not being a fan I really do want a positive outcome for him

But let me be clear about this: it's not that I'm hoping for it for him, I'm hoping for it for his fans

When you are strangers on the internet it can be a lot easier to let things out to people when you have a safe place to do it from behind an internet profile. Like I've said before I've talked to thousands of his fans by now and the number of them that were distressed, that needed a safe place to vent is extensive

I may not be a mean person IRL, (I get called bubbly.....a lot lol) but I'm fairly sure after spending so much time consoling so many of them I could summon genuine enough rage to scare him straight, or at the very least some common fucking sense

These days I work in....well......let's generalise and say Healthcare; it's a very people focused job where taking into consideration that you have no idea what's going on in the rest of their life and how that affects their experience when they are in the establishment, the ability to empathise with so many people every day is really quite a natural thing for me despite my general introversion

But there are some things you have to learn to be firm on and is one of the most difficult lessons I had to learn to do my job and help make the environment a better place

I have to say I don't think this man has ever learned how to establish boundaries with literally anyone, no wonder I got the impression he needed a strong woman to tell him what to do

(He really does need a replacement Lisa that tells him what to do, but also one that's actually happy to actually do it no woman should ever let a man put their emotional labour on them)

I've done my best to fuck up their narrative bullshitshow as much as possible as revenge for fucking with the fandom friends I had and lost because of what they did

Indeed anon, good luck Chris. If you never learn to stand your ground in a meaningful way nothing will ever change

Do something different

[logicaldelta]

Me when the brain rots collide and I make the silliest crossover aus known to man

RvB / WoF crossover -- Delta and York

Prince Delta had never been one to be very social. His brothers made many comments about it throughout his childhood, and he wasn't deaf to the whispers that followed him throughout the Summer Palace.

It was rare to see a member of SeaWing royalty on their own. The SandWings made their comments very prominent when the alliance between their tribes was forged. There were many rumours from both tribes, each side trying to discover the supposed "reason" for why this particular prince seemed so reclusive.

They never guessed that he just preferred the quiet. The calm, peaceful moments that he could steal here and there throughout the war were all he had. His upbringing in the Deep Palace was chaos, marred with the stress of war and the secret assassin that murdered his sisters. Prince Delta didn't have time to waste with forging connections. He saw it as pointless. What use was there in growing close to dragons that he may lose to war?

And though he knew that he would be expected to join the ranks eventually, he wasn't expecting his mother's decision on how that would happen.

"You cannot be serious," his scales flashed frantically, shock coming through in the distressed flashing of his Aquatic scales.

"I am." His mother's response was simple, and it was during times like these where he was reminded that he was just one of her many sons.

"But Epsilon wasn't expected to work with them," he argued, faltering only slightly as his mother narrowed her eyes at him.

"Epsilon doesn't need to work with them. He already has his own squadron of SeaWings. You, however, seem opposed to that idea."

"Prince Delta?" His father gently swam between him and Queen Coral, who was beginning to lash her tail in aggravation. Delta nodded to confirm that Gill had gotten his name right. "What your mother is trying to say is that Epsilon is needed here to defend the Deep Palace. But we need you and your brain on the front lines, helping the SandWings."

Delta wanted to continue arguing. He wanted to protest until the queen changed her mind. But he knew it was pointless, especially with his father on her side. He had no talons to stand on.

He took a deep breath, focusing on the water flowing through his gills. "Alright. I'll do it."

Gill grinned, placing his talons on Delta's shoulders. "Excellent! I knew you wouldn't let us down." Despite the pride in his father's actions, Delta couldn't help the sickening feeling in his stomach that grew with each flash of Aquatic.

The SandWings were... not what he had expected.

When Queen Blister had told him that he'd be accompanying her most elite spies, he had expected seasoned professionals. Gruff, big, scarred dragons with tough attitudes, like those in his mother's stories.

Captain York was anything but that. Besides one large scar spanning across his left eye, he looked relatively normal and friendly. He had a big grin on his face, and he sounded genuinely happy to be meeting Delta.

"Pleasure to meet you, Prince Delta! I'm York, captain of Queen Blister's spies!" He proceeded to wink, his scarred eye being the one he chose to close. "But don't tell anyone you've met me, or we'll have to kill you!" He slapped Delta's wing with his own, causing the prince to stumble forwards for a moment before regaining his balance. The SandWing was much larger than him, after all. York laughed good-naturedly, grabbing Delta with his talons to help prevent him from falling. "Careful there! You wouldn't want to get sand between your scales. I've heard the stuff irritates your soldiers."

"I am not just a soldier. I am a prince." Delta held his head high, the way he was taught to when he was younger. "I will not complain about such trivial matters."

"Nice to know, because we," he gestured to his spies, "prefer sleeping in sand dunes."

Delta scrunched up his nose, staring at York in an attempt to determine if he was joking or not. "Unfortunately, I will be unable to join you for that. I cannot be too far from the water when I sleep, or I could become dehydrated."

York grinned at him, seeming amused by his serious tone of voice. "We'll make sure there's a river nearby for you!"

Delta couldn't place the uncomfortably warm feeling within him at that comment, choosing instead to ignore it. "What is your next mission, Captain York?"

"Right." York's smile grew smaller, not disappearing but still making him seem much more serious. "The Queen has tasked us with infiltrating an army camp belonging to Queen Glacier. Apparently, the IceWings have been growing too close to the hidden island of the Summer Palace, and it's with respect to the SeaWings that our Queen wishes to see this dealt with quickly and without fuss."

That was a mission that Delta could easily agree with. The location of the Summer Palace was too important of a secret to risk the IceWings discovering it, and he found himself nodding. "Alright. Where do we start?"

[neckromancy]

Not self ship related.

I've barely told anyone but I've decided to fuck it all and book my dream vacation.

I've been saving up since I was 19 to go to New Zealand. I am 31 now. I've had enough savings for a while and it has actually caused me so much financial distress to have so much money in my bank account; any financial benefit was forfeit despite being low income. I've saved hard with the little that I've always had. Only since a year ago I became more financially stable, although old habits die hard, I am still quite scarce in what I spend on food, living etc... I've always prioritized my dream vacation. The thing to keep going for, the reason to live, etc etc.

I've not booked my holiday because I had fear of going alone. I have autism and I get stressed out easily, and when I get stressed, I basically blank out, nothing makes sense anymore, and I basically go crazy (not in an angry way, but just a very upset way).

However, I've been grinding my gears so hard over this. None of my friends shared this dream and only in recent years it had come to light that some are interested. Issue is that they never saved up for it, and I honestly felt my heart dropp when they told me they would be ready no sooner than 2029.

A lot can happen in those years. They can lose interest, they can fail to bring up their savings, any of us can get cancer and die - YES this is literally where my mind goes. I genuinely often think about getting some terminal disease before I can go. I'll also be closer to 40, I am overweight, will I be as capable of going? It brings a lot of anxiety. Heck, what if my financial situation turns around again and I have to go back the way I lived before? My savings started draining VERY hard because I had to find out I cannot work fulltime and I had to eat away at my New Zealand money, watching my dream falter slowly, because any financial benefit... I was just not eligible for unless my savings would lower drastically.

So I've been thinking for a couple months now, more than half a year actually... about going alone after all. I've had so many talks in therapy, with fellow colleagues, just... people, about the situation, and honestly... I've cut the tie.

I'm going to New Zealand. I'm like ... crying over how much stress it is giving me, yet also joy. I've booked a trip and paid for the deposit. To pay for the rest I am still managing bank administration.

It's just giving me SO much stress though.

I've had to do the one thing I hate: install a banking app on my phone. It is the only way for me to do a payment above the 5k threshold, they literally won't let me do it through the browser (I tried, I called them, and I hate phone calls). I had to order a credit card because it is the only way to get my e-visum, along with accidentally uploading the wrong photo which means that I have to re-do it after they find the mistake in a few days, which I also needed to install an app for... gods!

I never wanted my phone to be involved with any financial things, but I suppose it's worth it for my dream vacation.

But here's the thing.

I did not tell the friends yet. The ones I'd go with. I am still too heartbroken by the 2029 shocker. I don't know how to tell them I'm going by myself, that I said "fuck it, 2024 is my year" and went ahead with it.

It's why I am posting about it on this blog and not my personal one, one of them follows me there.

I don't really know how to deal well with this. I'll first focus on getting my administration sorted, because god damn.

A cancellation insurance costs another 500 euros, and for what? The small chance I end up hospitalized and cannot go anymore? I have 6 more days to pick it up... but for now I am too stressed. It's just so much to do all of this by myself.

Oh, and the only reason I am capable of doing this alone is because I am taking a guided tour. No way I could do without, I have no driver's license or anything. The tour includes the flight, the hotels, the travel... it's nice. I just need to do a separate booking to visit Hobbiton, obviously I am going to Hobbiton. For that I also need to wait for my credit card...

I'll be so relieved when all administration is done.

[lomappreciationblog]

Thoughts on the Legend of Mana Anime Episode 9: Alexandrite

In which I am completely, utterly gobsmacked with this episode's revelations.

As usual - spoilers for Episode 9: Alexandrite of the Legend of Mana anime, as well as general spoilers for the Jumi arc of Legend of Mana, but especially for the Two Pearls quest!

I repeat, heavy spoilers!!! I heavily encourage others to watch the anime so far for a better experience.

We have been bamboozled, misled, and very much backstabbed. Whooooa boy.

I was so very adamant that it was Sandra who murdered Esmeralda in Episode 7. I was quite sure, given Sandra's modus of disguise and how it would have worked very well for her purposes to sow discord among the hero's group.

But not only was it Serafina who really did the deed, she had been working with Sandra and the Lord of Jewels since the beginning! I don't want to believe it, but it makes so much sense now for all of Serafina's oddly coincidental appearances - she was at Gato to point out Rubens was a Jumi, and was at Polpota Harbor when Episode 4: Sapphire happened - probably stationed where she was to help Sandra scout out the scene as a harmless bystander, and by golly does the ruse work.

It also makes so much sense now why Sandra backed off so suddenly on seeing her in Episode 4: Sapphire, she didn't want to hurt her companion. And as much as it pains me, Serafina's friendship with Esmeralda and encouraging her to pursue her sisters' cores are also for the same goal of feeding her to the Lord of Jewels. Serafina is obviously distressed by her actions though, so her friendship with Esmeralda is genuine.

And so is her friendship with Sandra, it seems. Sandra comforts Serafina and seems to be quite close to her. Like in the game, Sandra also believes the Lord of Jewels has the ability to make Teadrop Crystals, but though they already reached a thousand with the Lucky Clover sisters, the process fails. Interestingly, Sandra is also freaked out by this, either because that means they couldn't save Florina just yet, or because even she's not quite over murdering so many Jumi for her cause. Mostly the first I would think, but I like to think she definitely has hang-ups on her very crazy plan.

This episode also shows Alexandrite's meeting with the Lord of Jewels - fallen on the battleground, Alexandrite was the only survivor of their battalion of knights and was gravely injured, when the Lord of Jewels came by and presumably healed him with the power of the cores of the fallen Jumi.

Despite any history Alexandrite has had of compassion for fellow Jumi though, none of that matters in the present. Sandra is still as determined as ever and tasks Serafina to help her find Elazul and Pearl through Shiloh. Sheesh, that's cold, Sandra.

The episode then plays out the rest of Two Pearl's events, with Shiloh and Elazul's climb up the Tower of Leires. They do have a bit of talk regarding Serafina, where Shiloh says he thinks it was Sandra in disguise, but Elazul, much more gently now, tells him they have good reason to question Serafina (and now, so do us viewers) Shiloh admits he was running away from confronting that possibility and decides to look for Serafina after rescuing Pearl. Whooo boy…

This episode is fairly faithful to the dialogue and succession of events, and it's really well done how Blackpearl was convincing Pearl to be Clarius in Florina's place. It's eerie, the voice acting was especially good.

I have to say, the battle scenes for this episode is much better played out than the previous one, and it's really cool seeing Blackpearl, strongest Jumi Knight, in action. Clever of Shiloh and Elazul to rope Blackpearl into the conditions of bringing Pearl back - rather than having to defeat her, they use her words and arrogance about not being able to land a single hit as the terms.

Shiloh fakes out breaking his arm and punches Blackpearl in the stomach, winning the fight. Good to see our sunshine cinnamon roll who's constantly getting beaten to a pulp actually has it when it comes to battles, it's just that he's been in pretty bad scrapes.

Blackpearl holds her end of the promise and returns Pearl, but not before telling Shiloh and Elazul that it was true that those who cry for Jumi will turn to stone. Like in the game, this prompts Elazul to leave Shiloh behind for his own safety.

Shiloh then gets home and is greered by Bud, Lisa and now Valerie and her kid! And…Serafina.

Who keeps up her sweetheart facade and tells Shiloh Esmerald is missing and she didn't know where they had gone. Ugh, Serafina, I still believe you are a good-hearted person with the best intentions, but that is super cruel and underhanded. I don't want to know how Shiloh will snap when he finds out about your deceit…

They talk afterward and Serafina tells Shiloh her alibi of checking the jewelry stores for cores, and that the clerk there would support her being there - yeah, because clerk is Alex, aka Sandra, aka Alexandrite. What twisted webs we weave, Serafina…sweet Shiloh, not knowing any better, believes her, and Serafina subtly leads the talk to where could Elazul and Pearl be.

To which Shiloh figures out they were probably returning to Diana in Geo, and though wary of the old saying, Shiloh decides to look for them and continue helping them. Serafina offers to help to clear up the misunderstanding…which we all know now is just talk to continue tailing the two.

Whoof, a very impactful episode for sure! And one that flows very smoothly with dialogue and animation, making up for Episode 8's jankiness. I got to admit, the plot twist regarding Serafina got me pretty good, but from a writing standpoint it was well done and I like how it lines up neatly with the plot points of previous episodes. I have no doubt Serafina will still be redeemed and will join Shiloh's side eventually, she definitely shows signs of reluctance and distress over what she's done so far, but I wouldn't blame Shiloh and Elazul if, when they give her a massive chewing out once the truth comes to light.

I have the feeling Serafina will either fight Shiloh to defend Sandra and then realize the flaws of her plan, or out of atonement for her previous actions will ask for Elazul, Shiloh or Blackpearl to strike her down without a fight, but Shiloh will reassure her that she's still a good person with how she saved his life in Polpota. Either way, I'm very sure Serafina won't pick up her spear until a climactic point in the story, so as always, looking forward to next week's episode!

Ugh, but I'll be off on a trip before then, so I might watch it later than usual.

[equius]

my grandfather was a devout christian who went to church twice a week and read his bible daily. he and my grandma lived in an older neighborhood in norfolk virginia, and these neighborhoods were popular with door-to-door salesmen, and also for missionaries. a few times a month they'd get a visit from jehovah's witnesses or the mormon missionaries. every time, my grandpa would invite them to come inside (it was a lot easier to do that back in the 60's-70's) and he would listen to their little speeches and things like that, and he'd be very polite and start asking them questions. nothing offensive, just asking for some clarification on some points they'd made earlier, oftentimes making them break from their memorized speech points and have to backtrack a little. quite often, my grandpa would gently point out holes in their doctrine, or revealing things about the things they believed with their whole chest to be wrong, and instead of doing this by just saying it, he would be referring to passages in the bible, the book that they know and follow. i swear my grandpa had that book memorized. but once this would start, it would cause the younger missionary to go quiet as the elder/more experienced one would take over, and they would be genuinely panicked and even distressed at seeing these discrepancies pointed out by the actual literal bible. and my grandpa did not do this maliciously, he did it because he knew that they were basically groomed into it, and obviously he would have loved nothing more than to minister christianity to them, but never did since that was never the point of this. he just wanted them to see that things they believed might actually be wrong.

eventually, missionaries stopped coming to their house, and even through all of the years following, there were no more of them to be found showing up at my grandpa's door. my only guess is that he got blacklisted from multiple organizations, and all he ever did was be kind with them, and have them read the bible, but read it outside of the brainwashing contexts they'd been made to read it throughout their whole lives.

obviously i'm no christian. while i was raised that way, i am not interested in it, but i learned a lot from my grandpa in that regard, and knew that it was important to treat these people with kindness, respect, and dignity, because their reality of mission work is not always going to be that. i also lived in salt lake city (mormon capital of the whole world basically) for a few years, and i learned a lot while living there. and so when two mormon missionaries showed up at my door the other month ago, my sister ran off to the bedroom, but i opened the door and greeted them. they introduced themselves, said that they were LDS missionaries and all that. i did want to invite them in, just out of politeness, but my apartment is a mess, and i also literally have no furniture in my living room, not even a couch. also they're two guys. while i lend some safe trust to mormons, i'm not lending that much. so, i stayed at the door, opening it a bit more so that they didn't feel like i was just waiting to close it in their faces. we chatted a little bit, and then they inevitably asked me if i would be interested in hearing their message. i said no thank you, and they were a bit hesitant, but since we'd been getting along and had a good rapport built already, one of them asked me why i was not interested.

i said something along the lines of "i appreciate that you're willing to share with me, but at this point in my life, i am happy with my own personal beliefs, even if that includes a lack of spiritual faith. i feel confident and motivated, and i don't feel a desire to seek something else when i feel content and at peace with my own beliefs."

it gave them some bit of pause, but they were like "that sounds really nice for you, thank you for giving us your time despite that".

i really wanted to give them a drink to take with them before they left but all i had in my fridge was mountain dew and mormons can't drink caffeine, as per their religious guidelines, so we simply said our goodbyes and they left. i haven't had anyone else show up since then, but if they do, i'll do the same thing. and maybe keep some water bottles in the fridge since it's getting warm out now.

[pumpkinstep]

I'm just sad

I did a lot to change myself and improve. when I became homeless and free from my abusive family situation, I ended up in a group of guys who stayed at a youth shelter.

I told my bf, I'll call him B, what was up with me. I was desperate for connections and pandered a lot to get attention. I did a lot of attention seeking behavior but made it known I wasn't really serious or into them.

This guy stalked me a little bit, knew I was mentally and emotionally unstable and claimed me as family when I went on a tirade about how much I hate a commonly disliked asshole at the shelter.

it was obvious I wasn't in the right headspace to make clear rational decisions, I was crying all the time, visibly distressed, hardly eating and breaking down constantly. I told him I felt like I was stuck mentally at 16.

at the time I was still working, making 15hr and working full time. that's pretty good money

well he quit his job to try another one out and completely dropped the ball on it, so I helped him out. I gave him a weekly allowance and helped him get stuff he needed.

I even helped him get a place to stay, paying for his rent until I couldn't anymore. He let me stay sometimes and practically begged to hang out with me when I wasn't working.

then he freaks out one day because he thinks his long. distance gf dumped him and let's our friendship cross over more into the With benefits territory, (despite him adamantly claiming he would kill himself if he ever cheated. note that we've been hella handsy up to this point despite that.)

throughout our relationship, I've been shouldering all of the responsibility of keeping it running, always engaging in the things he likes, helping him out when he's distressed, cleaning and cleaning up after him. I did the chores and finances.

we started living together full time when covid hit and he had a job by that point and I didn't.

I felt trapped in the house and he kept me like a pet. only engaging with me when it was convient and making a big fuss about me going outside, (this was before lockdown.)

I genuinely feel like I've gotten more stupid by being around him for so long.

after a while I got fed up and stopped reaching out because he just doesn't meet me in the middle, he doesn't engage and he doesn't go out of his ways to do things outside of the bare minimum.

after I pulled away to give him space to step up on his own, he just never did and now there's hardly anything between us. I feel like I'm dragging him along and it sucks and it never feels like he's actually trying to improve.

he treats me like a mother figure and I hate it so much.

I didn't realize how bad it had gotten until I went through our discord to delete old messages cause I felt haunted by my cringey behavior. after reading through the old stuff, I realized he just sucks all the way around.

I confronted him on this and he confessed he was just using me back then and that he forgot.

I've been pretty upset about it since and even turned down a potential friendship because no one likes me unless I'm useful and I'm mad I let myself get so soft.

I'm disabled and no one can live alone in this economy so I'm forced to stay in a relationship with him. especially since he's made it very clear that he's the suicidal type when it comes to break ups.

it fucking sucks and I've pretty much closed myself off emotionally to new friendships or engaging with people in a serious way. the one time I open up and try to be a better person, someone stabs my squishy bits. how fucked up is that?

I don't love him. not anymore. and it angers me that he has the audacity to still say I love you and expects me to respond positively everyday.

he says he's trying to improve but then says he wants to spend time with me only to ignore me and get annoyed when I bother him.

I told him that I'm going to leave him the moment I can take care of myself if he doesn't get his shit together.

I know I shouldn't put too much blame on myself but I can't help but feel like I must have had brain damage to fall so low.

I guess I was blinded by my need for validation and shelter

[pastrydragon]

Yo, have you ever done anything for Evil Manta or his son, little evil? Even thought they're just in the Ariel cartoon, I think they're pretty cool! Could I get some headcanons for one of both of them? It's fine if you don't want to lol, just a suggestion! Plus, you seem like the type of skilled writer that could draw some sort conclusion as to where little evil's mother is (I have a headcanon that she was harpooned, but I wanna see whatchu got!)! Again, if you don't want to, that's perfectly fine! Just a suggestion from someone who loves underrated characters :)

I had absolutely no idea this character existed before you sent this ask. So please keep in mind that I'm writing this purely based on the wiki pages, three YouTube videos and vibes.

I have a theory.

Because while Manta appears appears to hate all things happy like music, merriment and laughter in general, he doesn't apply that to himself or Little Evil.

He himself has a wicked evil laugh(Thank you Tim Curry.) which causes him no distress despite saying he hates that kind of thing.

He also enjoys singing lullabies to Little Evil, so he can't possibly hate music itself.

So if it isn't the activities or things that bother him, then what the hell is his problem?

I think Manta gets his magic powers from the misery of others, and that he needs a certain amount to function properly.

So logically, people being happy around him would weaken his powers.

His own feelings have no effect on his abilities, because otherwise he'd have to be miserable. All. The. Time.

Round the clock despair.

And no one can or should live like that, so he has to fill his battery by tormenting others.

But what about Little Evil? He's another person, so why wouldn't his joy weaken his father?

Because the name is literal.

He is a small piece of his father's evil power made flesh.

Not that he isn't his own person, he is, he obviously grew his own personality and preferences.

He was just born a little different is all.

But why would he do that? Why wouldn't he be the exact copy he was supposed to be?

I think Manta accidentally added a secret ingredient to the concoction, Chemical X Love.

I think Manta loved him too much.

You can't tell me that genuinely loving the thing you're making out of your own evil being wouldn't effect the results.

Manta, while he still loves and supports Little, is deeply worried over how Little might not be able to cause enough turmoil to sustain his health when he's an adult.

Little will be fine.

He's just gonna be a little shit about it instead of a super villain.

He will ask how thanksgiving with your crap family went, he will ask about the work drama you're going through, he will bring up that latest horrible news story, and he will hate watch The Bachelor with you.

Then you'll thank him for "letting you vent" while he wonders what he should shoot lightning at first.

Please just text him all the happy stuff, joy is like jellyfish, it's only beautiful from a distance.

[wildymoon]

WILBUR LORE SPOILERS UNDER THE CUT

NOTE: THE BELOW IS TALKING ABOUT THE CHARACTERS FROM THE DREAM SMP, NOT THE CONTENT CREATORS OR ANY OF THEIR OTHER CHARACTERS.

I want Wilbur to apologize again, what we got at the start of the stream wasn't enough imo.

Before anyone yells at me about the whole threatening Dream thing being a grand old attempt at making amends, I feel like I need to explain why doing that cancelled out a fair bit of the good it does.

Because on one hand, great! Dream has no more power over him, in theory.* Tommy still has his discs, Dream is royally fucked (especially if people like Quackity didn't know where he's been hiding until now, cause that information's bound to leak out), and Wilbur has gotten what he wanted: a way to protect Tommy as much as he possibly can from the green bastard that nearly took his life so many times (and succeeded thrice), as well as a way to fully legitimize himself and the nation he created.

But on the other hand, there are so many problems and downsides to this plan. Don't get me wrong, I loved it and was on the edge of my seat the whole time, plus I doubt I (or most other people) could come up with a much better way to do it, but the only two things about the plan (not the execution of it) that Wilbur got flawlessly (or close enough to it) were Dream's weakness and Tommy's reaction needing to believe the discs were genuine.

Here's a list of the things I believe Wilbur should (but probably won't, partially because I don't think he would/should regret most of it, but also because this confrontation felt final enough that I don't think there'd be a continuation) apologize for:

In order to even come up with this plan, he had to push Tommy into taking him to Logstedshire, despite him being INCREDIBLY UNCOMFORTABLE WITH IT.

Outright lying to Tommy about the flint and steel wasn't a fun part of the plan, but I'll pass it cause it would've freaked him out more if he knew Wilbur had it and wasn't using it. Still putting it on the list cause I want to recognize it.

Mentioning he was tired of all the self-targeted damage/death, before immediately turning around and threatening to burn himself alive if Dream doesn't follow orders, which definitely wouldn't be good for the mental health of someone who was contemplating jumping off a cobble tower (and technically did so) and is already panicking over being in the same inescapable building as his abuser and three-time murderer.

Continuing off of that actually, threatening to do it when Tommy started freaking out about the discs. He does not want to see Wilbur (regardless of iteration) die in front of him for what is at least the 3rd time, if not the 5th.

Telling Tommy to shut up basically whenever he spoke. Things do get more complicated when there are multiple voices talking at once and you start getting anxious you're not being heard, but damn did you have to be such a dick about it? Especially when (iirc) Dream gave him that order as well, several times, in a similar tone.

Making the entire scenario about him, as Tommy mentioned on the way to the community house. It worked, but that's not as good when you realize it's only gonna stoke that kind of behavior. I don't really know how to talk about this for a couple of reasons though...

Getting the 'discs' burnt, which caused Tommy a great deal of distress. Again, already traumatized and you add this to the pile. Ouch.

TL;DR, I want Wilbur to apologize for putting Tommy through like 5 chained emotional wringers. He can be proud of his plan working (despite it being kinda D:), but just give us an apology for taking away another like 20 years from Tommy's revived lifespan through stress alone.

* I had to rewatch the video to make sure both discs were burnt, in my first go-through I only saw Mellohi and was certain Dream kept Cat. He didn't, but imagine the chaos IF Wilbur thought he burnt both and he didn't. Someone would get screwed over then.

[cannibal-witchh]

"Until then"

Reader(fem) x Carlos Oliveira

Written by cannibal_witchh

Contains: fluff, and very little horror

Notes: I wanted to do something wholesome compared to my Alcina fanfic, you are a trooper if you read it! I enjoy masochism and sub/dom culture so there was a decent amount in that. For this fanfiction, I wanted to change it up and focus on life with Carlos. There will be a collection of random stories and scenarios with him that don't necessarily tie together. I love his character a lot and immediately simped for him so I felt like writing some wholesome stuff about him. A few pieces of course could get naughty ;-)

This is incredibly short, and there isn't a purpose to the story. The general gist is the reader having a nightmare and Carlos comforting her.🖤 Much fluff.

*

Rain strung down from dark grey puffs that stretched and scattered across velvet blue skies. Thunder roared loudly behind furious clouds, and lightning greeted it with loud shrieks.

You quickly sat up, panting wildly, eyes wide, and heart racing. "Baby," a comforting voice said as a big warm arm wrapped under your's and around your waist. Carlos. "Please, baby, lay down with me.", his gentle voice, tired and exhausted, muffled from his face half way buried in the pillow. He gentlely squeezed his arm around you nudging you to him until you fell on your back. It was warm, the mattress gave your tense muscles relief, the comforter smelled of soft lavenders and mints, and a handsome Carlos lay beside you. His curly messy hair scattered along the pillow case, his thick eyelashes hiding sleepy brown eyes, his lips slightly parted from his in and out rest. You felt comfort knowing he was here, he had been here for a very long time, since the event at Racoon City. He helped you escape while he stayed back in all the turmoil. Never did it occur to you, you'd see him in another city again. After all, you didn't say much to him, he did all the talking, all you simply said was constant variations of thank yous and apologies. The words you left him with as he helped you depart the city engulfed in flames was a simple, "Until then." Many months passed, you never forgot the kindness he showed you, it saved your life, and you knew very well you wouldn't have lived if jt hadn't been for him rescuing you.

*

The day it all happened, you were working at the museum, barely getting by with the minimal pay they supplied you with. You lived very average, and within a blink of an eye, just like wildfire, the city was in flames and people evolved into walking corpses. It changed so drastically, the terror that consumed you, it was haunting. You managed to barricade yourself in your supervisor's office for several hours all alone. Hugging your knees under the desk, shivering from the welcomed fear that settled under your skin. The moment you entered that office and locked yourself in, it took three hours for the screams and growls to silence. It was a painful long three hours. Your legs stained in blood, not even certain who or what it belonged to. Not certain if it belonged to a colleague or a customer. After the fourth hour, you heard the door handle rattle, and immediately jumped in horror. " Is someone in here?", a gentle voice asked. " If someone is in there, I work for Umbrella. We are searching the city for survivors to assist in evacuation. If there is someone in there please don't hesitate to let us help you in retreating to safety." the voice continued. That moment was an absolute gamble, you could've been shot by someone, or eaten by the undead. You decided to open the door, barely peaking through the cracks seeing the condition the museum was in. There was a figure that stood infront of the door, but behind him was a collapsed museum, dead bodies laying everywhere, bullets scattered along ruined rugs, and windows busted out. The man that stood before you was dressed in tactical apparel, and held a lowered rifle in his hands. He didn't exactly fit the mercenary military look, his dark hair was incredibly shaggy, and he had facial hair, although, he looked young. He looked as if he was of a South American descent, his skin tan and his eyes dark. " It's ok, my name is Carlos, I work with Umbrella. Please, let me help you. No more lives need to end at the cost of this pandemic." He had a light accent and his voice seemed sincere. He seemed genuinely concerned with helping you and didn't seem to display any selfish intents. What made it easier to adleast discard a little caution was he wasn't being incredibly pushy. " Whats your name?", he said backing away from the door offering some space to you. You opened the door slowly, examining with your eyes your surroundings. He seemed to be alone, and surprisingly, it looked as if he cleared the area of the undead. You came out of the room, legs trembling, eyes fixed on Carlos, and your arms hugging yourself. " My name is Y/N. " you reached your hand out still afraid but adleast offering a since of humanity. Whatever existed that remained. Carlos made a small grin, it was charming, and he reached a big hand out to shake your hand firmly. " Pleasure, miss."

*

Thunder struck loudly in the distance startling you and interrupting your reminiscing . Carlos gave a warm squeeze around your waist, making soft muffled sounds into the pillow, he finally turned his face away from it, and partially opened his tired eyes. " Baby, its just a small storm. Whats got you so worked up?", he asked as he pulled you closer to him and buried his nose into your neck. You felt his delicate breath brushing against your skin and his soft lips pressing against your back. " You already know, Carlos. Its still hard for me to get over it.", you hinted to him the cause of your distress and he immediately knew it was the trauma of Racoon City. "Baby, I am not gonna rest anymore until you sleep. You need rest, I need my little museum guide perked up and looking fine as ever in her tiny tight skirt.", he teased attempting to lighten the mood. His lips pressing again against your back, his eyelashes batting on your skin, and tickling you. " Ugh, Carlos. Go to sleep.", you demanded rolling your eyes and pulling away trying to surpress you liked his idea. You let out a half way annoyed sigh as you felt his arm wrap around your waist again. He was incredibly clingy and cuddly. " Baby girl, shhh.", he chuckled, rising up, and sitting beside you. His shaggy hair falling into his eyes but still his long eyelashes peeked through all that hair. You obliged at his request, feeling him drape both his arms around you, and pulling your head under his chin. He rested his nose on the top of your head, smelling your hair, and letting out a pleased sigh. " You smell wonderful, darling.", you felt him smile as you traced your finger tips along his arms. His warmth gave you peace, despite the constant thundering, his arms felt safe to you.

Eventually, him holding you and humming a soft melody gifted you with sleepy eyes. It took fourty minutes but Carlos managed to relieve your anxiety and the two of you fell back to sleep as the storm persisted on.