#orange theory

[circlebuttons]

imagine

ghost peeling you an orange and he just brings it back slightly mangled on a small plate. the man doesn’t have the most graceful technique, but the peels are all off and the orange is somewhat in tact, just a little.. man handled.

: i also feel like he stands back and gives you one of these 🙂 while he waits for you to take a bite

[let-roman-bite-someone]

by now, there are a lot of theories about orange and i have my own, but it would be really interesting if orange was a relatively new side. think about it. all of the sides were formed sometime during thomas’s childhood, even remus. imagine if orange isn’t a basic necessary facet of thomas’s personality (like logic and emotion), but instead something that was newly formed due to thomas’s recent dilemmas and mental health issues. (by recent, i don’t mean RECENT recent, i just mean thomas’s adultery adulthood, instead of his childhood)

idk i think it would be really cool to see the formation of a new side, the factors that caused this formation, how that impacts thomas and the other sides, how it differs from a facet that was formed during his childhood, etc.

[sunspearesque]

Fruitful

Summary: Oberyn Martell, a lover of great generosity, expresses his love primarily through acts of service. With a keen memory, he spares no effort to exceed expectations in bringing joy to his beloved.

A/N: as the world around me becomes entranced by "the orange theory," my thoughts wander to what he might do for his lover... so i wrote this; a casual smut-less headcanon using my AU, where his lover is my oc, Nala, from my upcoming multichapter fic, Whispers of Vendetta :D i hope you enjoy it, friends xoxo i also invite my fellow writers to do this with their favorite characters and share their headcanons with us <3

In the warm embrace of a Dornish afternoon, he reclined on their balcony, sharing the company of his beloved amid a plethora of succulent fruits and Dornish wine. His daughters engaged in rigorous training in front of them on the ground.

"My mother used to peel fruits for me," Nala chuckled, peeling a pear for Oberyn on the velvety lounge chair they shared. "I despised the stickiness afterward."

"Is that so?" Adjusting his position, he kissed her shoulder. "And why do you find yourself peeling fruits now?" Another kiss, this time on her neck.

"I don't know..." Turning her head to meet his gaze, she smiled. "Perhaps it's because I love you."

Unable to resist, Oberyn's arms enveloped her waist, pulling her close as he showered her cheeks with kisses, eliciting giggles from her.

"But I've never liked pears," she panted after his affectionate onslaught.

Arching an eyebrow, he inquired, "Then what is your preference, my little love?"

"Pomegranates," she answered, her gaze fixed on his lips.

"Exotic," he smirked.

"And oranges."

The Next Morning...

"Veros, I need you to fetch the preeminent farmer in Dorne and send them to Essos. Instruct them to procure the finest orange and pomegranate seeds," Oberyn commanded, his voice cutting through the air. He scanned his surroundings, his eyes piercing, as he added, "I seek nothing less than the absolute best."

"Yes, my prince."

Two Years Have Passed...

Amidst the verdant gardens behind their castle, Oberyn and Nala sauntered, the world a palette of nature's hues. Suddenly, she halted, her gaze fixated on a tree. "I don't recall this tree being here," Nala remarked, squinting to inspect the blossoms.

Smiling, Oberyn embraced her from behind, "Indeed, my love. I instructed our gardener to plant them a few years past."

"I love them." Nala whispered.

"I love you more," he thought.

A Few Years Later...

In the early morning hours, Oberyn stealthily slipped out of their chamber, having received confirmation from their gardener that the trees were poised to bear fruit imminently. For ten consecutive days, he continued this clandestine ritual, checking until the moment arrived when both trees proudly displayed bright, ripe produce. With an exuberant grin, he hastened back to their chamber.

"Nala, my love," he whispered gently, seeking to rouse her.

"What's happened? Are you well?" Nala startled awake, her eyes wide with concern. "Are the girls alright?"

"We are well, my love, fret not." Cupping her cheeks in his palms, Oberyn reassured her, his thumb smoothing over them gently. "I need to show you something."

"This early?" She furrowed her brow, puzzled by his excitement.

"Yes, come on with me."

Taking her hand, he guided her out of their bed, wrapping her shoulders with his shawl. Together, they descended the stairs, exiting the castle, and stepped into their garden.

"What are you about?" she inquired, perplexed, as he knelt before her, tapping on his shoulders.

"Climb onto my shoulders, my love."

At first, hesitation lingered in her gaze, a questioning look that suggested he might have lost his wits—my old man driven to madness.

"And your back?" she reminded him cautiously.

"Climb, Nala," he repeated, a raised brow emphasizing his determination.

Slowly, she ascended his back, perching on his shoulder, her legs dangling over his chest.

"Hold on tight," he advised before rising to his feet, moving slowly toward the tree.

The tree, vibrant and teeming with life, bore numerous flowers, yet the fruits remained elusive, concealed among the leaves, shy of human touch.

He sensed her recognition when she gasped, almost slipping from his shoulders, before he steadied her with his hands on her thighs.

"Oberyn..." she whispered, tears welling in her eyes.

Squeezing her thighs on his shoulder, he conveyed reassurance—I know, my little love.

"Can you reach them?" he inquired.

"Yes," she responded quietly, sniffling. She reached out to pluck the bright oranges, three in total. Moving a few paces to the next tree, she picked the sole pomegranate. She used the hem of her nightgown to cradle the fruits before Oberyn lowered himself, allowing her to dismount from his shoulders.

Standing there, holding her gown with the fruits, tears streaming down her cheeks, her lips trembling, she looked at him—her prince, the love of her life. Loving her as if she were the sole soul worthy of such devotion. Seven years had passed, and he had orchestrated all of this because she had once reminisced about her childhood without realizing the impact of her words. He stood before her, a broad grin on his face, proud of his intricate plan. His sweat-adorned bangs clung to his forehead, his chest bare, golden, and tough—tough except when he cradled her in his arms. Dressed in white trousers with bare feet, he looked as majestic as ever. His grin waned as soon as he noticed the tears in her eyes. Swiftly, he moved towards her, cupping her face.

"Why this sorrow, my love?" he inquired, his gaze flickering anxiously between her eyes.

"Not sorrow. I just—just love you," she confessed, breaking into sobs. He enveloped her in a warm embrace, cupping her head, smoothing her hair, and pressing kisses to her temples.

Lifting her face, he kissed her gently, once, twice. He continued until joy eclipsed sadness within her. His kisses persisted until her laughter rang in his ears—and by the Gods, there’s nothing sweeter than your lover’s laughter in your mouth.

"Why did you do all of this, Oberyn?" she queried, gazing at him. "You know I relish the daily fruits we have."

"I know," he replied, kissing her again. "I want you to feel my love for you in these trees. Witness it blossom every moon, taste it, nourish yourself with it, live through it."

Because that’s what your love does to me.

[amarmonerkotha]

Peeling oranges are so easy because love was supposed to be easy. Why are we complicating it?

[shadowseductress]

I waited for so long, all the oranges I saved for you are now covered with fungus.

[preveils]

Citrus, Kalea Miyoshi

[mortiseye]

oranges 🍊

[letterstoyourlove]

She peels an orange, separates it in perfect halves, and gives one of them to me. If I could wear it like a friendship bracelet, I would. Instead I swallow it section by section and tell myself it means even more this way. To chew and to swallow in silence here with her. To taste the same thing in the same moment. -Nina LaCour, We Are Okay

[iminmyhead]

[mayoayonnaise]

I saw this trend in TikTok, the “orange peel theory.” it suggests that if your partner peels an orange for you, it signifies their true and pure love. I thought it was sweet and all, but I don't really believe it. I believe it's more crucial to learn how to peel your own orange first. it is true that before you understand and love others completely, and without hesitation— we must understand our own worth, and love ourselves the most. you can't really love someone completely without loving yourself first. you have to be your own safe space first, peel your own orange. we are all bound to be alone at times, and that's okay. it's fine to be independent, and not rely on someone else to peel your oranges for you. love yourself the same way you give your love to others freely. be kind to your soul.

before asking people to peel our oranges or peeling oranges for others, we must first learn how to peel them ourselves. I peeled my own orange today, but that doesn’t mean I’m not open to having someone help me peel it. while we are responsible for peeling our oranges, it’s perfectly fine to let others love us, to appreciate us. love goes in both ways and is universal. a better way to phrase it is that we are responsible for growing and protecting our oranges, but we may also allow others to help peel them, sharing the delight and success of a peeled orange.

and when I met you, you took this little orange from my hands, then expertly removed its skin. you separated it into perfect halves, also removing the annoying white thing left from the orange’s skin— just as I thought you were gonna give it to me . with little voices clouding my mind, your voice serves as an alarm—  your arms offering a plate, with the peeled oranges and…. salt? “it’s too sour, I heard it's better with salt this way” you said, and went to the kitchen. holding the oranges, I hope that I could just put it in my pocket and keep it for the longest, but I took a bite; savoring the salty taste that the salt makes, followed with the taste of the orange itself

maybe this is what love feels like with this orange peel theory.

god, she's so beautiful. I can peel her a piece of tangerine, or maybe a clementine. maybe not a piece.. how many does she want it to be? I know how long she's been peeling oranges all by herself all this time, so I wanna do it for her now that I'm by her side. as I held the oranges in my hands, peeling it with utmost care because I know how she didn’t like to eat ruined oranges. the pieces come apart neatly— she doesn’t know that peeling oranges for her is a silent way to say I love you.

“It’s too sour, I heard it’s better with salt this way.” I researched. I read that if that fruit is too sour, it’s better with a pinch of salt . I know it’s a small thing, but that look in her face when I offer to peel that orange for her is everything, I know that look— that’s how I look at her. it’s never a “small thing” wanting to make someone’s life easier even with the small thing is a big thing. I can peel her oranges, or clementine, or even tangerine for her for as long as she wants. I'll do it neatly, and be happy with just her smiling at me after I've given her the peeled oranges. I'll do it for you for as long as I exist.

[messiahofslams]

Won this tank for finishing Hell Week at the gym! I'm gonna crop the bulge because I don't need to be blurred lol...

[let-roman-bite-someone]

i think most Orange theories fail to consider one important thing. Orange doesn't have to represent just one trait alone. he can be representative of multiple parts of Thomas's personality. literally all of the other sides represent at least two facets of Thomas's personality each.

Virgil is anxiety and vigilance. Roman is creativity and ego. Patton is morality and emotion. Logan is logic and learned knowledge (also the “primary overseer of Thomas's language center” as he put it himself). Janus is deceit and self-preservation. Remus is the only side who seems to represent one thing, and that's forbidden/dark creativity (and intrusive thoughts, but that would fall under the forbidden creativity category). there is a possibility that Remus represents something else that the series hasn't revealed yet.

so yeah, it's important to keep in mind that Orange can and probably does represent multiple facets of Thomas. and it's possible that one of these facets is going to be something helpful to Thomas, just like how vigilance and self-preservation explain how Virgil and Janus aren't completely evil and that they serve a purpose in Thomas's life. going back to my desperation theory, there's a possibility that Orange could represent something more positive, alongside desperation. catharsis, maybe?

[melit0n]

An orange for all of my mutals <3

[lovehablt]

okay you all know the orange/orange peel theory. this but with jalph… jack would tear the shit apart with his knife and get juice everywhere 😭😭

ralph would just peel it normal i think. maybe even take out the seeds and pick off some of the little white strand things

[stormy-grey]

The fact that everything on tiktok becomes a trend really makes it clear that most people there have no goddamn clue what they’re talking about.

“Orange theory” isn’t a thing. That’s not what the original was about. It’s not about whether or not your shitty boyfriend Kyle is going to be willing to do a menial task for you if you ask, it’s about how the strongest forms of love are shown in the smallest tasks, like getting messy to peel an orange for someone just because you want them to eat something.

I mean not to sound like an old man but if you think the only way you can appreciate someone’s love for you is by shoving your phone in their face to brag to everyone else about it, maybe you aren’t ready for a relationship.

[sheepystuff]

First Orange Theory class after getting COVID (again) was rough.