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awkwardgamergirl · 1 year ago

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Best games for mental health&relax?

As someone who deals with anxiety and depression when I want to relax or am just feeling low and drained I’ll usually choose what others would consider “cozy games” because I don’t want any stress from shooters, strategy games, or anything that has a lot of stakes. I’ll do switch games for now since it’s my main console but I do have a 3ds, psvita, and my computer so I’ll make a list of those games later 💕

So my favorite games to relax to are:

~ stardew valley~ (you already knew this was coming) it’s just a really cute game with lots of options on how you can spend your time. You can farm, fish, forage, travel the mines, talk to the towns people, interact with love interests. There is just a lot to do in it and it has a really cozy small town cottagecore vibe that a lot of people find relaxing. Amazing replay value. I have like four different lives just so I can choose different farms, partners, things like that.

~ animal crossing~ (second most obvious answer) we all know animal crossing is a chill low stakes game that has a lot of similar elements I listed for stardew valley. You get to interact with cute little animals, decorate your house and character, forage, fish, find fossils, shop. It’s just a relaxing and positive game and is very popular for a reason. Idk about replay value because I really couldn’t imagine deleting my island tbh.

~ fashion dreamer~ if you like cute dress up type games this one is a decent lil game. It’s got lots of different styles for whatever your lil fashion heart desires and you basically walk around dressing up characters and they rate your outfits. It’s from the creators of style savvy and while it’s super cute I would wait for it to go on sale because it’s a bit overpriced imo. Style savvy is definitely the way to go if you have a ds/3ds. Still cute though. Don’t know about replay value because I’m fairly new to the game and haven’t come close to finishing or restarting anything.

~ unpacking~ this one is pretty cute and definitely a game that helps with anxiety. It’s a relaxed little puzzle game that unlocks parts of the story as you go along organizing each room to your home. You can try to solve the puzzles or you can just organize the furniture to your liking. Either way you want to play it’s super cute and relaxing and has some decent replay value after you complete it.

~calico~ super cute game where you run a cat cafe in a magical town with unique characters, little missions, and lots of cats you can pet and play with. There is magic, desserts, and you can ride giant cats like horses. Super soothing game. Character customization and decorating your cafe. The only drawback is it can get a bit glitchy but for the cuteness and the price I have no complaints. The music is really cute too. Not sure about replay value because my cafe is so cute I wouldn’t want to start over.

~coffee talk~ you run a coffee shop in the future and talk to all the incoming guests and learn their stories as you give them their coffee. This one is super relaxing and how I like to spend my evenings before bed if I want that extra cozy time to destress and relax. Cute art as well with different species and how they interact. I haven’t restarted yet but I’m sure there will be replay value with just how cozy and in depth the story is.

~rune factory 4 remastered~ this was originally a 3ds game they remastered for the switch and it’s so amazing that they did. One of my favorite 3ds games that is an offshoot of the harvest moon series with very pretty art, farming, cooking and crafting, romance, monster fighting, and just really fantastic story telling. Very cozy and hard not to get sucked into. Such a gorgeous game imo. Fantastic replay value.

~good pizza, great pizza~ you run a lil pizza shop and upgrade it to get better ingredients and equipment. Super cute chill game to pass the time and hard not to spend hours mindlessly making pizzas. Haven’t replayed it because I haven’t completed it but I imaging replaying it would be fun because you’re just making pizza and unlocking different ingredients. Relaxing game with cute art.

~monster prom~ cute game where you have to convince one of the monsters to go to prom with you. Funny writing, pretty art, and the ability to romance any gender while choosing your pronouns. It’s funny, the game play is question based, and it’s like little rounds of 15 mins and either you get them to go to prom or you get rejected. Then you get to try again. Replay value is obviously strong because I keep playing it no matter how often I’m rejected 🥲 being real though this game is funny, unique, and worth the price. I just have to beat the first one so I can try the second.

~what comes after~ you play as a character on a train of ghosts and you process the grief of passing to the afterlife and try to learn and console the other ghosts on the train who are passing. Pretty game that is mostly story based and worth a try. I haven’t finished this game so I’m not to sure on the replay value.

~little mouse’s encyclopedia~ a cute little game where you play as a little mouse exploring the outside and the dirt and you spend your time finding other little animals and bugs and plants and you read about them and what they are. Cute little educational game I purchased because I loved the art that ended up being super cute in the long run.

Honorable mentions:

- speed dating for ghosts (cute funny little game where you go on dates with ghosts. Short, sweet, and to the point. Decently priced for how quick you get through the game)

- cattails (you play as a cat that travels through its little territory you that you share with your other cat group. You gather little things, complete missions, scrap with rival cat gangs, and just walk around as a cat. Cute but a bit slow for my tastes.)

-rune factory 5 (don’t get me wrong, I love the fourth one and I’m sure the more I play this one I’ll learn to love it to. The gameplay is just set up a bit different and is a bit more similar to the harvest moon style than the fourth rune factory. The art is gorgeous though I was just hoping for more rune factory and less harvest moon when it came to the actual playing)

Games I’ve wanted and heard amazing things about:

The only reason I haven’t purchased and played these games yet is because games aren’t cheap and I need to finish the ones I’ve already purchased. That being said I’ve been looking at a lot of these for a long time and they are definitely going to make this list. I’m sure some of them would be ranked very high in the favorite games category as soon as I actually start playing them. Here’s the list:

* Spiritfairer

*Bear and breakfast

*Creepy tale

*Cozy grove

*Witchy life story

*Potion permit

*Hoa

*Littlewood

*Potion craft

*Gris

*When the past was around

*strange horticulture

*Lemon cake

*Wytchwood

*How to say goodbye

*Dreamlight valley

*Storyteller

*Cult of the lamb

*Little misfortune

*Night in the woods

* Sally face

And that’s it 🎉 sorry for such a long list but I wanted to include a bit of everything so you had lots to choose from. These are the games I play when I need a comfy happy place to go when life gets to be a bit too much to handle. I enjoyed making this list to be honest so there will most likely be more lists in the future. Maybe I’ll make a list of favorite otome games, anime/manga, kpop groups. Things like that. Anyway, hope you enjoy reading the list as I enjoyed making it 💖

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valkyrieromanoff · 1 year ago

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Only one bed: Aotc Anakin x reader

words: 2.6k

synopsis: you and Anakin have to share a room with only one bed.

warning: 18+, insecure Anakin at the beginning, sexual content, use of pet name (stardust), tons of forehead kisses

a/n: honestly, I never know what I'm writing until I get to the end. Anyway, I hope you like it ;)

Anakin pushes the hotel room door open, giving you space to enter. You observe the small room, a single bed in the middle, Anakin sighs standing next to you.

"Trust Obi Wan to reserve a room" He sighed, running a hand through his hair.

"Well, it's better than sleeping outside in the rain." You shrugged, looking around the small room. "Wonder how master Kenobi and master Plo are organizing themselves in their rooms. Probably is better than ours"

"Ugh, I'm going to kill Obi Wan when we get there. It was definitely his idea." Anakin said, scratching his neck thinking about the awkward situation. "Well stardust, I'll take the floor, you can use the bed."

"Don't be ridiculous, Anakin. This bed has space for both of us." You stated gently. "Well, if you'll excuse me, I'll put on my pajamas" You said, going to the bathroom.

"Alright if you're sure," Anakin replied, trying to hide how nervous the situation actually made him. "Take your time," he called after you.

He took a deep breath and ran a hand through his hair, second guessing Obi Wan's intentions with this room mix up. When you emerged from the bathroom he did his best to act casual, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed.

"Cozy little room Kenobi found for us," he said with a slight smirk, trying to lighten the mood. But inside his heart was racing at the thought of sharing the bed with you for the night, even if it was purely innocent. This mission was about to get a lot more complicated.

"It's cold here, although not as cold as Hoth" You commented, walking to the bed, wearing a red nightgown.

You were both Jedi padawans though, this was an undercover mission. Still, it made things... confusing.

"Yup, definitely not as cold as Pantora either." He replied with a small smile. "Look, uh, I can take the floor. You take the bed, you need your rest for tomorrow."

He set his bag down and began rifling through it, hoping to find an extra blanket or something he could use to make a makeshift pillow. This was far from ideal sleeping arrangements, but he'd endured worse. At least the mission came first.

"Think you'll be able to sleep alright? I know sharing a bed with me has to be weird."

Anakin glanced back at you with an easy grin, trying to lighten the mood.

"It's just weird if you keep repeating that, Anakin." You replied softly, adjusting yourself on the bed.

"Sorry stardust, force of habit." Anakin replied, closing his bag empty handed. No extra blankets to be found.

He turned back to you, leaning against the small desk. "You sure you're okay with me up here? I know my company isn't always the most comfortable."

There was still a bit of uncertainty in his tone. Even if it was just an undercover mission, the last thing he wanted was for you to feel uneasy sharing space with him. Old ghosts tended to linger, for both of you.

"We can maybe put some pillows down the middle if it'll help you sleep. Dividing line and all that." Anakin smiled gently. "Whatever makes this mission work without anyone getting the wrong idea."

"Just shut up, and come to bed, Anakin." You shrugged, covering yourself with the blanket. "Let's sleep, we'll leave early tomorrow"

"Yes, sure." Anakin replied, pushing off the desk with a bemused smile. He walked over and sat on the edge of the bed, tugging off his boots before scooting back against the headboard.

The mattress dipped under his weight as he got settled, glancing over at your form next to him in the dark. "Thanks...I know this isn't ideal. But we're both professionals, right?"

He reached up to flick off the lamp above you, bathing the room in shadows. Laying his lightsaber within easy reach on the nightstand, Anakin folded his hands over his stomach and stared up at the ceiling.

"Sweet dreams, stardust. See you bright and early." He said softly. Then closed his eyes, taking a slow, deep breath as he focused on clearing his mind for sleep. Just another mission...even if 'part of the role' felt a little too real sometimes.

Sometime in the middle of the night, you got closer, sleeping close to each other. You head was resting on Anakin's chest, while his hand kept your body pressed against his.

Anakin drifted slowly awake as his body registered warmth along its side. Eyes still closed, he subtly assessed the situation - the feel of soft hair against his cheek, an arm curled protectively around a slender form nestled against his chest.

Memories of where he was and who he was with came flooding back. This was you, sleeping peacefully in the moonlit room as he held you. An unexpected but...not unpleasant development from falling asleep separately.

He opened his eyes just a sliver, gazing down at the top of your head tucked under his chin. You seemed relaxed, breathing slow and even. Anakin didn't have the heart to wake you, or remove his arm from where it lay draped over your hip.

Letting out a quiet sigh, Anakin closed his eyes once more. Just for a little while longer then, pretending like this was real instead of just part of the mission. Fingers gently tracing idle patterns against your back, he slipped easily back to sleep with you in his arms.

The cold night caused goose bumps on your skin, you moved unconscious in bed, pressing your body against him trying to find a wave of warmth.

Anakin stirred again as you shifted against him, your skin pebbling with shivers. Without hesitation, he adjusted yours position, winding both arms tighter around your smaller frame and pulling you fully on top of his chest.

"Shh, I've got you, stardust" he murmured sleepily into your hair. One hand came up to gently rub warmth back into your arm. Even half-asleep, his body automatically responded to provide comfort and protection.

The new position afforded him more of your body heat in turn. Anakin sighed contentedly, the sounds of your quiet breaths and the steady rise and fall of your chest already lulling him back to the edge of sleep. He pressed a lazy kiss to the top of your head before nestling his cheek there once more.

"Just rest. I'll keep you warm." Loose fingers traced small, soothing patterns along your spine as darkness claimed him again. In dreams, there were no missions or war - only this peaceful solace between you two.

As you shifted even closer, twining your legs with his in a tight embrace, Anakin offered no resistance. Your warmth seeped into his skin where you touched, chasing away the last remnants of chill. A sleepy sound of contentment rumbled in his chest at your nearness.

One hand drifted down to gently squeeze your thigh where it lay over his hip, fingers tracing idle patterns against soft flesh. You fit so perfectly curled into his larger frame, it was instinct now to hold your tight and never let go.

Your breathing slowed his own into a synchronized rhythm. In the still darkness you were two souls finding solace in each other, the rest of the world momentarily forgotten. Anakin pressed a lingering kiss to your forehead, breathing your in as you hovered on the edge of slumber together.

"Stardust," he murmured against your skin. Your response was a soft sigh and the delicate nuzzle of your cheek deeper into his embrace. In dreams or reality, it didn't matter - you was everything.

Your delicate hands tightened on Anakin's shirt, you tilted your face still asleep. Your chin rising, making your faces close, your noses almost touching.

Anakin shifted slightly beneath you, arousal stirring as you pressed even closer in your sleep, innocent yet intimate. Your chin aligned with his, soft breath ghosting across his parted lips from the barest distance between you.

All he would have to do is close the tiny gap, capture your mouth with his own and taste the sweetness he'd only dared imagine before now. But that choice was not his to make - not while you slept, unaware and vulnerable in his arms.

Instead Anakin gazed down at your peaceful expression, committing every heart-stopping detail to memory. One hand cupped your cheek, calloused thumb stroking back and forth over satin skin. "You'll be the death of me, stardust," he whispered. Nothing had ever felt so right.

Reluctantly pulling his face back just enough to avoid temptation, Anakin pressed another loving kiss to your forehead. Arms winding even tighter, he willed slumber to take him under once more - away to sweeter dreams where your lips met his with wanting sighs. Soon, this could be real. But for now, just holding you was everything.

You opened your eyes, looking into Anakin's blue ones. A soft smile on your pink lips.

"Anakin" You whispered softly.

Anakin's eyes fluttered open to meet your gaze, heart leaping at the intimate way you murmured his name. A gentle smile curled his lips in return as he drank you in, committing this memory to his very soul.

"Y/n.." Your name was a hushed prayer falling from his lips. Calloused fingertips stroked tenderly along your cheek, down the slope of your neck to rest against your pounding pulse. All the words he wanted to say got lodged in his throat.

Leaning in slowly, carefully telegraphing his intent, Anakin paused a hairsbreadth from your mouth. Eyes falling shut, he awaited your permission - a nod, a sigh, anything to show this was truly what you wanted too. Every protective, caring, longing feeling he had for you swirled in that electric moment, shattering the last remnants of the pretense you told yourselves was 'just the mission'.

Desperately, hopelessly, he was in love with this slip of a woman in his arms. And if you allowed it...he would spend a lifetime proving himself worthy of your heart in return.

A soft gasp escaped Anakin as you closed the final distance, pressing your lips to his in a kiss both chaste yet full of promise. All thought fled under the gentle caress, lost in only you.

One arm curled tighter around your waist while the other cupped the nape of your neck, fingers twining into your silken hair. Your taste was sweet, your sigh of contentment against his mouth like the first rays of sun. When you finally parted, Anakin rested his forehead against yours, breathing deeply as if surfacing from deep water.

Eyes still closed, he murmured, "Stay with me. After this mission...be mine. I'll spend my days making you happy, keeping you safe, if you'll have me."

Lips found yours in a tender collision once more, pouring every ounce of reverence and devotion into the kiss. For the first time in as long as he could remember, Anakin Skywalker felt whole. You was healing parts of him he thought long shattered. All that remained was your answer.

"Yes, Anakin, I would like that. If you allow me to do the same to you" you promised smiling, your hands gently holding Anakin's shoulders, levering yourself up to sit on his lap.

Anakin's arms wrapped firmly around your waist as you sat up, holding you steady on his lap. A brilliant smile broke across his face, eyes crinkling at the corners, still filled with cautious wonder that this incredible woman had agreed to be his.

"You make me happier than I ever thought could be possible, stardust." Leaning in, he captured your lips in a deep kiss, pouring all of the joy, longing and promise of what was to come into the connection of your mouths.

Your fingers danced along his shoulders and neck, setting his skin alight. A low groan rumbled in his chest as you settled fully onto his thighs, feeling the evidence of his desire hard and insistent between them. For the first time in your feigned relationship, nothing about this needed to be pretend.

Breaking the kiss but not the intimate embrace, Anakin gazed up at you with utter devotion. "Be mine, always - in every way." His hands began an achingly slow exploration up your sides, learning the planes and curves of your perfect form. This was only the beginning.

"I'm yours, Anakin, as you are mine."

A shuddering gasp broke from Anakin's lungs as your soft lips traced fiery devotion along the column of his throat. One hand tangled desperately in your hair while the other urged you closer, molding your bodies tightly together from chest to knee.

"Oh stardust..." Your name came out in a strangled moan against your lips, fueling the intimate dance of your mouths sliding together in heated worship. Passion like molten lightning unfurled in his veins, and with it the realization that every forbidden thought and feeling had blossomed into breathtaking reality in your arms.

Wasting no time, Anakin gripped you firmly and with practiced ease spun you both over so you back met the mattress, eliciting a delightful giggle. Bracing on one elbow, his right hand dedicated itself to tracing each beloved curve, learning secrets and treasures hidden under wandering caresses with heartfelt devotion.

Lips traveled your jaw to the delicate shell of an ear, whispering huskily, "I'm going to love you so good you forget your own name, stardust." And with that vow, he set about proving the depths of his adoration through touch, kiss and quiet praise meant for your ears alone.

"I'm counting with that, Ani"

Anakin's breath hitched as your deft fingers set to work undoing the buttons of his shirt, parting the material to reveal heated flesh beneath. Your touch alone was divine torture, lighting his skin aflame wherever they wandered.

"Let me worship you properly, my stardust," he rasped, capturing your hands gently to press kiss-swollen lips to each palm. Shifting lithely, Anakin made quick work of removing the rest of your clothes until nothing stood between the passion of bare skin to feverish skin.

Moonlight bathed your alabaster skin, highlighting rosy peaks that begged for worship. His mouth followed in its divine task, tracing every hill and valley with open-mouthed kisses that pulled sweet gasps from between your lips. Each sound drove him ever closer to the edge of reason, until all that existed was the silk of you beneath him, the music of your release swelling to a crescendo on his talented tongue.

Only once you had found paradise twice over did he enter your at long last, claiming your both with a shudder. Your bodies joined in sacred ritual, each stroke honoring hearts forever intertwined - past roles forgotten in the creation of your intimate future together.

Your cheek nestled against Anakin's heaving chest as waves of ecstasy crested and broke within your joined bodies. His arms encircled your protectively, reverently, one hand splayed across the arch of your lower back while the other cradled your neck, keeping you safe and close.

In the aftermath, you breathed as one - souls wound together in the silken aftermath. Where once there had been pretense of mission, now lay bare honest hearts laid open in perfect trust. Anakin pressed a kiss to your sweat-dampened brow, murmuring praise and promises to you too sacred to others ears.

"My stardust, you have healed parts of my soul I thought lost forever." Your lips met in sweet communion, a benediction sealing hearts that would walk through every storm as one from this moment until the end of days.

You sighed blissfully, tracing the lines of his flesh like a prayer. Your feet hooked behind his calves, holding them impossibly closer still. A delicious drag of his arousal deep within elicited shared moans of delight.

In the oncoming dawn you made love again, reaffirming the perfection of your bond with each worshipful caress and kiss. Two damaged hearts become one in solace, joy, and unconditional surrender to divine completeness. The future waits to be written in the shining light of your love.

#anakin x reader #anakin smut #anakin skywalker x you #hayden christensen #anakin skywalker x reader #star wars #one bed trope

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slurpi13 · 29 days ago

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❤️🎄Merry Christmas all my ineffable friends!🎄❤️

If you saved any room for something extra sweet, please consider this cozy holiday domestic fluff I wrote to celebrate.

I Saw Nanny Kissing Santa Claus 💋🎅

Rated G, 2.2k words.

They both lied about it, as Warlock found adults sometimes did for some reason, but he had long understood that Nanny and Brother Francis were in love.

But all that was gone now. He saw Nanny kissing Santa Claus. On the mouth.

Thank you to my bestie @pixiefairy15 for her love, support, and betaing on such short notice. And thank you to @thavron for the oodles of writing encouragement and friendship. Make sure to check out both their Christmas fics under the cut!

#good omens fanfic #good omens #ineffable husbands #good omens fic #slurpi scribbles #ineffable christmas

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dulltoned · 1 year ago

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Floyd was curled up in bed cuddled into his lilac sweater, sat up against the headboard wrapped in a cozy pink quilt. This sweater was quickly becoming one of his favorite things. Poppy's gifts were always well-made and soft to the touch but one of these days Floyd was going to insist she stop giving him things. For the moment, however, he was more than content to swaddle himself in the small comforts. He's been holed up in his room most of the day, excluding the one time he left to go make himself a cup of tea, but it's not a bad day by any means. He feels great, all things considered, with only a nearly imperceptible weakness in his limbs and a vague chill burrowed into his bones. It's a good day to be nestled into his blankets with a nice book.

A firm knock at his door gets his attention and a quick glance at the clock mounted on the wall tells him it's half past noon. Oh, he's been holed up in here much longer than he'd thought. He puts his book aside and climbs out of bed, allowing himself a few extra seconds to stretch, and goes to open the door. John Dory is on the other side, his usual self-satisfied grin nowhere to be seen and a worry in his eyes that immediately puts Floyd on edge. "BroZone meeting," John says it so seriously that Floyd can't even find it in himself to roll his eyes at the phrasing.

"What's going on?" Floyd doesn't wait to ask as he follows John out into the bunker. It's weird to see his eldest brother so noticeably thrown off. John Dory wasn't one to wear his more uncomfortable emotions on his face where the world could see them.

John Dory doesn't answer, instead ushering Floyd over to the elevator. "The others are already in the kitchen," He half-explains, pulling Floyd up onto the platform and pushing up the lever at the same time. "It's Branch." That's all it takes to make Floyd's anxiety skyrocket. Branch? Branch was pretty reserved and he's been a little tense the past few days but he seemed okay. Did something terrible happen? Is he okay? Branch was so independent. What could have happened that John Dory called them all together with such grave intensity? John Dory was dramatic but it's never caused unwarranted worry before.

Floyd fidgets with his paws while they silently ride the elevator up, brows furrowed in thought while he stews in the worry rising in his chest. He clearly wasn't as in tune with Branch as he thought he was despite the one-on-one time they spent together most mornings. The elevator comes to a stop and Floyd is the first one off the platform. He moves swiftly past John Dory and rushes into the kitchen to find his other brothers, excluding Branch, already sitting around the kitchen table with matching expressions of concern on their faces. Great. "Do any of you have any idea what's going on?"

"No," Bruce shakes his head, "John just showed up all out of sorts so we figured it was serious." Clay nods along, gesturing to Bruce in a show of agreement.

"Because it is serious," John Dory insists as he steps into the kitchen after Floyd, circling around to stand at the table. "There's something wrong with Bitty B." He swears. Floyd is hoping that this is another game of the Troll who cried Bergen. John could blow things out of proportion sometimes and Floyd would prefer that to something being actually wrong. "He nearly bit my head off thirty minutes ago." Oh, okay. Maybe this actually wasn't so bad.

"I think before we go overboard here you should tell us what you did." Bruce cuts in, watching John warily. No one was willing to outright dismiss their eldest brother but it was hard not to take this with a grain of salt. Branch was snappy. He didn't like to be pushed and his boundaries weren't all out there yet so it was easy for one of them to overstep, John Dory especially. John was never one to stop his pestering, even when there were clear signs that he was pushing too hard.

"Nothing!" John throws his hands into the air and his tone turns exasperated. Floyd rolls his eyes fondly and crosses his arms, silently urging John Dory to continue. "He came home with this cute little picnic packed up and I asked him if it was for Poppy." Floyd waits for more but it becomes clear that there wasn't anything else John Dory had to add.

"That's it?" Clay presses in disbelief.

"That's it!" John nods quickly, leaning against one of the chairs and gesticulating with his gloved hand, "He looked at me and I swear he was about to break into tears right there. I tried to ask him what was wrong and he snapped at me to leave him the hell alone." He looks at them expectantly, eyebrows raised while he waits for them to admit defeat.

"That… sounds rough, actually." Clay is the first to break, the concerned crease between his brows returning with a vengeance. "Did you get anything out of him?" John offers a dejected shake of his head and they all share a collective sigh. Of course not. It was wishful thinking to assume that Branch would willingly open himself up to them, let alone when he was clearly already in distress.

"I doubt he's gonna wanna talk about it guys," Floyd reminds them softly, smiling sadly when they all turn to look at him. "He's not really open on a good day and I don't think forcing him to talk about whatever's going on is gonna make it better." It's not like the rest of them were getting together to share their feelings or anything but sentimental conversations sparked up naturally between the four older brothers. Branch seemed to actively avoid them and usually fled when things got too emotional for him. They've all had their moments with their youngest sibling, sure, but it was also obvious to all of them that Branch had been uncomfortable. Floyd doubts that whatever this is about is something Branch will want to share during a cuddle pile on the couch.

"Yeah, but haven't you noticed how tense he is all the time?" John Dory retorts. Honestly, out of all of them, Floyd half-expected John to be the least aware of Branch. Not in a particularly bad way, no, but the teal troll wasn't known for being the most observant when they were kids. It was hard to remember that maybe the last twenty years changed them all a lot more than Floyd initially thought. "Clearly whatever's going on with him isn't getting better on its own and we can't just sit here and wait for him to break down."

"Of course not," Bruce assures readily. He has a thoughtful expression on his face and Floyd really hopes that whatever he's thinking could help them figure out what to do. "Floyd is right, though, we can't pry it out of him. We'll only make it worse if we do that." They share a few more silent looks around the table and a familiar feeling of helplessness is starting to stir in Floyd. He can't help but remember the little blue trolling that he could pick up and settle on his lap. Back then Branch was so easy to cheer up, all it took was a quick little song or a fun story to distract the baby from his woes. Now Floyd doesn't even know where to start. He doesn't know what Branch has been through or how to comfort him. He doesn't even know how to approach it if Branch is having a rough time.

"I think he'd more likely shut down than open up if we try to force it out of him," Clay sighs, folding his arms on top of the table. They all murmur their agreement. If it were any other situation Floyd would be amused at the sight of them all huddled up around the kitchen trying to figure out what made their baby brother cry. The horrifying thought is that he can't imagine what could make Branch cry. Branch was a tough cookie but John Dory was right, Branch has been on edge from the moment they stepped foot in his bunker. There were times when the tension let up and Branch enjoyed himself but there was always wariness in his eyes. Floyd had really hoped that it would ease up on its own as they all got used to being around each other again. He's saddened to see that apparently it's only built up until Branch couldn't carry it anymore. It needed to be addressed, that was certain, but they were all stumped on how to go about it. "We need a plan. At least an outline on how to start." Floyd was really glad to have more than one plan-oriented brother right now. It feels wrong to conspire against Branch like this but it feels worse to just let his little brother keep hurting the way he clearly has been.

"I think the best approach is to test the waters first," Floyd steps further into the room, finally pulling out a chair and taking a seat at the table, "We need to make sure that he's receptive before we move forward with whatever we're gonna do." His brothers nod but John Dory looks a little unsure.

"Are we sure he'll ever be receptive?" John Dory brings up a painfully good point, looking between his brothers with earnest uncertainty. It's clear that John's desire to push comes from a place of real concern but that didn't mean it couldn't cause problems. It was important to stop him in his tracks before he got too far. Pushing Branch only ever led to the divide between them growing.

Bruce clears his throat, looking sorrowful when he speaks, "I think there's a decent chance that he won't talk to us." Floyd frowns, averting his gaze at the reminder. It was a fair thought, really. What right did they have to assume that they could just pop back into Branch's life and be part of his support system? The only person Floyd had ever seen Branch be actually vulnerable with was Poppy and that was only a few brief glimpses of soft moments meant for just the two of them.

"If push comes to shove we might just need to recruit Poppy and hope she can get it out of him." Floyd agrees with a sigh. His eyes are a little misty at the thought of being so useless when it comes to helping the people closest to him but he knows that he couldn't just insert himself back into Branch's life like that. If what he needs to do is rat his brother out to his girlfriend then that'll have to be enough.

"Well--" John cuts himself off and his ears perk. Floyd frowns and shares a confused look with Clay before he tries to listen for whatever caught John Dory's attention. For a moment there's nothing and he opens his mouth to ask what the oldest had heard but then he hears it. Footsteps. They're carefully tiptoeing up the stairs toward the kitchen and there was only one troll they could belong to. Floyd looks to Bruce and then Clay but his siblings look just as startled as he is. Obviously Branch hadn't heard them, right? There was no way he would be coming up here if he heard them talking about him, right?

The footsteps are only getting closer the more they sit in silence and Floyd gestures in quiet panic to the back hallway. What are we gonna say? He tries to convey in his sharp movements. They hadn't gotten anywhere besides acknowledging that Branch would want nothing to do with this conversation but if Branch had been on the verge of tears only a mere hour ago it would probably be hard to ignore.

John Dory blinks and gestures to himself, the how am I supposed to know? is easy to pick up.

Clay jerks his head towards the back hallway in obvious warning that Branch is nearly there and tries to lean casually against the table so it looks like they haven't been panicking over the dumbest thing. They all scramble to follow Clay's lead and only just manage to get themselves settled before Branch appears around the corner. Their youngest brother stops in his tracks the second he notices that the kitchen is more occupied than he thought. Floyd watches as a flurry of emotions flits across Branch's face; anger, yearning, fear--

"Hey B," John Dory greets with an awkward wave that cuts through the silence.

"Hey," Branch grunts, moving further into the room. He very intentionally keeps his eyes straight ahead as he steps over to the counter and reaches up to get a cup from the cabinets.

Floyd shares a determined look with Bruce before he turns his attention back to Branch. "Are you doing okay?" He decides that the best approach would be a direct one. Beating around the bush with Branch only ever leads to confusion or irritation and Floyd doesn't want to risk blowing anything out of proportion. He just wants to help.

Branch only offers a noncommittal hum and slams his cup down harder than necessary. Floyd can see his grip is so tight his hand is shaking. Not a great start but he hasn't exactly shut them down yet either. They should proceed with caution but Floyd would try to keep an eye on Branch's reactions so he can help calm things down if he needed to. He wants to avoid causing any more problems and he doesn't want to hurt Branch in their quest to figure him out.

"It's just that you've been pretty tense recently," Bruce pipes up, testing the waters with more awareness and care than Floyd would have expected from him. Being a parent had really changed his brother in a lot of really amazing ways. It's nice to see someone else in their family is experienced in the gentle approach now. "We were wondering if we could do anything to help."

Branch keeps his back towards them but the kitchen is small and Floyd is sitting at the end of the table. He can see the side of Branch's face even if it's still mostly obscured and he can see how his little brother clenches his jaw and takes a calming breath. "I'm fine," Branch says after a long stretch of silence. His voice is toneless and strained and Floyd can't help but cringe.

"It's just that you were pretty pissed earlier," John starts. He looks like he's about to make a joke but he thinks better of it. Instead, he sighs and straightens out his goggles absentmindedly. "We're just worried. It doesn't seem like you're doing alright." That was surprisingly heartfelt coming from John Dory. He's sincere and quiet and the worry seeps into his words.

Branch sighs and braces his hands against the counter, hanging his head and leaving his cup forgotten beside him. Floyd's gut twists and his heart thumps anxiously in his chest. He's seen Branch uneasy and uncomfortable and upset, he's seen Branch happy and shy and lovesick, but he's never seen Branch look so genuinely defeated. "Branch?" He presses softly, "Are you okay?" He echoes his earlier question and watches as Branch deflates.

Branch doesn't know how to handle this. He didn't really expect John Dory to follow up and he definitely hadn't been prepared for all of his brothers to confront him together. He hates listening to them like this. They sound so worried and he has no idea what to do. The mask slipped and he lost his temper and it seems like it wasn't something he could just sweep under the rug this time. He holds the counter in an iron grip and allows his weight to lean further and further into the edge. How the hell is he supposed to answer that? How does he explain to his brothers that he can't remember the last time he could genuinely and sincerely say he was doing great and that okay felt like a few and far between? "Does it matter?" He mumbles in lieu of a real answer.

There's a sharp inhale behind him and Branch flinches at the sound. Great. He hadn't meant to sound so dismissive but he couldn't take it back now. He's just so tired. He's exhausted, both from the nightmares keeping him up night after night and from the turmoil that seemed to constantly rage inside of him. He feels like he's just been coasting through the days, letting everything build up until it all inevitably came to a head. He was a fool to think he could escape the consequences. He knew better than to think it would all just even out and go away but he had hoped. He let himself and hope and look where it got him. How stupid could he be?

"Of course it matters, bro," Clay soothes quietly. There's a tension in the air that was only getting thicker and Branch wonders if the others could feel it too. "We wanna know if you're alright."

"Do you?" Branch asks bitterly. He hadn't meant to say it but it feels useless to hold his tongue now. He's kept it all inside for too long and it's drained him completely. He's hollow in a way that's terrifyingly familiar, a frightening reminder of how he lived for almost two decades of his life, and he's so sick of it. He wants to feel okay again and he can't keep burying it all deep down. It's twisting him up inside and leaving him with a painfully short fuse and he can't do this anymore.

"Of course we do!" John Dory sounds offended at the mere thought that Branch could possibly think otherwise and that's not fair. He doesn't get to be hurt that Branch doubts them. He has no right. Branch grits his teeth and his eyes are burning again and damn it he's getting worked up again--

"Since when!" Branch snaps, ripping his hands away from the counter and whirling around to glare daggers at his family. His family. The family who left him and came back only because they needed him. Would they have ever come back at all if he wasn't a necessary part of helping Floyd? "You all left. You left me alone and I had no one for most of my life!" He's screaming now. He's screaming and his eyes are burning but he doesn't think he has any energy left to care. "Grandma died and I spent twenty years being the outcast of the village and then you all just come back and assume that things are okay? That I'm okay?" Branch slams his hands against his chest in a wild gesture to himself and lets out a desperate, almost hysterical laugh. His brothers are staring at him with wide-eyed expressions of shock and he should really stop before he does something that will be irreparable but now that he's started he doesn't think he can stop. "No, I'm not okay! I haven't been okay in a long time! I'm trying really, really hard to hold myself together but sometimes I'm so pissed at all of you I don't know what to do with myself. Sometimes I can't even fucking look at any of you because it hurts. You can't expect me to think that all of you care about how I feel when all of you walked out on me and didn't even look back!"

Branch realizes that he should calm down. His chest is heaving with each breath but he's never let any of this out before and the release is addicting. He's fruitlessly blinking back the tears quickly filling his eyes and beneath all the anger and pain he feels guilt for putting those devastated expressions on his brothers' faces but he can't seem to reel himself in. "Did I ever even matter to any of you?" He asks, scrubbing a frantic hand across his face to wipe away the tears when they start to fall. "The only person who even said goodbye was Floyd, the only person who cared was Floyd. If you didn't need me would you have ever come back?" The guilty look on John's face is enough of an answer for him.

He runs his hands through his hair and grits his teeth against the sob bubbling up in his throat. He's realizing that maybe he didn't really put himself together as well as he thought back in his room and he might be having a breakdown in front of his brothers. The realization isn't enough to stop it from happening. He's already lost himself to the panic and desperation curling up beneath his ribs. His hands were shaking and his chest was getting tight but he knew from experience that he couldn't stop this now that it's started and he could already feel the humiliation starting to bloom on top of it all.

"Branch," Floyd gets his attention. Somewhere along the line the other troll had stood up from the table and took a few cautious steps closer, hands held up to show he meant no harm. "Breathe, buddy, come on." Branch instinctively tries to take a breath at the gentle coaxing but the air gets caught in his throat. Floyd only offers an encouraging smile and nods for him to try again.

Branch stutters through the first few breaths, leaning heavily back against the counter and wrapping his arms tightly around himself in a pathetic attempt to physically hold himself together. Floyd doesn't push him and the others watch on in curious silence. They look at Branch with such sad eyes and Branch wants to be angry but he can't. He's too tired to be angry anymore. He's burnt out. He breathes with Floyd's kind encouragements urging him to keep going and slowly but surely he calms down enough to force the stiffness out of his legs and drop unceremoniously to the floor. He ignores the startled cries around him and tugs his legs up to his chest, burying his face into his knees to hide the tears shamefully coating his cheeks. "I'm sorry," he breathes. He can't believe he just yelled at them like that. He'll be lucky if they even want to stay with him after this.

"Hey, Branch, look at me," Branch lifts his head to see Bruce kneeling on the floor beside him. Bruce still gave him plenty of room, staying a few feet away to avoid crowding him, and Branch felt a brief spark of gratitude at the consideration, "I think you had the right to blow up at us. You've been holding all that in for a while, huh? And none of us ever really brought it up. I guess we all just assumed that it was water under the bridge." Bruce has the decency to look sheepish at the admission. Branch huffs and tries again to wipe away his tears. It's a losing battle, the tears are still falling, but he feels like he has to try all the same.

"I think we're the ones who should be sorry," Clay sighs, rubbing the back of his neck, "I don't think any of us wanted to admit that we messed up. It wasn't cool of us to leave you behind and then just assume that everything would be fine. I'm sorry, Branch." The apology is unexpected. Branch thinks that maybe it shouldn't be but it still comes as a shock to him.

"You already apologized," Branch reminds him.

"I'm not apologizing for missing out on you growing up," Clay disagrees, shaking his head and offering a sad smile, "I'm apologizing because I walked out and because I never came back. It hurt you a lot, the least I can do is acknowledge that." Oh. A lump forms in Branch's throat and the tears pick up speed. He feels ridiculous and childish curled up on the kitchen floor with his brothers huddled around him offering comforting words but he can't deny that a part of him feels hopeful too. Hope was a terrifying, disappointing thing but it led him to Poppy so maybe… maybe he could try to see where this goes too.

"Thanks," Branch sniffs, wrapping his arms around his legs and drawing them closer to his chest.

"The least any of us could do is acknowledge it," John Dory steps away from the table and comes around to kneel beside Bruce, "I'm sorry I left, Branch. I could give you a million different reasons but at the end of the day none of them really matter, do they?" John Dory offers a bitter laugh, meeting Branch's gaze with sad eyes, "It wasn't fair to you and I never should've just walked back into your life like it never happened. I'm glad Poppy convinced you to come along but I should've said this all then. That's my fault, Bitty B. After everything we put you through you have every right to be angry." That's the most mature John has ever been, Branch thinks. At least with him. No condescension, no punchline. Just a sincere and heartfelt apology.

"I think that's the most serious I've ever heard you," Floyd playfully teases from Branch's other side and Branch notices that Floyd lowered himself down to the floor too. Clay is already walking over to sit beside the pink-haired troll, completing their messy half-circle.

"Shut up," John Dory laughs, picking up a loose rock tucked under the door of a cabinet and flicking it over at Floyd.

"Seriously, though, Branch. You aren't the one who should apologize. It's us." Floyd assures warmly, the same sad smile on his face but it's fond now too. "I'm sorry that you felt you had to keep this in. I know we haven't been the best brothers in the world but you can talk to us. You've been there for us," Floyd looks around at the others and Branch watches as they all nod in eager agreement. "Let us be there for you, okay?"

Branch frowns. As good as that sounds he doesn't like vulnerability. He's very intentionally kept to himself for a long, long time and the idea of relying on someone else was still very new to him. He's learned that nothing is certain in life and that everything good could be gone in a moment. The only thing he could rely on was himself. He knows this. But Poppy's taught him that even though good things might be fleeting they're also wonderful. Poppy came into his life and brought with her a happiness that's evaded him since he was just a trolling and now he can't imagine living without her. What would he be denying himself if he decided that this was too good to be true? He missed his brothers so much all these years and they're here now because they care about him more than he ever could have hoped for. "Okay." Branch decides before he can overthink it. He wants this so badly he can allow himself to take the risk. If everything collapses and it all fails he knows that at least he'll have Poppy with him in the aftermath.

His brothers sag a little with relief. Bruce claps a hand on John Dory's shoulder and Clay slings a celebratory arm around Floyd's shoulders. Floyd's expression softens, "Thanks, Branch. I know that this sucks but we won't let you down." Branch huffs an amused breath but lets a shaky grin form in response.

"So what's been going on?" John Dory asks as he shifts into a more comfortable position, crossing his legs beneath him and giving Branch his full attention. It's equally overwhelming and appreciated.

"Nothing," Floyd and Bruce give him matching stern looks. Branch rolls his eyes but concedes, "Really, it's nothing. I've just been having nightmares again recently and it's made me more on edge than usual." He pointedly ignores Clay mouthing again? at their brothers and focuses his eyes instead on the dirt floor. He sighs and buries his face into his knees again, "I'm supposed to be normal now."

"What do you mean?" Bruce asks with genuine confusion. Branch can't help but offer a resentful snort. Right, like Branch was the epitome of normal when it came to trolls. "You only need to be you, Branch." That catches Branch off guard and he peeks over at Bruce with a doubtful expression. Bruce only smiles, "I'm serious. I remember what you said to Viva back at that golf course you know. I'm sure you've spent a lot of time in this bunker and I know that Poppy of yours invites you to all sorts of things but no one wants you to be something you're not. You don't need to be like everyone else. We don't want you to be like everyone else." That's an angle that Branch hadn't really considered before. Branch often entertained the idea that Poppy invited him to so many parties and events because she wanted him to be more like a regular pop troll. Despite the fact that Poppy's always respected his boundaries he has an underlying fear that she wants him to change but she's even walked him home before when a party proved to be too much for him.

"Oh." Branch murmurs, still uncertain.

"You're weird," John cuts in and startles at the resulting incredulous shouts of his name. He raises his hands in surrender, "But that's what makes you you. We wouldn't love you if you weren't you, kid."

"Not a kid," Branch grumbles more on instinct than anything. He sighs, reaching up and tangling his hands in his hair, "But trolls are supposed to be fun. I'm not fun. I don't like big parties and too many sweets make me sick and I prioritize safety over entertainment--"

"You don't need to be fun all the time," Clay cuts him off before Branch can start spiraling again. Branch huffs and Clay shrugs apologetically. "You don't have to have fun all the time. Everybody needs their downtime and if you need more quiet time than the next troll that doesn't make you defective." Clay reaches out, telegraphing his movements carefully so Branch has plenty of time to pull away, and carefully untangles Branch's paws from his hair. "Besides, you're plenty of fun. I have a great time whenever we talk about the layout of this place and your organization system."

"Nerds," Bruce coughs into his fist.

"The point is," Floyd rolls his eyes but he looks happy. "Fun or no fun, quiet or loud, there's nothing wrong with being different. No one should ever force you to be someone you're not, and we don't want you to be anyone else." Branch feels a hesitant burst of warmth struggling to form beneath the uncertainty wriggling in his gut. The hope is growing with each passing moment but he's still scared of what it could lead to. He's been disappointed so many times.

Branch shakes his head, "It's not enough." He disagrees. There were plenty of trolls in the village that were still on the fence about him. He's seen the weird looks he gets sometimes when he's in town and the disapproval when he's with Poppy. No one is vocal about it and most of the village has been open to him being a part of the community but that doesn't erase the years of him being the outcast party-pooper. "I'm not enough."

"You're perfect." Branch's head snaps up and he stares at John Dory in disbelief. John Dory said it so vehemently and his face his set in a stern expression. The small, wounded part of Branch that always believed that he was the reason the band disbanded is squirming beneath his skin.

"What?" Branch breathes, laughing awkwardly at what he assumed had to be a joke.

"You're perfect, Branch. Never, and I mean never, imply that you're anything less than that again." John seems almost angry but Branch has to be imagining that. He looks genuinely upset at the idea that Branch could possibly think so little of himself but that seems unlikely. "Branch you have two seconds to tell me no before I touch you," Oh, what? That's a weird sentence-- but suddenly his face is cupped in John Dory's hands and his focus zeroes in on his brother. "You are amazing. You're a little rough around the edges but so is everyone. This past month you've been nothing but accommodating to us. You dug us out whole rooms in your home just because you wanted us to stay with you, that's crazy. You're dedicated, brilliant, and even kind under all that sharp wit. You are way more than just enough, little brother, you're perfect." Branch blinks stupidly up at John Dory and a few more tears tumble down his cheeks. John smiles sadly as he brushes them away with a few gentle strokes of his thumbs.

Branch sniffs pitifully and pulls away, scrubbing at his eyes with a startled laugh, "Jeez, isn't Floyd supposed to be the sensitive one?" He tries to joke but it comes out strained and teary. They all chuckle anyway and Branch is grateful that they're giving him a moment to try and compose himself. "I'm still sorry I yelled." He admits after a few beats.

"Psh, it's fine," Bruce waves him off easily. "You clearly needed to get some stuff out. What else is family for?" He assures lightheartedly.

"I know it's not hug time, but can we hug you?" Floyd asks. Branch moves to say no on instinct but Floyd is looking at him with pleading eyes and Branch honestly thinks that he could use one too.

"Fine, I guess," He grumbles and Floyd doesn't hesitate to swoop in and gather him up. The others don't take long to follow his lead. It's only a few seconds before Branch finds himself at the center of a cuddle pile. There are elbows jabbed into his side and someone's hair is tickling his nose but somehow he can't remember the last time he felt so safe and comfortable. "Thank you." He whispers into the bundle of warmth and support surrounding him.

"We'll always be here for you, okay?" Floyd says.

"Okay." Branch replies and finally lets the hope win.

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fictional-teakettle · 4 months ago

Text

Waiting for the Cocoa to Cool ☕

In which Gus gets angsty about the whole becoming-a-villain thing, and Pen makes him cocoa. She also makes him laugh himself silly.

⚠️ This is a ticklefic! If that ain't your thing, kindly move along ⚠️

🫂 Pairing: Lee!Gus, Ler!Pen (100% platonic, 200% consensual, sfw)

‼️CW/TW: Gus curses like a sailor, you have been warned 😂 If there are any trigger warnings you'd like me to add (to this piece any/or any work in the future), please let me know!

While I adore both, I'm much more comfy with writing as a medium than drawing. So I thought I'd write a quick lil ticklefic to introduce Gus a bit more organically than my typical habit of infodumping. 😅 This fic ended up being much longer than I anticipated, but hey - what's wrong with extra tickles? Nothing I can think of.

Hope you enjoy! -🐧

"You want some cocoa, hun?"

I don't wait for an answer - I've already made two mugs. Gus will never refuse cocoa (not my cocoa, anyway).

Besides, he's staring out at the rain, which means he's too lost in thought to register anything I say anyway. His reverie only breaks when I set his mug beside him on the end table, directly in his line of vision, and plop myself down on the sofa beside him.

"Did you tell them about me?"

Look at that. Bailey owes me five bucks. He thought it'd take Gus a couple minutes before he started fretting about my new project.

"I gave them a little introduction." I pat his hand. "There's an awful lot to know about you, hun."

"Right, but did you tell them about... you know..."

How 'bout that! Bailey owes me ten.

"Vaguely." I set my mug down on the coffee table. "I said you went off the deep end for a bit."

Gus manages a mirthless little scoff of a chuckle. "There's an understatement."

"I mean, that's what happened," I shrug. "You just... lost your head for a while."

"I dunno, Pen. I think there was a little more to it than that."

"Mm. That's a topic for future posts."

Gus looks away.

He's right, of course - there's a lot more to it. Just... not a lot that matters to us now, in my cozy living room, listening to the rain patter on the window. The only problem is that Gus can't stay present to save his life.

But that's why I made the cocoa. Nothing heals like cocoa, in my humble opinion (especially my cocoa).

Unfortunately it's still too hot to drink. I gotta think of some other way to distract him before he starts ruminating on-

"Are you sure you don't wanna start with Hazel?"

I stifle a sigh. "Gus, love, we talked about this, remember?"

"I'm just saying, the villain isn't the one who deserves a-"

"You're not the villain."

"Well, I was sure acting like one!"

"Because you were high as a kite on Dr. Jekyll's axe-crazy-monster juice."

"That I made myself!"

"You didn't intend to drink it." I lean back. "You just needed it for... you know. Vengeance..."

Gus throws me a flat look. He's right, this conversation isn't really going a productive direction.

"Look," I try again, " You're not in that story anymore. You were never even supposed to be in that story in the first place. If anyone deserves a soft epilogue, in a new place, it's you."

"But so do you." Gus meets my gaze for the first time in the whole conversation. "Your life got fucked up, too. If you're gonna go to all this trouble, you deserve to focus on your own epilogue."

"Why do you think you're sitting in my living room?" I squeeze his hand. "You're my comfort character, Gus. We're in this together."

"What's that?"

"Comfort character? It means you make me feel safe."

He blinks. "...Oh."

"You're my comfiest comfort character." I scoot closer and rest my head on his shoulder.

I can feel a bit of the tension in his muscles ease at the cuddle. "You're makin' me sound like a stuffed animal," he mutters good-naturedly.

"Mm."

"I think Hazel's a lot better at comforting that I am though, personally..."

This man. Cannot. Let anything go.

Which means it's time to switch tactics.

"Hey, you know what I forgot to tell them about you?"

"I mean, Hazel's a fairy godmother." He's no longer listening. "Comfort is her whole-" At least he isn't until right about here, when he freezes mid-phrase.

He hadn't even noticed me slip my arm behind his back, but he's definitely noticed that I'm now walking the fingers of both hands up his sides.

"Don't let me interrupt you, hun..."

"Ohhh no, you don't!"

"You were saying...?"

"Pen, cheheh- cut that out!"

"No, no, continue, I insist!"

"Pen!" His voice cracks even on this one syllable.

"I'm just demonstrating a little detail I forgot to mention to our readers."

Finally, twisting to face me, he manages to snag both my wrists and hold them still. "Wh-What do they need to know that for?!"

"What do they need to know what for?" I smile sweetly.

"That I'm-" He's so flustered he just barely catches himself.

I flash him a wide grin. "You wanna tell 'em, honey?"

He just squirms - struggling with an uncharacteristically silly grin of his own that he doesn't entirely seem to realize he's making. "Over my cold, dead-"

Mm, I don't need to hear the end of that threat. I easily break my wrists from his grasp and set to work on his adorable little belly.

The detail I forgot to tell you is that Gus is devastatingly ticklish.

"WaitwaitWAIT Pehehen, staHAhp!!"

Gus isn't a loud guy. Even his full-out cackling barely makes it above most folks' normal speaking voice. But what he lacks in volume he makes up for in intensity - he's got the most contagious, helpless laughter I've ever heard in my life. The best I can describe it is quietly maniacal.

"Stopstopstopit-getOFFmehehe!!" He also has an adorable tendency to babble incoherently when he gets nervous - or flustered, in this case. Especially if I get 'im right up under his ribs...

"ACK! Pehehen! Penstop I cahan't- Ihi-"

The nice thing about this spot is that I can wiggle my fingers right up under his diaphragm, so his own giggling starts to tickle.

"I can't st-stop! AHahaha- plehehehease!!"

It's definitely a spot to use sparingly, else he'll run out of air. I give him another few tweaks before sitting back, beaming as he catches his breath.

"This is... heh... c-completely unnecessary," he mutters, his hands wavering defensively over his midsection.

"If only there was something you could say to make me stop," I sigh, throwing a sorrowful glance to the ceiling. In reply I receive his best attempt at a scowl (which, since he's still grinning like an idiot, isn't a very convincing attempt).

Gus is so sensitive - both physically and emotionally - that I'd never dare touch him if we didn't have a safeword. But I've never in our entire friendship heard him use it. This boy soaks up physical affection like a ticklish little sponge.

And right now, in my expert opinion, he could use a little more of it.

I can't help but coo over the way his tummy deflates in anticipation as I hover one hand over his waist. All I have to do is rest my fingertips against the soft fabric of his sweater, and he collapses into helpless giggles.

It occurs to me, I don't think I've mentioned Gus' accent yet either. It's little more than a slight lilt most of the time, but when he's flustered like this becomes much more pronounced.

I'm not quite sure what it's supposed to be, exactly - technically it's Drearish, the regional dialect from the fictional village where he grew up. Whoever directed the movie he came from seemed to be going for some vague German-Slavic-Transylvanian hodgepodge.

Regardless, it's cute as heck. Especially when he's so overwhelmed that he starts trying to curse me out in Drearish.

Not that he doesn't have a perfectly sufficient vocabulary of English curse words to throw at me...

"I svehehear to - shihit, fuck! - I vill breheak your FUHUCKING - heheheh! - your fingers!! Your... dammit, getoffme!!"

...But the trick is to sneak my hands under his sweater and start scribbling directly against the soft pudge of his lower tummy. That really does him in.

"What did you just call me?!"

"I saheheh-" [incomprehensible] "you fuhuckin'-" [unintelligible] "if you don't-" [...frankly this could be English or Drearish, it's so garbled by laughter I can't tell].

"Sorry, didn't catch that," I tease.

He lapses into silent laughter for a few seconds. "Okay, okahahay, enough! Enough!"

Enough isn't our safeword (that would be nightshade) but it's kind of an informal one since he doesn't use it very often. It's become a code for I'm getting tired.

So I withdraw my hands from beneath his sweater, and start rubbing slow circles on his tummy. Even this still tickles him, but only enough to elicit soft little breathless chuckles. I'm mostly doing it because his tummy is just so irresistibly soft and warm... but also my hand is trapped so tightly beneath both his arms that I'm starting to lose feeling in my fingers.

Our cocoa has gone cold by the time we return to our mugs. Neither of us mind very much.

#ticklefic #comfort tickles #with a little dash of angst #for spice #gus von dreary #gus the mad scientist #gus the sad boi #ticklish!gus #lee!gus #ler!pen #author insert #pen's ocs #pen writes #tickling community #tickle community #tickle blog #first gus fic aaaah

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winemom-culture · 8 months ago

Text

Very happy with housework™️ accomplished this weekend

The goal was to lock in on organizing/decorating my office space slash guest room (like we’ll have a guest here tbh lol but hey we had an extra bed so when in Rome).

Before was basically just my desk, the chair and bed (no pillows)- pictured above minus the cart, that came this weekend. And imagine a lot more shit just recklessly piled on the chair that I sorted through.

This is after, as of tonight:

Lots of good finds to make it possible like:

-The glider chair and ottoman on fb marketplace for $100 (could’ve been even cheaper but we had them deliver bc based on pics and measurements I wasn’t sure if it would fit in my car. In retrospect I think it would’ve, which is kinda tragic, but still a good deal for the 2 pieces that size in pretty great condition imo).

-Those big shelves from marketplace for $25

-The cart thing and organizer which holds all my supplies for the diamond painting I like to do as well as miscellaneous craft and office supplies for like $30 with gift card/discounts at Michael’s

-Lil white shelf (on sale), battery lamp, laptop stand, and some picture frames altogether at IKEA for probably like $100 idk I didn’t keep great track there besides knowing the shelf was on sale.

I can’t wait to be a productive little office girl in there this week.

I need suggestions to make it even more cozy. We have to get cozier.

The chair corner is getting awfully crowded but I think it needs some faux plants. And maybe a floor lamp too. I know for the full look I need to pad up my bookshelves, but I installed the shelves more or less by myself and need to be sure of their capacity to hold up- I have horrific prophetic visions of them ripping out of the wall while I’m in the chair killing me instantly, and worse, totally blowing our chances at our security deposit.

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xxsmoko-n-mirrorsxx · 2 days ago

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Santa anon: -a anon sets up the fire place to be roaring at max setting- and sets out an extra fluffy blanket on the couch before cracking their fingers and

POOFING several items of sentimental value- of the couple's classic stolen from the point of being destroyed time manipulation! its not everything- but its a good bit! trying their hardest to maximize comfort! - late! but deserving no less for FINALLY making it on the nice list after SO so long... -he said with a wink! before disappearing into a gust of wind and escaping via the fire place! -

James and Louisa came back to the library from their little dance in the ballroom and found the fireplace all cozy with presents all around the room.

The couple were astonished and sat down to open them

Louisa opened a small box and found their wedding rings. "James, look!" she squealed in delight before putting hers on, it fused beautifully to her ghost form, glistening more beautifully than the ghost stand-in ring she had. She gave James his, and he also put on his wedding ring. "Still fits like... well, a ring!" he jovially joked. James opened another present and was floored to see his first top hat, with the pale blue band. "Ah yes, the hat I started wearing when I started working for JC Jensen when Dad fell ill,"

"It looked so dapper and cute on you, dear"

Louisa opened another one for her and started to cry a little, it was the blue sweater vest she would wear when doing work for James. It was made in the cardigan pattern of organic cotton and was still soft to the touch. "My working vest, I know wearing more formal attire is nice but, I did miss this and my blouses and skirts."

James opened a medium sized gift, finding his horse-care caddy. "James Edward Elliott," Louisa scolded with a laugh upon seeing it, "Don't even think of making a joke..."

James smiled dorkily and proceeded with his joke anyways, "Do you want to book your next spa day for when you're a unicorn?"

Louisa threw the present she just unwrapped at him, it was her white sunhat with the artificial sunflower that Copper the horse had tried to eat. "You're a dork, James!"

James let the hat hit him in the chest and he laughed. "Yes, but I'm your dork, Louisa, luv."

Louisa opened her final present and cried a little, it was her wedding dress, but alas, even as a ghost it was too small for her. "I was such an unhealthy weight at the wedding..."

James came over and hugged Louisa. "I know... but... you never have to be that small ever again. Alright? Not that you can be anyways."

The two kissed, finding comfort in each other.

Finally, James unwrapped a big present and started to cry happy tears. It's Copper! Well... his taxidermied head. He hung up the mounted and stuffed horse's head on the wall. I've missed seeing him. Me too...

#louisa lore #ask james and louisa elliott murder drones #james chats #louisa talks #gwendolynn arc aftermath #anon gifts #santa anon #lots of presents #james lore #james and louisa talk #james x louisa murder drones

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fae-iii · 11 months ago

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My Animal Crossing: New Horizons Home!

I said a while ago I might show off my old Animal Crossing house and now I am! Here we go:

Here's my home! Nothing special-looking imo, what was I going for here, traditional Japan? I'm not, like, a huge Japan-head or anything, it's a neat place… I guess? Your guess is as good as mine. Plz ignore the boring town layout.

I was kinda surprised to see that my character basically has the same face as Fae. It's like that general eye and mouth shape's been bouncing around in my head since at least 2020. Spooky. Anyway, other than that, I'm dressed as a little business freak. Didn't have anything assigned to the costume wand, I kinda wanted to see exactly what else I wore then.

So this is my kitchen/ dining room. I think it feels very warm and cozy. It's a bit like my memory of my gramma's kitchen even though it really looks nothing like it. Got pictures of Audie and Scoot on the wall. RIP, wherever they are.

OH MY GOD!!!

Uh, anyway, here's my classy trophy upstairs room where I display some of the achievement items (I don't know how to play the piano).

And an "unfinished" basement!!! With all the junk you can't bear to throw out!

It wouldn't be "Terror Island" without a spooky room!

I don't remember making this room… BUT IT'S 10/10 WOWW!!!

EXTRA:

Bob used to live here, but… he must've moved out? I thought they didn't do that without saying goodbye first; he knows I have abandonment issues 😿. This other guy also named Bob moved in and he's just not the same. Do you think maybe he did something to the real Bob🙀?? This is scaring me you guys!!!

So that's basically it, you're not missing much seeing the island, it unfortunately doesn't live up to the namesake "Terror Island." Just the normal amount of barely-organized flower arrays littering the entire island like I'm certain >90% of islands are. There needed to be, like, a better way of growing plants without taking up all the room and being left with so much slow digging busywork, probably one of the reasons why I lost steam with the game.

#Animal Crossing #ACNH #ACNH Home

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tetzoro · 18 hours ago

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I didn’t forget about you Aims! I’ve just been super cozy at home and I usually don’t get in my computer on the weekends unless it’s for games. Or I’ll use my laptop but rarely. Though yesterday I did clean up and organize a running wishlist I keep while I watched movies.

Usually I’ll style my hair while it’s wet with just gel, let it air dry almost all the way and then use a diffuser to completely dry it. It’s a PROCESS and takes so long but it keep my curls looking nice for the week. Usually I’ll wear it loos for a couple of days, then pinned up with a claw clip or a banana clip and then a day or two before I wash it again is tied up in a bun.

I’m allllllost done with fish man island! At least I think I am. They’re trying to keep Noah from crashing into the island and I feel like I’m almost done but the last time I said that was about Alabasta and that was loooooong.

I have a 3 day weekend too! I love the feeling of knowing I have an extra day to relax, I end up spreading out my usual weekend chores and have more fun.

I moved my pc from my room to my living room early last year and I love it. I’m still working on getting my space organized and feeling cozy cute but it’s so nice to get the sun from the front of my house and have my bedroom be more open. I really need to get on Pinterest and get some ideas for decorating. The biggest difference has been my desk chair though! I love it and it’s such a game changer for when I’m doing school work!

hugs u <3 HELLO !! i apologize for my delayed response T^T !! but i am glad you’ve been cozy at home & relaxing !! it sounds like a productive weekend :3

i bet you have the prettiest curls omg 🥺💫 it does sound like a process but it’s worth it <3 i love a good claw clip omg i keep one everywhere i go.. my desk at work, my purse, my car, and a few spots at home LOL they’re just so handy !!

you’re getting through fishman island for sure !! :3 sometimes it feels like the arcs are really long tho so i get you, dressrosa feels that way at parts too yet it manages to keep your attention throughout it all !! (anime wise, im not sure about the pacing in manga now that i think about it)

i love the pc in my living room rn bc it makes sense but sometimes i just want the coziness of my room 🥺 im no stranger to moving it bc i will literally pack it up for sleepovers and bring it to ppls houses for gaming sessions LMAO so i could always go back & forth with it but idk ! must figure out how to get that cozy feel in the living room … you and me 🤝 pinterest

#MWAAAH !!!! i always love yapping with you 🥺🤍#⌕ — spotted .ᐟ #ᰔ 𓂃 ariel .ᐟ

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shoppsin · 1 month ago

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bedforkid · 5 months ago

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Loft Bed Bedding by Age: Perfect Choices for Kids, Teens, and Adults

Loft Bed Bedding by Age: Discover the Perfect Styles for Every Age Group!

Loft Bed Bedding by Age! These elevated beds are a fantastic combination of fun and functionality, providing a cozy sleeping area while maximizing floor space in your child's room. When choosing loft bed bedding, it's important to consider the age of your child and their specific needs. Let's explore age-appropriate styles for kids and teens! Key Takeaways: - Choose loft bed bedding that is suitable for your child's age. - For younger kids, consider low loft beds with fun features like slides and playhouse designs. - High loft beds are perfect for older kids and teens, offering ample space for studying, playing, and storage. - Consider the size of the bed and room, as well as safety features like sturdy guardrails. - Shop for loft bed bedding sets that cater to different age groups to ensure a comfortable and functional sleep space.

Maximizing Space and Storage with High Loft Beds

High loft beds offer a fantastic solution for creating a functional and efficient space in your child's room. With their raised design, these beds provide ample room underneath for various activities, ensuring that every inch of the bedroom is optimized. Whether it's sleeping, studying, playing, or storage, high loft beds give you the flexibility to transform the space to suit your child's needs. Adding a desk, dresser, or bookshelf underneath the bed enhances the functionality of the room, allowing your child to have a dedicated study zone or a convenient storage area for books, toys, and other belongings. This helps to keep the room organized and clutter-free, promoting a conducive environment for both sleep and productivity. When selecting loft bed bedding for boys or girls, consider their preferences and interests. Choose bedding sets that reflect their unique personalities and style, making the bed a cozy and inviting space they can call their own. Whether it's bold patterns and colors for boys or feminine and playful designs for girls, there are numerous options available to suit every taste. Safety is paramount when it comes to high loft beds, especially for younger children. Look for loft beds with sturdy guardrails that prevent accidental falls during sleep or play. This ensures that your child can enjoy their elevated sleep space without any worries. Additionally, remember to check the weight capacity of the loft bed to ensure it can safely support your child's weight. Benefits of High Loft Beds: - Maximize space by utilizing the area underneath the bed - Create dedicated zones for sleeping, studying, playing, and storage - Enhance room functionality with the addition of desks, dressers, and bookshelves - Promote organization and tidiness in the bedroom - Express individuality with a wide variety of loft bed bedding options for boys and girls - Ensure safety with sturdy guardrails and proper weight capacity "High loft beds have been a game-changer for my kids' bedrooms. Not only did they gain extra space for playing, but also a functional study area. It's incredible how much you can fit underneath these beds!" - Sarah, Parent

Safe and Fun Features of Low Loft Beds for Younger Kids

When it comes to creating a cozy and secure sleep space for your younger children, low loft beds are the perfect solution. Designed with their safety and comfort in mind, these beds offer a range of fun features that will spark their imagination and create a magical sleeping environment. From slides to curtains and playhouse designs, these elements add an element of excitement and adventure to bedtime. While low loft beds may not provide as much space underneath compared to their taller counterparts, there are still plenty of ways to optimize their functionality. Pullout desks can be incorporated for arts and crafts, homework, or play, allowing your child to have their dedicated workspace. Additional storage options such as built-in shelves or under-bed drawers can help keep their room tidy and organized, even in a compact space. As your children grow older, their needs and preferences may change, and a low loft bed may no longer be the most suitable option. However, during their early years, these beds provide a safe and stimulating environment for play, rest, and creativity. It's essential to choose loft bed bedding that is specifically designed for toddlers or tweens, ensuring a comfortable and snug fit that meets their unique needs. A Dreamy Sleep Space for Your Little Ones Creating a dreamy sleep space for your little ones is a delightful experience. With low loft beds, you can provide them with a cozy and secure sleeping environment while adding elements of fun and creativity. Consider incorporating their favorite themes or characters into the design, whether it's a princess castle or an adventurous jungle. Remember, as much as your children will love their low loft beds, it's essential to prioritize safety. Ensure that the bed meets all safety standards, with sturdy guardrails and secure ladder or stair access. Regularly inspect the bed for loose screws or any signs of wear and tear. “A low loft bed with fun features can transform a child's room into a magical world, encouraging imaginative play and creating a special place for them to sleep and grow.” By choosing loft bed bedding that is specifically designed for toddlers or tweens, you can enhance the comfort and style of their sleep space. The bedding should be soft, durable, and easy to clean, making it ideal for younger children who may have accidents or spills. Having a low loft bed in your child's room is not only practical but also a fantastic way to create a unique and enchanting space. With the right combination of safety, functionality, and fun features, your child's sleep environment will become a magical retreat where dreams are made. Feature Description Slides A fun and exciting way for children to slide out of bed in the morning or during playtime. Curtains Creating a sense of privacy and coziness, curtains can be drawn closed at bedtime for a comforting sleep experience. Playhouse Designs Transforming the loft bed into a magical play space, these designs inspire imaginative play and make bedtime more enjoyable. Pullout Desks Maximizing functionality, pullout desks provide a designated workspace for studying, crafting, and playing. Additonal Storage Options Built-in shelves or under-bed drawers offer storage solutions to keep the room tidy and organized. With low loft beds and their exciting features, you can create a sleep space that is not only safe and comfortable but also sparks your child's imagination. Whether they're sliding down in the morning, playing in their mini playhouse, or sitting at their pullout desk, their bed becomes a center of adventure and creativity.

Bed Sizes and Styles for Different Age Groups

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kzXRlhudfPk When it comes to selecting the perfect bed for your child, considering their age and specific needs is crucial. From twin beds and junior beds for younger children to low loft beds and mid loft beds for older kids, there are various options available that cater to different age groups. Take a look at the bed sizes and styles that are most suitable for each age group: Beds for Kids Aged 4-10 For kids in this age range, twin beds or junior beds are the ideal choices. Twin beds offer versatility and longevity, allowing them to be used as guest beds in the future. Junior beds, sometimes referred to as toddler beds, are designed specifically for younger children transitioning from a crib. These beds provide a safe and comfortable sleep space, offering peace of mind for parents. Beds for Kids Aged 6-9 Children in the 6-9 age group can benefit from low loft beds and mid loft beds. Low loft beds provide a balance between bed height and under-bed space, making them suitable for younger kids who want a bit of adventure without compromising safety. Mid loft beds offer slightly raised platforms, providing more space for storage or play underneath. These beds are perfect for children who are looking for a cozy hideout or study area. Beds for Teens and Older Kids (10+) As children enter the preteen and teenage years, their bedroom needs may change. Twin or full-sized beds become more appropriate for their growing bodies and increased need for personal space. The choice between the two bed sizes depends on the child's growth and bedroom size. It's important to consider storage options, such as drawers or shelves, to keep their belongings organized, and easy-to-clean bedding to simplify their routines. When selecting bed sizes and styles for different age groups, it's essential to prioritize functionality, safety, and the child's personal preferences. Consider the amount of space available in the bedroom, the child's sleeping habits, and any additional features or storage needs. Now that we've covered the bed sizes and styles for different age groups, let's explore some fashionable and comfortable loft bed bedding options for your growing child. Stay tuned for our next section where we'll showcase some trendy loft bed bedding options that are sure to impress your teens and tweens!

Conclusion

When it comes to creating a comfortable and functional sleep space for your child, choosing the right loft bed bedding by age is crucial. Consider important factors such as bed size, height, space optimization, and safety features to make an informed decision. For older kids and teenagers, high loft beds with ample storage options are a great choice. These beds provide plenty of space underneath for various activities and allow you to maximize the functionality of the room. On the other hand, younger children will love the safe and fun features that low loft beds offer, such as slides, curtains, and playhouse designs. No matter which type of loft bed you choose, there are numerous options available to suit every child's needs and preferences. Look for loft bed bedding sets that cater specifically to different age groups, ensuring the perfect match for your child's dreamy sleep space.

FAQ - Loft Bed Bedding by Age

What factors should I consider when choosing a loft bed for my child's room? When choosing a loft bed, consider your child's age, room size, and specific needs. High loft beds create ample space underneath for various activities and offer storage options. Low loft beds are designed for younger children and come with fun features like slides and playhouse designs. What are the benefits of high loft beds? High loft beds maximize floor space by creating a treasure trove of space underneath for activities like sleeping, studying, playing, and storage. They also allow you to add a desk, dresser, or bookshelf to make the room more functional. What are the features of low loft beds? Low loft beds are designed with younger children in mind and offer a safe and cozy sleeping space. They come with features like slides, curtains, and playhouse designs that spark imagination and creativity. Although they have less space underneath compared to high loft beds, pullout desks and additional storage options can still be incorporated. What bed sizes are suitable for different age groups? For kids aged 4-10, twin beds or junior beds are the most suitable options. Twin beds offer longevity and can be used as guest beds in the future. For kids aged 6-9, low loft beds and mid loft beds strike a balance between bed height and under-bed space. As children enter middle school (10 years and up), twin or full-sized beds may be appropriate, depending on their growth and bedroom size. What Loft Bed Bedding by Age options are available? There are plenty of loft bed bedding by age sets available to suit different groups. Whether you have a high loft bed for older kids or a low loft bed for younger children, you can find bedding sets that cater to specific age groups. Consider factors such as bed size, height, and safety features when choosing loft bed bedding.

Source Links

- https://www.countrysideamishfurniture.com/blog/entry/guide-to-kids-bed-sizes-styles-ages-4-10 - https://maxandlily.com/blogs/inspo-and-info/high-vs-low-loft-beds-how-to-choose - https://www.maxtrixkids.com/blogs/inspo/bed-size-right-child Read the full article

#adultloftbedding #Age-SpecificBedding #kidsloftbedding #loftbedsets #teenloftbed

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