#path of comfort

[the-rad-pineapple]

day 26 of @augusnippets

bonus prompt: whumpee wearing caretaker’s clothes

part 1 | part 2

Whumpee sits up gasping, body covered in sweat that’s now too cool. He shivers and lurches across the bed to flick on his lamp, scattering the shadows lingering in the room from his dreams. He still hasn’t caught his breath when he swings his legs over the side of the bed, resting them on the floor. He puts his head in his hands and closes his eyes. 

He didn’t used to get nightmares so badly. Only after Caretaker left Whumpee’s team. Caretaker’s presence has always been calming to Whumpee, and he’s always had Whumpee’s back. But Caretaker has been gone. He decided he needed a break and left for the main HQ nearly four months ago. 

Whumpee hardly sleeps due to the nightmares. He got his first write-up in his life this week because he messed up a training exercise two days ago because of how sleep deprived he is. He’s embarrassed and more stressed than he’s ever felt for this long. He’s exhausted in a way he’s never felt—a hollowed-out shell, empty and brittle.

He’s been putting off what he knows will help, but now he thinks it’s finally time. His sleep deprivation is negatively impacting his life. …Besides, Caretaker isn’t even here. 

Whumpee stiffly stands and sluggishly makes his way to the door. The way to Caretaker’s room is muscle memory. So is punching in the code to unlock his door. A ghost of a smile tugs at Whumpee’s lips when it unlocks. Caretaker still hasn’t changed the code. 

Caretaker’s room is cool. Whumpee considers turning on the light but decides against it. He’s too tired. 

He wants to be completely submerged in the covers, so he begins to take his clothes off. And that’s when his sleep-deprived mind whispers to him the sinful idea of wearing Caretaker’s clothes, too. As if sleeping in his bed in his room wasn’t enough. 

But Caretaker isn’t here, and Whumpee can have his sheets and clothes washed by tomorrow evening, so what’s the harm? 

Whumpee knows where Caretaker keeps his sleepwear. In the closet on the left. Whumpee grabs the first one he sees and immediately puts it on.

It smells like Caretaker. Like home. Like safety. 

Whumpee feels his muscles relax. He didn’t even realize he’d been so tense. He plops into Caretaker’s bed and slips under the covers, practically burrowing underneath. 

~ ~

Whumpee awakes slowly—peacefully—something that hasn’t happened in a while. He’s grown so accustomed to adrenaline and fear greeting him when he wakes.

He slowly blinks, movement catching his eye. 

Caretaker is sitting in the desk chair beside Whumpee, idly reading something on his tablet. He has the chair facing Whumpee. 

Caretaker flicks his gaze up, and their eyes lock. Caretaker immediately straightens and carelessly tosses his tablet on the desk. 

Then he leans forward and smiles, his eyes crinkling in the corners. It’s been a long time since Whumpee’s seen that smile. 

And Whumpee smiles back. It’s been a long time since he’s smiled, too.

[snek-in-a-hat]

Day 2 @augusnippets

2: Platonic Bathing / Hair Care / Make-up

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The bath water had long since stopped being clear and was now dyed a mix of pink and grey. But as terrible as the water looked, A was beginning to look much better.

They'd shown up a mess cuts, some deeper than others, and badly bruised. After cleaning and covering some of the more serious injuries, B was anxious to get A into bed where they could rest. With a more analytic glance, B decided a bath was in order. A was barely conscious so a shower was out of the question, and they needed some way of washing away their ordeal.

B gently worked their fingers through A's hair. Before it had been stiff with dirt and blood but was now easing up with the application of their favorite mint shampoo. A let out a sigh and seemed to relax a little deeper into the water with the gentle ministrations.

'Thank you.' The whisper was soft, but B caught it nonetheless.

'Of course', B smiled. 'Just relax. I've got you.'

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[howtowhumpyourhiccup]

The Comfort of a Hot Bath

Summary: Written for Day 2 of Augusnippets. Modern AU, Mind Full AU. After escaping, Heather helps Astrid take a bath.

Warnings: /

Rating: General

Dead Dove: No

Words: 443

Prompts: Platonic Bathing / Hair Care

Fandom: How to Train Your Dragon

Characters: Astrid, Heather

Pairing: Heathstrid, Hiccstrid

Author's Notes:Yup, definitely writing more of this AU!

Enjoy!

-XOXOX-

Astrid can’t stop thinking of that warehouse. Where they found boxes full of supplies and containers full of dragons. And where they ran into Hiccup and his pets once again.

Sitting in this hot bath, she still can’t shake the chills she got from his thousand-yard stare that almost seemed too present all at once. The way the panicking dragons inside their containers just seemed to fall silent with his arrival, not out of fear, but almost out of respect and relief. Some even purred. How his Frightening Five- dubbed that way by Ruff and Tuff- just seemed to listen to commands he never spoke. They just gave him a look before they searched the warehouse. How he seemed to hear exactly what the Night Fury did. How else could Snotlout say something stupid across the warehouse and still be heard by him?

Astrid can’t shake it. She can’t stop thinking about him, about the boy she used to know.

Filling a can with water, Heather pours it empty on her head, pulling her from her thoughts.

It’s a good thing she came in when she did. She and her brother had come just in the nick of time. Just as the Night Fury found them, they caused one of their jeeps to explode across the property, forcing Hiccup to put an end to the search.

Once her hair is wet enough, Heather lathers it in shampoo. Her girlfriend is caked in grime and she’s covered in cuts and bruises.

“I used to have a crush on him.”

Her hands stop massaging Astrid’s scalp in shock. She knows the other woman is bi. “So he wasn’t always like…”

“No. He was awkward and cute, sassy.”

“Sassy?” Heather thinks it’s strange. She knew about the Dragon Whisperer before Astrid did, she and her brother met him before. She can’t say she has ever heard him sass. Or talk at all. She figured he was just born so unsettling, like someone only a mother could love.

“His mother did things to him. I know she did. No woman just leaves her 4 month old baby just to appear back in his life to “reconnect.” Or maybe some do, but Valka didn’t and Hiccup is proof of that.

“Then what do you think happened?” Heather fills the bowl again to rinse her girlfriend’s golden locks. She isn’t sure how to answer that, all they have to go on are rumors.

“I want to save him,” the bowl is empty and Heather looks at her.

“I don’t know how, but there has to be a way.”

She won’t be able to let him go until she does.

[dead-girl-tells-stories]

DC x DP Idea

After several years, Danny and Damian meet each other again at a gala. But there was no heartfelt reunion since the moment they led eyes on each other it was all-out war. Damian takes out a sword from somewhere and Danny just starts throwing hands.

The fighting is intense, and blood is being spilled (what are those glowing green specks?). They are screaming at each other in Arabic as it's easier to slip back to your mother tongue when in rage right? This makes the fight more personal.

Most people don't understand what they're saying but those who do look at the boys then Bruce. Bruce then back to the boys again. Like B, we know you're stupid but you fucked this person twice.... did you NOT see the red flags the SECOND TIME!?!?

The fight ends with Damian on the ground with the sword grazing his neck. He looks up to Danyal with the fear of god in his eyes, knowing that with one swift movement, he'll be dead on the dance floor. But Danny's eyes were cold and tired, they were dead. No spark, no sense of life in those chilling blue depths.

Calmly, Danny spoke to Damian. His voice was crystal clear, cool like a mountain stream.

"Just because you jumped into the fire behind me doesn't mean you felt the pain I did.  Your hand was held above the flames while I was being burnt in the fucking fire."

Damian begins to cry because he knows that Danny is right. No matter what he went through, it would never compare to what happened to his big brother. Even more so, when he feels long lanky arms wrap around him, a cool hand rubbing his back soothingly, and whispers of sweet nothingness entering his ears.

He cries because no matter what he does he will never be like his big brother.

[magicshop]

his smile could cure the world ♡ [for @morshiberna ♡]

cr. 0613data

[mari-lair]

Y'know about that worst-case neglect route down the acts?

So, what if the menu changes at that point?

Mirabelle

Isabeau

Odile

Bonnie

"a-and Siffrin!"

Siffrin's turn becomes automatic and Bonnie becomes a playable character

they just want to be useful

they are desperate to be useful to their team

That's absolutely heartbreaking thank you for the mental image I am in shambles

They will still not let Bonnie fight no matter how op they get, no no no, Bonnie is a kid so no getting in harms way! but siffrin feeling like he isn't part of the game anymore? isn't part of the team??? Agh that's so possible I AM DEAD

[histhoughtslately]

You’re not behind; however, life will continue to go by while you’re standing still. Just remember, little steps matter, too. ❤️‍🩹

[homriette]

Sketch Commission work, Mia from Fire Emblem!

I was a bit gone from tumblr bc I was trying to decide if I wanted to post stuff individually or do art dumps, I ended up deciding why not both lol

[naffeclipse]

Okay hear me out.... Journey to west au. Sun being the monkey king from the book and Y/N a traveller. Y/N rescues him from under the mountain and he joins them in their travels. Moon is a demon that's terrorising a town until Y/N and Sun stop him. Moon then joins the two. Finally Eclipse is another demon that kidnaps Y/N in order to eat them but instead is so utterly charmed by them that he joins the party. Shenanigans ensue... Thoughts?

The great monkey king is indebted to a mortal but he has little qualms with escorting you on your travels as a way to give his thanks for rescuing him from underneath the mountain. His magic and strength are at your disposal. Strangely, you prefer traveling peacefully and quietly, avoiding trouble and helping those in need when the two of you come upon them. The monkey king thinks you are vulnerable and too trusting, and he decides to protect you at all costs.

The lunar demon does not take kindly to his mischievousness and destruction being wrought, but when you and the monkey king stop the mayhem he inflicts upon a small town, the lunar demon can't help but become amused and intrigued by a daring, bold mortal who is so calm in the face of dangerous, sharp teeth, red eye demon. He thinks you are naive and foolish, but he follows you and the monkey king because who else will watch over you at night? Who will keep you safe from the other toothy and red-eye demons?

It is not too long down the road of your seemingly endless travels that a problem arises. The monkey king and the lunar demon venture to the river to fetch you food and drink and while you toil, you feel the shadow of a great personage fall upon you before you are snatched away. You struggle and call for your dear, new friends, but the dark being smuggles you into his cave. He ties you up and leaves you on the floor of his home as he prepares to eat you. You, however, remain calm and speak with the great demon and learn he is the eclipse prince. The eclipse prince wants nothing more than to cook and devour you, but you convince him to allow you to serve him tea first. Pleased by the offer, the eclipse prince unties you. You serve him a tea you have used to comfort the monkey king and calm the lunar demon, and speak with the eclipse prince. The conversation continues until the pot of tea is gone and he tells you to prepare another, pot after pot until he is laughing and telling you that he has forgotten his hunger—your charm and allure have sated him. He will let you go and return you to your companions, but you invite him to join your company.

The eclipse prince is pleased to accept. He opens his cave and returns with you to the monkey king and the lunar demon. When you come upon them, they are furious and frantic. They act quickly to take you back and prepare to attack the one who carried you away before you calm them. The eclipse prince stands rather unapologetically as you explain that he is now joining the three of you. The lunar demon does not take kindly to this change and the monkey king hovers close to you, refusing to let you leave his sights while the eclipse prince seamlessly joins the camp and prepares a pot of tea for you to drink.

You continue your travels, glad to have such devoted company.

[the-rad-pineapple]

day 5 of @augusnippets

drunk caretaking

part 2 | part 3

The mission went wrong. Whumpee had been ambushed. Surrounded. But he trains every day. He’d even memorized the entire layout of the building, despite his assignment being confined to the first floor. He was prepared, and it paid off. He made it out alive but far from unscathed. He rushed himself back to base where the medics immediately tended to him. 

The medics are proficient and excellent in their work, but Whumpee was really hoping for Caretaker himself to be there. But he never showed. He must’ve had the night off. 

But Caretaker hadn’t been the same since his trainee died on a mission. No one really knows what happened. Caretaker had previously been several ranks higher than Whumpee before he switched to the medical field. One day, he’d gone on a routine mission with his trainee and then came back alone. He’d sent in his mission report, but no one other than the highest ranking members are allowed to read it. Caretaker never speaks of it. But Whumpee can see the sadness in his eyes. It dulls the shine. His body seems heavier, too. As if he’s being dragged into the grave from below. 

Whumpee is settled in bed, typing his mission report on a tablet when three loud knocks sound on his door. The noise is strange. Unfamiliar. 

Whumpee silently places his tablet on his nightstand and painfully makes his way towards the door, walking slowly and heavy-footed. He had refused pain meds. They cause his defenses to drop, and that’s unacceptable. Whumpee will never admit to how unsafe he feels when he is prepared, let alone how unsafe he feels now—slow and vulnerable and hurt. His defenses are already low like this, so pain medication is completely out of the question. He’d rather be in pain and alert than painless and dull-witted. 

Whumpee clicks the button next to the door, and it whooshes open. 

It’s Caretaker. 

Whumpee has half a moment to take in his disheveled appearance (He’s usually just as meticulous as Whumpee, so this is odd). His clothes hang loose and crooked. His hair is askew. And then he’s stepping inside. 

“Oh, Whumpee,” he says, eyes desperately searching his face. The concern and…and the amount of it is—

Hands suddenly cup his face, palms unexpectedly warm. 

They’re so close it’s suffocating. 

And then Whumpee smells it. The alcohol in Caretaker’s breath. It’s so strong it stings. 

Then Caretaker frowns, emotion forming on his face more openly than when he’s sober. “You denied the pain medication. Again,” he unnecessarily emphasizes. The scolding look he shoots Whumpee is so powerful he actually starts to feel a little embarrassed.

Whumpee looks at the floor. “Look, I— Well… I don’t like…”

“…The way it dulls your senses,” Caretaker finishes with an over-dramatic sigh. “I know, I know.” Worried eyes search his face. “But you’re alright? I’m sorry I couldn’t be there. I—” He abruptly stops. Frozen.

“I know.” Whumpee pulls him close, and Caretaker stumbles into his arms.

part 2 | part 3

[borgialucrezia]

so heartbreaking how they used to stare at their father with so much vulnerability and trust in their eyes and gullible to his words of comfort because even though he did love them very much he ultimately loved the power he could achieve through them more...

[flowerakatsuka]

i should've gone to bed like 2 hours ago, but i needed to finished these doodles inspired by @laurzvahll & @wewerebornsextuplets's 18matsu aus. i think kuroba would've figured out their gender stuff a lot faster w/ sol around so they get a new 3rd year look here. ✌️✨

[innerxsanctum]

Happy birthday to the reason I became a Pethead in the first place. There aren't enough words to express everything you mean to me, so I won't even try. But you've changed my life in ways I never thought possible. Thank you for being unapologetically yourself, and most of all, for being the driving force behind Pet Shop Boys.

“Writing new stuff and doing new projects and everything is really what I live for.”

[phoenixcatch7]

Loz fandom stop being angsty and give the daydreaming kids on big fun adventures with a cool glowing sword some actual whimsy and joy challenge

[haunted-xander]

So. Fatebreaker, right? Ryne's biggest fears made manifest, daddy issues personified, yes?

He's an amalgamation of Thancred and Ran'jit, his face, his voice and his weapon is Thancred's, but his body, his fighting style and his words are Ran'jit's.

Throughout the fight Fatebreaker constantly makes comments about how only he can protect Ryne, only he can provide for her, only he has even the right to so much as stand beside her, to be in her general presence. He's possessive and obsessive, repeatedly asserting that she is HIS and his only. Which is exactly what Ran'jit says basically every time we encounter him.

But this time it's in Thancred's voice. This time it's with the voice and face of a man she actually cares about.

Ryne isn't scared of Thancred, she never has been. Even when she first met him she was barely even nervous (as clearly shown in Thancred's short story). There's a lot of different feelings happening between those two, but fear has never been one of them.

But now, after things have gotten so much better, she is scared of Thancred becoming like Ran'jit. Because if Thancred was just a little further gone, if he was just a little less compassionate, he would've. It wouldn't be hard for him to go down the same path as Ran'jit did, to be incapable of letting go of the ghost of that girl he loved so so much to the point he'd stubbornly grip anything close to her he could. He didn't, but the fact he could've is terrifying.

It makes his final words, words that are Thancred's, so very important. This is her deepest fears made manifest, but he still says he wants her to be happy. Her happiness not only matters, but is important to him.

[histhoughtslately]

As soon as you move away from the wrong people, places and things; the right people, places and things start coming in…

#OutgrowingIsHealthy