#sometimes you just have to accept that people love you even if you feel like a burden to them

[reasonsforhope]

I feel so terrified of gen z (my own generation, mind you) because we have the reputation of being progressive and accepting, but we're extremely hopeless and are always ready to settle into our own misery. The results of the election lowkey confirmed my fears that this generation doesn't have the guts or unity to actually fight against national oppression.

My main thoughts on this are:

Every generation is just made up of people. And sometimes people suck. That's not a moral indictment of your generation or any generation

No one generation is going to save us (despite what some people have said about gen Z, and despite the fact that it would be really nice if it was that easy)

Being a teenager, especially in this day and age, is already a major time for depression and angst and lack of autonomy. People in your generation are going to do more once they get more agency, capability, life experience, and engagement with the world, just like every generation has

Don't take all of the responsibility for saving the world on yourselves, Gen Z.

I say this with love, compassion, and determination. It's too heavy a burden for any one group, but especially for a group that is still mostly made up of people who can't even sign a legal document yet.

You have contributed the least to this of any generation. Let us carry the burden with you, and let us carry it for you, when you just need a break

Find a way to blend taking action with living your life - because you deserve to also live your life, and because we're in this for the long haul

One foot in front of the other

[runningforthemills]

There's a difference between coddling and kissing people's feet and not downright hating people for no reason, tbf. I totally understand how this feels. I understand that exhaustion of feeling like we have to be perfect and watered down and palpable to be accepted, let alone helped. I do think however that the post in question was not about being nice to men to protect their feelings but rather pointing out the fact that a lot of feminist and queer spaces (more and more it feels like) do fall into that hating men stereotype as an us-vs-them thing, and alt right people know that and use it to their advantage.

It's not an excuse, of course it's not, but imagine trying to join spaces to help however you can and being repeatedly told that you're evil, that everyone hates you, that everything is your fault. It can discourage people who had good intentions. "Oh then their help isn't worth it"? Even the most passionate people cannot lead a revolution on their own. Moderate people make up the majority of humanity, and their help, however benign, does count. They're actually a benchmark in how much mentalities are changing. And, yes, sometimes they can get scared easily. (Not only men! Women too). If they then fall into the alt right space that is absolutely ON THEM, don't get me wrong, but why are we making the alt right's job easier?

(Not to even mention how that can impact trans men, who might be scared to enter spaces that are very vocal about hating men.)

No one is asking you to be nice. The post is about not being hateful for no reason. While that is what happens in real life most of the time, online, people are always more extreme. And online spaces are taking more and more importance nowadays. You can say whatever you want in your friends groupchat, who cares? When you're on a bigger platform, it's different.

I understand that saying "i hate men" can be more handy than saying "i hate when men [blank]", "i hate the patriarchy", "i hate sexists" etc. But most of the time, we do not hate men. We have friends, partners, family, colleagues. Some we love, some we just tolerate. So why are we saying it? Why are we dividing our forces? Who benefits from it?

Idk if that made sense but i see this issue being treated with both extremes, pro or against, and i think it's just about being decent. Nothing more, nothing less

"as a guy who escaped the alt-right pipeline, [*blames it on Misandry*]"

[sirfrogsworth]

Now what?

Whenever I see Trump my brain thinks of my mom and I feel angry about how she died. I have PTSD and I'm actually in the process of seeking out a therapist to address it.

And until I can get some help, I guess I'm just going to feel that anger for a while. I was really hoping I wouldn't have to see or think of him again.

This is pretty bad. And it is really scary. And I hate that one man is capable of causing so much fear and anxiety among the people I care about.

I guess there is one thought I am trying to hold onto.

I recently talked about chronic illness and the "new normal." As illness progresses you sometimes have to accept a new normal and learn to adjust and adapt to it. And every time I was faced with a new normal I was convinced I could not adjust or adapt. But every time I figured it out and found a way to keep going.

I think we will adapt because we have to. We will fight because we have to. But we will need each other to get through this.

Look to your allies. Your friends and your trusted family. Keep those relationships healthy. Do the work to maintain them. Prioritize building and sustaining a personal support system over everything else. Do your part when they need help. Keep in regular contact. Keep the emotional labor as reciprocal and balanced as possible. And don't be afraid to tell them when you feel overburdened. Keep communication healthy so you both feel comfortable expressing hard truths. Open up to them so they feel trusted and make sure they feel comfortable doing the same with you. Try not to lean on one single person too much as they might get overwhelmed.

But also remember to enjoy your friendships. They are not there just to be your therapist. (An *actual* therapist is a good idea if it is feasible.) It's important to laugh and waste time together. Shoot the shit and bond over mutual interests. Or introduce them to your interests and teach them why you love what you love. Ask them about their interests and even if you don't completely get it, be happy that something makes your friend happy.

If you feel like you don't have a support system or it is severely diminished like mine, you'll have to do the work to seek out new people. I'm in that process now after losing my parents. And trust me, I know it isn't easy. I am really struggling to connect to new people. It takes a lot of energy and I haven't had a lot of energy to spare. But I know it is what I will need to help me adapt to the new normal. So I'm going to put in the effort and figure it out. I encourage you to do the same.

You will not connect with every new person. That's okay. Remember this is a process and it takes time. And don't beat yourself up if building your support system is slow going. If nothing else, you are learning and growing and developing tools to help you on this journey.

This community has been so kind to me. You all are a part of my support system. And I feel very lucky to have you in my corner. I love you and I care for you. I'm going to try my best to advocate for what you need. Helping others is another way to keep moving forward. A righteous sense of purpose is a powerful tool in the face of a new normal.

Please take care of yourselves as best you can.

Find your people if you haven't already.

Or find *more* people if you don't have enough.

You are in my thoughts.

[chuunyu]

I've been thinking a lot lately about how Mizuki is kinda too perfect as a trans character. Their family is accepting and they can pass effortlessly. The only issue they have is really the only one that could be left after that point: society's view of trans people.

But while this is great and I really appreciate how Mizuki is written, handled, whatever, it just makes everything about being a regular transfem hurt even more...

I've been working on a 4 hour video essay about Mizuki for almost a month now and every time I replay parts of the story involving Mizuki's sister Yuuki, I just can't help but begin to break down. The way she has never left Mizuki alone when they were vulnerable, the way she's supported Mizuki with everything she possibly could. Her words, her gifts, her clear love for Mizuki is something I wish I ever had. I've always been alone I feel like. I never had anyone who I was able to comfortably share my femininity with. Even now, I feel like that same femininity isn't something I can share with most trans women I meet.

When I see the things Yuuki says to Mizuki, it's just too much. It's this amazing warmth that I never had and I wonder if I will ever get to have. Even outside the story... I just read an alternate timeline fic where Ena's the one who gets Mizuki out of the closet and not Yuuki. Even that like, it really hurts you know?

Beyond Yuuki, the way that Mizuki presumably doesn't have to put effort into passing is difficult as well. Truly their only obstacle is finding acceptance. And well, for them, there is still the existential obstacle of being trans - being born in the wrong body - but it doesn't stop them from presenting comfortably in a way that they're happy with. Meanwhile, I feel like most trans women don't get to pass. I think I've only known one trans woman who passes.

So now there is not only acceptance (which is more complex and difficult if you don't pass), but also this whole aspect of maintaining constant courage against the negativity of society, which is a tremendously heavy thing. And sure, Mizuki deals with this too, but in a different way. The door for them to blend into society is open, but for those who don't pass, the door might be so hard to find that it might as well not be there.

When I compare myself to Mizuki, I just feel... inadequate. I never meant to do it intentionally but the moment it happened it sent me into a spiral.

"I'll never have what they have."

And I know they're a fictional character and are probably an unattainable standard but idk it just, it's hard not to compare myself? Maybe I'm just stupid.

They're just too perfect, despite how "rough" their story is. I think it's really their downfall in terms of becoming the best possible representation and I mean, I was never expecting that from them. It's just an issue with their character I think, though one that couldn't really be avoided with how the writers wanted to execute their character.

Idk, I love Mizuki but sometimes it hurts when I think about them.

[artist-issues]

What drove me away from Christianity was my pastor saying my autism and ADHD was an excuse for not being able to sit still during church. What the pastor said deeply hurt me and it caused me not to trust any church, even making me angry at Christianity at large for years.

What is your response to this?

I don't think it really matters what my response to it is: it matters what God thinks, and it matters what your response is.

I understand feeling hurt because your pastor reprimanded you for something you actually medically have little to no control over. That is hurtful, because I'm sure it makes you feel like the pastor, the guy who's supposed to be caring for your soul and leading you toward Christ, 1) doesn't understand you and 2) doesn't care about how you feel/what your experience is/what is difficult for you 3) has expectations of you that are out of line with reality, but still wants you to meet them. It's no wonder you were hurt. He should not have said that to you.

But a pastor? A human man who's just doing his best but is actually a hugely sinful creature, just like the rest of us? One pastor is not Christianity.

"Christian" just means "little Christ." A person who's trying to be like Jesus Christ, and has dedicated their life to following Him and doing what He says to do and being in a growing, loving relationship with Him. That's a Christian. So if you "walked away" from that because of what one human man said? Maybe you misunderstood what Christianity is.

It's not a social club that is there to make everybody feel welcome and accepted for who they are. It's not a social club. It's not even really supposed to be what the world calls a "religion," which is another word for "social club with sometimes-cultic practices."

Again: Christianity is supposed to be a person trying to follow Christ and be more like Him, and having a personal relationship with Him while that's going on. One of His commandments is that we do it together, as an imperfect-but-graciously-trying group, so we follow that commandment.

But again, I guess my point is, are you telling me you walked away from any potential relationship with the almighty Deity, the God who made you and loves you and orchestrated the events of history to put Himself through unimaginable torture so that He could be in that relationship with you, an imperfect enemy of His...because some other imperfect creature He created said something hurtful to you?

Would you walk away from your dad because your dad's little brother said something hurtful to you?

I'm not minimizing your hurt. I'm saying, stop attributing what imperfect people do to the perfect God who shows them the same grace He shows you. When you're immature, ignorant, or inconsiderate and hurtful to others, He doesn't approve, but He doesn't smite you with a lightning bolt on the spot, either. Same thing with His response to that pastor who hurt you. He gives you the same grace He gave that pastor. Because it's really all about who God is, who Jesus is, not who the imperfect people who try to serve Him are.

Jesus was not like that pastor. God is not like that pastor. Jesus healed a deaf man. But before He healed that deaf man, He signed out what He was about to do. He took a guy who had been shunned by society for his disability, a guy who was rarely ever communicated with, and before He ever healed him, Jesus compassionately got on his level and took the time to communicate with him. Jesus did not have to do that. He was the supreme Being who spoke that human into existence; AND He was about to take the disability away. He didn't have to be kind and take a moment to treat the deaf man like a human, first. But He did.

Back in the Old Testament? Being left-handed was considered a huge disability. But God chose a left-handed guy to be his prophet, and to be the warrior that killed a monstrous abusive king.

Jesus treated people who had any kind of medical trouble doing what other people do with compassion and grace. God chose those people. That is the example Christians are supposed to follow: that is what the pastor who hurt you got wrong. But what he did was get it wrong. Don't walk away from a relationship with Christ because of what one of His imperfect kids got wrong about Him.

See who Jesus is for yourself and don't let imperfect humans stop you from doing that.

[paperstorm]

A more interesting approach would be that it’s Carlos that changes his mind about children from spending time with Jonah, a decision he makes on his own.

I never wanted children until I met my current partner and his child. This little girl opened my heart like no one else has, yes even my bf. I now am actively trying for a baby.

Not having children is perfectly fine and Tarlos not having children would be an interesting refreshing storyline but I feel like it’s not going in that direction

I would like this story line as it’s not Carlos being forced or learning to accept. People can change their minds and feelings all the time. I’d like Carlos to do that on his own terms. TK is busy with the Enzo vs Owen drama and meanwhile Carlos is falling in love with Jonah and opening his heart to possibilities. Fathers is such a theme in this show. Carlos and TK will have learned how to be present, engaging and loving with their child from the lessons their learnt from their fathers.

The show ending with Carlos telling TK he wants children is a beautiful open ended story for a spin off. Killing off Enzo like you said is just bad writing, they can not loose 3 parents between them at this young age. It’s too much

Yeah it could be really good if something like this is what happens! Carlos finding some kind of closure with his father's murder and being able to begin to reconcile all that trauma that still exists in him, all that fear that he won't be a good father himself and the tragedy of having just started to grow close to his dad only to lose him. Life doesn't play fair, it doesn't give us things only when we are exactly perfectly ready for them. Sometimes you have to roll with things you are definitely not ready for, and you learn so much about yourself.

[ray-winters]

I am about to get a lil sappy here, but…I remember when I was in middle school, I was in private Catholic schooling, and I was dealing with the fact that I knew I was gay. I knew this was “wrong” because that’s what I was taught, so I suppressed it and tried so hard not to be. I told myself I’d do what my uncle did, which was push it down, marry a woman, and have kids like I was “supposed” to.

I remember specifically one day, I was home alone, and I knew I couldn’t keep it in for much longer. Jurassic Park was on my TV (weird detail to remember but I do) and I was sobbing on the couch pleading to God to just make it go away, and to make me straight. I didn’t even care if it made me an asshole and changed my personality I just wanted to be straight. I remember thinking it’d be easier to straight up just die than to live the rest of my life this way. Keep in mind this was around 2007-2008, gay marriage wasn’t even close to a reality, I had no positive gay rep that I knew of on TV or in movies, and again, private Catholic school so I was surrounded by homophobia. I didn’t come out for about 3 more years from this point.

I give this depressing backstory so that I can say-

I just woke up next to my husband, he is in the kitchen making us coffee, we have been together for 10 years, happily married for 1.5, and our only plans today are to play video games and then go do a performance of SCREAM’D together. I truly don’t think I’ve ever felt more fulfilled in who I am or what I’m doing in life. I have a great group of friends around me, I feel love & support from people from all across the world. I have truly made a genuine effort to create and portray queer characters almost exclusively and hopefully in doing so given people some representation that maybe they’re searching for. I’m 29 now, and if I could go back and tell 15 year old Ray that everything was gonna work out in its own way and in its own time, I would.

I know it’s cliche, but it does get better. It just takes time. And sometimes, you’ve got to make it better yourself. If you’re struggling, if you’re in a religious school, if you’re in a conservative area, I just want you to know that I know it’s tough rn to keep the faith; but it’ll be okay. You’ll be okay. It might just take a little bit of time. Find likeminded people, whether it’s irl or on the internet, there’s a community of people for everyone. There is a world of love & acceptance out there for you, you’ll find it 💙

[dr-spectre]

I saw some really lovely art that depicted some of the Splatoon Idols more chubby than they are and like... I need to rant because I think society as a whole has a massive issue and we need to seriously talk about it.

I think that a lot of people have a deep rooted hatred and disgust for fat people and in my personal opinion, I find that kind of thought process to be vile and sickening to my core.

No, being fat and just living isn't promoting an unhealthy life style to others and if you think otherwise I kindly ask you to go jump into a volcano.

No, body positivity isn't saying that being obese is healthy and that you should strive for it, body positivity is body acceptance. Accepting what your body is and treating yourself with patience and care rather than guilt and shame. Did you know that bringing shame upon a fat person via bullying and harassment actually discourages them from wanting to change how they look? FUNNY HOW THAT WORKS OUT HUH?!?!!? BULLYING IS... OH I DONT KNOW... BAD?!?!?!?!

If you wanna encourage someone who you think is overweight to lose weight, then ask them, "Hey bro, you wanna go for a walk at the park together?" Or "Hey dude, let's go to the gym together. We can train and I can help you out." SIMPLE AS IS!!!! GOT IT?!?!?!

I think that beauty standards across the globe have made it so that millions and millions of people believe that being skinny or muscular are the only way to be attractive, that being skinny or ripped will get you a partner and if you are fat you are unlovable.

As someone who is chubby, due to beauty standards and fatphobia online, I've felt disgusted and shame over looking at myself in the fucking mirror. Every time I look at my belly, I just wish it would magically go away, and I look at my own flesh and blood with a sickening feeling. Sometimes I think about doing something... drastic to my gut...

I've thought about literally starving myself to get rid of my fat because of what people say online about fat people, treating them as monsters, as lazy disgusting unlovable beasts... I saw any bit of fat on my body as a mark of shame and disgust...

Fatphobia is so deep into people's brains that even people on the other side who are incredibly skinny and sick get ignored because they are seen as healthier than a fat person.

And besides fatphobia, I've been seeing a lot of hate and backlash for fans making different takes on the characters, making Callie have darker skin, making Marie black, etc etc. And like... if you hate on that kind of fan art in the community? Go fuck yourself. Honesty. Go fuck off. I want you gone. "Oh why did you draw Marie like that?!?!" It's a fan interpretation dumbass, it's not canon, it's just friendly fun. If people wanna draw Callie as black then that's perfectly fine.

If you're a true fan of Splatoon then you would actually like seeing the characters in different interpretations...

It's just... it's just fucked man honestly. I'm so disappointed in the god damn Splatoon community yet again, a community full of various different people from different backgrounds, yet a hatred for fat people still lives on so casually. Instead of being sympathetic and understanding, people are spreading hate and animosity.

Do fucking better. Stop treating fat people with hatred, treat them with sympathy for once in your fucking lives.

[cheyisagirlkisser]

“Only for Coffee”

Ex-girlfriend Ellie Williams x Fem! reader mini-fic

Content: Angst and no comfort, based off of Chappell Roan song "Coffee", established plot, short fic, break-up, mentions of break-up sex, second-person perspective, this is rlly just a blurb with decorations and pictures

You were reluctant to, but you had to “sort out the final details” of the break-up.

Ellie didn't call you. She sent a short text asking to meet her for coffee a block away from your apartment, the very apartment she used to live in with you. You didn't blame her for the short text; if she called you, it'd lead to actually talking. And if you talked, it'd lead to you blurting out that you missed her. The two of you had to keep things short, you couldn't afford another relationship relapse. So here you were, waiting in your sweatpants and a hoodie. You didn't bother to really get ready, didn't care how she perceived you anymore. It hurt, but you had to block out any affections for her.

This wasn't even the first time the two of you had agreed to meet up. The first time was to share some wine, but that only led to hungry kisses in the bathroom, which then only led to ending up back at your place, having sex in the same bed you had shared countless memories in. The bed you recalled her laying on top of you in, listening to your steady heartbeat as you fell asleep with the comfort of her embrace as if she was your own personal weighted blanket.

People come and go, but Ellie was once someone you couldn't imagine losing. That's why the second time you met up, at the park at night, you poured your heart out to her. Told her how much you still loved her, how the break-up was a big mistake. Even with all of the issues you two had, you wanted to make it work.

It lasted for two weeks before you realized why you split up in the first place.

Sometimes, it's inevitable. Heartbreak, loss, grief. It's something that obviously nobody wished for, but you could learn from it. But why was it so hard to accept that you and Ellie were memories?

It was almost comical how the two of you just kept meeting up, trying to sort out the details only to end up in each other's embraces once more. The cheap Italian restaurant you'd met her family at, the jazz-bar on Maryann Street, all of the places you once remembered spending hours at together. The way life was so easy back then, and it was effortless that you were able to love her. Now, it feels like a knife plunging into your heart every time your lips meet, but only because you know it's a temporary Band-Aid for you.

Ellie didn't show up for coffee this time. She probably knew how it'd go. Hell, you knew how it'd go. You got a brief raincheck text, and you didn't cry about it this time. You decided to take the next leap and block her number, and it felt kind of numbing for it to finally be over. However, memories would remain pristine and sweet. You wished her the best, overall.

The memories used to hit you, from the first gentle kiss to the argument that caused it all. There were times you'd be cooking dinner when she would come home and you swear even now you can still feel the fading warmth where her hands grabbed at your waist, a touch that used to be less greedy than it turned into. Like you had all the time in the world and she could afford to be slow with you.

With a weary sigh, you stood up and walked out of the coffee shop back to your apartment. The shut of the door felt like the soft thud of closing a book that didn't have a proper sequel.

[puff0o0]

Gromsko Dating HC

Flirting

♡ When I tell you that this man is so serious when he flirts with you, i mean it. It started off as just simple compliments- complimenting your skills if you're a soldier, complimenting new clothes, comparing hand sizes (yes he's one of those guys, it gives him an excuse to hold your hand and he takes it)

♡ Eventually it becomes less subtle and more bold, bad picku up lines to make you laugh despite him meaning every single word, just straight up holding your hand, complimenting every part of you. Many would think you're already dating, especially if you flirt back

♡ When you do, or if you do flirt back, he has to stop himself from going wild. His heart is beating in his chest, his hands are stiffening, he loves you so much and now it's hitting him full force

Dating

♡ He confessed first, making sure it was perfect for you and him. The scenery had to be perfect for both you and him- if you're someone who hated being around people it was in a secluded place, if you were someone who preferred staying outside, it was outside. He wanted this to feel just as great as it felt for him

♡ When you accepted his confession, he wrapped his arms around you tightly and held you as close as possible, thanking you for giving him such happiness. You gave him even more life than he had just moments before

♡ He loves PDA, but if you don't he's fine with not giving it to you. But he will still have a hand on you somehow, whether it be hand holding or finding an excuse to lead you somewhere so he can hold your hand or the small of your back

♡ He loves using nicknames and he also loves recieving nicknames. Any nicknames are fine with him, even if they're satire ones like babygirl or male wife (he will most likely die if you address him as husband in any way however. It is his favorite above all else)

♡ If there is ever a moment where you're sad or hurt, he does everything he can to make you feel better. Usually it's watching comedies or just doing something you want to do, but he understands that sometimes you just want to be held and he will gladly do that for you

Dates

♡ They're usually always fancy and at restaurants that you both like. He saves up a lot of money specifically for these dates. He wants you to feel like royalty, and what better way to do that?

♡ If you don't like restaurant dates, he keeps that in mind. He then goes for dates at the zoo or the aquarium, ice cream dates, sweet and simple stuff like that. Anything that brings a smile on your face is enough to add 5 years to his life. He does everything he possibly can

♡ If you're not having fun at a date, he will quickly move locations. He has a backup plan to his backup plan to his back plan. He wants it to be perfect for you!

[hella1975]

hiiii haha. hello. exceptionally awkward introduction bc idrk how to start something like this so let's just jump right in. im taking a break from this account for a bit. i know i said i wanted taob out before halloween and currently im fine sticking with that deadline, but if i decide i need longer away then i will take longer away. every time ive reassured people that id never abandon a fic and updates will always come eventually i never once considered that my writing and ability to feel safe and comfortable on this site would be actively taken from me, so im not even going to apologise. i dont want this either and more importantly i dont fucking deserve it. i dont know what it is in the past year, if ive hit a certain amount of followers or 'popularity' that's made it so the natural ratio of positive to negative interactions must in turn go up, but there's been a serious uptick in weird asks for me. the annoying part is that a very small amount of them are actually objectively mean and hateful, the rest are just weird and invasive from people who seemingly dont realise that's what they're being. ive reached a point where i dont care if the intentions are good. it's not my job as a 20 year old tumblr user of all things to defend the morality of someone who couldnt even bother to come off anon. unfortunately, after blocking only one or two anons, the weird asks have decreased substantially, which says all you need to know about the fascinating and exhilarating lives led by these people, but ive also gone on to turn anon asks off entirely. this is something i actively fought against doing and had to be pushed into by my mutuals (who have been the coolest people on planet earth during this entire thing). turning off anon was a big deal to me even if it sounds silly. i felt betrayed and like id been backed into a corner because it was so vehmently something i DIDNT WANT that to feel like i had to do it anyway for my own mental health??? that sucks. so even though ive 'fixed' the problem, im still kind of reeling and uncomfortable every time i come on tumblr. i hope it's just something i need time to ease because i'll truly be devastated if this becomes 'ruined' for me. tumblr exists as the only place in the world where i am honestly every facet of myself without shame or hesitation; losing that would be insanely harmful to me. and to the people who cant appeal to the actual human behind the post, let me put that in words you can understand: we wouldn't get any more writing 😦😦😦 riots and fires and sirens, i know. so yeah. to anyone who has sent me an anon ask and you're now wondering if you were part of the problem, im firmly of the belief that you'll know if you are. when i say 'weird asks' i dont mean 'you sent me a para about your personal life just to vent or ask for advice' or 'you sent me a really deep emotional compliment about the impact me and/or my writing has had on you' - i love asks like that, so much that i put off taking a break and turning off anon solely for the joy they bring me. im sorry that it might feel like you're being punished too bc of the actions of what in reality is a HANDFUL of weird people, but this is what i feel like i have to do to feel safe and not go insane every time i log in. love you guys, hopefully ill see you soon x

[ubejamjar]

ffxiv rarepair week || jantoirel

artoirel's eyes are 'forget-me-not blue' and jandelaine could never forget them, forget him.

[kaxtwenty]

Mikazuki loves Atra and Kudelia so much and so purely, but his life as a child soldier has left him so traumatized and emotionally stunted that he doesn’t know what to do with that love most of the time. So he’s just confused by them. Confused by what they see in him, cause he views himself as a weapon first and foremost. Everything else is just a dream he gave up on.

But that moment at the end of episode 44, I think he finally stopped trying to understand it. When confronted with a crying Atra, confessing her unconditional love for Mika and her fear of losing him, he just hugged her. He can’t understand her or Kudelia’s love for him, but he doesn’t want them to cry, so he’ll stop trying to understand and instead try to return that love.

Mika doesn’t know what he can be in a world without fighting, but he knows that they’ll accept him into their lives regardless.

[mad-hunts]

which subtle way of saying 'i love you' are you?

doing things for them without being asked to.

you're observant and you know your loved ones so well, you know when to do things for them without having to ask (or be asked) what they need. they don't always know how much you do for them; there's no need pointing it out, you're just happy to help.

you do things simply to make others feel better and lighten their burdens, and expect nothing in return: their happiness is enough for you, even if they don't always know you're the one who caused it. still, as good as it might feel to give and give and keep on giving, please allow them to do things for you in return.

people feel better when they're being helpful (you should know this, more than anyone) and no matter how hard it might feel for you to accept help from someone, you should take it when they readily give it to you. you deserve to be loved in the way you love them, too. you won't be a burden -- and remember: a real friend will love you even when you're not constantly being useful, because your company is more than enough.

stolen from: @raisedcold (thank you for introducing me to this <33)

tagging: @question-marked, @twcfaces, @adamanteine, @markhit, and anyone else who might like to complete this quiz!

[crownedwille]

I've come to the conclusion that loving young royals doesn't mean I can't be critical about it, maybe especially bc I love the show so much I have such strong feelings about it, good and bad and I can love parts of canon and agree with it and appreciate it but I don't have to love it all. I have accepted that it's okay if I don't accept the ending and I don't have to force myself to support it. It's okay to not agree with all of canon and it's okay to not side with all of the creators' intentions/views. Loving a show doesn't mean you have to take everything the writers say on face value and that's the only version that is allowed to exist. Canon isn't everything and fandom is about curating your own experience that makes you happy and not miserable. You don't have to dismiss canon in every aspect and ignore it entirely, that's certainly not what I want but there is a fine line between being canon respectful, allowing some parts to exist and sometimes, yes, you just have to say "fuck canon" and move on for your own sanity and wellbeing

[mantisgodsdomain]

We ought to write more Pokemon fic some time. We want to recreate the Pokemon Manners/Human Manners cheat sheet that we made a few years ago we think that this site would like the Sliding Scale Of Politeness When Greeting A New Pokemon You've Never Met Before.