#that led to plenty of miscommunication and misunderstanding

[zaruba-needslove]

The reason I say the "spark" isn't consumable, is because a simple touch of any ID core returns the stolen spark to the person it was stolen from.

But you're right, there are far too many unanswered questions for it to be definitive. I just don't want Neon's existence to be thanks to the Sakurai Parents...

wait if it was... does that make Neon and Keiwa siblings?

More crackhead meta time

simple touch of any ID core returns the stolen spark to the person it was stolen from.

Yet the core of the argument would be... were the sparks/memories taken/stolen in the first place? Were the memories 'retrieved' when someone touched a core ID actually given back to the owners through the core IDs? Or could it be possible that when someone supposedly recovered a memory, it wasn't that the actual memories were given back but more like RECONSTRUCTED from inside the person's dna (or whatever shit). To that note, was it even possible for one's memories to be erased completely aside from deterioration/destruction of the brain cells? Even my harddisk data could be retrieved by some data recovery programme if anyone want and got skills to do it (reason why even when I already deleted the data on my old hdd I'm scared to let anyone else get a hold on my hdd. like back when i wanna sell off my old pc for scraps. They always interested on the hdd) 😃

Like how Keiwa could recover his desire to help/protect people even before he touched Ace's core ID, it should be possible for anyone else to do it too. Like if there's an infinite source of gleams/sparks... it should lie in the people that the DGP harvest their sparks/gleams from. People's desires and greed aren't finite, since it can always be recreated/ replenished by the owner. (But yeah, the gleams/sparks that the DGP cut & paste/stole out of their victims ARE finite.)

I just don't want Neon's existence to be thanks to the Sakurai Parents...

Tbh... I hate that implication too. But people HAVE been making that kinda implication when Keiwa was revealed to attempt again to revive his family. One's suffering ≠ sparks/gleams that can be used to grant one's wish/desire. Are you sure that for Keiwa's wish to be granted, an actual someone's life would need to be sacrificed? And not someone's else's (C's) wish and sparks taken away and used to grant a person (D's) wish. Does a person ONLY want/have only ONE desire/wish at a time? (A certain Sakurai Sara would like to disagree...*hands out an old ema full of many different wishes* 😃)

[For a person's wish/happiness was to be granted, numerous others need to suffer.]

Who were the ones spreading that misinformation? *stares at the JamaTeam*

Whether someone become happy or suffer, that was only [side effects] that resulted from a wish. The DGP wish granting system rely on the power of wishes, not someone's emotions.

wait if it was... does that make Neon and Keiwa siblings?

Nah. Say your parents donated blood/organs to someone, does the receiver of the blood/organs now become your siblings? Nah.

To put in blandly, just because A was recycled into B... doesn't mean B was now A's offspring.

Side note: It might be possible that the only reason the Sakurai couple was not revived was because by then... the reservoir of sparks/gleams end up almost completely used up (with only one use remaining) and they need to take time to refill it again. Since the DGP needs more sponsors, wouldn't it make sense that the 'wish for [Akari] to be revived' take priority? And instead of restoring the Sakurai couple's lives later when the spark/gleam start replenishing itself, management be like... nah we be cutting our losses 'it's just a pair of married people only... who'd notice?

[delimeful]

you can’t go back (6)

warnings: tension, fear, miscommunication/cultural misunderstandings, mentions of pain/injury, maybe cliffhanger?, lmk if i missed any

-

Patton was on a mission.

He adjusted his armful of tupperwares and stared down the front door to the Torres household with the determination that had carried him all the way through two hours of baking and a thirty minute bus ride.

His friends had been acting super weird lately, and he was going to find out why.

First it had been Roman, who had been too distracted to hold even the most basic of conversations for ages, and now it was Logan, too, who backed up every silly rambling excuse Roman made with a completely straight face.

Patton didn’t want to push too hard, especially since he knew Remus’s absence was still weighing heavy on Roman’s mind, but the way they were acting… whatever this was, it didn’t seem to be about that. At least, not entirely.

And honestly, being left out was kind of hurting his feelings! The two of them had been having secretive whispered conversations in the halls that just so happened to end as soon as Patton got within earshot.

He’d held out for a while, hoping that maybe there was a surprise party for some holiday or anniversary he’d forgotten about, but enough was enough.

Patton was done joking. He was going to walk in there, sit his friends down, and talk to them about how he felt, no matter how awkward it might end up!

… Well, at the very least, he’d try and bring the topic up at least once. He’d brought their respective favorite cookies to butter them up, and hoped that being a little bit more honest about everything would encourage them to open up about whatever was bothering them in turn!

Taking a deep breath, he knocked on the door.

There was no answer, but since Mr. & Mrs. Torres were at work, that wasn’t too surprising. Roman was supposed to be home, but he would sometimes miss a knock at the door, busy blasting theatre music in his room or painting with headphones in.

Luckily, Patton had been friends with Roman since they were kids, and there had been plenty of times in the past where he’d let himself in. He shook the house key out of the hollow, palm-sized dragon statue on the porch, and wasted no time in stepping inside.

The house was eerily quiet in a way Patton rarely saw it. He tiptoed into the kitchen, feeling a little bit like a home invader, and set his tupperware tower on the counter.

“Hello? It’s Patton!” he called up the stairs, loud enough to hopefully reach the ears of any errant friends.

Still, there was no sign of Roman, or Logan for that matter.

“Miaow,” a petulant, adorable little voice called up to him, and Patton looked down to see Lady Macbeth practically standing on his toes, little furry head craned back to look up at him with the most potent pair of pleading eyes he’d ever seen.

“D’aww,” he said, crouching to scratch under her chin and mentally promising himself that he’d remember to wash his hands afterwards.

Lady tolerated the affection for a few seconds, and then ducked away and walked a few steps before looking over her shoulder at him expectantly.

“You need something, kitty?” He was already standing to follow her, expecting to be led to an empty food bowl or feather toy.

Instead, she pranced over to the back door and sat expectantly in front of it.

“Outside?” Patton asked, surprised. Lady Macbeth typically preferred the indoors, especially when there was a lap nearby to curl up on. “Is that where Roman is?”

“Mow,” Lady told him, standing on her hind legs to press her paws against the plastic portion of the screen door.

Good enough for him!

He took a brief detour to scrawl a brief message on a sticky note, leaving it on top of his tupperware, just in case.

Without wasting another moment, he unlocked the back door and pushed it open, watching as Lady trotted outside with her tail held high in the air, with none of the usual lingering-in-the-doorway shenanigans she normally loved to partake in. In fact, Lady seemed to be on a mission of her own, heading directly down the dirt path as though she was a tiny kitty businessman, late for a kitty business meeting.

Patton grinned at the thought, and then hurried to follow her.

To his surprise, they went right past the new barn and the animal paddocks, two of the most likely places Roman might be.

Instead, Lady led him all the way through the overgrowth to the creaky old barn near the edge of the property, the one that hadn’t been in use for at least a year or two now. The doors were closed, the bolt slid shut, but Lady only sniffed disdainfully at them for a moment before circling around to the side and inspecting each window along the sides of the barn.

“What would Roman be doing in here?” Patton wondered out loud, stepping closer to look at the windows himself.

They were all shuttered, despite the fact that they were long past the season for heavy storms, and there wasn’t supposed to be anything important inside this barn, anyhow.

Lady had already figured out that the windows were blocked, and was sitting at the base of the locked doors impatiently, pinning Patton with an imploring stare the moment he turned his attention back to her.

“Alright, alright,” he chuckled, moving forwards to knock gently on the doors and then slide the bolt free. “Let’s see what’s got you so worked up, hm?”

When the doors opened, he actually missed the most startling thing in the room at first.

To be fair to him, the last time he’d seen the barn’s interior, it had been after the lingering old tools finally hauled over to the freshly built shed, so it had been all but empty.

Now, however, it was decidedly not.

There was a large folding table shoved into one corner, the surface of it covered in scrawled-over papers, an odd helmet, and what looked like lab equipment checked out from their school’s library. There were a few old chairs along the sides of the table, and one sitting with its wooden back against the opposite wall of the barn.

There was a heap of old linens and even a faded comforter next to the chair, and that was where Lady Macbeth was headed now, probably intending to curl up in the lumpy pile and enjoy the warmth of the afternoon.

Patton tilted his head. Had the blanket mound just… twitched?

Lady stopped right at the edge of the blankets and mewed loudly. In response, an entire person sat upright with a wheezy-sounding inhale, as though abruptly waking from a nightmare.

“Ro…,” Patton started, and then immediately trailed off as a distinctly-not-Roman face twisted to lock eyes with him.

It only took a heartbeat of staring for Patton to register that it was a distinctly-not-human face, too. “Oh!”

The stranger didn’t widen their eyes, and there didn’t seem to be a mouth visible to them to gape with, but Patton could still see clear alarm in the way they tried ineffectually to shuffle back while still entangled in about three different blankets.

He related; he’d frozen in surprise, his gaze flicking from the dark shiny plates covering their skin to the windows cut into their synthetic-looking jumpsuit that revealed gill-like slits along their sides.

Abducted by aliens, Roman had claimed, and— unless this was a theatre friend that was extremely skilled at costuming— he’d apparently been more on the nose than anyone in town had believed.

This wasn’t anything near what Patton had expected them to be hiding.

The silent stare down only lasted for a moment longer before being interrupted by another distinctive, wheedling meow.

It was hard to tell where exactly the alien was looking, no pupil or iris discernible in their shiny dark eyes, but Patton did catch a tiny flicker of movement in the muscles around their eyes, presumably to look over at the feline friend currently kneading her claws into the edge of a blanket.

“That’s Lady Macbeth,” Patton offered, lifting a hand to gesture to the cat in question.

The alien moved nearly as soon as he did, lunging forwards with startling quickness, and for one short moment, the thought that the alien might not be friendly rocked through him like a plunge into icy water. “Wait—!”

Instead of grabbing at Lady, though, the alien had simply shifted to be slightly hunched over her, arms lifted as though to block her from view, head turned to keep that unnerving gaze locked on Patton.

By the time he finally opened his mouth to speak, an entire bundle of confused thoughts were already racing through his mind, all of them practically tripping over his tongue to be the first question asked: Was the alien trying to protect her from him? Was Lady Macbeth their friend? Were all cats secretly aliens all along? Had something just twitched behind their back?

The question that came out instead was, “Are those oven mitts?”

A set of clear eyelids flickered over the alien’s eyes twice in rapid succession, but they otherwise remained still, their oven mitt-covered hands hovering in place over Lady Macbeth like a protective forcefield of gingham-patterned fireproof fabric.

Impatient as always, Lady pushed up to sit on her haunches and promptly butted her head against one of the oven mitts.

The alien jolted back as though they’d been burned, somehow making a low, vehement click-click-click-churr sound as their head snapped back and forth between Patton and Lady with comical speed, seemingly trying to watch both of them closely at the same time.

“She wants you to pet her,” Patton explained, and then stretched his hand out a little further. “I’ll show you?”

When no clear objection came, he carefully stepped closer, and then held his hand out and rubbed his fingers together. “Pspsps, Lady, c’mere.” He received a deeply disdainful look for his efforts. “Hey now, I know you want attention, but forget out of this world, our buddy looks like they’re about to have an out of this body experience if we keep bothering them.”

He winked at the alien, who was staring at him and holding very still, like a deer in front of a T-rex.

After a few more seconds of coaxing, Lady seemed to grasp that her new best friend wasn’t going to start bestowing scritches upon her anytime soon, and turned to meander over to Patton instead.

The alien’s stillness abruptly began to feel more like the tension of a loaded spring. Patton kept his movements slow and gentle as he stroked a hand over Lady’s head a few times. “Like this, see? Roman says she’s arrogant, like a little queen receiving her dues, but I think she’s just got a lot of dignity packed into that teeny tiny frame. She loves when you scratch under her chin, too.”

He scritched lightly behind her ears before moving to do just that, and within a second or two, Lady had started up her low, rumbly purr, her eyes closing in the kitty version of a deeply pleased expression.

When he glanced up, the alien had leaned forwards slightly, watching them closely. This close, Patton could tell their eyes were actually a dark purplish color.

“You wanna try?” he asked, and carefully reached a hand halfway to one of their oven mitts and held it in the air there. An offer.

The alien recoiled slightly at first, but Patton simply waited, arm outstretched. After a few moments, they extended their own hand with painstaking slowness, caution lining their every move.

“There you go,” Patton encouraged, and took hold of the edge of the oven mitt to carefully guide their hand over to hover above Lady’s head. “She won’t hurt you, okay?”

Those uncanny eyes stared at him for a long moment, and then they lowered their mitt to brush the top of Lady’s head, the contact as light and delicate as someone handling fine china.

Predictably, Lady immediately bumped her head up into the mitt, a clear demand for more attention. Patton had no idea how she’d grown so attached to an alien that didn’t know how to pet cats– that didn’t even seem to know cats liked to be pet– but clearly she remained just as good a judge of character as ever.

Though the oven mitt made things a little more difficult, the alien managed something resembling clumsy chin scratches, and Lady made a little chirping meow at them. They tilted their chin up slightly and made a sound that wasn’t anywhere near a meow, but imitated a similar rolling cadence as the chirp.

Patton couldn’t help it; he grinned big enough to make his cheeks bunch up, overcome by how adorable it all was.

The alien took one look at him and shoved themself back hard, the plates on their skin abruptly flushing an inky black like a startled squid. Even Lady jolted, scurrying a few feet away as the rapid movement startled her in turn.

Patton’s expression dropped like a hot potato, but it was too late: the alien overbalanced, an unsteadiness to their movements, and hit the ground back-first.

They didn’t scream or yell even as their whole body seemed to sharply convulse with pain. Instead, the only sounds they let out were choked, hissing breaths as they scrambled for purchase against the dirt and twisted onto their side as quickly as possible.

The motion relieved pressure from their back— and also gave Patton a perfect view of the long, spindly limbs that protruded from their spine, bound together and convulsing like a cramped muscle.

There were four of them, almost insectoid in nature, made of the same material as the shiny plates over their skin, but thicker, more solid. Like the difference between a fingernail and a tooth.

The restraints weren’t digging into anything, but Patton could see the way the alien shuddered with each little twitch of the limbs, causing more pain with every automatic attempt to recoil from it.

With the oven mitts on, there was no way for them to remove the restraints.

Roman and Logan had a lot of explaining to do.

Patton knew his friends. They weren’t cruel, not intentionally and they wouldn’t do something like this without reason. Maybe it would be smarter to wait for them to return, get the full story. But they weren’t here now, and he didn’t know when they’d get back.

Patton had never been particularly good at staying still when there was something wrong happening right in front of him.

The alien was still making those horrible, pained little breaths, struggling to keep themself still.

The moment Patton audibly shifted forward, they seemed to realize just who their back was facing, and let out a rattling hiss, a sort of kh-kh-kh-kh that was more vicious than any other noise he’d heard from them so far.

He swallowed, but didn’t let himself falter.

“I want to help you,” he told them. “I don’t know how well you can understand me, but I can see that you’re in pain. I want to help, I— I won’t hurt you.”

Gradually, the defensive hiss faded, though every part of the alien he could see was still rigid with tension.

“I’m going to reach out and touch the restraints, okay?” Patton waited a beat, and then did just that, carefully avoiding touching the sensitive-seeming limbs themselves. Their back twitched slightly, probably not helping the pain, and Patton winced in sympathy. “Sorry, sorry. I can see the knots they did, and I think I can undo them. I’m going to try to loosen them by pulling, okay? If it hurts, hiss and I’ll stop, okay? Give me a sign and I’ll pause, I promise.”

The alien made a low click-click in the back of their throat, but let the side of their head rest against the floor, pointedly not reacting when Patton started moving his fingers again, working at the knotted strips of fabric.

Logan had probably designed the clever way the restraints connected, but Roman had definitely been the one to tie them. He’d gone to a sailing camp one summer when he was younger, and apparently learned all sorts of knots and ropework there. Patton still remembered him showing off the process of tying a butterfly knot at lunch.

It took some wiggling, and a few tense pauses after Patton accidentally tugged too hard in one place or another, but eventually he’d gotten the restraints loose enough to slowly pull them off the limbs without causing any further agony.

The alien pushed themself up to hand and knees as soon as the fabric slipped free, putting some distance between them and Patton before beginning to stretch those folded up limbs out… and out… and out.

“Woah,” Patton breathed, seeing the way the limbs uncurled to be almost as long as Patton himself was tall.

Using the wall as a support, the alien finally stood fully upright and turned to face Patton. Their newly-freed limbs spread out even wider, hovering in the air behind the alien like a scorpion’s tail held aloft, each ending at a curved point. Something about the sight of them made a faint, primal impulse in the back of Patton’s mind light up, sending a thrill of fear down his spine and demanding he get as far away as possible, as fast as possible.

His breath hitched just slightly, and he struggled to force the feeling away and ignore the pounding of his heart in his ears. The alien hadn’t tried to hurt him, and they weren’t being mean now. It was just his brain falsely recognizing a threat and flooding him with automatic wariness, much in the same way a cat’s mind filled with panic at the sight of an unexpected cucumber.

Even a comparison as silly as that couldn’t erase his body’s reaction, though, and when the alien took a delicate step forward, Patton’s shoulders rose up to his ears like a turtle shrinking back into its shell.

To his surprise, the alien halted their approach, apparently watching him just as carefully as he’d been watching them. After a moment of hesitation, their face pinched slightly, almost like the expression a human would make when wrinkling up their nose, and then– the flat thick shell covering the lower part of their face cracked in two.

With a series of crackling sounds that sounded pretty similar to Patton’s mom stretching her back in the morning, two interlocking plates separated and pulled back along the jawline, overlapping into hard ridges like a set of hard-edged wrinkles on either cheek. Where the plate had previously covered, there was a recognizable mouth, though the oddly-shaped lips were faint and thin, and the teeth configuration certainly had a lot more visible fangs than any human Patton knew, even with their mouth mostly closed.

The alien’s sharp limbs folded and unfolded slightly, moving in an absentminded way that made Patton think they were concentrating hard on something else. Their torso swelled with a visible breath, lower than Patton expected, and then their mouth finally moved

“Won’... hur,” they enunciated distinctly, with a sharp, inhuman click at the end. Then, they repeated the words again, the click more muted, almost sounding like a ‘t’. “Won- t. Hur- t.”

Won’t hurt.

Echoing Patton’s earlier promise one more time, they rotated one of those narrow limbs forward and extended it into the space between them.

Patton knew his eyes had to be wide as quarters, his apprehension replaced by a heartfelt awe as he reached out and watched as the end of that alien limb tapped gently down into his hand.

This close, he could see that the edge wasn’t actually razor sharp or barbed. Instead, it was similar to a cat’s claw, safe to lightly touch, but just curved and thin enough to catch and tear if force was put behind it.

There was no force behind it now, though, and Patton ghosted his fingertips over the smooth insect shell-like surface, surprised by how cool and sleek it felt.

He smiled broadly to himself, delight rushing through him. “I’m holding hands with an alien,” he confided to the alien in question, who had gone still for a moment before hesitantly smiling back.

Well, really, it was more of a brief, awkward baring of teeth, and the two halves of the face-plate clicked back into place shortly afterwards, but Patton was too overjoyed to care.

“This is so cool, I can’t believe it! We’re friends now, aren’t we? After that, how can we astronaut be friends, am I right? I’m going to tell you so many things about cats, you have no idea,” he rambled, easily releasing his new friend from their sort-of handholding when their limb seemed to twitch nervously. “Lady, pspsps, here kitty, come back over here and sit with us!”

Patton plopped himself down on the dirt floor, patting the ground nearby in a gesture that apparently translated well enough, because his alien friend only wavered in place for a moment before slowly folding their backwards legs to sit next to him.

Lady was lured in quickly by the temptation of cuddles like a heat-seeking missile, and Patton swiftly scooped her up and crooned at her before turning and setting her in his friend’s lap. “Here, let’s get those funny mitts off of you, you’ll have much better odds of being her new favorite if you can pet her properly!”

His new friend might be a little hard to read, but there was no misinterpreting the delicate care in every motion as they curled their talon-like fingers through Lady's fur. This alien was a fellow cat-lover, and Patton was feline pretty sure that this was the start of a wonderful friendship.

“There you go, you're doing great! Lady sure warmed up to you fast, didn't she? My other friends are probably going to freak out a little more, but don’t worry about a single thing, okay? I’ll explain everything to them, no purroblem!”

—

Inside a house not very far away, a pair of teenagers stared at the counter, where a small mountain of cookie-filled tupperware sat. On the top of that mountain, they had found a bright blue sticky note with a message in familiar handwriting.

‘To Roman (or Logan! or both of you!)

‘Accompanying Lady Macbeth on a fur-ocious journey through the backyard wilderness to find a missing prince! If you get back before me, come join us!

‘Love, Patton <3 <3 <3’

Roman and Logan exchanged matching horrified glances, and then bolted for the back door without another word.

They had a friend to rescue.

[alagaesia-headcanons]

When shipping Orrin/Murtagh, do you ever feel the need to just... give in to their alcohol abuse tendencies? I wanted to do a drabble with them but halfway their communication problem turned into retreating, moping and drinking :(

Oooh that idea has a lot of interesting possibilities within it. Of course, it’s perfect for angst, and I think there’s great potential to develop it into a meaningful resolution.

I definitely encourage you to keep going! I don’t feel like the characters relapsing into alcoholism to some degree has to halt the progress of your story, especially when writing Murtagh and Orrin. After all, the ways that both of them made mistakes with alcohol in the past is one of the many interesting overlaps between them. The way their communication issue led them back to drinking is an interesting concept in itself. It’d be a cool approach to illustrate what emotions they’re most vulnerable to and what makes Murtagh feel the need to drink versus what makes Orrin feel it. What parts of their relationship are most affected by these struggles? Do they try to keep it hidden? Do they ever drink together?

That has a lot of potential to shift the situation and explore their dynamic from an entirely new angle. Would Orrin first suggest it, or would Murtagh? How exactly would they interact in that kind of state and how would they feel about it afterwards? That could lead them to reveal or confess things they were avoiding and kickstart proper communication. Or on the other hand, if their drunken distress feeds into each other and makes their pain and misunderstanding even worse, it could make them realize afterwards that they need to deal with things directly before they break something that can’t be fixed.

Alternatively, maybe one or both of them realize what the other is doing without ever seeing them drink. Since they both had past experiences with alcohol abuse, they could be particularly conscious of the signs. Maybe Orrin notices the glint of a flask tucked surreptitiously in Murtagh’s pocket even though he’d never seen him carry one before, or he sees tiny drops of red staining the sleeve of his shirt. Maybe Murtagh notices the smell of Orrin’s breath through the heavy perfume trying to disguise it, or catches him bringing his goblet away with him when dinner is finished.

Realizing that the other is also struggling can spark deep empathy and concern. Perhaps that earnest care and desire to help can overpower the feelings that caused the communication issue to begin with. Or the worry and urge to help make it clear that their own drinking habits are harmful and need to be addressed. It could provide a lot of motivation to open up and work through hard things together once they see how much they’re both hurt by such miscommunications. And breaking their habits and recovering together could ease so much shame and fear and show Murtagh and Orrin the value of support that they’ve never had quite like this.

So much potential! I really hope that was helpful or inspiring in some way, and I hope it wasn’t overbearing or anything. I just adore chatting about ideas for the two of them. If you do finish the fic, please please PLEASE send me a link, I’d fucking LOVE to read it!!!!!!

(If it’s of interest- I haven’t really felt drawn to show them falling back to their alcoholism during their relationship, but it’s more because I don’t tend to emphasize substance abuse in my own writing. On an individual level, I find it somewhat uncomfortable to write in depth, and I’m not fully confident in my ability to depict it well. It’s a very interesting theme and I’ve enjoyed plenty of stories that deal with it, but writing it myself is a different beast I’m not always up for.

Within my own story, I work through the alcohol abuse they demonstrate during canon in the first part and bring it to a resolution before they meet. Orrin overcomes his brief but brutal descent into alcoholism during the first few months after the end of the war as part of his journey to properly process his grief for the loved ones he lost. In my headcanons, Murtagh’s drunkenness was more isolated and extreme incidents, also very unhealthy, but not consistent in a way that led to dependency. That makes it easier for him to overcome, facilitated by the fact that he simply has no alcohol to drink in his isolation. By the time they meet, they both have a resolve to not drink if they can avoid it.

For the most part, they’re pretty good for each other in that way. They want to support the other’s resolve to stay sober and don’t want to undermine that with any temptation, and that tends to keep them from initiating drinking together. (Though that doesn’t always keep them away from other unhealthy behaviors...) I’ve written a conversation between them where they first talk about that part of their past. In a certain way, it helps alleviate some of their shame and fear of judgment to know that they’ve both made similar mistakes. They empathize with that struggle and would never condemn the other for it.

Although, all this has made me consider some ways having struggles with alcohol come back up might play a meaningful role in the story, so I definitely want to give that more thought!)

[harocat]

I recall that the dream arc of tteotm didn’t work that well for you. Was it not being into Mingye and Sangjiu as characters or did you feel it was a deeper structural problem

Ming Ye and Sang Jiu on their own were... mostly fine. Their romance was even pretty cute at first. The arc also had incredible aesthetics, so it had that going for it.

First and foremost, the arc was too long. Battle scenes too lengthy, endless convoluted misunderstandings etc. This is time that could have been dedicated to many other things, including the immortal arc later on.

Secondly, the dubious consent scene with Ming Ye and Sang Jiu. Not only did the show not seem to play it as dubcon, but it was just completely out of character for Sang Jiu. I tried to put this behind me, but it was extremely hard, and tangentially related but I'll always be bugged by the fact that Tantai Jin and Li Susu's' 'first time' together in a sense was when they were in those bodies, being forced to act it out. OFC none of this is Ming Ye or Sang Jiu's fault, but it just made the whole thing more screwed up to me. I wanted it to be brought up, but I knew it never would be. One of the reasons I WANTED them to get a scene where they explicitly consummated their relationship is because I wanted them to have something better than... that. So I am glad the show at least gave me Li Susu and Tantai Jin getting to do that in episode thirty-nine.

(To be clear even if this scene wasn't dubious consent on the part of Sang Jiu, I still would have been kind of upset for TTJ and LSS, but it makes it a lot worse.)

I guess the biggest issue is really that the characters were so stupid. Tian Huan was a pointless character. She had NOTHING to her except her crush on Ming Ye, which led her to do all this fucked up and evil shit. Say what you will about Bingchang (who also drove me nuts lol), but she had more meat to her; motivations and issues deeper than just 'stereotypical jealous bitch.' Every moment with TH on screen was insufferable. In no way was she ever fun to watch or even fun to be angry at. While it's true that villains are sometimes created to be hated, there should be some aspect of strong feeling associated with that that enhances your experience, as opposed to just 'I'm so annoyed I want to stop watching.'

Ming Ye and Sang Jiu constantly made the dumbest decisions, especially Ming Ye. I know xianxia loves the miscommunication plotlines, and obviously there was plenty of that between Li Susu and Tantai Jin, but as frustrating as theirs was, it was at least understandable why it would happen. These two just had a multiple choice selection and chose the worst one every time. Ming Ye was the worst about this, and I understand that this was new to him (and 'this was my first time being a husband' was a lovely line btw), but it was still so maddening to watch. Instead of being sad for them, often I was just mad.

There were some great moments. Evil Sang Jiu was hot. The scenes in the forest when Ming Ye was recovering were beautiful and legitimately touching. Sang You is my boyfriend, and he is also gender. I LOVE that she actually got to take out TH, and I love when she stepped forward and said 'this is not a transaction.' That was SO good. That being said, even close to the end, after TH was dead, I felt like their ill fate was entirely preventable. That this all took place with the background being a potentially apocalyptic war going on did not help, because it did make it all feel very banal.

But as maybe a three or even four episode arc, I think it could have worked much better.

I also didn't think it played well into the final arc in a satisfying way. TTJ repeating Ming Ye's fate was awful to see. He's even stuck in the scale! Sang Jiu had no play in the last arc at all, even though she easily could have with the world overturning jade. It felt really unfair to her, but it does track with how LSS was treated. My honest opinion is that if the dream arc was utilized well in the final episodes, it would have given multiple routes to a very logical, well foreshadowed ending storyline (with yes, an HEA). I would have forgiven a lot from it if it ended up being a set up for some really excellent story beats in the final five episodes. But it just wasn't.

[boushh2187]

Home for Christmas - Rumbelle Secret Santa 2019

Title: Home for Christmas

Author: boushh2187

Rumbelle Secret Santa 2019 Gift for @crankynerdgirl

Prompt: jealous lovers, miscommunication, happy ending

Fandom/Pairing: Once Upon a Time / Rumbelle

Word Count: 5,798

Summary: A first Christmas together in Storybrooke is complicated by innocent misunderstandings. Non-Magical Storybrooke AU.

Author’s Note: To my giftee: Thank you so much for this prompt. I had a blast writing it! This was your choice of Plan B! :) I had two ideas and you chose this one. I hope you like it! It was an honor being your Santa! Happy Holidays!!

Home for Christmas

Mr. Gold’s Pawn Shop was quiet as he worked carefully on an old pocket watch. He rather enjoyed working on and restoring these old timepieces. There was something satisfying about seeing the hands move and hearing the ticking sound on a watch that was once still and quiet. Just one more adjustment and the job would be done. Raymond Gold looked at the clock on the wall. Just in time. Gold chuckled to himself and set the correct time on the pocket watch. His daily guest would be arriving soon. He might just have enough time to polish the watch before she arrived. 

He took the polish and cloth and began cleaning up the watch. He had a nice, velvet lined box to put it in, and he would leave the wrapping up to his customer. This was to be a holiday gift. Storybrooke was full of townsfolk buying gifts and decorating for the winter holidays. He couldn’t believe how the time flew by. A common saying among people, he knew, but it was different this year for him. This year, something had changed. He couldn’t believe his luck, and how much time had gone by since the fortunate moment when his life had taken a turn for the better. 

He thought back to that stormy day in early June. It had been six months since Belle French had pushed the door open of his shop and jumped in, the wind blowing in behind her... 

The gust of wind pushed at the petite woman, nearly knocking her over as she entered. Belle slammed the door shut with both hands and stood in front of it, dripping wet and trying to pull wet strands of her brown hair out of her eyes. Her light blue rain coat had blown open and the pretty spring dress she wore underneath was soaked. In a mere moment there was a puddle on the floor and she was apologizing profusely for bringing in all the rain water. Gold grabbed a clean and dry towel from the cabinet behind him and went over and handed it to her. He took care not to place his cane on the wet floor, for fear of slipping. “Don’t worry yourself. It’s not a day to be outside!” he reassured her and offered her his arm. She took it with a grateful expression and he led her inside the shop.

“It was lovely before. I was walking on the pier and stopped to talk to someone, and before you knew it the clouds had come in,” she said as she attempted to dry herself off next to the counter. “By the time I came back onto Main Street my umbrella had broken and blown away! Oh look at me, I’m a mess.” Emotion was creeping into her voice. Perhaps she was a bit embarrassed. She needn’t have been. She was always lovely.

“There, there. Come inside the back room. I have more dry towels and you can choose any of the clothes in the shop. Free of charge. I even have a hair dryer in here. I’ll make us some tea and you can ride out the storm in here.”

Before long she had on some dry clothes and dried her hair and was settled in, sitting across the counter from him and sipping her hot tea. “Mmm, I haven’t had Earl Grey in a while,” she said. “Thank you.”

He nodded and sipped his own cup of tea. They made pleasant small talk, and chatted about various goings on in the town.

“You know, I have decided that people have got you all wrong.”

He chuckled. “Oh? Do tell.”

Instead of going on about what the townsfolk thought of him she looked at him with an honest expression and stated, “Well I won’t say what they think, but I think you’re quite kind. Thank you again for helping me out this afternoon.” She reached out and touched his hand lightly. 

“It was no trouble.” He couldn’t think of what else to say. She was the one who was being kind by not mentioning what the townsfolk thought of him. Some just thought him cold, others mean, and others were plain afraid of him. He was a landlord to many, and more than a few people would come into the shop to pawn their things. He was never a social butterfly, but he knew he had become cold and distant since Milah moved away and took their son with her. It had been five years and he only saw his son twice a year. He was heartbroken, and lonely, but didn’t think there was anything to be done about it.

Belle changed that notion. The next day she arrived around noon with a picnic basket full of food for lunch that they shared for an hour, before she had to return to the library where she worked. She said it was to thank him for his kindness, but they had a lovely time. He enjoyed her company, and she must have enjoyed his because she arrived with lunch once again the following day.  It became a daily occurrence. Every day except Sundays when his shop and the library were closed. She didn’t work on Saturdays yet she arrived for lunch. Sometimes he would provide the food items, and other days she would bring something for them to share. 

Part of him didn’t think that she could possibly be interested in him in any other way except in friendship. He was divorced, with a child already, and much older than she was. He was in his late forties while she had just turned 30. He’d walked in on her birthday gathering at Granny’s earlier that year while he was out collecting rent. He was hardly the ideal partner for someone such as herself. Not to mention that he had a bad ankle and wasn’t able to walk without his cane. Meanwhile, she was beautiful, younger, smarter, friendlier, and there were plenty of younger men in town that would be interested. Yet she spent time with him every day, and he felt that there was a good connection between them. It was something he had never quite felt before.

It would take him two months to finally work up the nerve to ask her over for dinner. He was a good cook, and she agreed that she always enjoyed the lunches that he prepared, some of which were leftovers from the night before. She agreed and came over for dinner one evening in August, and it was morning when he drove her home to her apartment above the library. He had gone and opened up his shop in somewhat of a daze, wondering if it had all been a dream. They had been seeing each other ever since. Belle had even taken to calling him her boyfriend. Imagine that?

The little bell above the front door chimed, and there was the person that had so occupied his thoughts these last few months. Belle was holding the door open with her back and pulling in a medium sized soft sided red wagon. She was dressed for the cold, with a woolen grey coat and hat and boots. She pulled the wagon inside and closed the door behind her. Gold felt the gust of cold wind just at that moment and shivered. 

“It’s so warm in here! Thank goodness!” she exclaimed as she pulled her hat and gloves off. “I bought us lunch from Grannys, and I have a Christmas wreath for your shop and for the house. I already dropped the others off at the Library and at Grannys. Father sends his regards, by the way. He decorated the wreaths extra pretty this year.” She held one up for his approval. It was decorated with a big red ribbon, little red and green gifts, holly, and frosted pine cones.

“It’s very fine,” he said, and smirked. “However, I very much doubt your father sent his regards.”

She placed the wreath on the side counter and pulled the cart to the side. She grabbed the bag from Grannys and came over to him. “Well it was more like a grumble, followed by your name, followed by a grumble. Maybe a swear word or two.” 

“Now that’s more like it,” he responded. Needless to say, her father did not approve.

She came around behind the counter and placed the lunch on top of it. “Well he’s also not happy that I’m staying in Storybrooke and not going with him to visit my aunties in Boston. I’ll be seeing them when they visit in the spring. I’d much rather spend the holidays with you.” She put her arms around his neck. Her coat was freezing.

“You need to take this thing off before it turns me into a popsicle,” he said, and started undoing the buttons of her coat for her.

“Shouldn’t you be used to the cold weather, Mr. Scotsman living in Maine?” she teased as she looked up at him with her blue eyes. He looked back smugly as he undid the buttons.

He helped her take her coat off and draped it around the chair, wasting no time in putting his arms around her and pulling her close. “I do just fine in the cold weather, but I would rather be close to you like this instead of that big old frozen coat.”

“Hey, I happen to like that coat. It was a gift from a very handsome man I know.” She lifted up on her toes and kissed him gently on the lips.

He was caught off guard for a moment because he was the one that had given her that coat. He was always surprised to hear these kinds of words about him. She saw him much differently than he saw himself, that was certain.

“If we continue like this much longer lunch is going to get cold,” she said, in a reluctant tone, and disengaged from his embrace. She started setting out their lunch. “Raymond would you mind if we had brunch at Granny’s tomorrow instead of lunch here?”

“That would be very nice, actually. I look forward to it.” He grinned at her as she set the hot soup in front of him. Perfect for the blustery day.

“Great, I promised Granny and Ruby I would help them decorate early in the morning. Remember I told you how it was my mission this year to help anyone with decorations that needed it? This town is so quaint and beautiful that I think it needs to be as festive as early as possible. It’ll bring in more business for everyone, and it’ll just be lovely! Oh! And I was talking with David Nolan earlier. He was saying how he wished he had some extra help at the animal shelter, to make sure the animals feel cared for and loved this time of year, and he needs help with potential adoptions… Anyway, I told him I would be glad to help. So if you’re ever looking for me in the late afternoons I might be over there helping him.”

She was a whirlwind of excitement this afternoon. “That’s all very kind of you Belle. That’s why everyone loves you, unlike my grumpy self.” He grinned and said it half in jest, but it was true that much of the townsfolk didn’t like him. He didn’t have any real friends.

“Oh stop. You’ve been friendly.”

“Thanks to you it somehow happens at times,” he said with a laugh.

“It does!” she insisted. “David likes you! And Ruby too! She just told me how much more personable you’ve been lately. And Mary Margaret invited us over for the Nolans Christmas Eve party. I hope you’ll want to go with me.”

“Of course,” he reached out and squeezed her hand. “You also said you’d like to help me decorate the house. How does this weekend sound? I’ll close the shop on Saturday. You can spend the weekend with me… if you like.”

She smiled brightly at him. “Yes! On one condition.”

He raised an eyebrow, just as he was filled with joy at her immediate acceptance. They’d never spent a weekend together before.

“We do the same for Christmas and New Year’s weekend. I can’t think of a better way to spend it than cozying up at home with you.”

He was certain he was dreaming, but he nodded in response, because he didn’t trust that words would actually come out of his mouth.

They finished lunch and set out to quickly decorate the shop. She found an old radio and tuned it to a holiday station. They put the wreath on the door, he put the menorah in front of the window, and they placed garland and colored lights around the shop. He also took some time to finish polishing the pocket watch. He handed the watch and the box to her. “What do you think?”

“It looks amazing. Father is going to love it. I’m going to make sure to mention how much care and work you put into it.” 

“He’s going to love it because it’s coming from you.” He was pretty sure that it wouldn’t make much of a difference in how the man thought of him.

*****

The next day he arrived at Granny’s for brunch. The wreath Belle had brought for the diner hung on the door as he opened it. There was garland all along the windows, and lights wrapped around the garland. It had the desired festive effect. 

He scanned the diner for Belle as he stepped inside. It didn’t take long for him to find her. She was perched on top of a ladder placing lights along the top of the windowsill in the back of the diner. She was laughing at something David Nolan said. David was steadying the ladder and handing her the remainder of the lights. She wobbled slightly and he steadied her more securely by holding onto the ladder and placing a hand at the small of her back. 

Raymond Gold felt his entire body tense. At first it was with worry when he saw Belle unsteady on the ladder, and then it was with a twinge of jealousy. He tried to shake it away, but he couldn’t help but feel it. David Nolan was tall, very handsome, very friendly, outgoing, and was with his second wife in less than two years, who was also pregnant with his child. If it wasn’t for that last fact, he would be just the kind of man that Belle should have in her life. She obviously seemed to enjoy his company. They were both smiling and chatting and having a grand time. He had to will himself to move instead of keeping himself standing near the doorway clenching his fists. He was aware that several people, including Granny greeted him, but he said nothing in return. He didn’t even look at them. He kept his eyes on Belle and David as he approached them.

“There!” Belle said, brightly. “All done!” She began an attempt to descend. 

“Looks great, Belle!” David said as he reached up to take Belle’s hand.

Before Gold even knew what he was doing he had stepped up to them and placed his cane right on top of David’s foot, and leaned down hard on it.

David shouted and pulled his foot from under the cane. He hopped on one foot for a moment, and Gold took that time to reach out for Belle to take his hand instead. “Oh I’m so sorry, Mr. Nolan. Are you all right?” 

Belle hopped down off of the ladder. “Oh no, David.”

David waved his arms at them. “It’s OK. It’s OK. Just my big clumsy feet getting in the way as usual!” He laughed through gritted teeth and Gold smirked in satisfaction.

“Yes, it’s a wonder you’ve had two different women in your life in such a short time…” muttered Gold under his breath.

“Raymond!” Belle chided him, quietly and nudged his ribs. David was busy rubbing his foot and apparently didn’t hear.

“I have some ice if you need it!” Granny called from behind the counter as she served a plate to a customer. 

David laughed it off and limped off toward the door. “Don’t worry about it. I’ll see you later, Belle. I have to get to work. Goodbye Mr. Gold.”

“Take care, Mr. Nolan. Again, I’m terribly sorry about your foot.” Gold responded, only half sincere.

“Bye David. See you later. Raymond, why don’t you get us a table while Ruby and I take this ladder to the back.”

“Of course, sweetheart,” Gold smiled to himself and went off to see if their favorite booth was free.

*****

That Friday Belle waited outside the Storybrooke Library with a packed bag for the weekend. Raymond picked her up in his black Cadillac sedan. That evening they made their favorite pasta dish, and once the dishes were in the dishwasher, and the table was cleared, they set out to decorate the house for Christmas. They tackled outdoors first. Bundled up for the cold they went around and placed the lights on the hedges and shrubbery around the house. 

“Oh my, it’s cold out there!” Belle exclaimed as they rushed back inside. It took them a little longer than expected and the temperature had dropped significantly once the sun had set. She was dressed warmly enough, but even so she felt chilled. She took off her coat and handed it to Raymond to put away.

Raymond took his own coat off and placed it on the rack. “I’ll make us some tea to warm us up… or hot chocolate?” 

“Actually hot chocolate does sound good! I’ll get started on these lights.” She dropped onto the couch and grabbed the first batch. These were to go on the windows inside, and on the tree. She hoped that Raymond would enjoy the house this way. He said he hadn’t bothered to decorate since the last time his son stayed with him for the holidays.

By the time he returned she had untangled two light sets and was onto the third. He placed the tray of hot chocolate and cookies on the table. The cups were steaming and as she expected, he made sure to add the marshmallows. He had said that it was a favorite of his and his son’s. It was something that the three of them had in common, she thought with a smile.

Raymond was about to sit down with her when the phone rang. He sighed audibly. “Who could it be at this time? Excuse me, please.”

“Don’t worry about me. I have cookies.” He grinned and she watched him head back to the kitchen. She loved his smile. She was quite pleased with herself whenever she got him to exercise those dimples.

The hot chocolate was still steaming so she did indeed nibble on a cookie. The lights could wait a little bit. She settled back into the couch and looked around the house. She wondered if there was mistletoe in those boxes to hang up somewhere. Where would the best place be? Catching him off guard might be fun. She pondered this for a bit, and then she heard Raymond laughing gently in the other room. That got her attention and she listened a bit more carefully. She felt a little guilty about trying to make out the conversation, but his tone of voice sounded conspiratorial. This was the second time she had heard him speaking on the phone in this way. Earlier this week she had walked into the shop at lunchtime and overheard the latter part of a conversation. He seemed to hurry off the phone once she arrived as well. He quickly offered that it was a customer, and he looked uncomfortable.

She heard him hang up, and she quickly put down her cookie and picked up her hot chocolate. She took a sip as he walked in.

“Sorry about that,” he said as he sat down next to her. “How’s the hot chocolate?”

“Mmm, it’s good,” she said and licked the chocolate off of her lips. “Who was that on the phone?” She tried to sound innocent, and wasn’t sure if she succeeded.

“Oh! No one important. Just a supplier calling about a part I ordered. The shop was closed so he called here.” He sipped his cup of hot chocolate.

It was a plausible explanation, but his tone of voice… She hated that this worried her, and the unwelcome thought that entered her mind was that perhaps he was speaking to his ex-wife? Could they somehow reconnect? It had been years since the divorce. It couldn’t be possible. Could it?

“Penny for your thoughts,” Raymond said.

“Oh, it’s nothing… just daydreaming,” she didn’t like that she was keeping this feeling from him, but she would surely feel foolish if this was all in her imagination.

“Belle, you can tell me anything you know. Whenever you like,” he said, softly, and the way he looked at her made her suspicions drift away. 

She nodded, and leaned into him. “I guess... I guess I had a bit of a feeling that you’ve been keeping something from me. I know it’s silly…”

“Hey… hey,” he said. He placed his cup on the tray and put his warm hand on her cheek. He tilted her head up to look at him and gently pulled her closer. “It isn’t silly… I am keeping something from you.”

She tried to lean back away from him, but he laughed and she looked at him quizzically. 

“I’m trying to keep your Christmas present a secret!”

“That was about my Christmas present?” 

He laughed, and nodded. “Now don’t you worry, you’ll find out what it is soon enough… that’s if I manage to procure it that is.”

She relaxed in his arms, and he pulled her closer into his embrace. She felt him kiss the top of her head. “I’m sorry I was suspicious.”

“Sweetheart, you have nothing to worry about. I’m quite the boring sort, let me assure you.”

She smiled. “I find you anything but boring. Quite the opposite, actually.” The way he was rubbing her back was taking her mind completely elsewhere. She tugged at his necktie, “Will we be decorating upstairs at all?”

He leaned down and kissed her softly. He tasted of hot chocolate. “I think there’s definitely something we can do upstairs.”

She laughed out loud. “See? I told you. Definitely not boring.”

*****

It was Christmas Eve and he wished he was anywhere but David Nolan’s house. Raymond of course wanted to accompany Belle to the Nolans Christmas Eve party. He just wished David would stay far away from Belle. They had spent nearly every afternoon together at the Animal Shelter for the entire month of December. He visited once, and they had decorated the place, and brought toys and cozy things for the dogs and cats to lay on. Belle said that the animals just needed love, and tried to get as many volunteers to do just that. She had recruited him for that purpose, and he did have a nice time petting dogs and cats for an afternoon. 

Raymond just didn’t like how friendly David had gotten with Belle. He called her fairly often with Animal Shelter updates. She was always so happy to hear from him. He tried very hard not to feel jealous. He knew he was probably making it all up in his head, but he couldn’t help it, especially with David’s history and all.

He sipped at his espresso, careful not to spill any on his three piece suit, and surveyed the Nolan’s living room. It was like half the town was jam packed into this house. Archie and Marco were predictably in a jovial conversation. LeRoy and Ruby were having some kind of drinking contest, and had attracted a bit of an audience. Belle, who was dressed in an elegant dark green velvet dress that Gold highly approved of, was talking with Mary Margaret, who was visibly pregnant and glowing. Mary Margaret was a pleasant woman, and seemed the perfect match for David. If he hadn’t been a little jealous and suspicious of David and his friendly relationship with Belle it would be hard to believe that this match between the Nolans would be anything but solid. 

Just as he had this thought David signaled something to Belle from across the room. She nodded and gave him a little thumbs up. To make matters worse, this little exchange happened just as Mary Margaret had turned to say hello to Ashley and her toddler Alexandra. Surely, he was imagining things. There was probably an innocent explanation. If he wasn’t driving he’d be finding the scotch right about now.

Belle came over. Somehow she was holding little Alexandra with Ashley following right behind her. “Raymond, we were just talking about taking bets about Mary Margaret’s baby. What do you think? Boy or Girl?”

Raymond went with his first thought. “I’m going to say a girl. Put me down for that.” Belle and Ashley laughed. 

“We were thinking the same thing,” Ashley said, and took Alexandra from Belle’s arms. The baby was starting to get fussy. “It’s getting late. Way past her bedtime.”

“You know Raymond, I think I’m about ready to go too. How about you?”

“Yes, I think this coffee is giving me the jitters. I fear I might not be able to sleep tonight.”

“Oh, that might not be such a bad thing.” She winked at him and led him to say their goodbyes to their hosts and a few of the other guests. 

*****

When they returned to Raymond’s home on the outskirts of town, they found a wrapped up Christmas gift on the stoop. Belle watched as Raymond picked up the gift. “This is odd who would…” He read the little card on top, “Happy Christmas, signed Moe French.” 

Belle was amused by his stunned expression. “Well he was very happy with the gift I gave him. I told him how you took extra care in restoring it.”

They walked inside, and Raymond unwrapped the gift. It was a large poinsettia. He inspected the leaves and pulled apart the stems. He looked at Belle and explained, “Checking for listening devices, or explosives…”

Belle frowned at him. “Give me that! Honestly…” she took the plant from him and placed it next to the Christmas tree. 

“Well you can’t blame me,” he said with a shrug.

“I think my father’s grudgingly starting to like you.” She stood back and looked at the tree with the poinsettia next to it and the few presents underneath. “We should take a picture together right here tomorrow morning,” she said. She turned and Raymond had gone to the small bar in the dining room and poured himself a scotch. 

“Belle, I need to talk to you about something.” He took a swig of the drink. This sounded ominous. He poured her a glass of scotch as well. 

She took the offered drink and had a tiny sip. He motioned for her to come sit with him in the dining room. She was getting worried now. 

“I’ve been watching you and David together. You seem to get along very well. All that time at the Animal Shelter and on the phone.”

Belle raised an eyebrow. She didn’t like the sound of this. “He’s a good guy… Raymond, where are you going with this?”

He took another sip, and cleared his throat. “He’s handsome, tall, and all of that, and you’re beautiful…”

“Are you… are you suggesting that we are somehow seeing each other?” she asked, incredulous. Where in the world was this coming from?

His eyes grew wide, but she continued, “Do you honestly believe that I would be having an affair with a married man, whose wife is having his baby, while I’m actually with you?”

Raymond started waving his hands in protest. “No… no, no, not at all!”

“Then what were you saying, Raymond? I mean, I’ve had the thought that you might still have feelings for your ex-wife, but it was silly and fleeting, and I told you when I was feeling insecure…”

“Oh, I assure you, I don’t have feelings for Milah.”

“Fine. What were you getting at about me and David then?” It was her turn to take a swig of the scotch.

Raymond sighed. “Oh Belle, you’re so lovely. You deserve someone more like David. I envy him. We both come from a similar background. We both grew up on a farm, and he became the taller, stronger, handsome, manly type. He’s like a real life Prince Charming. Meanwhile, I got thrown off a horse and injured myself for life. I’m no Prince Charming. I’m more like the town monster, and for some inexplicable reason you are with me. I just think sometimes that I’m just not good enough…”

“Raymond Gold, I have half a mind to grab your gift when it gets here and just go home. What do I need to say or do to convince you that I love you, you silly man. Someone like David is not for me… not for more than friendship. He’s… too bland. I need layers, my love, and you have them.”

He stared at her dumbfounded. She hadn’t said that she loved him before, but it was true, and perhaps this was exactly the time he needed to hear it. However, this didn’t stop her for wanting to make him squirm a bit more for suggesting that she and David were a potential item. “And what about you and those phone calls. Were they really about my present? Is it there under the tree?” She pointed intensely at the tree in the living room.

Raymond breathed a sigh of relief. “Yes, it is. Well there are a few over there, but the one wrapped in gold is the important one.” He got up and took her hand and brought her over to the tree. “Please sit.” She sat down on the couch and waited with a stern expression. She wasn’t terribly angry with him, but she wanted him to stew just a little bit. She understood that he felt a little insecure, but she hoped that she reassured him with her earlier statement.

He handed her the thin box wrapped in gold. “I’m sorry, Belle. Truly. I didn’t mean to upset you. I was being a jealous, insecure idiot.” He sat down next to her, and nudged her with his shoulder. “Forgive me?”

She fought the smile that ended up on her face. “I forgive you.” He kissed her on the cheek and nuzzled her neck. 

“I love you too, you know,” he said, quietly in her ear. She felt warm at hearing those words for the first time. He looked into her eyes. “You can open your gift now.”

She unwrapped it, and opened the box to reveal a small picture frame. The photo inside it was of a smiling boy with tousled brown hair in his early teens. It was Raymond’s son Neal. He held up a large book with the title Her Handsome Hero.

“It’s a picture of Neal, and… my favorite book. Oh he looks so happy. I love it, but I’m not sure that I understand completely.”

Raymond took her hand. “Neal has been the one I’ve been talking to on the phone. He’s been helping me get your present. It’s that rare illustrated copy of Her Handsome Hero that you told me about. He found it in New York. We bought it for you, and he’s going to be bringing it to you himself. He’s arriving on New Year’s Eve. His mother finally let him travel on his own. He’s very excited to meet you.”

Belle felt the tears well up in her eyes. “Oh Raymond, but this is wonderful. So wonderful. I can’t wait. Oh may we call him first thing tomorrow morning to thank him and tell him how much I’m looking forward to meeting him?” 

Raymond nodded, and hugged her tightly. “I have a feeling we both feel a little bit silly about earlier.” Belle laughed and wiped away her tears. She stood up to prop up the picture frame near the tree. They both sat down and looked at it hand in hand.

At that moment the doorbell rang. “What in the world?” Raymond stood up but Belle pulled him back down.

“I’ll get it. It’s your Christmas gift.”

“They make deliveries at this time of night?”

“Well it’s a special delivery.” She opened the door and pulled in the red wagon she had used earlier in the month. Inside was a large box with green holiday wrapping and an open top. She pulled the cart in front of him. “I think we’re going to be glad that Neal is coming for more than one reason. We might need a little bit of help.”

Raymond stared up at her as she pulled out a furry little black and white puppy. Indeed it was one of the puppies he was playing with at the shelter. She put the puppy in his lap. “Belle… I…”

“I know they say that you shouldn’t give puppies as gifts, but you talk about the sheepdogs you had as a kid with such love. And you seemed to have such a connection with this puppy. David and I kept talking about it, and that’s why he kept calling, by the way. Aaand David was the one that just dropped him off.”

She saw Raymond deflate a bit in realization, but the puppy made him smile immediately after.

“I just had to bring him for you. I filled out all the adoption paperwork. I’ll keep him if you don’t want him, but I can come over as much as you want to help out. Even stay over as much as you want.” She hoped it wasn’t an unwelcome hint. Perhaps it was a bit fast to suggest a permanent living arrangement, but these weekends they had spent together were wonderful, even with tonight’s miscommunication and misunderstanding.

Raymond had the biggest smile she had seen on his face. He was petting the puppy and it was squirming and kissing his chin. “Oh I think he can stay,” he said. He looked up at her. “And you can stay as long as you want.”

“Is forever, OK?” She laughed and flopped onto the couch next to him. They didn’t get much sleep that night, thanks to the puppy, and that was just fine. They had many more holidays to spend together in the future.

The End.

[blficarchive]

Hi love the blog btw I was wondering if you have any angsty fics with a happy ending?? Love ur blog!!!!!!!

once upon a dream by thedeathchamber

Additional Tags: #Alternate Universe, #Alternate Universe - Supernatural Elements, #Angst, #Romance, #Slow Burn, #Enemies to Lovers, #Hurt/Comfort, #Emotional Hurt/Comfort, #Mental Health Issues, #Friendship/Love, #Anal Sex, #Bottom Louis, #Alternate Universe - Law Enforcement

Summary: Louis is psychic and gets caught in the middle of a murder investigation led by FBI Special Agent Harry Styles.

aka. the Medium/Criminal Minds-inspired AU no one ever asked for.

like a bastard on the burning sea by vashtaneradas

Additional Tags: #Infidelity

Summary: au; harry breaks louis, louis breaks everything.

a grocery list pinned to blue by dangerbears

Summary: AU. after eight years, louis finally has everything he’s wanted. except for harry.

bittersweet & delicate (tomorrow may not come again) by tolvsmol

Additional Tags: #Suicidal Thoughts, #Biphobia, #Past Relationship(s), #Fluff and Angst, #Suicide Attempt, #Break Up, #Post-Break Up, #Getting Back Together, #Depression, #anxiety mentions later on, #spoiler alert: zayn is the one whos dead, #everyone else is good everything hurts but theyre safe, #louis disappeared a while ago but he’s back, #anne is pregnant and robin’s a bit of a dick, #jay is sick and harry is depressed, #(fionn is barely there and niall is not), #copious use of italics and strikethrough and the word fuck, #use of petnames is borderline disgusting, #Minor Character Death, #Mentions of Cancer

Summary: “I wanna promise you the sun and the moon and the stars and everything in between in the entire cosmos.”“What about something a bit more realistic?” God, Louis was everything. Everything.“I’ll choose you, always,” Louis promised, eyes infinitely softer, fingers just a whisper on Harry’s cheek, “whatever happens, whenever it happens, I’ll always choose you.” He tugged Harry forward, molding their lips together in an innocent kiss.—•—

or the au where louis gives up on harry and harry wants to give up on everything

Falling Into Place by summerwine

Additional Tags: #Angst with a Happy Ending, #Explicit Sexual Content, #Bottom Louis, #Addiction, #Dom/sub Undertones

Summary: Louis let the hot tears stream down his cheeks as he leaned forward to attach their lips. He pressed into Harry’s soft bottom lip and brought one hand to scratch at Harry’s curls. Harry traced his tongue lightly against Louis’ top lip and gently pried his mouth open to deepen the kiss. Every emotion from the past few months was poured into the intensity of the embrace. Every swipe of the tongue was an apology and every soft whimper was forgiveness.

or

Louis and Harry spend nine years apart but inevitably find their way back to each other.

Emperor’s New Clothes by sunsetmog

Additional Tags: #Secret Relationship, #Pets, #Alternate Universe, #Famous Harry, #Non-Famous Louis, #Outing, #Money Troubles, #Mild Peril, #boys making some poor language choices, #Tabloid Journalism, #Harassmen, #tRelationship Negotiation

Summary: The fact that Louis’s most precious belonging was a cat with a face like thunder and an uncanny ability to cover every single inch of Louis’s clothing with cat hair was something that Louis chose not to think about too much.

or: Harry’s a pop star and Louis isn’t, and there’s a non-disclosure agreement where there used to be a relationship.

Apples Always Fall (As I Do For You) by rainbowsandgucci (petzawentz)

Additional Tags: #Background Relationships, #Fluff, #Angst, #Miscommunication, #Falling In Love, #Slow Burn, #Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, #Alternate Universe - Orchard, #Orchard AU, #apple orchard, #Daddy Kink, #References to Drugs, #Implied/Referenced Alcohol Abuse/Alcoholism, #Harry calls Louis princess a lot but like, #theres no like feminization or anything, #Oh also there is no cheating, #It might seem like there would be, #Bc of Harry/ZaynBut there is 0 cheating nope nope nope

Summary: ”Due to unforeseen circumstances, help is needed here at the orchard for the impending apple season. Looking for someone able to start within the next week or two at the most, is willing to do whatever miscellaneous tasks are needed, such as picking & packing apples, running the cash register, and other handywork that may need to be done. Must be good with customers, and able to lift up to 50lbs. Help will be needed until at the least the end of October. Please contact the number found on this page, or come out to the orchard and ask for Harry. All the love xx”

—

Louis is staying at his Aunt’s farm in a small town in Minnesota for four months. To deal with the boredom that sets in a week into his stay, he starts working at the local apple orchard, owned by twenty six year old Harry Styles.

Louis quickly finds himself falling in love with the orchard, and he finds a family in Harry’s friends Niall, Liam, and Zayn.

He also starts to fall in love with Harry.

Falling in love with him turns out to be the easy part.

this house no longer feels like home by hilourry

Additional Tags: #Cheating, #Kid Fic, #Past Mpreg, #Rimming, #v emotional sex, #bottom!Louis, #Fingering, #lots of fighting and emotions, #Happy Ending, #Angst

Summary: Harry and Louis have been together for 20 years. Harry cheats. Louis cries. Harry is given a year to fix their marriage.

If You Love Me Let Me Go by Icelandichairdresser_irl_ (Icelandichairdresser)

Additional Tags: #Insecure Louis, #Oblivious Harry, #Zayn Malik & Louis Tomlinson Friendship, #Alternate Universe - Fashion & Models, #mentions of eating disorders, #Unhealthy Relationships, #Insecurity, #larry - Freeform, #larry stylinson - Freeform, #Sad, #Crying, #Zerrie act like Louis parents, #Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified, #Alternate Universe, #Harry works in fashion, #Possessive Louis, #Jealous Louis, #Jealous Harry, #Sad with a Happy Ending

Summary: Harry loved Louis he really did. He was perfect, for Harry, at least most of the time. You see Louis had this problem with being possessive. Harry had been holding it in, the snappy retorts and the rolled eyes for a while. It was only natural that he blow up. It couldn’t have come at a worse time really. Louis was already feeling insecure about their relationship and this was the tipping point. Louis felt it everywhere he went, that sensation that Harry was in love with someone else. That he couldn’t possible love Louis. That Louis was only a fling to pass the time. And he deserved better, he deserved someone he could love. So Louis tried to do everything in his power to help him get that.

If I don’t have you (there’ll be nothing left) by SadaVeniren

Additional Tags: #Alpha/Beta/Omega Dynamics, #Mating Cycles/In Heat, #Knotting, #Alternate Universe - College/University, #Alpha Harry Styles, #Omega Louis, #Misunderstandings, #Pining, #Unrequited Love, #Frat Boy Harry, #Top Harry, #Bottom Louis

Summary: “What is his problem?” Louis demanded as he stalked around Niall and Ed’s kitchen. They were gonna have a pow-wow and figure out what was going on with Harry.

“Maybe he can’t pop a knot?” Niall suggested.

“Ew,” Liam said.

“Doubtful,” Louis said. “He seemed perfectly fine up until his friend pulled him off of me. Also I may have called him a knothead earlier in the night and he didn’t make a single comment to me about it.”

AKA Louis thought after meeting Harry at a party everything would fall into place. If only life worked out that nicely.

where the lights are beautiful by twoshipsdrifting

Additional Tags: #Alpha/Beta/Omega Dynamics, #Accidental Bonding, #Mating Cycles/In Heat, #Dubious Consent, #mentions of mpreg, #Alpha Harry, #Omega Louis, #Angst

Summary: Harry wasn’t wrong about that, not in a general sense. Lots of omegas did seek out rich alphas and betas, hoping or planning to go into heat at the right time. Plenty of omegas saw this as their duty, especially if their families weren’t well off.Worse, Louis couldn’t honestly say he’d never thought about it.If that had been his life, his goal, Louis would feel pretty good about himself now.As it is…Louis feels like shit.

.:. .:. .:.

Or the accidental bonding a/b/o fic.

Oh How I Hate This Red String Of Fate by CalamityK

Additional Tags: #Angst, #Angst with a Happy Ending, #Soulmate-Identifying Marks, #Soulmates, #Alternate Universe - Soulmates, #Red String of Fate, #Soul Bond, #the perrie/louis thing is brief and essential to the plot so sorry if that freaks anyone out, #Depression, #Harry has the sight, #meaning he can see the strings, #Slow Build, #Heavy Angst, #Louis in Denial

Summary: Harry thought being able to see people’s strings die would be the worst thing about his gift, until at twenty-two he finally met the other end of his own.———Or that soulmate AU where Harry can see the red strings of fate that tie everyone together.

[5typesoftrash]

Inhibitions - Chapter 7

Author: quicksilvermalec Artist: starfleetcadet1 Rating: M for swearing, mature themes, and minor sexual content Pairings: Sastiel, Castiel/Ezekiel, Castiel/Crowley Warnings: Rape/Non-Con (mentioned) Brief Tags: Angst, Pining, Drug Use, Minor Character Death Summary: So Castiel isn't the most - moral? Conventional? Call it what you like - attorney, but fuck if he isn't one of the best in the state of California. He's gone up against lawyers from all over and only lost a handful of cases in twenty years. So when a young up-and-comer beat him in a case he should have bagged, of course he was interested. But he wasn't expecting this.

[longer tags, link to art post, and fic under the cut]

Extended Tags: Angst, Fluff, Fluff and Angst, Slow Burn, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder - PTSD, Alternate Universe - Modern Setting, Alternate Universe - No supernatural, Alternate Universe - No Angels, Alternate Universe, lawyer AU, Lawyer Sam Winchester, Lawyer Castiel, Implied/Referenced Child Abuse, Implied/Referenced Rape/Non-con, Implied Sexual Content, minor explicit sexual content, Drug Use, Implied/Referenced Drug Use, Minor Character Death, Offscreen character death, Getting Together, Getting Back Together, Falling In Love, Boys In Love, Boys Kissing, First Kiss, First Time, breaking up, Breaking Up & Making Up, Betrayal, Misunderstandings, Miscommunication, Grief, Trauma, Negative Religious Experiences, Religious Sam Winchester, Mentions of Corrective Rape, Gay Castiel, Pansexual Sam Winchester, Pansexual Gabriel, Black Lives Matter, Protests, Pining, Mutual Pining, Age Difference, Widowed Castiel, Sad Castiel, Hurt Castiel, Endverse Castiel - Freeform, Sad Sam Winchester, Hurt Sam Winchester, Angst with a Happy Ending, Angst and Hurt/Comfort, Good Brother Gabriel, Protective Gabriel, Implied/Referenced Character Death, Implied/Referenced Abuse, Implied/Referenced Incest, Implied/Referenced Alcohol Abuse/Alcoholism, Implied/Referenced Homophobia, POV Castiel, Castiel is a Novak (Supernatural), this story is all over the fuckin place, kind of a wild ride with plenty of twists, enjoy!!

Have a link to the art and you can read this story on AO3 as well! 🧡

~~

“Castiel!” Michael calls across the office floor. Castiel looks up from his papers. “You’re going back into the courtroom.” His brother drops a clip of loose-leaf paper on the desk next to him. “Read up. We need you on this case.”

Castiel raises an eyebrow. “What’s the turnaround?”

“Thursday,” Michael informs him.

Castiel hisses through his teeth; four days isn’t a lot of time to familiarize himself with the case and Michael knows this; what’s his play? “Who’s the defense?” he inquires.

Michael shakes his head. “I’ll tell you, but you aren’t gonna like it.”

Castiel is instantly on edge. Zachariah? Naomi? Metatron? A few names flash across his mind as he speaks – “I didn’t like Thursday, so give it to me straight, I’m sure I can handle it” – but he never even considers…

“Sam Winchester.”

Idiot, Castiel, he berates himself harshly. Goddamn motherfucking absolute idiot. Stupid stupid stupid stupid—

He sighs. “And I suppose this is an order, not a request?”

Michael purses his lips. “I wouldn’t phrase it quite like that, but no, you don’t have any choice in this assignment.”

Castiel just nods. “Thank you, sir. I need time to work now.”

Michael takes that for the dismissal that it so clearly is and steps away from his desk before disappearing down the hall. Castiel hangs his head limply from his shoulders for several minutes before forcing himself to sit up and examine these new papers he’s been given.

~~

Rape case. Rape cases are tricky, especially as the prosecution of a man. And a cis white man at that. He has a feeling that Sam doesn’t particularly want to take this man’s defense, but as he has indicated many times, defending black youth at a flat rate of no charge doesn’t put food on the table or keep a roof over his head; he’ll have to make some concessions.

Castiel puts together the best case he can with the time and information that he has and prepares to enter the courtroom on Thursday.

He truly didn’t expect his world to be rocked so when he saw Sam again.

But here he is, staring at him pathetically from the other side of the courtroom. The first time they make eye contact, Castiel grins at him like an idiot and Sam looks away immediately. Castiel’s heart sinks into his stomach as he remembers Sam may never forgive him. From Sam’s point of view, Castiel was lying to and manipulating him the entire time. He can’t even know whether Castiel was actually attracted to him or if he was simply trying to get Sam to open up.

Castiel knows the feeling, and he hates being the reason Sam has to feel it.

He can’t talk to his friend – if they even qualify as such anymore – about it because he knows Sam will shut him down. He can’t apologize. He can’t explain. He must live and suffer in silence with the consequences of his decisions.

This is what he deserves for thinking he could replace Ezekiel.

~~

“You weren’t trying to replace him, you were trying to move on from him.”

Gabriel does make an excellent point.

Not trying to replace him, but trying to move on from him. Using Sam as an attempt to heal, to repair, to perhaps become whole again after being rent so from himself for so many long years.

Not that it matters; he was still using Sam. Sam is right to think him manipulative and cruel; he is. He does not deserve the pure, loving goodness that is Sam Winchester.

He will never deserve another good thing.

He voices this thought to his brother, and Gabriel sighs, shaking his head. “Cassie,” he says. “You give yourself too much credit for all the wrong things.”

In later years, he’ll tell Castiel that he thinks that’s the first time anyone has voiced that particular concept in a way that got through to him. He’ll explain that something appeared in Castiel’s eyes, a sort of spark – call it hope, or life, or a lifting of responsibility – that had been rekindled for the first time in two decades. But now, not knowing any of that, Castiel responds the way he knows how.

Which is to say, he lights a blunt, pours a mug of tea, and doesn’t respond.

Gabriel pulls him into a hug, however, and Castiel’s eyes water. “I love you so very, very much,” he gasps. Gabriel nods sympathetically and kisses his hair.

“I know, Cassie. Believe me, I know.”

They stay there together for a long while, and Gabriel doesn’t allow Castiel to feel bad for needing help.

~~

Four days after the case concludes, Castiel wakes up to… quite the surprise.

1 new voicemail – Sam Winchester

He bites his bottom lip as his finger hovers over the delete button, but in a moment of weakness he presses play instead.

“H- hey Castiel. Cazzzzzztieeeeeeeeel. Heh heh. I like your name.”

Sam is drunk.

Amazing. Sam drunk-dialed him to tell him his name is nice.

“Iz preeeeeeeetty. You’re pretty. Your stupid… jerk face with your jerk eye blues- uhh… blue eyes and your jerk pretty lips. Stupid pretty gorgeous funny talented sexy lawyer-types.”

Castiel’s eyebrows are practically knitting themselves together. What is going on?

“I’m an idiot, Castiel. I such… I’m such an idiot… for loving in- for falling in love with you. Wasn’t supposed to, that was such a… such a dick move. But you know what was a bigger… dickier move? You, you, you- you knew how I felt… and you slept with me anyway. What’m I, just a… night-one… one-night stand to you?”

“No…” Castiel whispers, despite knowing that Sam can’t hear him. “I wanted you forever.”

“You should… you should come back.” Sam laughs here, like he’s told himself a joke no one else would get. “If you walked… into my firm and me- and told me you still wanted me I’d be too dumb to refuse. I’d follow you anywhere… even to my own doom.”

Suddenly, his voice gets very loud. “DOOM!” he yells, causing Castiel to flinch, and in the background there are mouth-made explosion effects. So Sam wasn’t alone when he sent this. “That’s where you’re leading me Caz-tee-el. Gonna doom. Gonna… gonna… gonna… gonna die. Gonna die for you. Gonna die loving you, you… stupid beautiful angel of a man.”

Castiel’s phone falls to the floor as he drops his head into his hands. Sam’s voice is hushed as he says his last nine words.

“I wish I didn’t love you like it hurt.”

There’s a rustling sound on the other end, followed by inaudible shouting, then a click. And silence.

“Sam,” Castiel sobs. “I’m so, so sorry Sam. I didn’t want to hurt you this way.”

It takes a few more seconds for the content of the voicemail to catch up with him and then the realization washes over him all at once, unflinching and merciless as an ice-cold shower in the middle of January. Sam loves him.

Sam loves him. Sam still wants him.

Could Sam forgive him? Could Sam ever let go of the things he’s done?

Cas pulls his pillow into his chest, sobs into it for a while. He punches a hole in the plaster of his wall – there goes the deposit – and manages to crawl his way downstairs to drink a mug of tea and contemplate the horribly monumental cacophony of poor life choices that led him to this moment, sitting in his kitchen wearing nothing but boxers and a pair of socks, drinking tea, contemplating his life choices.

He sighs and slumps into a chair, finishes his tea in one long gulp, and then reaches for his blunt. He sticks it between his teeth and he’s seconds from lighting it when Sam’s words ring in his ears.

Get clean, Castiel.

The memory of the resigned look on Sam’s face is bad enough, but the quietly disappointed tone of voice Sam used is what shoves him over the edge. He flips his lighter closed and sets it on the table, then pulls the roll of paper out from between his teeth and flicks it across the room with two fingers. It skitters across the floor and comes to rest under a cabinet.

Gabriel, I’m going to rehab, he thinks to himself, and he imagines he can hear his brother’s response.

I’m so proud of you, Cassie.

He smiles softly.

Maybe he can turn some things around, with or without Sam.

~~

July 29, 2020 - 18:32 From: Sam Winchester (sjwinchester@samwlaw.com) To: Castiel Novak (castielnovak@novakrep.org)

Sincerest Apologies

Castiel,

When I came to the other day and discovered the voicemail that I had left for you, I was appalled at myself. I would like you to know that anything I may have said in that message I said in error; I was grieving and impaired and I should not have done what I did. I will refrain from contacting you in the future. I promise that this was an isolated incident that will not be repeated.

Many thanks, Sam Winchester, SJD (he/him) Sam Winchester Law Firm www.samwlaw.com

~~

It’s mid-August when Castiel sees Sam again. He discovers that Sam’s brother Dean frequents a bar that he likes to attend, and one boring evening discovers the two of them sitting at a table not far from his own barstool, conversing in low tones. He watches them with a mixture of apprehension and fondness. He misses having that closeness with Sam.

Then Sam’s eyes flick up and meet his, and surprise makes itself evident on his face. He quickly replaces it with his carefully calculated emotionless mask and turns back to his brother, obviously pretending – whether for Castiel’s sake or his own – not to have noticed Castiel’s presence there at all.

So Castiel does something rash, impulsive, and incredibly fucking stupid; he walks over to Sam’s table and rests a hand on his shoulder.

“Hello, Sam,” he murmurs in his deep, gravelly whisper. Sam purses his lips and looks up.

“Castiel,” he greets formally. “Please leave, we were having a private conversation.”

“Sam, I—”

“I asked you to go,” Sam says again, his eyes narrowing and his voice sharpening. “If you want to preserve any shred of the relationship we used to have, I recommend you do as I asked.”

Castiel steps back, accepting that for the well-deserved reprimand it is. “I am sorry, Sam,” he sighs. “I just wanted to tell you that… I love you too.”

He turns away and walks out of the bar, back toward his car, toward his home, toward the comfort and safety of the world he’s known for so many years and the boundaries he’s never allowed himself to leave for exactly this reason—

A hand falls onto his shoulder this time, and pulls him around forcefully.

“Where the fuck do you think you’re going?” Sam demands, staring him down. Behind him, Cas can see Dean silhouetted in the doorway, paying for their drinks.

“Home,” he replies. “You asked me to leave.”

“No, no, no,” Sam says. “You can’t just— you can’t say something like that and walk away, that’s not fair, Castiel!”

Cas sucks air in through his teeth in preparation before he launches into a tirade he didn’t know he had in him. All the anger and guilt and blame he’s been transforming, redirecting to himself for the last few weeks because Sam can’t have done anything wrong comes flooding out of him all at once. “And I suppose you’ve been entirely fair to me? Cutting me off, never giving me a chance to explain or to defend myself? I suppose it’s completely fair to toy with me, to never be quite clear enough about how you feel for me to be honest about how I do? All of that is perfectly fair and kind and good, isn’t it?”

Sam stares at him. “Cas, I— no, that’s not it at all!”

“Then what is it, Sam?” Cas snaps. “Please, tell me, I would love to know.”

Instead of retreating like Cas expected, Sam seems to get angrier. He’s fired up now, and nothing’s going to stop him until this runs its course; that much is crystal clear to Cas.

“Look, Cas, this isn’t your fantasy world where you can control all the pieces and make them exactly like you want!” he yells. His eyes appear nearly yellow in the dark of the cloudless night sky that shrouds them, obscuring them from the rest of the world in deep blue mist. “This is real life, and real people have real feelings and react in real ways that you can’t predict and your real actions have real consequences so stop acting like you’re blameless!”

“I have done nothing to indicate that I am blameless,” Castiel contradicts. “I have spent every day since you left me drowning in my own guilt over this. I didn’t want to hurt you, Sam, I have very real feelings for you. I want you always to be safe and happy and loved and protected. I want you to know that you belong to yourself and that I will never try to take your autonomy from you. I wanted to believe that you understood me like no one ever did, save Ezekiel, but—”

“I’m not Ezekiel!” Sam sobs. “I’m not him, okay, so stop comparing me to him.”

Castiel sighs. “Goodbye, Sam,” he whispers, and then he slides into his car and slams the door shut. He bangs the heels of his hands on his steering wheel in frustration.

“Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck!” he shouts, collapsing forward onto the horn.

He stays there until long after the sun comes up.

~~

“Hello, this is Castiel with Novak Represents. Who am I speaking with, please?”

“Wait, what did you mean by too?”

~~

“Play it again.”

Sam Winchester is sitting in Castiel’s living room, staring resolutely at the black screen of the inactive television with his palms pressed together, lips pursed, elbows resting on his knees.

“Sam, you’ve heard it six times. You know what you said, what more do you need?” Castiel sighs exasperatedly.

“I just need you to play it one more time to pinpoint the person who’s doing an impression of me so I can track them down and murder them,” Sam says casually. Castiel rolls his eyes.

“Samuel Winchester, you are a lawyer. I sincerely doubt that that would go over well in a court of law. And besides, this is not someone doing an impression, this was you.”

“How would you know?” Sam asks with just a touch of bitterness in his voice. “You barely know me.”

Castiel rolls his eyes again. “Because Dean was with you when this happened and he confirmed that you said all of these things.”

Sam inhales deeply, exhales slowly, and slumps into a chair.

“I don’t want that to be me,” he says after a long silence, looking out the window to avoid seeing his friend’s face, “because then I have to deal with your response to that. And I don’t want to see it.”

Castiel walks over to him and kneels in front of him. “Sam,” he murmurs. “Did you mean anything you said in that email? Would you, sober you, actually think any of those things?”

Sam shakes his head, closing his eyes against the onslaught of Castiel’s pleading blue eyes. Finally, a single word falls from his lips, followed by a lengthy confession. “Yes,” he breathes. “Yeah, Cas, I’m in love with you, and I think you’re amazing and gorgeous and perfect and I want to be with you forever but you hurt me so much and I’m so stupid because I let you take advantage of me just like everyone else does and I thought you were better, I thought you were different than the other people, but you aren’t really, you’re just… better at hiding it. And it stings, thinking about you, thinking about how close I let you and how easily, and how badly I wanted because fuck, Cas, I wanted it. I still do, I still want you, I would fall back into your arms right this second if you asked me to which is why I’ve stayed away. You hurt me. I keep having to remind myself that. You hurt me…”

Castiel gently places a hand on Sam’s knee. “I didn’t want to hurt you,” he breathes, and he feels tears burning the back of his throat. “I didn’t want to hut you, Sam, I wanted nothing more than to make you happy. I could’ve— I should’ve done better by you, I’m so so sorry. I just want—”

And the tears make their grand entrance, spilling silently down his cheeks, choking up his sentences as his voice thickens with emotion. “I want to start over,” he gasps. “Can we start over, Sam? Can you give me another shot at your heart?”

Sam looks at him stone-facedly for a long time, and with each moment that passes his heart sinks lower in his chest until it comes to rest in the pit of his stomach, a heavy weight like lead. Sam won’t forgive him, he thinks. This will be the end of his second great romance. Maybe a guy like Castiel just isn’t made for romance; perhaps his calling is drugs.

Then Sam nods and all of those notions shatter like sheets of glass on a stone floor. Sam pulls Cas up, into his lap, and Cas braces himself on the back of the couch and looks down at Sam’s beautiful, angular face. “Hi,” he whispers, his eyes still a little puffy, his voice still a little hoarse, his face still a little red. Sam reaches for a napkin and wipes off his shimmering wet cheeks.

“Hi,” he says back.

Cas smiles confidently.

“I feel bad now,” he confesses.

“I know one thing that will make you feel better,” Sam whispers.

“What’s that?” Cas asks, his blue eyes darting between the hazel pair in front of him and the lips just below them. Sam laughs.

“This,” he answers simply, and he tilts back his chin to kiss Cas softly on the mouth.

~~

“Tell me it’s real this time,” Sam begs halfway into their make out session. “Promise me, swear on your life that you’re not going to break my heart again.”

Cas nods and tugs at the bottom hem of Sam’s shirt. “I will never hurt you again,” he promise, kissing Sam’s shoulder. “Not if I can help it.”

Sam wraps his legs around Castiel’s waist and his arms around Castiel’s neck. “I believe you,” he murmurs, and pulls his new old lover down again.

~~

Sam and Castiel go on a date.

A real one, this time.

“I remember wishing our last meal together was a real date like this,” Cas breathes as he looks at Sam’s beautiful face over a plate of salmon. “I kept wanting to kiss you or hold your hand and forcing myself not to. I’m glad that I can now.”

Sam grins and takes Cas’s hand, as if given an invitation. “I’m glad we can now, too,” he says happily, grinning across the table at his boyfriend.

“Sam?” Cas says softly.

“Hm?” Sam replies.

“I love you,” Castiel says factually.

Sam snorts softly and kisses Cas’s knuckles. “You know something?” he says nonchalantly.

“Yes, Sam?” Castiel asks in amusement, smiling at him. Sam chuckles.

“I might just love you too,” Sam replies.

Castiel grins at him and squeezes his hand before releasing it to eat his dinner. It’s been far too long since he had anything to celebrate, but he does now. He’s nearly a month clean, he has a beautiful new boyfriend who really truly does love him, and they’re going to make it through the rest of their lives together. Things are good.

Perhaps there are, after all, reasons to fight.

Masterpost | Next | Previous

[fic-request-blog]

Misunderstandings are Born of Miscommunication

Or

The one where Kenobi is blind and no one remembers to tell the clones.

Cody wasn’t exactly nervous, he wasn’t a shiny anymore after all, but this would be his first assignment as commander, and that certainly warranted…caution. He simply hoped the Jedi he was about to work under for what was likely to be the rest of his life turned out to be okay, or at least bearable.

                 “C’mon, Cody”, Rex grinned, shouldering him to knock him from his fretting, “it’ll be fine! I heard General Kenobi and General Skywalker are two of the best!”

                 Cody peered at the clone beside him, not fooled in the least by his apparent bravado, “Yeah, Rex, that’s why I’m worried.”

                 Shrugging, Rex came to attention as the two Jedi finally walked into the room.

                 From what Cody had found in the data logs, these two generals apparently worked together for nearly all their missions, which was a relief. Cody was glad for the possibility to continue to work and live alongside Rex, even if he was impulsive and hard-headed. It was always good to be able to adjust to new situations alongside a familiar face… both figuratively and literally.

                 “Alright, which one of you is most by-the-book?”

                 General Skywalker folded his arms across his chest as the two clones hesitated at the unexpected question. Cody noted the scar on the man’s face. It had seemed smaller on the holos he’d studied.

                 Rex pointed gingerly at Cody, clearing his voice before he spoke, “Well, that would be Cody, sir.”

                 “Great, great. And what’s your name?”

                 “Rex, sir!”

                 “Great, then you’re with me. C’mon!”

                 As the taller man turned on his heel and strode out of the room, Rex shot a fleeting, questioning glance towards Cody before jogging off to catch up with his new general.

                 Cody could only shrug. This was definitely not the regulation way to pick a commanding officer.

               General Kenobi chuckled, shaking his head with a long-suffering sigh, before turning to fully face Cody, “Don’t mind Anakin, he’s just… enthusiastic.”

                 The smooth Coruscantian accent caught Cody by surprise. He hadn’t been able to distinguish it in the holos, but that was nothing compared to the man’s eyes. Light blue, so light they were almost entirely white, caught him in a friendly gaze. The holos were never that close up on his face…

                 “Ah, well sir, then they should get along well. Rex is, uh…enthusiastic too”, Cody smiled tentatively.

                 The Jedi laughed, placing a hand on Cody’s shoulder as he led them from the room, “In that case my friend, I’m afraid we have our work cut out for us.”

                 If it weren’t for the wry smile on the general’s face, Cody would be unnerved. The man’s eyes seemed to see so much more than just his face.

                 But, maybe that was just a Jedi thing. They could read minds, after all. Hopefully, whatever General Kenobi found, he’d like it.

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

                 “Sir, here are the orders from command.”

                 Holding out the holo for Kenobi, Cody waited patiently for his general to turn from his current task with Rex. Only, the pad was snatched from his hand by General Skywalker who strolled past him with a groan, eyes roving the screen.

                 “Master, they’re sending us on another escort!”

                 With a smile, Kenobi patted the taller man on the shoulder, “Well, we do have one of the best pilots in the Republic. What did you expect?”

                 Pacified by the praise, Skywalker began reading out the mission, Kenobi nodding along, directing questions towards the other Jedi or Cody periodically.

                     Cody didn’t really think anything of that moment until about the fourth or fifth he tried to hand General Kenobi anything that needed to be reviewed. Each and every time, Skywalker swooped in and took it, reading it aloud for Kenobi and any of their surrounding men.

                 Perhaps General Kenobi preferred not having to read the reports himself? Or, and this seemed more likely, Skywalker just wanted the chance to look them over first.

                 Whatever the reason, Cody gave up attempting to hand General Kenobi any reports while General Skywalker was present. He could take a hint.

                 After all, there were worse habits for generals to have.

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~

                 Rex and Cody had served under Jedi before, just never directly, but really, none of the troops ever got over how impressive the Jedi were in battle. They didn’t stand around and gawk like shinies, but between blasting droids they took a few moments to appreciate the sheer power displayed by the generals.

                 Of course, both of them also watched for a different reason. The best way to work under the Jedi was to learn their individual styles. Tailoring battle plans to that could save plenty of brothers’ lives.

                 Unsurprisingly, Skywalker was a “blow it up and then ask questions later” sort of person. Most of his plans started with “I’ll go in” and ended with “and Rex and Cody with their squads come in to clean up the rest of the droids”.

                 To be fair, that was mostly how Rex’s plans went as well, so Cody didn’t have much of a problem handling that. Send in some troopers to cover the General’s flanks and a sniper to take out any droids they hadn’t seen and that basically summed up their entire battle plans. At least, whenever General Skywalker was in charge.

                 Kenobi was, on the other hand, always alongside his squad. He paid attention to both terrain and enemy locations, adjusting their plans to capitalize on them as well as his own abilities and the individual abilities of his troops.

                 Cody had been so relieved the first time Kenobi drew up battle plans with him. A solid plan and even more solid men would always start a mission out right.

                 At least, in theory. Technically, his General did stick to the plan, but the man took an extremely loose interpretation.

                     Growling, Cody shot another clanker as he scrambled over the rubble of the city currently crumbling around them, trying to track the General’s movements through the smoke and blaster fire.

                 Grumbling, he imitated Kenobi’s lilt, “We’ll stick to the center, Cody! Stay under cover and we’ll be able to push them back with superior tactics.”

                 He hauled himself through what was left of a house, muttering to himself as yet another wall collapsed beneath his feet. What Cody had NOT interpreted their plan as was General Kenobi running well ahead of his troops, jumping from rooftop to broken rooftop. At the very least, Cody could still follow the tell-tale blue of the man’s lightsaber.

                 “This is the first and LAST time I trust what he says at face value”, Cody snarled into a battle droid’s ugly mug, smashing it with the butt of his blaster as he moved on.

                 All in all, the mission went well with few casualties.

                 After venting his frustration on the surrounding droids, Cody took it all in stride. Kenobi never went too far ahead and it was incredibly efficient, so the clone adapted.

                 Really, he just had to keep an eye on the Jedi and cover him when necessary.

                 Some warning would have been nice, though.

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~

                 The first time General Skywalker wasn’t present for Cody to hand a report to, the clone hesitated momentarily. Then, he shrugged. If General Kenobi wanted to read it for himself, the man could always ask. Clearing his throat, Cody began to read aloud, a smile just barely lifting his lips as Kenobi started to nod along.

                 Trooper instincts were always right.

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~

                 Cody and Rex shot through another pair of battle droids, working their way through the thick undergrowth.

                 “Cody!”

                 “What?”

                 “Remind me I hate jungles the next time we get orders for a kriffing planet like this! I’ll request a transfer!”

                 Grunting as a giant insect thing exploded on him from his blaster fire, Cody yelled back, “Roger, roger!”

                 Out of the corner of his eye, Cody watched as Rex’s head whipped around to stare at him.

                 “On second thought,” Rex growled, hacking through a few of the vines in their way, “I’m requesting a transfer anyways.”

                 Smirking, Cody glanced up to where their generals were, battling the tree-dwelling locals on the giant tree-limbs above them. It was good timing too, or else he would have been hit in the head with General Kenobi’s falling lightsaber.

                 At least the blade wasn’t active.

                 Snatching up the weapon, Cody shouted, “General Kenobi!” before throwing it as hard as he could back up into the trees. He watched it just long enough to see it suddenly jerk left, far out of its natural arc, without any visible reason, then blasted at the three droids struggling through the vines towards he and Rex.

                 He took grim satisfaction in knowing the seppies were having as much trouble getting through this jungle as they were.

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~

                 Rex watched as the generals drank their soup without a spoon. It was a rare treat from regulation protein bars and the only noise coming from the surrounding troops was the clinking of metal on metal and the occasional laugh.

                 He shrugged, returning to the soup with vigor.

                 Maybe Jedi just didn’t use spoons?

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

                 Cody sighed, stooping as he ran in order to grab the lightsaber currently rolling across the rocks. Switching it with a droid popper from his belt and tossing the popper into a cluster of clankers, Cody continued after his general at a steady jog.

                 He wondered if Rex ever had the same problem, or at least as often as Cody did, with Skywalker losing his lightsaber. Maybe he should just leave one of his ammo clips empty?

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

                 “Hand signs”, General Skywalker whispered.

                 Cody cocked a brow under his helmet. He’d just made the large, sweeping motion to call attention and they had all been looking his way. At least, he thought they all were.

                 Skywalker nodded his way, ready for battle plans. Cody nodded back, turning to General Kenobi, hands already working through his thoughts as the droids on the walkway above them kept moving.

                 At least they hadn’t been discovered…yet.

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

                 “Switch to night vision.”

                 The cave was surprisingly dry for how close to the waterways they were. Hopefully the lower levels weren’t flooded. A manhunt through water was not what Cody wanted to go through today.

                 “Anakin, I’ll take point. You guard rear with Rex.”

                 General Skywalker pivoted, reaching out to lay a hand on Rex’s shoulder, “Got it. Can you sense her, Master?”

                 “Yes”, Kenobi said, “but her force signature is faint. Ventress must be quite some ways ahead of us.”

                 The man tilted his head to the side, concentrating, “But she’s not moving quickly. We can catch her.”

                 Skywalker grinned as they started to move, hand still firmly grasping his commander’s shoulder “Yeah, she probably doesn’t have any night vision, Master.”

                 Cody shook his head, stepping around something small and skittering as Waxer piped up, “Can Jedi see in the dark?”  

                 “Nah”, General Skywalker replied, “but you guys can!”

                 Cody chuckled at that along with his brothers, but he was more interested in watching as General Kenobi side-stepped a stalagmite in front of them, fingers trailing across the stone. Apparently, Kenobi hadn’t shared that trick with the other Jedi yet.

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

                 “General!”, Cody shouted, snapping his blaster into its holster as he jumped onto one of the pirates’ speeders. There were only two, which was perfect. He and Kenobi could leave the pirates stranded and get back to the others at the same time.

                 He revved the speeder and turned it towards the smoke rising above the plateau. At least he knew which way to go.

                 Kenobi ran towards him, lightsaber flashing as he deflected blaster bolts. The Jedi reached the second speeder and…cut it in half before jumping onto the back of Cody’s.

                 “I’ll cover us! Let’s go!”

                 They shot forward, quickly pulling out of range of the stranded pirates.

                 Above the rush of wind, Cody faintly heard: “Oh good, it’s on fire.”

                 Cody grinned beneath his helmet.

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

                 “Wait”, Cody snapped his head up, squinting at the Jedi in front of him, “what?”

                 Skywalker paused, eyebrows pulling together in confusion, “Huh? I said we-“

                 “No, General, I got the plan part”, Cody interrupted, eyes on the rest of the troopers around him, watching the shock spread across their features, “I meant the part where you just said General Kenobi can’t read.”

                 Skywalker frowned, “Well yeah, you can’t read holos if you can’t see them.”

                 Cody stared blankly at him for a moment, “General Kenobi is blind.”

                 Sighing, Skywalker placed his hands on his hips, “Yes. What aren’t you getting here, Cody?”

                 Rex pulled his helmet off, dropping it to the floor as he threw his hands up, “WHAT? No one told us Kenobi is blind!”

                 Staring at them, the General looked around the room, eyes widening in understanding, “You all thought he could see?”

                 “Well”, Rex spluttered, anger and confusion coloring his face, “yes!”

                 The moment Skywalker started laughing, the door swished open, allowing both General Kenobi and Fives into the room. They both stopped as the room burst into shouts, Rex yelling above them all.

                 Cody sat down with his head in his hands.

                 Trooper instincts were not always right.

Honestly, this one went in a vastly different direction than what I thought it would, but here it is. I promised myself to never write Star Wars because I'm already in Star Trek, but here it is. Damn it, Obi-Wan.

This entirely stemmed from Datpiranha's Blind!Obi-Wan comics here on Tumblr.

[ageloire]

3 Ways Marketers Can Avoid a Communication Breakdown With Designers

Not to point any fingers, but how many marketers are guilty of asking designers something along the lines of “Can you just make it prettier?”

For many marketers, working with a designer can be one of the most challenging tasks they face while building a brand. Communicating their wants, needs, and visions can lead marketers into a minefield of misunderstandings.

Despite working toward the same goals, designers and marketers speak different languages. Designers are specialists who have learned to translate concepts visually, but that method of communicating information requires plenty of education and training.

Marketers are no less specialized than designers, and increased digitalization has led us to use more technical jargon—marketers love their buzzwords—and complex processes. Most words we use to communicate meaning just don’t add up: The word “flat,” for instance, has a completely different meaning to designers than it does to marketers—and most other folks, for that matter.

On top of the inherent differences to each role, the way people communicate meaning and value changes constantly. The speed of modern communication has altered our expectations of turnaround times, and the introduction of 5G is about to change the speed of communication yet again.

When frustrations and miscommunications arise, this tension leads to diluted messaging and diminished relationships with their target audiences. If marketers and designers commit to speaking a common language, their relationship and reliance on each other will lead to superior marketing assets: Good design results in world-class branding, after all.

Bolster Your Brand by Learning to Speak ‘Designer’

Don’t let the fear of lousy communication stand in the way of an awesome partnership with your design team.

Here are three ways you can keep projects running smoothly:

1. Get together before the project begins

Designers aren’t mind readers. They cannot pluck an idea from your brain and turn it into something marvelous without plenty of direction, clear expectations, and guidance along the way.

At the start of the relationship—or any new project—set up a meeting to discuss your vision. Be clear and specific about your goals, and admit what you don’t know or still have to find out. Ask the designer what he or she needs from you.

Use this meeting to also forecast the timing of the project. According to our in-house data, basing timelines on previous projects causes teams to underestimate how long a project will take 67% of the time. To avoid this trap, outline any expectations about turnaround times and revisions before building a timeline together. When possible, allow designers to take the lead on project timelines or stages.

Give your designer everything he or she might need to understand your brand and target audience. Explain the demographics you’re trying to reach, how your audience interacts with your brand, and what promises or values you want to communicate.

That might seem like a lot of information, but it will empower your designer to make intuitive choices without micromanagement. Without clear expectations, it’s easy for a designer to follow a tangent that made sense in the drafting stages but doesn’t necessarily align with your end goal.

2. Commit to overcommunicating

When you’re establishing a new relationship or project with a designer, err on the side of overcommunicating. Ask plenty of questions, and don’t assume anything. Get clarification about the designer’s thought process, ideas, and—especially—suggestions.

Check in regularly to see whether the designer has everything he or she needs. Explore different methods of communicating to find an approach that works for both of you. Chat platforms like Slack are great for quick, on-the-go check-ins, but nothing beats a face-to-face meeting or video call for sorting out problems and expectations or stirring up excitement for ideas.

It’s equally important to provide written documentation of all expectations, budgets, timelines, and directions. Don’t let creative briefs linger in a folder on your desktop; get them to your designer right away. You can set your projects up for success by treating this early step as a collaborative and informational process.

Once you’ve established your preferred mediums and cadence of communication, you can settle into a more relaxed rhythm with the knowledge that everyone’s on the same page.

3. Give constructive feedback that’s design-specific

Clear and constructive feedback is essential to a productive relationship with a designer. Saying only “I love this” or “I don’t like that” doesn’t cut it, and vague comments such as “Make it cleaner” won’t help designers decide what to do next. High-quality feedback builds on good ideas and explains why “bad” ideas won’t work.

A designer’s job is to solve and create, and your goal is to present a challenge with a problem to overcome. Don’t impose solutions—ask designers for input and ideas. If discussions start to go in circles, steer the conversation back to your pain point. Try to explain precisely what bothers you about any problematic elements, but give your designer the freedom to own the work they are doing.

Trust your designers and embolden them to offer their own evaluations without having to fear that you’ll ignore them or take offense. Create this safe space in your meetings by introducing feedback from the beginning.

Designers might speak in colors and shapes rather than metrics and data, but you can work together to forge a shared language. Start this relationship off strong by bridging the gap and finding ways to communicate, and the results will speak for themselves.

The post 3 Ways Marketers Can Avoid a Communication Breakdown With Designers appeared first on Marketo Marketing Blog - Best Practices and Thought Leadership.

from Marketo Marketing Blog https://blog.marketo.com/2019/04/3-ways-marketers-can-avoid-a-communication-breakdown-with-designers.html

[sualkmedeiors]

3 Ways Marketers Can Avoid a Communication Breakdown With Designers

Not to point any fingers, but how many marketers are guilty of asking designers something along the lines of “Can you just make it prettier?”

For many marketers, working with a designer can be one of the most challenging tasks they face while building a brand. Communicating their wants, needs, and visions can lead marketers into a minefield of misunderstandings.

Despite working toward the same goals, designers and marketers speak different languages. Designers are specialists who have learned to translate concepts visually, but that method of communicating information requires plenty of education and training.

Marketers are no less specialized than designers, and increased digitalization has led us to use more technical jargon—marketers love their buzzwords—and complex processes. Most words we use to communicate meaning just don’t add up: The word “flat,” for instance, has a completely different meaning to designers than it does to marketers—and most other folks, for that matter.

On top of the inherent differences to each role, the way people communicate meaning and value changes constantly. The speed of modern communication has altered our expectations of turnaround times, and the introduction of 5G is about to change the speed of communication yet again.

When frustrations and miscommunications arise, this tension leads to diluted messaging and diminished relationships with their target audiences. If marketers and designers commit to speaking a common language, their relationship and reliance on each other will lead to superior marketing assets: Good design results in world-class branding, after all.

Bolster Your Brand by Learning to Speak ‘Designer’

Don’t let the fear of lousy communication stand in the way of an awesome partnership with your design team.

Here are three ways you can keep projects running smoothly:

1. Get together before the project begins

Designers aren’t mind readers. They cannot pluck an idea from your brain and turn it into something marvelous without plenty of direction, clear expectations, and guidance along the way.

At the start of the relationship—or any new project—set up a meeting to discuss your vision. Be clear and specific about your goals, and admit what you don’t know or still have to find out. Ask the designer what he or she needs from you.

Use this meeting to also forecast the timing of the project. According to our in-house data, basing timelines on previous projects causes teams to underestimate how long a project will take 67% of the time. To avoid this trap, outline any expectations about turnaround times and revisions before building a timeline together. When possible, allow designers to take the lead on project timelines or stages.

Give your designer everything he or she might need to understand your brand and target audience. Explain the demographics you’re trying to reach, how your audience interacts with your brand, and what promises or values you want to communicate.

That might seem like a lot of information, but it will empower your designer to make intuitive choices without micromanagement. Without clear expectations, it��s easy for a designer to follow a tangent that made sense in the drafting stages but doesn’t necessarily align with your end goal.

2. Commit to overcommunicating

When you’re establishing a new relationship or project with a designer, err on the side of overcommunicating. Ask plenty of questions, and don’t assume anything. Get clarification about the designer’s thought process, ideas, and—especially—suggestions.

Check in regularly to see whether the designer has everything he or she needs. Explore different methods of communicating to find an approach that works for both of you. Chat platforms like Slack are great for quick, on-the-go check-ins, but nothing beats a face-to-face meeting or video call for sorting out problems and expectations or stirring up excitement for ideas.

It’s equally important to provide written documentation of all expectations, budgets, timelines, and directions. Don’t let creative briefs linger in a folder on your desktop; get them to your designer right away. You can set your projects up for success by treating this early step as a collaborative and informational process.

Once you’ve established your preferred mediums and cadence of communication, you can settle into a more relaxed rhythm with the knowledge that everyone’s on the same page.

3. Give constructive feedback that’s design-specific

Clear and constructive feedback is essential to a productive relationship with a designer. Saying only “I love this” or “I don’t like that” doesn’t cut it, and vague comments such as “Make it cleaner” won’t help designers decide what to do next. High-quality feedback builds on good ideas and explains why “bad” ideas won’t work.

A designer’s job is to solve and create, and your goal is to present a challenge with a problem to overcome. Don’t impose solutions—ask designers for input and ideas. If discussions start to go in circles, steer the conversation back to your pain point. Try to explain precisely what bothers you about any problematic elements, but give your designer the freedom to own the work they are doing.

Trust your designers and embolden them to offer their own evaluations without having to fear that you’ll ignore them or take offense. Create this safe space in your meetings by introducing feedback from the beginning.

Designers might speak in colors and shapes rather than metrics and data, but you can work together to forge a shared language. Start this relationship off strong by bridging the gap and finding ways to communicate, and the results will speak for themselves.

The post 3 Ways Marketers Can Avoid a Communication Breakdown With Designers appeared first on Marketo Marketing Blog - Best Practices and Thought Leadership.

from http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/modernb2bmarketing/~3/QIWiqSD7wFY/3-ways-marketers-can-avoid-a-communication-breakdown-with-designers.html

[archiebwoollard]

3 Ways Marketers Can Avoid a Communication Breakdown With Designers

Not to point any fingers, but how many marketers are guilty of asking designers something along the lines of “Can you just make it prettier?”

For many marketers, working with a designer can be one of the most challenging tasks they face while building a brand. Communicating their wants, needs, and visions can lead marketers into a minefield of misunderstandings.

Despite working toward the same goals, designers and marketers speak different languages. Designers are specialists who have learned to translate concepts visually, but that method of communicating information requires plenty of education and training.

Marketers are no less specialized than designers, and increased digitalization has led us to use more technical jargon—marketers love their buzzwords—and complex processes. Most words we use to communicate meaning just don’t add up: The word “flat,” for instance, has a completely different meaning to designers than it does to marketers—and most other folks, for that matter.

On top of the inherent differences to each role, the way people communicate meaning and value changes constantly. The speed of modern communication has altered our expectations of turnaround times, and the introduction of 5G is about to change the speed of communication yet again.

When frustrations and miscommunications arise, this tension leads to diluted messaging and diminished relationships with their target audiences. If marketers and designers commit to speaking a common language, their relationship and reliance on each other will lead to superior marketing assets: Good design results in world-class branding, after all.

Bolster Your Brand by Learning to Speak ‘Designer’

Don’t let the fear of lousy communication stand in the way of an awesome partnership with your design team.

Here are three ways you can keep projects running smoothly:

1. Get together before the project begins

Designers aren’t mind readers. They cannot pluck an idea from your brain and turn it into something marvelous without plenty of direction, clear expectations, and guidance along the way.

At the start of the relationship—or any new project—set up a meeting to discuss your vision. Be clear and specific about your goals, and admit what you don’t know or still have to find out. Ask the designer what he or she needs from you.

Use this meeting to also forecast the timing of the project. According to our in-house data, basing timelines on previous projects causes teams to underestimate how long a project will take 67% of the time. To avoid this trap, outline any expectations about turnaround times and revisions before building a timeline together. When possible, allow designers to take the lead on project timelines or stages.

Give your designer everything he or she might need to understand your brand and target audience. Explain the demographics you’re trying to reach, how your audience interacts with your brand, and what promises or values you want to communicate.

That might seem like a lot of information, but it will empower your designer to make intuitive choices without micromanagement. Without clear expectations, it’s easy for a designer to follow a tangent that made sense in the drafting stages but doesn’t necessarily align with your end goal.

2. Commit to overcommunicating

When you’re establishing a new relationship or project with a designer, err on the side of overcommunicating. Ask plenty of questions, and don’t assume anything. Get clarification about the designer’s thought process, ideas, and—especially—suggestions.

Check in regularly to see whether the designer has everything he or she needs. Explore different methods of communicating to find an approach that works for both of you. Chat platforms like Slack are great for quick, on-the-go check-ins, but nothing beats a face-to-face meeting or video call for sorting out problems and expectations or stirring up excitement for ideas.

It’s equally important to provide written documentation of all expectations, budgets, timelines, and directions. Don’t let creative briefs linger in a folder on your desktop; get them to your designer right away. You can set your projects up for success by treating this early step as a collaborative and informational process.

Once you’ve established your preferred mediums and cadence of communication, you can settle into a more relaxed rhythm with the knowledge that everyone’s on the same page.

3. Give constructive feedback that’s design-specific

Clear and constructive feedback is essential to a productive relationship with a designer. Saying only “I love this” or “I don’t like that” doesn’t cut it, and vague comments such as “Make it cleaner” won’t help designers decide what to do next. High-quality feedback builds on good ideas and explains why “bad” ideas won’t work.

A designer’s job is to solve and create, and your goal is to present a challenge with a problem to overcome. Don’t impose solutions—ask designers for input and ideas. If discussions start to go in circles, steer the conversation back to your pain point. Try to explain precisely what bothers you about any problematic elements, but give your designer the freedom to own the work they are doing.

Trust your designers and embolden them to offer their own evaluations without having to fear that you’ll ignore them or take offense. Create this safe space in your meetings by introducing feedback from the beginning.

Designers might speak in colors and shapes rather than metrics and data, but you can work together to forge a shared language. Start this relationship off strong by bridging the gap and finding ways to communicate, and the results will speak for themselves.

The post 3 Ways Marketers Can Avoid a Communication Breakdown With Designers appeared first on Marketo Marketing Blog - Best Practices and Thought Leadership.

from RSSMix.com Mix ID 8217493 https://blog.marketo.com/2019/04/3-ways-marketers-can-avoid-a-communication-breakdown-with-designers.html

[maxslogic25]

3 Ways Marketers Can Avoid a Communication Breakdown With Designers

Not to point any fingers, but how many marketers are guilty of asking designers something along the lines of “Can you just make it prettier?”

For many marketers, working with a designer can be one of the most challenging tasks they face while building a brand. Communicating their wants, needs, and visions can lead marketers into a minefield of misunderstandings.

Despite working toward the same goals, designers and marketers speak different languages. Designers are specialists who have learned to translate concepts visually, but that method of communicating information requires plenty of education and training.

Marketers are no less specialized than designers, and increased digitalization has led us to use more technical jargon—marketers love their buzzwords—and complex processes. Most words we use to communicate meaning just don’t add up: The word “flat,” for instance, has a completely different meaning to designers than it does to marketers—and most other folks, for that matter.

On top of the inherent differences to each role, the way people communicate meaning and value changes constantly. The speed of modern communication has altered our expectations of turnaround times, and the introduction of 5G is about to change the speed of communication yet again.

When frustrations and miscommunications arise, this tension leads to diluted messaging and diminished relationships with their target audiences. If marketers and designers commit to speaking a common language, their relationship and reliance on each other will lead to superior marketing assets: Good design results in world-class branding, after all.

Bolster Your Brand by Learning to Speak ‘Designer’

Don’t let the fear of lousy communication stand in the way of an awesome partnership with your design team.

Here are three ways you can keep projects running smoothly:

1. Get together before the project begins

Designers aren’t mind readers. They cannot pluck an idea from your brain and turn it into something marvelous without plenty of direction, clear expectations, and guidance along the way.

At the start of the relationship—or any new project—set up a meeting to discuss your vision. Be clear and specific about your goals, and admit what you don’t know or still have to find out. Ask the designer what he or she needs from you.

Use this meeting to also forecast the timing of the project. According to our in-house data, basing timelines on previous projects causes teams to underestimate how long a project will take 67% of the time. To avoid this trap, outline any expectations about turnaround times and revisions before building a timeline together. When possible, allow designers to take the lead on project timelines or stages.

Give your designer everything he or she might need to understand your brand and target audience. Explain the demographics you’re trying to reach, how your audience interacts with your brand, and what promises or values you want to communicate.

That might seem like a lot of information, but it will empower your designer to make intuitive choices without micromanagement. Without clear expectations, it’s easy for a designer to follow a tangent that made sense in the drafting stages but doesn’t necessarily align with your end goal.

2. Commit to overcommunicating

When you’re establishing a new relationship or project with a designer, err on the side of overcommunicating. Ask plenty of questions, and don’t assume anything. Get clarification about the designer’s thought process, ideas, and—especially—suggestions.

Check in regularly to see whether the designer has everything he or she needs. Explore different methods of communicating to find an approach that works for both of you. Chat platforms like Slack are great for quick, on-the-go check-ins, but nothing beats a face-to-face meeting or video call for sorting out problems and expectations or stirring up excitement for ideas.

It’s equally important to provide written documentation of all expectations, budgets, timelines, and directions. Don’t let creative briefs linger in a folder on your desktop; get them to your designer right away. You can set your projects up for success by treating this early step as a collaborative and informational process.

Once you’ve established your preferred mediums and cadence of communication, you can settle into a more relaxed rhythm with the knowledge that everyone’s on the same page.

3. Give constructive feedback that’s design-specific

Clear and constructive feedback is essential to a productive relationship with a designer. Saying only “I love this” or “I don’t like that” doesn’t cut it, and vague comments such as “Make it cleaner” won’t help designers decide what to do next. High-quality feedback builds on good ideas and explains why “bad” ideas won’t work.

A designer’s job is to solve and create, and your goal is to present a challenge with a problem to overcome. Don’t impose solutions—ask designers for input and ideas. If discussions start to go in circles, steer the conversation back to your pain point. Try to explain precisely what bothers you about any problematic elements, but give your designer the freedom to own the work they are doing.

Trust your designers and embolden them to offer their own evaluations without having to fear that you’ll ignore them or take offense. Create this safe space in your meetings by introducing feedback from the beginning.

Designers might speak in colors and shapes rather than metrics and data, but you can work together to forge a shared language. Start this relationship off strong by bridging the gap and finding ways to communicate, and the results will speak for themselves.

The post 3 Ways Marketers Can Avoid a Communication Breakdown With Designers appeared first on Marketo Marketing Blog - Best Practices and Thought Leadership.

from RSSMix.com Mix ID 8217493 https://blog.marketo.com/2019/04/3-ways-marketers-can-avoid-a-communication-breakdown-with-designers.html

[racheltgibsau]

3 Ways Marketers Can Avoid a Communication Breakdown With Designers

Not to point any fingers, but how many marketers are guilty of asking designers something along the lines of “Can you just make it prettier?”

For many marketers, working with a designer can be one of the most challenging tasks they face while building a brand. Communicating their wants, needs, and visions can lead marketers into a minefield of misunderstandings.

Despite working toward the same goals, designers and marketers speak different languages. Designers are specialists who have learned to translate concepts visually, but that method of communicating information requires plenty of education and training.

Marketers are no less specialized than designers, and increased digitalization has led us to use more technical jargon—marketers love their buzzwords—and complex processes. Most words we use to communicate meaning just don’t add up: The word “flat,” for instance, has a completely different meaning to designers than it does to marketers—and most other folks, for that matter.

On top of the inherent differences to each role, the way people communicate meaning and value changes constantly. The speed of modern communication has altered our expectations of turnaround times, and the introduction of 5G is about to change the speed of communication yet again.

When frustrations and miscommunications arise, this tension leads to diluted messaging and diminished relationships with their target audiences. If marketers and designers commit to speaking a common language, their relationship and reliance on each other will lead to superior marketing assets: Good design results in world-class branding, after all.

Bolster Your Brand by Learning to Speak ‘Designer’

Don’t let the fear of lousy communication stand in the way of an awesome partnership with your design team.

Here are three ways you can keep projects running smoothly:

1. Get together before the project begins

Designers aren’t mind readers. They cannot pluck an idea from your brain and turn it into something marvelous without plenty of direction, clear expectations, and guidance along the way.

At the start of the relationship—or any new project—set up a meeting to discuss your vision. Be clear and specific about your goals, and admit what you don’t know or still have to find out. Ask the designer what he or she needs from you.

Use this meeting to also forecast the timing of the project. According to our in-house data, basing timelines on previous projects causes teams to underestimate how long a project will take 67% of the time. To avoid this trap, outline any expectations about turnaround times and revisions before building a timeline together. When possible, allow designers to take the lead on project timelines or stages.

Give your designer everything he or she might need to understand your brand and target audience. Explain the demographics you’re trying to reach, how your audience interacts with your brand, and what promises or values you want to communicate.

That might seem like a lot of information, but it will empower your designer to make intuitive choices without micromanagement. Without clear expectations, it’s easy for a designer to follow a tangent that made sense in the drafting stages but doesn’t necessarily align with your end goal.

2. Commit to overcommunicating

When you’re establishing a new relationship or project with a designer, err on the side of overcommunicating. Ask plenty of questions, and don’t assume anything. Get clarification about the designer’s thought process, ideas, and—especially—suggestions.

Check in regularly to see whether the designer has everything he or she needs. Explore different methods of communicating to find an approach that works for both of you. Chat platforms like Slack are great for quick, on-the-go check-ins, but nothing beats a face-to-face meeting or video call for sorting out problems and expectations or stirring up excitement for ideas.

It’s equally important to provide written documentation of all expectations, budgets, timelines, and directions. Don’t let creative briefs linger in a folder on your desktop; get them to your designer right away. You can set your projects up for success by treating this early step as a collaborative and informational process.

Once you’ve established your preferred mediums and cadence of communication, you can settle into a more relaxed rhythm with the knowledge that everyone’s on the same page.

3. Give constructive feedback that’s design-specific

Clear and constructive feedback is essential to a productive relationship with a designer. Saying only “I love this” or “I don’t like that” doesn’t cut it, and vague comments such as “Make it cleaner” won’t help designers decide what to do next. High-quality feedback builds on good ideas and explains why “bad” ideas won’t work.

A designer’s job is to solve and create, and your goal is to present a challenge with a problem to overcome. Don’t impose solutions—ask designers for input and ideas. If discussions start to go in circles, steer the conversation back to your pain point. Try to explain precisely what bothers you about any problematic elements, but give your designer the freedom to own the work they are doing.

Trust your designers and embolden them to offer their own evaluations without having to fear that you’ll ignore them or take offense. Create this safe space in your meetings by introducing feedback from the beginning.

Designers might speak in colors and shapes rather than metrics and data, but you can work together to forge a shared language. Start this relationship off strong by bridging the gap and finding ways to communicate, and the results will speak for themselves.

The post 3 Ways Marketers Can Avoid a Communication Breakdown With Designers appeared first on Marketo Marketing Blog - Best Practices and Thought Leadership.

from RSSMix.com Mix ID 8217493 https://blog.marketo.com/2019/04/3-ways-marketers-can-avoid-a-communication-breakdown-with-designers.html

[zacdhaenkeau]

3 Ways Marketers Can Avoid a Communication Breakdown With Designers

Not to point any fingers, but how many marketers are guilty of asking designers something along the lines of “Can you just make it prettier?”

For many marketers, working with a designer can be one of the most challenging tasks they face while building a brand. Communicating their wants, needs, and visions can lead marketers into a minefield of misunderstandings.

Despite working toward the same goals, designers and marketers speak different languages. Designers are specialists who have learned to translate concepts visually, but that method of communicating information requires plenty of education and training.

Marketers are no less specialized than designers, and increased digitalization has led us to use more technical jargon—marketers love their buzzwords—and complex processes. Most words we use to communicate meaning just don’t add up: The word “flat,” for instance, has a completely different meaning to designers than it does to marketers—and most other folks, for that matter.

On top of the inherent differences to each role, the way people communicate meaning and value changes constantly. The speed of modern communication has altered our expectations of turnaround times, and the introduction of 5G is about to change the speed of communication yet again.

When frustrations and miscommunications arise, this tension leads to diluted messaging and diminished relationships with their target audiences. If marketers and designers commit to speaking a common language, their relationship and reliance on each other will lead to superior marketing assets: Good design results in world-class branding, after all.

Bolster Your Brand by Learning to Speak ‘Designer’

Don’t let the fear of lousy communication stand in the way of an awesome partnership with your design team.

Here are three ways you can keep projects running smoothly:

1. Get together before the project begins

Designers aren’t mind readers. They cannot pluck an idea from your brain and turn it into something marvelous without plenty of direction, clear expectations, and guidance along the way.

At the start of the relationship—or any new project—set up a meeting to discuss your vision. Be clear and specific about your goals, and admit what you don’t know or still have to find out. Ask the designer what he or she needs from you.

Use this meeting to also forecast the timing of the project. According to our in-house data, basing timelines on previous projects causes teams to underestimate how long a project will take 67% of the time. To avoid this trap, outline any expectations about turnaround times and revisions before building a timeline together. When possible, allow designers to take the lead on project timelines or stages.

Give your designer everything he or she might need to understand your brand and target audience. Explain the demographics you’re trying to reach, how your audience interacts with your brand, and what promises or values you want to communicate.

That might seem like a lot of information, but it will empower your designer to make intuitive choices without micromanagement. Without clear expectations, it’s easy for a designer to follow a tangent that made sense in the drafting stages but doesn’t necessarily align with your end goal.

2. Commit to overcommunicating

When you’re establishing a new relationship or project with a designer, err on the side of overcommunicating. Ask plenty of questions, and don’t assume anything. Get clarification about the designer’s thought process, ideas, and—especially—suggestions.

Check in regularly to see whether the designer has everything he or she needs. Explore different methods of communicating to find an approach that works for both of you. Chat platforms like Slack are great for quick, on-the-go check-ins, but nothing beats a face-to-face meeting or video call for sorting out problems and expectations or stirring up excitement for ideas.

It’s equally important to provide written documentation of all expectations, budgets, timelines, and directions. Don’t let creative briefs linger in a folder on your desktop; get them to your designer right away. You can set your projects up for success by treating this early step as a collaborative and informational process.

Once you’ve established your preferred mediums and cadence of communication, you can settle into a more relaxed rhythm with the knowledge that everyone’s on the same page.

3. Give constructive feedback that’s design-specific

Clear and constructive feedback is essential to a productive relationship with a designer. Saying only “I love this” or “I don’t like that” doesn’t cut it, and vague comments such as “Make it cleaner” won’t help designers decide what to do next. High-quality feedback builds on good ideas and explains why “bad” ideas won’t work.

A designer’s job is to solve and create, and your goal is to present a challenge with a problem to overcome. Don’t impose solutions—ask designers for input and ideas. If discussions start to go in circles, steer the conversation back to your pain point. Try to explain precisely what bothers you about any problematic elements, but give your designer the freedom to own the work they are doing.

Trust your designers and embolden them to offer their own evaluations without having to fear that you’ll ignore them or take offense. Create this safe space in your meetings by introducing feedback from the beginning.

Designers might speak in colors and shapes rather than metrics and data, but you can work together to forge a shared language. Start this relationship off strong by bridging the gap and finding ways to communicate, and the results will speak for themselves.

The post 3 Ways Marketers Can Avoid a Communication Breakdown With Designers appeared first on Marketo Marketing Blog - Best Practices and Thought Leadership.

from RSSMix.com Mix ID 8217493 https://blog.marketo.com/2019/04/3-ways-marketers-can-avoid-a-communication-breakdown-with-designers.html

[darkammarketing]

3 Ways Marketers Can Avoid a Communication Breakdown With Designers

Not to point any fingers, but how many marketers are guilty of asking designers something along the lines of “Can you just make it prettier?”

For many marketers, working with a designer can be one of the most challenging tasks they face while building a brand. Communicating their wants, needs, and visions can lead marketers into a minefield of misunderstandings.

Despite working toward the same goals, designers and marketers speak different languages. Designers are specialists who have learned to translate concepts visually, but that method of communicating information requires plenty of education and training.

Marketers are no less specialized than designers, and increased digitalization has led us to use more technical jargon—marketers love their buzzwords—and complex processes. Most words we use to communicate meaning just don’t add up: The word “flat,” for instance, has a completely different meaning to designers than it does to marketers—and most other folks, for that matter.

On top of the inherent differences to each role, the way people communicate meaning and value changes constantly. The speed of modern communication has altered our expectations of turnaround times, and the introduction of 5G is about to change the speed of communication yet again.

When frustrations and miscommunications arise, this tension leads to diluted messaging and diminished relationships with their target audiences. If marketers and designers commit to speaking a common language, their relationship and reliance on each other will lead to superior marketing assets: Good design results in world-class branding, after all.

Bolster Your Brand by Learning to Speak ‘Designer’

Don’t let the fear of lousy communication stand in the way of an awesome partnership with your design team.

Here are three ways you can keep projects running smoothly:

1. Get together before the project begins

Designers aren’t mind readers. They cannot pluck an idea from your brain and turn it into something marvelous without plenty of direction, clear expectations, and guidance along the way.

At the start of the relationship—or any new project—set up a meeting to discuss your vision. Be clear and specific about your goals, and admit what you don’t know or still have to find out. Ask the designer what he or she needs from you.

Use this meeting to also forecast the timing of the project. According to our in-house data, basing timelines on previous projects causes teams to underestimate how long a project will take 67% of the time. To avoid this trap, outline any expectations about turnaround times and revisions before building a timeline together. When possible, allow designers to take the lead on project timelines or stages.

Give your designer everything he or she might need to understand your brand and target audience. Explain the demographics you’re trying to reach, how your audience interacts with your brand, and what promises or values you want to communicate.

That might seem like a lot of information, but it will empower your designer to make intuitive choices without micromanagement. Without clear expectations, it’s easy for a designer to follow a tangent that made sense in the drafting stages but doesn’t necessarily align with your end goal.

2. Commit to overcommunicating

When you’re establishing a new relationship or project with a designer, err on the side of overcommunicating. Ask plenty of questions, and don’t assume anything. Get clarification about the designer’s thought process, ideas, and—especially—suggestions.

Check in regularly to see whether the designer has everything he or she needs. Explore different methods of communicating to find an approach that works for both of you. Chat platforms like Slack are great for quick, on-the-go check-ins, but nothing beats a face-to-face meeting or video call for sorting out problems and expectations or stirring up excitement for ideas.

It’s equally important to provide written documentation of all expectations, budgets, timelines, and directions. Don’t let creative briefs linger in a folder on your desktop; get them to your designer right away. You can set your projects up for success by treating this early step as a collaborative and informational process.

Once you’ve established your preferred mediums and cadence of communication, you can settle into a more relaxed rhythm with the knowledge that everyone’s on the same page.

3. Give constructive feedback that’s design-specific

Clear and constructive feedback is essential to a productive relationship with a designer. Saying only “I love this” or “I don’t like that” doesn’t cut it, and vague comments such as “Make it cleaner” won’t help designers decide what to do next. High-quality feedback builds on good ideas and explains why “bad” ideas won’t work.

A designer’s job is to solve and create, and your goal is to present a challenge with a problem to overcome. Don’t impose solutions—ask designers for input and ideas. If discussions start to go in circles, steer the conversation back to your pain point. Try to explain precisely what bothers you about any problematic elements, but give your designer the freedom to own the work they are doing.

Trust your designers and embolden them to offer their own evaluations without having to fear that you’ll ignore them or take offense. Create this safe space in your meetings by introducing feedback from the beginning.

Designers might speak in colors and shapes rather than metrics and data, but you can work together to forge a shared language. Start this relationship off strong by bridging the gap and finding ways to communicate, and the results will speak for themselves.

The post 3 Ways Marketers Can Avoid a Communication Breakdown With Designers appeared first on Marketo Marketing Blog - Best Practices and Thought Leadership.

from Marketo Marketing Blog http://bit.ly/2UueHQW via IFTTT

[sualkmedeiors]

3 Ways Marketers Can Avoid a Communication Breakdown With Designers

Not to point any fingers, but how many marketers are guilty of asking designers something along the lines of “Can you just make it prettier?”

For many marketers, working with a designer can be one of the most challenging tasks they face while building a brand. Communicating their wants, needs, and visions can lead marketers into a minefield of misunderstandings.

Despite working toward the same goals, designers and marketers speak different languages. Designers are specialists who have learned to translate concepts visually, but that method of communicating information requires plenty of education and training.

Marketers are no less specialized than designers, and increased digitalization has led us to use more technical jargon—marketers love their buzzwords—and complex processes. Most words we use to communicate meaning just don’t add up: The word “flat,” for instance, has a completely different meaning to designers than it does to marketers—and most other folks, for that matter.

On top of the inherent differences to each role, the way people communicate meaning and value changes constantly. The speed of modern communication has altered our expectations of turnaround times, and the introduction of 5G is about to change the speed of communication yet again.

When frustrations and miscommunications arise, this tension leads to diluted messaging and diminished relationships with their target audiences. If marketers and designers commit to speaking a common language, their relationship and reliance on each other will lead to superior marketing assets: Good design results in world-class branding, after all.

Bolster Your Brand by Learning to Speak ‘Designer’

Don’t let the fear of lousy communication stand in the way of an awesome partnership with your design team.

Here are three ways you can keep projects running smoothly:

1. Get together before the project begins

Designers aren’t mind readers. They cannot pluck an idea from your brain and turn it into something marvelous without plenty of direction, clear expectations, and guidance along the way.

At the start of the relationship—or any new project—set up a meeting to discuss your vision. Be clear and specific about your goals, and admit what you don’t know or still have to find out. Ask the designer what he or she needs from you.

Use this meeting to also forecast the timing of the project. According to our in-house data, basing timelines on previous projects causes teams to underestimate how long a project will take 67% of the time. To avoid this trap, outline any expectations about turnaround times and revisions before building a timeline together. When possible, allow designers to take the lead on project timelines or stages.

Give your designer everything he or she might need to understand your brand and target audience. Explain the demographics you’re trying to reach, how your audience interacts with your brand, and what promises or values you want to communicate.

That might seem like a lot of information, but it will empower your designer to make intuitive choices without micromanagement. Without clear expectations, it’s easy for a designer to follow a tangent that made sense in the drafting stages but doesn’t necessarily align with your end goal.

2. Commit to overcommunicating

When you’re establishing a new relationship or project with a designer, err on the side of overcommunicating. Ask plenty of questions, and don’t assume anything. Get clarification about the designer’s thought process, ideas, and—especially—suggestions.

Check in regularly to see whether the designer has everything he or she needs. Explore different methods of communicating to find an approach that works for both of you. Chat platforms like Slack are great for quick, on-the-go check-ins, but nothing beats a face-to-face meeting or video call for sorting out problems and expectations or stirring up excitement for ideas.

It’s equally important to provide written documentation of all expectations, budgets, timelines, and directions. Don’t let creative briefs linger in a folder on your desktop; get them to your designer right away. You can set your projects up for success by treating this early step as a collaborative and informational process.

Once you’ve established your preferred mediums and cadence of communication, you can settle into a more relaxed rhythm with the knowledge that everyone’s on the same page.

3. Give constructive feedback that’s design-specific

Clear and constructive feedback is essential to a productive relationship with a designer. Saying only “I love this” or “I don’t like that” doesn’t cut it, and vague comments such as “Make it cleaner” won’t help designers decide what to do next. High-quality feedback builds on good ideas and explains why “bad” ideas won’t work.

A designer’s job is to solve and create, and your goal is to present a challenge with a problem to overcome. Don’t impose solutions—ask designers for input and ideas. If discussions start to go in circles, steer the conversation back to your pain point. Try to explain precisely what bothers you about any problematic elements, but give your designer the freedom to own the work they are doing.

Trust your designers and embolden them to offer their own evaluations without having to fear that you’ll ignore them or take offense. Create this safe space in your meetings by introducing feedback from the beginning.

Designers might speak in colors and shapes rather than metrics and data, but you can work together to forge a shared language. Start this relationship off strong by bridging the gap and finding ways to communicate, and the results will speak for themselves.

The post 3 Ways Marketers Can Avoid a Communication Breakdown With Designers appeared first on Marketo Marketing Blog - Best Practices and Thought Leadership.

from https://blog.marketo.com/2019/04/3-ways-marketers-can-avoid-a-communication-breakdown-with-designers.html