#the love is there but the relationship is built on a shaky foundation

[thursdayinspace]

another random question but what do you think would have happened if scully had never gotten abducted?

i love this question. i mean, long-term, it would have changed *a lot*. no cancer arc, which would be the biggest and most obvious change. but what would it have changed right then and there? the abduction definitely impacted their partnership and their friendship.

in one way, it brought things to the surface, especially for mulder. he wasn't unaware of her importance in his life before the abduction. telling his tape recorder that he could only trust himself and now he can only trust her? telling her that the only reason he could see to stay with the fbi was if they were working together? he was already relying on her presence in his life. a lot. but when she was taken from him, i think he felt a fear and despair that he would not have anticipated. it's one thing to know you need someone who is right there, and who will set up secret meetings in a parking garage, and who, even if you *can't* right now, is someone you know deep down you *could* reach out to. it's another thing to need someone who is gone.

so in that way, i think he did become aware that he was feeling more than he had realized. and that realization definitely had an impact on their relationship. but there's another side to it:

the abduction was the first time he became aware of *his* role in *her* life. and what he saw there wasn't good. because mulder being mulder, of course he takes responsibility, of course he blames himself. the fact that none of it was his fault doesn't matter. this is when he realizes that their quest, *his* quest, is putting her in real, life-threatening danger. and that thought never leaves him again. we see that guilt that takes root in his mind there all the way up into the revival. so that is a huge thing. he would have eventually found other things to blame himself for. mulder takes things personally and holds himself accountable for things that are completely outside of his control. so if it hadn't been this, it would have been something else. because things would still have happened to her. but being abducted and being gone for that long and coming back on the brink of death? that, for lack of a better expression, really fucked them both up in a big way.

so, what is my answer to your question? i don't know. i mean, for one, scully's side of the story is still completely missing from this. i find that a lot harder to unpack. if anyone wants to analyze that, i'd love to hear your thoughts! but also, both these things i talked about could have affected them in any number of ways. it comes down to likelihoods and probabilities. in the end you never know for sure how a person will react to a situation until after they've done it. and you don't know how not going through an experience might change them. and no headcanon any of us might have will tell the story as it would have happened with 100% certainty because human behavior is simply too complex and complicated to predict with any kind of accuracy.

if mulder hadn't been pushed through external circumstances to confront his feelings in that way, if he hadn't carried her cross, held her hand fearing it might be the last time, that would have taken a huge weight off both of them. there might have been a greater ease to their relationship. mulder wouldn't be feeling that guilt. scully wouldn't have to deal with the aftermath of all of that. the abduction, in my opinion, brought them closer to each other, but also served as an obstacle on their way forward, because it's quite something to move on from, more so since it brought feelings to the surface that neither of them was ready for.

*i personally* think the abduction strengthened the bond between them but weakened the foundation of their relationship. because of that added guilt and the fact that they were not ready to confront certain feelings. i think his fear of losing her is something that came to define him. and he kept almost losing her. if that hadn't happened? things between them could have progressed at an easier pace. their friendship, and the love they feel for each other. but honestly, i have no idea. but i had a lot of fun thinking about this.

[roguishcat]

A white lie

Summary: What is love if not finding someone worth protecting? Surely no price is too great? Astarion could not remember being certain of anything in the past 200 years. But he knew without a slither of a doubt that he would do whatever it took to make sure that they were safe. For ever. For good.

A/N: I wrote this as a gift for @bellasmumblingsandmusings as part of my 400 followers celebration. Hope you like it and I'm so, so sorry for taking ages! ❤️❤️ It's my first time using another person's OC in my writing, and Sima ('What could have been') is so awesome and kick-ass! Such a gem of a character! As Astarion had Ascended in 'What could have been', I wanted to explore his thoughts before he made up his mind to go through with the ritual.

Pairing: Astarion x Sima

Word count: 1.5k

It started as most things do - from a lie.

Or perhaps that was not quite it. Perhaps this was what he told himself at the time. Because everything was a lie as far as Astarion was concerned. Every single word out of his mouth certainly was a falsehood. And who could really fault him for that? Cast the first stone, so to speak. Because they were not exactly blameless either. Or if they thought that they were, they would be lying to themselves.

The only thing even remotely true was his reaction to Sima when he saw her for the first time. There was curiosity, perhaps even a smidge of attraction, which was unusual as generally he thought of his targets with cool detachment. After all, it was useless to dwell on ‘what ifs’ when one knew that they would curse him as they drew their last breath.

But travelling with Sima proved that she was different. Sima was exotic, beautiful, and dangerous. Most pretty things were, and she was no exception. Most importantly, she was also resilient, resourceful, brutal. Just the type he needed if he was to survive this long enough to be given the opportunity to plunge his dagger into Cazador’s neck. Perhaps repeatedly.

He began to lure her in, and no matter how intelligent and guarded she was, eventually her eyes started to seek him out. She flew to him like a moth to a detestable flame, but something was holding her back. Astarion was determined to find out what or rather who left that sour taste in her mouth. For no reason other than ensuring she would protect him. After all, what other reason could there possibly be for wanting to know more about her?

But then came the Shadowlands. They fought fiercely against the waves of screeching, rolling masses that sought to overwhelm them, to extinguish any light in the corrupted lands. The undead would always envy those who drew breath still.

Sima stood in front of the opening to the portal. Their brilliant leader, her eyes ablaze, expression hard. Beautiful, fierce, daring.

And in spite of himself, Astarion found that he threw himself headfirst into danger to make sure that the attackers wouldn’t reach her. He razed them with feverish intensity, yet ruby eyes were more focused on how she was faring.

It was foolish and counterintuitive. And yet he did it. Because he hated to think of a world without Sima. Because she deserved to survive this, deserved it more than anyone he has ever known to have a life after all this was over. This relationship may have been built on a shaky foundation of lies - his lies that is - but for the first time in two centuries, Astarion wanted to protect another. And it felt deliriously glorious to have someone worth protecting.

When they got to the city and Sima was faced with the Trial of Love, Astarion initially thought it to be quite tedious. Ridiculous little test for foolish circus-goers who had little else to do with their time.

Except when Sima called for him to join her as ‘the one she loved’, Astarion couldn’t help but hope that there was a grain of truth in that.

He still couldn’t put into words how he felt about her; perhaps he would never be able to. But he wanted her safe. He wanted to be the one to protect her. To have the means to do so. And wasn’t this what she wanted too?

“Ah, my dear sorceress. Am I to have a taste of your sparkling wit, hm?” Astarion grinned and canted a leather-covered hip to one side.

“Oh shush, you,” she scoffed and looked at him over her shoulder. “Do you want to do this or not?”

“Well, what a fool would I be to try and resist such an eloquent invitation!”

And then it was just Sima and him, the voice of the dryad mixing with the gurgling of the waterfall. Astarion cared little about what that dryad has to say, he was focused on Sima. And as much as he lied to himself, pretending that her answers did not matter, he knew that he cared greatly for what she had to say.

“When he’s elbow-deep in gore,” Sima stated seriously, but the corners of her mouth twitched.

“Oh, that would be revenge,” she replied with an air of nonchalance one adopts when discussing the weather.

“Breaking a nail.”

That made him laugh. She was always such fun. He loved that about her. Unpredictable, headstrong, and chaotic. A force to be reckoned with.

And she was his to have, apparently. She understood him in a way that he hadn’t dared to hope anyone would want to.

And Astarion was determined to be the one to give it all to her. Others be damned, he was going to find a way for them never having to worry about tomorrow! A way to be happy, to be safe. Which in his books was the same thing. For good. For all eternity.

So when the sun cast its last rays upon the city on that day, the day when he made up his mind about what Sima meant to him, what their bond meant to him, Astarion was not looking at the sunset. He was admiring the way her hair lit up. She was danger and beauty personified. Her hair was a halo of fire. He admired the blazing ringlets that bled into black so beautifully. She was magnificent, and she was his to have.

“What are you thinking?” Sima murmured into his ear, her elegant, beautiful fingers teasing the curls at the nape of his neck.

“About what tomorrow may bring. About what it means for us.”

And that wasn’t entirely a lie. Astarion pressed a kiss after kiss to her temple, her hair, and under her jaw. And then he swallowed her sigh as she melted against him. He groaned into the kiss, relishing how intoxicating she was. When Astarion broke away, he crushed Sima to his chest, one hand tangled in her curls, the other grasping her waist in a possessive, desperate hold.

"Astarion, what's wrong?"

The fingers grasping her tightly loosened immediately. Of course Sima noticed. Why wouldn’t she? He hasn't been watching himself around her for a while now. It seemed that happiness made him careless.

He had to pull himself together. He couldn’t ruin this. He would not be able to go on if something happened to her just because he hesitated.

"Love, what gave you the idea that something is the matter?" Astarion caressed her cheek, which seemed to soothe him more than her.

"You've been awfully quiet this evening. " Sima didn’t reject his touch, but he could feel her growing more suspicious by the moment.

"Ah, such is this world that a man is condemned for his silver tongue and then condemned worse still when he falls silent! It seems I cannot win whatever I do," Astarion half-spoke, half-wailed theatrically, wiping away an imaginary tear.

That did it. Her face smoothed as Sima rolled her eyes at his antics.

"You are ridiculous."

"Well, you knew what you were getting into, my dear. I am a man of charm and whimsy."

"Just as advertised."

"Quite so."

The rest of the evening passed by in a blur, their group retiring for the night, the last of the lights extinguished and leaving the shared room in blessed darkness.

Astarion did not trance that night; he could not. So he watched his love as she rested. His eyes traced the curve of her lips, the softness of her cheeks, the way her lashes fluttered. Astarion wanted to touch Sima, but he didn’t dare, worried he would wake her. She needed to be strong and well-rested, for tomorrow they would defeat Cazador, and he would take his defeated master's place. Tomorrow would be the beginning of the rest of their lives.

He would go through with the rite. His ascension would be the start of their future. He would become untouchable. He would be a force to be reckoned with. Someone who could choose to have the whole world tremble before him in fear, yet he could just as easily be a benevolent, generous master.

And then they would have nothing to fear ever again.

Perhaps he wasn’t entirely truthful. But that would be the very last time. After all, what was a little white lie in the long run?

💖 Tag list 💖:

@ninty900, @ayselluna, @dajeong, @ravenswritingroom,

@misscrissfemmefatale,

@clazberryk, @anukulee,

@preciouslittlebhaalbae,

@sh3rl0ck, @mellowenthusiast2299,

@fleetstreet78, @starlight-rogue,

@obsessedwhyyes, @arzen9

[cheolsfae]

can you do jay from enhypen as a boyfriend and his ideal type please?

His ideal type. Here is as a partner!

*Disclaimer: solely for fun! Please do not take this seriously. For entertainment purposes only!*

Past: 4 of wands, 9 of swords (reversed)

He might be someone who isn't really scared of losing the person to someone else. Not in like a toxic way. But more in like an "If they won't someone else will" type of vibe. He wants harmony in a connection and if it isn't equal give and take, he doesn't want it. He's very secure with who he is as a person. Someone from the past could have been projecting onto him their own insecurities and he doesn't want a repeat of that. He wants something more peaceful. Not more chaos than what once was.

Present: queen of cups, knight of pentacles, king of pentacles

He's very affectionate. He could like to give you things, maybe by you things. It might be his love language, present giving. It's how he shows you he cares about you. Doing little things for you could be another thing he does (because duh, we see that from the cameras) but I think it's more intimate when it's for a partner rather than for a friend/member. He's more reliant on what feels right for the person he's with. Does that make sense? Like he will follow with whatever type of love language the other person has and try his best to offer up that type of love as best he possibly can.

Future: temperance, ace of cups

He's very patient, he wants what's best for you. He's over filling with love for you. He wants a stable foundation, not something built from shakiness. Nothing weak, strong durable love. His soulmate to put it simply. He's a very romantic and loving person who deserves to have that same type of love given back to him. He'll have it one day, it's going to take time.

Bottom of the deck: 3 of pentacles

Again, he is someone with a give and take mentality. Someone willing to put in their half of work in the relationship. He's that kind of person. But he's willing to pick up some slack when he needs to just as he hopes his future partner to be. To work as a unit and not against one another!

*Oracle deck was also used!

[mskyrathefroggo]

Well it was sad to see Andrew go

But we got some things in Andrew’s twin brothers name is Simon which I guess is fitting

Andrew and Simon. Cute but it also made me think about Andrew life

Mostly about how sad it was and how Andrew had every right to be the villain can’t blame it on the edit

Andrew’s life is a cycle of betrayal, neglect, and pain, starting with his childhood. He was pushed into an academic rat race, losing the joys of a carefree childhood, while his achievements caused an unintentional rift between him and his twin brother. Instead of protecting or cherishing their children, his parents practically pitted them against each other. Then, when his brother needed them most—when he came out—they cast him out, leaving Andrew to shoulder the guilt of being the one they “chose” to keep. It’s such a cruel, isolating foundation to grow up with, and it’s worsened when you realize how powerless he was to protect the one person who understood him.

The grooming by his teacher is just another level of trauma layered onto an already shaky foundation. The betrayal by someone meant to guide and protect him, coupled with his parents’ complicity in covering it up, is beyond devastating. Andrew had to carry the weight of that abuse alone, realizing his parents were willing to sacrifice his well-being for status and connections. That level of betrayal could easily turn someone bitter and vengeful, yet Andrew somehow keeps moving forward.

His love life, rather than being a source of solace, reflects a series of heartbreaks and poor timing. Losing his first love, Isaac, who seemingly chose ambition over him, (but from Isaac’s perspective it was maybe to protect him) further deepened his sense of abandonment and inadequacy, given that Andrew didn’t want to hold him back. Then, when he finally opens himself up again, it’s in a deeply complicated relationship with Darling—his student. It’s morally and professionally wrong, and Andrew knows this, but the connection he feels is genuine. It’s the first time he allows himself to be vulnerable again, yet it results in public scandal, professional ruin, and further isolation. He tries to do the right thing by breaking it off to protect Darling, but it backfires, breaking them both.

Even his resignation feels like a pyrrhic victory—he’s free from the judgment and chaos of academia, but it’s at the cost of everything he’s worked for. The weight of that decision, to give up a career he built his entire life around, must have been enormous. He’s starting over with nothing but his partner and the hope of building a new life, and yet, you get the sense that he carries all that pain and self-doubt with him.

Andrew has lived through a relentless series of losses and betrayals. He’s been stripped of safety, trust, and love time and time again. If he had chosen to become bitter, cruel, or vindictive, it would have been entirely understandable. Instead, he strives to rise above it all, even if he stumbles along the way. That’s what makes his story so heartbreaking—he fights against the darkness in his life, even when it keeps trying to pull him under

[xhoneygirlxx]

warnings: angst, no happy ending. heartbreak/end of a relationship. Eddie and Reader are 20+

minors plz go away, this account is 18+ only.

this is inspired by Nothings New by Rio Romeo, the same song that’s been stuck on repeat for the past couple of weeks. I hope you all enjoy this <3

*if you see spelling errors/bad writing, pretend it didn’t happen

—

You both knew it was coming, a thought in the back of your mind that constantly ate away at you until it finally came true. There’s a moment in life when you just know it’s not going to work out anymore, that no matter how much you love a person it all comes down to a spark and when that spark is gone, so is the relationship.

It’s like a sandcastle right on the shoreline, you wait with bated breath as the water inches closer and closer to your creation and there’s nothing you can do about it because you’ve built it on a bad foundation. It’s like a balloon, it can only fly so long before the helium seeps out, one day it’s high up in the sky and the next day it clings to the ground where it will stay before it eventually deflates.

You nor Eddie set out to end like this, no one gets into a relationship in the hopes it ends but somehow, you ended up right where you hoped you wouldn’t.

I love you’s weren’t shared as much anymore, sweet kisses turned into chaste pecks on the cheek, and the closeness you both craved was now despised. A long fall from the pedestal your relationship was once held upon, now it was just an obligation that felt torturous to even continue.

The dinner on the table is perfect, the kind you would find photographed in some kind of home and lifestyle magazine, but the two people consuming it are anything but. A date night that was supposed to be fun and exciting felt like a job, a requirement that both of you had signed on for that you just couldn’t get out of.

Eddie looks handsome as always, a sleek button up adorning his torso and unruly curls are tamed down by the products in the bathroom that both of you share. He cuts his steak with tattooed hands, the same silver rings he wore in high school decorate his digits as well as the one you bought him all those years ago when you first got together. You look at the thick black band, the engraved lettering of your initials that go across it, and you wonder if he only wears it out of habit- something he only wears on his right ring finger because he would feel unbalanced without it.

Despite the crowd that sits at neighboring tables, it’s quiet, and not the peaceful kind of silence most people would imagine. It’s the kind that happens after a car accident when dust and debris settle to ground, the sulfur from the airbags fill the air, and the ringing in your ears are too loud to hear through anything else.

You poke at your plate mindlessly as you continue to look at him, trying to piece together where it all went wrong and why the two of you have let it go this far. A bitter taste fills your mouth, one that can’t be washed down by the red wine that sits in your untouched glass, making a ball form in your throat.

As you look at the man across from you, you don’t see the person you’ve grown tired of but rather the boy you fell in love with all those years ago. Wide eyes and dimpled smile, rosy cheeks and shaky hands. Memories of shy banter and longing stares fill your head. Two young kids so full of love and adoration for one another now sit silently as they ignore one another’s presence.

Your heart squeezes, painfully twisting in a devastating way as it prepares for what’s going to happen. A tear escapes from your waterline and you don’t fight it. As much as you don’t want to be the dramatic girlfriend in the middle of a fancy restaurant you allow yourself to cry, mourning the death of a love story that started with two star cross teenagers that lost their way.

Although he isn’t looking at you Eddie can sense it, the beginning of the goodbye he’s tried desperately to avoid. He sets his fork and knife down, swallowing his food down as best as he can while his throat begins to choke up in unshed tears.

There’s a pause in his movements, a delay from looking into the eyes of the one he promised to love until his dying day. He closes his eyes and takes a deep breath, reaching his hand out across the table in search of your own. Fingers interlace, palms touching for the first time in a long time and for once you both feel it, the spark you used to feel when everything was fresh and new- only it doesn’t linger, it slowly blows out and fades away into the cold night air.

Big chocolate eyes meet yours, the tears that brim in his tear ducts match your own, the shared sadness for the future you will no longer share.

“This is it?” Eddie’s voice is small, like he’s straining in the hopes the sobs won’t break out.

You can’t stop it, the wobble of your pouted lip and the river that falls from your eyes. There’s no words you can say, none that will capture the amount of pain this brings to you, so instead you just nod your head.

Eddie isn’t any better, eyes closing with the hopes that this will all go away when he opens them once more. When he opens them back up he doesn’t find a different outcome but instead the blur of the fat tears that cloud his vision.

“You know I love you, right? I always have and always will love you Eddie, but this isn’t good for us anymore.” It’s like you’re pleading, begging for all of the misery to end for not just yourself but him too.

The subtle nod of his head tells you all you need to know, he agrees just as much as you that this isn’t going to work anymore, that this is killing him as much as it is you and if it continues this way it’ll only be a matter of time before this slow and painful death creeps up on you.

“I love you too, always have.” Eddie makes sure to look you in the eyes when he says it, like he wants you to know that everything that’s happened was never intentional.

You give his hand a squeeze, an acknowledgment to his statement, he squeezes right back.

This was the end, in the middle of a fancy restaurant where families, couples, and friends laugh and talk over warm meals, you and Eddie slowly cut the string that’s been keeping you tethered together for more than five years.

—

—

[thesunfyre4446]

“can you stop making alicent's relationship with her children about rhaenyra?” everything is about Rhaenyra to them because if they start viewing Alicent as her own character with her own goals and motivations then their ship falls apart.

Rhaenicent was built on a shaky foundation because it’s the only HotD ship that doesn’t even remotely exist in book canon. The writers are literally writing out of their asses so are constantly juggling this fanon pairing and George’s work. Their solution? To make Alicent a simpering doormat who Rhaenicents can project on.

i think that the problem is not with Rhaenicent as a ship. ship what you like! find your people and have fun - that's the whole point of fandoms.

the problem is when stans mix their own HC and ships with canon, and get angry at other people for not thinking like them. if you want to ship Rhaenicent with alicent abandoning her children in favor of rhaenyra - that's absolutely fine! but that's NOT canon. canon alicent does not exist for rhaenyra.

and the problem is that i never see any "rhaenyra abandons TB to join alicent" au \ fics, or "rhaenyra regrets how she treated alicent" takes. it's always alicent that's "in the wrong". it's alicent that has to apologize, it's alicent that hates her children \ or only loves them because they bear resemblance to rhaenyra. it's alicent that wants to abandon her children and join rhaenyra. this idea that alicent wants to serve rhaenyra is... yeah not my thing. my problem is not the ship, but the way some of the stans treat alicent and other alicent fans that don't think like them.

and yeah idk what's going on with the writers LMAO i mean yeah i def shipped young rhaenyra and alicent, but Rhaenicent after luke's death and B&C? no way. not for me thank you very much.

[diskaywrites]

Fluffvember 2024

𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐭 #𝟐𝟒: 𝐘𝐨𝐮'𝐫𝐞 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐠𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐚 𝐥𝐞𝐭 𝐠𝐨 𝐨𝐟 𝐦𝐞, 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮? 𝐏𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠: 𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐎𝐬𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐲 𝐱 𝐌𝐉𝐅 𝐌𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐎𝐟: 𝐊𝐞𝐧𝐧𝐲 𝐎𝐦𝐞𝐠𝐚, 𝐀𝐝𝐚𝐦 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐞

.✽✦✽.◦.✽✦✽..✽✦✽.◦.✽✦✽..✽✦✽.◦.✽✦✽..✽✦✽.◦.✽✦✽..✽✦✽.◦.✽

Will Ospreay wasn't quite sure why he was standing outside the hotel room door of the man who had broken his heart on more than one occasion. Maybe part of it was his inability to pick up on social cues, but deep down he knew the truth. The truth of the matter was that Will loved the man the rest of the world called scum. From the smug smirk that crossed the others face to the better than you attitude, Will Ospreay knew that he loved Maxwell Jacob Friedman.

The two had met after their respective relationships had fallen through, both learning the bitter sting of betrayal from the men the loved. For Will, it was the fact that Kenny Omega had gone back on every promise of love as Kenny showed up at Wrestle Kingdom to take the championship that Will had worked so hard to get. That betrayal had come with the utterance of "I never loved you" as Kenny took the things that mattered the most. And for Max? Well, the shadow of the devil that was Adam Cole still loomed large in Max's life.

That meant that relationship Will had been trying to build once he realized exactly how he felt about Max was being built on a shaky foundation. No matter how many times the two seemed to move forward, something happened that set the two on opposite paths once more. Max seemed to pull away from Will any time they were about to confess their love. Will, on the other hand, seemed to shy and stuck on the fact that his last long term partner had never been capable of love. It was vicious dance between the two and that dance had led Will back to Max's door once more.

Will raised his hand and knocked on the door, gulping down a nervous breath. What if Max wasn't even here? What if he stood here outside the door knocking over and over again only for Max to see him from the elevators and just decide to leave? Will had just about given up on the knocking when the door creaked open to reveal the man who had stolen his heart long ago.

"Max...I..."

The smell of leather and musk coupled with the droplets of water that clung to Max's bare chest, letting Will know that the reason Max hadn't opened the door was because he was in the shower. Max, watching Will's eyes drop low before moving his gaze higher, gave a wicked smirk, "You came to gawk?"

Will cleared his throat sheepishly, but still couldn't meet the cold gaze of the other. Was it cold? The gaze that met Will when he finally managed to match it was...soft. Gentle. "I...I know I shouldn't be here. It's all I know, Max. That and...and that I love you. I should have told ya before, bruv, but I couldn't-"

Will's words were cut off as Max's strong arms wrapped around his midsection, pulling the Brit in for a tight hug. Will closed his eyes, not caring if they were in the hallway or not. The pressure of the one person who stilled his racing mind pressing against himself made Will's soft cornflower eyes fill with tears. He could barely hear the question Max posed over the hum of the hallway lights and the ding of the elevator, "You're not gonna let go of me, are you?"

"Not now, bruv," Will denied, pressing a kiss to the top of Max's head, "not ever."

[astroa3h]

❤️‍🔥 Bonnie and Clyde: & Their Toxic Synastry ❤️‍🔥

Venus Square Ascendant

In the whirlwind saga of Bonnie and Clyde, two souls entangled in a love as infamous as their escapades, their synastry chart shows passion, rebellion, and destiny intertwined. I want to start this series with the SQUARE between Bonnie's Venus in Virgo and Clyde's Gemini Ascendant. Let's jump in.

Clyde, with his Gemini Ascendant at 25 Degrees - an Aries Degree, lived life on the edge. Think of 25 Degrees as someone who lives life in the fast lane, rarely thinking of the consequences. This placement speaks volumes about his charisma, his restless spirit, and an insatiable desire for freedom. He was a man who could talk his way into or out of anything, a characteristic that made him both endearing and dangerous.

Bonnie, with her Venus in Virgo at 23 Degrees - an Aquarius Degree, loved in a way that defied norms. She found beauty in chaos, order in the unconventional. Her love for Clyde was not blind; it was visionary (at least in her mind, delusional much?). She saw beyond the criminal, the rebel, reaching for the soul who matched her unconventional thirst for life. This placement hints at a search for love that was as much about companionship and shared ideals as it was about romance.

Now we square these two placements off each other and we get a clash of titans, a square that shakes the foundation of what we would usually see in loving, healthy partnership. Their relationship was challenging, provoking, and ultimately transformative in the worst way. Clyde's Gemini Ascendant at an Aries degree brought an impulsive, dynamic energy that clashed with Bonnie's more analytical and unconventional Venus in Virgo. Yet, this very clash was what made their bond so intense, deep and NOTORIOUS. It was a love that said, "In the face of all logic, against all odds, here we stand."

This wasn't a partnership that thrived on mutual growth and support but rather one that was perpetually fueled by the drama of their criminal activities and the societal pressures that came with living outside the law. Their love story, stripped of its romantic gloss, reveals a harsher truth: a relationship built not on the solid ground of compatibility and shared values but on the shaky foundation of mutual infatuation with an idealized notion of rebellion and freedom.

xox astro ash ✨ Get your own Synastry Reading @ astroash.net TikTok - astroa3h

[khaothanawat]

I bet Pat and Pran were so confused by how serious the PhuTian argument is bc to them this type of bickering is literally foreplay like wait they argue and then walk away from each other?? don't they think the competition is fun and also kinda hot????

hello anon 🩷🩵💜🧡

honestly it was so funny seeing pran just confusedly ruminate on why tian and phupha were arguing so much over something so silly, like who fell for who first. pat reminding him that they also argued about that is so unhelpful too because… well, we all saw that “argument.” it was less arguing and more horny bickering whilst still actively (probably) sleeping together hshshs

i also love that their whole parent trap plan was to get phupha and tian to get a lil 🫧tipsyyy🫧 and sing a song together. in what world, lads? i’m concerned that they’re working off the base assumption that phupha and tian know how to effectively communicate their feelings to one another, because for pran and pat it comes so naturally. their whole gig is that even when they’re arguing they’re both so confident in their love for one another that it never really even makes a dent (and thus can be turned into fun and sexy foreplay). phupha and tian have such a different relationship - it was built on such a shaky foundation. they liked each other so immediately and so fiercely but it took them years (YEARS!) to get to a place where they could really be together. they also, bless their perfect perfect hearts, couldn’t effectively communicate their feelings out of a paper bag.

(i mean this with complete adoration and affection - phutian are one of my favourite bl couples of all time. they also just happen to suck at talking openly about their feelings lololol. SOMETIMES THAT’S HOW IT IS!! BAD COMMUNICATORS RIGHTS!!)

pat and pran legit just. they argue as foreplay. any disagreement can become sexy if you talk about it enough. and they apparently also use other couple’s arguing as foreplay. absolute menaces. imagine meeting a couple in real life and TWO DAYS AFTER MEETING THEM you start sexy roleplaying as said couple. did tian really put his diary online for THIS? you stay in your new friend’s hut and think “huh i wonder what their sex life was like?” like… ok boys pls calm down???

so glad to see that they clearly haven’t gotten any less horny in their time together. absolute champions of my heart.

[bardcore-jaskier]

♡ My thoughts on Yennskier + headcanons ♡

(Edited post)

- What makes this whole thing so funny and exciting to me is that Yennefer used to think that Jaskier was just some annoying sing songy twit before. While Jaskier's dramatic arse used to consider Yennefer an enemy until she saved him from Rience XD XD XD

- I adored the everliving FUCK out of their scenes together in season 2! Their dynamic is so fucking good! AAAAAAAAAHHH!!!!

- Yennskier, the ship we didn't know we needed, but definitely deserved! Their chemistry is so fucking perfect and their dynamic works so well!

- Personally I think that this ship is actually, currently, THE healthiest and most wholesome one of all my Jaskier ships! At least as of season 2! (Even if Geraskier remains as my OTP)

- In Oxenfurt, when Jaskier and Yennefer got to know eachother better without Geralt's presence to distract them both, ever since they saw the real, raw and vulnerable sides of eachother and became friends, I couldn't help but notice how absolutely toothrottingly perfect they are together!

- Legit, and I kid you not! I can't picture Yennefer and Jaskier having anything other than that deep kind of connection where you know that you are loved, appreciated and adored, despite all your flaws. The kind of love where you know you're not alone, that this person is your family and will always have your back no matter what.

- Yennefer, despite being one of the most powerful sorceresses on the entire continent, treats Jaskier as an equal by the time Ciri gets possessed. (Bro, like even Geralt doesn't do that! Jaskier is his friend, sure, but I've never seen Geralt treating him as an equal.)

- Yennefer and Jaskier have a mutual respect for eachother, they trust eachother, they enjoy eachother's company. All of those things are A CRUCIAL part of having a solid foundation to build a honest, sturdy, long-lasting and happy relationship upon.

- From compatibility POV, they work together a lot better than Geralt and Yennefer did. With Jaskier, there are no djinn related consent issues, there wouldn't be any communication issues and he would probably be a positive influence on Yennefer's mental health.

- Whereas her relationship with Geralt was quite frankly chaotic, explosive, sometimes even toxic. It was built upon a shaky foundation of lust, djinn magic and exchanged favors. Like c'mon, their time together as an on-and-off couple mostly consisted of having kinky unicorn sex, trauma dumping, dealing with magical, gorey and insanely dangerous situations, then talking about said situations until they have a fight! Leaving eachother every time in the end because they can't seem to make it work long-term. They're incompatible because in canon, the only thing that finally made them stick together for good, was an orphaned girl in need of protection. It's not right, kind of like parents who are postponing their divorce until their daughter grows up :/

- Jaskier on the other hand, despite his magic-less ordinary humanity has a hilariously witty, optimistic, stupidly brave, highly empathetic, loyal and supportive personality. Yennefer would have an understanding partner who loves her, cherishes her, acceptc her for who she is without judgement nor pity. A partner who would make it his life's mission to help her see the good things this world has to offer, to make her happy because she deserves it!

- Damn it all, they both have been through enough, they both deserve a break. They actually GET eachother. I can already feel a drabble forming in my brain, set a week or so after the whole Voleth Mier shebang, Jaskier is struggling with PTSD and nightmares about Rience, Yennefer is struggling with guilt and shame because she put Ciri in danger. So while Geralt is too busy with Ciri's training to be there for Jaskier and he feels too betrayed to be in Yennefer's company, neither Yen nor Jask have anyone to turn to in Kaer Morhen, except eachother. Three months confined to a witcher keep together? Now that is a LOT of time to spend with someone you can be openly vulnerable around, bond with, heal and share joy with, unexpectedly falling in love....

- Yennefer too is an extremely good match for Jaskier, it's almost uncanny how much she completes him! Jaskier would finally have an understanding and loving partner who truly saw him when others didn't bother. And Yennefer liked what she saw, the familiar face of a simple human bard who offered kindness and compassion to strangers even if it could kill him. She saw courage, honesty, forgiveness and so much good, a collection of rare qualities she had never thought could exist within one single person all at once. After Voleth Mier, all that goodness was given to her so freely, it is still being given to her everyday, so she knows a treasure when it looks her right in the eyes with such easy warmth. She would make it her life's mission to cling onto him with everything she's got, to love and cherish him the way he deserves, to protect the only person she deems worthy of holding her heart!

- They have a lot in common too. From both having a knack for fashion, both being mischievous little shits at heart and both having high standards when it comes to personal hygiene. To also having similar tastes in both alcohol, humor, luxury and entertainment.....if Yennefer's kinky orgy party and Jaskier's reputation as the biggest slut on the continent is anything to go by.

- Speaking of sex, both of them having a high libido and exceptional skills in bed aside, they're fucking GORGEOUS people! Why wouldn't they find eachother attractive?

- Yennefer is basically a Goddess, beauty personified! She is elegant and breathtaking, everyone knows it.

- However, since a majority of the Witcher fandom usually dismisses Jaskier in favor of simping for Geralt, I can, I must and I WILL gush about how pretty Jaskier is! Cuz clearly some of them bitches be blind, Yennefer is one lucky witch!

- Jaskier is like only 1,5 inches shorter than his grouchy snowman friend. Meaning he is tall as all hell and he definitely isn't lacking in the muscle department either, that bard is jacked yo. His voice is soothing and his vocabulary is extensive enough to make the most experienced of whores blush from pillow talk. He has VERY soft looking hair and he has one of the most angelic fucking faces I've ever seen. His eyes are the clearest shade of blue and his expressions + mannerisms are absolutely adorable! Ok, I'm done gushing, onto the next point....

- Unlike Jaskier, I don't think I have a dummy thick enough of a vocabulary to express how much dopamine Yennskier fanfics give me, more specifically when their husband and wife act from Oxenfurt becomes an inside joke for them, leaving the rest of Kaer Morhen's inhabitants confused as fuck.

- Geralt getting a bit jealous? His brothers wondering when that could have happened? Ciri feeling bamboozled as well?

- It's all shits and giggles until somebody giggles and shits. It won't take long until their inside joke is no longer a joke. They already bicker like a married couple anyway XD

- I can not help but also headcanon Jaskier as not fully human. It would be sad if he up and died on his dear immortal wife. I don't necessarily picture him having chaos or other powers in this scenario, but when I do, I think that they would discover them together on accident.

[perlalistens]

Escaping in the “Getaway Car”: How Taylor Swift Turned Desperation Into Art

By: PERLA

Taylor Swift’s Reputation era was a turning point in her career. In 2017, the world seemed to be against her. Public feuds, tabloid controversies, and internet memes painted her as the villain in a story she wasn’t entirely writing. But instead of retreating, Swift leaned into the chaos, crafting an album that was bold, unapologetic, and introspective. Nestled among the revenge anthems and love songs is "Getaway Car": a shimmering, synth-driven confession that stands out as one of her most honest tracks.

At its core, "Getaway Car" tells the story of a woman desperate to escape her current relationship. Bored and unhappy, she uses a new flame as a way out—knowing full well it’s not a sustainable or fair choice. It’s not the kind of love story Swift is typically known for; instead, it’s a tale of recklessness and moral ambiguity.

"With three of us, honey, it’s a sideshow," she sings. The metaphor is perfect: the situation is chaotic, messy, and doomed from the start. There’s no grand romance here, no happy ending. It’s just people making mistakes and hurting each other in the crossfire.

Swift has always been a master storyteller, but "Getaway Car" feels different. It’s not a song about betrayal done to her—it’s about betrayal she caused. In this track, she owns her flaws, admitting that she used one person to leave another.

"I wanted to leave him, I needed a reason," she confesses. That line alone encapsulates the desperation of her situation. It’s not a proud moment, but it’s an honest one. Swift acknowledges her actions without justifying them, adding a layer of vulnerability that sets the song apart from her other works.

The titular getaway car becomes a symbol of escape: quick, impulsive, and destined to crash. It reflects the fleeting nature of her new relationship, which was built on shaky foundations. The line, “The ties were black, the lies were white,” speaks to the moral duality of her choices—truth and deceit tangled together, blurring the lines between right and wrong.

Musically, the song’s upbeat tempo and glittering production contrast sharply with its darker themes. This juxtaposition mirrors the chaos Swift describes: outwardly, the escape feels thrilling, but underneath, it’s unraveling. The driving beat echoes the urgency of her decision, while the soaring chorus captures the brief high before everything falls apart.

One of the most striking aspects of "Getaway Car" is its self-awareness. Swift doesn’t try to cast herself as a victim or justify her actions. Instead, she portrays herself as flawed and human, making choices out of desperation rather than malice.

"It was doomed from the start," she sings, acknowledging that both relationships were bound to fail. The song’s conclusion is bittersweet: everyone involved ends up hurt, and Swift is left reflecting on the wreckage.

In a way, "Getaway Car" is one of Swift’s most relatable songs. Many people can identify with the feeling of being trapped in an unhappy situation and making impulsive decisions to escape, even if it means making mistakes along the way. The track is a reminder that even in moments of chaos and poor judgment, there’s value in owning up to your actions and learning from them.

For Taylor Swift, "Getaway Car" wasn’t just a song about a messy breakup. It was a moment of raw honesty in an era when she was being judged for every move she made. It showed that even in the middle of public scrutiny, she wasn’t afraid to admit her imperfections. And in doing so, she created a song that’s as emotionally complex as it is irresistibly catchy—a true standout in her discography.

[scribeforchrist-blog]

Well -Built

MEMORY VERSE OF THE WEEK

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Psalm 1:2 but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night

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VERSE OF THE DAY

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+ Luke 6:46 “So why do you keep calling me ‘Lord, Lord!’ when you don’t do what I say?

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** SAY THIS BEFORE YOU READ; HERE’S SOME CHRISTIAN TRUTHS **

I AM FOCUSED ON GOD

I AM LOVING JESUS

I AM NOT ALONE

I AM OBEDIENT

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READ TIME: 7 Minutes & 35 Seconds

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THOUGHTS:

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    A lot of times, we don’t see that what we are doing is affecting our relationship with God; we just see that what we are doing is making us happy, and that’s all we want to do is be happy, right? I have been in a place where I did not care who I hurt or who I made angry. I just wanted to make myself happy, and if I did that, that was enough for me.   

     When I gave my life to God, the Holy Spirit showed me that it was the wrong way to be , that I needed to be a different, and I needed to be obedient; obedience was hard to do because when I did everything I wanted, I had peace ( at least thought what I was feeling was peace )  and sometimes when I did what God wanted it was no peace, and it was only like that because I wasn't fully committed into what God asked me to.

  Today's word says, why do we call him lord when we don’t do what he says? A lot of times, we call him father, we call him teacher, and other names. Still, we don’t listen to or do what he says, and God sometimes tells us to do hard things. Still, he is trying to let us now that when we follow him, it's going to be tough, when we do what he wants, it's going to be tough, but as long as you follow him, he’s going to be there every step of the way, we can't call him lord if we aren’t ready to change, we can't call him lord if we are not going to listen to him.

  Verse 47-48: I will show you what it’s like when someone comes to me, listens to my teaching, and follows it. 48 It is like a person building a house who digs deep and lays the foundation on solid rock. When the floodwaters rise and break against that house, it stands firm because it is well-built.

  When we have troubles in our life, and we have followed God, we can stand; it's not saying things won't be shaky, but his word says we will be firm and won't break because we are standing on the rock. He is the rock a lot of us are going through. We are breaking because we haven't listened to him speak to us. I have had some hard years, but the years I have had with him have been the best of my life. It was only significant when I followed, and I'm not going to say I didn’t have those days where I wanted to do what I wanted, and I did, but those days were tough because I wasn’t listening to him. When we listen to him, we will stand firm, and nothing can separate us from him because we are listening to him.

 Verse 49: but anyone who hears and doesn’t obey is like someone who builds a house right on the ground, without a foundation. When the floods sweep down against that house, it will collapse into a heap of ruins.”

 When I didn’t listen to him, it felt like I was fighting against everything because I was doing what I wanted; we have to understand the road isn’t easy because we do what we want no way; the road gets more challenging because we are disobeying God, we don’t have a foundation, everything will feel like its collapsing because it is, we aren’t holding his hand we aren’t even trying to either, God wants us to hold his hand in it all and we must do that.

   The foundation we build with God will always stand, but when we stop reading our word and stop praying, the foundation starts to crack because we aren’t building with God anymore; we are building with other things. We pour our time into the word, read it, and pray we are making time for God; the word says that I hide the word in my heart so that I might not sin against thee. To hide the word, we must read it and apply it, but if we spend most of our days doing what we want, we fill our eyes with hours of TV, and we aren’t even trying to spend time with God; how do you think our foundation is going to stand it isn’t.

 Psalm 119:15-16 I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways. I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word.

  It tells us here the psalmist wanted to meditate; he wanted to think about God's precepts; it wasn’t like he did it because God word says to no friends; he did it because he drew him closer to God; our foundation can’t stand if we don’t have a desire, some of us only do what God says because he said it, not because our heart is in it, where is your heart? What does it say?? We must reconsider our ways sometimes, and I know a lot of times we are going to want to do what God says, but when we see that his ways are better, we should follow him and know that whatever we go through, we will come out on the other side.

  *** Today, we discussed a foundation, and God is the head of our lives; we must understand that when we have a life full of repetitive sin, we haven’t truly allowed our word to be applied to our lives. We have allowed sin to come in and take over. The more we read our word, we will have a sturdy foundation. We have a chance every day to read our word and pray, but the more we pick and choose everything else to do instead of spending time with God, the more we will lose our foundation.

  Verse 10I: seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands.

 The psalmist says I seek you with all my heart, not some parts, but ALL my heart he said do not let me stray from your commands; a lot of us won’t even care if we stray away because we are doing what we want. Still, when we truly care about God and want that strong foundation, we will seek him, read our word, pray, and be obedient. If you feel your foundation is shaky, ask God to help you, focus on him, and change your heart.

©Seer~ Prophetess Lee

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PRAYER

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Heavenly Father, we thank you for today; we ask you to be with us and to change who we are; help us to focus on you and not our ways, lord we ask you to forgive us of the sins we have done, lord let us not stray away from your commands help us to want to follow you and have the desire to serve you . Lord, we give you our days and time, we ask you to show us where in our day can we fit you in lord we love you so much, and we thank you please help us to apply this devotion to our lives in Jesus Name Amen

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REFERENCES

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+ Psalm 37:31 The law of his God is in his heart; his steps do not slip

 

+ Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

 

+ Psalm 40:8 I delight to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart.”

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FURTHER READINGS

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Proverbs 27

1 Corinthians 7

Revelation 4

Hebrews 1

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[beanghostprincess]

(Different anon but still on the same wavelength of Usopp Yasopp Franky)

I think that the most interesting thing about Usopp and Franky’s relationship is their foundation of forgiveness and atonement. They eventually find common ground, they realize they’re so much more similar than they are different, they both deal with their pride in opposite but reflective ways. I don’t think Franky ever really puts what he did to usopp fully behind him, but he has to keep moving forward regardless (Self forgiveness being one of his major character themes).

And I don’t think that side of the story will ever really get conveyed to Yasopp, but I do think the moral would be. If anyone understands deeply Usopp’s capacity to forgive, it’s franky. But I can also see him making a comment to Yasopp that it’s a two way street and takes work and effort to fix things on his end as well.

Sogeking gets to be this like, distillation of the vague idea of Yasopp built up in Usopp’s head. But he’s also never come back from sniper island because he doesn’t need to. Usopp gets to form his new identity, his own identity, not based on what his utility to other people are but what he likes.

That’s all to say that he’d be shaky and a little less confident telling his dad about all the inventions and machines, but then they’d spend like five hours in the gardens talking carnivorous plants or something.

This is so true. I just woke up so I'm not sure if I'll be able to expand this idea tbh but I think you said everything I wanted to say, anyway. I love Franky and Usopp's bond for the same reasons. I really hope we get to see Yasopp bonding with his son too :(

[matan4il]

Good morning Alice! I was gonna wait to send this till after the finale, but then said duck it I'm not predicting anything. I'm just curious about your feelings.

So I always felt like if the network was to cowardly to make Buddie Canon it would only end 2 ways, them maybe dating women or just ambiguity single as a family. Basically I never expected to see an actual fleshed out love story written for either.

And well, S1 Buck is single, S2 Shannon is dead, Ali leaves, and we get good montage hug, S3 single and great party montage. OK S4, if that was the series finale we got Buddie walking into a party, Buck not fullying entering, Eddie uncomfortable and the will reveal. As shippers, we would have never bought it. The general audience would have just shrugged. Again, they weren't left in love with women but did leave with a crazy strong bond. S5 single, and now we approach S6. I have no clue what will happen with Marisol and Natalia, but I think we can all guess it would resemble the S4 ending if anything. So again, if they were unsure about renewing and left it open-ended, the GA would shrug, and we would be like "well then here is what really happened".

So I watched that Love in the Air montage like it was approaching a series finale and felt exactly like I thought I would. I was laughing at how vapid these relationships look on Buddie vs the others. 911 love stories are built on adversity. Couples that don't get a lot of representation because maybe some don't think they are sexy enough. That's what makes me love them is how strong their foundations are. They are not built on meet cutes, you know. You can't write a love story for these 2 that approaches touching the bonds and experiences they have already experienced together. I will use the word again. it seems almost vapid!

So no clue what will happen in the finale with these girls. My gut instinct is not a lot of focus. But I'm already excited to move to ABC, where I think they will actually be invested in.

As always, I loved your meta!! Stay safe, and I hope you are feeling OK and made headway with your new treatment!!!

Hi sweetheart, thank you so much for this lovely ask! And for the kind words about my 617 meta! *HUGS*

I agree with you, if Buddie doesn't go canon, the show would never be able to develop a fully fleshed out and satisfying love story with any other Love Interest, so the show would either use really lame LIs (where it's easy to see that they'd go in the way of Ana and Taylor a short while after the cut off point of the show's finale) or Buddie would be chronically single (and each other's life partners). I admit, I prefer the latter. The former just means a break up to get to the latter, and then in both cases I'd just headcanon that Buddie finally had a feelings realization and confession, getting together at some point in the future that we don't get to see. It's inevitable with their love story.

But without a doubt, when we know that the whole (or at least majority of the) finale is the one call during which the 118 will be going down, that means there won't be much room to develop anything with either Natalia or Marisol. And I feel like that's exactly how 4a left off with Ana, and 4b did the same with Taylor. They exist, something has started there, but it's built on such shaky ground (they really did give us less than nothing for why Marisol or Natalia would work out with Eddie and Buck), we KNOW that this ground would collapse under these new LIs after a short while.

I do think the move to ABC has a lot of potential. I'm thinking ABC bought the show from Fox knowing that things are a bit rocky, so they KNOW they need to bring in more viewers, and I'm sure they understand that letting Buddie go canon has the potential to do just that, make TV history, create buzz and bring in more viewers.

On a personal note, I'm just still blown away that my HMO actually approved this treatment, but it's gonna take another week (exactly) until I get my first treatment. Which sucks, I have to cancel guiding students from Harvard in order to make this appointment, but yeah. Health before anything else, right? If I kept the Harvard tour, the next appointment is mid June.

Thank you, darling! I hope you're having a great day, too! Love you tons. As always, here's my ask tag. xoxox

[bwhitex]

Dating Authentically: Embracing Yourself Without Apologies

In the world of modern dating, we are often confronted with a myriad of "dos and don'ts" that can make navigating romantic relationships feel like walking through a minefield. From playing hard to get, to presenting a polished version of ourselves on social media, the pressure to conform to societal standards of attractiveness and desirability is immense. But what if the key to successful dating isn't about moulding ourselves into a 'perfect' partner but rather, about embracing our true selves, flaws and all? In this blog, we'll delve into why being authentic is crucial in dating and how psychological principles support this approach.

The Psychology of Authenticity

Carl Rogers, a pioneer of humanistic psychology, taught us about the importance of being genuine. He argued that for personal growth, we must have an environment that provides us with genuineness (openness and self-disclosure), acceptance (being seen with unconditional positive regard), and empathy (being listened to and understood). When these conditions are present, individuals can develop a greater capacity to accept themselves and understand their feelings, which is a cornerstone of meaningful relationships.

In dating, this means showing up as our true selves. The façade of being who we think our date wants us to be can only lead to relationships built on shaky foundations. It's like constructing a building on sand—eventually, the truth will come out, and things may crumble.

Self-Compassion: Your Dating Superpower

Dr. Kristin Neff's research on self-compassion also provides insight into dating authentically. By treating ourselves with kindness, acknowledging our common humanity, and being mindful of our imperfections, we set the stage for healthier and more honest relationships. Dating with self-compassion means we don't beat ourselves up after a date that didn't go well or obsess over our faults.

When we date with self-compassion, we're less likely to tolerate bad behavior from others because we know we deserve to be treated with respect and kindness. We also apologize less for being ourselves—whether that means owning our quirky laugh or not hiding our love for geeky hobbies.

The Detriment of the Apology

In many dating scenarios, there's an underlying pressure to apologize for our preferences, opinions, and even our personality traits. This is where we need to draw a line. Apologizing for being late to a date is considerate, but apologizing for your taste in music, your career choice, or your sense of humor is unnecessary and counterproductive. It undermines your self-worth and sends a message that you're not confident in who you are.

The truth is, a partner that's truly compatible with you will appreciate your idiosyncrasies and the unique blend of traits that make you, you. They won't want your apologies; they'll want your authenticity.

Embracing Vulnerability

Vulnerability is another concept that's crucial in dating. Dr. Brené Brown's research has shown us that vulnerability is not a sign of weakness but a profound strength. When we allow ourselves to be seen, truly seen, we open the door to real connection.

In the context of dating, this means having the courage to express our feelings, desires, and fears. It's about being honest about what we're looking for in a relationship, whether it's something casual or a life-long partnership. It's about having the difficult conversations about values, boundaries, and needs.

Conclusion: The Unapologetic Path to Love

The path to love should not be paved with apologies for our very essence. While compromise is a necessary part of any relationship, it should never involve compromising on being yourself. As we navigate the dating world, let's remember the words of Carl Rogers and the importance of being in an environment that allows us to be our true selves.

So, go on that date. Be unapologetically you. Laugh too loudly, share your love for obscure indie films, and talk about your dreams and passions. The right person will adore you for it, and you'll be building a relationship on the solid ground of authenticity.

Remember, in the grand scheme of your love story, the most important person to fall in love with first is you. When you do that, you won't feel the need to apologize for being who you are—and that's when you'll attract someone who loves you for you.

[egopocalypse]

Gone Away: Chapter 9

Forgiveness is Earned through Purifying Flames (So Where's the Pyre that You Seek?)

A Disc War Finale AU

Rating: Teen Warnings: Creator Chose Not to Use Archive Warnings Category: Gen Relationships: c!Tubbo & c!Tommy, c!Sam & c!Tubbo, c!Dream & c!Tubbo Chapter-specific warnings:  Mentions of death/grief/mourning, references to religion, emotional manipulation

In theory, Ranboo’s thought process makes sense. Tubbo has never been able to have many attachments, but when he did fight for them, it was to protect something else that the object was a crucial part of.

He loved L’Manberg for the community and the home it crafted, enough that he spilt his blood twice to protect it. He loved the camarvan that housed the four revolutionaries, curled up on the floor and each other as they squeezed around the brewing stands stashed in the back. He loved the docks for the times he and Tommy hopped from post to post, laughing as they fell into the lake and dragged the other in. He loved the walls that kept them safe and secure, that reminded them that land was their community.

He loved New L’Manberg, too. He loved the shaky foundations, rebuilt over the remains of the second blast that tried to take his homeland. He loved the lanterns that lit up their nights and the shops that were built on the decks. He loved the apiary he and Ranboo built and kept, the main solace when the nation felt too much like a burden rather than a home. He loved it enough to make it into a home Tommy would’ve been proud of if he had the chance to live in it, but he couldn’t love it enough to save it.

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