#there is most definitely the WILL but there is seemingly no WAY

[mutipede]

There's also abdominal migraines - severe stomach pain without any other cause, with other migraine symptoms like nausea, more common in kids - I got what was in retrospect almost definitely abdominal migraines years before ever getting a headache, pain bad enough that my mom was worried it was appendicitis, but when that was ruled out it just got brushed off as "probably gas".

Also not sure if this is 100% universal since migraines are weird but I'm pretty sure another way to distinguish them from other types of headaches is they're on one side of your head. For me it's always on the left.

From what I've heard, all of this seemingly weird random shit is because "migraine" is a whole medical condition, the headaches are just the most common and well known symptom.

here's your regular reminder that if you consistently, regularly get headaches, you are almost certainly having migraines, not regular headaches.

MOST recurrent headaches are migraine headaches.

"migraine" does not mean "extremely painful headache." it is a type and source of pain, not a degree of pain. migraines can also include some or all of the following: fatigue, sensitivity to light and sound, visual auras, nausea or vomiting, dizziness, cognitive impairment, etc. these symptoms can be mild or severe and it may actually be difficult to determine if you have them. (who wants a bright light in their eyes during a headache?? i thought that's just how headaches were lmao.)

this is important because while aspirin, NSAIDs like ibuprofren, and other over-the-counter pain meds can effectively alleviate migraine pain, getting diagnosed with migraines allows for a wider range of treatments and preventatives.

it's also important because, in my opinion, your average general practice doctor is not equipped to diagnose you with chronic migraine. don't go to one expecting them to. a neurologist with migraine specialty is a better option, although a regular doctor can still be useful if they listen to you lol.

my life would be miserable and unmanageable without sumatriptan. and i never would have gotten a prescription for sumatriptan if i hadn't gone to my GP and said, "i have migraines and want to try migraine medicine," even though at the time i wasn't 100% sure that was true.

if you have chronic headaches, they're almost certainly migraines. if no one has said that to you before, let me be the first. start treating your migraines.

[meydang]

cute wings

(sfw)

Nameless!Sunday x Nameless!reader

Based on Sunday's ultimate animation and my own headcanons about halovian's lore.

.

.

.

"So what was that move you whip out earlier? The one with the vines and everything!" You said, clearly impressed while sitting down on one of the couch.

"Have you been hiding the other two pair of wings or do they only come out when you do that last move?" You asked eagerly when Sunday enter the parlor car, the both of you having just gotten back from your trailblazing expidition together. Your eyes following him as he joins you on the couch, with sparks of curiosity in it.

It hasn't been that long since Sunday joined the Astral express, but he could definitely say that it's been enough for him to start opening up to all the nameless and vice versa.

"Ah, are you refering to my supporting spell?" This is the case especially for you, with your seemingly endless energy and desire to learn about everything, it's only a matter of time before you start flooding him with all these question about anything that piqued your interest.

"For halovians, our wings are like a representation of our emotion and power, similar to that of our halo." Sunday pause for a moment, you guessed to try and think of an answer that will satisfy your question.

"To put it simply, take that fight we just won earlier for example, I was using my power to aid us, the wings that appeared were due to my strong emotion and use of power at the moment." He turned to look at you as you nod multiple times, trying to grasp your head around the new information like a lost puppy trying to figure out where it is.

You do that quite often - something Sunday has took notice and find endearing.

Cute, he think.

"Sooo... does that mean the wings can only come out when you are in a state like that?" You finally said after some time. "Aw pity, I was hoping you could make them appear anytime you know, I think they are really adorable!" You said what you were thinking with all honesty, completely oblivious to the fact that your last comment caught the halovian off guard and flustered to his core, hints of red dusting his cheeks.

"Th-that is not entirely correct, I can make them visible if I want to, but I'll need to be in a state of strong emotion or focus on my power in that case." Sunday tries to brush of your compliment about his wings with his answer, but before he could given it anymore thoughts, you have already came up with an idea.

Sunday jolts slightly as you prop your chin onto his shoulder, your face display a smug expression, looking up at him with your hand on top of his own.

"Wait, if I'm correct... Then I'll just have to make you feel emotions strong enough for your cute wings to come out, right?"

Huh? What did you just say? What are you planning? How did- what? There is a million things going through Sunday's head right now and the fact that your gaze are still fixed on him while this is happening does not help at all. Sunday doesn't know what is worse, the way he got insanely flustered just by a few compliments or you being extremely close to him right now.

"Well...? Aren't you gonna say anything?" He heard you said in the slowest and most teasing way possible, as if to get even more reaction from him. Before he could even answer, you stood up and move infront of him.

"Sunday." you said while bending down to face him, your hands on your knees and face tilting down at him with an adoring smile.

Huh?

"Yes?" He managed to say, his head spinning to guess what are you planning to say next.

"Although it hadn't been long since you join the express, you have been adapting and trying your best to keep up with the crew really well." Sunday can feel his cheeks burning with every sweet words uttered from your mouth. You on the other hand, are determined to get his marvelous wings to come out.

"You have done a great job as a nameless... Don't you think so too?" You continue, still looking down at him but leaned in a bit closer, too close for Sunday to maintain his composure. If he still has any, that is.

"Ah, th-thank you. That's very kind of you to say." As his wings move to cover his face, he can here an audible 'aww' coming from you which caught him by surprise. Resulting in him moving them to his side again, for a better view of what was happening.

"It worked!" Opening his eyes, Sunday sees you smiling and gushing over his wings - ah, right, his other wings that have appeared due to him being oh so flustered just by your simple remarks.

"May I touch them?" You asked, your gaze gentle, yet still intense that it makes Sunday gulp nervously as his face turn even more red.

"Yes, you may." Sunday doesn't know why he gave you permission, as if you being in such close proximity to him wasn't enough to get his heart pounding. Especially with the fact that his wings are actually pretty sensitive.

With a happy grin, you reach out to glide over the feathers with the back of your hand, not missing how doing it make Sunday shudders a bit.

"Oh, sorry!" You retrieve your hand after noticing.

"No no, it's fine... please continue." He assured, not wanting you to feel bad. Even if he doesn't exactly want you to keep thumbing his wings like this... purely because it's making him all embarrassed and a blushing mess.

"You know... what I said earlier about you joining the express. I wasn't just teasing you, I actually meant it." You reach out for his wings again, this time with a soft smile, making sure he knows you are being sincere.

Sunday made a dumbfounded expression, or atleast you think he is, his face shows a mix of gratitude and confusion as he stare at you.

"I am grateful that you hold me on such high regards, though... I do not believe I have made any significant contribution to the express, more less better than all of you." Sunday answered truthfully. How could you say all these good things about him when he doesn't deserve any of it? How are you still able to welcome him with open arm? After all his mistakes, after the grand pursuit of a dream paradise through such manipulative methods, and-

"Sunday!"

He blinked,

Once,

Twice,

"Hey, are you okay? You just zoned out for a moment." You move your hands from his wings to his shoulder, sitting down next to him again, tone worried.

"Sorry... I was just deep in thought. Were you saying something?" He quickly apologized, feeling bad for making you worried. Yet again another reason he doesn't deserve your praises, Sunday blames himself.

"I said stop thinking bad about yourself. Don't ever say anything like that... nobody is perfect, everyone has their own flaws and values. You just have to not let your doubts get to you." You turned Sunday towards your direction a bit, so that he's looking at you in the eyes.

"Hm, promise me you'll never think negatively about yourself again." You said firmly, waiting for him.

"I-I promise." With an exhale Sunday replied to you, smilling. "Thank you."

You smile back "There we go, now that's my little angle~"

!?

This is the second time you have caught him off guard in this conversation. Little angle? At this point he swear you will be the death of him eventually, Sunday think as you suddenly lit up.

"Well, let's lighten things up a bit..." you said, pulling out your phone. "Say cheeseeee" what are y-

Snap

Just like that, a picture of Sunday smilling sheepishly and flapping his wings was sent to the astral express family group chat. Earning you a panic, embarrassed Sunday and the multiple 'aww's from the trailblazer and March.

_

The Astral Express Family

You: (picture)

You: I found a happy bird on the express today~

March: aww

Trailblazer: wow! Six wings!

Trailblazer: aww

Sunday: ...

_

[howlingmod]

hello hello! I've never requested stuff before so i hope I'm doing this right lol, I'm wondering if i can request something tender and fluffy for follower sword x reader?

i just wanna hold that man in my arms bro, and your writing is just so peak

summary - follower sword x reader hcs. ur both phighters, uninetionally a little aut4aut coded woops

misc - thank you so much ! im glad you enjoy my writing .. smiles .. apologies if this is a little lackluster or inaccurate, this beast is weird. also yay first request !

-To say dating Sword can be a little unconventional is an understatement. More than once have people shot you a look once you told them who your partner is. Regardless, you wouldn't have it any other way and neither would Sword.

-Usually, people are confused as to how you guys got together in the first place. He's not exactly a social butterfly and he definitely comes off as threatening to most people, but there's no dramatic story to be found here, unfortunately. You just met him during a phight like most other people.

The match had been close, both teams were neck and neck for the point by now. It was a mad dash to get on the point or die trying, leaving more than a few people to try and make a run for it before falling to the other team the moment they were within a few feet. Every route lead to the same choking point, funneling everybody into a sea of flying bullets and swinging blades. Eventually, you noticed the crowd begin to thin as several people traded or finally picked someone on the other side off. If there was ever an opening, this was it. Stealing away from the corner you'd hidden in, you ran for the point, just barely dodging stray attacks before your feet touched the objective. The timer resumed in your teams favor, much to the other teams frantic irritation. A few of your teammates had bullied onto the objective just after you, helping fend off the incoming vigor of the enemy team in a last bid for the win, but it still wasn't enough. One got picked off, then another, and then another after that, then it was just you again. They'd gotten picks of their own and one had traded, but it still left you outnumbered. Given the exhaustion curling up your spine to lay heavy in your head and the dread of an inevitable loss hanging off your hands, you weren't winning this. Someone on the other team pushed towards you. You were slow on the uptake, pulling your gear just a few seconds too late through the fog of weariness. Practically in slow motion, you watched them reel back to swing, made to block it yourself, and a pale blade stick itself in the ground just between you two. With hands already raised, quickly identifing the blade's source, you instead made to cover your eyes before the flashing light could blind you. Where the once constant growl of battle had become ringing in your ears, there was silence. Peeking out behind your arms, there was nobody. It wouldn't last long, you knew that, but you finally felt as though you had a moment to breathe. Just a few seconds left. You could make out careful footsteps behind you, leaving you to whip your head around to the source. Instead of Shuriken or Scythe popping out to break the peace, you saw Sword. You hadn't seen too much of him that match, seemingly being focused on different areas (bitterly, you thought of asking him why he hadn't been helping you with the objective, but a better part of you decided against it.), but you were thanking the Heights he was on your team now. "Thanks for the help, you're a life saver," You hummed, smiling at him. He didn't return the gesture, hell, you aren't even sure he looked at you, given the lack of pupils. Faintly, you picked up some little grunt he made, a show of acknowledgement. That was enough for you. You turned back forwards, vaguely noting how he stopped next to you. Maybe he was tired too? You're sure he was focusing on trying to beat the other team into the ground for the match, so you wouldn't be surprised. The timer reached its peak, signalling your team's win. Neither of you made a sound, even as you picked up on your other teammates celebrating off in the distance. The air stayed peaceful, weight lifting off of you as you stood side-by-side. Nothing more needed to be said.

-Afterwards, you did your best to return the favor, though he rarely needed it. You would provide support in the ways you could, pointing a healer in his direction when he was in rough shape and picking off extra opponents if he was outnumbered. Where you'd expected to just help him out once or twice and consider the IOU paid off, he would return the aid right back. Without thinking about it, you two started to hover around eachother.

-He wasn't sure why he did it, just that, at some point, he began to think of you more than he needed to. It was good to know where your teammates were and what their status was, but he certainly didn't need to be worrying this much over an individual. Nevertheless, he would still check in on you, sending long glances your direction whenever you were nearby as a quick assesment of your condition.

-Even before matches you two would find eachother, sitting quietly as you two prepared for the upcoming phight. Sometimes, you would ramble to him as he listened wordlessly, only humming every now and then to let you know he was still paying attention (a habit he'd picked when his silence had lead you to trail off in the past).

-The first time you'd ever mentioned hanging out with him outside of a phight, he'd declined, if only out of unfamiliarity. He wasn't used to getting such direct, personal invites to be apart of other people's lives like that. It stuck in his head for a few days, the question of why you'd thought to pick him speficially rattling around in the back of his head.

-Eventually, he would be the one to invite you out. It wasn't anything special and, in all honesty, it was probably just to walk around. Nothing all that entertaining, but he didn't care about the activity as much as he did having more time to hear you talk.

-Likewise, the confession (after a long time of him sorting out his feelings, he still didn't totally understand how he felt once you two got together but he knew you were greatly important to him), was pretty mundane. You're probably the one to do it since he's not super familiar with the concept, at least not beyond a surface level understanding of what it looks like for other people. To you two, it's an intimate moment: you trust him enough to open yourself up to rejection and he cares about you enough to make clear he's interested in you as well. To others, it's a very blunt, robotic moment on his part contrasting to your obvious sentiment. Oh well.

-Anyhow, as for how you to interact once you get together, it's more of the same. A lot of the time, you two are just existing with one another. It would come off as uncaring if it weren't for him seeking you out just to be in your company, even if you're not interacting in any way. He just likes having you there, you make him feel whole in a strange way, something about your presence makes him feel like some wrong has been righted.

-He's a little nosy about your hobbies. If you're reading a book he wants you to tell him about it, if you're making something he wants to know how you're doing it, so on, so forth. He doesn't know why, he just likes to know everything he can about you. If we allow the more sentimental wording to fall, you're like a specimen he needs to learn about and put under a microscope, lovingly.

-His love language, other than time, is gifting things to you, actually. Most times it's odd trinkets he comes across that remind him of you, but its the thought that counts. He takes the utmost care for them to not get ruined before he can gift them to you and you can just barely notice him stand a little straighter when you happily take them. If you have a spot for all the things he's given you, he admires it with pride every time, blame it on bird instincts.

-He often just calls you by your name, he just doesn't think any nickname compares to your actual name. That's the title of the person he loves, what else could compare?

-It takes him a while to warm up to physical affection, so give him some time with that. Once he's settled into a relationship with you, he's a lot more open to any touch you give. He most enjoys whenever you lean on him, he enjoys being someone you can count on for support and comfort. On his part, he's a sucker for you holding his face in your hands, something about it just feels so tender. The way your hands cradle his head just feels so soothing.

-The first time he says 'I love you,' is a whisper, but don't let that fool you into thinking their meaning is any smaller. It's a total declaration of his heart to you, how could he not mean it when you're the light of his life?

[crazy-ache]

WIP Snippet - Elucien Body Swap

Thank you @olenvasynyt for making this graphic for me! ₊₊₊₊ Lucien’s mechanical eye whirred more frantically and erratically at the emerald jeweled necklace than he could ever recall in his long, immortal lifespan. It was thrumming and covered in a spiderweb of spells, though through his russet eye, he could see it sit plainly as any other piece of jewelry would in Elain’s small hand. 

“Who could throw such a thing away?” 

He wasn’t used to her asking questions of him. He wasn’t used to the pleasantry of conversations with his mate. Yet it wasn’t nerves churning in his stomach. 

“Lady, you really shouldn’t touch that,” Lucien cleared his throat, nervously stepping toward her. “I have a bad feeling about—“

He watched as Elain looked into the hallway mirror and held the strange necklace up in the air as if to place it upon her perfect neck. 

“No!” He couldn’t restrain himself. It reeked of curses and ancient spells. To hell with manners and their long-standing history of stilted, distant propriety.

Instinct had him lurch forward, reaching for her shoulder to prevent her from putting it on. 

When his hand found her skin, the last thing he saw was her reflection in the mirror—wide, surprised brown eyes staring right at him and her gaping mouth parted as if to shout his name. 

He never did hear her shout it. 

The buzz of unfamiliar, tingling magic encapsulated them both, starting from the necklace itself, then traveled up her delicate arm to the place his fingertips joined her shoulder. A gold dusting spread all along their bodies. As it happened, it seemed to grip them both in place from where they stood and breathed—not a single hair on their heads even moved. A single heartbeat later and the magic released them. 

Lucien went tumbling back, careening into a coatrack. From the loud crash he heard, the force must have also sent Elain falling backward. The necklace clattered on the spot where they had just stood, its magic no longer emanating, leaving it seemingly ordinary and lifeless. 

“What just happened?” 

Lucien heard his shaky voice ask. 

Only he had not spoken. He had not even opened his mouth. 

Pushing himself up on his elbows, he snapped his head up. Wide, mismatched orbs met his gaze from across the floor. His eyes met him. That was his molten red hair spilling on the floor as his body pushed itself up to a sitting position. Panic surged through him, extinguishing his inner fire like a bucket of ice cold water. Lucien nearly broke his neck to look down at himself because what the actual fuck—

Those were definitely Elain’s breasts where his chest was supposed to be located. He wasn’t proud to admit he did in fact know what they looked like even if they barely made eye contact in the past few years. Her long locks of curled hair came into his view and her thin hands trembled as he tried to breathe. 

He clumsily jumped to his feet, not used to the lightness of her petite frame. Elain followed and they both peered into the hanging mirror at the same time. His mate’s face was staring back at him. He touched her smooth face with the hesitant pad of his fingertips. Next to him, Elain did the same, her now large, broad hands slapping his cheeks, like this was just a bad dream and she simply needed to wake up.

He was inside Elain’s body. 

And not in a good way. 

Which meant Elain was inside him—

He cringed as the loudest, most blood-curdling scream pierced the hallway. Lucien had never heard himself sound so terrified before, and he certainly hadn’t known his voice could reach such a high octave in range. Which meant Elain had figured it out as well.

Elain held his hair in her hands as if it were the most offensive creature to ever touch her. His own heart was thundering in his chest. Well, technically it was Elain’s chest. It felt as if he couldn’t find the air because these lungs did not belong to him. The unsettling realization made the room spin. 

Oh, Cauldron boil him.

They had switched bodies. 

[sirenium]

it stands for 'Transmisogyny Exempt/Transmisogyny Affected'

at first glance, it looks fairly innocuous. However, it is actually often (if not always) used to paint a 'not/least oppressed vs most oppressed' binary, which often waves a hand at the struggles intersex people face that can, in fact, at least look like transmisogyny. Actually, no, I'm not going to pretend that intersex people don't face transmisogyny; certain intersexism thrown at intersex people can fall under the definition of transmisogyny, especially in the case of intersex women, because any woman that isn't cis or perisex experiences similar shit based on the idea that they aren't "real" women. is that transmisogyny, or just 'misdirected' and, therefore, not 'actually transmisogyny'? perhaps this is 'coopting' the words of trans women, and instead of pointing out the flaws of their binary I should just shut up (lol).

on another note, people who use 'TME/TMA' tend to be against trans men having words for their struggles, such as 'transandrophobia' or 'transmisandry', and from what I've seen I genuinely think it's because they actually think trans men aren't oppressed at all. therefore, they have issues with how trans men make their own words to describe the oppression they apparently "don't" face, and if trans men dare use 'transmisogyny' to describe their experiences that's wrong too because, again, they 'aren't oppressed'. this binary goes about treating transmascs like absolute garbage, with the people who espouse it typically thinking that trans men are inherently the oppressor, don't have it 'as bad' as trans women, etc. and while I have no idea if that was the original intention of it, people sure as hell use it that way.

in short, it's basically just 'men bad' radfem shit turned into a 'progressive' thing that also crams intersex people into AGAB language and/or ignores our issues entirely. I have seen an intersex person in favor of it who admitted that it is AGAB based, too, so I'm not just pulling that out of my ass. 'TME/TMA' is used to paint trans women as the most oppressed, innocent members of the trans community, with trans men being the most evil and oppressive, multigender and/or nonbinary people seemingly not existing (or being grouped into the binary too), and intersex people being written off unless they're AMAB.

that said, any framework that can get so easily weaponized in oppression olympics is a shit framework, and it does nothing but divide the community. I would think undercover TERFs made this shit if it weren't for the fact that I know trans people aren't incapable of doing horrific harm to their own communities, that's how needlessly divisive it is.

I hope this was informative.

It's really telling to me when a perisex trans person grips onto 'TME/TMA' for dear life. Just say you don't care about intersex people in the least, and downright hate us at the most. Your thinly veiled attempts at being most oppressed in the oppression olympics aren't cute and harm those of us who are erased and/or harmed by this god awful millionth binary you fuckers created.

[cherrys-side-bitch]

ℝ𝕖𝕝𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟𝕤𝕙𝕚𝕡 ℍ𝕖𝕒𝕕𝕔𝕒𝕟𝕠𝕟𝕤

gn! reader, fluff

Note: I did headcanons for Nanami awhile ago but I was rereading them and… it was bad.

Unless you'd known Nanami for years, you likely never would've thought that he reciprocated your feelings. Not only was he constantly busy with work, but his reserved and stoic nature wasn't doing any favors either.

He likely didn't realize until someone pointed out how he treats you slightly differently than others, the way his eyes softened whenever he saw you, and how he would often scold you. However, unlike with most, it wasn't out of annoyance but seemingly genuine concern for your well-being.

As the two of you began dating, it became progressively easier to read him, to the point where you could tell how he felt just from a glance. This was good for a few reasons, the most important of which is that he's very reserved most of the time. Being able to read him makes not only your life but also his a lot easier.

This man is the definition of a morning person. Long before you've gotten up, he's already finished preparing for the day. By the time you've woken up, he's already started making breakfast.

Nanami loves back hugs, both giving and receiving.

Nothing beats the feeling he gets when you sneak up behind him to wrap your arms around his waist while he's cooking breakfast. It doesn't matter if you're taller or shorter than him; there's no better way he could think to start his morning.

Also loves when you bury your face in his chest. Your muffled but tired groan as you as you plant your face in his muscular chest after a long day never ceases to bring a smile to his face.

Whenever you're having problems with something, Nanami always gives the best advice and encouragement to help you resolve the issue.

He's not one for PDA, especially if you two are at work; Nanami prefers to keep things professional. The most he'll do is give you a quick peck on your forehead if you two are in public, but even thatʼs rare.

Whenever you go on a mission he is insistent that someone joins you, regardless of what grade sorcerer you are. It's not as if he doubts your abilities, he would never. Nanami is very protective of you and would never forgive himself if he failed to keep you safe.

If you were to get hurt in a mission, he may quietly scold you before rushing you to Shoko. He isn't mad at you but rather at himself for not being there to protect you. During the recovery process, he is practically glued to your side, making sure you don't hurt yourself.

┉ˏ͛ ༝̩̩̥͙ ⑅͚˚　　 ҉　　⑅͚˚ ͛༝̩̩̥͙ ˎ┉

[carnallysm]

Sinful Kiss.

Beware of overall dark content such as mentions of: murder, etc. This work is +18, as it also contains smut, read at your own discretion!

— Summary: "Meeting Jennifer Jareau was the most significant event that ever happened in your otherwise monotone life.

There was simply something that inevitably drew you to her; perhaps it was her pale skin that made her ocean blue eyes further distinguished, or perhaps the spark of red in them you saw from time to time. She felt you with faint dread and a strange sense of excitement.

You were too bold to be by her side despite the rumors. Or just too stupid, you told yourself sometimes.

But her kisses were too sweet to deny."

"I cannot believe your impudence," Your mother scolded again and again while running around the room in a seemingly state of crisis. "Your idiocy!"

It was clear she hasn't taken well the notice of your secret, late escapes with Jennifer. And although it was annoying to keep hearing of it, could you blame her?

Jennifer Jareau has a mysterious aura around her. Everyone you asked about her, they would tell just how sweet she was. And oh, she definitely was, you could tell from first hand.

You met her at a party — one of the most boring ones you've attended, hosted by the newlyweds in town. Everyone had been invited and yet, no one there felt human. Like someone you could connect with.

That was until your gaze crossed with JJ's, and right away you were drawn to her. It was her who approached you first, however.

And you've been seeing each other since.

However, her diplomacy was as mysterious as the business she supposedly ran with her team. They were well-known from helping solving crimes, for how well they did their job, and how united they seemed to be.

"Mother—" Before you could even begin your actual sentence, she made you hush with a loud hiss, unable of letting you explain.

Not that you were going to truthfully admit to her what was your relationship with Jennifer, anyway.

"It's an order," With a vein showing on her neck due to how upset she was, your mother took a few steps towards you, her voice laced in almost pure despair for you to obey. "You're grounded, young lady. You'll not be attending the party tonight."

You were, in all honesty, already expecting that. But not protesting would seem weird, so you did protest for quite a while until your mother was a upset and fuming mess.

You weren't planning to stay at the party for long — you had other plans in mind.

࿏

Once night arrived, it was time for Jennifer to make her appearance as well.

With your mother gone for the party, you were free to go out on your own to your usual meeting spot with JJ.

It was far away, secluded from the town in a small space of an old park just before the entry to the woods. Getting there always took you a good half of an hour, but it was always worth it, even when your dresses some times got thorned at your legs length due to having to go through a couple of unkempt shrubberies and trees.

When you finally made your way there, you sat in the only more or less clean bench you could find at the park.

But it was getting late. Way too late, and you were beginning to think JJ wasn't going to show up this night. That something may have happened to her... As unlikely as that seemed. You knew she was able to handle herself.

Tired of staying still and doing nothing but wait, you stood up from the bench, about to go back home. That was until when some steps in, you tripped with a small rock on the ground.

It was all too fast.

In a second, you felt your feet leaving the ground as you began to fell down, and in just the next second, before you could impact, the sensation of a cold body next to yours showed up — someone holding your waist and pulling you up effortlessly, and when a low chuckle left from them, the surprise turned into dread and joy all at once.

"You should be more careful, beautiful lady," There it was, her usual speech manners as she helped you properly get back to stand in one piece. "Good thing I'm always watching you."

"I almost thought you weren't coming, JJ." Her last sentence sent a small shiver down my spine of mixed feelings as it was common by now.

She could feel my heartbeat increasing, I was sure, although Jennifer laughed lightly nonetheless once again, while moving her icy hands slowly across my hips towards my hands — JJ was now holding them with a tenderness proper of a gentleman, before reaching my left hand up and planting a soft kiss to my knuckles.

"You'll have to do more than that for me to forgive your tardiness," Despite those words coming from my mouth in a firm manner, my insides were already warm at that simple action from JJ.

"Of course, and I will," Jennifer didn't retort or complain in the slightest, instead locked her fingers with mine and, with a widening smile, pulled me closer to her. "Follow me, my lady."

And follow her you did, even with uncertainty flooding in you when she walked towards the woods.

You were really an idiot, you scolded yourself internally, but never ceased your walk behind JJ or pulled away from her.

࿏

When you reached the destination JJ had in mind, you were in front of a large castle that maintained a eerie surrounding, as if it was kept in its own functioning time different from the human one.

The roses around were all alive and well, some still covered in the snow from the previous nights, and from outside you could see how clean it was from in and out thanks to the wide windows.

You tried to ask about it, about who lived there, where this exactly was, but all questions died in your mouth when you entered the doors of the castle next to JJ, and the smell of blood and death immediately hit your senses, almost enough to make your head dizzy.

"It's fine, dear," JJ assured with her typical soft smile, that now was more and more suspicious given the dimly lit space and the strange situation. "Everyone feels the same once they get here. I did, too."

What that meant, you weren't sure. In fact, you had no idea, and so lost in your thoughts you were that you didn't realize after a few seconds that JJ started walking upstairs with you following close to her, almost as if she was dragging you along without the need of nothing but her will.

You came to find a more illuminated bedroom, and in there, you instantly felt JJ's lips on yours after days of being absent of her.

Your senses had already got used to the never-ending smell of blood in the air, and your head got now dizzy from Jennifer's kiss and gentle cup on your face — just before her hands made their way to your neck, applying the smallest of pressure in there.

"Tell me," The moment she broke the kiss, it left you panting slightly, feeling the sinfulness of it all only making you more excited. "Wouldn't you like to stay with me forever?"

It wasn't a confession; you had that long ago. It was a pleading for eternity by her side. To sacrifice whatever was still human of you to stay with her.

And would you? Of course you would.

Because Jennifer Jareau was the only person who ever understood how hard everything is for you. How life was way too difficult for what it was. Therefore, life as a creature of the night with her would always be your choice.

Now, and until the end, if that could ever come. You hoped, for the first time, that death couldn't reach you once converted so you could spend the rest of your days with Jennifer. Before her, you used to think how life had no meaning. How you were better off dead.

You were right. Better off dead and with the one and only who understands you, than alive and surrounded by fake faces and hidden rumors about everything.

So when you nodded, only a brief moment passed before you felt JJ's fangs piercing deep in your throat, your blood dripping down as she drank from it.

You felt death now more closely than even when you first put a foot inside the castle: energy leaving your body as much as your blood did, your heartbeat beating rapidly for a mere couple of seconds before coming to a full stop, your organs contracting, and your brain more clear than ever.

You reached with some difficulty your hands up to hold onto JJ's shoulders, feeling her fangs still deep into your throat at the same time her hands traveled down under your dress, tantalizingly bordering the edge of your, to your surprise, already soaked underwear.

The feeling of her sharp fangs carving deep into my flesh was as painful as it was infinitely pleasurable; a sensation of intense delightful agony, like a blade just made its way to my deep inside neck and was slowly sinking more and more.

How Jennifer's fingers came to slide under your underwear, rubbing your slick together while reaching for your clit in suave motions, it contrasted with the deep pain of her teeth now going out of your throat, as she licked the remnants of blood in there.

You were already more than wet, and deep your way into a blissful orgasm when JJ pinched your clit, adding more pain to your dying body and waking mind.

Even as your orgasm took all over you, making you squirm in Jennifer's arms, your mind has never been more sure of anything before.

"You're mine," Jennifer whispered as your eyes closed, your consciousness now drifting away. "Don't worry. We'll be together forever once you wake up, my beautiful lady."

[encryptedlunacy]

Not to misquote that one guy but I scrabble with sleep like a bar of soap in the shower

[nachosncheezies]

In defense of late-canon x files (including the revivals)

I was thinking about this poll after I commented on it, and I kinda want to be brave and say more.

Short answer to the poll's question before I go any further: If you're a new fan and a sensitive sort who thinks you'll struggle with your blorbos Really Going Through It and you really need a happy ending, I suggest you stop at the end of season 8. Do not pass go, do not look at spoilers. Disregard this post entirely, close the internet, and go look at something that makes you happy. (Also fuck every part of society that characterizes sensitivity as inherently weak and bad and some kind of personal failing, you are valid.)

That said, "quality" as a concept is entirely subjective, and the question of whether or not there's a decline in quality for any story is wholly subjective, too. In the case of x files? I'm not convinced there is a decline. I am going to be upfront that I haven't yet watched past season 8, though I am almost completely spoiled on events after that - and the reason I haven't watched yet is not because of how I know events are going to unfold, but simply because I don't want it to end!!! Ohh, the tension between "I CAN'T WAIT!!!" and "Nooo don't be over D:"

When I first came to txf fandom on tumblr and gradually became spoiled about what happens in late canon though, I was often left uncomfortable and tbh kinda queasy about it. As I said in my comment on the poll, the hate for especially the revival and IWTB, or to a lesser extent even seasons 8 & 9, is very well documented. But! There are other takes to be found here on tumblr if you figure out where to look, and my feelings have changed!

The thing is, I have yet to find myself in any fandom where there isn't a vocal subset of fans who dislike the story after a certain point. I am not joking when I say that no one hates the things they love as passionately as sci-fi and fantasy fans. In my experience, it often hinges on the extent to which a viewer has strong notions on where they would like the characters to end up. In particular with series where shipping is a dominant component for the bulk of a fandom, I have almost universally found that there comes some turning point in the story where "let them be happy you cowards" is the dominant view, and things that compromise the attainment of a degree of romantic stability and/or domesticity are, to many fans, annoying at best and despicable at worst. But! As one tagset on the linked poll said:

and I think for any fandom, that last tag especially is so so so important. (I think that's harder for people watching a weekly series live, bc you have so much time to analyze and speculate and dream before the next breadcrumb drops, but I digress.)

So why am I saying this and how do I apply it to x files? Well, I eventually found that there are also a subset of fans who find redeeming things right up to the very end and actually quite like the whole thing! The things that I had seen people rage and ventpost so much about honestly never quite sounded to me as "out of character" or "untrue to the story" etc as those same ventposts made them sound. And I've discovered I'm not the only one who felt that way. Do I love that the spooky squad had to go through all of those things? No, those poor guys D: Life is hard and they have been through so much trauma. But do those events and their choices make sense to me in light of everything that came before? Yes! And I honestly can't wait to see them fight to overcome those things, breaking, healing, always learning, always growing, always getting better.

So if you're wondering "where does it go wrong"... well, I'm a completionist, as many people who've answered that post are, but also my personal opinion is that I don't think it does go wrong. If you're new and interested in exploring why I've gone from "vaguely queasy" to "excited" about the whole thing, or want to maybe balance out the impressions you're getting about the later seasons before deciding whether or not you want to see the whole thing, I'll put a few blog names in the comments.

Final admission: even once I started feeling a little more confident in the possibility that "actually ok maybe I'm not crazy, maybe this all kind of is in character and does make sense", there was one big plot point that I was NOT looking forward to and I thought I would never be comfortable about. In hindsight, I think my discomfort came from the negative responses being SO seemingly universal that I hadn't stopped to let myself truly consider other possible interpretations on that point. (I mean my initial instinct when I first read about it was, why are we mad about this?? CSM is literally the most unreliable narrator in history???? it's obviously fake news?????? this must be either a fever dream someone's having or it's a misdirection ploy against whatever shadowy forces might still be lurking?????????????? but for whatever reason I guess I had halfway written that off.) Happily, just last month there's a new post-s11 novel out, and although reviews for the book as a whole are mixed, it seems to have laid the groundwork for resolving that plot issue in a way I think most fans would be broadly happy with. If you're interested in being spoiled about that and seeing how, I recommend searching #perihelion on @agent-troi who liveblogged reading it with receipts, scroll back chronological-style to the first post on the subject and see how it unfolded. (And never forget that Dana Katherine Scully is the queen of denial as a coping mechanism lol)

Everyone's mileage will vary. Each person can feel however they want! But for anyone new, I wanted you to know that the very many ventposts you might be seeing are not all there is to this show or its fandom. Some of us love it despite - or even because of - all the things that went "wrong". I think we just don't talk about it as much.

[roboyomo]

these stupids

[sskk-manifesto]

:)

[slightlytoastedbagel]

Yuka Shiraishi. btw.

[gensokyogarden]

I found this Twitter thread discussing Reimu and Autistic traits quite interesting. As someone both with Autism and in the process of getting my master's degree in clinical psych, I both found it relatable and think the OP made a lot of good points in their analysis (though I will note that you can't really diagnosis a fictional character but it's all for fun). So I thought I'd share it.

[mirror-to-the-past]

Oh, hey! A post that also thinks what I was thinking about... awesome!

There's absolutely something to be said about the distinction between charisma versus those who view people as an almost compulsive puzzle to be solved. Kabru is clearly charismatic, but that charisma is evidently a result of an awkward medley of analyzing sorting people into traits and backgrounds.

The way he boils Mithrun's real-life backstory down to a streamlined version as to make it more understandable 'to others' is very telling to me. There are no 'others,' really, when it comes to the very sensitive situation of literally pouring out your sad backstory to someone... that's just evident of how Kabru has learned to handle other people's personalities and their emotions. He doesn't simply nod his head and go "wow, that's tough, I understand/I'm sorry that happened to you," he goes "okay, so this is clearly a relevant childhood event that shaped [A] aspect of your personality, so I'll mentally lock that in as a trait of yours to focus on." Every person is a sort of narrative to him- falling into archetypes that both give them their individualism and purpose in Kabru's eyes, and Kabru views them through his 'hero's journey' distinctions by which to further understand them. People joke about his "main character energy," but I truly think it a deliberate self-modelling of his personality. He *wants* to be the main character in his hero's journey, able to best emulate what he thinks are good morals and behaviors that allow him to achieve his lofty goals. So, he appeals to others based off of that, trying to be a mirror to what best bounces off of them- his fellow characters in their collective stories.

As a semi-side note, this way of processing the feelings and stories around him is why I tentatively disagree, at least in my own personal reading (everyone is entitled to their own understanding of these characters), that Kabru is necessarily an empathetic individual. I think that he is indeed someone who cares about others, and has goals that are very humanitarian and advocate for the well-being of as many people as possible. He actively aids others in personalized ways to help them better themselves, as seen through your example with Kuro and the common language lessons. Does that mean that Kabru necessarily internalizes the emotions of others in a personalized sense- as in allowing their reactions and feelings to bleed into his own? No, I don't think so. He considers other people's reactions and emotions like something to be anticipated- an aspect of an equation- and he reacts accordingly. You can absolutely care about others without having to personally understand where they're coming from. You can also understand how a machine works without feeling the cogs whirring and pistons pumping. Similarly, someone who dedicates themselves immensely to how people tick can see the cause-and-effect relationship between someone's external stimuli, their personality, their background, etc. and why they might feel or react a certain way about something. It's a certain flavor of understanding that certainly gets the job done, often even to an extent that others truly feel like they are being considered and understood, but is largely a deliberate concoction of mirroring.

I believe this is why I've seen people saying that Kabru is manipulative, and I won't even say that they're wrong, but rather, I'd ask them to reconsider the often-demonized idea of "manipulation" when looking at context. I truly do think that this kind of "manipulation," especially when used by neurodivergent people who may be very low-empathy, allows them to better help the people they care for in their lives. By acting in a way that allows them to feel like they have a safe space or are understood when others talk to them, individuals like Kabru are able to utilize their internal dismantling of other's personalities to best meld their own responses to their unique troubles in a way that suits the people in their lives to their benefit. It's an altruistic masking, is how I've always seen it. Is is disconcerting to many neurotypical people when neurodivergent people explain this way of thinking to them? Yes! I've personally encountered it, and have had people tell me that I'm off-kilter or a bit robotic. Is it uncaring/cruel, or trying to take advantage of others? No, not really. Think about it this way: when we tell a joke in a tense room, are we not knowingly manipulating people to feel happier? Anywho, I'll cease the philosophizing and return to the character analysis...

So, revisiting the 'hero's journey' outlook he tries to apply to other's (and his own) personalities, I also find it funny how Kabru's clearly developed a general social script for himself he considers successful enough to follow. He doesn't "read the room" to try to instinctually realize if he can charm someone or not with his signature "Kabru smile," he just does it anyway, because that's what he's devised as a habit for himself, and then immediately tries to adjust and furiously figure out what went wrong when he sees it isn't successful (see Laios and Mithrun).

In line with his storybook-like thinking, Kabru can be very black-and-white, as seen through his internal judgment of characters like Laios who are on the "bad side" in his agenda, his difficulties with the elves' behavior, and situations such as when he fully vouches for the man who controlled the underbelly of the Dungeon (because y'know, he's on *their* side, the side of the common man! he couldn't fall to corruption!). He often refrains from expressing this outwardly, although he becomes notably more vocal about his honest qualms and thoughts near the end of the series, and instead acts as a passive wallflower when interacting with those he is displeased with, giving the impression he's more accepting than he really is with those he hasn't yet fit into his social schemata.

It's so true that the "people special interest" gets passed off as nonexistent due to its acceptability as opposed to other special interests, and that's because it can manifest exactly like how Kabru comes across to multiple characters throughout the manga (played off as a joke, often, but still poignant nevertheless): a social chameleon, accepting, unremarkable and unmemorable. A perfect mirror to whoever happens to be looking at him- they are seeing and hearing someone echoing their traits back to them in such an everyman way, that they don't really realize that this person is inwardly taking note of each and every one of their otherwise insignificant and overlooked moves as though it's the key to an ancient riddle. And people like to have attention; people like to feel understood and have others echo their sentiments and the things they like- that's why these kinds of neurodivergent people may be spared in many ways (at first glance) from the social ostracization many other autistic people would otherwise receive.

So yeah, Kabru cool. TL;DR, I pretty much agree. Pretty spiffy, OP.

I firmly believe that Kabru is autistic but masks so hard that he’s convinced himself and (almost) everyone around him that he’s neurotypical.

That man’s special interest is people and how they work, but he just thinks it’s him Being So Good At Socializing — like he doesn’t spend 95% of his time people watching and adjusting his personality in response to the traits he witnesses and obsessing over the intricacies of human interaction while mapping an ever growing relationship chart in his head. For fun. He even admits it in the manga!

Like, look at him!!!

It’s such a shame that — because he’s the narrative foil to Laios and his interest is generally considered more “socially acceptable” in both their world and our own — more people don’t realize this about him. He’s constantly misinterpreted as a horribly manipulative person who only acts the way he does to use the people around him, when that’s explicitly shown to not be the case at all. Kabru is naturally empathetic and is almost always thinking about other people, regardless of whether or not they’re right there with him or a thousand miles away.

I mean, his most defining motivation is his desire to do everything he can to avoid another tragedy like the one at Utaya. Someone who doesn’t care wouldn’t have a goal like that, and they most certainly wouldn’t go about it the way he does. He’s constantly working to help people who can help everyone else and tries so hard to make sure that anyone who seems like a threat is actually someone he needs to worry about before doing anything about it. His supposed aversion to Laios is only because of the ridiculous trolley problem he’s set up in his own head.

Outside of that, he (rather justifiably) hates monsters but is desperate to understand Laios’ love for them and his apparently most selfish goal in getting close to the guy was literally just to become friends with him.

When he’s interacting with the canaries and they imply that they’re going to take him and all of his friends to the West, his first thought is of Rin and how much she’d hate to be stuck in the place that gave her so many bad memories.

He helps Kuro learn Common when Mickbell is asleep and firmly looks forward to the day that the half-foot and Kuro can communicate properly so that their relationship can get properly started without any miscommunication.

And he understands Mithrun with only a handful of weeks AT BEST interacting with him, getting enraged when the elf seems to give up and immediately trying to help him find a new motivation for life.

I’m excited just thinking about the day that Kabru starts unmasking more and more around his friends — both new and old — because if being with my current friend group has taught me anything, it’s that hanging out with anyone so unabashedly themselves is bound to make you more comfortable with yourself too. It’s part of the reason why I like Labru so much! There’s something nice about imagining them hanging out in the throne room or laying in the grass outside and talking for hours on end about their special interests. They might not strictly understand what the other finds so fascinating about monsters or people, but they can grasp that shared feeling of love.

They probably influence each other in really good ways too, with Kabru helping Laios figure out what people are thinking even when it doesn’t make sense or Laios helping Kabru understand that not everyone and everything needs to be analyzed a thousand times over. They both get to learn that there are people like them and people who will love them without them ever having to change a thing about themselves. They deserve to know that they’re fine the way they are.

[rescnatd]

Only the veteran survivors of the Battle Beneath the Crescent are aware of how much Geshu Lin's death affected Jiyan. Even fewer actually the truest extent of this and why.

[carebearbussy]

ᥫ᭡ thinking about heian era! sukuna having a heavy breeding kink, seemingly out of nowhere.

you bring up a mere idea at dinner, the conversation quickly turning normal, to you bringing up an idea he had never given a second thought to.

"do you ever want kids with me, 'kuna?"

you would ask him, innocently enough, a sickeningly sweet tone hidden beneath your words. but you would already know the answer to this question. he would look up at you, then back down at his food, annoyance pondering his mind. eating a slab of salmon sashimi, he took a bite, chewing slow enough to hint at his potential answer. placing down his chopsticks, he would look back up at you, scoffing to himself at your foolish inquiry.

"those small, annoying humans that require too much attention for their own good? no thank you, i have better things to attend to."

he says, focusing on the meal before him. but his thoughts soon get the best of him. and now that he thinks about it, he will need an heir eventually. and not only that, but what would you be like? as a mother specifically. you would require more attention than most of the time. which was something he secretly enjoyed indulging in, despite his negative reasoning towards infants. how would you look?

you would be more swollen than usual, you stomach would grow larger by day, your breasts will most definitely become more full by the day. the bigger picture, which was you, enticed him in a way. something about seeing you round with his child really had his head going.

and so thats how you ended up here, you knees tightly locked against your stomach, as sukuna absolutely plows into your already stuffed cunt.

this was the seventh time? eighth time? at this point, you couldn't keep track. but he had came wayyyy too many times more than an average man should be able to. it was excruciating, really, the whimpers leaving your mouth, his hands bringing your knees closer to your chest with every move of his hips.

his seed was leaking out of you, glop by glop, dripping down your bottom even more, as he kept going harder and rougher. splashes of your juices paired with his cum stained the bed, the squelching of your pussy becoming deafening with every smack of his heavy balls against the rim of your ass. and the tight grip he had on your locks wasn't helping his case.

"hah, you're gonna give your king his offspring? yeah? r' you gonna be a good little mother f'me? make me an heir?"

he asks, your head barely able to focus on anything other than trying to stay sane. you felt sooo full, but this apparently wasn't enough for sukuna, or his heavy urges to breed your sloppy cunt. you nod eagerly, not wanting him to go any harder than he already has. but with the way he kept abusing your womb, it seemed like you were enjoying it, as sukuna relishes in your facial expression, your eyes rolling back, your mouth hung open wide enough to stuff two of his free fingers in.

"you'd be such a good mother, so obedient too. you wanted to rile me up, didn't you? i'll give you what you want, woman."

moaning into his fingers, you swirl your tongue around his digits, making him hum contently. you try to focus your vision onto his eyes, but the way he pushed his chest further into yours, had you practically cross eyed. hitting a new angle, you felt yourself completely let go, officially adding onto your list of orgasms you had previously had that night.

he released his fingers from your mouth, a coat of your saliva stringing upon release. he ceases to pull out of you, instead letting himself nuzzle nicely into your warmth, releasing yet again inside of you, earning a whine of complaint on your behalf. he playfully slaps your cheek with his wet hand, trailing it down to your pussy, playing in the ring of his semen around his cock. you squirm slightly, as you watch him then bring his cum coated fingers up to your mouth, pushing them back inside your mouth, making you taste his seed, some of his cum pooling around your lips.

"does that taste good? i bet it does, since you seem to love my seed so much. i cant wait to see you so full, besides from right now, of course."