#there's an established level of comfort here -not to mention trust

[shadowxamyweek]

To Amy - Is Shadow uncomfortable to cuddle with? He looks pretty spiky.

Amy: I mean, we're all kinda spiky (⁀ᗢ⁀) But you are right, Shadow is a bit... extra-spiky. Shadow:(ᓀ ᓀ) Amy: You just have to be careful about how you do it! Watch! Shadow: (•_•)? [Amy holds her side of the blanket in her teeth, then shuffles around Shadow. She makes a point to smooth down their back quills with one hand while lifting the others out of the way so she can place her chin on their shoulder. Then, she takes the blanket from her mouth, grabs the other corner, and wraps both ends in front of them, keeping them low so Rosie can still see the television.] Amy: See? Shadow:(⁄⁄౦⁄‸⁄౦⁄⁄) Amy: Ah-?(//▽//)! I- I'm so sorry! Chaos, Blaze is right. I really have no sense of boundaries. I'm really sorry. I didn't even think about it- I- [Amy goes to shuffle back. Shadow grabs her wrist.] Amy: You... don't mind? [There's a pause. Then, Shadow shakes their head.] Amy: O-oh! Okay! [Amy settles in, slowly snuggling close.] Amy: You're always so warm... [She wraps her arms tighter around Shadow, who she cannot see looks like they are about to combust.]

[aventurineswife]

Hey !!! How are you?? I love what you write so much so ure so talentedd !!

Also could u do an aventurine x reader where like they started dating not long ago and like aventurine notices self harm marks on reader’s arms ?? (If ure comfortable w/ that ofc)

“You Drew Stars Over My Scars”

Summary: In the early stages of your relationship, Aventurine notices scars on your arm. With quiet compassion and understanding, he addresses it gently, offering his support without judgment. As you share a vulnerable moment, he reassures you that he’s there for you, bringing lightheartedness and warmth to ease the conversation.

Tags: Aventurine x Reader, Hurt/Comfort, Established Relationship, Emotional Support, Fluff and Angst, Healing.

Warnings: Mentions of self-harm, References to past emotional struggles

A/N: HELLO!!! I'm doing alright and I hope you are doing alright as well!! Thank you for appreciating my work! I put my best effort into writing each character as accurately as possible, even while balancing my personal life, so your support means a lot to me! 🤭💖🫶 Don’t worry about your request—I’m comfortable with it. But for anyone struggling with something similar, please reach out to someone you trust completely. It may not seem like much, but sharing is better than keeping everything to yourself. If you ever need someone to talk to, I’m here! Don’t hesitate, and remember to love yourself more! ❤️

It was one of those rare, quiet evenings. Aventurine had cleared his typically packed schedule, something he was only too willing to do since the two of you had started dating. After a whirlwind start, tonight felt like a pause – a chance for him to simply be with you, away from the risks and wagers that often defined his world.

You sat beside him on the couch, your arm resting casually against his. Aventurine noticed a faint change in your body language – a hint of self-consciousness, a slight turn of your wrist. The faint movement caught his eye, and he saw them – the small, faded scars along your arm.

He glanced up, meeting your eyes with a gentle look, saying nothing at first, allowing you the space to choose whether to share or to stay silent. But his hand reached out, fingers brushing along your forearm. The gesture was soft, free of judgment or expectation, just a comforting presence.

"Can I ask about these?" Aventurine asked softly, his tone inviting but unintrusive.

You hesitated, not used to this level of openness, especially when it came to scars from a part of your past you were still trying to make peace with. You shifted slightly, averting your gaze, but Aventurine’s hand gently anchored you there, his thumb brushing softly over your wrist. His eyes, usually so full of confidence, held only a quiet, calming sincerity.

“It was… it’s something I went through,” you whispered, barely able to meet his gaze. “It’s… something I still struggle with, sometimes.”

Aventurine listened, his hand never leaving yours, his gentle touch reminding you that he was there, that he was listening and would wait as long as you needed to feel safe in sharing. After a beat, he spoke, his voice thoughtful and warm.

“You know,” he began softly, “I can’t pretend to know exactly what you’ve felt, what led you here. But… I do know about hiding things that hurt. I’ve got my own scars – maybe not the kind you can see,” he added, his smile faint but real, “but they’re there.”

The weight of his words settled around you, and you felt something shift – a wall you’d kept up out of habit, slowly lowering. You exhaled, feeling a bit of the tension release, as though you were finally in a space where you didn’t have to hide this part of yourself.

He leaned closer, his hand now holding yours firmly but gently, grounding you in the moment. "I'm here with you, okay? Whatever you’re going through, I want you to know it doesn’t make me see you any differently. You’re… important to me." The sincerity in his voice was unmistakable, and it softened something deep within you.

“Thank you.” you said quietly, squeezing his hand back.

Aventurine tilted his head, a small smile tugging at his lips. “How about this – every time you feel like you’re slipping, like things get too much, you let me know? We can talk, or… not talk,” he said, a hint of his usual humor breaking through, “or we can find some ridiculous way to distract ourselves. I’ve got these mooncake cats I haven’t introduced you to yet.”

That earned a soft laugh from you, breaking the lingering tension in the room. He caught the sound, grinning as he pulled his phone out and showed you a photo of his silly, mooncake-shaped cats. He held it up with a playful smirk.

“These little guys reminds me every day not to take life too seriously. So, any time you need them, They're just a text away.” he added with a wink.

The lightheartedness lifted the weight from your heart, and you looked at Aventurine, grateful for his presence, his understanding, and his unspoken promise to be there, both in laughter and in the moments that were hard.

And as he pulled you into a gentle embrace, you felt it – the quiet assurance that, whatever scars you both carried, you didn’t have to bear them alone anymore.

[animeyanderelover]

Could you write another lover massaging the yanderes but with Levi Ackerman, Annie, Ash, Sebastian, Yui and Angel Devil(with some sort of clothing covering him probably or another solution you can think of) ?

Tw: Yandere themes, possessive behavior, obsession, delusional behavior, clinginess, mentions of self-harm in Ash's part, mentions of sexual assault and scars in Yui's part

Tags: @lovley-valentine7 @leveyani @chxxz @shumidehiro @cachamata

Receiving a massage from their s/o

Sebastian Michaelis

🐈‍⬛​Oh~? What do we have here? The level of smugness emitting from this man as soon as you offer to massage him after a particularly stressful day in the Phantomhive manor is unmatched, red eyes regarding you with a mixture of arrogance yet also fondness. This man teases you so much about your offer, especially if you didn't have the fondest opinion of him at the beginning. Still, he would never deny any physical contact with his mate, especially if his darling is the one initiating it. Still, as long fingers slowly remove every piece of clothing from his torso you can't ignore the suggestive gleam in his eyes. Quite honestly, the way he undresses in itself is almost inappropriate for some reason and the more you can't help but stare the more suggestive it seems to get. You're certainly nowhere as good as he is and for the first few moments his perfectionistic nature gets the better of him as he corrects you teasingly where to touch him to make him feel good. After a while he falls silent though and just enjoys the touch of his mate, the occasional growl of enjoyment escaping his chest which catches you off-guard the first few times.

Ash Landers

▫️​The thought of that much skinship almost has the angel feeling dizzy as soon as you offer him to massage him. You do not owe him anything at all, he doesn't mind the stress and frustration he feels with such a rotten world as he does it all for you. You actually need a good few minutes before he caves in, your impending disappointment and sadness much more painful for him than his principles. He gets quite flustered as he removes his clothes though, soon followed by a wave of shame as soon as he reveals some of the wounds he has inflicted himself when not feeling good enough for you which haven't faded away despite him healing faster than humans. Honestly, he's terrified. His heart is pounding against his chest, constantly worried that you will criticise him somehow which makes him exceptionally stiff as soon as you start. That tension remains for quite a while though soon you also notice that he's trying to stiffle groans or any other sinful sounds whenever you find a good spot. His pale cheeks quickly take on a pink hue, one he doesn't want you to see as he tries to hide his face. The moment he finally does relax he finds himself tearing up, touched by your kindness.

Annie Leonhardt

💗​There has to be an already established trust between her and you or otherwise Annie won't feel comfortable enough with your suggestion. She is in need of some relaxation though considering that she is constantly brooding over everything that has happened. Initially she denies you though after some awkward seconds of thick silence have passed by between her and you. Do not pester her too much or else she will get irritated and rude, do it the right way so that she doesn't feel annoyed. Once you have managed to convince her that she should try to relax for once and that you just want to treat her well Annie is doing her best to hide how flustered she actually is deep down behind her cold facade. Her control flips away though the more layers of clothes she removes until there is a dust of pink on her cheeks. Still, she is very tense and constantly steals glances at you once you start touching her as she isn't quite used to being so vulnerable with someone. Convincing her to relax and loosen up takes a while, all her muscles stiff as if she feels the need to be on alert. Once she slowly learns how to unravel a bit she stops her cautious glances and just silently enjoys the experience.

Levi Ackerman

⚔️​Levi struggles to be openly vulnerable after all the tragedies he had to experience throughout his life and you could almost say that it low-key scares him to reveal that much of his heart and thoughts to his darling. Whilst he doesn't outright denies you when you offer him a massage there is still a long pause as you can see the hesitation and conflict deep within his eyes. He struggles with the idea of being so defenseless, of having that amount of physical contact he probably hasn't experienced since he was a baby and held in the arms of his mother. Needless to say, he's awkward and conflicted even once he complies. There is that fleeting look he gives you once he unbuttons his shirt and reveals his battle-damaged torso to you as if he wants to gauge if there is any hint of shock or unease on your face in which case he would instantly stop this idea. He flinches the first few times you touch his body before he forces himself to stay still yet it still takes him quite a while before he slowly allows himself to relax a tad bit more and to loosen up his tense muscles. It's a strange sensation though, a level of comfort he isn't quite used to as he just bathes in the soothing silence between the two of you.

Komori Yui

💎​Normally Yui latches on to every bit of affection her darling gives her, especially after everything she went through. However, she is quite hesitant when you ask her if you could give her a massage. There a bite marks all over her body from whenever someone from the Sakamaki or Mukami brothers sucked her blood against her will and it elicits feelings of shame and insecurity awake within her. She's worried that you may find those scars ugly which is why she finds herself having a hard time agreeing to it. It needs reassurance from your side until she agrees. There are still doubts within her mind and even though you assure her that she doesn't need to feel pressured Yui does as you tell her simply because she is deep down scared that she'll lose you otherwise. Trembling fingers still give away how much she is still in distress as she undresses even if she does her best to act like she is fine with it. None of that fear is directed against you though which is why she is begging you to continue whenever you ask her if it's really alright for her. She feels bad for the way her muscles tense and tremble even after she finally relaxes, her body finally recognising you as her safe haven.

Angel Devil

👼​Angel Devil finds himself tilting his head, expressing some concerns regarding his abilities to steal the lifespan of those who touch him. Some part of him is still mildly interested to know what massage feels like as he has heard occasionally about all the therapies and the advantages of it. Now, ususally he isn't a fan of being ordered around too much due to his lazy nature but he makes exceptions for his darling. The only thing he insists on is that you cover your own hands as well as his back to avoid any skin contact. Honestly, he has zero ideas of what to expect despite what he has heard in the past as he just lays down, putting an amount of trust in you he very rarely grants other people. The sensation of being touched, even if only through layers of clothing, in such unfamiliar and intense ways catches even him by surprise though for the first few moments. As soon as he has categorised the sensation as pleasant though he lets you carry on whilst he just enjoys the fact that he has to do nothing at all and can just enjoy this massage. Angel Devil finds himself more than once dozing off between sessions, lazy eyes opening before closing once more.

[desiderio-dixon]

Busy

Pairing : Daryl Dixon x f!reader

Genre : fluff!!!!

Warnings : pregnancy, pet pregnancy, mention of dog being malnourished/neglected (surviving on their own for an undisclosed amount of time), established relationship, lmk if I missed anything!

Word count : 700ish

Summary : Life gets a whole lot busier with a newborn and a litter of puppies.

A/N : I may build on this little universe more in the future but I just had to get the initial idea down!

The day you found Dixie, you were already six months along. Waddling through the forest, trying to track down a wild horse some of the kids had seen. Instead, you found a beautiful border collie. She was skittish at first, tucking her head down and pushing her ears back when you extended a hand towards her. She appeared to have been on her own for a bit, though a ragged collar still hung proudly on her neck. Splotches of blood had matted into her fur, and she was a small bit underweight. You were deadset on taking her home.

After much patience, baby talking, and gentle steps forward, she trusted you enough to allow you to grab a hold of her collar. It'd be an uncomfortable walk home, pregnant and crouched over to keep a hand on her collar without affecting Dixie's comfort level, but it would be worth it.

Daryl was initially quite frustrated with you when you got home. If he had it his way, you'd never leave the walls of Alexandria. And now here you were, coming home all excited to tell him you'd risked your life for a dog.

He couldn't stay mad for long though, especially not when he'd already gathered up a dog of his own. Now you had two, a matching set.

Dog and Dixie were two peas in a pod, spending all their time playing and cuddling alongside one another.

You were only a few weeks further along than when you'd found Dixie, when Daryl called out from the garage. When you'd successfully waddled your way there, you were puzzled at the scene in front of you.

Dixie, on her side on the floor, and Daryl holding her leg up, staring at her swollen belly with an incredulous expression. "The hell? She pregnant?" He asked.

Just then, Dog trotted into the garage from behind you. When he spotted Dixie, he immediately went to her, sniffing her belly and whining at Daryl's hand. He nudged Daryl's hand away with his snout, placing his own head protectively over Dixie's stomach.

"Guess we forgot to get her spayed, huh?" You joked, rubbing your own distended belly. Daryl sighed, standing and walking to you, his boots making heavy thumps against the concrete. Reaching you, he placed his hands alongside yours, stroking the stretched skin gently.

He dropped his head onto your shoulder. "It's gon' get busy in here."

❀~~__~~❀~~__~~❀

'Busy' wound up being an understatement. Dixie had her four babies just two weeks before you gave birth to your baby girl. Between the ever present whining of the puppies, and wailing of your baby, you were spread thin.

Daryl tried his best, cleaning all the puppies' constant accidents, and still changing diapers. He was tired. It was obvious in the way he dragged his feet, the way he rested his head on the back of the couch whenever he had a spare minute. Now, two months post-partum, things weren't too much easier.

You walk out to the living room, baby tucked cozily into your arm. Daryl sits on the floor next to the makeshift nest for Dixie and her pups. The puppies are a bit older now, rambunctious and playful, so they climb over each other to nibble on Daryl's outstretched hand.

He must hear you enter the room, because he pauses playtime to turn to you. "Ya alright?" You nod, gazing down at the sleeping baby in your arms. You tiptoe quietly over to him, setting yourself down gently so as to not wake the baby.

Dixie sleeps on her side, letting out soft snores. Tired mama, just like you. You use your free hand to run over her fur smoothly. Daryl places his hand on your thigh, rubbing his thumb in circles.

The puppies bound their way to your lap, sniffing gently at the sleeping bundle in your arms. It's early morning, sun having barely risen. It casts an orange glow over the living room, allowing auburn tinges to peek through Daryl's hair. Gazing at him, you feel so lucky. Lucky to have such a great man to father your children, one who will always protect and never harm. A big, strong man who touches you with such gentle hands, and whispers loving words to your daughter.

Yes, it's busy. Sometimes you cry. But in this moment, the quiet business of dawn, you've never felt more grateful.

[syndrossi]

resonant ch30 dvd commentary

Favorite line(s):

A walk through the yard proved fruitless. The hatchlings abandoned him briefly to greet Caraxes, and Daemon trotted away in the moment of their distraction, unheeding of the strange looks it garnered, to duck back into the holdfast. But they hunted him down within a minute, gleeful in their success, as though it had been a delightful game instead. “I hope Jon and Rhaegar are enjoying themselves as much as you,” Daemon said, unable to maintain his sour mood.

A few people mentioned this part in the chapter comments, which is my own personal favorite, though pretty much all of Daemon's attempts to dodge the hatchlings made me crack up writing them.

The runner-up is some tonal whiplash after the hatchling cuteness:

My sons should not be without their dragons. The dread that had lodged in his stomach surged, fear gripping his heart at the thought. They must not be without their dragons.

Look, my favorite thing to write other than hatchlings apparently is Daemon being repeatedly haunted by the candle and its visions, sucker punch after sucker punch, without even the awareness to curl into the blow.

Favorite detail(s):

Lys coinage! GRRM has described the currencies of all (I think?) of the Free Cities, but only a few of them are actually named. Ironically, the coinage of Braavos, aka the home of the Iron Bank itself, hasn't had its currency named by GRRM yet!

Lys coinage is depicted as a naked woman in an oval coin, believed to be the goddess of love. Given its famed pleasure houses and the woman on the coin, I decided to call the Lys currency "favors." It felt like it matched well with Volantis's honors, while having a uniquely Lysene flair. What do you ask of a woman or the goddess of love? Her favor. (Or wink wink favors, perhaps.)

The other one is the name of Mysaria's establishment, the Ebon Plume. Who has been rising to power in Lys? None other than the Black Swan. You can take Mysaria naming her place the Ebon Plume as some sort of reference to the Black Swan; whether that's because she admires a woman who can rise from being taken as a pleasure slave to practically ruling all of Lys, or because she owes some allegiance still to her home, who can say?

Favorite dynamic:

Oof, having to choose is hard here, because there are some fun ones! Hatchlings vs Mysaria and hatchlings + Daemon are near and dear to my heart, but Mysaria and Daemon are the ones with the history and conversation, so we'll go with them.

As with Rhaenys, I enjoyed getting into Mysaria's head to figure out what makes her tick. My Mysaria is much more heavily show-inspired than a lot of the Resonant characters, in part because F&B is quite sparse on the details for her. And the thing that is so striking about show!Mysaria is how much of an opportunist she is, and how skilled she is at manipulating people. She's very good at listening, and being comforting (she does this a lot with both Daemon in S1 and Rhaenyra in S2), and becoming what someone needs her to be.

Daemon can be charming, and he's certainly very useful, so it's in Mysaria's interests to re-establish some kind of relationship with him if she can, even in a more business-like context, ideally with a level of trust. He's even more of a rising power these days, which does make her deal with Otto a tiny bit awkward unless she's careful about playing both sides. Daemon's importance is in his relevance to the most powerful men of the realm: Viserys and Otto.

I also interpret her as having a prideful streak of her own, not unlike Daemon's, though she's better at hiding it. I didn't call it out as one of my favorite lines, but her defiant "I raised my own head high" was a moment that resonated when I wrote it.

She's an ambitious woman, and she holds a lot of power right now because Daemon needs her, with Reyne being useless and Daemon in desperate need of answers.

(How will Viserys feel about this development? Uh...stay tuned.)

Quick hitters:

The original chapter title was going to be "Dangerous Paths" but then I realized I have a chapter called "Dangerous Games" and I didn't want the repetition. So "Spiderweb" it was, for the many ways it can be applied to the chapter.

Ser Steffon was also the Kingsguard who was accompanying Rhaegar back in chapter 21, when he went into Rhaella's old/future room to sob on her bed. So he definitely has a history of being hands-off with children in his care.

The Forked Spears stuff continues to be incredibly frustrating to work in without leaning too far into a more modern detective novel vibe. It's probably the stuff I rewrite/edit the most.

Originally, I had considered a more action-oriented plot for Daemon's first meeting, with either an attack that causes Caraxes to dramatically fly to his aid. (Also exposing to Viserys that he was most definitely in Flea Bottom.) Or one that required him to slip out through a secret stairway when the Forked Spears came calling on Mysaria. But it didn't feel like the right time for it, especially so recently after the candle business.

Alas, Daemon's first non-platonic kiss goes to Mysaria. She was angling for more, to re-establish their relationship in hopes of better access.

I've complained about it before, but establishing currency values for things like ransoms/rewards is such a pain, even before exchange rates between different nations' currencies (honors vs dragons vs favors) comes into play...

Ask me sometime about my own spider trauma. (Tbh, I am both Rhaegar and Jon. Spider in my hair = a thousand nos, but I'll try to peacefully relocate spiders outside unless it's a black widow.)

Aegon and Aemond successfully negotiate some Daemon time! It goes without saying that if Viserys catches wind of the supper arrangement, he will almost certainly want to crash it.

[letters-to-lgbt-kids]

My dear lgbt+ kids,

Online dating can be a wonderful thing. Many people use dating apps or social media to look for love, and have honest and good intentions. Especially for a queer person, the internet can be a convenient way to meet someone - or even the only way to do so. But it is important to be aware that it's easy to fake good intentions online. So, let's talk about romance scams.

"Romance scam" describes a situation in which someone creates a fake online profile and pretends to be romantically interested in someone to trick them (into giving them money or into revealing personal information they can use in malicious ways). Everyone can become a victim of a romance scam but vulnerable groups can be a "easy target". Some scammers specifically target queer people as they are aware we may have a harder time meeting people offline.

Here are some red flags you should look out for. Not all of these will ring true for every romance scam, just one is enough to be cautious:

Someone falls for you very quickly

This can actually be a red flag for a scammer or for an abusive person. Obviously, people can fall hard and fast for someone. I have certainly done so before! But a real person (who is not out to manipulate you and isn't emotionally immature) will still want to get to know you before getting into a relationship with you. They will want to make sure that you are a real person with good intentions as well, they will wait until they are sure you two truly get along well and can trust each other before they commit to anything.

Please be careful if someone tries to get into a committed relationship or makes heavy promises (you are their one true love, they trust you blindly, they want to move to your country/city to be closer to you, they will love you forever etc.) very quickly. They may try to move so fast because they hope it (metaphorically) makes you dizzy and blind to their red flags.

They are in a bad situation and you are the only one who can save them

This often ties in with the fast pace I mentioned above: they quickly tell you dark secrets. They are a victim of some unlucky circumstances that are out of their control and you are the only one they trust enough to talk to about it. You are special, you are the only one they feel safe with, you are the only one who knows how to comfort them... This, again, may be them trying to quickly establish an intimate level of trust to blind you to red flags.

They dodge attempts of verifying their identity

They promise a video call or a date in person... but then keep postponing it (for various reasons that are out of their control). These stories are often elaborate and emotional, they make you pity them.

If you point out that their refusal is suspicious, they may make you feel guilty or convince you you are just being paranoid.

They ask you for money

Oftentimes, they say they need the money to see you in person (either for travel expenses or to fix an unexpected emergency that prevents them from seeing you). But they may also promise to send you a gift and then there is suddenly an unexpected customs fee that the receiver (you) needs to pay. Or they have a medical emergency and need help paying the hospital fee. Or they have debt and need help to pay it off to start a new life with you... There are a lot of possible stories and scammers are skilled at making them sound believable!

Regardless of how convincing (or heartbreaking) the story may be, and even if they promise to pay you back: If someone you never met in person asks you for money (or gift cards or info that could be used to access your banking account), there is always something wrong. Of course real people can also have financial emergencies but a trustworthy person isn't going to ask someone they never met for money! Even if they are not a scammer, this would be a red flag that they are, at the very least, an irresponsible person.

They are a celebrity or millionaire (and you are not)

Most scammers pretend to be your everyday Joe, so don't think someone can't be fake just because they don't lead a glamorous life - but there are also celebrity romance scams. Yes, the fantasy of a celebrity falling in love with a fan is enticing - but it is an immediate red flag if a celebrity messages you out of the blue and shows romantic interest in you! The chance of that actually happening is basically zero (think of it this way: even if your favorite star saw your profile in their Instagram comments and thought you were cute, they could put themselves in a bad situation, PR-wise, by actually messaging you. They won't risk that). Keep in mind that pictures of and info on celebrities are widely available, so it's easy for some random person to pretend to be them and take advantage of your pre-existing parasocial relationship with them.

With all my love,

Your Tumblr Dad

[paperclipninja]

It's going to be Crowley.

Crowley will be the one to use the derringer in season 3.

I know Aziraphale's mention that he has a derringer in a hollowed-out book is considered by many to be Chekhov's Gun in play (and it is to an extent), but just to make the whole thing another level of meta, I'm going to put forward that Chekhov's gun is actually this moment in season 1:

Here we get some insight into Crowley's view on guns; his response to Aziraphale's comment about Heaven's stance when they're "in the right hands" and his disdain of humans' desire to hurt one another with machines when he turns the paintball ones into real ones. So we can establish that Crowley isn't necessarily a fan of guns.

But we also see Crowley remove the paint stain that the weapon inflicted on Aziraphale's jacket. The angel very unsubtly indicates that if he miracles it away himself he will always know it was there so what does the demon do? He helps him.

In season 2 we find out that our favourite angelic bookseller in fact has his own pistol, much to the surprise of Crowley (and delight of us all!). But it is in the same scene that Aziraphale is of course buying another gun and asking Crowley, who he still assumes is familiar with the weapon and how it works, to fire it at his face in front of a room full of people. And what the demon do? Agrees to help him.

So yes, it's relevant to mention the derringer in the scene, however it is not going to appear in this episode or season so we can take it as confirmation that Chekhov's gun from season 1 is about to play out here

and we need to park the derringer until the next act.

But Chekhov's gun here isn't just the weapon you see? It's who is firing it too. I love that it's an actual gun we're talking about, it is the nerdiest most literal nod to the root of the theory and I'm here for it 100%. But as with all the sleight of hand occurring, it's also a distraction.

In the scene when Crowley fires the rifle at Aziraphale we know two things: 1. Crowley is very nervous and uncomfortable shooting the gun (and has never fired one before) 2. Aziraphale tells Crowley to trust him, so he does.

If we think about how those two scenes across the two seasons build on one another I guess it might look something like:

Crowley helps Aziraphale by clearing the stain from his jacket, indicates a dislike of guns, holds the paintball gun for a moment before tossing it away

Crowley helps Aziraphale by agreeing to shoot the gun despite disliking them, is very nervous, has never fired one, but trusts Aziraphale (and Aziraphale trusts him) and does so successfully. Without needing to use a miracle.

But Crowley's interaction with the weapon in both is just as relevant as the weapon itself.

So where does that leave the set up for act 3? I mean, it's anyone's guess, but my guess is that the fact Crowley has now shot a gun will be relevant, the helping Aziraphale will be relevant and most of all, that unequivocal trust (and ability to communicate that as they did on stage) between Crowley and Aziraphale will be extremely relevant.

Those aspects have been set up on purpose I think. The fact that Crowley, who is not comfortable with guns, is wiling to fire one to help Aziraphale and the very clear establishment of the way they can communicate and trust one another in that situation. This was the warm up you see.

Season 1 it was just a game. Paintball. Other people playing and Aziraphale and Crowley only caught in the line of fire for a moment with no real consequence.

Season 2 it was a performance. The stakes were higher because the gun is real, the bullet is real, and the room for error is almost nil. But it was a chosen situation. Aziraphale put them in that situation and so he had to take the lead and tell Crowley to trust him so it would be ok.

Season 3 it will be the real deal. And it won't be because Fell the Marvellous got excited and wanted to wow the West End. It will be an actual threat that requires an actual response with a weapon and enter the derringer in all its glory (assuming Crowley can find the right book!).

That's my guess anyway. Either that or it's a massive red herring, Muriel will pull out the derringer and we'll all have had our expectations subverted in the most unexpected way!

[fancy-allude]

To Trust

Akaashi x Reader

Anything that can go wrong today went absolutely wrong. First you were late for school, next you forgot to bring the materials needed for your experiments, then your group had to improvise for the presentation, later on your name was called during class recitation, lastly you failed the quiz you thought you studied so far for. Moreover exams are less than a week away and you haven’t begun studying for it yet. Exhausted and filled with frustrations you weren’t able to carry yourself well for the day and you told your friends in advance just in case you blow up at them without any reason. You decided to spend some time alone and took a walk at the garden in school, earphones on and volume at the highest level trying to drown out the worries that try and scratch at your neck.

Your boyfriend has been worried since this morning and consulted your friends about your well-being.

“Ah, we don’t think they want to be disturbed at the moment. But if you’re interested she’s at the garden near the old building.

“Good luck Akaashi-kun.”

“Cheer them up for us alright.”

“You better make sure they don’t cry.”

Your friends encouraged him to comfort you seeing as to how you weren’t having a good day. They couldn’t even bring your spirits up so for now they’ll have to rely on your boyfriend to help you take on the next steps. He thanks them with a bow and walks away with a steady pace, taking his time to think about the words to help you get better.

You were sitting at a bench near the pond, watching the fish swim here and there in this hot summer air. Not really having the time of your life you wished there was somewhere you could lay on. You stretch your arms as you let out a yawn when your hand hit something behind you, scared as to what it may be you immediately turn in horror followed by relief at having realized who it was.

“That scared me you bastard, try and give me a warning will you.” You pout at him while he chuckles and sits by your side.

“I’m ready whenever you are.” A safe word you both established at the beginning of your relationship, a phrase meant to signal that something’s wrong and we should talk about it.

“Can you scooch over a bit, I wanna lay down.”

He does as you say and started playing with your hair as you laid down.

“Ready as I’ll ever be.” The response meant to indicate that you were ready to talk about the problem at hand. He gently pat your head with a smile as he gives you a nod in order to start.

You tell him about how your day was going horribly as it can, feeling angry at yourself for being irresponsible and underprepared acting as if time revolved around you. You mentioned how you were feeling quite disappointed at how seemingly arrogant you’ve become not even studying well just because you got a few good grades and how it feels weird to think about the development that you were going through.

Akaashi was actually worried about not being able to comfort you, but hearing about it first hand from you made him glad that it wasn’t much worse than it was. With a gentle kiss on your forehead he starts with his words.

“You know, before we got together one of the qualities that I have always admired about you was your tenacity. That no matter what came your way or how the situation turns against you, you always seem to turn the tables.”

“But what does that have to do with anything today.” You answer with your hands crossed over your chest, he just laughs softly and continues on his words.

“I trust in you, I trust in the ‘you’that I have seen those days and the ‘you’ that is here with me today.”

“Your point? It’s not making any sense.”

“I’m sorry my words are slipping. What I meant was that I trust in the you that has persevered all those yours and that that version of you is still standing here. It might feel like today was a series of failure and it might have been but did you make it? Yes, yes you did. Even with the limited amount of time and resources given to you, you’ve made it this far. And that low score on the quiz, that wasn’t even the lowest you ever got.” He gently flicks your forehead.

“So don’t be too hard on yourself and be a little bit gentler. Because you are doing well and you’ve done your part. And that is enough reason for you to stop worrying too much.” He ends his speech as he gazes off the distance, reminiscing of the days when he saw you at your best and worst. With your head still at his lap, you reach out your arms and cup his face in your hands.

“Is that why you always say ‘I trust you’ everyday instead of telling me you love me, ‘Kaashi?” You ask with a cheerful face.

“Of course, because I have to always remind you that someone trust in you so you should trust in yourself a bit more.” He caresses your hand that is on his cheek and gives them a gentle kiss. He pulls you up and helps you fix your hair.

“Now let’s go back to your friends before they start complaining about me stealing you away from them.”

You laugh at his remark as you follow in his steps, forgetting about today and going on your way.

“I really needed that you know. Thank you ‘Kaashi.”

“Then I’ll be in your hands when trouble befalls me too.” He jokes as he walks by your side.

“Sure thing, I’ll make sure you cry due to my generosity and kindness.” You answer sarcastically to which you both get a good laugh before you finally exit the garden.

[tearlessrain]

what about the companion questions from the tav ask game, for mallory!!

eey thanks! (ask meme here for everyone else lost in the bg3 sauce)

for reference here's Mallory, looking very offended that the obviously hazardous rune had the audacity to zap him when he poked it

he's a half-drow gold draconic sorcerer and as extra as that lineage would suggest. he's also got the urchin background, but he doesn't tell people that.

I also feel it's important to mention that he was the first character I created for my initial blind playthrough and by the time I realized that his backstory and personality had a similar vibe to Astarion it was too late. as a pc it works because he romanced Astarion and the two of them have a wonderful time being insufferable and flamboyant together and bonding over their similar trauma, but as a companion he'd feel a bit "why do we have this guy, there's already one of these but better". but for the moment we'll ignore that lol.

1. What would your Tav’s greetings be (at different levels of approval)

Negative:

"To what do I owe the pleasure?" (intensely sarcastic)

"Oh. It's you."

"I was just wishing someone would come over and bother me." (also sarcastic)

Neutral+:

"Can I help you?"

"A pleasure."

"Hello, darling."

High+:

"Everything all right?"

"You know, I actually enjoy these talks."

"I hope you're well, aside from... you know."

Flirting:

"Well, hello."

"My dear, you have my full attention."

"Oh, just here to talk? Pity."

Partnered:

"I'm here."

"Gods, what would I do without you?"

"Do you need something, love?"

Broken up:

"Darling! Whatever can I do for you?" (intensely sarcastic)

"Keep wandering over here and people will talk, you know."

"Straight to business, I suppose?"

"Hm, I liked you better when you were fawning over me."

2. Describe their tent setup! What’s on the outside? The inside? The inside would be cluttered but in a deliberate organized chaos kind of way, Mallory decidedly lives up to his dragon blood in that he collects shiny things and trinkets and has maximalist decorating tastes when he's able to. the outside would be comfortable but fairly unassuming and barren. The reason for this is not personal taste, it's so that anyone who might come along to burgle the camp will go for the externally fancy-looking tents first and leave his alone.

3. What would their character quest be titled? Why? oh god I'm so bad at titles, probably something gold-related or dragon-related. idk the writers are talented they'd come up with something snappy.

4. What would your Tav’s romance scenes look like? How many would they have? He would definitely be on the "bone first ask questions later" end of the companion spectrum and would probably come onto the player fairly early on. Mallory flirts with Everyone whether he's invested in following through or not and prior to The Tadpolening he'd been clawing his way up the ranks of the upper class mages in his home city via a carefully balanced combination of fucking and blackmail and it was a marked improvement on the situation he was in before that, so his perspective on both sex and relationships is not what you'd call rose-tinted. He'd be doing the same thing here, looking for leverage and a way to establish himself with the person who's taking charge of things. It would definitely be a fun romance in act one, very weighted toward the sex scenes and light banter, but he'd be deflecting any attempts to take things further emotionally or get him to open up (and might show a bit of a vicious streak if he's pushed too hard) until the latter two acts of the game, when you'd probably see more in the way of heart to heart conversations with him as he starts trusting the player. And that trust would mean a lot to him, considering all his prior "relationships" have been transactional at best and abusive at worst.

He'd also be among the companions who's fully down with you hooking up with Halsin, and would only complain if he never gets invited. He's not well suited to monogamy.

5. Describe their idle animations! Doing little tricks with conjured fire to entertain himself, straightening his clothes/hair a bit surreptitiously and/or being preoccupied with some dirt that's not coming out, maybe doing some stretches. Pacing because he's not very good at waiting around. admiring some bauble he found while out adventuring with you and trying to figure out where to put it. if companions autonomously interacted with each other he and Gale would be arguing about magic frequently.

6. How would the player go about meeting them in Act 1? What is their introduction? I feel like the player would probably find him standing in a ring of char not far from the crash, surrounded by several smoldering intellect devourers and looking like he was not at all planning to do any adventuring the day he got abducted. He'd be wary initially but would warm up very quickly once he realizes you're not also here to attack him and suggest sticking together until the whole situation gets resolved.

The first impression he tends to give off is "mildly snobby ivory tower mage who's never had to boil water before" but it's a very curated image that he designed to navigate a very specific environment and it starts to break down once you realize he can pick locks and has a lot of random mundane survival skills and will immediately adopt any orphan that stands still long enough if he's allowed to. he is very good at being a mage though, that part is accurate.

7. Describe their arc. How would a player help resolve it? What choices can be made? Can your Tav be turned down a dark path, or pulled to a lighter one? Mallory definitely has the potential to go to the dark side, one of the ways he's most similar to Astarion is that he fears/resents others having power over him and is willing to take dubious measures to make himself as untouchable as possible. He's also manipulative at times and the kind of person who fully believes he could outwit the devil (not without reason, but he's much less impervious to consequences than he thinks he is), and he's got a lot of pent up resentment and grief and anger he's never really dealt with, so it's entirely possible that he could end up in a very bad place (both for him and for everyone around him). I've thought about one unfortunate timeline that eventually ends with him becoming a devil himself, which ultimately just traps him in a worse version of everything he was trying to escape from as a mortal but gives him the illusion of power and control (so at least he can tell himself it was worth it, even knowing it wasn't).

If influenced away from that though, he's just as capable of turning all that toward improving things instead of tearing them down, and he does have a good heart when it comes down to it.

He's got a huge soft spot for kids and a strong drive to make sure as few as possible ever have the kind of childhood he did, so I could see his arc tying in with the tiefling babies and/or Yenna in some way.

It would also likely involve Darius, his abusive ex who "took him in" in his late teens when he was in a particularly bad spot, and who he didn't get away from until he was essentially bought by someone else (which is how he ended up in the social groups he did) for more gold than Darius felt keeping him was worth. There was never any real closure there prior to the events of the game but that guy honestly needs to die. whether things end well depends on what's motivating him by the end and how he gets there; this will either be a turning point where he'll realize he's better off helping people who need it than hurting people who deserve it, or he'll go full tumblr revolutionary and decide that killing Darius wasn't enough and the only way to fix anything is to burn it all down and start from the ground up so he can do things properly, collateral damage be damned.

8. After Act 3, what does their life look like? What are they talking about at the reunion party? Regardless of his ending he will have been continuing to develop his magic, guy was like two levels away from sprouting wings by max level and he's not gonna pass that up, plus he just enjoys it.

If he had a good ending he will 100% have adopted Yenna and/or a tiefling orphan or two, and has definitely been making a huge nuisance of himself to the city's patriars in an effort to help improve things in the lower city, to great success all things considered. Mallory is extremely good at making a nuisance of himself effectively. It will be pretty clear that he's doing a lot better mental health wise and takes a lot of pride in what he's doing.

If he had a bad ending... he will insist that all his power plays and growing spiderweb of faustian bargains and revenge plots are going fantastically, and he's doing great.

He is definitely not doing great.

[thecoolerliauditore]

they did my man dirty: part 2/5, shiga kotoko

we are introduced to kotoko as an extremely insecure person. she clearly thinks of herself as the lowest of the low, believing herself to be unworthy even of the other players' gazes.

her extreme feelings here are caused by the other players seeing her have sex with yaba before the start of the game, but her dialogue and overall character imply that this has always been her personality and that incident only further cemented her inability to have confidence in herself.

Her relationship with Yaba quickly becomes something she sees as her only lifeline in the game. She thinks the world of him and by the end of the game she even forgets her meek personality and jumps to defend him.

However, we see that this is not entirely true. Deep down, Kotoko still had some uneasiness regarding her relationship with Yaba and feared Yaba would leave or betray her eventually, since she sees herself as bringing nothing to the table for him. It's this insecurity that Matsushita encourages in her and takes advantage of to get her to betray Yaba.

Matsushita earns Kotoko's trust by putting himself on her level, so to speak. As previously established, Kotoko automatically puts herself below others, especially Yaba, so Matsushita has no problem getting her comfortable enough with him.

Ironically, by taking a chance with the first relationship she had in the games which she saw as "equal", Kotoko put herself even lower on the food chain by becoming a victim of Matsushita.

In the show, this is all missing, we're simply given lines about how Matsushita and Kotoko were vaguely "connected" and Chishiya mansplains how they communicated through biscuits (which is. weird to me? they could've just. idk. talked like they did in the manga? there's a whole prison and Yaba doesn't follow Kotoko around all the time)

like. the show just kind of makes it seem like kotoko betrayed yaba cus she. felt like it i guess. rather than her trying to escape what she saw as a potentially dangerous power dynamic with Yaba and entering an even worse one with Matsushita.

Not to mention the fact that the show straight up cuts Kotoko waving a knife around to protect Yaba or her expressing her lower than dirt self confidence, it all makes her feel like much less of a person.

I'll get into this more when I talk about Yaba but, to me at least, Kotoko and Yaba felt almost like parody or criticism of traditional gender roles specifically the culturally japanese variety. With Kotoko being the dependent, submissive wifey figure who will have sex with you but still feel ashamed of her impurity afterwards -- her crushing insecurity is self-destructive and ultimately leads to her death. The show seems to have completely missed this and as a consequence Kotoko as a character feels extremely empty.

[slightlyunconventional]

as a follow-up to my post where i mentioned a modern au/established relationship k/anej setting, i thought i'd make a list of snzcanons based around that 🤭 mostly k/az centric probably but we'll see if i get any i/nej ideas while im making this

ok here we. go

- caretaking between them when they live together is very different from the days in the slat; it's much more open and comfortable, and there's a level of vulnerability that both of them (mainly kaz, though) are able to show because they know there's much more safety and trust there than ever before

- continuing the kaz hayfever agenda purely to exploit it because inej loves to have plants all over their house and fill their garden with flowers. he's usually fine cause antihistamines exist but on the off chance that he forgets to take them, or they've run out cause he's so stupidly sensitive, then basically all hell breaks loose and he is totally unable to catch a break from sneezing his HEAD OFF. obviously from the outside this seems kinda dense of him because why doesn't he just,,, get rid of all the flowers?? but he doesn't want to because he knows how much inej loves them and loves gardening. plus he's fine once he takes his meds so realistically what's the problem

- look i know i keep giving kaz every allergy ever but just hear me out okay. if you hate me for it you can pretend each allergy he has is a separate universe. anyway what if the dreadful combination of dust allergy and detergent/air freshener/surface cleaner/etc allergy (select as applicable). just LISTEN RIGHT. he's sneezy because of the dust, so he and inej decide to CLEAN. but then he's SNEEZY AGAIN because of the cleaning supplies. boom who's a genius? me. (or an idiot. i haven't decided yet)

- maybe as a follow on for The One Above, i thought maybe kaz is only all sneezy and itchy during the cleaning process so once they're done and the scent of it all is out of the air then he's fine. that seems reasonable right

(also yeah ive decided that all these allergy headcanons are probably too much for just one person to deal with. so take them as individual things rather than A Collective. (unless you too hate it when a man isn't sneezing 24/7 in which case yeah let's bombard the poor guy with every allergy known to man ill pick you up at seven.))

- when kaz gets sick he still instinctively tries to shut himself away out of fear of getting inej sick too, and also cause he doesn't want her to "waste her time" taking care of him when he's "absolutely fine" and there's "nothing to worry about it's just cold in here". however every single time he's got a cold inej somehow manages to convince him to let her care for him.

- cats! kaz and inej are definitely both cat people and they definitely both wanted a cat immediately after deciding to live together. i like to think that kaz doesn't know he's allergic to cats (since he never really interacts with any kind of animal during his time with the dregs yk ??) so when they go to actually get a cat he discovers this about himself when he becomes an itchy sneezy allergic MESS. but he still insists that inej gets the cat because again antihistamines exist and he has a massive soft spot for cats so as if he's gonna say no. (thinking that they definitely get a fluffy black cat, maybe a younger one that's SMALL AND SO CUTE (i also have a massive soft spot for cats!! could you tell))

- more on the dust allergy a bit: inej and kaz go on little dates all the time and one time they pay a visit to an old library that inej has been interested in for a while, but obviously seeing as the library is so old, all the books are so so dusty and literally every single one that kaz picks up to flick through makes him sneeze like nobody's business. he'd probably be halfway through trying to quiet an itchy fit in the collar of his coat and inej would just take the book out of his hands and guide him by his shoulders away from the cloud of dust that he wafted into the air. cute

- even more on that kind of a sidenote he'd definitely not have the common sense to move from an allergen while he's in a fit, like he just gets too caught up sneezing to even think about maybe Stepping Away cause he just wants to get it out of his system and for whatever reason distancing himself from the thing IN his system doesn't actually cross his mind until inej just sort of guides him away

- inej's care is always very doting, gentle, and loving. she'll always ask before touching him, for example to feel his forehead and check for fever. often if kaz is especially tired (which happens often when he's sick, bless him) she'll offer to hold a bunch of tissues gently to his face as he sneezes or blows his nose into them. aw also definitely a reassuring hand on his back when he's wracked with fits of coughing during particularly bad colds

- she blesses every single sneeze. i KNOW she does. since kaz usually sneezes in doubles (ARGRGRHHHHH (sorry about that went fucking FERAL for a second)) he'll always get a cute little "bless you, bless you!" from her. she is so. i love you inej

- however if he ends up having fits that's a lot of sneezes to bless all of them so she usually settles for a "bless you!" at the end

- also i feel like she might do that thing where the way she says bless you mimics the sound/pitch of the sneeze do you get me. like for example "heHh'ehHSHHhiew!" from kaz gets a "ble-heh-shiew!" from inej. Do you understand the vision i hope i don't sound stupid. anyway kaz hates when she does this (but not like hate in a mean way he's just embarrassed like pls. i have a reputation)

- Omg and inej definitely loves to tease him and say how adorable his nose is especially when it's all red and he's just STOP PLEASE MY DIGNITY

- sorry im losing the plot

- inej tries not to gift him bouquets because 1. he's allergic and 2. there's probably already enough plants in the house. however. kaz buys HER bouquets because he's a gentleman duh. but obviously the whole time he's walking/driving/i don't know what bloody transport they have he's gonna be such an itchy sneezy mess and by the time he actually gives the flowers to inej his eyes and nose are practically streaming and it's all he can do to fight off sneezing again as inej kisses him on the cheek with a giggle to say thank you

- also i love the age old scenario of sneezing while shopping for scented candles!! inej getting excited about all the pretty floral and seasonal scents while kaz is just behind her sniffling so much and his eyes are watering and he is just praying he doesn't end up sneezing a load cause he doesn't want inej to be sad. when he DOES start sneezing though - starting with near silent stifles of course (but inej notices of Course) - he'll tell inej over and over that he'll be fine if there's just one in the house and he's only sneezing now because there's so many on the shelves in front of him

- a lot of this post is just different iterations of "kaz is very allergic but he wants inej to be happy so he keeps being very allergic"

- inej also buys & makes tea for kaz instead of coffee when he's sick. she also sometimes makes some suli tea recipes that she remembers from her childhood for him cause she is the best

- while a lot of her caretaking is tender and loving and doting inej also knows that kaz likes to have his space, so sometimes she shows her care in the form of a mug of steaming tea, two aspirin, and a sticky note saying "feel better soon" waiting for him at his desk

- kaz also hates getting sick in general just the feel of it is gross to him. it's partly because he doesn't feel in control of himself as much and partly because it just feels so sticky and heavy and generally unpleasant. on the bright side inej thinks his stuffy voice is so cute

- ill list off a few brief ideas for other dates they'd go on and kaz would find himself more than a little sneezy: picnic date!! or just a walk/hike in spring when his hayfever is thriving, a cafe date when he's got a cold! so cute, obviously dusty library date like i said before and probably a lot more but i ran out of ideas

- right i know this is definitely a lot of sneezing for one single person to be doing in their life so honestly take all of these headcanons as separate entities because i do not believe it is RIGHT or FAIR to subject someone to as many allergies as i already have and will continue to do. anyway photic kaz. for some reason i like to think that he always without fail sneezes three times when it's suddenly bright (like when he steps outside from a dimmer room or if something shines in his face) and always without fail also will gear up for a fourth sneeze that never comes. three sneezes, then a gasp, then a sigh. Omg

- his photic sneezes are also softer than usual too idk thought id just add that

- right this is the last allergy ill talk about for him REMEMBER HE DOESNT HAVE ALL THESE ALLERGIES AT THE SAME TIME CAUSE THAT'S MEAN OF ME. (unless you want him to 🤭) but perfume allergies are SO. HOT. he loves the smell of inej's perfume, it's sweet and floral and so distinctly *her* but each time she spritzes it on herself he's sneezing. usually not too much though, upwards of like, five, and then he's okay

- inej also massively chastises kaz for stifling. literally every time he does it it's basically a lecture of why stifling is bad and why it's fine just let it out its only me and kaz is like. ok sorry

- thinking about INEJ. i think that her sneezes are quiet just cause she's sort of taught herself to be stealthy and silent and that's rubbed off on her sneezes. they're cute

- also she sneezes into cupped hands!! idk i just think that's so cute for her AH

- usually only sneezes once at a time (she's not nearly as sensitive to stuff as kaz is) however i do like to think that kaz had a cologne at one point that he used to wear primarily cause he didn't have another one and couldn't be bothered to Get another one and it made her sneeze a lot!! and for a while she had no idea what it was because she just seemed to be sneezing nonstop whenever she was close to him. it wasn't until they were getting ready together one morning that she realised it was his cologne making her sneeze - when he sprayed it as she was stood near him and she just!! did not stop!! kaz probably felt so bad he definitely immediately showered and threw the cologne away and kept apologizing to her even though she repeatedly told him it was fine and how was he supposed to know

- kaz isn't quite as teasy as inej is so he'll only bless her sneezes once (loser) and he doesn't like to make an ordeal out of it so he'll just mirror her sneeze's quietness with a soft mumbled "bless," and possibly a hand squeeze if they're holding hands. JUST thought that maybe if she sneezes a little louder or harsher than normal he'll extend to a "bless you," (you know what i mean right with the emphasis on the you part you get it right)

okay this is all i have for now. i will add more/reblog with more if i think of anything but THANKS FOR READING YAY and thanks for making it the way to the end of the incoherent drivel that i call headcanons i hope you didn't lose too many braincells

[feministfocus]

Stress on Steroids: High School Edition

by Crystal Fan

Pulling all-nighters for exams. Dark eye circles. Classmates who are half asleep in class. My senior year of high school has been more hectic than I could have ever imagined. It seems like everybody is suffering from a concoction of feeling overwhelmed, senioritis (burnout), and a terrible case of stress. Looking around, the senior year has decimated us, with things coming at us a thousand miles per hour. For starters, there's academic pressure. Then there are extracurriculars, family life, friends and relationships, cats on the internet, and the black hole that is social media. The cherry on top is college applications. Senior year is a never-ending to-do list requiring a NASA-level scientific and precise approach to time management and perfection. In short, it's impossible. There is no human way to juggle everything. There are too many balls in the air. 

Eventually, something gives. We sacrifice things. Sleep. Mental health. Not to mention sanity (some of which I'd like to keep in case I need it one day). It is almost as if we live in a never-ending cycle of to-do lists, exams, and the pursuit of accomplishments. This quickly becomes exhausting. 

In short, high school, especially senior year, is a breeding ground for stress. Stress multiplies and feeds off of everybody in a frenzy. The statistics speak for themselves. Approximately 45% of high schoolers report experiencing stress daily (CrossRiverTherapy). Roughly 61% of teenagers between the ages of 13-17 admit to feeling pressure to attain high grades.

Generally, there are two types of events that cause stress: external and internal. External event-driven stress typically dissipates after the event is over. Internal event-driven stress is caused by thoughts and things we say to ourselves. 

While some stress can be beneficial and acts as a motivator to prepare us for events, too much stress leads to unhealthy short-term repercussions such as fatigue, insomnia, unhealthy relationships with food, trouble focusing, and becoming overly anxious or depressed. But chronic stress? A whole different ball game. According to the Mayo Clinic, chronic stress holds severe consequences such as muscle tension and pain, headaches, weight gain, and even heart attacks. 

Stress is a fact of life. It is inevitable. There is no way to avoid it; once you get comfortable, life throws you another curveball. So the question is: do we manage stress so it doesn't take over our lives? 

Well, here are some stress management tips Harvard University has for high schoolers: 

Keep a journal

Download a mindfulness or meditation app

Eating healthy meals

Exercising regularly 

Getting plenty of sleep

Limiting caffeine

Reaching out to family and friends for support

Making time for hobbies

Some tips that have worked for me:

Start a gratitude journal. Spend 5 minutes daily jotting down things, events, or people you feel grateful for. Even something that brings you the slightest amount of joy counts

Establish a meditation routine that works for your schedule, and meditate for at least 5 minutes daily. 

Talk to someone. You don't need a therapist to feel better. You can talk to a trusted confidant about your worries, concerns, and challenges. You are not alone. There is always someone willing to listen. 

Additionally, you can try:

Volunteering in the community. Science has shown that giving back makes people feel better. 

Finding ways to laugh more. Spend time with people who make you feel good, watch a comedy, or find memes online. 

Seeking professional help through counseling or therapy. Mental health services can be highly beneficial. 

Citations:

https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/stress/art-20046037

[bonesandthebees]

Another interesting thing I should mention before I continue, is that we once again get to see how well Wilbur knows Tommy. Tommy is clearly upset about not being told and quickly working himself up. Wibur tries to offer answers to his questions. Though he quickly realises these are not the answers he wants.

And Wilbur thinks this has to do with breaking trust. (and maybe Tommy does too on some level, but he was trying to disprove it to himself and failed). Wilbur doesn’t tell him that though. He has a lot of experience with knowing and ignoring things. He knows what it’s like to not want to here something. So instead of telling Tommy, instead of pushing him to accept it, he just brushes their shoulders and tries to comfort him. He does so throughout the entire conversation btw.

It’s also interesting to note that Wilbur is sort of pushing his own needs and feeling down throughout most of this scene. He has his own questions too, but this is about Tommy. Because until him, Tommy should have a right to that information. He’s also ignoring his past conversation with Phil in favour of the current one. But most of all, he’s ignoring his own fear.

Wilbur was worried about Tommy the entire time he was out on his run (and for good reason). He knows it’s dangerous. I can’t remember how aware he was back then that he cared for Tommy or if that was when he really realised it. Either way, he understands why he was worried about Tommy, why he still is. Phil and Techno are a bit more difficult because this man is incredibly out of touch with his emotions.

He’s not friends with either of them, and in his mind, he should only worry about friends. He’s never had a family (or a lot of friends really) so he doesn’t get that you can worry about parents. Not that either Phil or Techno have taken that role (not yet). But both of them have protected him, they refused to have him killed even when the other Deathlings brought it up.

And while Phil isn’t his friend, he has comforted him on multiple occasions and they do definitely have some kind of bond because they hold similar positions in their respective religions. They understand each other.

(2/?)

-🌲

:) yeah, wilbur knows a lot about not wanting to confront information, which is exactly why he doesn't push the lack of trust thing onto tommy.

the thing is that even though wilbur is staying with the deathlings willingly now, he's not one of them. he's not a deathling himself. he doesn't expect to be made privy to any sensitive information regarding their plans, let alone the kind of info tommy expects to be told. so that's part of why he's ignoring his own feelings, but that's not all of it obviously

by the time tommy went on the supply run, wilbur was very aware he cared about tommy and had already accepted it. it was tommy who had been surprised by wilbur worrying over him the morning before he left. but the thing is, also at that point tommy had already called himself wilbur's friend. it was easier for him because they'd had this established connection that was confirmed on both sides for a decent amount of time at that point. wilbur still has no real clue where he stands with phil. he knows that his own feelings towards phil have shifted because he trusts and relies on him quite a bit more than he used to, but he has zero clue what phil really thinks about him, so that's tied into a lot of him pushing down his feelings about being worried over phil. and techno is like that but times ten.

so yeah it's exactly what you said. he's struggling to understand his worry because even though he has this understanding with both of them he's not sure where exactly that leaves them, or what he's supposed to do about it

[nursingevolution1]

Addressing Chronic Conditions with Pediatric Complex Care

Photo from freepik

Families can rely on pediatric complex care specialists when it comes to handling children with chronic complications. Having experts provides every caretaker with the knowledge and skills to care for fragile patients. Parents can also consider this to better understand their child's condition. Here is how nurses with intense pediatric care experience can help you in these situations.

Knowing Pediatric Complex Care Goals

Pediatric complex care involves practices that provide comprehensive care for critically ill children, including infants and toddlers. These types of care revolve around an environment equipped with advanced medical technology and monitoring systems. Additionally, intensive care is tailored to meet the unique needs of young patients.

Levels of Complex Care

Complex care is often categorized into different levels based on the complexity of the care they provide. These levels also ensure that children with varying degrees receive the appropriate level of care. These include:

Level I Care: This level revolves around handling the most critically ill patients. These include comprehensive services, such as advanced monitoring and specialized interventions. Level I also has immediate access to various pediatric resources.

Level II Care: This category focuses on treating patients with less complex conditions. While it provides significant support, it has established protocols for transferring patients to Level I units whenever necessary.

Specialized Care: Children under this level may be admitted to undergo specialized practices. These mentioned approaches are tailored to their complex medical needs.

Common Conditions Treated Under Complex Care

Intensive care covers a wide range of life-threatening conditions, including but not limited to:

Birth Defects

Genetic and Metabolic Syndromes

Neurological Disorders

Specialized care affects the patient’s overall well-being due to the high level of monitoring and interventions the nurses make. Many hospitals offer specialized programs to cater to these needs. Additionally, there are private healthcare providers that offer individualized care for patients.

Moreover, intensive care also enables healthcare providers to quickly identify and address other complications and improve outcomes. Many pediatric care specialists offer additional resources, such as partnerships with trusted affiliates to support families.

The Role of Pediatric Nurses in Intensive Care

It is ideal for families with chronically ill children to work with pediatric nurses for specialized care. Their responsibilities extend beyond basic nursing duties, encompassing a wide array of tasks essential for young patients' comfort and well-being.

Furthermore, these nurses aim to exceed established standards for weaning, decannulating, and discharging tracheostomized and mechanically ventilated pediatric patients.

Physical and Medical Practices

The provision of specialized care for young patients is crucial, particularly as they navigate complex developmental stages. These nurses focus on the following roles:

Close monitoring and assessment: Nurses monitor patient’s vital signs and remain vigilant for changes in their condition. They also perform thorough assessments to understand the young patient’s emotional and developmental needs.

Administering medications and treatments: Pediatric nurses also take the time to administer medications and treatments to patients under their care. Their expertise ensures that children receive the correct dosages to prevent infection, especially when life support equipment is involved.

Specialized knowledge: Nurses who provide intense pediatric care possess various medical knowledge practices to meet various needs. This is necessary to understand the unique health challenges faced by children.

Support to Families

Child nurses also focus on other roles outside the medical practices to ensure comfort for both parent and child. These include:

Communication with the patient’s family:  Many nurses advocate for their patients. They effectively communicate with families to ensure the patient’s needs align with the care plan. This fosters a collaborative environment.

Emotional support: Recognizing the emotional toll on families, pediatric nurses provide support and education to parents and caregivers, helping them navigate the complexities of their child’s health issues. Some nurses also provide pediatric home care services for further assistance until the patient’s full recovery.

Personal compassion: These nurses also hold a compassionate approach to their patients. This ensures that both patients and their families receive the support they need during some of the most difficult moments of their lives.

Collaboration with trusted partners: Child nurses also work closely with other healthcare experts to create a strong team across medical specialties. Progress is also evaluated, and adjustments are made to ensure the best possible outcomes.

Importance of Specialized Care for Young Patients

Specialized care significantly impacts the patient's outcome and overall well-being. This is because nurses provide a high level of monitoring and interventions. Children's unique needs require different treatment approaches to ensure that care is not only medically appropriate but also developmentally supportive. For children with disabilities or chronic illnesses, in particular, they often experience complications that necessitate a coordinated approach.

Family Needs For Complex Care

Every family should rely on pediatric complex care, especially if their children are critically ill or facing varying medical conditions. These solutions address the following:

Address critical medical conditions: As mentioned previously, intensive care revolves around necessitating advanced treatment and various approaches. Specialized care provided by pediatric nurses leads to better health outcomes for critically ill children.

Education and support: Nurses educate families about their child's condition and treatment options, empowering them to participate actively in care decisions. They also provide emotional support.

Along with looking after their patients, nurses also ensure the safety of their services’ families, easing their worries. By addressing the psychological aspects of pediatric complex care, nurses contribute to a more comprehensive healing environment. The impact of having a child in critical care can be overwhelming.

According to studies done by PubMed Central, Family members or caregivers experience psychological distress during critical care hospitalization.

Rely On A Nurse For Intensive Care Needs Today

Families of critically ill children must advocate for their children's needs during these challenging times. Parents need to engage actively with nurses and understand the treatment plans under pediatric complex care. Relying on the expertise of experienced nurses is crucial, as they are trained to provide not only medical care but also emotional support and guidance.

Consider the best care for your children by working with Nursing Evolutions. Our team focuses on giving top-quality care to medically fragile infants, babies, toddlers, and children. For more information, contact us today!

[ashapuracar]

Taxi Service in Ahmedabad: Your Trusted Partner Ashapura Car Rentals for Hassle-Free Travel

Ashapura Car Rentals provides Taxi service in Ahmedabad and is one of the most leading outstation and local taxi service providers company at less and affordable prices. No matter you are living in Ahmedabad or are a tourist in this lively city, getting an ideal taxi provider in Ahmedabad is always a prerequisite. This at Ashapura Car Rentals is what we seek to provide; the best Cab hire in Ahmedabad for all purposes.

We offer fairly priced and easy to book taxis in Ahmedabad

Our Taxi hire in Ahmedabad service makes any journey that you undertake to be as comfortable as possible without undue inconvenience. In terms our taxi rates in Ahmedabad, let it be said that we consider ourselves a financially sound competitor in the market of Ahmedabad, striving to provide both relatively low prices and high quality. Whether your trip is within the city, or to other areas, we ensure a safe, timely and courteous service is offered at all times.

"Travel is not just about the destination, but the experience. Let us make your journey unforgettable with our premium taxi service."

Ashapura Car Rentals brings to you the online taxi booking in Ahmedabad so, you can book your car and the ride from the comfort of your home and at your own convenient time. Through our simple accessed internet base platform, you are able to easily fix your appointments as well as make booking of clean and well-maintained cars in line with your tastes and pockets. Avail Taxi for Outstation from Ahmedabad for a Comfortable Long Journey

Are you; organizing a weekend break, a tour, a seminar, any type of trip outside the city? Our outstation taxi service in Ahmedabad is especially relevant for those who plan to travel with End amount of local site seeing Distance. Whether you are planning for nearby tourist place or for far of places, we present you reliable & comfortable out station cabs with professional drivers safe & comfortable journey is our priority.

Instant and Restricted Communication for Ahmedabad Taxi Service

Our Ahmedabad taxi service contact number is available, so that customers can get in touch with the support team easily. If you are looking for help in booking, choosing a car, or have any other question, our support service will be glad to help you anytime. We know that you are busy people and that’s why we strive to provide you with lightning solutions so that you don’t waste a single moment of your precious time.

The Major Reasons for Renting a Car from Ashapura Car Rentals

1. Reliable Taxi Provider in Ahmedabad: We have established IT Balance Sheet as a company with the highest level of integrity and reliability to our clients. We take into employment to ensure you enjoy your travel in Ahmedabad with minimal hassles.

2. Affordable Taxi Rates in Ahmedabad: offer you fully flexible pricing policy, which means that you are aware of the cost and it won’t change after the order is placed.

3. Convenient Online Taxi Booking in Ahmedabad: Never be worried about the time or place to book a taxi, as this can be done at the click of a button. Here is our promise of a hassle-free online shopping experience.

4. Top-Quality Cab Service in Ahmedabad: The qualified drivers and the clean and well-maintained cabs provide our clients with pleasant and safe journey.

5. Ahmedabad Cab Hire for Every Occasion: If you are looking for a taxi for city drive, airport pick up drop or for an out-station trip, we have just the right vehicle for you.

Book Now with Ashapura Car Rentals Catered with all the above-mentioned services, Ashapura Car Rentals is the best Ahmedabad taxi service. Whether you are moving within the city, or you are planning to be outstation, our cab service in Ahmedabad was arranged to meet all your needs as a traveler; in terms of comfort, security and cost. Do not delay to contact us for any of your travel requirements. Please feel free to call or WhatsApp today our Ahmedabad taxi service contact number or online taxi booking in Ahmedabad through our site. Whether it means going to the countryside or around the city, Ashapura Car Rentals makes sure that your trip will be seamless.

Visit Our Website: https://ashapuracarrentals.com/

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[milksnobs]

Keeping Tiny Heads Toasty: A New Mom's Guide to Newborn Hats

The world of newborn essentials can feel overwhelming, especially when it comes to clothing. Between endless onesies, swaddles, and a mountain of laundry, it's easy to wonder – does my baby really need a hat? The answer, mama, is a resounding yes! Hats play a crucial role in regulating your newborn's body temperature, especially important in those early fragile weeks.

Tiny Heads, Big Importance: Why Hats for Newborns Matter

Newborns lose a significant amount of their body heat through their heads. A well-fitting hat helps them maintain a comfortable temperature, preventing them from getting too cold (or too hot!). Here's why hats are a must-have for your newborn:

Temperature Regulation: As mentioned above, newborns lose heat easily, especially through their heads. A hat helps them maintain a safe body temperature, reducing the risk of hypothermia.

Sun Protection: Even on cloudy days, the sun's rays can be harmful to your baby's delicate skin. A hat with a brim offers additional protection for their head and neck during outdoor outings.

Comfort: Hats can provide a sense of security and comfort for newborns, mimicking the snugness of the womb.

New Parent Humor: Embrace the Hat Hair (It's Temporary!)

Be prepared for some serious hat hair, mama! Newborns often dislike having things on their heads, and you might find yourself in a wrestling match trying to keep a hat on. Don't worry, this phase is temporary. Embrace the messy hair and focus on keeping your little one warm and comfortable.

Sleep Tight, Little One: Exploring Newborn Sleep Sacks

Now that you understand the importance of hats for newborns, let's delve into another sleep essential – the sleep sack (also known as a wearable blanket). Sleep sacks help keep your baby warm and secure throughout the night, reducing the risk of overheating and promoting safe sleep practices. Look for sleep sacks made from breathable fabrics like cotton or fleece, and choose one with a snug fit around the chest (but loose around the hips) for safety.

Top Picks for Newborn Sleep Sacks:

Milk Snob: As a luxurious option, Milk Snob offers sleep sacks made from the softest materials and adorable prints. They're sure to keep your baby cozy and stylish throughout the night.

HALO SleepSack: A trusted name in baby sleep sack, HALO offers a variety of sleep sacks specifically designed for newborns. Their sleep sacks are well-made, affordable, and come in various sizes and warmth levels.

aden + anais: Known for their muslin swaddle blankets, aden + anais also offers a variety of lightweight and breathable sleep sacks perfect for warmer climates.

Pajamas for Newborns: A Comfort Staple

While hats and sleep sacks are crucial for nighttime, newborn pajamas are a must-have for daytime comfort. Look for pajamas made from soft, breathable fabrics like cotton and choose styles that are easy to put on and take off. Avoid anything with too many buttons or snaps, as those midnight diaper changes will come quickly!

Choosing the Perfect Newborn Hat: A Guide for New Moms

With the importance of hats established, let's explore some key things to consider when choosing the perfect newborn hat:

Material: Opt for soft, breathable fabrics like cotton or merino wool. These materials are gentle on your baby's delicate skin and help regulate their body temperature.

Size: A well-fitting hat is crucial. A hat that's too loose can fall off, while a hat that's too tight can be uncomfortable. Look for hats with adjustable straps or ties for a perfect fit.

Style: There are a variety of newborn hat styles available, from beanies to floppy hats. Choose a style that you find cute and practical.

Season: Consider the climate you live in and choose hats with the appropriate warmth level. Look for options with a lining for colder weather or lightweight fabrics for warmer months.

Beyond the Basics: Keeping Your Baby Cozy

Here are some additional tips for keeping your newborn warm and comfortable:

Layer Up: In colder weather, layer your baby's clothing. Start with a base layer of a onesie or undershirt, followed by a sleeper or pajamas, and then top it off with a hat.

Socks: Don't forget socks! Tiny toes can get cold easily. Choose socks made from soft, breathable fabrics like cotton.

Warm Blankets: While sleep sacks are essential for nighttime, keep a warm swaddle blanket on hand for daytime snuggles or car rides.

Remember, mama, you're doing a great job! Those early newborn days can be a blur of feedings, diaper changes, and endless questions.