#they are both Emotionally Compromised

[fruity-hub-blog]

If I had a nickle every time there was a morally ambiguous grey haired man who always wears a business suit with a red tie and has an affinity for the Packers Football team in a kids cartoon I'd have two nickles, which isn't a lot but it's weird it's happened twice.

[mozart-the-meerkitten]

Been rewatching the early Marvel movies and apparently this is the time of my life where I just get re-obsessed with characters I love so here's some random thoughts about Loki/Thor the Dark World:

Why. In the world. In the universe. Did Odin not ask Loki ANY questions when Loki was brought before him for judgement in Dark World? Like, at the BAREST MINIMUM he should have asked where Loki got an ARMY, the last time he'd seen Loki was when Loki fell off the Bifrost and then he vanished for a year and showed back up with the glowstick of destiny and an army that Thor says "are not of Asgard or any world known". ODIN. WHY ARE YOU NOT ASKING QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS?!

Like, we are aware that Odin is. partial to giving his kids harsh punishments. He obviously doesn't care about Loki's motives. Like, a good parent would look at their kid who disappeared for a year and then came back insane and be like "hey so what happened to you when you disappeared? you didn't get captured by a super powerful being and tortured into submission did you?" (Thanos tortured Loki I have SOURCES and I WILL cite them upon request) But even a bad parent who was a decent king would wonder how their kid suddenly got an ARMY out of NOWHERE and yet Odin never questions this at all. Even Thor in Avengers at least asks Loki "Who showed you this power? Who controls the would-be king?" (which just shows Thor would honestly be a better king than Odin tbh) but Odin is just like "nah this is not important. imprisoning my son for life and telling him how worthless I think he is is more important in this moment."

I wonder if she'd had more time if maybe Frigga would have been able to get Loki to tell her what happened and if maybe that was part of her goal of visiting him (beyond just, you know, actually being a decent parent who cares about her child and wanting to keep him company) because we know she's clever (she's smarter than Odin good gravy, is there like an age difference between them is he going senile or something) so PERHAPS she thought if she talked to Loki she could puzzle out what had happened to him and find out if there was, you know, a potential universal threat Asgard should be aware of. And like, if she had found out anything what was Odin going to say? He can't actually punish his wife in any meaningful way (lol imagine he tries and she just grabs her two grown sons and leaves, help xD) especially if she found out IMPORTANT INFORMATION that he SHOULD have discovered on his own.

This does kind of highlight an underlying problem with Odin, where he seems to think that Asgard is invincible and is, well, lazy about defending it. Like, I've seen posts about how Loki letting the Frost Giants into Asgard in the first movie is actually him not just showing that Thor is not ready to be king, but also demonstrating that Asgard has dangerous holes in its defenses. Because yeah, Loki can HIDE HIMSELF FROM HEIMDALL and sneak into Asgard. Heck, he can sneak OTHERS into Asgard while he's not even WITH them. That- that is a security threat, because if anyone BESIDES Loki could do that then Asgard could easily be invaded and- wait a second, that happens in The Dark World! The Dark Elves hide themselves from Heimdall and sneak an invasion force into Asgard! Destroying it's defenses and KILLING ITS QUEEN. Like, my goodness, do you think Loki is the only person with these abilities? Are you even trying Odin? At all?

TLDR; Odin is an idiot for not questioning Loki about the Chitauri/where he was for a year between Thor and Avengers, not to mention an awful father and an incompetent king.

[trampfranky]

On one hand the fact that both luffy and sanji trusted pudding as an ally potentially speaks more about the reality of puddings self and feelings BUT the idea that luffy completely fell for pudding because she started sweet talking about his cook and promised to bring sanji back to them is so funny. pudding started gushing about how cool and cute and charming sanji is and how she is kinda in love with him and luffy went 'omgggggg she gets me AND sanji no way is she lying :D'

[deskgirl]

Thinking yet again about Edward Teach who can’t sit quietly with his own thoughts while fishing with Fang but sits quietly with his dying friend and listens to him in his last moments. Sure, there’s plenty of stuff that he could have said, but his attention was all Izzy wanted in that moment.

[dent-de-leon]

What if...Kingsley starts to get flickers of memories from Lucien's childhood, slipping in and out of dreams. What if King...remembers setting fire to the family caravan? Can still feel himself choking on the ash and smoke, can still hear his parents' voices? King starting to wake screaming from nightmares of burning flames, just like Lucien for all those years.

What if Caleb sees the all too familiar signs, the way King just loses himself for a moment when he feels the searing heat of his blood rite.

What if...the first time Caleb actually tells Kingsley about his past, it's to help comfort King over his own--

[kemendin]

Always cherished Never forgotten

[dear-mrs-otome]

Oh my god this event is custom-designed to crush me isn't it? Two of my favorite routes, and more peeks inside their heads during it???

[bbcphile]

I finished Mysterious Lotus Casebook and OMG AHHHHHH FEEELINGS!!!!!

I don’t want to spoil anything about it here, but if anyone wants to flail in feelings about the ending with me, send me a message!

[last-flight-of-fancy]

finally got around to doing the dark knight questline (to level 50 anyway. are there more after that???? i know dragoon got a bit more but. im Uncertain on literally every other class) and like. what he hell am i supposed to do with myself after that

[thisisahyperfixationnow]

Spock would listen to Smalltown Boy by Bronksi Beat send tweet

[blossomhcir]

THE OVERWHELMING DESIRE TO KISS; ACCEPTING  @nihted​ requested  8: a  kiss  in  secret  /  a  forbidden  kiss.

He cradled her face, so gentle for a warrior's hands. Gentler still were is his lips against hers, so adoring it made her heart ache. Her own hands tangled into his hair, urging him closer to her. Neither had any intention of parting, and in truth she wished they never had to. It was almost cruel how a simple sound, the slam of a door and footsteps in the distance hall, could bring this world of their own crashing down around them.   

Adelaide’s heart thundered in her ears, so loud she could scarcely hear anything else. The steps abated, silence creeping in like a chill between them, the only sound their sobering breaths. This was a sign, the both knew. To stop now, return to where they were supposed to be. Neither of them moved, doe brown eyes meeting the deepest blue as they considered the reality they had been cruelly awoken to.   

Unable to bear the space between them any longer she pulled him to her, needing his lips on hers again. She needed it like air, the brief time they had together in these secluded halls the only time she felt like she could breathe. The only time she felt truly alive. Not with all the courtiers or her husband, but in these brief stolen moments with him.   

“Please.” Her voice came breathless, a needy sound against his lips. She asked for too much and she knew it. They did not have the privilege of time and yet she knew Edric would give her more if he asked. It was selfish, a risk that could cost them both their lives if they were found- and yet she would risk it for just a few more moments with him. “I need you, just a little longer... ”

[heywriters]

Details That Convey Intimacy

Developing fictional relationships that feel authentic takes more than dialogue and grand gestures. Every detail below can be used to show platonic, familial, agape, or romantic love depending on context.

cooking a meal for someone, bringing them food, or spontaneously sharing a snack

sharing body heat/warming someone with outerwear like jackets and scarves

fanning them with something if overheated

getting a cold/hot drink for them

offering to carry something, whether it's heavy or just a jacket, to lighten someone's load or free up their hands

more below the click!

changing the subject of a group conversation that will be personally discomforting to someone in the group

making sure to include someone in a group conversation, especially if it's a topic they have special knowledge of

waiting for someone to catch up when the rest of the group has walked ahead

remembering preferences/allergies ahead of time when preparing/ordering food

planning trips, whether in a pair or as a group, that provide something positive for every individual to enjoy

procuring personal healthcare items like sunscreen, moisturizer, lip balm, pain relievers, or a snack and keeping them on hand for that friend who frequently needs them

making room for someone in a crowded vehicle or on public transit

making room for someone under an awning or in another limited space to help them avoid bad weather

warning or wordlessly covering for someone with a wardrobe/cosmetic malfunction

remembering a small luxury someone mentioned they enjoy, and getting it for them the next time it's convenient

running an errand for someone to make their day easier ('importance of errand : depth of relationship' ratio should be explored)

escorting someone to safety in a sudden unsettling event

escorting someone who is drunk, sick, infirm, injured, or emotionally compromised

asking if light, noise, or other sensory factors are bothering someone and taking steps to make them more comfortable

getting gag gifts for someone to show you reciprocate their sense of humor or quirky self-expression (not everyone does this, not everyone appreciates it, and some people predominantly express love through humor and gag gifts; works well with some characters more than others)

holding someone's hand or arm as reassurance, especially when they are afraid*

using their body to block someone from wind, rain, or heat

picking up a dropped item, or carrying a train or other dragging garment for someone else

returning a recognizable possession to someone who may have lost it

This is an inexhaustible list as humans have many ways of showing love for each other. If you are writing spec fic with non-human characters, you can play with variations on these by remembering three core values the "lover" has to consider:

physical comfort of others

emotional comfort of others

social reputation of others

I'd add "sensory comfort" though I think it's tied to physical and emotional comfort.

Please do not try and force any of these into the mold of the misogyny-based "Love Language" trend. Human emotions and expressions of love are diverse and endless.

*While hand holding can be construed as romantic, in reality it varies. Some cultures do not see this as romantic, and some individuals only mean it as a sign of support or compassion. Same goes for long embraces and kissing, both can be done platonically and of course naturally between close family members or friends.

---

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[rewrittenwrongs]

Suddenly struck with a vision of Roy helping Tim get his ear pierced… vigilantes with piercings my beloved…

Something something Tim witnesses Roy’s attempted suicide via killer croc something something emotional adoption Tim with a bow

[verstappenverse]

Lost in the Spin

Pairing: Max Verstappen x Reader

Summary: A night of celebration spirals into scandal when compromising photos surface leaving Max trapped in a media storm, battling rumours, and desperately fighting to prove his innocence to the woman he loves.

3.5k words / Masterlist

The hum of engines still echoed in Max’s ears, familiar after years on the track. His adrenaline faded after another win, but today, without you in the paddock, without your smile when he stepped out of the car, it all felt just a little hollow. No number of trophies could quite compare to the warmth of your arms wrapping around him, or the way you’d press a kiss to his sweaty cheek as he grinned ear to ear.

This weekend work had kept you away and the emptiness gnawed at him. The paddock was colder, quieter without your laugh or your teasing smile before the race.

For years, you had been Max's anchor. From the early days when he was still finding his feet in Formula 1, to now, where he was reigning champion, you had always been the one he relied on. You understood him in a way that no one else did, his obsessive drive, his passion for the sport, and his thoughts about what came next.

There were nights when Max would come home from the track, emotionally spent, drained from the pressure and you’d pull him into bed, running your fingers through his hair as he rested his head on your chest, listening to your heartbeat until he fell asleep. You never pushed him to talk, never tried to make him explain the unexplainable weight of his career. You just understood.

And now, without you here, he felt the absence keenly. He’d spent the day texting you between sessions, short conversations where you asked how things were going, and he asked about your day, but nothing felt like the real thing.

Most of the other drivers were still buzzing, and the team celebrations were just getting started. The victory champagne had already been sprayed, and the post-race media obligations were done.

“Mate, come on! We’re heading out,” Lando called from across the room, grinning as he waved his arms to grab Max’s attention. “You’re not skipping out on us are you?”

Max groaned inwardly but forced a smile as he pushed himself up from the couch. He didn’t really want to go. You weren’t here, and that always made everything feel... off. But they were his friends, and he didn’t want to bring the mood down.

“Yeah, yeah, I’m coming,” Max muttered, grabbing his jacket. Maybe if he went out for a couple of drinks he could slip out and go back to his hotel early. Maybe then he’d call you, see if you were still awake, and you could talk until you both fell asleep.

The night stretched on longer than Max had anticipated. The first couple of drinks went down easily, and before he knew it he was a few rounds deep.

“Max, man, you’ve gotta lighten up!” One of his engineers grinned, slinging an arm around him. “You won! Let loose!”

Max chuckled, though it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Yeah, I know. I just... I miss her, you know?”

He gave him a sympathetic look, nodding. “I get it, mate. It’s hard when they’re not here. But hey, she’ll be proud when she sees you killed it today. She always is.”

“Yeah,” Max mumbled, taking another long sip of his drink.

The drinks kept coming, and Max’s thoughts became more and more scattered. The music was loud, the energy electric, he found himself pulled into random conversations, drinking more, and being swept up in the atmosphere. He briefly wondered what you were doing right now, probably getting ready for bed back home, maybe thinking about him, maybe—

“Hey, let’s take a photo!” someone shouted, interrupting his thoughts. Before Max could protest, a group gathered around him, pulling him in. He barely registered what was happening, his mind a swirling mix of booze and thoughts of you.

The next morning hit Max like a sledgehammer. His head pounded, his mouth dry as sandpaper. Groaning, he rolled over in bed squinting at the bright light filtering through the curtains of his hotel room. He fumbled for his phone on the nightstand, eyes still half-closed.

He had missed calls. Several, in fact. And dozens of unread texts.

The first thing he noticed was that they were almost all from you.

His stomach sank.

He immediately sat up, the haze of last night still fogging his memory. He scrolled through his notifications seeing message after message from you, at first they were light-hearted, asking how his night was going, but then as the hours went on they grew increasingly concerned and then... angry. He hadn’t even heard his phone go off last night. But why would you—?

And then he saw it. The photos.

There he was, in a series of several blurry, cropped photos, originally part of larger group shots that had been edited to focus solely on him and a girl he didn’t even recognise. His arm slung around her, though the angle of the photo made it seem much more intimate than it truly was. She was leaning into him, and in one of the images it appeared as though she was whispering in his ear—his grinning face too close to hers, the proximity creating an illusion of something more. In another her hand rested on his chest, her fingers brushing the fabric of his shirt, while his face tilted toward hers, their laughter caught mid-gesture.

And then, the worst of the bunch showed them so close that it looked as if their lips were just inches apart. The angle was impossible to decipher, the blur making everything uncertain, leaving the question of whether they were about to kiss or possibly already had.

“Shit,” Max cursed under his breath, running a hand through his disheveled hair.

His mind raced, trying to piece together the events of last night. He barely remembered the girl, didn’t even know her name, but now the entire world had seen them together. And worst of all, you had seen it.

He dialed your number immediately, his heart pounding in his chest. It rang once. Twice. Three times. Then it went to voicemail.

Max swore again, dialing you back right away. He was met with the same result.

“No, no, no... come on, please,” he muttered under his breath, quickly typing out a message.

Max:

Baby please call me. I need to explain. I didn’t do anything I swear. Please talk to me.

He sent it, but the ticks didn’t appear. You didn’t read it.

Frustration bubbled up in his chest, mixing with panic. He tried calling you again. Still nothing.

“Fuck, come on,” Max muttered, pacing the room as he tried again.

Straight to voicemail.

Max was worrying now, the events of the night before replaying in fragments in his mind. He hadn’t cheated. He was sure of it. He would never ever do that to you. But the photos... the way they looked. He couldn’t deny that they looked bad.

He looked to where they’d originally been posted and scrolled through the comments, his stomach turning with each one.

@f1fanatic:

Wow didn’t expect that from Max. Wonder how his girlfriend feels…

@paddockinsider:

This is so disappointing. Max always seemed so loyal. Looks like he couldn’t keep it together for one night.

@grandprixgossip:

Cheating rumors about Max Verstappen? Yikes, thought he was better than that.

The speculation was everywhere, spreading like wildfire. People were jumping to conclusions, dissecting every detail in the photos, claiming to know the truth about what had happened. It didn’t matter that Max knew nothing had happened—perception was everything, and it looked bad. Really bad.

Max's phone buzzed as he scrolled through another post, this one even worse. The headline screamed:

"MAX VERSTAPPEN CAUGHT CHEATING? EXCLUSIVE PHOTOS SHOW FLIRTING WITH MYSTERY WOMAN"

He felt sick.

More comments flooded in, each one more damning than the last.

@motorsportchatter:

Can’t believe Max would do this. Poor girl she doesn’t deserve that.

@f1drivergirls:

They were all over each other last night. Disgusting.

@paddockqueen:

I always thought there was something off about him. Fame’s clearly gone to his head.

Max’s head spun as he read the comments. It was like watching his entire reputation unravel in real time. Fans, media outlets, even people who barely knew anything about him were chiming in with their opinions, their judgments, their assumptions.

@F1Insider:

BREAKING: Max Verstappen seen partying with a mystery woman after race win.

He scrolled through more comments, his hands shaking. The social media storm was relentless. More media outlets were picking up the story, running with it, blowing the situation out of proportion.

@racingnews24:

Max Verstappen's off-track antics are making headlines today. Are the rumors true? Is he the latest F1 driver caught in a cheating scandal?

@f1gossip:

It's always the quiet ones. She’s better off with someone else.

@formulastyles:

Another guy who can’t keep it in his pants. Max seriously? Thought you were different.

Max’s breathing quickened, his chest tightening as he scrolled faster. He’d never cared much about social media. To him, it was just noise—a distraction from the things that really mattered. But right now that noise was deafening, and there was no way to escape it.

He clicked on one of the photos again, staring at the image of himself with the girl. The way her body leaned into his, the way his arm draped casually over her shoulders. The kind of picture that told a story all on its own, regardless of the truth. And in the age of instant judgment, perception was reality.

Max clenched his jaw, his mind racing. He hadn’t even known her. She was just some fan, some random girl who had been part of the celebration, someone he’d barely spoken to. But the photos didn’t care about the truth. They didn’t care that he’d been too drunk to notice how close she was standing, or that he hadn’t been thinking about anyone but you the entire weekend. All they showed was a snapshot—a moment out of context that painted him as the villain.

And now the entire world was running with that narrative.

His phone buzzed again, a new notification lighting up the screen.

@sportscelebgossip:

Max Verstappen seen cozying up to a mystery woman at a bar after his latest race win. Does this spell trouble for his long-term relationship?

Max’s stomach twisted. Cozying up? They made it sound like he’d been on a date, like he’d planned it, like he wanted to be with someone else. It was absurd, infuriating—but most of all, it was terrifying.

Max dropped his phone onto the bed, burying his face in his hands. How had things gotten this bad? He had always been careful, always tried to protect the privacy of your relationship, to keep it out of the public eye as much as possible. He never wanted you to get dragged into the chaos of his life, especially not like this.

He couldn’t stop the comments. He couldn’t erase the photos. And now, he couldn’t reach you.

He wanted to punch something, scream at someone, do anything to make it stop, but nothing would change the fact that you had seen the photos, and you thought he had betrayed you.

Max tossed his phone onto the bed, his frustration boiling over. His heart ached as he thought about what you must be feeling right now. He could picture you scrolling through the photos, reading all the horrible comments people were making online. He knew how it must look to you, like he had broke your trust, like he’d been out celebrating without a care in the world, getting close to someone else.

But that wasn’t what happened. It wasn’t. He had to make you understand. You had to believe him.

He stared at the screen, waiting, hoping to see the dots appear, telling him you were typing back. But nothing came. The dots never showed up.

The hours dragged on, and with each minute that passed, Max felt more and more trapped in his own head. You still weren’t answering his calls or texts. He had sent message after message, each one more desperate than the last, but still you gave him nothing in return.

His team had already started damage control telling him not to say anything publicly yet. “We’ll handle it,” they’d said. But Max didn’t care about the media. He didn’t care what the rest of the world thought of him. All he cared about was you.

His phone buzzed in his hand, and for a split second he thought it was you.

Daniel:

Hey man those photos are all over the place. You good?

Max stared at the message, unsure how to respond. Was he good? No. Not even close.

Max:

No. I’m not good. She won’t talk to me she won’t even answer my calls. I think she believes I cheated.

The response came almost immediately.

Daniel:

She knows you Max, she’s just hurt right now. Give her some time.

Time. That’s all anyone ever said in situations like this. But Max didn’t want to wait. He needed to fix this now.

His phone buzzed again, and his heart jumped when he saw it was you this time, but it wasn’t a call just a single heartbreaking text.

You:

Stop calling. I can’t talk to you right now I’m too upset to even think straight. I never thought you’d put me in this position. Give me some space.

The words hit him like a punch to the gut. Max stared at the screen, reading them over and over again, disbelief clouding his mind.

“No, no, no... fuck…this can’t be happening,” he whispered to himself.

He dialed your number again, it went straight to voicemail this time like you had turned your phone off, or worse blocked his number.

His throat tightened, a sense of helplessness washing over him. For the first time in years Max didn’t know what to do. He didn’t know how to make this right, how to fix the mess he was in.

You sat on the edge of your bed, the same spot where you’d been for hours, your phone clutched in your hand. You wanted to believe Max. You really did. But the photos...they looked so convincing. The way he had held her, the way she leaned into him, it made your stomach churn.

Max had never given you a reason to doubt him before, but seeing those images had stirred up insecurities you didn’t even know you had.

You wanted to talk to him. A part of you needed to hear his voice, to hear him explain what had happened. But you were afraid. Afraid that if you did, if he told you some half-hearted excuse or tried to brush it off, you’d believe him because you loved him too much to let him go.

The worst part was, you knew Max. You knew him better than anyone. And deep down, some part of you didn’t believe he’d cheat on you. Not Max. But doubt had crept in, planting seeds that grew with every hour.

Your phone buzzed again lighting up with another message from him. You glanced at it your heart aching as you saw his name. Part of you wanted to open it, but the pain was still too fresh.

You tossed the phone onto the cushion next to you, pulling your knees up to your chest as tears stung the corners of your eyes. It wasn’t supposed to be like this. You had built something with Max, something solid, something real. And now it felt like it was slipping through your fingers because of one stupid night.

You grabbed your phone back to scroll through the photos again, your stomach twisting with every swipe. The comments were brutal, and while you knew better than to believe everything you read online, the pictures... they weren’t so easy to ignore. The images of Max and that girl were burned into your mind, replaying over and over until you felt physically ill.

You’d trusted him. For years, you had stood by his side, believing in him, loving him through everything. You had always known the kind of world he lived in—the parties, the media attention, the constant pressure to perform both on and off the track. But you had never questioned him. Not once. Until now.

You blinked back tears still scrolling mindlessly through social media, reading the comments from people who didn’t even know you. Strangers who were dissecting your relationship like it was some sort of spectacle, something to be debated and analysed.

@gossipgirls:

I feel so bad for his girlfriend. She seems so sweet, and now this? Max really messed up.

@racingqueen:

Cheating rumors about Max? Saw it coming tbh. Athletes, any of them can’t be trusted.

@formulamak:

I don't know why anyone shocked, let's be real these wags know what they sign up for

@fanofthewheel:

Honestly she should leave him.

Everyone seemed so sure of what had happened, so sure that Max had betrayed you. And as much as you didn’t want to believe it, the photos were right there, clear as day.

You wiped away a tear, feeling the pain of it all settle deep in your chest. You had loved him so fiercely, so completely. You had built your life around him, supported him through the highs and lows of his career, always believing in the man he was off the track. But now, it felt like you didn’t know him at all.

Max spent the entire day spiralling. He couldn’t reach you, couldn’t fix it, couldn’t even explain what had really happened. Every missed call felt like a weight pressing down on his chest, every unanswered text another punch to the gut.

He couldn’t stand the thought of losing you, not like this. But you weren’t answering, and the fear that you might actually believe the worst was starting to consume him.

By the time night fell, Max was a wreck. He sat on the edge of his hotel bed staring at his phone, willing it to light up with your name.

Daniel:

How are you holding up?

Max hesitated for a moment before responding.

Max:

Not great. She still won’t answer my calls. I think she believes it.

Daniel:

Have you tried showing her everything? Like, explain it step by step?

Max clenched his jaw, frustration bubbling to the surface.

Max:

I’ve tried. She probably thinks I’m lying. What if she really leaves?

Daniel:

It won’t come to that. She knows who you really are. It’ll be alright.

Max stared at Daniel’s words, wishing he could believe them. But the fear that you might not forgive him gnawed at his insides.

You had been there through it all—through the wins, the losses, the injuries, the late-night flights, and the endless media scrutiny. You had seen him at his worst and still loved him anyway.

Max swallowed the lump in his throat. He had to fix this. He couldn’t let this be the end of everything.

Later that night as you lay in bed the quiet of your apartment was deafening. Your phone buzzed again, and this time, you couldn’t help it—you reached for it, your heart in your throat.

Another message from Max.

Max:

Please, baby. I need you to listen I need you to believe me. I love you so much I would never, ever do this to you. You’re my world. Please, talk to me.

You stared at the message, the sincerity in his words was unmistakable. You typed a response, your fingers trembling as you hesitated over the words.

You:

Max, I don’t know what to believe right now. Those pictures…

The dots appeared almost immediately, and then his reply came through.

Max:

I know they look bad but I swear to you nothing happened. I didn’t cheat. I didn’t even talk to her for more than a few minutes. I was drunk and I didn’t even realise how close she was. But you have to believe me I would never do that to you. You know me. I love you.

You squeezed your eyes shut, your heart pounding in your chest as you read his words. Part of you wanted to believe him so badly, but the doubt still lingered. Was he using the trust and love you had for him to get away with something? The thought made your stomach churn, but you didn’t believe he would be capable of that.

Your phone buzzed again.

Max:

Please. Just give me a chance to explain. We can talk in person. I can fly to you right now. Just... don’t walk away from this. Don’t walk away from us.

Tears welled in your eyes. You didn’t want to lose him. You didn’t want to throw away everything the two of you had. But you were scared—scared of being hurt, scared of trusting and finding out you were wrong. The thought of more photos or videos coming out, exposing more of what you didn’t want to see terrified you.

Finally you typed back a single word.

You:

Okay.

Max saw your message and felt like he could finally breathe again. It wasn’t everything, but it was something. You were willing to listen, willing to let him explain, and that was all he needed. He quickly typed a response.

Max:

I’ll be there soon. I love you.

[literaryvein-reblogs]

Writing Codependent Characters

Codependency

The state of being mutually reliant (e.g., a relationship between two individuals who are emotionally dependent on one another).

A dysfunctional relationship pattern in which an individual is psychologically dependent on (or controlled by) a person who has a substance use or non-substance-related disorder (e.g., alcohol use disorder, gambling disorder).

Signs of Codependency

Some things found to correlate with codependency include (Marks et al., 2012):

Low self-esteem

Low levels of narcissism

Familial dysfunction

Depression

Anxiety

Stress

Low emotional expressivity

Other signs of codependency (Lancer, 2016; Mental Health America, n.d.):

Having a hard time saying no

Having poor boundaries

Showing emotional reactivity

Feeling compelled to take care of people

Having a need for control, especially over others

Having trouble communicating honestly

Fixating on mistakes

Feeling a need to be liked by everyone

Feeling a need to always be in a relationship

Denying one’s own needs, thoughts, and feelings

Having intimacy issues

Confusing love and pity

Displaying fear of abandonment

Differentiate between a Healthy & a Codependent Relationship

In a healthy relationship, both individuals have a sense of autonomy and independence. Both are able to maintain their own identities while still being connected to their partner.

While in a codependent relationship, one person may sacrifice their own needs and wants in order to please their partner, or they may become overly enmeshed and lose a sense of self.

Additionally, in a codependent relationship, there is often an imbalance of power, with one person being overly controlling or dominant.

Overcoming Codependency

Research has been conducted into group, individual, and family therapy modalities for overcoming codependency, with one systematic review showing a significant reduction in symptoms when long-term post-intervention follow-ups were conducted (Abadi et al., 2015).

The main emphasis of these various treatment modalities is on altering how the codependent person views themselves and their relationships.

This can involve interventions with various (or numerous) goals:

Building Self-Esteem. Low self-esteem is a well-established symptom of codependency (Cermak, 1986; Whitfield, 1991). Building the codependent person’s self-esteem is a main focus of many counseling interventions, with evidence supporting their efficacy (Abadi et al., 2015).

Improving Boundary Setting. Weak or unclear boundaries are another reason codependent people are often willing to compromise their personal needs and happiness to satisfy a partner. Interventions aimed at building self-awareness, self-expression, and communication skills can help an individual’s ability to set and enforce healthy boundaries (Abadi et al., 2015).

Encouraging Self Care. Boundary-setting is just one form of self-care. People with codependent tendencies can also benefit from learning to prioritize their self-care, needs, and happiness before taking care of others (Beattie, 2008).

Originally, “the term ‘codependent’ described persons living with, or in a relationship with an addicted person” (Lampis et al., 2017).

A psychological construct involving an unhealthy relationship that people might share with those closest to them.

It was originally thought to involve families of substance abuse but has since grown to include other types of dysfunctional relationships.

Modern understandings of codependency: “a specific relationship addiction characterized by preoccupation and extreme dependence—emotional, social and sometimes physical—on another person” (Lampis et al., 2017).

The concept of codependency does still apply to families with substance abuse issues but is also used to refer to other situations too.

The main consequence of codependency is that “[c]odependents, busy taking care of others, forget to take care of themselves, resulting in a disturbance of identity development” (Knudson & Terrell, 2012).

To sum up, codependency is a psychological concept that refers to people who feel extreme amounts of dependence on certain loved ones in their lives, and feel responsible for the feelings and actions of those loved ones.

Codependency is not recognized as a distinct personality disorder by the DSM-5.

That said, research shows that while codependency does overlap with other personality disorders, it appears to constitute a distinct psychological construct. The best way to learn about codependency is to review some signs of codependency (examples above).

Sources: 1 2 ⚜ More: Notes & References ⚜ Writing Resources PDFs

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mars and relationship conflicts ♂

mars represents your drive, the way you assert yourself, your ambition and primal energy. mars in relationship analysis' indicate how you assert yourself interpersonally, how you navigate emotional conflicts and your level of emotional intelligence.

here's a breakdown of my opinion on how each mars sign handles conflicts in interpersonal relationships, jerk reactions to problems, and how they resolve interpersonal issues.

一

♂ mars in libra 一

emotional intelligence rating: 7/10

the mediator. compromise is your best friend and worst enemy in relationships. you avoid making firm stances initially. when your partner makes a one-sided decision, you mitigate tension by calmly explaining your frustration and proposing a more balanced decision-making taking into consideration both parties needs and wants. diplomatic and assertive at your best, passive aggressive and conflict-avoidant at your worst.

一

♂ mars in scorpio 一

emotional intelligence rating: 8/10

you handle conflict with calculated precision, often seeking control and capitalizing on any power dynamics or heirarchies, sometimes creating them as you see fit. your knee-jerk reaction to feeling slighted in conflict is to internalize anger or retaliate underhandedly or even at a later date. you resolve issues through deep emotional transformation and eventual confrontation when you are ready and in control of yourself. intuitive and methodical at your best, vengeful and controlling at your worst.

一

♂ mars in sagittarius 一

emotional intelligence rating: 3/10

you approach conflict with a blunt honesty and a desire for independence (especially from the truth). you are more reactive and impulsive than other signs but it's because direct conflict is restrictive to how you assert yourself. you resolve your issues through gaining understanding of complex situations by sitting down with your partner or friend and exchanging perspectives. you have an adaptable mind and your pursuit for freedom in turn makes for someone who easily escapes any mental prisons or lingering resentment from conflicts. understanding and philosophical at your best, flighty and rude at your worst.

一

♂ mars in capricorn 一

emotional intelligence rating: 7/10

the master strategist. much like mars in scorpio, you prefer to stay in control and on top of situations and conflicts in your relationship. you are extremely level-headed and it takes a lot to get you out of character. when faced with conflict you are composed, as you understand that it is important to still approach situations with others with respect and order. you resolve issues in relationships by applying practical solutions and playing the long-game, like doubling down on your values and outworking your partners and friends. collected and strategic at your best, calculated and cunning at your worst.

一

♂ mars in aquarius 一

emotional intelligence rating : 7/10

in conflict, your initial reaction is to distance yourself emotionally and do your own thing. while you do not outwardly display your emotions, the logical solution for any conflict you face with people is to not show your sensitive side, thus rebelling from the norm. when you regain mental clarity, you come back with solid solutions in your ideas and focus on the big picture and positive changes in your interpersonal goals. much like mars in libra, you are an advocate for the needs of everyone you care about as a whole. innovative and pragmatic at your best, detached and unreachable at your worst.

一

♂ mars in pisces 一

emotional intelligence rating: 9/10

notoriously escapist, you retreat into your own world at the first sign of conflict as a means of preservation of your inner homeostasis. outwardly emotional and sensitive, you can have strong outbursts when angry or completely stamp out your needs. you resolve your interpersonal conflicts through using your strong intuition to read the room and find a solution that puts everyone at ease. much like libra, you value peace and being non-confrontational, often to your own detriment. emotionally intelligent and compassionate at your best, escapist and erratic at your worst.

一

♂ mars in aries:

emotional intelligence rating: 4/10

much like mars in sagittarius, your jerk reaction is to take charge in conflictual situations, and sometimes by brute force. you are not scared to exercise any power or authority you have in interpersonal relationships with the intent of neutralizing any inefficiencies. this can mean getting into fights, verbal and even physical. you can be hot headed but move on just as fast. you navigate conflicts through being direct about matters and not shying away from hard truths. assertive and forgiving at your best, hot-headed and combative at your worst.

一

♂ mars in taurus

emotional intelligence rating: 2/10

much like mars in capricorn, you are not easily upset by others as you are stubborn in nature. your initial reaction in conflict is to grit your teeth and stay put in your stance on matters at hand. you make for someone who is actually grounded in your approach to issues but at times difficult to talk to as you are rigid to the influence of others. conflict resolution for you looks like being firm about structure and adherence to rules and order for the benefit of all parties involved. reliable and calm at your best, stubborn and intolerant at your worst.

一

♂ mars in gemini

emotional intelligence rating: 3/10

sharp-shooter with your words, your jerk reaction to conflict is to debate, argue, slander and criticize, much like mars in virgo. on the other hand, you resolve interpersonal conflicts through encouraging conversations and mental adaptability of logical problem solving (what are we doing that isn't working?). conversational and flexible at your best, argumentative and slanderous at your worst.

一

♂ mars in cancer

emotional intelligence rating: 8/10

the nurturer, you are extremely emotionally intelligent, to the benefit of yourself and your friends and partners. while you are not afraid to show your pincers in conflict and can actually be quite mean, you know exactly how to appease the people around you. whether it be having a heart-to-heart or comforting others, you always seek to understand how people feel thus becoming a safe space in conflicts. people feel safe voicing concerns to you as your end goal is equilibrium of everyone's feelings. comforting and emotionally intelligent at your best, mean and abrasive at your worst.

一

♂ mars in leo

emotional intelligence rating: 6/10

notoriously proud, you are not conflict-avoidant but you do not appreciate any public interactions that are dishonorable to how you treat others. your jerk reaction in conflict is to fight back, especially when you feel disrespected, overlooked, or slighted. much like mars in aries, you need to time to cool off but unlike mars in aries, you do not forget how you were treated. you observe and listen as to not exacerbate issues while planning a mutually respectful conversation later to restore dignity of both parties. compromising and validating at your best, dramatic and prideful at your worst.

一

♂mars in virgo:

emotional intelligence rating: 4/10

the problem-solver in relationships. you approach conflict by finding practical solutions that meet the needs of all parties involved. you might be quick to criticize or nitpick, but you resolve issues through careful planning, attention to detail, logic, and precise communication of feelings. when you notice your partner is always late, you might suggest setting dates at more convenient times for both of you. adaptable and thoughtful at your best, critical and mean at your worst.

一

thank you for reading 💋

@astrobaeza

(signed - a pisces mars)

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