#they’ll have their ups and downs but they’ll always prevail

[kirrba]

Lumity 4ever

[dira333]

The Cat and the Human - Kenma Kozume x Reader

I will never willingly admit that Kenma's my favorite even though everyone knows I really really really really really really really really really love him... So.... have this fun piece instead. Also, @notsochillnerd this is kind of an excerpt of "Young Love" that I came up with today. Have fun with it knowing what you do.

“The story goes like this:  The most wanted woman in town has announced that she’ll only marry the one who can open her front door with the key around her cat’s neck. Many men try to hunt the cat down, chase and trap it, but to no avail, the cat is simply too quick, smart and clever, and always finds a way to evade and avoid them.

You are the first one to figure out the obvious: Do not chase the cat. The cat is befriendable. Get the cat to trust you, to genuinely enjoy your company, and you can hang out with the cat. You may eventually be allowed to touch the cat. The cat will freely let you take the key. 

Plot twist: The woman is a shapeshifter. She is the cat.”

“Why are you telling me this?” Kenma asks, engrossed in his hand-held game. He’s taken his perch in the comfy chair next to the Couch you’re lying on, his seating position weird enough to give everyone back cramps but him.

“I thought it was obvious,” you say, pick up your book again, and continue reading.

It’s a good book, really. One you’ve been trying to finish for weeks now.

It’s just a little hard to focus when Kenma’s sitting there, perfectly disheveled hair falling into his eyes, the gold in his hair glinting in the sunlight.

But you prevail, your eyes returning to the page.

And it gets easier, a little bit at least, to get sucked into the narrative.

Only to be pulled out of it quite harshly.

“Want to cuddle?” Kenma asks, pointy knees digging into your side as he climbs onto you without waiting for an answer.

“Do I have a choice?” 

“No.”

-

Kenma is like a cat.

It’s a common inside joke by now, one that’s already a little grey around the edges, but he keeps it alive with all his adorable quirks.

Kenma hates water - do not take him swimming - and he’s usually more active during the night. He can sleep for hours on end, his body seemingly consisting of nothing but liquid, curled into the oddest shapes.

More than once you checked his pulse because you thought he fell down the stairs and died only to find out he just couldn’t be bothered to make it to bed before snoozing off.

Those things are all old news though, commented on time and time again by his friends. 

You wonder how many of them know just how cat-like he reacts to attention.

-

It’s the way he shies away from the spotlight, hides whenever someone’s trying to get him to do something - even things he would have ordinarily liked doing - only to come out just when no one’s paying him any attention anymore.

Maybe it’s because you’ve always had a thing for cats.

You like the differences in their characters, how they can force you to abide to their consent. If a cat doesn’t want you to pet them, they’ll just bite you.

Still, you can’t help but think sometimes that Kenma chose you first.

-

“Hey,” you look up from your Laptop to see him standing in the doorway of your room, hair tied up in a messy bun and the hem of his hoodie going almost past his knees - it must be one of Kuroo’s then.

“Hey.”

“What are you doing?”

“Creating a training regime for the team, why?”

“Can I stay with you? I’ve got some free time and I’m kinda bored.”

“Sure,” you nod, turn back to your screen to let him figure out where he wants to sit. So far that’s always been the best way to go about this, and you’re not that surprised when his knees soon dig into your back as he climbs into the tiny space between your back and the backrest of your chair.

“Comfy?” You ask as his head sinks heavy onto your shoulder.

“Yeah.”

“Good.”

Time passes slowly. You move as slowly as you can, trying not to upset his balance, your heart sloshing in your chest to the rhythm of his heartbeat.

Maybe it’s because you’ve always had a thing for cats.

Maybe you’ve just always been dreaming about him. 

“Do you mind spending time with me?” His voice comes out a bit muffled, but the words are clear.

“Never.”

“Why?”

“I like sending time with you.”

“How much?”

You accidentally click a wrong button and the big flashing sign asking if you really want to delete the document is screaming the truth in your face.

Kenma’s breathe ghosts ove your neck and you know, you just know, that he’s seen it all. Nothing ever goes unnoticed by him, not even your own feelings.

“A lot.”

“More than Kuroo.”

“Hm.”

“More than Akaashi?”

“Akaashi’s my cousin.”

“Still.”

You sigh. 

“Don’t tell him,” you ask, “but yeah.”

Kenma’s quiet for a while.

“More than Bokuto?” He finally asks, his voice tiny now.

“Yeah.” Your voice is barely more than a sigh, an admission of things you’ve probably always known, but never dared to be real.

And maybe you’re imagining it - though you doubt it, with how hotwired your senses are right now - but it almost feels like Kenma’s lips are moving against the back of your neck, pressing the tiniest of kisses against warm skin.

Some cats are vocal. Others show their love in a different way.

-

“How’d you get him to agree?” Hinata asks, breathless with excitement.

People stop and stare. Even without the flaming orange hair he’s breathtaking, his smile a second sun.

You’ve long grown immune to it, looking for a different sunshine in the crowd.

“That’s a secret,” you tell him off, messing up his hair like the big sister/Senpai you are to him. “Not telling.”

“I’ll just ask Kuroo for it.”

“Good luck, he wants to know too,” you pull back when you spot him, knowing full well that next to him-

“Hey,” you can barely hide the smile that’s always overtaking you at his sight.

“Hey,” Kenma sounds way less enthused, shuffling into your side. If you’d try to read his mind he’d probably be thinking “Too hot, too loud, too many people” in cycles, so you take his hand and squeeze it, a little surprised when he squeezes back.

“You owe me for this,” he reminds you before he has to leave again, playing as a setter for Hinata’s team in a charity Beach-Volleyball event.

And you do.

-

“Thank you,” you mutter into his sunkissed skin later that day, his body stretched out alongside yours, too tired to move, too tired to care, too tired to do anything other than press into you.

“We didn’t even win,” he grumbles back, never too tired to point out the obvious.

“Still,” you curl a lock of his hair around your finger, press a kiss against the underside of his chin, “I like watching you.”

“Stalker.”

“Don’t pretend you didn’t pose for me,” you tease him, giggling when he squirms.

-

Kenma’s like a cat.

It’s the quiet affections that please him and the lack of attention that spurs him on.

If anyone would ask you if you feel guilty for using that against him, you’d have to say no.

After all, he knows your weaknesses just as well. And he’s not afraid of using them against you too.

[naomis-daydream]

on the throne // shuri udaku

summary: just read tbh….ok fine i’ll explain😒. being queen comes with a load of royal responsibilities; from border patrol, to technological advancements, and everything in between. though wakanda’s ruler realizes there’s a special someone she’s been neglecting. shuri’s come up short, and her wife’s coming to collect what’s hers.

warnings: pregnant!wife!reader. descriptions of pregnancy (obvs), teeny weeny bit of oral (shuri receiving). barely proofread.

a/n: this is the product of baby fever and ovulation😜 also this is a draft from forever ago, it kinda sucks so im dropping it under the cloak of night🥷🏽.

there were many things shuri loved about your body.

your hands, for instance. they always offered her a soothing rub or relaxing touch whenever she became stressed or overwhelmed with the weight of the crown. or something soft to hold as you spent evenings watching the wakandan sunset from the palace garden.

then there were your arms. shuri found that she only slept peacefully when yours were wrapped tightly around her middle. and if the royal ever woke to realize you rolled away, she’d assure she wiggled her way back into your grasp.

and bast your thighs. if the queen could spend the rest of her days between them, the soft, plush cushions, there’d be absolutely no resistance from the panther.

now it was worse, and it was all your fault. it was one of the many nights the queen spent inside you. somewhere between when she slowly pushed into you and when she brought you nearing your third high of the night, you had joked about her getting you pregnant. something about her having the genius and the looks to make a great gene pool. “fill me up, my queen,” you uttered, “give it to me. i want all of you.” you we’re fucking tantalizing.

it didn’t help that she had the science to make what originated as a lustful thought a reality.

now, seven months later, everything she loved about you only grew as your body changed. your natural curves only hypnotized her more as your hips widened and breasts swelled.

shuri also couldn’t help but smile when you wobbled cutely around your shared home due to the swell of your ankles, and while you refused to be helped with an act as simple as walking, you would feign resistance to shuri’s pleads to ease your pain before caving to let her massage your aching joints.

but the absolute worst part was the hormones. the cravings that made shuri tip-toe into the kitchen for you well after midnight, the hot flashes that would cause you to walk practically bare around the palace, and your sex drive, yours nearly matched that of her’s when she took the herb. though, only two of those things seemed to be prevailing today, where the only thing separating you from her was the thinnest dresses. it wasn’t unusual for you to forgo a bra this late into your pregnancy, but it seemed you’d forgotten any undergarments at all today as you sat on the lap of the queen, grinding helplessly into her thigh.

“yiza, mntwana,” you purred. come on, baby. “let me touch you.”

your wife squirmed from her place on the throne, hands on your hips as she guided you. you trailed your lips down her jaw to land on her pulse point before sucking intently.

while you were preoccupied, the woman took the chance to glance at the clock in the room, hissing slightly when noticing the time and when you sunk your teeth into her flesh. you were going to ruin her, she knew that much. the sad part is, she was gonna let you.

“the elders,” she whined, finding words rather hard when you moaned against her. “our meeting, they’ll be here in minutes!”

you pause your movements to lean up to her ear, whispering, “fuck the meeting.”

shuri threw her head back, sinking further into the the chair and further into the trap you set in motion the minute you walked into the room.

you always started by entering with a sweet smile, followed by asking her how her day was or what project she was working on. then you’d begin rubbing her shoulders, kissing her neck while muttering sweet nothings and telling her she worked too hard. “let me take care of you,” you’d say, “you deserve to feel good, don’t you wanna feel good?” and soon shuri would end up on her back, eyes wide shut as her legs were thrown over your shoulders and your fingers snug between her walls.

this time was different though. it had to be. the council meeting was nearing by the minute, and you showed no signs of waving the white flag.

“entle,” she began, licking her lips as she spoke. “i-i really think we should wait.” you continued to kiss her, attaching your lips to whatever skin you could reach as shuri continues. “once it’s over we can do whatever you want, my love.” her hands run over the curve of your ass, squeezing gently.

you pulled away from her, hands still cupping her cheeks. “i wanna do whatever i want now.”

“i know. i promise i-i’ll make it up to you.” she says, tilting her head up to look at you before placing a soft kiss to your lips. it’s sweet, the taste of her, and as much as you wanted more, she pulls away. “you better,” you scolded, “you’re the one who did this to me anyway.” you nod your head down to your stomach, stretching against the fabric of your maxi dress. the hormones had been driving you insane. and it didn’t help that shuri spent so much time away with all her new duties. this left you to take care of your own needs more often than you’d like to admit. you needed her. to feel her. while it might seem like you were caving, her majesty should’ve known better than too assume her wife would back down so easily.

your words bring a smile to shuri’s lips, a laugh escaping her as you sigh while you rise off of her, giving her a full view of your bump as you do so.

“whatever you want, mama.”

you hum a lazy response as your queen visibly relaxes, no longer antsy with your aroused antics. though she wasn’t in the clear just yet, you came here for a reason, and wouldn’t leave unfulfilled.

a simple idea sprouts in your head, and soon, a mischievous smile dances across your features as you reach back to unclasp your necklace. shuri raises a brow in question, but remains silent as you both watch the dainty jewelry slide down your chest and onto the floor, right between her feet.

“oops.”

the royal shakes her head, already having a clue of where this was headed. but you’re already sinking to your knees, eyes never leaving hers.

you rub your palms along the fabric of her black dress, reaching just below her knees. you play with the hem, eyeing the fickle fabric before tracing your fingertips higher. and higher. and high-

“thandiwe.” she warned.

beloved. how wholesome a name in contrast to your actions upon her. you peered up at her, batting your lashes at her. “yes, my queen?”

“we have ten minutes before our meeting-”

“i’ve made you come in less,” you continue, hooking your fingers around her underwear.

shuri wanted to protest, she really did, and she tried to. she mutters tiny objections at first, and you almost believe them, but the way she lifted her hips to help you remove her underwear, the way she whined when you tugged her to the throne’s edge, and the way she threw her head back with the first stripe you licked up her center told you all you needed to know. let’s face it, she knew she was done for the minute you walked in the room.

you begin to place gentle kisses to her clit, giving her a little stimulation, but not quite enough for her liking. shuri shudders above you, legs shaking gently. she began to realize just how long it’d been since the two of you had sex.

“still want me to stop?” you asked, tongue twirling around her entrance, to which she moaned in response. a light chuckle escapes your lips. “i’ll take that as a no.”

[crazy-ache]

Chapter 10 Update

Summary: One moment. All it takes is one singular moment to change the trajectory of fate. Following the events of Hybern, everything changes when Lucien instinctively grabs his mate—Elain Archeron—and brings her back to the Spring Court with Feyre and Tamlin.

In the midst of war and ruin, Elain and Lucien will have to face the bond that connects them together if they hope to survive the unintended consequences. To do so, they’ll have to prevail through games of deceit, powerful forces of magic, and deadly enemies. And hope their hearts survive the journey.

A retelling of A Court of Wings and Ruin (ACOWAR) and a Canon Divergent AU.

Notes: Chapter 10 Update - Swords (Lucien’s POV). Weekly updates.

Start on AO3 | Read Chapter 10

Lucien didn’t understand it. His relationship with Elain—if he could even call it that much—had moments that felt incredible with the capacity to make his heart soar, but it was always at the last moment that everything would slip between his fingers. The height of his emotions for her would suddenly crash to the very bottom. It was up and down, it was cold and hot, and it was exhilarating and torturous.

Tag List: @zenkindoflove, @bonecarversbestie, @little-fierling, @teddyhoneybear, @the-darkestminds, @yaralulu, @ataraxiasflame, @slipmerfoot, @areyoudreaminof, @comeonladiesitstime2yearn, @goghwilde, @positivelyruined, @sad-scarred-sassy, @works-of-heart, @sonics-atelier, @mr-agent-mulder, @shadowqueenjude, @christeareads, @emmers-bens123

[mxmarsbars]

impulse is no stranger to begging.

pathetic as it is, he’s found himself begging far too many times throughout the many seasons of the life series. every game, without fail, he’s had to scream and cry and beg for things no person should have to beg for.

he’s begged for his life. he’s sobbed and ached and pleaded for peace and pause and patience, for violence to cease and for reason to prevail. he’s cried far too many tears and screamed far too many pleas just for the right to exist, to be heard and seen and cared about.

he’s begged for death. to be put out of his misery, to have it all be over and done with, to take the coward’s way out. he’s tried to convince people to just do it, kill him, take his time, his hearts, his life. it doesn’t matter if he’ll come back afterwards, if it’s his first life or his last. he’s broken down and fallen to his knees, he’s taunted others and egged them on. he’s wanted release, and he’s gotten it. he knows it’ll happen again, whether he asks for it or not. that’s just how death works.

he’s begged for love. to have somebody look at him and see something beautiful, something special, something worth loving back. he’s done the stupidest things to ensure his relationships, things no rational person would find normal and okay. but these games have proven that sometimes impulse isn’t the most sane. sometimes he’s willing to play into other peoples’ sick needs, so long as it means they’ll stay, that they’ll love him. he can spare a clock and swallow the disgust that comes with hearing each agonizing tick.

he’s begged for closure. for apologies, for sympathy, for just some semblance of regret or remorse, maybe even guilt. he’s tried being patient and understanding. he’s tried so, so hard. but there’s only so much dismissal and immaturity and outright victim blaming he can take before it’s just too much. before murder and vengeance and ugly, disgusting things sound much more appealing than making amends. he’s put up with so much, taken so much shit and dealt with so much absurdity and abuse. he’s long since earned some revenge.

he’s begged for second chances. impulse isn’t perfect, not at all, but he can’t even begin to stomach the thought of being like the people who’ve hurt him. impulse isn’t a monster, and he has to prove that. anything he can do to better himself, he’ll do it. he’d work himself to death if it meant clearing his name, clearing the heads of the people he’s hurt, giving them the closure he himself fought so hard to get. he refuses to go down a villain. that’s not who he is, he swears.

he’s begged for peace. even when arrows are flying and blood is shedding, he still finds it in himself to try and put an end to the violence. impulse isn’t a fighter, not in any way that counts in games like these. at his core, impulse is made of love, love that he wants to give and share. and so he begs for the chance to love instead of hate, to talk instead of fight, for peace instead of everything else the life series stands for. it’s a futile effort. he begs anyways.

he’s begged to win. impulse, at his core, is also competitive. he’s gotten so close so many times, had the crown just out of reach, ripped away from him. it’s like some sick joke, like the universe finds pleasure in seeing him crumble and shatter, having everything taken from him. he’s tired of being a stepping stone, tired of being a means to an end. always an angel, never a god. impulse wants to be god. he prays he will one day.

he’s begged to be a person. he’s begged for basic human decency. he’s begged for things nobody should ever have to even ask for. no person should have to plead to be seen as human, as someone worthy of love and care. he deserves patience and compassion and gentle hands to hold him when he falls apart. he deserves the same care he gives others. he deserves to be happy.

impulse can’t help but feel dumb, asking for such stupid things. he feels like an idiot for crying over the injustices he’s faced and the times he’s been denied, when his pleading has been refused or ignored.

he knows it’s annoying, repetitive, pathetic. but he won’t stop. it’s the fault of his affirmation, his blessing and his curse: his persistence. impulse won’t stop until his prayers are answered, until he gets what he wants.

impulse doesn’t want to beg anymore.

please, please, please. let him get what he wants.

[shesadollette]

❝ Remember Me Within My Most Memorable Shade ❞

꒰ ⨾ ꒱ Total word count: 1,579

᪥⚘ Taglist: @linsyfelisyya, @raiha-storm65557

includes a pairing involving a touch-starved and vocally expressive hurting hero x a not-so vocally expressive villain whose love language is physical touch and acts of service. let’s see how this plays out.

“…So yes, in short, that is why I believe everyone is alone by the end of the day. No matter what. Nothing changes the fact that where they go or when, they’ll always wake up, sleep, breathe, and go about their daily lives in the body they live in.

“Others are merely passersby who have a choice to stay for as long as they’d like to. But in the end, someone may be buried together with their lover, but who knows whether or not they’ll walk together in the path of the afterlife.”

The villain merely eyed their colleague, falling speechless after the statement.

Both were in the so-called hero’s childhood bedroom. The old night light illuminated the room in its warm amber glow with shadows of stars scattered along the walls. Villain stood near the foot of the short bed while their dearest colleague sank on the small chair in front of the vanity, admiring themself in the mirror.

“I never knew that you view your people that way…” the figure standing murmured quietly that hero barely heard it. The hero was merely a civilian aiding their city folks and earning brownie points for their people to label them as one.

They glanced up to search for the villain’s eyes, who in the eyes of hero's followers possessed a thoroughly different ideology, earning them the title of one.

“Not just my followers, anyone who I work with closely too. You learn a thing or two after being the ‘hero’ of this shithole. I never wish to be too attached to anyone—it’s far too fatal. I’d lose sight of who I am and… what if I become dependable? What if the person I’m attached to dies? What if I experience a deep connection with them which doesn’t have to necessarily be called ‘love’? What do I do then?”

Oh.

Painful seconds of silence grew to a minute.

“What’s the point of being able to save everybody when you can’t even save yourself by the end of the day? Is that really the true meaning of being a ‘hero’? Is this what all ‘heroes’ are supposed to feel? Why do they even see me as a ‘hero’ when all I’ll ever be is just an ordinary civilian doing heroic things? I’m not special at all! Why do they even see me as ‘special’?”

“I…” the figure began stepping forward, shadowy imprints of stars moved across their body and face, the warm afterglow casting attractive shadows on the dimensions of their face.

When their colleague’s back was within their reach, they gingerly laid their palm on the small of their back. Villain stilled for a few seconds to check for any signs of resistance before splaying out their hand and caressing their back gently, making short and gradual rubbing motions.

“You and I, we’ve known each other for quite the longest time. We’d meet undercover downtown at the bar. We’d even share our secrets that we’d only whisper to the stars above. Trust me when I say that I do not know you that deeply yet, because if I did, I’d have known way sooner that you feel this way about yourself and others around you.”

“I don’t think it’s because you do not know me well. We may have different ideologies but we’re still depending on one another as you’ve mentioned, I just… have the tendency to bury my pain and my suffering better than how others know it. Besides, if I have to sacrifice everything for the sake of this godforsaken town from any other prevailing evil, my wellbeing would come second.”

Their hand brushed up along the spine and laid their palm on their partner’s exposed shoulder, stroking and massaging the tense flesh with a thumb as the hero’s breathing gradually slowed down even more in an attempt to provide comfort since their darling villain is by no means good with words.

“You seem to like being caressed like this, should I do this more? That is, if you’re fine with it.”

“I have nothing against it. Go ahead, you may handle me however you’d like. I trust you anyway.”

“Are you…?”

“Yes, I trust you. I am touch-starved. Unbelievably touch-starved. I don’t see the point in hiding it anyway when it’s too obvious and eating me from the inside. It hurts, I’m hurting. I am in pain, I am lonely. And somehow, embracing the fact that I’m in pain and confessing it to you makes it hurt less.”

Villain gripped their palms on the back of the chair and rotated it, an audible squeak on the varnish. They knelt down in front of their beloved, palms on the warmth of their knees, fingers stroking ever so gently on the skin underneath blinking gradually at them. “I am by no means good with words. Ever since I was a kid, I’ve never been vocally expressive, much less now that I’m grown. But, my body language is vocal enough to let others know that I can empathize with them. I hope that through my actions you’d still be able to feel comforted.”

“Tell me frankly, am I a burden? Have I always been a burden to you? Am I too cumbersome to handle? Sometimes I wish I was never born because I feel like I’m asking for too much affection. Sometimes I feel like I’m so pathetic because I’m needy and clingy. Why do I feel like I want affection more compared to an average amount a baby needs? Do you hate me for being like this? I’m sorry, I understand completely if you do.”

“Who… who told you that?”

“Told me what?”

“Everything that you’ve said previously, who is ever so cruel to bash someone for needing affection?”

“I… nobody. Nobody ever did. It’s just… me, I guess. It’s my intrusive thoughts taking over again. Nobody has ever assured me that it’s okay. That's why I thought that it was the wrong thing for me to want. Matter of fact, they never really encouraged me to seek affection, they always say ‘grow up, crying doesn’t solve anything, you’ve got to be strong and… and…’” Hero inhaled quickly through their open mouth, fists hardening on their thighs, “What if I’m tired of putting up a front? I thought we all exist to connect and provide instead of fighting on our own and against ourselves.”

Villain gathered the hero's trembling hands, stroking the back affectionately. “Everytime I look at you, I always see the kindest and the most beautiful soul to have ever shone a light upon my life. I’ve never doubted the fact that you are always honest about your feelings, you’ve always been kind, and I’m relieved that you still are. Please do not resent me for this but… I’m… thankful. Grateful that you are still alive, breathing.

“Be kind to yourself, that’s the bare minimum you could do, treat yourself like how you’d treat your own child when he or she is sick, there is absolutely no need to feel guilty. Guilt should only be for those who have done the wrong thing, but you are currently hurting, and that is not wrong at all. Please, what can I do for you?” Hero was entirely soundless as the only sound in the room was from the ticking of the clock.

“Wait, I know, both of us know that I’m not always gonna be there.” Villain glanced around, “Do you have a marker here somewhere?”

A limp hand pointed to the old study desk beside the vanity where some big books, binders, and a pencil case filled the space.

Villain walked toward the pile and gave a questioning glance toward their colleague, to which a nod was given in permission.

After a while, they returned with a colored marker and as they bent on one knee, they unclasped the tubular cap with a hollow pop and took Hero’s hand. “Do you see this color?” they spoke softly, drawing on the back of Hero’s hand. “This is my favorite color actually. What I want you to do is I want you to always find things associated with this color. It could be any shade so long as it falls under the category of this color, do you understand?”

“Why… how does it help?”

“I believe strongly that when you try remembering someone, you need other factors to help stimulate the brain to be able to paint a better picture of that person. For example if you walk in a bakery and you spot your significant other’s favorite cake, you’d automatically start thinking about them, no?”

“Now that I think about it… I think you may be right.”

Villain smiled affectionately, “Can I get a hug?”

Hero knew that they were gambling in a game of danger. Before their eyes the very tiger that would strip them to the barest skeleton of a prey and yet… they spread their arms wide and Villain threw themself in that welcoming embrace, embracing Hero tightly for the very first time, rubbing their palms desperately on their back, never wanting to let go. “Find me, remember me within that color. May it be flowers, paint, food, houses, anything, just know that as long as this color still exists, I’m always out there. I promise you, I won’t die happy until you feel the barest traces of being loved and appreciated.”

And yet, Hero found themself a home, a cradle in the arms of somebody.

[desertfangs]

Love your love for post-canon Armand/Daniel, I’m the same 🫣 In part because I love reading different interpretations of what their relationship is like in the present, what has changed and what has remained the same over the years. It seems like people agree on most things but I love how certain things simply come down to personal interpretation. And look, I know that Anne should’ve included WAY more armandaniel content in the last trilogy but I appreciate the fact that she had a plan in mind for them, or at least a theme: them wanting to spend as much time alone together as possible post-reunion, which is a thing every time their names are mentioned together (them sneaking out in the rain, them wanting to go back to Trinity Gate). They’re in their “run away with me/anytime you want” era and I really love that for them 🫀

I’m so into post-canon Armand and Daniel and I'm so glad you are too! Anne didn’t need to tell me they’d get back together for me to believe they would—I firmly believe they always will, they’re soulmates and two sides of the same weird coin, plus Daniel is Armand’s only fledgling. They have a bond in love and bond in blood. And they’ve always been so absolutely feral for each other. I just can’t imagine them staying apart for long without extenuating circumstances. I believe they’re that couple who will have their periods of being apart (either because they’re doing different things or because they had a fight, lol) but they’ll always come back together. They’re magnetic and they love each other so much.

But I am glad Anne did give us little mentions that they were in fact doing things together and, correct me if I’m wrong, as far as we know Daniel and Armand are living together when the series ends. Which is good enough for me. Of course I would have loved Daniel to get more screen time. I mean aliens are involved! Let the guy talk about that! I want his perspective on that stuff! Or just to be included in the ending because he is such a vital character. He’s the reason the series exists! He’s the one who started it all. I mean, come on! ISTG Anne.

💖💖 THEIR RUN AWAY WITH ME ERA 💖💖 Listen anon, I love that so much I want it on a throw pillow or a t-shirt! 😭😭😭 I’m going to refer to it as that from now on, it’s perfect, no notes. 

I love that you’ve pointed out how they seem to want to be alone together when they are mentioned in the last trilogy. I hadn’t really thought of it that way and now that’s my happy thought. Because it does seem in line with my prevailing in-universe theory for why we don’t get more of them together and that’s because they want their privacy. 

We know Daniel never wanted fame. He published Interview with the Vampire under a pseudonym. I can imagine he was vaguely uncomfortable with his story being out in the world once he realized people he knew might find it. (Which is a funny thought given how eagerly he devoured Armand’s story in TVL but like.. I don’t blame him there.) 

But also Armand and Daniel have been through a lot. Armand tried to end his life and has had to spend time recovering and then got saddled with two kids because Marius thought it would tether him to the world. Daniel thought Armand had died and he’d lost him and went mad for a while. Like they’ve been through some shit. I can absolutely see them deciding that they want some space and for their story to be kept off the published pages of Lestat’s books as much as possible and Lestat acquiescing because he clearly does love Armand. 

If they want some peace and their time together left out of the books, if they want to disappear together or run off alone for long periods, or even just sneak off to Paris when they’re at Court, or hole up alone in Trinity Gate with a “No Vacancy” sign on the door, frankly that’s beautiful and they deserve it. I love that for them.

Thank you so much for the ask! 💖💖 I’ve had a horrible week and this has greatly improved my night. I hope I wasn’t too rambly, my brain is very fried. 

[jamjumpingjambore]

Ideals

Who wants to hear me talk outta my ass about philosophy and Trigun thoughts I’ve been forming over two years? No one? Too bad, I’m going to anyway--

Now that season one of Stampede is over, I’ve been seeing a lot of discussion over which twin is “correct”-- which is cool, I like analysis and debate (genuinely) -- but personally I think they’re both wrong. The twins are opposite ends of extremes, neither fully addressing the core problem of Plant use in a substantiable or ethical way.

[ Heavy spoilers for Trigun: Maximum and Trigun: Stampede. ]

(btw forgive me if I don’t use the correct terms, I was an art major, I’m working off vibes and vague definitions.)

Vash is too individualist and altruistic at his own expense. He believes in the best of humans, insistent on his solution of the butterfly-spider paradox being to “save both” and not letting anyone die. He puts up with the cruelest, ugliest parts of humanity just to keep more blood from spilling. Full disclosure, I also believe that humanity is inherently good, but I also acknowledge trauma, fear, and desperation can drive anyone to do horrible things. The people of No Man’s Land are struggling for survival. They were never meant to be here, never meant to live past The Fall, and yet they continue. Humanity always finds a way to prevail and unfortunately the only way they can in this situation is to wring the plants dry for every last drop, fighting over the scraps. 

They’re trapped between endless seas of sand and rock, the only non-synthetic food they have access to are massive bugs and blue emus. Luida’s flora wouldn’t be viable without extensive terraforming or construction of more glass domes-- a tall order when most of their manufacturing seams to be stripped ship parts and whatever the plants can fabricate. It makes sense for them to rely so heavily on them, and Vash isn’t incorrect in believing they need to work together to lessen that strain.

But in the past hundred years he hasn’t influenced any real systemic change. He treats the symptoms-- offering aid to individuals, families, sometimes even whole towns-- yet the clock keeps ticking. The child he brings back to their mother can suffer a living hell the moment he leaves, a town he visited before can have their plant break down again. NML has seven cities large enough to have their own governments. Knives basically puppeteers Ju-Lai through Conrad so he has the funds and resources to do stuff like create a whole-ass cult as a front for his plans and keep himself from becoming an active target. If Vash was smart he’d have tried to diplomat his way into a city too, but it feels like he’s too caught up in his complexes and fretting over what Knives is doing to really approach a situation where he’d have to compromise on long-reaching decisions.

Vash has to stop running and dig his heels in on something concrete. The planet will only get worse before it gets better and more plants will shrivel up in the meantime. Not everyone can be saved, no matter how badly he wants it.

Meanwhile Knives is too doomer/anarchistic/nihilistic, he thinks all of humanity is irredeemable, that they’ll just keep taking and taking until the entire planet is a husk. But they’re only taking so much because he caused the crash. If the fleet had succeeded in finding an earth equivalent-- or even landed on the planet intentionally-- the humans probably could have adapted to the ecosystem and utilized the plants more sustainably. They had to have a procedure for colonization, the Earth Federation fleet implies pockets of humanity had settled down comfortably elsewhere while the twins’ was still searching/struggling to survive. Knives also claims to want to protect Vash and their siblings, but he ends up doing the exact same unethical experiments and exploitation that the humans did to Tesla and the dependents. He forces/encourages Conrad to treat human children like lab rats, creating test tube babies like Elendria to eventually replace humanity with more pseudo-plants (which, damn, you can really read some Implications into that if you want), and then strips Vash down to becoming a tool-- a living generator to forcibly create more independents through the rift core.  

He does care about the plants, but he has a one-track mind. Knives just wants to fling his pain back tenfold, and he’d be happy sitting on a desolate rock with just his brother if given the chance. If he won, who would tend to the plants still dependent? How would he heal the dying plants if Vash remained a tree? What if some of the new independents were more like Vash and needed to eat? Could he justify making a plant produce again to feed another?

He could gaslight, gatekeep, girlboss himself through it all but he’d still be no different from humans-- and in the worst ways.

Knives also claims the sisters don’t have souls, but really? When they reach out to Vash throughout the flashbacks and on the steamer, do they not communicate? Something is shared in that moment. It may not be verbal but we know they can scream and the twins can hear it. They feel, and that’s enough to prove they deserve a minimum of respect imo.

In the manga there’s brief hints of characterization for the plants. One that sticks with me often is Vash referring to the runaway steamer’s plant as “the selfish little girl:”

[Image ID: Manga panel of Vash, face close-up and covering his mouth with his hand, thinking and looking at the viewer intently. Dialogue: “I see.” “In other words... All I need to do is babysit the selfish little girl?”]

Admittedly It’s early in the series, in the Trigun chapter that first properly introduces them and the volumes that Trigun: Maximum frequently retcons parts of, but I still think it’s fascinating that a version of Vash would refer to one this way. Like he knows/assumes the plant is just throwing a temper tantrum-- and seeming to be correct as calming the plant down keeps it from overloading while the emergency brakes are pulled. Another big one is the flashes of the merged plants’ memories later on in Maximum. Dependents have had positive interactions with technicians and the humans they provide for alongside the cruelness. Knives is visibly shaken when he sees it; proof that unity’s not exclusively a sentiment of Vash’s. He ignores it and continues to decimate No Man’s Land in the last chunk of the story. Stampede Knives writes them off without ever being seen connecting with them.

Knives has never asked what the other plants wanted. Vash has never asked either-- nor relayed any messages between species. Not until the final confrontation in Maximum. 

The twins are in a unique position to serve as ambassadors between humans and plants. Rem thought so as well-- but she’s just as overly optimistic as Vash and flawed in other tragic ways. You can easily read her treatment of the twins as being fueled by guilt over Tesla and her clear favoritism towards Vash also contributing to Nai’s worldview in a myriad of little ways. But I think she had the right idea with them potentially emerging as an olive branch. I think a lot of the conflict on No Man’s Land would be helped if everyone could just sit down and talk to each other more often. People barely know plants are alive to begin with.

But Nai is dead and Knives’ most likely going scorched earth in season 2, while Vash is just now dealing with one of his most traumatizing moments of the series. The chance of these two ever reconciling is off the table (for now).

Which brings me to the after credits tease that made me physically throw shit across my room in excitement:

CHRONICA AND DOMINA, BABYYYYYYY!!

[Image ID: Three panel manga sequence of independent plants Domina (woman with shoulder-length, mid-tone, messy hair), and Chronica (woman with long, light hair and parted bangs), having a conversation between their individual space shuttles over radio. Key dialogue from sequence-- Domina: “...Haven’t you already encountered many fused entities in the past?”]

I need you to understand every time I think about them I want to run around in circles like a zooted cat. There is SO MUCH potential with them and it’s a shame Nightow had to juggle their introduction with six other events at once in that breakneck third act with no room to explore their implications (I’ve already griped about Maximum’s ending here and to discord buddies, no need to rehash it again. It still has charm as is).

These two are the only other independent plants we see in the series. They’re part of the Earth Federation crew. Domina is implied to be younger and inexperienced while Chronica is a seasoned member who the ship captain constantly defers to for expertise in engaging rogue plants. Apparently the wacky fusion shit Knives does has happened before to lesser degrees and all current dependents have been genetically altered to be incapable of fusing to prevent it. Vash and Knives are around 150 years old and can fuse with the plants on NML. Their ship had two spontaneous dependent pregnancies within 50 years before the crash. It’s unclear how many fleets left Earth.

This opens a pandora’s box of fuckery that could have happened off-world in the span of 200+ years.

How many goddamn independents do we got running around? What’s the 4-1-1 on how other, successful/space-faring colonies treat their Plants?? Hey, why does it sound like independents consolidating power and being put down isn’t an uncommon thing---

Nightow can’t just drop this worldbuilding on me in the 11th hour and expect me to be normal about it.

The EF are shown to be competent but coldly strategic at times-- the captain almost nukes the planet in a desperate attempt to kill Knives despite his Ark being above the heavily crowded Octovern, the last city still standing after Knives’ assault. The greater good is most important, survival at all costs. Chronica expressly shares this sentiment, going forward with the plan to attack Knives first.

[Image ID: Five panel manga sequence of Chronica and Domina arguing over whether to missile strike Knives over radio. Key quotes-- Chronica: “It is our top priority to gain the advantage through a preemptive strike.” “You must forget they were once a plant like us. Because that thing down there is a massive threat to us all.”]

Chronica acts like a solider. She sides with humans and enacts swift punishment on any threat, including her own species. She’s the worst compromise of the twins’ views, cruelty to protect human lives. Another form of exploitation.

Knives questions her loyalty through a fused Domina and almost forces her to chose between killing her or saving the flagship before Vash cuts his connection, but she never really interacts with them directly or is ideologically challenged again. She tries to take pot shots at the twins as they fly off as revenge for what Knives did to her partner but Livio stops her. Poor Domina doesn’t get to do much either, becoming a pile of feathers for the rest of her scenes. Hell I don’t even know if Vash knows there’s other independent plants running around now. Knives (predictably) just writes them both off as “slaves” and uses Domina like a spy camera from the moment she enters orbit.

I want to know more about them. My pie-in-the-sky hope for Stampede season 2 is they get larger roles and the twins have to deal with their existence more directly. I want to see Vash’s answer to weaponized plants, to grapple with the paradox happening on an intergalactic level and needing real solutions. I want Knives to squirm under the knowledge that an entire generation of plants were metaphorically castrated, that there are other plants like them who choose to serve humanity at every opportunity in spite of it.

I want Chronica to grab the ideological tug rope between them and start yanking them both over the line. Their black and white could be fun with some gray.

Sorry if this was ramble-y, I hope I got my ideas across okay. I have a lot of thoughts about this series and sometimes it’s hard for me to articulate them in a way that isn’t ramming two dolls together lmao

TL;DR: These self-destructive morons can’t hold a conversation and I am begging Studio Orange on my hands and knees, PLEASE let Chronica and Domina have more interaction with the boys and challenge their ideas about how humans and plants can/should coexist. I’m starving for an actually fleshed out Trimax ending.

[kidcataldo]

I am once again presenting this hellsite with a sequel series idea for a popular tv show that will never see the light of day because I do not work in hollywood

Characters:

Amaryllis Kiltcher

The new slayer in town, eager to prove herself.

At 15, she’s young and sometimes reckless.

Her attempts at bringing peace often leads to more chaos, especially when right and wrong are hard to tell apart.

A special bond grows between her and her Watcher, even if they don’t necessarily see eye to eye.

Reggy Clark & Ishaan Kapur

Reggy and Ishaan are the slayer’s loyal friends, who have been with her through thick and thin. Even before they found out her destiny.

Their roles are similar to Willow and Xander in the original series.

Reggy and Amaryllis’ relationship was becoming something more before this whole slaying thing started. When duty becomes a priority, though, they agree to put their feelings aside and focus on saving the world.

Ishaan kind of hates being the third wheel. He’s the whiz of the group. Probably on the path of becoming President or something equally as important. For now, he’s just happy to help his friend in her newfound role.

Lotus Kiltcher

Amaryllis’ kid sister, always looking for trouble.

She’s the fire. Her sister is the ice to cool her down.

She’s the only kid brave enough to talk to local weirdo, Bird Pratt.

Bird Pratt

He shows kindness to everyone, alive or dead.

He attempts to befriend the creatures he encounters. Most times it gets him in trouble. But sometimes kindness prevails and he makes a new friend.

He’s the oddball, obsessed with monsters. But there’s something else strange about him. And it’s even weirder Willow sometimes refers to him as something more, something greater. He’s like a secret.

Bill Pratt

He has vague memories of a different time, of a time of darkness.

But he’s mortal, and monsters only exist in his son’s imagination—he ignores the nightmares telling him otherwise.

His son holds him in a light he knows, deep down, he isn’t worthy. But Bird’s faith in him makes him want to try.

Willow Rosenberg

Amaryllis’ reluctant Watcher, sent to protect this new generation of Scoobies.

Watching over the new gang brings back memories of her youth. She only wishes Spike knew who he was and remembered her from his past, so she has an adult to talk to about all this.

She keeps quiet, for now.

Details

I don’t really have a particular plot in mind. They’ll just be fighting monsters each episode that leads up to them fighting the final boss, like how it is in the original series.

It’ll basically be a Buffy reboot but for the modern times.

But I like the idea of exploring the anti hero this time around. Like, maybe the main character isn’t necessarily good. Maybe the slayer was a thief before all this. And this newfound role is putting her on a better path, but also maybe not.

Still not sure about Bird’s name (thought about it being Buddy, but that sounds too close to Buffy), but I imagine he’s a junior, as in Spike named him after himself, and he goes by a nickname.

Bird, I imagine, is similar to Dawn in that he might not be quite human and “Bill” (Spike) somehow became mortal and lost his memories to keep him safe.

I wanted Spike to be back (because I like him as a character), but the actor’s older and doesn’t look like his vampire self anymore, which is okay (aging is beautiful). It just means he has to age somehow.

Again, I don’t even know if any of these Buffy characters are even alive by the end of the series.

And obviously other characters from the original make guest appearances:

Buffy

She’s obviously still alive, probably slaying in Europe or somewhere. Her guest appearance most likely is to get Spike back to the way he was.

I just imagine her watching the oblivious “Bill” in the distance as he just casually shops for groceries or does something else so ordinary Spike would vomit at even the thought of doing it

Maybe they go on a date or two, but she can’t continue with the lie, so she cuts it off when she can’t convince him to snap out of it.

The other Scoobie members make various appearances to visit Willow and help out whenever they’re needed.

Notes

I haven’t finished the series yet and I’m not planning to read the comics continuing the story, so who knows if anyone’s even still alive¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Also, Willow’s kind of crazy right now (I’m nearing the end of season 6), so hopefully she snaps out of it.

And Angel and Cordelia could make appearances too. Probably. If they’re still around. I haven’t seen the Angel spinoff.

Idk how the whole Spike/Buffy thing turns out, but I like them together. Like, Angel was puppy love. I don’t know if Spike/Buffy is love yet (at the end of season 6), but I can see it growing into something more mature, omitting the bathroom scene.

You’ll notice this new “cast” in my concept image is a little more diverse than the original. I like having diversity.

Lastly, Joss Whedon will obviously have no part in this hypothetical sequel. He will stay far away.

[sab3rto0thed]

there’s a difference between conceptualizing death and actually experiencing it.

last year, when i slowly started to let my friends in, i imagined the world without them. it was always how things went for me. since i was seven, i had been getting up at odd hours of the night to make sure i could still hear my mother breathing in her sleep. when i was ten, i would completely meltdown because my grandmother wouldn’t answer the phone. my mom took me to therapy for it over and over and over again. nobody ever knew what to do with me.

when i imagined the world without my friends, the sky was gray. there was rain. everything was bleak. i texted her with careful hands and said, i think the world would be a lot worse with you gone. she told me that was very sweet. she understood me then, which i appreciated. it’s very hard to see past all of my walls.

what i had been trying to say was i love you. now, when she gets out of the car, we can usually trade the words back and forth and there’s no cut off. no one gets hurt. but death has always been a love language to me. i spend extra time with the dog because the fur around her mouth is growing gray. i feel guilty when my cats meow at me and i don’t pay them attention. i still listen for my mother’s breathing on nights when everything feels slightly off.

death was a love language to me, but it never touched me. i was never good at dating. twelve, thirteen, fourteen, fifteen; the formative years of relationships. it wasn’t for me. i couldn’t hold a friend any better than i could hold a foe. in that way, i was invincible. i had prayed and screamed and cried away death for so many years that it couldn’t touch me.

i graduated high school in may. it hadn’t exactly been planned and i didn’t really think i was going to do it. death was the last thing on my mind. everything was perfect.

my dog died a few weeks later. the whole process was very quick, a bit like those old french executions where they chop your head off with the blade. i mean metaphorically. i couldn’t watch her die. i can’t watch anything die. once i killed an ant and the image of it remains in my mind, rearing back. we all just want to survive.

she was very old and i didn’t always like her. the thing about death is it’s so permanent. in all of my mistakes and former grievances, everything was reversible. i had control. no matter what i went through, i could prevail. i could fix it.

this wasn’t something i could fix.

they say you go into denial and then immediately after, you go into anger. i was never angry. i spend so much time being angry about everything else that i never spent a moment being angry about the dog dying. it just happened. i am learning to live with it. some days it’s easy and i don’t think about her at all. some days i go downstairs and i glance at her old bed, looking for the familiar lump of her body. i think i hear her collar jingling as she shakes her head. i always go down to pet her head at night when i remember that i don’t do that anymore.

i keep looking at other dogs, hoping they’ll be just like her. my cats seem slightly formless now, less close. they used to be my whole world, the epitome of my survival. now they are just cats. they are cats i love dearly, but they are just cats.

i didn’t think it would be like this. when we drove home without her, and my grandma clutched her collar, i didn’t cry. i only cried when we were halfway back to the house. i almost had to park because my grief was so silent but so present. it was how i had been for so many years, so maybe i shouldn’t have been surprised.

it wasn’t supposed to be like this, but sometimes things aren’t how they’re supposed to be. they just are. i’m learning to live with that.

[ultra-clashpects]

The Life - Time clash aspect

(Life: To be optimistic and heal those of whom are broken, and to have an “other people first” kind of outlook on all situations.)

(Time: To fight for something against all odds and usually prevail, along with not being able to sit still and look pretty.)

The Life-Time bound is someone who believes what they believe and they’re not gonna take any shit from anybody no matter what. The Life-Time is optimistic and brave, willing to take a stand and voice their opinions, even if they know they’ll get hate or backlash for doing so. They hold their beliefs and opinions close to their chest, not willing to back down or give up the things that they care so deeply about or have worked so hard for, because they worked hard to get the Life they have and they’re not gonna let that all go without a fight.

The Life-Time is always scheming and working, coming up with new plans to spread their ideas and to share their thoughts with others, they never sit still and they sure as hell aren’t gonna let anyone else take credit for the things that they’ve done. The Life-Time is someone who takes what they need and gives what they have, they believe in the power of unity and togetherness and they know that if you work for something, you deserve it and you’ll get it even if they have to rip it out of the cold, dead hands of someone else.

If Life is the stronger aspect in the dual pair, then the Life-Time bound person is optimistic and cheerful, and someone who will be your best friend or your worst enemy depending on how you treat them and what side of theirs you get on.

If Time is the stronger aspect in the dual pair, then the Life-Time bound person is mischievous and talented, able to make any plan work somehow, no matter how ridiculous or absurd it might be, and you can bet that they don’t go down easy or at all if they can help it, they’ll just come back time and time again until they’re satisfied. 

[letscrywolff]

They never tried to understand you. They didn’t care who you are underneath it all. They couldn’t read your eyes or see anything under them. 🎵 They knew your name, but not who you are 🎶

When there were disagreements or fights, did they try to understand you better? What you’re really upset about? Why this hurts you? Did they try to use it as an opportunity to better know you?

Or did they just hurl insults? Try to “win” the argument? Try to assert control? Belittle you? Tear you down? Tell you that you’re overthinking things, that you’re blowing things out of proportion? That you’ve got it all wrong. That your feelings aren’t valid and gaslight you?

Look back on your relationships. Who among them has worked hardest at understanding you better? Who among them has always shown patience? Has always tried to make you feel seen? Who has always tried to treat you with love and respect?

This is why I can always say I am proud of who I showed up for you as. This is why I say I know I was consistent. Because I believe wholeheartedly that if you put our history up against anyone else you’ve had history with, I will come out on top and prevail every time. I truly believe that I treated you better than any of them ever could have in the time I knew you. I know how we connected was deep and real. I believe in the click, the spark, the connection. I look back at how I treated you, how I conducted myself, how I was authentic with you and upfront about my feelings for you and I feel nothing but pride for allowing myself to be vulnerable, open to connection, open to building something with you, willing to show up and do the work, willing to express myself and what I wanted with you, not playing games or being coy or leading you on and wasting your time. I’m sorry I scared you and overwhelmed you with too much too soon but I truly believed you were ready for something real and I went for it. I don’t regret trying. I just wish that you had actually been ready to have a loving partner by your side because that’s all I wanted to have and to be with you. It is still so hard to accept that this didn’t work out because I literally don’t understand what was missing for you. It seemed like we had the crazy hot chemistry, a deep connection, love, respect, compatibility. We had shared values, dreams and desires, spoke the same language both superficially and on a deeper level. There wasn’t anything I wouldn’t have done, tried, or given to make things work with you. I NEVER would have ever quit on you without trying. Never. I don’t understand why you just abandoned everything without saying anything clear and direct about what was wrong on your end. I didn’t realize how serious your doubts were, how much the speed was really affecting things. I just thought you were scared and that we were effectively working through it.

You find out who people really are at both their highest and lowest moments. When they’ve got nothing to lose they’ll show you who they really are. And when they’ve got nothing to gain they’ll show you who they really are.

You saw me coming out of my lowest when you first met me. I had nothing to really offer you other than myself. I was massively in debt and only just coming out of a personal hell that I then assumed would take a decade or more to undo. But I worked my ass off to break free of that and soared like a fucking Phoenix. So few can ever truly understand...

And you saw me at my highest - I turned my life around in epic fashion. So epic that it borders on being truly unbelievable. In fact, I've told my story (including the parts about us) with some people and they literally tell me "This can't possibly be true, it's too outlandish." But I have the receipts. I have the motherfucking receipts and I can prove EVERYTHING.

You saw me at both my highest and my lowest. And you never knew one from the other. You never knew because I was consistent. You never knew because I showed you who I really am from the start and til the end.

This IS who I am. You thought that it was make believe, but you better believe it's real. When all you've ever known is nightmares and deceit, of course something real and something good is going to seem like make believe.

So you know who I really am. There's only a few facets of me you don't know. You certainly haven't mined my full depth, that's for sure. There was so much left for both of us to explore in one another. But one thing is for sure - I loved you for you - the you that you thought I never saw or knew too. And when you loved me, you were loving the real me, not someone wearing a mask. Not a liar or a cheat. You were loving someone who gave you their authentic self from the very start, to the bitter end and I proudly stand alone amongst the crowd in being the only one who was capable of giving you that through all our time together.

[sxorpiomooon]

hello ~ I hope you’re doing well 💕 I sympathize with you in regards to one’s ideas being stolen or having them become credited to someone else even though it is originally your own. no matter what people do to you or say about you, keep your head up. they seem to notice your potential, so they’ll do what it takes to bring you down a peg in order to uplift themselves. in the long run, however, the lies & the cheating will be exposed. stay true & honest in your ideas, beliefs, work ethic, etc—you will ultimately gain success and receive respect as long as you remember your worth and identify your purpose. gathering the courage to maintain your stance while staying true to yourself is ideal because authenticity does prevail, in the end. wishing you immense luck 💗

thankyou so so much, asks like these always made me feel so warm and happy. I'm so grateful you are right about authenticity prevailing thankyou so much I'm sorry you have to go through this as well. May we both get what we deserve <3

[safethaw]

Is Salt Really a Dog's Enemy?

Every dog owner wants to ensure that their furry friend leads a healthy and happy life. Naturally, this includes being cautious about the things they come in contact with. Among the many concerns for pet owners, especially in colder regions, are salt and ice. Is salt truly detrimental to our dogs' health? Let's unravel the truth. Dishing Out The Truth: Is Salt Bad For Dogs? Salt is an essential mineral for both humans and dogs. It plays a vital role in nerve function, fluid balance, and muscle contractions. So, yes, dogs do need some amount of salt in their diets. However, the issue arises when dogs consume an excessive amount of salt. Whether it's from sneaking a salty snack from the table or ingesting rock salt from the ground, too much salt can lead to: - Salt Poisoning: Also known as hypernatremia, it happens when a dog consumes a large amount of salt in a short span. Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, and even seizures. It can be lethal in extreme cases. - Dehydration: High salt consumption leads to increased thirst in dogs. If they do not drink enough water to balance out the salt intake, they can become dehydrated. The Icy Dilemma: Is Ice Bad For Dogs? Ice, in itself, isn't harmful to dogs. In fact, many dogs enjoy munching on ice cubes, especially during warmer weather. However, the danger lies in where and how the ice is formed: - Slipping Hazard: Icy grounds can be treacherous for dogs, leading to slips and potential injuries. - Toxic Ice Melts: Many traditional ice melts contain chemicals that can be toxic if ingested by dogs. Certain products in the market may contain salt, which can be toxic for pets and dogs. So, if you are thinking- is salt bad for dogs, it is. This is because dogs can easily consume these toxins by licking their paws after walking on treated surfaces. Safe Thaw: A Better Solution For Dog Owners Winter can be a challenging season for dog owners, especially when icy conditions prevail. While ice melts are crucial in preventing accidents for humans, they can pose threats to our four-legged companions. Enter Safe Thaw, a game-changer in the world of ice melts. Safe Thaw offers a chloride and toxin-free solution, making it a safe option for households with pets. Its non-corrosive formula ensures that not only your dogs are safe, but your industrial property and machinery remain undamaged. The potent formula assures long-lasting, season-to-season protection against icy pathways. At the heart of Safe Thaw's efficiency is its patented dual-effect compound. Comprising a modified crystalline amide core infused with a special glycol admixture and traction agents, this composition ensures swift ice melting without compromising safety. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2uACuEGD4k What Can Dog Owners Do? - Stay Informed: Be aware of the products used in your surroundings. Whether it's your driveway or a public sidewalk, ensure any ice-melting products used are pet-friendly. - Wipe Those Paws: After walks, always wipe down your dog's paws. This helps remove any residual salt or harmful substances they might have picked up. - Fresh Water Supply: Ensure your dog has a constant supply of fresh water. This helps in flushing out any excess salt they might have consumed. - Switch to Safe Alternatives: Using pet-friendly products, like Safe Thaw, will give you peace of mind. Knowing that even if your dog comes in contact with the treated ground, they'll be safe from harmful toxins. Wrapping U: Being A Proactive Pet Parent So, coming back to your question-is salt bad for dogs. Well, it’s not an enemy to your dog, but excess salt can be toxic for our furry friends and pets. But like many things, excess is where problems arise. Similarly, while ice poses minimal direct threats, the products used to melt it can be hazardous. Being proactive, staying informed, and making conscious choices, like opting for Safe Thaw, can make winters a joyous and safe season for your dog. After all, a little care goes a long way in ensuring our furry friends stay hale and hearty. Read the full article

[flownintothesun]

 ⋆ ✰ ⋆ ───    [ 𝐛𝐞𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐝 ] 𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐡𝐮𝐠𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐛𝐞𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐮𝐜𝐤𝐬 𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐛𝐨𝐝𝐲 (𝐌𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐥 @ 𝐅𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐬)

                          ⋆ ✰ ⋆ ─── 𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬 & 𝐭𝐨𝐮𝐜𝐡. ( @batteredoptimist )

     𝐓𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐎𝐍𝐄 𝐒𝐌𝐀𝐋𝐋 𝐆𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐄, 𝐈𝐍 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐄𝐍𝐃, 𝐈𝐒 𝐀𝐋𝐋 𝐈𝐓 𝐓𝐀𝐊𝐄𝐒 for months of pain and anguish to explode from Francis’s small body. It starts in a shiver, his body going stiff — but as Muriel’s strong arms wrap around his stomach and pull him firm against his broad chest, tears begin to fall in the same way rain does. At first, it’s a drop, and then another — and before he knows it, hot tears are spilling down his cheeks faster than he can stop them. He’s tried so hard for all of his life. It’s by no means been an easy life, despite having been brought up with money. Francis had taught himself what love is — when there was none of it to be found in his parents. He’d spent hours as a child teaching himself who to be based on story characters that he’d fallen in love with and wished with all of his heart to be more like. He’s never blamed Henry or Catherine, nor the people who had turned a blind eye when he’d needed the support most — for anything. He’s simply gone out of his way to love — despite, despite, despite.

      He’s never loved with expectation — and that’s probably for the best, because until Muriel, there was no one in his life who saw that beneath the light the he tried to provide the world, there was loneliness, and a nagging hurt of not being enough — not for his family, not for the boy he’d tried to love back at the ballet. In the end, he’d known unconditional love similar to that of a parent from his tutor — but that had been taken from him, too. The truth is that Francis often wonders why he’s here. He’d danced it all away for so long on that little music box pedestal — he’d given all he could give. Here he is now  — half of a person. His hair is cut short, and his fanciful and idealistic notions of love have been tarnished. The truth is that love does not come without pain. He’s not foolish enough to think that he’s the only one who has suffered for it. If anything, Muriel has suffered more at Zane’s hands than Francis could ever dream.

      The stories make it look so lovely — that if only you fight hard enough, goodness and love and light will always prevail over evil. The hero suffers, but the love overshadows. And Francis supposes that there is a truth in that. Everything that has been done to him — all of the hurts unleashed upon his heart has not made him cease to love this man. It has not dimmed the brightness of that love and how badly Francis aches for it. But nor has the suffering added to it. It is not true that agonizing over something and clawing and scraping for it until you hold it in your arms makes it any better. They are here, but at what cost to them both? He wants to smile. He wants to tell Muriel that he’s fine. He wants to be the person that he’s always been because that’s who the world needs him to be. Because this is the part where he gets what he’s always wanted. 

      They’re standing in an expensive flat that Muriel says is theirs. Zane has gone missing — whether on the run or caught in the fire, no one could say. Muriel’s tucked up against his body in this place that is theirs, assuring him that they’ll rebuild everything back better than it was before, assuring him that they have each other now. The stories say that the appropriate answer is for him to throw his arms around Muriel’s neck and kiss him senseless like he had the first time — when Muriel had all but moved into the tiny flat above the once-studio. Instead, he’s sobbing, and he can’t stop it for anything. He doesn’t stop it when Muriel holds him tighter, or when Muriel turns him around and Francis cries a lake into his shirt — he doesn’t stop when Muriel picks him up and brings him to a bed that’s big enough for Muriel’s long legs and holds him and lets him cry it out. He thinks he remembers repeating the words ‘I love you so much’ — because then Muriel had said ‘I know’, and smoothed back his hair. He cries for what feels like hours, and maybe it is. It feels so selfish — the worst thing he’s ever done to this man that he’s still not sure he deserves. But Muriel stays — and as he holds Francis through the storm, Francis knows that they’re going to be okay. Maybe not today or tomorrow, maybe not months or even a year from now. But one day. One day they’re going to be okay.

[moonrisecalamityretreat]

To Move Forward | Yuriko | Trial 6.6 | Re: Vote

“I’m sure you already know my answer, Jinpachi-san. I could tell you all about how good will always prevail, but lately I’ve made the decision, you see, to do things for myself more. And I think… I’d rather not waste my voice on someone who doesn’t really matter all that much to me. You’re just going to ignore it anyway, right? You’re trying to get us all worked up just so you can tear us all down again. So, I’m ending it here. I’m done being the fool.”

“What I will say is that to give up now would be an insult to the people who died for us to get here— and it would be an insult to myself as well.”

There is a Yuriko who died in that game— a Yuriko who they’ll never get to be again, for better or for worse. Someone who they will mourn too, once all has come to pass.

That is why when asked, Yuriko chooses herself.

“I can’t say what comes next, but I think I’d rather live looking forward to an uncertain future than to live in fear of tomorrow. Even if this were to happen again, I won’t stop fighting. Not until the day I get to bask in the peaceful reality I’ve made for myself. Besides, the fall isn’t so bad when you have people you love who’ll catch you.”

Her gaze goes around the room, and when her eyes land on Loic, she returns his smile with one of their own.

“Which is why, I’m sorry to disappoint you, Jinpachi-san.”

Yuriko casts her vote. 

“And from the bottom of my heart, go fuck yourself.”

Kazuo taught her that one.

She looks very proud of herself.