#this could be just some delusional thoughts

[frienderbee]

Some of my favourite quotes that's come out of the dream situation rn:

"That's like being shot and then saying you can reclaim guns" - Jack manifold on dreams reddit post claiming he thought he could use slurs as slurs just cause others have "gone viral" for calling HIM slurs.

"I really don't see how his audience sees him as genuine when the veil is paper thin" - Jack manifold simply being based.

"You changed up! YES. The situation changed!!" - Jack manifold yet again being based on how dream fans act like Jack and Tommy switched up on dream just for clout.

"I think dream has made a lot of money out of keeping his sexuality ambiguous" - Tubbo about the fact Dream on stream said that he is not gay and that being called the f slur doesn't even apply to him. After pandering to a queer audience and deliberately leaning into acting gay. (Obviously, him saying he's not gay doesn't necessarily make him straight, but he does seem to imply that by saying he's NOT like that and then backtracking that Nicholas Cantu wouldn't know either way)

"I do think this is partially because I played the villain on the dsmp" - Dream. The most delusional and insane thing he could have said. No, that's not why you get hate. That was 5 years ago. Are you okay?

[dirt-str1der]

WHY DID YOU FEEL THE NEED TO TELL ME ABOUT YOUR AROACE SENKU HEADCANON ON MY GAY SENKU AND TRANS REI POST

Just finished Dr Stone Reboot

[xaytheloser]

For Your Own Good.

Prowl X Cybertronian! Reader who was raised on Earth scenario! warnings: obsessive behavior, no specified continuity, Prowl is a delusional prick I suppose, possible ooc Prowl, implied death of a family member

Earth had been your home your entire life, from the moment your mom found you in a tiny safety pod that crashed into the backyard of her farm away from the large city she lived near. She had no idea what you were, but she knew that she couldn't leave you there, small and defenseless..

you were just like a normal human baby, but, well... metal?? you grew a lot bigger when you reached your teenage years, nonetheless, your mother took care of you. she feed you what she thought a baby of you,, unique qualities would consume, she washed you when you got dirty, and of course when you got older she taught you how to help around the farm.

there was only one rule.

stay at the farm.

mother was so worried about a scenario where you are discovered by another human. what would happen to you? would you be taken away and experimented on like those awful sci-fi movies? would you have to be on the run? she couldn't bear to think it. so she made the stern rule that you are to never leave the farm unless absolutely necessary.

...

then they came.

creatures that looked like you, made of metal, you saw them whilst watching t.v. with mom through the house window. you where so excited! finally! you found out what you were! where you came from! it was also the day that mother finally decided it was safe for you to explore outside the farm, meet the creatures that were like you, find out who and what you are. it was hard for her, but she knew that you would be alright... at least she hoped...

...

Prowl had very mixed feelings about you when you first meet him and his fellow autobots.

you were... odd. you were loud. you were annoyingly curious about everything... and worst of all, he strangely didn't seem to mind..?

something about you.. drew him in. you had no idea what you even where, and for some reason, you stuck to him the most. it was odd.. like a breath of strange fresh air..

the way you looked at him as he spoke about basic knowledge that every other regular cybertronian should know already, but you didn't.. the look of wonder and amazement you had on your face only drew him in more..

you were so strange.. yet so... endearing..?

of course he never said any of this to you out loud, but he found himself growing more attached to you, which he found ridiculous in his own regard..

you are a distraction. he would tell himself. someone who strays him from his intended purpose.

but on the other hand.. he didn't want you to leave him alone either..

he could be selfish just this once, no? indulge you in facts that every other cybertronian should know at this point.. in fact, it's not entirely selfish is it? no! he's helping you learn who you are. who you were meant to be..

It's for your own good... right? you should know where you truly come from.... in fact... he'll do you one better.. he can bring you there.

one day, he offers to bring you to cybertron, to actually be where you truly came from.. to taste actual energon for the first time.. he'll be your guide, teach you everything the is to know and more-

"no."

"...what do you mean 'no'..?"

"I mean, I don't want to go to Cybertron."

...what?

"what are you even saying? all these months of telling about Cybertron, of you constantly asking where you came from, I give you a chance to actually go there and you say 'no'-?"

"I appreciate everything you've taught me, all of it, really. but I have a home here. With my mom. I can't just leave her here. everything I know is here. on Earth."

oh yes. your "mother", Prowl had meet her a couple of times. to be honest, he never really cared for her to begin with. she was paranoid, always being so paranoid. always nagging.

... Maybe he should do something about that.

"..."

".. Prowl..? are you ok?"

".... I have to do something."

Prowl transformed into his alt mode, and he sped off.. you've never seen him in such a hurry before.. you were worried.. ....

........

you fell to your knees.. eyes wide in terror and disbelief..

the farm... your house... the only thing you've ever known since you've landed here on Earth..

It was all in flames.

"...It was the most efficient solution." Prowl muttered behind you. you turned your helm and looked at him, you opened your mouth to say something but nothing came out.. it was like you voice box was frozen.. "this place was in the way, it was distracting you. now, you can come ho-" "... wh... where's my mom..?" Prowl was silent, he looked away for a brief second, and then looked back to you.. you repeated your question, only louder, and angrier.

"WHERE IS SHE PROWL?! WHAT DID YOU DO TO MY MOM!?"

"... that doesn't matter." was his only response. he placed his servo along you back, like he was trying to comfort you in a sick sense... "now you have nothing left to stay here for," he shoved you to the ground, holding your servos behind your back as he forced them into stasis cuffs. "now you can come back home. your real home. with me." his look softened, if only for a second..

"you may not understand it now, but I am doing what is best for you."

[visionsofyouandme]

Uncertainty (drabble)

𝚜𝚢𝚗𝚘𝚙𝚜𝚒𝚜: You wake from a nightmare and grapple with your feelings (in more ways than one). 

𝚠/𝚌: 700

𝚠𝚊𝚛𝚗𝚒𝚗𝚐𝚜/𝚝𝚊𝚐𝚜: F!Reader (or could also be gn!reader). Pretty reader-centric. Jackson!Joel. Nightmares. Angst. Reader struggles with feelings. Sweet Joel. Open ending.

𝙰/𝙽: Thanks to anon for this first lil request for Joel x Reader! I would have posted the actual ask, but there were some spoilers they wanted me to insert. But, this is for you, lovely lovely anon!!!! Thank you for your request <3 Hope you enjoy!

You awoke with a start, chest heaving, a sweat collecting on your chest, neck, forehead. 

No, it was just a dream. 

Thank God. 

But, you could still feel the shakes of nerves wracking your body. This one had felt so real, and it was the first time in a long time you had had one so vivid, so… horrible. You struggled to contain yourself, calm your breathing, not wanting to rouse Joel. 

Joel. 

He still lay next to you, one hand thrown above him on the pillow, the other crossed over his stomach, a soft snore coming from him. Your gaze softened, and felt a little jealous about how peaceful he looked. He had nightmares of his own, but they seemed to stop the further you two explored- well, whatever this was that was between you.

It started as just fucking. Fucking out of frustration. Sadness. Loneliness.

Yeah, loneliness was where you were at right now.

You slipped out of bed, the nightmare still eating at the back of your mind. You pulled on clothes that felt like they were sticking to your skin, but you needed air. The room felt stifling, and your eyes were wide, your body awake and rigid. Tip toeing out and to the porch, you settled gently on the bench and looked out, seeing dawn was breaking soon. The beautiful colors of orange and pink overtaking the inky blues of night made you feel melancholy. But, at the same time, you tried to give yourself hope. If the world could overtake something as terrible as the night, you could overcome this. 

You thought of Joel again. You were growing attached, and you knew this. Knew it for a long time. But, the fucking became a little more than that. Lingering glances, brief touches, knowing smiles, shared laughter (on your part, Joel would breathe hard through his nose and you took it as a laugh). Things were beginning to be different. Another wave of fear came over you, this one making the sweat on your body become cold. 

You didn’t know Joel's thoughts on this whole situation. How could you? You weren’t in his head. But you wished and wished you could be. Get some answers that you had been craving. Could this really be something more? Or were you just delusional?

The creak of wood on the porch stirred you from your thoughts, and you whipped your head to the side to see Joel standing by the doorway, clothed in a t-shirt and sweatpants. You locked eyes, and just gazed at each other. That familiar feeling of safety came over you, and he nodded for you to come inside. You hesitated, looking out at the sky, but then relented and followed him in. 

He led you back to the bedroom, and you wondered if he just came to retrieve you out of necessity. He settled on the bed, and you stood with uncertainty. He looked up at you, and you saw a softness in his eyes that floored you for a moment. Giving you another wordless command to come to bed, you crawled in next to him, settling on your side of the bed until he pulled you into his side. You immediately relaxed in his touch, laying your head on his chest, his heartbeat reminding you this was real. You were safe. You were with Joel.

The one you love.

“Wanna talk about it?” he murmured, his nose nudging your head gently. You shook your head gently, and he wrapped an arm around your waist. 

“Okay.” he whispered, and you felt him settle back into bed. You waited a moment before responding-

“One day, I will.” 

Joel hummed in response, and you felt like this was a start to something a bit bigger than what was before. You breathed out deeply, feeling your chest deflate with relief for the first time that night. You let Joel’s steady breathing lull you to sleep, and you laid a hand on his chest to pull yourself even closer to him. He raised a hand to put over yours, and you felt the lightest of kisses on the crown of your head.

Yes, this was a start. 

Thank you for reading!

[honestlymysticalexpert]

✨ Astro-Observations. ✅ 📸

♡ moon-saturn (capricorn moon & 4th house placements) could indicate a serious maternal influence in one's life.

》》

~~Aries dominants win in being extremely good looking, it must be the Martian energy or just the gift of undying passion. Plus most of them, are not forcefully domineering.

Libra in men, give unreal attractiveness it must be the air effect.

And here's the deal 🍃, apparently, Scorpio men look sexy too 💋, but I feel as though the Aries men become more attractive because of their charm, and how conscious they are to the surroundings.

》》Compared to Scorpio's ♏ ....introvertedness.

♍ Virgo and ♋ Cancer have the potential to be great friends. I don't know what actually makes them compatible, must be the feminine expressions that compliment one another trine. 🔽

Virgo ♍ for being the sign that presents our daily habits can mean having an overall pleasing personality, all factors constant.

-I don't think the merchant of the zodiac, Mercury ☿, is a merchant for no good reason. And therefore wherever we have our mercury placements could indicate how we can be our very own "self-made merchandise" .

🎃Which further explains why Gemini for example is the sign of broadcasting, and when broadcasting comes about, there's no day to do it, than everyday. Put yourself out there everyday, but by looking up to our mercury placements we understand how.

In Virgo the people are capable of being greatly innovative 🚰 . While in Gemini, the natives will be endowed with cognitive thinking skills, great mental abilities. ♡

Having Virgo placements represented by the immaculate & wise nature of the feminine could also indicate that natives have close to perfect features.

Or generally, people that can possess perfect presentations of themselves.

or people that just need to be viewed as a neat and organized person, an attribute induced too by the feminine nature of the sign.

🎶 🍇 heavy 2H, venus and Taurus placements---I have noticed have a tendency to gain weight easily, they're self-indulgent with a clear sense of expression, either through fashion, their modes of luxury, or just glamorous thoughts, and grand ideas. 💡 parties & celebrations. 🎉

🏬 Aquarius, 11H and Saturn/Uranus represents the death of the ego, for the masculine, when it is absolved into the spirit. Where things like patriarchy are rendered useless by resounding revolution. 🔥

That absolved nature of the spirit, makes some individual inclined to the other-worldly and strange*original path/routines.

&

Of course Aquarius ♒ is the odd ball because being the sign that rules the heaven, and air sign, that's the higher octave of mercury, mixing the strokes of genius into a personality.

🎎The same happens in Pisces for the feminine, and therefore there would be no doubt, that people with profound 12H, 🌊 Neptune-Jupiter, Pisces placements are great delusional lovers. I feel like this people have literal trouble barely hating anything.

🪄🪄🎰🎰♥️♥️♠️♠️🎴🎴🃏🃏🧵🧵🧶🧶🎨🎨🖼🖼🔮🔮🎱🎱♣️

[lonesilverw0lf]

I had this other idea right after I posted the first Mom Friend idea, only to find several more posts already made! It’s all amazing work too, I’m kinda jealous. Either I’m slow as hell, or y’all write too damned fast! Either way, didn’t wanna throw this away so here it is. Please enjoy!

Mom friend(now shortened to Mama) and Tomboy are sharing a cup of tea when Tomboy gets sleepy all of a sudden. Mama leads her to a room where MC has been knocked unconscious and dropped into a bed. Quickly putting Tomboy into the bed with MC, she covers them with a blanket and closes the room.

Goth, standing right by the door: Do you have to do that? And how did you snag MC in the first place? I didn’t even know he was here.

Mom: Oh MC was actually because of Bully and Track Girl bringing him in. It was Bully’s idea apparently. I was surprised too. Almost made my eyes open. I just wish MC wasn’t literally dragged in with all those lumps on his head. I’m sure Bully thought it was necessary, and he’s probably right, but still…

Goth: That still doesn’t explain why you essentially drugged Tomboy and locked them in a room together. Trying to play matchmaker?

Mama: What? Can you blame me? Those two are cute. Oh I sure underestimated the strength of the sleeping herbs in the tea, that’s on me. Not like I could tell how strong they were with MC being half unconscious when I gave some to him in the first place. They’ll both be out for the rest of the day at least. They both need their rest and if anyone can help MC with his anxiety it’s- wait. Are you jealous?

Goth: Jealous? What? Now you’re being dumb.

Mama: You’re jealous that they’re cuddling like we used to! You’re feeling lonely!

Goth: Now you’re delusional.

Mama, squishing Goths face: If you wanted some attention you just have to ask! It’s not like I can deny my precious twin sister anything in the whole world!

Goth, swatting Mamas hands away: No! Go away! We haven’t done that since we were like seven!

Mama, wrapping Goth up in a hug: It’s perfectly normal to want some loving! Studies show that a healthy mind and body needs a minimum of four hugs a day for just surviving, eight for maintenance, and twelve for growth. When was the last time you got hugged since we were summoned here? You must be deep in hugging withdrawal!

Goth, groaning into her hands: What did I do in a past life to get cursed with you as a sister?

Mama: Oh don’t be a Grumpy Joe! You know you love me!

Goth: He was such a good kitty. Had the stupidest face.

Mama: We’ll I’m sure it wasn’t his fault he had a medical condition that made his face scrunch like that. Cmon, let’s go take a bath! I’ll wash your back~!

Goth, squirming out of Mama’s hug: No. Get away from me you perv.

Mama, smirking and in a dramatically flowery story voice: “‘Oh please Edward, not there! Not now!’ Shania moaned, ‘We can’t be doing this!’ But Edwards hands refused to stop, as if they had a mind of their own. Her breath hitched as he-“

Goth, now mortified: You read that?!

Mama: You’re the one who posted it on wattpad ya goob! And those two other websites! You also should do a better job looking after your creative journal. The amount of places I’ve found it out in the open, oh dear~. I must say, for someone who claims to be ‘one of the darkness’ you are pretty innocent in love and even your perverse fantasies are mild! Oh wait, you did write that one about that modern Duke and his ‘fun room’. Although that was pretty mellow too. Where did you get the inspiration? I know you haven’t read 50 Shades, so where did you- did you sneak into mom’s stash again?

Goth, trying to pull her hair out: Argh! You and dad both! That’s it! You just volunteered yourself to be my first cursed subject! Where’s that rat?! I need a sacrifice!

Mama, grabbing Goth by the shoulders and pushing her down the hall: You’re so tense! It’s not like I told them! Cmon, after a nice hot bath I’ll treat you to a nice massage~! Oh? And perhaps an adjustment, your cervical vertebrae don’t feel right. What have you been using for a pillow?

Skater Boy, seated at a table with Queen Bee and Flower Girl, his eyes following them and locked onto Mama’s dump truck of an ass: Now I’m jealous.

Queen bee grabs him by the ear: Now you knock it off! It’s disgusting to see men lusting after Mama! Especially a slacker like yourself!

Skater grabs her nose: Don’t gimme that crap! I see you girls ogling her just as much as any guy! Probably even more so since you all share a locker room! And don’t act like you don’t drool whenever us guys have to train without shirts on!

Flower girl: He’s not wrong Bee, on both counts. And it’s not like any of us would turn down one of Mama’s massages either. Still boggles my mind that those two are twins. They look nothing alike and I get mistaken for any three of my sisters all the time! My younger brother a few times too.

Skater, rubbing his ear: Eh wait til he hits puberty and then that’ll stop. Genetics are weird sometimes. I still get told that I look like my great uncle when he was my age. It’s more shocking to see Goth make those kinda faces. Only Mama can pull anything out of her. She’s so cooly collected with anyone else.

Bee, rubbing her nose: Me and my cousin are often mistaken for sisters too. It might help that our moms are sisters in the first place. Oh Skater, what were you doing out so late last night for?

Skater: Hm? Oh right! Thanks for reminding me. Here Flower, I was checking out the area for those weird plants that you were talking about.

Flower: What weird plants? I’m don’t- *le gasp* a whole bag of knucklebrom weed?! With the seeds and the flowers and roots and everything?!

Skater: MC helped me figure out where to even get some. He was just as lost as to why you wanted them in the first place.

Flower, smiling manically: Oh all the potions I can make with you~! Mix in some iodine, some powdered crows beak, maybe if I- *continues rambling on*

Skater, deadpan to Bee: She is such a Maomao when it comes to her plants and alchemy it’s not even funny.

Bee, equally deadpan: How has she not seen Apothecary Diaries? That would be right up her alley. Kinda looks like her too.

Skater: Throw a kimono on her, give her a haircut, get rid of her glasses, and I wouldn’t be able to tell the difference.

Bee: If Netflix ever wants to do a live action of that show, and part of me prays that they won’t, but if they do they better cast her as Maomao.

Skater: You’re kidding? We talking the same Netflix?

Bee: Nah, you’re right. They’ll completely fuck it up.

~

Some minor backstory to the new characters

Skater boy is a slacker without a real direction in life, stays out of trouble but isn’t very dependable. Chill and easygoing, largely nonthreatening, puts in the bare minimum of work to have a good time or just vibe, got that 90s ‘yo dudes’ surfer vibe. This trip has been giving him the kick in the ass he needs.

Flower Girl runs her family’s flower shop and greenhouse with her siblings. Busy as a bee type, but only among plants and on a schedule who follows the rules to a tee. She’s becoming more confident and now is trying new things, even bending some rules. Having an alchemy instructor that’s half mad due to a few too many screwed up recipes blowing up in his face will do that to someone. Just hope she doesn’t absorb too much of his insanity.

The standard 'entire class gets isekai'd to a fantasy world and the outcast MC is basically discarded' anime setting, where the MC, now assumed dead, decides to instead help the class of Heroes in the shadows, making sure they live up to what the people need.

However, the entire class knows that he's alive and are hellbent on dragging that son of a bitch back into the spotlight and to give him the recognition he deserves.

(And maybe because he was basically the entire class's Little Guy™.)

[sh1-n0bu]

my issue with the natlan characters being white (color, not ethnicity) is that

1: it doesn't make sense from a environmental standpoint. If they're based on all these places with more sun, wouldn't the natlan genetic pool have adapted so that those in hotter places have darker skin? for example: Mexico, Africa, India, any other country on the equator? (Not including European integration)

2: why blend all these cultures of color beautifully (i was so looking forward to an aztec based region) just to put a pale person in their place? We *know* they can put poc characters in their games. We have plenty of colored npcs, Arlan in Hsr, and even the eremites.

And 3: I saw an edit of the main three people have been upset about with darker skin (the green and black guy, little Geo girl, and white haired hydro girl) AND I COULDN'T EVEN TELL THEY WERE EDITED UNTIL I READ THE CAPTION. They were gorgeous, truly. The truth is, genshin's sales in other countries would spike if they made these new characters darker. There would be that much more representation, opening the community to others who would grow the community

Tldr: There's no reason to make these characters pale other than origin country specific beauty standards. Everyone, and I mean everyone, no matter poc or not, should refrain from spending money on genshin for the foreseeable future. It will be difficult to those used to buying their primogems, especially with the new Nilou skin dropping, (looking at you, whales) but we gotta.

And come on, the new Kirara skin can totally hold us over

exactly! hoyoverse CAN make darker skin tone but they just DON’T want to. a few example images i’ve gotten from the enemies

every enemy we have came across have a darker shade of skin than the playable ones. even the fatui enemy has a darker/ombre type of shade of skin color. and from what i’ve seen the new enemies in natlan had darker skin tone than these ones. i have another point i have forgotten to mention in my latest post answering abt the natlan situation and this may seem like a huge stretch but hear me out.

we all know and have heard of the ‘big black beast’ writing racism right? how media will portray POC as the aggressor, enemy, the wrong side, the abuser, the pet etc etc. basically using a character’s skin tone to hide their racism. and please take this with a bag of salt as i may be reading too deep into it here, but isn’t it odd how the enemies always end up having a darker shade of skin? not just entirely POC but south asian ones too.

paimon and traveler have always been shown to be wary of or even downright afraid of every darker skinned character they meet in sumeru. eremites are darker skinned and have POC features (dreadlocks), the new enemies shown in natlan trailer does as well (dark skin and POC feature like dreadlock). its almost as if they’re trying to do the ‘big black beast’ racism in writing thing

[bugisbonkerz]

guys genuinely i’m both excited and terrified the dhmis pilot will be shown in full again because . first off, never before seen (by me) content, and we don’t get that a lot in the dhmis fandom. possibly new characters, dialogue, etc!! second, THE CREATORS DONT EVEN LIKE IT AND HID IT FROM THE PUBLIC AFTER IT WAS SEEN ONCE WHAT IS IN ITTT😭

[sanasanakun]

Jimithon Mouthwashing is such a good representation of untreated, enabled NPD like it makes me want to squeeze the life out of him. I'm endlessly fascinated when watching him interact with his crew, surroundings, and himself because he's so fucking lost in his own sauce. It's insane. If I'm being real, it makes him my favorite character in the game.

It's a little scary to say, but watching Jimmy is like seeing a mirrored version of myself two years ago before I truly committed to treatment for my NPD. He's like a shadow. The opening line "I hope this hurts," which I believe comes from Jimmy right before the crash, is such a poignant statement. It's a simple line, but I can tell you from experience that the desire to hurt others when in a narcissistic rage is overwhelming. It's such a good line to sum up Jimmy's character in that moment. Luckily, in the real world, I had my friends and family there to catch me when I hit my lowest, even though I'd hurt them so many times. Jimmy probably could've used friends to force him into therapy (cough cough Curly cough cough)

[nothingspecialherern]

Jaskier couldn't believe what he was seeing. Pages upon pages of his life, his secrets, his legal information. Every page was more and more concerning. Why would he do this?

Then he flipped to the last few pages. These were description after description of his breakdowns in public. A picture of his nervous tick, messing with the ring on his finger; a performance where he had panicked seeing someone in the crowd and missed a note; his tears in the middle of a song. Some didn't have pictures, just scribbling over news cutouts-- How often? Possible hyperactivity. Startles easy.

With every new scribble, Jaskier felt tears threaten to fall. All this time, Geralt had been watching him. He'd been collecting all this dirt on him, meticulously getting all this information on his own shortcomings. Jaskier wanted to scream. Why? Why would he do this? 

Underneath that, though, anger boiled. Of course. Of course it was all fake. Geralt wasn't some nice bodyguard who cared about him. He was just some stupid paparazzi that went undercover for a story. He was so stupid. How could he fall for this? Tears hit the papers in his hand. He'll know I've seen them now, he thought, but who cares? Let him know. Let him know just how this feels.

Just then, Geralt's footsteps echoed outside the room. Though Geralt's keys jingled and slid home, Jaskier couldn't bring himself to move. We were friends. I thought we were friends.

The door creaked open, and Jaskier could hear the moment Geralt saw him. He paused in the door, frozen. Neither said a thing, too afraid or angry to figure out the right thing to say. The moment lasted a lifetime. 

Finally, Jaskier came to a decision. He kept his back turned from Geralt, but held up the papers. Jaskier let all of the venom in his veins pour into his accusation.

"How long have you been doing this?"

Geralt hesitated, his voice uncertain. “It’s what I was hired for.”

At that, Jaskier whirled around. His anger-filled eyes were laden in tears; a few rolled down his cheeks, but Jaskier was too angry to care. “And were you ever going to tell me about it?”

Geralt looked utterly distraught. His eyes were red, his gaze pleading, his posture guilty and remorseful. But his voice was resigned. “No.”

Jasker wanted to burn. He wanted Geralt to hurt. He wanted these papers gone. He dug into his pocket where he kept his lighter. His hands were shaking so bad that he barely got it to ignite, but at last he held the papers into the flame. As they caught, Jaskier threw them onto the desk. Geralt was totally silent behind him, simply moving from the doorframe to the chair a few feet away. He looked like all the air was just punched out of him. Good.

“You got something to say? Or are we done here?”

Geralt didn’t seem to have the energy to sit up, his face blank. “That’s my only income. I’m gonna lose her now.”

Ciri, Jaskier’s mind supplied. He was always worried about keeping her. He looked back at the burning remains of the papers. It was all too easy to see now-- Geralt was too pressed for cash, willing to do anything to keep his daughter with him, even something cruel. It was all so unfair. But it was unfair to do this to him, too-- it was cruel to dig up Jaskier’s deepest insecurities for the highest bidder. 

He could be lying, his mind said. But that wasn’t what was happening here. Jaskier could see the utterly distraught expression on Geralt’s face. That was real. Jaskier started looking through his drawers, finding his checkbook.

“How much do you need?”

“What?”

“How much?” Jaskier said. “Let me write this check and be done with it.”

Now Geralt leapt forward, trying to stop him from writing. “No, I can’t ask you to do that. It’s not-”

“Right?” Jaskier spat. “Now I know you’re delusional. I’m tired, Geralt. I don’t want to think about this anymore. If you could take money to ruin my reputation, then you can take my money now.”

“That’s not it. I don’t… That’s not what…” Geralt grew frustrated with his own brain, not coming up with the words he needed. “I don’t want to be that person anymore. I don’t.” He sighed. “It’s not that I couldn’t just take your money. It’s that I… Well, when I started, I thought you were just some pop star that would be easy to hate.”

“Gee, thanks.”

“That’s not what I mean, I just--” He sighed again. “The more I started to know you, the more I wanted this. A steady job that my daughter was actually excited about. A paycheck that the court would recognize as stability. A job that was much more predictable and gave me regular hours at home. With Ciri. And you.”

Jaskier felt bitterness rise up in him again. Yeah, I liked that too. Right up until I learned it was all a joke to you. 

When Geralt got no response, he continued.  “I just… I didn’t know what to do. I liked you, and this job. You’re so much different than I expected. And before I knew it, it was a total disaster. I didn’t know how to get out. Our time together meant so much to me, and Ciri loved having you around. I never wanted any of this to happen, but it did.”

Jaskier looked at Geralt. There was something else he wasn’t saying. Still, he was being so sincere. Regardless of what else might have been a lie, all of this was true. God, his traitorous heart started to sympathize with him. I want to be angry. I am angry. I’m not folding for him. Not like this. 

Geralt looked at the floor, then seemed to decide on something. He reached down to the floor, where he must have put whatever he came in with. Jaskier had been so angry, he hadn’t even noticed Geralt bringing anything at all. Finally, Geralt brought up a bouquet of flowers. He had a sad smile as he spun the bundle in his hands.

“I came here to say a lot more than that. Now it feels stupid.” He looked back up at Jaskier. “I know this doesn’t mean anything to you anymore, but it means everything to me. I guess now I know. It was stupid.” He looked back at the flowers. “You can turn me in. Fire me, or whatever. I understand. I’m just so sorry, Jaskier.”

Jaskier was dumbfounded. He kept staring at the bouquet. It was everything he wanted, wasn’t it? Did he really care about those stupid papers? Oh, but it was real-- that pain was real. He was angry and vengeful and he wanted the whole thing to end.

So tell him to leave, his mind said. Get him out the door, tell him you hate him. Hell, just point, and he’ll go. 

Jaskier couldn’t move. He couldn’t say the words, get out. His stupid heart just couldn’t do it. “Will you do it again?”

Geralt looked surprised. “No. Never. I’ll never do that to you again, I swear.”

“Okay.” Jaskier began tidying up his desk. “Then you’ll finish what you started. I still need a bodyguard for the next two months, and you’ll be watched for those two months. I won’t let this happen again. If I ever find something like this again, you’re done. And I’ll spread the word around town, in case you try it with other performers.”

Geralt just stared. “You’ll keep me? Why?”

Jaskier looked at him. “I need a bodyguard. And I understand all too well what it’s like to have no other option for money.” His eyes trailed down to the bouquet of flowers. “And I won’t be… I can’t pick up where we left off. I won’t. I just…” Jaskier moved to be in front of Geralt, lifting up his chin to look up at him. “I care too much about you to leave you like this. But I’m not ready for that. I just can’t.”

Geralt nodded. “I know. I wouldn’t expect you to. I’m so sorry, really.”

“You said that.” Jaskier sighed. There were so many things that just felt like a burden about this. But at the same time, he was right on the cusp of it all. He just needed time. He looked around and found his jacket. “The rental runs out at 2 this morning, so be out of here by then.”

“Of course.”

“Alright.” He slung his jacket over his shoulders and headed to the door. 

“Jasker?” Geralt said. 

“Yes?”

Geralt looked like he had a million things to say, and no time to say it. “Goodnight.”

The word made him smile. Guess we’ve got time tomorrow. “Goodnight, Geralt.” And with that, Jaskier closed the door and began the long walk out of the venue. 

Modern Au:

A down-on-his-luck private detective, Geralt Rivia, is on the verge of losing everything. His finances are in shambles, and he's facing the imminent loss of custody of his daughter, Ciri, to her grandmother. Just when things seem their bleakest, Geralt lands a case that promises a much-needed payout of $10,000.

The job involves folk-pop star Jaskier, who has retreated from the public eye following a recent and highly publicized meltdown. Geralt's client wants him to gather evidence proving that Jaskier is mentally unstable. Though he knows the assignment is ethically questionable, Geralt's desperation forces his hand. He accepts the job, going undercover as Jaskier's new bodyguard.

But when Geralt finally meets the enigmatic musician, his expectations are shattered. Everything he thought he knew about Jaskier is upended, leading Geralt to reevaluate both the case and his own sense of right and wrong.

[ofbardsandmen]

greetings fellow genshin enthusiasts and fanatics!! once again, i'm generously presenting and offering my most beloved mondstadt character spotify playlists, free of charge and yours to consume, if you will.

[darabeatha]

multiple sneks

[todayisafridaynight]

would you guys still like me if i rambled about my cringe crackship

[seraxfemme]

🔥

[himalayaan-flowers]

mental health experts are not a thing

[thetangibleghost]

I gotta confess it is so much more fun talking to Sal as if he is a separate person like he wants and not a member of the system. He's super creative like. Its just fun.