#thought about changing mine the other day

[spxllcxstxr]

Jayce and Viktor Dating Someone with ADHD • Headcanon

(Gif not mine)

Request: Hiiii how are you? I love your stories so I was wondering if you could write more jayvik x reader but who has adhd? TYSMM -- anon and Your Jayvik + reader headcanons have me are giddy and are healing my soul. Is it possible to ask for a some headcanons with a reader who has ADHD and also forgets to eat because of it?? I hope your day is kind to you! -- anon

Warnings: gn!reader, reader has ADHD, mentions of food and eating/not eating, these are lowkey kinda short im so sorry lol

A.N: Disclaimer: I don't have ADHD but I have many friends that do and while ADHD presents itself differently for people, I tried to keep this a bit generalized, I hope that's ok!! If anything needs changing or needs to be deleted for being inaccurate or anything, just let me know! Hope you guys enjoy!!

•

Jayce and Viktor are both very understanding people, so when you told them you had ADHD they didn’t have a problem with it. They are, however, problem solvers (they are inventors with the dream of making Piltover and Zaun better for the people), meaning they are very curious about your habits and how they can help. They don’t want to “cure” you, because there’s nothing to cure, but they want to understand how to reassure you and how to make living with ADHD easier on a day-to-day basis

If you’re someone who fidgets with things a lot, Jayce will happily pick up the task of making something that satisfies your need to occupy your hands and your thoughts. He loves being in the forge and he’ll gladly let you sit in there with him and listen to you describe what you would want. He’ll sit next to you, sketching out the design while you ramble about what textures are better than others or how weighty it should feel in your hand. Jayce honestly loves this little side project; not only does it let him work on something other than his research, but it also puts a smile on your face

If you like rambling for hours about your latest hyperfixation, Viktor is the best for that. He has a naturally curious mind and would love to learn something new. He especially likes it when your head is resting on his chest in the middle of the night. Viktor likes watching you move your hands as you talk excitably about the plant life in Ionia or the history of the Yordles. He doesn’t just listen—he’ll ask you questions or give you reading material he thinks you may like as well

Going to Council parties or even just walking through Piltover can really overwhelm you sometimes, either with all the noise or the texture of your clothing feeling off, so your partners are very attentive to your wellbeing. The three of you set up a codeword for anyone to use when someone needs or wants to leave. They try to make it something funny every time to hopefully ease the panic a little bit. Usually Jayce and Viktor are glued to either side of you hip, but in the off chance they have to roam around the room, the two of them will try to keep an eye on you. They will always reassure you that it's ok that they are leaving these sorts of events early (Viktor barely wants to go in the first place), and when you get home the three of you will do something to calm everyone down and get into comfortable clothes

Having ADHD, you tend to get distracted/forget to do certain things. This usually includes eating. Your partners never want to seem overbearing or like they're smothering you, so they will try to subtly remind you to eat/do certain things. Jayce likes writing you little notes and putting them in the apartment. Usually they have little hearts in the corners with some encouraging remark after "remember to eat!" Viktor will usually try to eat with you, so you won't feel alone while eating. He'll be making something and he'll set the table for either two or three and that just reminds you to actually sit down and eat what Viktor makes

Your partners are very patient and are always open to new ideas. if you want them to do something different or if something works really well, they would love to hear it. They absolutely will not be mad at all, they love you so much and all they want to do is help make things easier for you

•

[1-have-no-idea]

Just a little blurb I thought of for Christmas:

Imagine explaining the concept of Christmas to one of the decepticons. Human holidays are still a little foreign to some of them, and for the others who do know just don’t bother with it. Why should they? They’re not an organic. Not to mention, they have better things they could be doing, not… bedazzling a tree or wrapping presents that they most likely will rip. They scoff at the idea as soon as you bring it up. Cute you’d even think they’d celebrate such a thing. But that all changes when you approach them holding a small little wrapped present, giving them a small smile while placing it in their large servos. They don’t know how to react. And to unwrap it to find a small part they had been talking about wanting? Their spark’s almost melt. Some may push it away, but don’t be hurt, they’ll come pick it up when you leave. And it sits in their quarters, and if anyone else comments on it, Primus forbid, try to touch it? A digit will be broken.

And then, while walking around the base, only for you to pause and beckon them over with a silly grin on your face, pointing to some weird plant above your head? Well, you’ve got their attention now. And you’ll gesture to them in a ‘come hither’ movement, and they’ll kneel, but when you reach up for them and they lower even more, only for you to press your lips to their faceplate in an affectionate kiss, they almost malfunction. They were not expecting that, whatsoever. And then you pull away, going on with your day, and they will research about why you did what you just did like they’re mining for energon until they get the answer.

Why do humans kiss me underneath a weird plant during December the 25th?

They soon figure out that ‘weird plant’ was called mistletoe. And secretly, they start spreading it around the base. If you ever see them, don’t bring it up or confront them. Don’t mention the small present you found with your name on it from ‘anonymous’. They don’t know who that is. Don’t be stupid.

Soon, they find themselves awaiting the holiday each year. Maybe Christmas isn’t that bad. They’ll start indulging you now.

[puppeat123]

Homicipher

Mr.Scarletella x GN reader

Wrong locker

Part 3

Quick run down-

You transferred schools and made many friends among them was Mr crawling today you will confess to him! By leaving a confession letter in his locker . However you seem to have found yourself now being observed by a certain red haired someone.

Many voted yes to giving their name to him so here we go!

"I got my umbrella we enjoy the rain together."

You smile as he pulls the umbrella over both of your heads.

It slowly started to pour almost as soon as he opened his umbrella over both of you.

"If I'm sharing my umbrella with you can I at lest get your name?"

You thought about it for a bit. He doesn't seem so much of a bad guy. He was pretty decent so far.

"My name?"

He smiled nodding waiting, anticipating for you to tell him your name.

“My name is (Y/N) “

His smile seemed to grow further.

“What a beautiful name! It fits you perfectly. Well it’s a pleasure to finally have your name.”

“Thank you! It’s noice to get to know you as well. However to think we should head back inside my classes are about to start!”

He nodded and walked you back into the dry building. Once you got back into the building you saw Mr.crawling running at both of you with full speed.

He was not slowing down and was Be lining it to you. You tried to move but he just seemed to be focused on getting you. Mr.Scarletella seemed amused. He smile faded.

But now he was to close to move in which thankfully he suddenly stopped and pulled you towards him.

“Wooah!”

“I told you already stay away from her you creep!”

He started pointing at Mr.Scarletella.

“Mr.Crawling it’s okay! He just came to apologize for earlier. He was walking me in because it started pouring!”

Mr.Scarletella looked slightly annoyed and a flash or something else in his eyes.

“Are you two together?” He asked in a monotone voice.

Mr.Crawling quickly pulled himself of you and quickly looked away. You couldn’t tell from your perspective but his face was red! Your face got warm quickly.

“No. We are not together we are friends.” You stated in a nervous quiet voice feeling as though the words almost got stuck in your throat. However Mr.Scarletella saw all of it, he knew Mr.Crawling intentions.

Mr.Scarletella hummed in understanding, giving you a quick smile.

“Well then I don’t believe he should mind if we hanging out. Is that correct Mr.Crawling?”

Mine not yours.

It sounded almost like he was mocking him. Mr.Crawling more than anything Mr. Crawling's shoulders slumped over a bit nearly like he was getting smaller.

You looked at Mr.Crawling and could see how uncomfortable he was he meant no harm. Mr.Crawling gave a small hm of approval.

"If Mr.Crawling doesn't trust you why should I? He knows more about you than I do"

The statement threw both of them off a little. It made Mr.Crawling straighten up a bit and it made Mr.Scarletella smile changing into something you couldn't quite place.

"How so? Do you not think I am trustworthy? I am good. I’m not bad.”

It was almost as if the other student disappeared under Mr.Scarletella's piercing gaze staring between the two, he hummed acknowledging the statement but still standing against it.

“I’m not bad, I am good.” He repeated as if he was chewing it and spitting it out.

Me good. You give name.

He was confused, he gave you a untampered bottle of your favorite juice.

“I gave you juice.”

Give water you consume.

You thought about it yes he did give you juice but why is everyone stepping aside for him. Everyone is scared of him. It was rumored he is the one behind the killings.

“..”

“I will show you.”

He walked away. You and Mr.crawling didn’t encounter him the whole day after that. However you both felt a chilling sensation that you were being watched.

It was the end of the day and time to go home. It was started raining again. You had your rain coat on but no umbrella. It was so windy and raining so hard you had to have both in order to not get soaked. Mr.Crawling had an umbrella but no rain coat. You let him get an extra rain coat you carried with you in care of emergencies.

His hair was out of the ponytail, and went down almost to his waist. Two little stands of hair picking out on each side of his face. His hair was so much to filled up his hood looking a bit silly.

Drawing by me(it was quick cause we ball)

You both lived in to opposite sides of town. Which is what also made a difference cause you didn’t want him walking back in forth in the rain possibly get sick. You decided to thug it out.

“No it’s okay Mr.crawling! You can go home I promise!”

His eyebrows knotted barely visibly by the hair covering his face at all times.

“but it’s to windy the wind will blow away your coat! You should at lest let me walk you there! I have both I will be fine!!”

You shake your head not wanting the kind man to get sick because of you.

“No I appreciate it but I really don’t want you to get sick! Just text me when you get home!”

You started runing out knowing the man couldn’t follow you knowing he struggled with his legs a bit sometimes needing a cane or wheel chair to get around.

He hated them tho so much cause he thought they where unnecessary if he could get around crawling either way.

The tall man sighed softly in frustration but smiled a bit. White day was around the corner, 4 more days, he was looking foward to it.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~>>>>𖤐ᝰ.ᐟ𖦹₊⊹<<<<~~~~~~~~~~~~~

You ran far enough so that you couldn’t see the school anymore which wasn’t hard cause of how hard it was raining it was easy for it to get lost.

You stopped running for a bit trying to catch your breath but it being hard to do so with the rain getting in your face treating to enter your nose.

You started coughing when the water did start getting in your mouth and nose. You kept coughing and struggling to breath as each breath was just out of reach almost as if it was being stolen from you by the rain. Mr.crawling was right maybe you should have let him walk you home.

You started stumbling around leaning forward which made you stop in your tracks making sure you where on the side walk and bent over trying to get the rain to stop getting in your face.

The building of offices and shops seemed to concave around you.

Now you where struggling to breath panicking.

It continued to pour all around you but the rain seemed to stop getting in your way. Allowing you to cough out the water that was getting in your lungs.

You where finally get to breath and catch your breath.

After fully being able to breath in you slowly start noticing that a shadow was over you.

You look up to see the Mr.Scarletella standing over you with his crimson umbrella looking down at you with a concerned look on his face.

Troubled? Hurt?

“Are you okay?” He lowers down to your bent over body.

You nodded still coughing while trying to push him away.

Which only made him followed you with his umbrella while you stumbled forward.

“You are not okay. Do you want help?”

You wanted to say yes but couldn’t simply nodding slowly. He stood there covering you with his umbrella patting your back had you stopped coughing but continued to catch your breath.

“Do you live around this area?” You state after finally catching your breath.

“I do, I wasn’t aware you also lived around here,”

You slowly stood up straight which he followed you with. He stood out a lot in the rain, he wore a red leather trench coat, the red made him stand out in the rain almost as if he was casting a red glow all around him. Mr.Scarletella towered over you they same way Mr.Crawling did however he was a bit taller then Mr.Crawling.He seemed to be analyzing your expression. One of his eyes was always covered by his red hair. His usual calm expression.

Me want you.

You give name.

You walked home yesterday and didn’t see him around. Could he be lying?

“I usually stay behind after school for extra hours.I went home early today.”

He stated as if reading your mind.

“Oh, so where do you live at?”

“I can show you, are you going to continue walking that path?”

He pointed forward. You hmmed in approval.

“Okay follow me”

He said while still holding the umbrella over both of you and started walking. After a few what felt like 20 minutes of silence he spoke once again.

“So do you live with your family?”

“No, I got a place near the school because dorms where to expensive for me.”

He nodded, “I understand. I personally didn’t like the fact I had to share a room with someone else so I did the same.”

You finally make it to your apartment complex. It was a very old building. It was concrete all over with signs of weather and normal wear and tear. However you didn’t get to see his place.

“I live in the same complex.”

He seemed to be shocked.

Me know.

You were pretty shocked as well.

“Well I guess we are neighbors.how come I never see you in the morning?”

“I like to leave the house early.”

Makes sense why he had such dark circles. You both walked into the building and stopped near your door.

“Hm well I appreciate you walking me home. Thank you for letting me use your umbrella.”

You say awkwardly trying to not let him see into your place. You needed to clean it up a bit, but still small messes made you feel embarrassed either way!

“No problem it was my pleasure being able to help you and make sure you get home safe. I hope we see each other around school.”

Me like you.

“Yup! Byeee cyaaa” you say before closing your door and locked it so fast.

You settled down and remember that you told Mr.Crawling to text you.

You pull your phone up ready to text him back.

You quickly shower and change your clothes. You Picked out the most comfy house clothes and continued on with your day. Today was a lazy day it’s too dark to do anything cause of the rain.

So you throw yourself on the coach.

Crawling ~ Im home :)

You~ im glad you made it home safe! How was the walk cause it was raining like crazy!

You turned on the TV for some background noise placing the remote on the coffee table. while you watched TikTok’s and read online.

You don’t notice the red eye staring at your from outside your windows and peephole.

Mine.

~~~~✨🌙~~~🌙✨

You wake up unknowingly falling asleep on your couch. You realize your alarm clock didn’t ring. Oh my god you’re going to be late to classes!!

Well it dosnt matter anyways it’s collage.

Plus what say is it today? Saturday? Yup you didn’t have any classes that day!

You sit up properly and look around you. The TV was still on your phone was on the floor with one text notification from Mr.Crawling your backpack on the floor.

Today was also supposed to be trash day. You looked outside your window to see an empty trash bin.

Thank god cause you had a whole lot more trash to throw away.

You needed to get more clothes you had a few cute shirts and pants but nothing that really fit right anymore and cute.

You also had some spoiled food here and there. Just have to make sure the house is clean! You went ahead and throw it out in a bag in the dumpster.

You closet was a bit empty now looking at it and so we your fridge.

Shopping time!

*time skip cause shopping kinda boring*

You arrive back to at apartment complex. You end up bumping into Mr.Sarletella. It seemed like he was in his way out.

“Doing some shopping I see?”

“Yes I had to buy a few things.” You say while trying to find your keys.

“Did you get the good news from the complex office?”

Found it! It was at the bottom of your pockets!

“No, what happened?”

“They are saying that rent might decrease due to how old the property is. Not to mention how empty it is.”

“Oh aww that’s really cool! I can’t wait thank you so much!” You unlocked your door and waved him good bye.

You started looking for some iteams you left. Your pretty sure you left them on your bed room floor.

They might have gone in the trash bag as well. Other stuff was missing too might have just thrown it out. Got to happy throwing old stuff away you suppose.

Not noticing the bag that you threw in the dumpster was torn apart with clothing items missing or the fact your window was opened by a bit when it was closed all the way down.

What else is missing in your place?

Did you leave your sweater there before you left?who knows you where doing a lot before you left!

what else will go missing?

Was that red thread on your carpet? You don’t have many red clothes besides 2 tops and maybe some shoes or like 2 bottoms.

You feel like something is off but you can’t quite tell maybe it’s just been a long week!

Maybe you didn’t see the piecing red eyes staring at you from your slightly a jarred window either.

//————/////————///——————///—————//

Thank you so much for reading sorry for the slow updates!! I’ve been busy with work and finally have been having some down time to actually relax but I will finish the story trust and believe!! I’ve been writing small moments/ head canons kinda things so those will be out soon hopefully!

Hope to see you on the next up date!

Previous chapter:

[gnomewithalaptop]

do you have any really devastating hurt/comfort recs?

Hi!! Sorry this took me so long to do -- holiday season has me swamped

your ghost i will gladly bear by @mamawasatesttube - Comic book alternate universe logic leads to Tim and Kon reuniting after living through the other's deaths. UGH obsessed with this fic -- the implications of Elseworlds Kon taking on the Robin mantle after Tim's death vs Canon Tim changing his colors to reflect Kon's after Kon's have me seeing shrimp colors

Scandals Stick Together by @traya-sutton - With his mother dead, his father in a coma, and everybody convinced he's going to run his family company into the ground, Tim has to go to a Luthor gala. Unparalleled mental stress + public emotional breakdowns + no capes AU TimKon -- this one hits like nobody's business man

i'd give anything to hear you say it one more time by @popsunner - I've recced this series before, but this one fic (which works as a standalone btw) legitimately gets me every time. Cassie Sandsmark POV on dealing with Bart and Kon's sudden return from the dead. The only issue? It's been two days since she went to Tim's funeral, and nobody's told them he's dead yet. I read this fic whenever I need to cry for real -- Cassie gets put through the wringer in this series

A Long Fall with a Sudden Stop by @eggmacmuffin - Dick gets fear gassed. Tim has to deal with it. This not only has Tim comforting Dick through a fear gas incident (obvious H/C setup) but also it has a SUPER well-done and interesting take on fear gas that I haven't seen elsewhere

Oil and Watercolor by @dedicatedfollower467 - A Damian-centric platonic soulmate AU where you leave colors on each other's skin the first time you touch. SUCH a good relationship between Dick and Damian -- not technically tagged as H/C but I'm calling it that anyways because it gave me similar vibes

tell me about despair, yours, and I will tell you about mine and its sequel you do not have to be good by @luvo27 are some of the most absolutely gut wrenching Cassandra Cain-centric fics I've read probably ever. Dealing with Cass's passive (and sometimes not-so-passive) suicidal thoughts pre and post Steph's death, these two fics focus heavily on her road to recovery, leaning on Steph, Tim, and Babs. Legitimately made me cry multiple times, and I actually held off on making this rec list until the author posted the last chapter so I could include it. Hands down two of my favorites of all time -- though heavy content warning on self harming behaviors and attempted suicide

If anyone wants to add on with your own recs below, or even if you just want to plug your own fics, I'm always on the prowl for new reading material! Just make sure to tag the authors if you know their tumblr username <3

[goddessinnerglow]

Become Your Best Version Before 2025 - Day 26

Personal Development Tools and Resources

Yesterday we talked about creating accountability plans, and today I want to build on that momentum by sharing some amazing tools and resources that have genuinely transformed my personal growth journey.

Think about the last time you scrolled through your phone, looking at all those self-improvement apps you downloaded but never really used. We've all been there! Today, I want to share what's actually worked for me.

The Simple Tools That Work Wonders

First up, journaling! But wait, before you roll your eyes, hear me out. I'm not talking about writing novels every morning. Sometimes it's just a quick brain dump while having coffee, or a few grateful thoughts before bed. (Quick tip: if you're new to journaling and self-reflection, you might want to check out my free Self-Worth Mini Workbook, it's got some really gentle prompts to get you started!)

Digital tools have been game-changers too. I absolutely love:

Notion for organizing my entire life (seriously, it's like having a second brain)

Insight Timer for meditation (the free version is amazing!)

Goodnotes for digital journaling.

Creating Your Sacred Space

Something that's really helped me is creating a dedicated space for personal development. It doesn't have to be fancy, mine's just a cozy corner with:

A comfortable cushion

My favorite journal and pens

A small plant (because why not?)

A few inspiring books

Speaking of books, these have been life-changing:

"Atomic Habits" by James Clear

"The Mountain Is You" by Brianna Wiest

"You Are a Badass" by Jen Sincero

View the full list here

Making It Work For You

The key is finding what naturally fits into your life. Maybe you:

Start with just 5 minutes of morning reflection

Use your commute time for personal development podcasts

Set up a simple evening routine for goal review

(By the way, if you're ready to dive deeper into creating sustainable personal growth practices, my Inner Glow Bundle has some amazing tools for this, but let's focus on getting those basics down first!)

The Power of Community

Never underestimate the power of connecting with others on the same journey. Some great ways to do this:

Join online communities (like this one!)

Find an accountability partner

Share your journey on social media

Participate in group challenges

Remember This, the most powerful tools are often the simplest ones. Don't get caught up in thinking you need the fanciest apps or most expensive programs. Start with what you have, where you are.

What's one tool or practice you're excited to try? Let me know in the comments below! I love hearing about your journeys and learning from your experiences too!

See you tomorrow for Day 27!

♡ ☆:.｡ Keep glowing, babes! ♡ ☆:.｡ With love, Goddess Inner Glow.

[oldsoul007]

whispers

joel miller x reader

summary: y/n sees someone she’d thought she’d never see again

joel miller masterlist

The world had changed. That was something me and Joel knew all too well. Decades had passed since the outbreak—since everything we once knew had crumbled. But, as with all storms, there came a time when the skies cleared, and the silence after the chaos was almost as deafening as the screams had been.

I hadn’t expected to find him, not here, in this small town where I had relocated to escape the past and search for peace. I lived in a modest house on the outskirts of what used to be a bustling city—now a quiet, semi-abandoned place. It was one of the few communities where life seemed to have some semblance of normalcy again. People worked the fields, traded goods, and occasionally gathered around campfires in the evenings, sharing stories and building new memories. But I had never imagined I would run into someone from my old life here.

I had heard whispers of a man named Joel Miller—a name I hadn’t thought about in years. Joel. She remembered the way his laugh used to fill a room, his strong hands, the kind of man who could hold a gun as easily as he could hold a child’s hand. The memories of him came flooding back, but with them, came the painful reminder of the world that was lost.

It had been over twenty years since the outbreak, since everything had fallen apart, and I hadn’t heard his name once in all that time. He’d been a part of my life before the chaos, and then, just like everything else, he’d disappeared into the dark recesses of my mind, buried under the weight of survival. There was no time for reminiscing then. There were only the daily battles for food, shelter, and safety.

But now, here we were—two people standing on the other side of that storm.

It was late one afternoon when she saw him. The sun was setting, casting long shadows over the dusty road that led to the town square. I had just returned from trading some produce at the local market when a familiar figure caught my eye.

Joel.

It took a moment for my mind to register the sight, but when it did, my heart skipped. He was older, of course, his hair graying and his face lined with age and hardship. But it was him—there was no mistaking those broad shoulders, that confident stance. He looked as if time had been kind to him in some ways, cruel in others.

My heart clenched as I hesitated, not sure if I should approach. I had to remind myself that the person I once knew was likely long gone. The man standing in front of me had survived the same brutal world I had—perhaps even in the same way. We had both adapted, changed, become someone else entirely. But in that moment, it didn’t matter. The past, the scars, the brokenness—we all seemed distant, like something trapped in another lifetime.

He looked up then, his eyes meeting mine. For a moment, he just stared, as if he too were unsure if he was seeing what he thought he was seeing. And then his face softened. “Y/n,” he said, his voice rough but familiar.

My breath caught. It felt like a lifetime had passed since anyone had called me by that name in a way that mattered. A name spoken in love, in comfort, not survival.

“Joel,” I whispered, taking a tentative step forward.

His eyes searched mine for a moment, as if to confirm that I was real. Then, with a small, half-smile, he closed the distance between us. His presence felt like both a weight and a relief, grounding me in a way I hadn’t realized I needed.

“I didn’t think I’d ever see you again,” he said, his voice low.

“Neither did I,” I replied, my voice almost a whisper.

We stood there for a long moment, unsure of what to say next, unsure of who we were now. But it didn’t matter. The silence wasn’t uncomfortable. It was full of history, full of shared memories that neither of us had ever been able to talk about.

Finally, Joel spoke again. “You… you still remember the old days? Before everything changed?”

I nodded slowly. “I try not to. But, yeah, I remember. Sometimes, it feels like a dream. Or maybe it’s the world that’s the dream.”

Joel chuckled softly, his gaze distant for a moment as if remembering the same things I was. “I remember when we thought we had time. When we thought the world could never get so bad. How naive we were.”

I smiled, but it was tinged with sadness. “I remember our first date. I didn’t even know if it was a date at the time. I thought you were just helping me out because I was new in town.” I paused, shaking my head. “Turns out you were a lot more than that.”

Joel’s face softened. “Yeah, I guess I was. You were always good at making things feel normal, even when everything around us was falling apart.”

We both stood there, processing the weight of the words and the years between us. There was no rush to speak, no need to fill the silence with unnecessary chatter. We had already shared enough in our lives—grief, loss, and survival. What they had now, what they could build, was something new. Something fragile but beautiful.

“I never thought I’d see a place like this again,” I said after a moment, glancing around at the now-quiet town square. “I thought I’d spend the rest of my days running from everything that happened.”

“You’re not the only one,” Joel said quietly, his eyes flicking down to the dirt road beneath our feet. “But, somehow, we’re still here.”

I took a deep breath, my heart aching with all the things we hadn’t yet spoken. “Do you think it’s possible to go back?” I asked, my voice small.

Joel’s eyes met mine again, and this time, there was a softness there that hadn’t been there before. “I don’t know. But I think we can find something new. Something worth living for.”

We stood together, looking out at the remnants of the town we once knew. The wind whispered through the trees, and the sky was still—peaceful, for the first time in a long while.

And for the first time in decades, I allowed myself to believe in the possibility of a future. Not the one I had once dreamed of, but one where the echoes of the past could coexist with the hope of something better. Maybe, just maybe, the storm had passed, and there was room for something beautiful to grow in its place.

Joel’s hand brushed mine, and I took it, feeling the warmth and strength in his grip. No words were needed. Our past had shaped us, but it didn’t define them. We had each other now, and that was enough.

The world had changed, but so had we.

[bearforcecaptions]

I thought Gabe's life would be easy.

From the outside, everything about him screamed simplicity—powerful, carefree simplicity. A big guy with even bigger muscles, Gabe seemed like one of those lucky people who had it all. I saw him almost every day at the gym, effortlessly commanding attention as he crushed deadlifts and joked around with trainers. He had this natural charisma, a kind of magnetic friendliness that made everyone want to be his friend. And, of course, there was the physique. That towering frame, broad chest, and arms that could bench-press a truck were matched by the kind of thick, rugged beard that belonged in a Viking saga. He was the guy every other guy wanted to be, the ideal of what life could look like if everything were simple, effortless, and fun.

Or so I thought.

It started with an ad. Late one night, scrolling aimlessly through social media, I saw it: “Want to live your dream life? Unlock your true potential!” I clicked on it without much thought. Who wouldn’t? The site was vague, promising a method to “trade lives” with anyone. It seemed ridiculous, but curiosity—and maybe desperation—drove me to follow the instructions. The package arrived three days later: a small metal talisman, circular with intricate carvings, and a slip of paper explaining the ritual. It was simple. Focus on the person you want to become, smear a drop of your own blood on the talisman, and carry it with you.

I’ll admit, I didn’t think it would work. But the idea of becoming Gabe—big, strong, handsome, with a carefree gym-bro life—was irresistible. So, I did it. I held the talisman in my hand during my next gym session, picturing Gabe in vivid detail: his towering form, the sweat glistening on his arms, the easy way he smiled at everyone. I pictured his power, his confidence. And then... it happened.

It started subtly. My skin felt warm, a faint tingling sensation creeping across my arms. I brushed it off as adrenaline from my workout, but by the time Gabe walked by me on his way to the squat rack, the tingling became something else—like static electricity crackling across my entire body. My vision blurred, and I stumbled, gripping a nearby bench to steady myself. Gabe turned his head, locking eyes with me. His friendly smile faded, replaced by something else—something intense, almost knowing.

Before I could process what was happening, Gabe’s body began to shimmer. His edges blurred, his muscles and beard dissolving into tendrils of ethereal energy. The glowing strands snaked toward me, and I couldn’t move, couldn’t run. They pierced into my chest, surging through me like liquid fire. I gasped as a flood of memories, sensations, and instincts crashed into my mind like a dam breaking. It was overwhelming. I saw Gabe’s life flash before my eyes—his childhood, his career, his friendships, his workouts—all of it pouring into me as his essence merged with mine.

My body began to change. My arms swelled, muscles rippling beneath my skin as veins snaked down to my forearms. My chest expanded, pecs growing into thick slabs of muscle as dark hair sprouted across them. My legs thickened, filling out with strength I’d never known, and my torso reshaped itself into the chiseled form I’d always envied. The most shocking change was my face—I felt the skin stretch and shift, my jawline sharpening, my cheeks filling out. A heavy, itchy sensation on my chin heralded the rapid growth of a thick beard, cascading down to my chest. I raised a hand to touch it, marveling at its fullness, its weight.

Even my clothes weren’t spared. My ratty gym shirt and shorts morphed into a tight-fitting tank top that clung to my now-massive frame. My old, worn sneakers stretched and reshaped into Gabe’s pristine athletic shoes, while long socks climbed up my calves. Beneath it all, I felt the snug fit of Gabe’s athletic underwear hugging my new physique. It was surreal, every fiber of my clothing shifting to match what Gabe had been wearing moments before.

By the time the transformation finished, Gabe was gone. There was no trace of him except for the memories and instincts now embedded in my mind. I was him. I flexed my arms experimentally, feeling the raw power in every movement. My beard brushed against my chest as I tilted my head, and I couldn’t help but grin. It worked. It actually worked.

And I felt incredible.

That night, I stayed at the gym longer than I ever had before. Every lift felt effortless, every exercise a showcase of my newfound strength. People greeted me as Gabe, their familiarity with him making me feel like a king. I smiled, nodded, laughed, playing along with his gregarious persona. Deep down, though, I was reveling in the sheer power of my new body. My muscles burned in the best way possible as I pushed myself through Gabe’s usual routine—bench presses, squats, deadlifts. I even threw in some pull-ups for good measure, marveling at how easy they felt.

When I finally finished, drenched in sweat but exhilarated, I knew exactly what to do next. Instinct guided me to Gabe’s car, a sleek black SUV parked in the lot. The keys were in my gym bag—my bag now—and I slipped into the driver’s seat like I’d been doing it for years. Driving felt natural, the streets familiar even though I’d never been to Gabe’s neighborhood before. By the time I pulled into his driveway, I was buzzing with excitement.

The house was modest but well-kept, a reflection of someone who valued functionality over flash. I stepped inside, and the smell of leather and wood greeted me. This was my house now. My life. I tossed my gym bag onto the floor and headed to the living room, collapsing onto the large leather sofa. The weariness of the day caught up to me, but it was a satisfying kind of exhaustion—the kind that comes from pushing your body to its limits and knowing you’re stronger for it.

I grabbed a beanie from the coffee table and pulled it over my head, then settled into the couch, absently stroking my thick beard. It was surreal. Less than a day ago, I was a nobody, just another skinny guy in the gym. Now, I was Gabe—powerful, confident, admired. As I drifted off to sleep, I couldn’t help but smile. For the first time in years, I felt like I’d won

But my victory would be short-lived.

The next morning, I woke to the blaring sound of an alarm at precisely 5:00 a.m. It was deafening, jolting me upright on the sofa. For a moment, I forgot where I was. The soft leather beneath me, the faint smell of sweat from last night’s gym clothes in the corner, and the lingering ache in my muscles felt unfamiliar. Then it hit me: I was Gabe now. Yesterday wasn’t some fever dream or delusion. My massive hands ran across my equally massive chest and beard, grounding me in reality.

The alarm didn’t stop, and instinct took over. My body moved before I could think, stretching and pulling me off the couch. My feet carried me to the kitchen as I fumbled with my phone to silence the noise. Before I even realized what I was doing, I was scooping protein powder into a shaker, the measurements precise to the gram. Eggs were next, sizzling in a pan while I downed a glass of water and prepped a perfectly portioned oatmeal bowl. My mind reeled. I hadn’t planned any of this—it just happened. Gabe’s routines, his habits, were hardwired into me.

By the time I’d scarfed down breakfast and jumped in the shower, I barely had time to admire my reflection. It was still surreal to see my broad shoulders and beard dripping with water, steam curling around me like I was in some kind of fitness commercial. The newness of it all distracted me from the creeping unease. I couldn’t stop myself. My hands worked deftly to apply beard oil, combing the thick, rugged hair into a flawless mane. Then came the moisturizer, the styling gel for my hair, the deliberate precision of every stroke. It was meticulous, mechanical. My mind screamed, Why am I doing this? But my body didn’t wait for an answer.

By 6:00 a.m., I was out the door and driving to Gabe’s engineering firm.

The drive was uneventful, but as I pulled into the parking lot and stepped out, my stomach twisted. I wasn’t just Gabe the gym bro anymore—I was Gabe the electrical engineer. A high-profile electrical engineer. The one who designed systems so advanced that even explaining them made normal people’s heads spin. My anxiety bubbled up, but it was smothered by something else—Gabe’s instincts, his confidence. My feet carried me inside, through the lobby, past coworkers who greeted me with nods and smiles. I smiled back, trying to mask my growing dread.

At my desk, it started. The emails, the meetings, the sheer volume of work. Diagrams and blueprints filled my screen, technical specifications and equations that would’ve been gibberish to me yesterday. But now? I could read them as if they were second nature. My hands moved with practiced ease, drafting schematics for a new type of quantum current inverter. When a coworker stopped by to ask about the thermal dissipation rates on the latest prototype, my mouth rattled off the answer effortlessly.

“It’s stabilizing at 92%, but we’ll need to integrate the multi-layer graphene sheets into the cooling chamber to sustain the load. Otherwise, the core temperature will spike past 315 Kelvin under peak output.”

The words left my lips before I even knew what they meant. My coworker nodded, satisfied, and walked off. I just sat there, stunned. How the hell had I just said all of that? It wasn’t me. It was Gabe’s knowledge, buried deep in my brain like a program running in the background, ready to activate whenever needed. But I wasn’t in control of it. I felt like a fraud, yet no one else seemed to notice.

The day dragged on. Meetings blurred together, each one filled with more jargon, more equations, more problem-solving. By the time I left the office at 7:00 p.m., my brain felt like it had been wrung out. But it wasn’t over. Gabe’s routine wasn’t just work—it was everything. I found myself driving straight to the gym, no room for debate. My muscles ached, but my body demanded more. Two hours of punishing weights later, I collapsed back into Gabe’s car, drenched in sweat.

When I finally made it home, I sank into the couch, utterly drained. My beard itched, so I absentmindedly combed it, following the nightly grooming ritual that Gabe’s habits forced onto me. My phone buzzed—emails from work, notifications from the regional Electrical Engineering Society about an upcoming mentorship event, reminders for the evening class Gabe taught at the local college twice a week. My stomach dropped. This wasn’t just a busy life; it was relentless.

The weeks that followed were a blur of exhaustion. Each day started the same—5:00 a.m. alarm, breakfast, work, gym, grooming, repeat. Gabe’s life was a well-oiled machine, and I was just a cog in it. His obligations consumed me. At work, I was constantly juggling high-stakes projects: designing an AI-driven power grid for a new residential development, troubleshooting issues with a cutting-edge solar panel array, drafting proposals for international clients. My mind didn’t understand half of what I was doing, but my body performed flawlessly. It was like being on autopilot, watching from the passenger seat as Gabe’s instincts took the wheel.

Outside of work, it was no better. Gabe was a pillar of the community, and his responsibilities were endless. Twice a week, I taught a college course on renewable energy systems, standing in front of a room full of eager students who hung on my every word. I mentored young engineers through the regional society, reviewing their projects and offering advice that flowed out of me like a script. Even weekends weren’t mine—Gabe volunteered at STEM outreach programs, helping high school kids build basic circuits and talking to them about careers in engineering.

The only solace I found was in the gym. Those two hours every evening were the only time I felt connected to my new body. I didn’t have to think, didn’t have to pretend. I could lose myself in the rhythm of the weights, the satisfying burn of muscle, the primal rush of power. But even that came with its own pressure. Gabe’s physique didn’t maintain itself, and every workout was a battle to keep up with the impossible standards he had set.

By the end of each day, I was a wreck. I’d collapse onto the couch, staring blankly at the TV or scrolling through emails until I passed out. The once-exhilarating sight of my massive arms, my chiseled chest, my thick beard—it all started to feel like a costume. I was Gabe on the outside, but inside, I was still just... me. And I hated it.

One night, after a particularly grueling day, I sat on the couch, nursing a protein shake and staring at my reflection in the darkened TV screen. The man staring back at me was perfect—handsome, powerful, successful. I couldn’t deny it. The sharp jawline, the massive shoulders, the thick, glossy beard framing my face. My body was a masterpiece of raw strength and rugged masculinity, and for a fleeting moment, I felt a flicker of satisfaction. I was hot now. When I walked into a room, people noticed. When I spoke, they listened. I was living in a body that other men envied and women swooned over, and I had to admit, it felt good to be admired.

But even that shallow victory wasn’t enough to make up for the gnawing emptiness that followed me everywhere. The life I’d stepped into wasn’t what I wanted at all. I’d pictured freedom, simplicity—a dream of power and ease. Instead, I’d inherited a grind so brutal it left no room for me. I was a hollow version of Gabe, mimicking his brilliance, parroting his drive, moving through his routines like a wind-up toy that couldn’t stop. Every accomplishment felt fake, every smile forced. The admiration I received wasn’t mine. None of it was.

As I combed my beard, the familiar routine calming me in a bleak, mechanical way, I tried to find something—anything—to hold on to. Maybe it was true that this wasn’t the life I wanted, but it was the life I was stuck with. And if nothing else, I had to admit it: I looked good doing it. Even if I couldn’t escape this exhausting existence, at least I was the kind of man people admired, envied, even desired.

That thought was cold comfort, but it was all I had. And tomorrow? Tomorrow, I’d wake up at 5:00 a.m., fix Gabe’s perfectly portioned breakfast, answer his impossible emails, solve problems that weren’t mine, and drag myself to bed in the body of the man I thought I wanted to be.

[petit-papillion]

What a photo!

Charles on track during the COTA race weekend | 2024 USA Grand Prix

📸 Circuit of the Americas

[darkdragon768]

Various doodles of the Dorito Twins.

I just like to play with them like dolls and put them into situations.

[thevelaryons]

ADDAM VELARYON & BENJICOT BLACKWOOD, IF ONLY WE HAD MORE TIME

Fire & Blood, George R. R. Martin // unknown // The Raven and the Mouse, Susan Pace-Koch (illustrated by Emily Stepp) // @slugspoon (Alivia Horsley) // Contradictions: Tracking Poems, Adrienne Rich // Happiness, Raymond Carver // Addam & Ben at Raventree Hall by OrionHakuryu // @wormbus-art // They Both Die at the End, Adam Silvera // The Issa Valley, Czesław Miłosz // unknown // Poem, Langston Hughes // Addam & Ben at Tumbleton by OrionHakuryu // gentle.earth by Mia // Burial at Raventree Hall by asoiafattherite // The Bad Beginning, Lemony Snicket

[skinnypaleangryperson]

Life would have been so beautiful if people in this generation had decided to actually care about each other instead of arguing on apps all day. For example, I would be alive by 40. Lol

[aroaceofthesea]

I thought i had friends but turns out they have a group chat without me and when i found out i asked one of them if they could add me but its been over a week and i havent heard about it again

[lanayrutower]

i'm about to throw hands with this yt poll.

this is the zelda version of that twitter butch post to me.

[hiiragi7]

Not my usual content, but I made something I wanted to share...

Edit: Now with an ID from @a-captions-blog! Thank you for writing it!

[Art description: A Pokémon-themed comic featuring OP as a Pikachu. Long description follows.

1. The tips of Pikachu’s ears are shown with text that says, ‘I’m a Pikachu / My world is filled with lots of cool stuff. Sometimes it feels like anything is possible!’ Under this is a collage showing a Charizard, a Pidgeotto, a Nidoking, an Eevee, and an Ivysaur, all in the background as the Pikachu looks up in wonder. Text reads, ‘All sorts of types, all sorts of attacks, all sorts of Pokemon.’

2. Text says, ‘But...only two ways a Pikachu’s tail could look.’ Two boxes in the upper corners show the male and female Pikachu tails, respectively. The male has a rectangular end to his tale, and the female has a heart-shaped end to hers. Text continues, ‘So then, what am I?’ A large drawing of the narrator Pikachu is shown, with an arrow pointing to their tail, whose end is split somewhat like scissors and doesn’t match either the male or female drawing above.

3. Text says, ‘Too pointy to be [female], too much of a V-shape to be [male]. I thought there was something wrong with me.’ Under this are three cascading panels showing the Pikachu from below at an angle emphasizing their tail. The second panel shows mel further away, and in the final panel she have disappeared entirely. Text on the panels reads, ‘I felt / very, very, very / alone.’

4. Text says, ‘But then, something happened. I found others like me.’ The art shows the narrator reaching out to another Pikachu. Under this are three other Pikachu. One has a rounded tail, one has a tail that has been stitched up to be rectangular, and one has a tail with a slight spike at the tip.

5. Closeups are shown of each of the tails from the previous panel, with text that says, ‘Round tails, scarred tails, spiky tails.’ Under this is a drawing of the Pikachu all hugging with lightning coming from their cheeks. Text reads, ‘They told me nothing was wrong with me, and I wasn´t alone anymore.’

6. Text says, ‘There are many ways a Pikachu’s tail can look. I’ve heard there’s at least over 30 different variations.’ Under this are two panels. The first panel shows the narrator lying on their back on a background of male and female symbols. Text reads, ‘Some days are still hard.’ In the second panel, the Pikachu with the scarred tail is shown with text that says, ‘My friend tells me her tail used to look just like mine. It was taken from her.’

8. The narrator is shown sitting and looking upwards. Text reads, ‘Some trainers won’t accept Pikachu that aren’t [male] or [female]. They alter our tails without our consent. But things are getting better. We are making change. We’re fighting so that our tails will be left alone.’ Under this is a panel showing the four Pikachu running happily towards the right. Text reads, ‘We’re all on a spectrum. Every tail looks different; anything is possible.’

The final text reads, ‘This is a comic about intersex people.’ The watermark in the lower right says @ PostManic. \End descriptions

[gorillaxyz]

oh... 2 months of phoenix fictional other was today (26th)... heh... thank you for all youve done for me these Two Beautiful Months That I Have Loved You

[medicinemane]

One issue I have is there's a whole lot of things where it's like "I'm actually nearly on your side, I'm very sympathetic to this, I just need one or two issues addressed and then I'd be with you on this... you just have to kinda... walk me through how this thing that feels like a kinda big problem isn't a problem"

And pretty much always it's just kinda like "oh, well it's not a problem, so don't worry about it"

...mhh... yeah... but I need some actual proof. I want to trust you, but I need something that actually deals with it, not to just basically be told to have faith... I have no faith, I'm a faithless person

And it's such a shame cause... instead of being able to work along side people I tend to hover off to the side trying to support it in my own small ineffective ways cause... I just have serious issues no one's ever bothered to address

Just sucks, you know?