#to worry about raising your child not to be happy not to support themselves not to be comfortable but to be “normal”

[barnbridges]

twofers and autism moms on the venn diagram should be like, 80% overlapping and 20% out, but it's so rare to see anyone with actual autism or awareness of that it's a fucking disability hang around the mommy circles it disappoints me endlessly.

[pholla-jm]

Heir (2)

IMAGINE: HEIR~ SUKUNA X WIFE!READER GENRE: FLUFF cw: sukuna is a bit ooc. f!reader. true form sukuna. not proof read

If you haven't read the first part, here it is: Heir. ***************

As months went by, your stomach got bigger and rounder. Your back was certainly hurting, feet aching, and a constant need to go pee. 

You almost hated every second of it. 

If it wasn’t for the fact you were bringing life into the world, you would’ve hated every second of it. 

Someone that was almost more excited than you was your lover, Sukuna. He was dead set on the baby being a boy. He was so excited to raise a boy to create a future heir. 

He even already picked out a name for him. Akumu, not a common name but it was one that Sukuna liked and it was set. 

However, you had a feeling that you were having a daughter. But, Sukuna was not hearing any of that. But just in case, you picked out a name just in case it was a girl. You wanted to have a similar vibe that Sukuna wanted so you chose Yumekui. 

You were very close to your due date and you were extremely nervous. You felt like you weren’t ready. You felt the nursery wasn’t ready or that things weren’t baby proofed enough. 

That’s why you paced around the castle, trying to get things ready. You didn’t care that your feet ached and your back was crying for help. All you cared about was making sure that everything was ready and perfect for the baby.

You know who did care? Sukuna. He didn’t like how you are constantly on your feet, pacing around and just being worried in general. 

“Woman.” Sukuna calls out once he finds you wandering the halls. You turn to him, already knowing you’re about to get scolded. “You should be resting.” You pout a little, “but do you see that over there?” You say while pointing to an area where a sharp corner was protruding. 

Sukuna follows your finger, “yeah. What about it?” “What if the baby hurts themselves from that?” Sukuna rolls his eyes, “you’re being paranoid. Our son will be strong. A corner is not going to harm him.” 

There’s that word again. Son. You often thought about what his reaction would be if it was a daughter instead. Would he be mad? Would he kick the both of you out? Would he kill the child? All these negative thoughts clouded your mind daily. 

That’s why when the time came, you really didn’t want Sukuna in the room- just the midwives. However, Sukuna wanted to be in the room with you and no one was really going to defy his orders. 

Sukuna was being super supportive though during the whole process. He held your hand and let you squeeze as hard as you wanted, even though it felt like a little pinch to him. He also kept a clean towel to wipe the sweat off of you. Even the sly cursing didn’t affect him. 

The process felt like hours and you were sure you looked like a hot mess. Sukuna didn’t care though. In his eyes you were still the most beautiful woman. 

You could feel the baby coming through and it was only confirmed by the midwife when she said the head was crowning and you only needed to do a couple more pushes. 

You were happy to hear that as you started to feel more tired and weak with every second that passed by. 

Finally, you heard the sound of an infant crying. Relief washed through your body. Until you heard the words you didn’t want to hear.

“Congratulations. It’s a girl.” 

You felt Sukana’s grip on your hand loosen until he completely lets go of your hand.

You could feel your heart drop and your skin paled. You wanted to grab the baby before Sukuna did. But you were too weak to sit up correctly. 

“W-wait..” Your voice only came out as a whisper as your back hit the bed. “I want..” You couldn’t speak anymore as your head lolled to the side. You could feel a midwife trending to your side. 

The last thing you saw was the midwife holding the child and Sukuna walking up to the child. You could see the subtle frown on his face as he looked down at the small baby. After that, your vision went black as you went into a peaceful slumber. 

*************

Everything felt sore. Extremely sore. It took you a minute to come to your senses. But when you remember your situation, you sit up. Hoping to find your daughter safe and sound. 

However, what you saw was the last thing you expected.

Your daughter was swaddled, in the crib sound asleep. 

What shocked you even more was Sukuna. The man who said who wanted a son, stood at the crib admiring his child. 

His large body was bent over so his arms were crossed and leaning against the edge. His head was tilted to the side and resting on his arms. You would have never guessed you would see a sight like this. He looked almost… soft. All though, you would never say that to him. 

Sukuna heard the rustling of the sheets causing him to sit up a little. 

“I’m glad you’re awake.” He says and you nod your head. 

“Are you mad?” You softly ask him. “Why would I be mad?” “You know… for having a daughter. Not a son, like you wanted.” 

Sukuna laughs, but not too loudly to wake the baby. 

Sure, he was a bit upset when he heard that it was a girl. But as soon as her eyes opened, the same red color as his, he swore he could feel his heart stop. The cries were weak and pathetic in his opinion. However, when the midwife handed her over to him, her cries stopped. The baby looked up at him with wonder and she showed him a gummy smile. 

Sukuna would never tell you that as soon as her cries stopped he started to love the child. 

“No. She’s so small. I decided that having a daughter isn’t too bad.” You chuckle at his answer and peer over the crib, getting a good look at your daughter. 

Even though she was a few hours old, you could tell that she was Sukuna’s daughter. You could only imagine what she would look like when she gets older.

“She looks just like you.” You mutter, a little upset that you carried her for so long and she came out looking like her father. 

“Of course she does. My genetics are strong.” “Hmm, we’ll see with the next baby.” 

Sukuna grins at your words, “the next baby? Already planning for another?” “Wait, wait,” you giggle while holding your hand up, “I don’t mean that just yet. I still have to heal.”  Sukuna hums, silently agreeing. “Next time, it’ll be a boy. I’ll make sure of it.” ~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tagging: @lotuskassagi

[animeyanderelover]

This will be my first request, I am very happy because I LOVE your writing.

Alas aside, Yandere falls in love with a woman older than them who is very maternal for having a child, when he proposes she rejects him because she feels that they should not waste themselves on a woman who already has a child (You can do with the father whatever you want ).It would be with Atsushi, Akutagawa, Daichi Sawamura, Oikawa and if you want to add any more I don't mind

Sorry for my bad english😘😘

Tw: Yandere themes, possessive behavior, obsession, delusional behavior, clinginess, manipulation, stalking, threats, violence

Tags: @shumidehiro @leveyani

You shouldn’t waste your time on me

Sawamura Daichi

🌅​Cries of a small child are what guide him through the crowds on that day, his eyes flickering over the people before they finally land on the boy who is standing there all alone. Upon asking him what happened the child tells him that he got distracted and lost his mother. As not only a police officer but also a decent human being Daichi immediately helps, asks the boy where him and his mother were last together and if he knows where his mother planned to go. If worst comes to worst and he won't be able to find the boy's mother he'll just ask the boy where he lives and will bring hm home to wait together with him until his mom returns. Luckily it never comes that far as Daichi is able to find you after half an hour of searching, the boy instantly leaving his side and running to you with tears in his eyes. He's far too humble in your eyes as he is confronted with your gratefulness, tells you that he only did his job and that anyone would have helped a crying child. Still, you make some small talk with him as you ask for his name and both of you start talking for a while with each other. That's how he finds out that you recently moved to the Miyagi prefecture with your child and live close to his neighbourhood.

🌅​The fact that he doesn't live far away from you and that he helped your child are major reasons that aid the two of you in getting so close to each other. Also, your son's dream is it to work for the police later on so he obviously views Daichi as his hero, something that flusters the man deep down a lot more than he shows. He visits you once a week when he has a free day, often bombarded with questions from your son about his job until you softly chide your child for his uncontrolled excitement. You admit to him relatively early that you moved here because your husband died and your parents live nearby as you also need to work and need someone to look after your son. Hearing that your husband died strangely enough makes more sense to him than if someone would have divorced you as only an ignorant fool would have let someone like you go. Daichi is not even going to deny his own feelings, he knows that he's extremely attracted to you. You're kind yet not too coddling, you're responsible and patient, you listen to the worries of others and are always willing to help where you can. Watching you raising your son sometimes reminds him of his high school days, a fond look on his face.

🌅​Daichi is able to stay patient in spite of his obsession, especially if the loss of your husband has been very recent. He gives you time, he allows you to grieve and focuses in the meantime on helping you and your child to integrate into the new city. The thing is that he fills that role of a supportive husband and father so nicely that neighbours and even your own parents and son can't help but support the two of you getting together. When you reject him he is a bit disheartened but he takes it really well because he realises that you didn't do so because you do not love him. You reject him because you feel not good enough but that in itself is still quite hurtful. You're such a wonderful person after all. He doesn't mind the little age gap nor does he think of you less because you have a child. In fact he's grown very fond and protective of your son who you have raised wonderfully. Still, it's wiser to not pressure you so he steps back for now. His confidence remains though, knowing that you didn't deny not being able to see him as a partner. He'll just stay in your life as a pillar of support for now and will slowly make you realise that you are everything but a waste to him.

Oikawa Tooru

👑​After a difficult divorce you make the decision to completely change your life and decide to try to reach for a dream you had when you were younger but gave up later on, deciding that you might not make it. It's better to try and fail then to never take the step. After many months of interviews, exchange of mails and documents you receive the news though. You did it. You're one of the managers for your favorite volleyball club, Club Athletico San Juan. You're so joyous, almost feel like a school girl all over again as you read the letter over and over again, kicking your feet and grinning like an idiot. Oikawa is still Oikawa even if he is by now an adult, his charming attitude still there as soon as you're introduced to the team as their new manager. His other teammates just watch with half amusement and half pity as Oikawa's charm ultimately never works. Sure, he manages to charm people quickly but he never manages to hold a relationship and they would hate for their setter and new manager to be on bad terms from the very start. You, with the divorce still freshly on your mind though, put your foot firmly down and clarify it to Oikawa very clearly that you have no intention of dating.

👑​Obviously Tooru is miffed about your blunt rejection yet another part of him can't help but respect your determination. You know what you want to focus on and he wants to acknowledge that, especially since he is essentially the same. The keyword here is want because who would have thought that his feelings would slip out of his grasp of control so quickly? You know when to put him and his childish antics in his place, chiding him almost as if he were a child and the experience feels only more realistic when he realises that you're a few years older than he is. The fact that you work so closely with him only enables him to be very overbearing as he dreams up all kinds of minor inconveniences so that he has something to complain about to have your attention on himself. Your daughter is a shocker as you have never talked about your private life before and whilst other players gush over your child he gives her a strange look at first, his mind trying to process what it could mean. He pesters you privately about it, his eyes desperate and his body tense. The tension leaves his body at least partially when you admit with a heavy sigh that you had a rough divorce before you started working here.

👑​Oikawa doesn't take the rejection very well, his heart dropping even though it doesn't have to do with the fact that you don't see him that way. Still, it is hard to stay logical with a heart as sensitive as his, especially since he is prone to being delusional. He just doesn't understand. What is it that he could have done better?? He has made it more than obvious that he is deeply in love with you. He's showered you in presents, constantly demands your attention and has even made the effort to get closer to your daughter despite initial caution he held. Is that still not enough?? What do you want him to do?? Please tell him what he as to do in order for you to accept. Honestly, your maternal instincts will come quite in handy as you're confronted with Tooru whilst his feelings threaten to burst out of him. Because it helps him to calm down and gives him the reassurance he so desperately craves from you in that moment. Nevertheless though, he ramps up his affection from a 10 to an 11 after that incident. If the problem is simply that you don't feel good enough he will change your mind. You're forgiven this one time. Do not reject him a second time though or else he might just make your job more difficult.

Nakajima Atsushi

🐅​The gentle love of a parent is a notion so foreign to Atsushi that the first encounter he has with you leaves him almost on the edge. Your kind words, the patient look in your eyes, the warmth and comfort you provide him with by simply being in the room threatens to burst his heart right at the seams. After cold deprivation for as long as he can remember your presence feels like being drowned in a bathtub filled with hot water. It's overwhelming almost, scorches his skin yet he gladly submerges himself in the heat and the sensations that come with it. He's almost immediately infatuated with you, finds himself yearning for your affection in his dreams as well as in the real world. The age difference is something that weights on his soul though as he realises how experienced you are and how clumsy he seems to be in comparison. There's a lack of knowledge with certain machines or customs that he hasn't been exposed to due to his time in the orphanage but he is always too ashamed to tell you about it. Adamant to not let himself look like a young fool in front of you, Atsushi simply refuses to ask for help or advice from you. He wants to prove to you as well as himself that he can provide for you.

🐅​As shameful as it is, there is an undeniable twinge of jealousy directed against your own child. He envies the little boy for being able to cling to you as often as he does as those are all things Atsushi desperately wishes to do as well. He wants to be held, comforted and loved by you too but he could never admit such things as he stares at your son. What would you think of him after all if he were to confess to you that he feels jealous of your own child? It doesn't stop him from clenching his hands into fists every time he witnesses you giving affection to your son, nails turning into claws as he imagines what it would be like if he were to be the one in your child's position. You and your husband have parted ways a few years ago but you still keep in contact due to the child and that just about kills Atsushi. It takes always more willpower than it should to not outright growl at the man whenever he visits. Atsushi can't even fathom how a man could let someone like you go and occasionally he imagines what it would be like to just tear that man apart whenever his jealousy gets the better of him. Chances aren't exactly zero for Atsushi to confront your ex-lover and accidentally kill him during an argument.

🐅​The beast within him tries to tame itself as good as it can for you even if results are mixed. With time he grows closer to your child though he struggles to be a parent for the little boy as he more than once acts just as childish and needy. Still, he does his best to show you that he can protect and provide for you and your child all whilst seeking emotional comfort from you. It has taken him a good chunk of courage to finally confess to you only to be met with a direct blow to his heart. The shock of your rejection numbs him for a few seconds before the weight comes crushing down. He hyperventilates, he cries, he bites his bottom lip bloody and his nails threaten to rip through the skin of his palms. That is only because he does misunderstand your rejection as you telling him that you have no interest in him. Once he has come to understand that you didn't reject him for that reason hopefully he manages to calm down at least a bit. That means that he still has a chance, doesn't he? Still, he feels like it's his fault for not having made it clearer to you just how deeply infatuated he is with you. That has to change now. Hopefully some of his seniors can give him useful tips how to woo you.

Akutagawa Ryunosuke

⬛​It is through Gin that Akutagawa finds out about you as his beneath the mask quite shy sister has befriended you and finds herself visiting your small shop once a week. Whilst he is anything but an overbearing brother this piece of information still manages to stick to him. It's the first time he has heard that Gin has made friends with someone outside the Mafia and initially he starts directing hostility against you. Akutagawa isn't an individual to trust easily as he distrusts with far more confidence and this is what he finds himself doing against you. Who are you? Are you really just a regular citizen? His sister assures him that you are not some spy nor does she plan to give you any information about the Port Mafia or her real identity but for Akutagawa actions speak louder than words. He finds himself stalking you occasionally, dark eyes trailing after you. A scoff appears on his face the moment he notices the boy following you, realising that you have a child. How naive you must be, keeping a child whilst involving yourself with a mafioso. If you really are just a normal person you must have no motherly senses at all or else you wouldn't hang out casually with Gin.

⬛​Akutagawa never had a mother who raised him as he has grown up in a violent environment from a very young ago. None of his mentor figures have ever given him even an ounce of affection which has led him to believe that love is a weakness. A weakness he has fallen victim to. A part of him itches to use Rashomon to tear you and that little brat apart yet he holds himself back. Partially because his emotions are messy and partially for his sister's sake as she cherishes you. It's Gin he turns to as his curiosity grows and it is through her he finds out most information about you. The most pressing issue for him is who the father of your son is and even if Gin tells him that you have parted with the guy long before your child was born that doesn't stop Akutagawa's urges to rip that man apart for his mere existence. Stalking you becomes quite difficult, his possessive side flaring up the moment you talk to another man and give him a smile. It's the horrified gaze of his sister that holds him back but that is no guarantee that it'll work every single time. Only to his sister is he able to admit his conflicting feelings to you and both of them know that it is only a question of time when you will find out.

⬛​Still, even if it comes that far Gin wishes for her brother to not terrorise and hurt you even with his obsession. She cares for Akutagawa but you're still her friend and she likes your child as well. She wants him to attempt to confess to you the normal way at least once and if you reject him she kind of knows that there's little she can do. Unable to live with herself if she wouldn't try though Gin introduces her brother to you who finds himself incredibly awkward as he is completely out of his comfort zone, easily irritated and with little patience, especially when your son is around. Big chance that Gin is lurking around in the distance when Akutagawa tries confessing, already looking like he is glaring at you. He honestly only knows what to do in case you reject him because you don't like him which is instantly doing what he can do best. Inflicting fear upon you whilst using Rashomon. He isn't prepared for you rejecting him because you think he shouldn't bother with you and is left so perplexed with that answer that he just stares at you for a good while. Ultimately this only delays the abduction though because it'll still happen. He's promised Gin to not harm your son though.

[tiredfox64]

Part three of Go for the Kill? But its based ok the ending where reason is with all three of the brothers? She soon gets knocked up and the threee fight over whose it is? >:3

The Soil was Tilled Enough

Prior notes: I knew somebody would ask for this. Had a That’s so Raven moment when I was writing that last part.

Pairings: Lin Kuei Bros x Afab reader

Warnings ‼️: You’re gonna have a stroke with my reasoning.

You are faced with a light pink stick in your hands. You were growing tired and sick just days before which worried the brothers a lot. The last thing they want is for their vicious woman to grow horribly ill. Oh but this is no illness. This is the miracle of life.

Yeah this is a strange situation. Truly a spectacle that has some people, or more like someone, disappointed. Liu Kang ain’t too happy that his paid assassin would be out of commission for at least a year. What he also doesn’t like is hearing that the brothers are fighting over who is the father. The yelling is really getting annoying.

“It can’t possibly be your child! I slept with her first!” Bi-Han yelled directly in Tomas’ face.

“We all slept with her first! You are just jealous that the baby is possibly mine!” Tomas yelled right back.

The only one staying calm was Kuai Liang. He stayed right next to you, rubbing your belly as you contemplated the same thing. Who is the father?

Alright, so you put too much faith into Plan B. Guess it wasn’t made to handle loads upon loads of baby-making liquid from men who probably never allowed themselves to feel relief in quite a while. Plus the fact that they love you a lot made the chances of you getting pregnant much higher. I think they were aiming for that goal but I’m not a mind reader.

“What are we gonna do? Are we ready enough to handle having a baby and raising it?” You questioned, concerned about way too many things.

“Of course can handle it. The baby will be in safe hands. Even if the baby is not mine I promise to take care of them as if they were my own.” Kuai Liang made that promise to you.

Kuai Liang really loves you and just wants the best for you. He doesn’t want you to worry too much especially now that’s you are pregnant. His commitment to you made you feel a little better, knowing he won’t be mad about whose baby it is. The other two…yeah that’s gonna take some time.

At this point Bi-Han had Tomas in a headlock which made Tomas start punching Bi-Han’s arms in defense. Kuai Liang ran in to split the two apart.

“Enough of this! This fighting won’t solve anything.” He yelled at them both.

“I do not understand why you are not threatened by the fact that Tomas might have impregnated her. What good will that baby do coming from a man like him?” Bi-Han was being harsh again which made Tomas punch him.

“It does not matter. She is pregnant and she wants to keep it. We must support her no matter what.”

Kuai Liang was right and all the brothers had to agree with his statement. Though Bi-Han was still being as stubborn as ever. If he just keeps the mindset that it’s his baby in there he will be fine.

“Well, do you know how far along you are?” Tomas asked.

“Considering the last time we did it was a couple of weeks ago and I’m getting sick, it might be four to six weeks.”

Oof, if it’s six it can only get worse when it comes to the symptoms. Get ready to start taking bathroom breaks and getting sick from smells.

“It will still be a few weeks before we can get a paternity test done.” You added on.

“We should do that. Settle this debate early on whose child this is.” Bi-Han was on board with doing a paternity test even though he didn’t know you can test that while still pregnant. It’s that old mindset don’t worry.

“I want to the know the gender first. I wanna see if we are having a baby boy or a baby girl.” Tomas gushed at the idea.

“No you don’t, Tomas! We will not wait to find out the gender first.”

“Yes we will, brother. It will teach you to have some patience. It will also test if you still love her enough to take care of her while she is going through this.”

Kuai Liang was shutting Bi-Han down at every opportunity. How dare his little brother accuse him of not loving you. Fine, he’ll wait. They’ll all wait. And as that goes on they will start preparing things for you like a nursery. They gonna spoil the hell out of you.

A woman who is pregnant is a strong woman indeed. They will make sure to take good care of you. They will do their parts as the possible fathers.

══💤══╡°˖✧🦊✧˖°╞══💤══

Finally! Week thirteen! You can expect your results to be one hundred percent accurate when it comes to the gender. Now here’s the interesting part—

“WHAT!” You, Tomas, Bi-Han, and Kuai Liang all yelled at the doctor in shock.

…I didn’t get to finish. Let me speak up. Damn…

As I was saying the interesting part was that as time went on you noticed your belly was getting quite big. It was a little too early but you didn’t think it was anything much. This was your first time being pregnant so you thought it was normal.

Not necessarily.

“T-twins? We are having twins? And they are all ours?” Tomas was questioning the doctor on how accurate it was.

The ultrasounds did show two little babies. Two little nuggets growing inside you. And they are both boys, congratudolences!

“It’s called Heteropaternal superfecundation. It’s incredibly rare but it can happen. Especially to someone with three partners.” That doctor was throwing shade at you. She was just jealous.

“So one of those boys is definitely mine,” Tomas was all smiles, “But what about the other one?”

Yeah, what about the other one? Still got the other two. They are blood related so this might be harder.

If it’s Kuai Liang’s this might not end well for him since Bi-Han was staring him down with a death glare. Luckily the doctor had something to say about that.

“That’s the thing, we can’t tell. Because they are related there is some difficulties. So as far as any of you know, they are both the father of that other little boy.”

Kuai Liang is content with that. He is just happy to start a family and have a child with you. Bi-Han…ah he gives up. There is no point in being upset about this. There is nothing anyone can do. He’ll be happy to have a son of his own that he can train and possibly be the next grandmaster to the Lin Kuei.

All the brothers are happy to be fathers to a wonderful set of twins, dizygotic twins to be exact. Tomas is already imagining having the twins play together and teaching them to take care of one another. Kuai Liang is imagining caring for them both and teaching them to be good brother. Bi-Han already preparing in his mind a plan to train his son. That’s his responsibility.

The tension between the brothers dissipated. There was no reason to fight and stress you out even more. Looks like they better get more things ready for the babies. The nursery has to be big enough to accommodate two of them.

You have a good support system going on here. I hope you are happy with your multiple lovers and your set of twins.

…

Oh don’t tell me, you want to know who the father actually is. Alright so the clinic didn’t actually have the advanced technology to figure out who the father was when it came to Kuai Liang and Bi-Han. They were only certain on Tomas.

The true father is…I don’t know. What? Did you think I knew all? No! Even I don’t know. And do you even wanna know? Just let be happy that they are happy. Now get some rest, mama. You have a long journey ahead of you and it’s called motherhood.

After notes: Why do I keep doing twins? I’m scaring myself. Here’s a fact about me I have a high chance of having twins if I were to get pregnant. Yeah, I know, crazy. Please tell me I haven’t manifested this for myself my period still hasn’t come oh gosh 😭. I would have done triplets for this fic but nature doesn’t work like that. Well since I’m done I get to eat. Adiós! (Pls make my period show up y’all)

[the-garbanzo-annex-jr]

by Gabby Deutch

When someone posted in a private Facebook group for Chicago therapists in March, asking whether anyone would be willing to work with a Zionist client, several Jewish therapists quickly responded, saying they would be happy to be connected to this person. 

What happened next sparked fear and outrage among Jewish therapists in Chicago and across the country, and illuminated the atmosphere of intimidation and harassment faced by many Jews in the mental health world who won’t disavow Zionism. Those who replied, offering their services to this unnamed client, soon found themselves added to a list of supposedly Zionist therapists that was shared in a group called “Chicago Anti-Racist Therapists.”

“I’ve put together a list of therapists/practices with Zionist affiliations that we should avoid referring clients to,” Heba Ibrahim Joudeh, the document’s author, wrote. (A request for comment sent to the practice she runs with her husband did not receive a response.) The administrator of the anti-racist group chimed in, praising the list as a way “to be transparent about clinicians who promote and facilitate White supremacy via Zionism.” The comments came quickly: “Amazing, thank you,” one person wrote. “Omg a place I was looking at is on here,” another wrote, with angry emojis. 

The only trait shared by the 26 therapists on the list is that they are Jewish. “When I saw this whole list created and my name on the list, I was so confused and in disbelief about how, in 2024, this is considered OK. It was a list of Jews,” said Anna Finkelshtein, a licensed clinical social worker in Chicago who immigrated from Russia as a child. “I do not post publicly about the conflict or about Israel at all, ever. It feels like the only way to feel safe as a Jew in the mental health field is to publically speak out against Israel and condemn it and call it a genocide.”

The anti-Zionist blacklist is the most extreme example of an anti-Israel wave that has swept the mental health field since the Oct. 7 Hamas terror attacks and the resulting war in Gaza, which has seen the deaths of thousands of Palestinian civilians. More than a dozen Jewish therapists from across the country who spoke to Jewish Insider described a profession ostensibly rooted in compassion, understanding and sensitivity that has too often dropped those values when it comes to Jewish and Israeli providers and clients. 

At best, these therapists say their field has been willing to turn a blind eye to the antisemitism that they think is too rampant to avoid. At worst, they worry the mental health profession is becoming inhospitable to Jewish practitioners whose support for Israel puts them outside the prevailing progressive views on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

“The goal in therapy is to provide compassionate care to whoever walks through your door,” Dean McKay, a professor of psychology at Fordham University, told JI. “As part of our training — I don’t remember in my own training, and it’s not the way that I train anybody else, to ever say, ‘Look, here are the people who are worthy of our care.’”

“We all worried that it could get this bad, but I don’t think any of us were actually expecting it to happen,” said Halina Brooke, a licensed professional counselor in Phoenix, Ariz. Four years ago, she created an organization called the Jewish Therapist Collective to build community among Jewish professionals and raise the alarm about an undercurrent of antisemitism in the field. “Once Oct. 7 hit, we’ve all been in crisis mode since literally that morning, and the stories that have come in from colleagues and about their clients have been horrifying.”

*****

The antisemitism problem in the mental health profession is more than just workplace gossip. Jewish therapists — and Jewish clients — worry about how the growing anti-Israel orthodoxy will show up in clients’ sessions, and if it will affect their care, especially at a time when more people than ever are seeking therapy. A Gallup survey showed that in 2022, 23% of American adults had visited a mental health professional in the prior year, compared to 13% in 2004. 

[imaginepirates]

I love your take on potc characters and your headcanons for them. It’s just amazing. If it’s not a bother, I was wondering how do you think those characters would be as a parent? I mean we haven’t seen much parenting even for those that had kids in canon.

Ok so I actually have a few posts about this for James (hc)(hc)(hc) and Barbossa (fic) but! I can always expand. I also have one for Beckett (hc) since I'm obsessed with the idea.

Jack – Oh god. This is such an interesting question, because I firmly believe that Jack is actively against having children. He really and truly cannot fathom the idea of having kids of his own and being torn between caring for them on land where they can lead good lives and being at sea where he himself is happy. It’s a moral conflict he just can’t bring himself to face. His idea of what a child’s life should be like is shaped by his relationship with Teague and the ways in which he recognizes his own childhood lacked structure and support. He knows he can’t be the parent he needed when he was younger, and is thus against having children at all. If he were to have kids of his own, he would have to make the painstaking decision to leave them on land. A pirate ship is no place to raise a child; it’s dangerous and unpredictable. In his eyes, the best place for a kid to grow up is in a place of more stability, where they might have a better chance at finding a legitimate profession and keep themselves out of the trouble Jack has lived in his whole life. Rather than having biological kids, I can more see him acting as a sort of father-figure to a lot of young boys who end up working on the Pearl, teaching them the ropes and watching as they grow in their abilities and confidence.

Elizabeth – Elizabeth would be an interesting parent to have, for sure. I think her relationship with motherhood would be something very complex. For one, she has nothing to go off of, having had no mother of her own for most of her life. With her father gone, she can’t ask his advice, either. She’s such a fiercely independent and active person, too, that mothering may feel like an obstacle for her sometimes. That being said, I think she loves her children dearly and wants to do her absolute best for them. She teaches them all she knows—from proper behavior at formal functions to sword-fighting multiple enemies at once. She’s going to have the most well-rounded kids of all time, tbh. I’ve always kept this image in my mind of her showing up to a meeting of the Brethren Court with a kid just strapped to her front in a sling across her chest, and nobody says a damn thing. This also works as a method of volume control because nobody dares raise their voice and make the baby cry. I have an intrinsic need to see this happen, actually. I love the idea of her kids having pirate baby-sitters half the time when she needs to do something dangerous; Pintel and Ragetti act as honorary uncles, Barbossa as a granddad. Jack is the wine aunt. In all, her kids probably lead a kind of busy, chaotic life with people coming and going throughout their childhoods, but they have ties to an abundance of people who simply adore them. 

James – The most devoted, doting father ever. James is terrified to mess things up as a parent, and is always worrying that he won’t be any good at it. He adores his children and has unparalleled dedication to them. He wants them to have a good scholarly education, something he never had, but if they choose the military over school, he’ll personally oversee as much of their training as he can. He’s a deeply caring father, too. Though not good at expressing his own feelings, he’ll do anything for his children when they need him. He wants them to feel safe when coming to him, something he could never do with his own father. He makes sure to spend quality time with his kids doing things that aren’t school or work, instead playing games or taking them out riding or reading to them. When the kids are young, he’ll take naps with them on his chest, holding them close. He recognizes that he may have to be absent for long periods of time due to the nature of his job, and it tears at him. His greatest fear is going to sea for months while his children are still relatively little and coming home to find that they don’t remember him. Thus, he works hard to be as present as possible while he’s home, wanting desperately to make a positive impact on their lives. 

Will – Honestly, I feel like Will would make the most sane parent. After resolving things with his own father, he’s one of the people with the fewest daddy issues, and actually has a dad to ask questions of when he needs advice. Will feels like a very relaxed parent, not putting a lot of pressure on his kids. He was poor for most of his life, and though he wants better for his children than he had for himself, he also knows that happiness can be found working simple jobs. He’s very open to his children’s wishes and interests, and he’ll support them in pretty much damn anything. He definitely advises not becoming a pirate, though. Assuming the curse has lifted for him by the time he has children, he spends a lot of time with them. If it hasn’t, then he exploits loopholes and just has his kids come aboard the Dutchman as often as possible. He wants to be a presence in the lives of his children, and takes active steps to ensure it. I think he’s a little in awe as he watches them grow up, so impressed by all the things they accomplish, doing things he’d never even dreamed of when he was their age. He’s their number one hype man, too. 

Beckett – I have…feelings about Beckett as a father. He’s not a particularly present one, given that he has zero knowledge on how to take care of kids. There’s a nanny, no question. He doesn’t really know how to properly bond with his children, but does ensure that they get the best education possible and that they have access to a wealth of resources. Especially as the children start to get older and enter society properly, he has a good time with them making snarky commentary about the social scene. Sass is the name of the game. Speaking of games, I do see him as the type to enjoy chess, and he feels a wave of pride whenever his kids beat him. He’s overprotective and possessive—he refuses to let his children suffer in fear as he did when he was their age. He has Mercer with them as a bodyguard whenever they leave the house. If anything happens to his kids, Beckett is not above having the person responsible killed. I think he has a certain terror of being alone, and though he’s not the best at socializing with his children, he never truly wants them to leave.  

Barbossa – Hector is another doting father. He’s led a rough life, and though he doesn’t want that for his children, he’s not above taking them to sea when they grow old enough to sail. Before that, though, he leaves them on land with someone else, coming to visit every so often bearing gifts from all the places he’s been in the meantime. He can afford some degree of comfort for his children, too, and he certainly doesn’t spare that expense—if he can’t be there for his children, they’ll want for nothing else, dammit. Barbossa can’t give up his pirating ways to raise his kids on land himself, which is unfortunate, but the truth. If they do choose to go to sea, he takes them on as cabin-boys (or girls, he doesn’t give a fuck), and lets them learn and progress just like everyone else. I think he’d be happy to have them around, though a little concerned for their welfare. He knows better than anyone how dangerous a life at sea can be. Still, he isn’t too worried; he’s a realist if nothing else, and knows that there are chances for both good and bad. He puts effort into teaching his children and making sure they’re safe and cared for, but he’s a bit more hands-off than some of the others so his kids don’t feel like they’re suffocating. He lets them learn things for themselves, but makes sure they know they always have a (sort of) stable place to return to should they need it. 

(also, if there’s anyone else you’d like to see for this, I think I could probably expand on the list)

[thenightfolknetwork]

My Da is a bit more…traditional then others. They wanted a baby, so they made a deal with a sapio woman interested in selling her unborn child for some riches, and then came me! I realize that’s not how things are typically done anymore since foster and adoption agencies have improved over the years, but it ended up fine I’d like to think.

When people learn that I’m a changeling it’s all “Oh no!  That’s horrible. I’m so sorry!” and I’m like, first of all, that’s kind of rude? I understand where the assumption comes from but come on now. Changeling rights have improved tremendously over the last millennia. I’m fine. I love my Da and I love my identity. I wouldn’t change either of them for the world.

Here's the rub though. Recently, I got put into contact with my bio father. I was really skeptical when I met him because, you know, changeling. A deal’s a deal. Egg donor got riches; I got a happy childhood. What more could you want, and why now?

Apparently, he didn’t know I existed.

My ED not only didn’t tell him about my existence, but also told him that the riches she got were from an inheritance from a distant relative. He only knows what happened now because they got divorced.

I’ve agreed to stay in contact for two reasons, I’m curious about my heritage and the poor bloke looked terribly lonely. It’s not his fault ED went behind his back. The thing is, he’s trying to act all…fatherly. Which, I get it, he technically contributed to my existence, but he’s not my parent, and I don’t want him to be.

It's not his fault he wasn’t there, but at the same time, he just wasn’t. My Da was. I only need one parent, and that position is filled. But, he is a nice guy. I've enjoyed talking to him and learning about the sapio side of my life. But it doesn't change the fact that I am and will always be a changeling.

How do I tell him that I don’t need a parent without making it sound like I want him to bugger off? I’m happy to keep him in my life, just not as a parent.

I think you're right to be concerned about maintaining proper boundaries here, reader. What happened to this man is certainly difficult and complicated, and I hope he can find people to support him through it. But, to be blunt, his emotional well-being simply isn't your responsibility.

It sounds to me as if both of you are approaching this new relationship with very different expectations, working from very different frameworks. You are happy to spend time with someone whose company you enjoy, and to learn more about this side of your heritage. Meanwhile, I wonder if his telling of events might be rather more dramatic – and possibly influenced by some unfortunate stereotypes.

I don't think your biological father is necessarily aware of this kind of prejudice. But without further information about how he has actively worked to unlearn the biases of the dominant sapio-normative culture in this country, I worry he might be acting from a place of unchecked assumptions and misapprehensions.

Sapio-centric culture often frames changelings, subjects of infant substitution and exchanged children like yourself as “stolen”. They are spoken of as being taken from their “real” families and raised by usurpers to the biological parents' rightful role. This often comes with the assumption that the child themselves would naturally wish to be part of their biological parents' family, regardless of the relationship they have with the people who raised them.

Your biological father may be imagining his sudden presence in your life as some kind of powerful reconnection with your “real” family, the revelation of your “true” father with all the emotional connection that implies.

But the role of being your father is already filled. You are happy and comfortable in your identity, and while it's nice to have made this connection, it doesn't mean you suddenly have to take on a heap of new emotional obligations towards the man.

A good first step is clarifying what your biological father wants to get from this reconnection. If he's interested in your for your own sake, and wishes to strike up a friendship with you as a unique, autonomous adult, that's all to the good. If he's asking you to solve his loneliness for him, though, you need to push back. That's not a reasonable thing to ask of a stranger, no matter what your DNA might be.

By all means, set your boundaries with kindness and with due regard for his vulnerable emotional state. But don't let that kindness falter into irresolution. You do nobody any favours by letting him take more from you than you're willing to give.

Communicate your expectations to him, and stick to them. If he behaves in a way that makes you uncomfortable, let him know what the behaviour was and why it was unacceptable, and that if he continues to behave in such a fashion you will stop spending time with him. The rest is up to him.

[For more creaturely advice, check out Monstrous Agonies on your podcast platform of choice, or visit monstrousproductions.org for more info]

[ohnococo]

JJK Parenthood HCs

Nanami, Todo, Gojo, & Sukuna // no curse au

(under the cut for length)

Nanami is the informed parent. From the moment he knows his s/o is expecting he’s reading and researching and making sure he’s prepared to give his child the best life possible. He does so well too, his patience and gentleness towards his children is amazing.

You’ll never see him complaining about middle of the night wake ups, the most you’ll get is a little frustrated breath through his nose (though never in front of the baby). He isn’t put off by tantrums, or food going flying, or a little destructive streak. He knows it’s all developmentally appropriate, he knows it’s to be expected, and he knows how he reacts is important.

His favourite age is 1-4, when they start really communicating and opening up to the world. He loves explaining things, and answering questions, even if that answer is sometimes “I don’t know sweetheart, but let’s find out.”

He can be stern when appropriate, holding firm boundaries even in the face of flying toys and stomping feet, but he really is a softie for his child. “Will you stay until I fall asleep Daddy?” Well he’s going to be curling up uncomfortably in their tiny bed until he’s fallen asleep himself. The sore neck in the morning is worth it.

“Daddy you’re the Trash Princess, I have to slay you and stop your family’s cruel reign.” He’s taping an empty chocolate wrapper to his shirt, donning a tiara, and getting stabbed by a plastic sword as many times as needed to make his baby laugh.

Todo is the hype parent. His sweet baby angel has done nothing wrong ever.

He’s incredibly supportive too, whether it’s a sport, music, art, anything. He’ll be looking for classes to sign them up for and anything they need to be the best at it. The only thing he asks is that whatever his kid wants to do they do with their whole heart - and they’ll surely have the confidence for it with how he’s raised them.

Picture that parent that’s screaming in the crowd like it’s a pro game during little league games. Or the big beefy guy crying at his kid’s dance recital because they’re just so skilled it moves him to tears. Or they’re at a spelling bee and he’s in the crowd telling everyone around him that his kid is an actual genius.

His partner needs to temper the ego their child could potentially have, but otherwise he and the kid will be thick as thieves. There might be some choppy waters when they hit that age where they’re filled with uncertainty over their interest and pursuits, and it’s hard for Todo to be okay with them taking that time to be a little aimless if they happen to want to distance themselves from any kind of after school activities, but in the end he will understand that happiness might come in a form he hasn’t yet thought of.

Gojo is the fun parent. Brownies before dinner, jumping on the bed, staying up late to play games.

Until then though, the newborn through toddler stage absolutely throws him. It’s not the sleepless nights, or the messiness, or the worry about germs. It’s the confusion. When his baby is upset he can go through the checklist of “fed, clean, comfortable,” he can sing and rock them, or try to distract them with toys. All things he’s heard could work, but sometimes that just doesn’t matter. He doesn’t like feeling helpless like that, but a child’s emotions are unpredictable and he has to get used to that.

The 4+ stage is his favourite, they love his silliness, they love how seamlessly he goes along with their antics. This age is when his kids are absolutely in the palm of his hand, so don’t be surprised when they have a strong parental preference for him and complain that no one else does the voice for their favourite stuffed animal right, or no one else knows just how much milk they want in their cereal.

He’s just always ready for any adventure with them. They want to go camping? He’s buying a tent and setting it up in the backyard that night. They want to stop by McDonald’s on the way to school? They’ll only be a little late. They have a convoluted play they’re putting on and they need grown ups to play the part of two horses and a dragon? He’s calling his friends and telling them it’s an emergency.

Don’t mistake it for weakness though. He will sit back and let his kid learn a lesson if they need to. Climbing somewhere they shouldn’t be? They’ll fall on their butt because they need to to learn. He’s also not a pushover by any means. He has no problems telling his kids no when he thinks it’s necessary. He just thinks it’s important to have wiggle room in some cases.

Sukuna is the tough love parent. Training wheels off his kid’s bike the second they managed to figure out everything with them still on. Pulling them out deep enough in the pool where their toes can’t reach the bottom.

It is certainly tough. But, it’s also certainly love. He expects so much of his child, he knows they can do it, he knows the world is only holding them back, he knows life will be easier if they have a thickened skin. But… his child pulls his heart open more than he ever thought. It makes him think of himself when he was young, it makes him think that maybe the things he went through weren’t because he was too soft as a child, maybe it was because the world was too hard on him.

He slips back into those old ways of thinking often. A cold “get up, you’re fine.” When they skin their knee because it was too early to take the training wheels off. A “sink or swim” when they panic in the deep end. But then he’s carrying them into the house to give them a popsicle while he cleans their knee. And he’s putting them on his back while he wades through the water, letting them cling on and practice their kicking every so often.

He’s a parent that thrives with a teen, to his surprise. He hadn’t been looking forward to it, to be honest, with the constant “just wait” doom and gloom parents get. Messy emotions, being unable to stand him, talking back constantly. It’s a lot for him to think of, especially once he’s just gotten into his stride with parenting and his kid thinks of him as a big tough cool guy. But then… the teen years go just fine. Sure his kid is dealing with the volatile emotions and social minefield that is being that age, but Sukuna speaks to them plainly, and it gets through to them somehow.

Sometimes there’s that “you just don’t get it” response, but never in an upset way. They’ve learned to take their dad for what he is at that point. They aren’t hardened, but they can roll with the punches. He isn’t soft, but he’s human.

[ridiasfangirlings]

What kind of parents do you think mikorei, sarumi, izuseri, and kuroshiro would be to their respective children?

Mikorei are absolutely the couple where one parent is very strict and careful and has a whole educational plan set up for their kid and the other is like sure eat paste whatever it’s fine. Like you know Munakata would be such an involved parent, he babyproofs the house to a ridiculous degree the moment they bring the kid home and he studies up on nutrition and what music the kid should listen to in order to help grow their mind, the whole thing. Meanwhile whenever he leaves Mikoto to watch the kid while Munakata is at work the child starts like climbing on bookshelves and Mikoto’s just like ‘try not to break anything’ (because then Munakata would yell at him), Mikoto is a very hands off parent. Though even then of course Mikoto is protective in his own way, like can you imagine if someone tried to bully their kid and suddenly found themselves face to face with the Red Monster. Mikoto is also the one who gets Munakata to tone it down as needed, especially as their kid gets older and starts to chafe a bit at the extreme doting Mikoto is the one to remind Munakata that kids need some level of independence.

Sarumi, Yata is the eager and excited parent and Fushimi is the really cautious one who has no idea what he’s doing constantly and worries that he’s screwing something up. Actually in this case at least when the kid is young I wonder if Yata would have to be the one administering any discipline, since Fushimi would obviously be the one to take it harder if the kid gets upset about it (can you imagine the first time their kid says ‘I hate you,’ Yata’s upset but realizes this is a thing kids do while Fushimi is quietly having a spiral and Yata has to reassure him that no, this isn’t like when you said you hate your dad, your dad deserved hating). I think Fushimi might be an unexpectedly gentle parent just because he knows what shitty parents are like and he doesn’t want to be that way. Yata meanwhile is also super involved, I see him being really excited by every milestone and bragging about how cool their kid is. 

Izuseri are proper normal parents, though hopefully their kid likes anko (imagine Kusanagi’s face the first time their kid asks for a glass of milk with anko). I think they’d be good with splitting duties parental-wise, like some days Kusanagi takes the kid to the bar and some days Awashima takes the kid to work for Uncle Munakata to have a playdate with. Awashima I could see as the slightly stricter parent, I bet it’s hard for the kid to lie to her because she’ll just stare at them until they tell the truth. Kusanagi is the looser parent but only until the kid does something really bad and then they’re in trouble, like for Awashima and Kusanagi’s kid Mom is scary but when Dad is mad he’s even scarier. Otherwise the two of them are very supportive of their kid though and do their best to let the kid grow up healthy and well adjusted.

Kuroshiro are definitely another one of the couples where one is strict and the other is like hey do you wanna do a science. Kuroh I could see being a very involved housewife, he absolutely will not let their kid grow up without any life skills and is probably dedicated to raising the child as Master Ichigen raised him (Shiro is fine with this but please wait until the kid can walk before you teach them to fly a helicopter). Shiro is somewhat looser as a parent, I can just imagine Kuroh like coming home to their apartment to find Shiro, Neko and the kid all happily fingerpainting on the walls with no regard to who will be cleaning that up. I feel like Shiro would be sort of excited to have a kid though, just with everything he’s been through and now he has a family and even a little kid, like it really hits him here how his time is moving again and he doesn’t mind that at all, he can’t wait to watch his kid grow happy and strong.

[my-watch-begins]

A match for love. Part XVIII.

Pairings: Harwin Strong x Female!OC

Words: 5k.

MASTERLIST

Harwin's face dropped at the words. He knew the Princess's labors to be nearing, but Ayla and him hadn't had time to prepare the boys for what would happen after the birth. With the news of their little one growing within her, all focus had gone to her instead of the future and the Princess.

"Since when?"

"Since this morning" Luke replied.

"And you two were headed where?" Harwin tried to reign back the conversation to the matter at hand and not the labors of the Princess.

"To the dragon pit" Jace admitted "we were going to pick an egg for our sibling"

The boys and Harwin exchanged a few looks. Some pleading, some stern, in the end Harwin motioned with his head and followed the boy's directions to the dragon pit.

The dragon pit was a place he had rarely visited, even when he was under Rhaenyra's detail she usually made him wait outside. The dragon pit was awfully dark, damp and so hot that it made Harwin instantly start sweating under his armor. He followed the two princes to the underbelly of the dragon pit, he heard several grunts and growls from different beasts that quickly made his skin crawl.

He let them enter one of the chambers and waited outside for some dreadful minutes until the two Princes emerged, one of them holding an dragon egg to their chest.

"We need to warm it up quickly" Jace explained, holding the heavy egg on his hands, it was certainly too big for Luke to carry easily.

"Let's go to your mother's rooms and set it up there" Harwin took the boys out of the dragon pit and escorted them, not once offering to take the dragon egg and carry it himself, the boys wouldn't allow it and he thought it was something they had to do themselves, it would strengthen the bonds of the family in a much needed time.

Once they arrived at the chambers of the Princess, Harwin did took care of filling a closed pot with burning coals, the egg was placed inside of it by the boys with much care and then closed to keep it hot.

Harwin knew it was costum for the children with the blood of Old Valyria to be given a dragon egg. He was happy to know that he would never have to deal with raising both children and dragons, and consequently dragon riding children.

The Princes entertained themselves with their wooden dragons until Harwin heard the bells of the Keep, the same ones that rung under very specific circumstance, either very good like the birth of a royal family member, or very bad like the death of one.

Shortly after a group of maids came in to ready the bedroom to receive the Princess and the newborn, Harwin took that opportunity to walk to them and ask.

"How is the Princess?"

The maid looked up and down at him and then returned her eyes to her task.

"She did well, she had a healthy boy"

Harwin returned to the side of the two Princes after a short and thankful nod to the maids.

After almost an hour of waiting he began to worry, the Princess should already be in the quarters resting. At the thought of something going wrong his palms began to sweat and his heart pounded uncontrollably in his chest. His state only settled when the Princess walked through the doors, Ser Laenor behind her holding their tiny babe.

Harwin and the boys stood from their seats,  his face turned into a relieved smile at Rhaenyra. The Princes hurriedly spoke to their mother about their hunt for the dragon egg and Harwin extended his hand to support her as she sat heavily on the couch.

Once his eyes were set on the bundle of blankets in Ser Laenor's his heart squeezed in his chest. The closeness of the Princess' children with his own always tugged at his heart strings, knowing that after the birth of one of the Princes, the birth of his own child followed.

He had the urge to ask to hold the new born, one the flowed from his lips before he could stop himself.

Whilst holding Prince Joffrey, ser Laenor took care of the Princes who were very much excited to also see their sibling. Being alone with the Princess and the new born Prince wasn't something he wasn't used to, though a silent worry flashed in their eyes.

After a light hearted joke on Harwin's part, the Princess did confide to him what had happened that morning.

"The Queen demanded to see him" she explained. Harwin swayed gently side to side whilst twisting his eyebrows at her "she wouldn't wait until I was rested, she demanded he would be brought to her immediately"

"That's low, even for her"

The Princess agreed with a short nod.

"Will one of the nurses carry him now?" He asked, not expecting the response from Rhaenyra.

"She demanded him immediately, I brought him myself as soon as I was rid of the afterbirth"

The face of disgust and anger didn't took long to take over Harwin's features. He tried to calm himself down with long and deep breaths, but soon he would need to put Prince Joffrey down to avoid the tension of his body to take over and make the little one uncomfortable.

"Shame I wasn't there, I would've never allowed for such a thing to be done to you" Harwin lamented.

Luckily, the maids entered and began helping the Princess out of her clothes to a more comfortable gown. Another one of the wet nurses took the little Prince out of Harwin's arms and before leaving, Harwin and the Princess exchanged thankful nods on the Princess' side and dutiful and accepting dismissal on Harwin's side.

Once rid of his duties for Lord Commander for the day and after being seen exiting the Princess' quarters, he feared words would begin to be spoken faster than he could reach the Tower of the Hand where Ayla often worked if not in the office of the Hand near the Small Council chamber.

Once in the Tower, Ayla was standing near the stacked books in the library holding a few scrolls.

"Oh, good thing you're here" she said when she saw Harwin walk to her "hand me that one, please" she motioned at one of the books and Harwin took it from the library, leaving the heavy tome in the desk "thank you love"

"The Princess gave birth" he mentioned, Ayla quickly straightened and one of her hands instinctively reached to touch the base of her rounding stomach.

"I thought I heard the bells. Did you see her?"

"I did, she had a boy"

Ayla lifted her hand at him, her eyes moved from him to the door behind him and two seconds later the door swung open, a quick sprint carried both of the Strong boys towards their mother.

"Mother, might we go to the dragon pit?" Kylian asked.

"Prince Jacaerys invited us" Kiran followed.

"And we will be careful"

"We promise" they pleaded.

Ayla's stomach always twisted at the thought of both of her little boys near a dragon, but with lips tight in concern she nodded at them. They skipped by the door screaming in happiness and Ayla threw a pleading look to Harwin.

"Go with them please" Harwin tranquilized Ayla with a quick kiss.

"We will need to speak later" he warned.

Ayla gave him nod and saw him walk out of the Tower of the Hand in pursuit of his sons.

At the sight of both the Strong boys and the Princes in the dragon pit, anyone would've had to look twice at the mess of brown curls that the four boys shared to difference them. Harwin always felt a pit on his stomach when he stared at the likeness between them. He understood the reasons for the rumors and the impotence he felt when he heard them knowing that he could only deny them was heavy on him. He could only guess how heavy they were on Ayla, who had retreated back to the office of the Tower of Hand and avoided speaking with people knowing that the sayings may affect her.

After the visit to the dragon pit and the interactions of the boys with the dragon that he would certainly not mention to his wife, Harwin walked around the Keep and saw the work of the last patrols, sending the night shifts, securing the guards in the Keep and making sure that the last things were taken care of. As he returned, he couldn't help himself from feeling watched.

The next day after the Princess' birth and with no sign of a future reveal to the masses, Harwin walked with a little more ease in the corridors of the Red Keep only to meet his sons crossing his path in the adjacent corridor.

"Where might you two be headed?" He called, the boys were carrying their wooden swords and chest plates were still attached to their bodies.

"We were training in the yard and Ser Criston had it cleared for the Princes" Kiran explained. Kylian gave his father a dismissing twist of his eyes that he often saw in his wife.

"Busy yourselves with something else then boys"

"Yes father" they answered dutifully, then resumed their walk to their quarters. Harwin pondered between going after them, but then his eyes landed on the path that led to the yard.

Harwin had agreed with the Princess' reasons for not wanting her sons to train with her brothers. The Princess' brothers often and her sons got along well enough, but Harwin had been present when they spoke to them and insinuated things about their heritage, their blood line, the "Baratheon blood" that tainted their hair.

Lately no one believed that the Velaryon boys had a Velaryon father, but the ones that jokingly addressed the rumors with a tint of malice were the Targaryen Princes, Aegon specially.

Harwin knew first hand that their mother had instructed them to no answer to such comments, but the immunity of having Criston Cole with them often turned the Targaryen Princes a bit nastier towards their nephews. Needless to say Harwin had not received such an instruction from the Princess and often looked after Jace and Luke from the distance to make sure that he could intervene and draw the boys away if they were being bothered.

His arrival to the yard was met with smiles from the Velaryon Princes. He found things around the yard to busy himself as he observed the training.

Quickly he observed the disparity in training. The Velaryon boys roamed around, looking at their older uncles be instructed, praised and corrected in their training. Harwin couldn't sit idle at the injustice.

Unfortunately, it was a day were everything went wrong. A smart quip between the two men he could handle, but Ser Criston quickly surpassed Harwin's limits when he grabbed Jacaerys by his chest plate and swung him around to face an opponent two times his size and age.

It wasn't the first time Harwin would interject in the training, quickly forgetting that he was just going to observe it from afar and not intervene much less coach the Prince against his opponent, he often forgot his place when it came to the Velaryon boys.

The fight between the two Princes turned into a verbal fight between the coaches. Though Harwin disregarded the quips of Ser Criston, there was one thing he absolutely would not stand.

"Most men would only show that kind of devotion for a cousin... Or a brother" Harwin's eyes lifted to the horizon and his jaw clenched at the words "or a son"

Harwin's hands let the swords he was holding fall to the ground, his hands tensed in tight fists and without thinking it twice, he turned around and punched Criston Cole in the face.

One punch could've been enough to write off the altercation as a warning, but Harwin didn't stop, he plumed his fists on Criston Cole's smug smile, but everytime he lifted his hand the smile, mocking him, was still there, and once on the floor he kept punching, his eyesight closed to only focus on him below his body and his fists landing heavily on his face, he didn't even feel his throat hurt at his heavy grunts fixed with rage, pure and unmistakable rage, the oy thought that crossed his mind was one command, kill Criston Cole.

Ayla placed her tiny niece in her crib, slowly so that the little one wouldn't be startled by the sudden movement or loss of touch.

Both her, the babe and the wet nurses that was taking care of her older niece jumped in their spots at the commotion outside the bedroom.

Ayla gave the wet nurse a quick instruction to stay with the two girls, then carefully opened the door and closed it behind her.

The yelling was unrecognizable from her position, it took her a few steps down the hall until she made the first words out.

"He is a Knight of the Kingsguard now, a defender of the crown."

"He assailed Prince Jacaerys, the future heir to the throne!"

Ayla was stopped in her tracks when she saw a metal bowl fly in front of her and clatter to the ground, the fruits that were on it rolled around aimlessly.

"You have laid us open to accusations of an uglier treachery"

"And what treachery is that?" She heard Harwin speak. Though Ayla and Harwin were much used to the talks of bastardy, the Hand had certainly not been exposed to them as often because of his lack of contact with the commoners. The Lords he associated with on the daily would never speak a word of illegitimacy in front of him.

"Don't play the fool with me, boy" Ayla finally reached the end of the corridor and the open space where they usually had their dinners. She peaked around the corner and saw both Lord Lyonel and Harwin facing away from her. "Your intimacy with the Princess Rhaenyra is an offense that would mean exile and death... For you, for her, for the children, hers and yours"

Ayla's stomach tightened at the words, her hands instinctively covered her rounding stomach, she swallowed but her throat still felt closed and dry at the anxiety of such a thought.

"It is rumor only spun by the Princess's rivals" Harwin seemed to have either calmed down or accept defeat, not wanting to keep fighting with his father

"People have eyes, boy. Yet His Grace the King, it seems, will not accept what his eyes see" Ayla's eyes moved around at the information, she couldn't believe that the King himself would doubt the Prince's origins. The love of a father couldn't be that strong.

"This flimsy shield alone stands between you and the headsman. The willful blindness of a father towards his child"

"I wish my father affected a similar blindness" Ayla had to take a step back and stay hidden in the corner of the corridor when she saw Harwin turn around, then a sound of wood scraping stone hit her. She leaned in again, seeing that Harwin had sat down at the table and hid his face on his hands.

"Have I not these many years?" Ayla frowned at his words. After all these years, after Harwin's marriage and his two children Lord Lyonel couldn't think still that he was the father of the Velaryon boys. "And yet today, you publicly assault a Knight of the Kingsguard in the, in the defense of your-"

"You have your honor and I have mine"

Ayla stared at the two men. Harwin was definitely defeated, with his head slumping between his shoulders and his hands holding it.

She was about to walk to them when the front door knocked again and promptly opened. Without a place to hide other than quickly turning back, she remained standing in the hallway hoping she wouldn't be seen.

A member of the King's Guard appeared holding his helmet to his side, he bowed quickly and addressed the Hand.

"The Queen requests your presence at once, my Lord Hand"

Ayla's stomach tightened again. She forced herself to have thoughts that would reassure her, convincing herself that the consequences would not be as dire as the Hand was painting them.

Harwin attempted to stand up, he was stopped by his father's hand on his shoulder.

"I will attempt to mitigate the consequences for you, but I assure you the outcome will not be one of your liking"

Even after his father left him, Harwin was so consumed in his thoughts he didn't notice Ayla approach him and seat near him. He replayed the moment in his head. At first he regretted not following his sons to their quarters when he saw them, then he regretted letting the situation get the worst of them.

With his head down and buried in his hands, he only noticed the presence of his wife when it was too late.

He heard the front door open and close, then the steps that carried his father in front of him. He was about to tell his father to get to talking, not knowing that Lord Lyonel and Ayla were exchanging looks.

"You will be removed from your post as the Lord Commander, effective immediately"

"And Ser Criston?" Ayla spoke with a harsh tone, standing from her seat and taking a step to stand between a seated Harwin and his father "what will the punishment for him be? Let me guess, absolutely nothing" she spat "not only and oath breaker but a murderer, the Queen's guard scurries away with so much as a slap on his wrist"

"Enough, Ayla" Lord Lyonel's tone of voice was one that made Ayla's insides twist, Harwin quickly shoot up from his seat. Lord Lyonel was definitely not in the mood for Ayla's clever words.

"You will also leave for Harrenhal at first light"

Even though she couldn't see him, Ayla felt Harwin tense behind her, he took a step to stand next to her as he spoke.

"Ayla cannot make such a trip in her condition"

"She can, and she will" Lord Lyonel sentenced.

Harwin straight his back, shocked at his father's words. He thought he held Ayla even higher than his own daughters. His willingness to risk her safety exposing her to such a trip proved otherwise.

"I will be fine, Harwin" she tried to soothe him with a hand on his bicep, though with his armor on Ayla doubted she could convey much comfort.

"I will have the maids pack your things"

Lord Lyonel and Harwin exchanged looks before he turned around and left the tower of the Hand, leaving Ayla and Harwin to deal with a very uncomfortable silence. Harwin turned around and let himself fall on the chair he was sitting on.

Ayla looked down at him, the heaviness he felt didn't allow him to keep his head held high, it slumped between his shoulders again as he leaned his forearms over his legs. Her lips tightened at the sight of him.

"Do you wish to be alone for a moment?" She offered, not knowing if he felt like being soothed of left alone with his thoughts.

His response of quickly moving and extending his hand to her made her suppress a smile, she ended up sitting in his lap, his arms rounded her and his face hid in the crook of her neck.

"You have done nothing wrong" she said after a few minutes of her hand running soothingly on the back of his head.

"I let myself be bested by the son of a steward" he complained.

"It's his job as the Queen's faithful lapdog to make you react to his offenses"

He sighed heavily, pressing his hand over Ayla's stomach.

"If anything happens to our child in this trip I will never forgive myself"

"Nothing will happen Harwin" Ayla assured. Her lips reached Harwin's forehead, he relaxed into her, his arms rounded her again.

They remained seated only a few more minutes, the did have to begin gather their things after all. The fact that they would have to scurry away before dawn didn't seat well with Ayla. Deserted, exiled is how they felt.

Upon walking into their quarters, Ayla was met with her two boys screaming at the maids for putting their stuff away. She quickly took over and asked the maids to leave them so she could talk to the boys.

She sat at their bed and both Kylian and Kiran stood in front of her.

"Why are you packing out things?" Kiran demanded his hands balled into fists as his side, he was rarely mad but he had been the one that had suffered the move from the Tower the most. Ayla only guessed that this new unexpected move was going to be tougher on him.

"We must leave for Harrenhal in the morning" both of her boys opened their eyes in shock, their mouths falling slightly agape.

"Why?" Kiran demanded again. Kylian, more knowledgeable, began linking  information much like Ayla often did.

"Because we have overstayed in King's Landing, your father needs to start attending to his duties" she reasoned, her hands holding theirs. 

"Is it because father punched Ser Criston?"  Kylian wished to know. Ayla frowned, wondering how had Kylian already heard about the incident.

"It is not" she assured, lying bluntly to his son.

"Is it because what they say about Prince Jace and Luke?" Ayla's eyes scanned their eyes, her lips pressed tightly.

"Your father loves you, you know that right?" Both the boys nodded "and just like he's held you as soon as you were born, how he reads you to sleep, how he trains with you, how he's always been present, he's been the same for the Princes. He cares for them as much as he cares for you. Your father has too much love in his heart and he's chosen to spare some of it in the Princes, taking care of them as fiercely as he would take care of you"

Both Kylian and Kiran nodded absentmindedly, Ayla's words resonated with them heavily.

"Sadly there's people who think that your father's care and love is for misplaced reasons, and some people will do anything to convince the rest of their beliefs" the boys nodded again, their eyes finding the floor beneath them "we will be better in Harrenhal away from such poisonous gossip, I promise"

She cupped their cheeks and pressed a kiss to each of them.

"Our departure does not mean the end of your friendship with the Princes, if anything they have dragons to ride to Harrenhal and visit you" she tried to lighten the mood as she stood up, the boys did seem to like the idea and quickly began imagining the dragons flying atop the high Towers of Harrenhal.

Ayla walked from the bedroom finding Harwin standing just outside, she took his hand and walked back to their shared quarters, a maid scurried past them to finish packing the boy's things.

They sat at one of the tables, watching the maids gather Ayla's dresses, Harwin's armor, the children's several toys, medals of recognition, participations in tourneys.

As they watched the maids come and go, Harwin held onto Ayla's hand sitting across each other.

"I heard what you told the boys" his fingers caressed Ayla's knuckles "I don't know what I would've done or what to say to them in this situation. I thank the Gods every day that I found you"

He pulled her hand to his lips and kissed the back of it. Ayla found strength in her to give him a grateful smile. Even over their shared worry Harwin always managed to give her words of courage as much as Ayla also supported him.

The door was knocked and one of the maids, the closest one to the door opened it. Ayla and Harwin were surprised to see the Princess at the other side of it, Ayla had her enter the room and the maids dismissed for a moment so they could talk privately.

The Princess was quick to hold Ayla's hand as she spoke.

"I am truly sorry for this" she began "the joint training of my sons with my brothers was my father's idea to attempt and strengthen the bonds. If I knew the perils Cole was submitting my sons to, I would've never consented to his training of them"

Ayla could see that the Princess was very much apologetic, even though they were holding hands, Rhaenyra's eyes moved quickly to try and put her thoughts in order.

"I am very sorry that you were forced to react, and I'm very grateful for you always putting yourself forward and protecting my sons"

Only then she glanced at Harwin, who returned her a apathetic smile, not in the mood for anything more.

"I did attempt, at today's small council meeting, to mitigate the outcome of the situation. I did propose a marriage between Jace and my sister Haelena" Rhaenyra's eyes landed on Ayla, looking for some sort of approval on her part about the use of Ayla's previously mentioned strategy "I also offered my half-brother Aemond to have a pick of a dragon egg when Syrax brings forth a fresh clutch. I thought these offerings would be a good start to regain some trust and later I could offer to reinstate Harwin in the post of Lord Commander. Sadly I was later informed by the Hand that you would be leaving"

"It was very thoughtful of you, Rhaenyra" Ayla spoke, glancing shortly at Harwin "though our departure took all of us by surprise, we are slowly convincing ourselves that this is a good thing"

"We will also be leaving King's Landing" she declared, as Ayla's thoughts ran wildly, Rhaenyra kept talking "my husband also believes that we must flee the storm as it gathers, and perhaps raise our children away from..." she stopped herself and tightened her lips, not wanting to be caught saying something she shouldn't.

Ayla took a gamble that the Princess meant the Hightowers. She also held her tongue about the Princess' departure, if anything she shouldn't leave her father at the hands of the Queen now that his health was declining rapidly. The only comfort that Ayla held was that the Hand would still be in King's Landing to avoid the King's wishes to continue be respected.

Ayla stood by the stairs, her eyes followed the carriage being filled for their departure. The boys were already inside, probably continued the sleep they had to interrupt to get ready before dawn. The night was coming to an end by the look of the sun slowly painting the sky orange.

She grasped at a short blanket shed grabbed onto her shoulders, then jumped at the sound of a voice.

"I do wish you a good trip to Harrenhal, Lady Ayla"

She should've heard Larys with his cane walking towards her, but she had been so absorbed in her thoughts and the movement in the yard she had not noticed him.

"Ah yes, you must be absolutely heart broken about our departure" she muttered, not wanting to be caught being naughty with her Good Brother.

"Before you leave, as my father is accompanying you, I thought you should know that he presented his resignation as Hand of the King" Ayla's head whipped to the side rapidly, not hiding her confused frown as she met Larys' stare "he was quoted saying he cannot advise him under such a dark cloud. It seems he finally had accepted the truth as we all know it"

"We?" Ayla perked up.

"It pains me to think about it, but after all these years even my father refuses to live under the same blindness that affects the King"

"So he would rather distrust his own son than be wrong?"

"I would rather you also take the veil off your eyes and see the truth as plainly as it is presented"

"Luckily for Harwin I am not that weak-minded"

Ayla took a step to him, her hands gripping the blanket around her shoulder tight enough to paint her knuckles white.

"And if you think you have finally gotten rid of me by sending me to Harrenhal, then I assure you I was better controlled under your watch. In Harrenhal I will do whatever I please"

"I sincerely doubt that"

Ayla whipped her head around when she heard Harwin's heavy steps and the jingling of his belt against the holder of his sword.

Harwin danced his eyes between Larys and Ayla, taking his place next to her.

"I couldn't let you leave without saying my goodbyes. We will not see each other again after all" Larys began with a quick nod.

Ayla frowned and Harwin spoke up, also expressing his brother that he would miss him and his sister Grayce. The last phrase stuck to Ayla bitterly.

Larys was not the one to talk and when he did his words were chosen carefully.

When she finally climbed on the carriage and Harwin made sure that she was comfortable, he pressed a quick kiss to her forehead, then moved to kiss both of their sleeping sons in the adjacent benches of the carriage.

At the side corridor Larys had been joined as he watched his father and brother climb onto their horses and get ready to leave. Queen Alicent stood a little off to the side to avoid being seen with Larys. With her hands held in front of her she watched the carriage slowly pull from the yard and off to the gates.

"I am sure now King's Landing will be a little more at ease without your brother and the Princess taunting their transgressions without impunity" the Queen spoke.

"I will agree with you, your Grace. The Strongs will not be missed in King's Landing. Not a single one of them"

Taglist: @her-fandom-sanctum @stitchattacks @evyiione @mostlyskateboarding @agentstarkid @mostclevermiss @squidscottjeans @grimistangel

@throughgoeshamilton

[cannotflyarc]

✩ - for arthur & johanna

DISAGREEMENTS.

who is more likely to raise their voice? i say arthur, but johanna's absolutely had her moments. who threatens to leave but never actually does? well. who actually keeps their word and leaves? well.............. johanna. who trashes the house? neither. do either of them get physical? never to each other. how often do they argue/disagree? pre-divorce? lots and lots of confrontations about his gambling addiction. when they've become accountability partners? still a fair amount while they're recovering and not really themselves. after the remarriage? they argue like any other couple. it's healthy, but they're not shouting at each other. who is the first to apologize? johanna.

SEX.

who is on top? surprise, surprise it's johanna. who is on the bottom? arthur. who has the strangest desires? i don't know if arthur has any? any kinks? what if you say nice things to her during? who’s dominant in bed? i honestly think it might vary more but johanna does prefer that role. is head ever in the equation? if so, who is better at performing it? uh uh. ever had sex in public? no more than honeymoon beach. who moans the most? i don't know if arthur does? who leaves the most marks? johanna doesn't do that so. who screams the loudest? nope. who is the more experienced of the two? johanna isn't (unless she had anthony before which we haven't plotted out yet lol), so i'd say arthur? do they ‘fuck’ or ‘make love’? make love. rough or soft? soft. how long do they usually last? honestly......they could go at it for like forty-five minutes. is protection used? they should not have another baby despite arthur's wants in the s.ims 4 (unless they want one later), so yes. does it ever get boring? nah. where is the strangest place they’d have sex? beach at night, but since they have a five-year-old, i think they get a little creative.

FAMILY.

do your muses plan on having children/or have children?  i don't know if they planned on it when they got married originally? johanna's thoughts on having children in modern verses are mixed and she panicked when she found out she was pregnant, but she's more than happy to have pammy. if so, how many children do your muses want/have? they have paloma birdie and johanna is good with one child, especially since her pregnancy with her was very stressful. if it happens, then it happens, but one is enough. who is the favorite parent? i do think paloma and johanna have a closer relationship because johanna was actually, uh, involved in the first five years of her life whereas arthur was not. who is the authoritative parent? johanna. who is more likely to allow the children to have a day off school? both of them. who lets the children indulge in sweets and junk food when the other isn’t around? arthur. who turns up to extracurricular activities to support their children? both of them. when johanna is in the hospital, if paloma is in a little skit at school, arthur is required to record it for her. who goes to parent teacher interviews? both of them, but it was just johanna in the beginning. who changes the diapers? johanna because someone wasn't there. who gets up in the middle of the night to feed the baby? johanna because guess who wasn't there. who spends the most time with the children? pre reconciliation, obviously it's johanna, but once they're married again i think arthur ends up spending more time with her since johanna works at a clinic. who packs their lunch boxes? johanna. i don't know if she ever recovers from the times arthur forgets to feed her. who gives their children ‘the talk’? johanna. who cleans up after the kids? both of them. who worries the most? johanna. who are the children more likely to learn their first swear word from? arthur.

AFFECTION.

who likes to cuddle? seeing as how that’s the way they sleep every night…..both of them. who is the little spoon? they swap, but typically arthur.  who gets naughty in the most inappropriate of places? mr. beach makeout  who struggles to keep their hands to themself? johanna just needs to be touching him all the time. how long can they cuddle until one becomes uncomfortable? forever. who gives the most kisses? well. what is their favorite non-sexual activity? they’re pretty satisfied with boring lives. going for walks together and watching movies on the couch with paloma. where is their favorite place to cuddle? in bed since arthur loves having a bed again :(  who is more likely to playfully grope the other? i know johanna isn’t how often do they get time to themselves? when they’re home from work and pam is sleeping.

SLEEPING.

who snores? if both do, who snores the loudest? i could see arthur honestly. do they share a bed or sleep separately? if they sleep together, do they cozy up together or lay far apart? before they’re together-together again, arthur sleeps on the couch pullout. after he gets his ring back, they’re sharing a bed again.  who talks in their sleep? johanna does a little bit.  what do they wear to bed? johanna is a pj pants and sweatshirt kind of girl…………..and stealing his clothes. are either of your muses insomniacs? johanna. can sleeping pills be found by the bedside? probably not?  do they wrap their limbs around each other or just lay side by side? LIMBS. who wakes up with bed hair? arthur because he needs a hair cut.  who wakes up first? they wake up around the same time, but typically johanna is up earlier.  who prepares breakfast in bed for the other? neither.  what is their favorite sleeping position? cuddle?  who hogs the sheets? johanna.  do they set an alarm each night? yes, but they wake up before it.  can a television be found in their bedroom? unless arthur buys one for their room, no.  who has nightmares? both of them.  who has ridiculous dreams? paloma. who sprawls out and takes up most of the bed? johanna on occasion.  who makes the bed?  johanna. what time is bed time?  no set bedtime.  any routines/rituals before bed? johanna braids her hair or throws it up another way and reads a chapter of her book.  who’s the grumpiest when they wake up? arthur.

WORK.

who is the busiest? both of them have therapy and jobs and have to take care of paloma. i would say johanna just because her job is slightly more demanding.  who rakes in the highest income? johanna.  are any of your muses unemployed? not anymore! who takes the most sick days? i have the feeling neither of them are big fans of taking care of themselves when they’re sick.   who is more likely to turn up late to work? neither.  who sucks up to their boss? neither.  what are their jobs? arthur worked at a diner so he could take care of paloma, johanna is a pedatric medical assistant.  who stresses the most? johanna.  do your muses enjoy or despise their careers/occupations? johanna loves hers.  are your muses financially stable? yes, but there’s been some tight times and she’s had to rely on her inheritance which she hates. 

HOME.

who does the washing? johanna. who takes out the trash? arthur, but jo did it for years without him. who does the ironing? johanna. who does the cooking? this one is difficult since they both have rocky relationships with food. johanna’s cooking skills are dino nuggets in the oven and cutting up apple slices to feed the kindergartener, but she does have her moments where she makes things for him? i don’t either of them are very good, but it’s a mix or arthur does it.   who is more likely to burn the house down just trying? johanna.  who is messier?  arthur gives me messier vibes.  who leaves the toilet roll empty? neither.  who leaves their dirty clothes on the floor? neither.  who forgets to flush the toilet? neither.  who is the prankster around the house? neither.  who loses the car keys when it comes time to go somewhere? jo can’t drive.  who mows the lawn? arthur, but their yard isn’t super big. johanna used to pay a kid in the neighborhood to mow it for her.  who answers the telephone? they don’t have a landline.  who does the vacuuming? johanna. who does the groceries? both of them to make sure each other is healthy.  who takes the longest to shower? johanna.  who spends the most time in the bathroom? johanna.

MISCELLANEOUS.

is money a problem? at the height of arthur’s gambling addiction and before johanna left him, i think so. they just had a baby and he was struggling. how many cars do they own? one. johanna can’t drive so she didn’t own one before arthur came back. do they own their home or do they rent? jo’s got a mortgage and everything.  do they live near the coast or deep in the countryside? near the coast.  do they live in the city or in the country?  suburbs. johanna hates the city.  do they enjoy their surroundings? johanna is very happy with her little house in suburbia. this is the life she’s always wanted and when arthur gets his wedding ring back? it’s perfect.  what’s their song? hmmmm.  what do they do when they’re away from each other? working mostly. or johanna was in the hospital. they also have therapy and other ways of helping them become healthy again.  where did they first meet? (to be plotted.) how did they first meet? see above.  who spends the most money when out shopping? neither.  who’s more likely to flash their assets? what assets  who finds it amusing when the other trips over? neither.  any mental issues? yeah :(  who’s terrified of bugs? neither.  who kills the spiders around the house? both of them.  their favorite place? the beach.  who pays the bills? johanna doesn’t really trust arthur with the finances.   do they have any fears for their future? johanna admits that she is afraid arthur will relapse someday and she’ll have to leave him again, but that’s mostly her overthinking.  who’s more likely to surprise the other with a fancy dinner? :( who uses up all of the hot water?  look johanna has lots of hair to wash.  who’s the tallest? arthur.  who’s more likely to just randomly hop into the shower with the other? hmmm both.  who wanders around in their underwear? neither give me that impression.  who sings the loudest when singing along to the radio? johanna.  what do they tease each other about? they’re very cautious about teasing each other because there’s so many lines that cannot be crossed so usually inside jokes.  who is more likely to cringe at the other’s fashion sense at times? maybe johanna but it’s mostly because she’s sad he was homeless and couldn’t afford much.   do they have mutual friends? most of johanna’s friends are the fellow moms on the pta or co-workers so….. who crushed first?  hmmm. any alcohol or substance related problems? arthur smokes, which johanna hates.  who is more likely to stumble home, drunk, at 3am? i say arthur?? who swears the most? arthur.

[crowmero]

I'm afraid I can only think on softy and hopeful headcanons because I see all this guys as big softies.

I do think I worry many of this guys are very possessive and jealous of their partner in a unhinged way, and I think in real life it happens that a lot of men get jealous of their own children (that is just awful but it happens). Men are super weird because they want the title of being a father but don't really want to do the job of being caretakers.

That a side, I only have read Harrison, Liam blind love, Elbert mad love and still in the middle of William, but pretty much reading every event in EN, so don't glare me daggers for not knowing much about your fave since I don't read that many spoilers of the JP version (and I don't really want to).

William for me is the kind of person who is just too in love with his own freedom and hedonistic life-style that it would be weird to see him as a dad (I recall Harrison saying he is super curious about if his lifestyle is sustainable). But if he is a dad, it would be really good at how to redirect their children to stay true to themselves and their own beliefs and be very supportive about their goals and dreams and whatever path they want to follow, even if that means not talking to him anymore or severing ties. He has such a easy going personality, he is going to be a really good friend and ally to his own children.

Liam would be too worried because he have a lot of issues he needs to take care of first (therapy) before becoming a dad so he probably would be doubting himself a lot about if he can be a good dad or not, if he can really make their children happy and loved and very afraid to hurt them in some way. If he can overcome all this, the shining brightlight star that is Liam would be such a great dad to hang around. Your father is a superstar in the theater and mommy always take you to see him preforming a new play. It would be so lovely that the troupe starts making more fairy-tale based plays for the children to enjoy. Dad Liam is a profesional at playing "make-believe", he knows how to tell new stories, he knows how to make their imagination fly, he and the kids love dressing up and inventing new DYI costumes and he totally would teach their children how to touch the stars while he carries them in their shoulders.

Harrison is the most normal of the whole so I don't worry too much about him. He has such a charming personality, he knows how to enchant children. But I see him as someone who would have to make a compromise (quitting crown) because he definitely want his children and his partner to stay in the light. He wants to be there and raise his children and have the happy family he used to have when he was a child. I only worry about Harrison levels of sugar consumption, mommy is going to have to put some hard rules because we don't want the kids to have cavities. He is going to read a lot to his children and he is going to be the type of father who gives his children puzzles and riddles to solve to challenge them and to teach them to question everything, they are going to be such smart children. They're going to spend a lot of time in the nature and do family picnics.

Elbert is one to worry about because of the "getting jealous of your own children for taking the attention of my partner away from me" types. If we don't have that, he is going to treasure his own children and consider them beautiful. I also worry he feels so unworthy to be a dad because how much he has suffered feeling like he carries the original sin with him and just tainting the purity of his own breed (like there is a lot to work there). I can see him spoiling his children too much with the amount of money he has. If by this point of his life he haven't tossed away the "junk pile", those things would become "the cabinet of wonders" for their kids. This kids are going to be really curious and habit collectors of small things (like collecting rocks, shells, bones and feathers). I wish in the most healthy scenario he becomes the type of dad that teach their kids to appreciate the beauty of everything that surround us while also respecting that there are things you can't posses or take away, and that this beauty tribes on the freedom it has. They are going to do a lot of strolls by the beach and his kids play in the sand.

Alfons is also pretty hedonistic and someone I don't see excited about the idea of taking on a more serious parental role, but he is totally capable and efficient. Just looking at how he is, I can imagine his children are going to be incredible awake and hyperactive and really smart. Insane headcanon is that I can see him be type of dad who dislikes a lot that his children cry because they are uncomfortable so he takes care of them before they have the opportunity to make a noise. I would be worried of how much he is abusing his curse to distract their children and make them happy and comfortable (mommy don't approve of this). I can see him teaching his children to be really compassionate of others and to be humble and be people with a humanitarian spirit. This children also are going to pick a lot of bad habits by his dad like opening locks (if we already have enough with Alfons, imagine raising the copies, imagine he has evil twins). I also see him in the habit of telling them gothic stories when they are more big because he feels like someone with a bit of inclination for the occult, so this kids aren't going to be scaredy-cats.

Ellis in my superficial and idealistic view (because still can't pinpoint the root and severity of his problems) he also feels like he is going to be a very devoted father because he already wants to do anything for his partner, he would be taking care of everything so you don't move a single finger (you know how much I love man who do the 99 steps so you only have to do one?). This children are also going to be pretty loved and spoiled by Ellis whole net of people in town. He is going to be like a hero to his children by how much Ellis is loved and well know in their community and I think this going to inspire their children to want to help the community back, to be humble and kind to everyone. Like just pretty educated children with a soft nature and very empathetic. He is just going to do everything for his kids. Now imagine this well raised babies and absolute angels wanting to spend time with uncle Jude.

Roger, I see everyone here thinks about him and starts singing "go ahead and cry little girl" Ok, yeah haha. I understand this. He is also the second most normal of the team (sexual business a side). I just would be worried he is treating having children as a experiment (the kids are not lab rats Roger). I can see him as someone who would be too worried that his children take on his curse, because Roger feels and looks like he was really well raised and have a pretty comfortable life until his curse manifested and he have to give out in many things. I think he is going to have so much fun with his children, is going to be such a poster picture of a happy family with a dog and everything. I'm expecting his children to pick in his playful spirit and have a big sense of humor, to take on his life philosophy and to learn what true strength means. I also want to see how he teach them to box.

Victor, for me is the absolute paternal figure of the team (even Roger says he is doing a good job at being their father!). Victor is just adorable and incredible delusional, I love him for that. He sometimes feels like a child at heart. I can imagine he will take on a lot of the work to raise the kids, he already is the kind of person who likes to take care of the house, he will be that stay at home dad, cooking and baking, knitting little socks, sewing and mending little shirts, buying presents, planning family trips, just an absolute delightful dad. Victor has talked about how he used to suffer a lot in the past and he wants to be happy and live his best life now, so I can see him teaching that to his children, how you have to live every day like is the last and there is only the present.

Jude has a lot of issues that I find fascinating to understand why he is like that (really who hurt this guy? Who hurt you Jude???). I think he is going to be this over-protective dad, over-protective galore. I'll be worried because this kids are going to be forever in the victims protection program because Jude can't walk in peace without getting stabbed. But he totally wouldn't let anyone putting a single dirty finger on the children, he will be incredible bloody and haunt you forever if you try something. I think he either would try to preserve their children's innocence or would try to teach them how life is actually pretty hard and ugly. He would give his kids the kind of life he couldn't have when he was little and that includes to be well raised and educated. This dad reads a lot too so I can see really trying to make a habit of this to his children. I do wonder if there will be family trips to exotic places.

HYPOTHETICALLY SPEAKING, maybe lore aside, what kind of dads would the ikevil guys be?

[thedarkthingcreator]

4 reasons parents love can change people

A lot of parents discover that their child has altered their perspective on the world. As a result, their lives got happier and they experienced joy for the first time. The enjoyment isn't without difficulty, though. However, many people think that having a baby is the finest thing that has ever happened to them, despite the difficulties that come with having children, such as loss of sleep, lack of free time, and low income. How can the love of your parents improve you? Love from parents can help someone become a better version of themselves for a variety of reasons. Below is a list of the top 5.

Aids in Building Patience: Showing your child patience is an expression of love. Because children's minds are still developing and they might not fully comprehend certain concepts, arguments with them can be challenging. Being patient and never criticizing their child are qualities of a good parent. It increases your patience, composure, and ability to handle situations calmly and in moderation. It's a valuable life skill that applies to a wide range of circumstances.

2. Act as a devoted and caring teacher:

Given that their children are the most significant individuals in their lives, parents find it nearly impossible to quit loving and caring for them. However, it is not the only thing. Arguments with your child are bound to occur. Conflicts arise when individuals cannot agree on both personal and professional decisions, not simply when they make mistakes or go too far. It can be hard to express your worries without coming across as controlling. Nonetheless, devoted parents will support their kids no matter what decisions they make in life. Even though they don't always agree on everything, most parents learn to love unconditionally because they want the best for their children.

3. Teach you how to look after someone:

A common concern among couples is that they are not ready or qualified to raise children. Their lack of confidence in their ability to raise and care for their children is the root of it, and they believe this to be very normal. However, individuals can discover that they are more likely to be parents than they initially believed once they had kids. Parents can experience the love that supports the development of the instincts necessary to care for their children after giving birth. For instance, parents will learn to identify when their child is hungry or in need and will become more perceptive to their requirements. The brain's alterations are responsible for many of these emotions. Youngsters foster brain adaptation since it's what humans are wired to do. .. This is what some refer to as "parental instinct".

4. The father's brain's evolution:

Notably, a number of studies have revealed that during the first few weeks of fatherhood, a man's levels of oxytocin, estrogen, and prolactin rise while his levels of testosterone and cortisol fall. This phenomenon fosters a bonding experience between a father and his newborn child, which deepens parental love. The most crucial element is that a mother feels holy and resolute to do all it takes to support her child when she holds them for the first time. The mother is happy when she gives her child security and comfort, and that happiness endures as long as the child does because of their growing love.

Kindly get in touch with GoodLives if you have any inquiries about mental health. 

[goodlives-mitansh]

4 reasons parents love can change people

Many parents find that their child has changed the way they see the world. Their lives became happier and for the first time they felt joy because of it. But, the fun isn't without a struggle.

However, despite the challenges of having children, such as lack of sleep, lack of free time and little money to spend, many people believe that having a baby is the best thing that has ever happened to them.

How can your parents' love change you for the better? Parental love has the power to help someone improve themselves for many reasons. Top 5 of them are listed below.

1. Helps Cultivate Patience:

Being patient with your child is a sign of love. It can be difficult to argue with a child because they don't have adult brains; they may not understand some things. A good parent should be patient and never criticize their child. It helps you deal with problems calmly and with self-control, and makes you more patient, calm and composed. It's an important life skill that can be used in many different situations.

2. Be a loving and dedicated educator:

It is almost impossible for parents to stop loving and caring for their children because they are the most important person in their life. But there is more than that.

With your child, arguments are inevitable. Disputes develop when people disagree about personal and professional choices, not just when they get it wrong or overstepped. It can be difficult to voice your concerns without sounding bossy.

However, supportive parents will stand with their children no matter what choices they make in life. Many parents learn to love unconditionally because they want the best for their child, even if they don't always agree on everything.

3. Show you how to take care of someone:

Many couples tend to worry that they are not fully prepared or qualified to have children. It stems from their lack of confidence in raising and taking care of their children, and they feel this is completely normal.

But once they have children, they may find that they are more likely to parent than they previously thought. After giving birth, parents can feel the love that helps them develop the instincts needed to care for their children. For example, parents will become sensitive to their child's needs and will be able to recognize when a child is hungry or in need.

Many of these emotions are the result of changes in the brain. Children encourage our brains to adapt because humans are wired to do so. Some say this is what they call "parental instinct".

4. The evolution of the father's brain:

Notably, several studies have shown that a man's oxytocin, estrogen, and prolactin levels increase while his testosterone and cortisol levels drop during the first few weeks of fatherhood, promoting a bonding experience important relationship between a father and his newborn child, who strengthen parental love.

The most important factor is that when a mother holds her baby for the first time, she feels holy and determined to provide for her baby in any way. Providing the child with safety and comfort makes the mother happy, and that happiness lasts throughout the child's life as their love only grows.

Please contact us at GoodLives with any questions regarding mental health. 

[kiindredblogs]

Do I owe a sibling to my only child?

The decision to have children is one of the most significant choices individuals or couples face in their lives. For some, the question arises after having one child and contemplating whether to expand their family further. Parents who have only one child may find themselves pondering whether they owe a sibling to their son or daughter. This internal debate can be complex, emotionally charged, and deeply personal, as it involves weighing various factors and considering the long-term implications for both the child and the family as a whole.

To address this question, it's important to recognize that there is no one-size-fits-all answer. Every family is unique, and what works for one may not work for another. Instead, it is essential to evaluate the various perspectives and factors that can influence this decision-making process.

First and foremost, consider the well-being and happiness of your only child. Many parents worry that without a sibling, their child may miss out on the benefits of companionship, emotional support, and shared experiences that come with having a brother or sister. Siblings can provide a built-in playmate, someone to confide in, and lifelong companionship. Growing up with a sibling can teach important lessons about sharing, cooperation, and conflict resolution. Furthermore, siblings often offer support in adulthood, particularly during challenging times such as the loss of a parent.

On the other hand, having a sibling is not a guarantee of a positive relationship or increased happiness. Siblings can have diverse personalities, interests, and temperaments, which may result in conflicts and rivalries. Adding another child to the family also means dividing parental attention and resources, which could potentially strain relationships or impact the quality of care provided to each child.

Financial considerations are another significant aspect to take into account. Raising a child requires substantial financial resources, and expanding the family further amplifies these demands. Parents must evaluate whether they can comfortably provide for the physical, educational, and emotional needs of another child without jeopardizing the well-being of their current one. It's crucial to assess the potential impact on the family's financial stability, lifestyle, and future goals.

Additionally, parents must reflect on their own desires, aspirations, and capabilities. Some individuals or couples feel complete and content with one child, enjoying the freedom, flexibility, and closeness that comes with a smaller family unit. Others may have always envisioned a larger family and yearn for the experience of raising multiple children. It's important to be honest with oneself and communicate openly with your partner about these desires and expectations.

It's worth mentioning that the decision to have or not have a sibling for your only child does not have to be permanent. Families can choose to have another child or remain with a single child at different stages of their lives. Adoption, fostering, or blended families can also provide opportunities for siblings to enter the picture, if desired, even if biological siblings are not a possibility.

Ultimately, the decision regarding whether to provide a sibling to your only child should prioritize the well-being and happiness of all family members involved. It should be a decision made through thoughtful consideration, open communication, and an understanding that there is no right or wrong answer. What matters most is creating an environment of love, support, and stability for your child, regardless of the family size.

In conclusion, the question of owing a sibling to your only child is a deeply personal one. Parents must carefully weigh the benefits and challenges of adding another child to the family, while considering the happiness and well-being of their current child. It is a decision that should be made with open dialogue, self-reflection, and an awareness of the unique dynamics and circumstances of each individual family. Remember, there is no universal answer—what truly matters is the love and care you provide to your child, regardless of the number of siblings they may have.

[talesfromawannabejournalist]

warning: ⚠️ explicit smut and description of anatomy, most likely immaculate, please skip if this upsets you

Lucifer: Listen, I promise once the theme park is all done and opened to the public we’ll go on a vacation! The entire family! And I’ll make sure we’ll have alone moments just the two of us. Just hang in there It’s just a few more months. And don’t worry about the boys I’ll handle them

Adam: (scoffs) you mean you’ll handle Cain

Lucifer: what’s that supposed to mean

Adam: for as long as we’ve had children, you have never in your life disciplined Abel, or Charlie for that matter. Heck I rarely see you ever discipline the other kids when they get out of line. It’s always Cain isn’t it? Cain, Cain, Cain CAIN!

Lucifer: ITS BECAUSE ABEL AND CHARLIE ARE WIMPS ALRIGHT?! You even slightly raise your voice at them and they immediately burst into tears!!! At least with Abel he’s still just a kid, but I mean Charlie is already a senior in high school, she’ll be going to college next year! Jesus Christ, but Cain, that boy I swear has had it out for me specifically since he could walk!!! Nothing we ever do works!!!

Adam sat up and glared hard at Lucifer

Adam: He’s trying! He’s fucking trying! They’re all trying!!! But you wouldn’t know because your too busy with YOUR STUPID JOB

Lucifer: I SUPPORT THIS FAMILY YOU DUMBO

Adam: SO DO I! I WORK FUCKING HARD TO KEEP THIS FAMILY TOGETHER!!! I DO MY BEST TO KEEP EVERYONE HAPPY!!! I SACRIFICE MY OWN FUCKING HAPPINESS SOMETIMES!!!!

Lucifer: WELL SO DO I, I DO MY BEST TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE FOOD ON THE TABLE AND I DID THAT WITHOUT HAVING MY FUCKING MOMMY GET IT FOR ME!!!!

Silence filled the room, for two whole minutes it was tensely silent. Adam then hiccuped a sob in his throat

Adam: You are such a fucking bastard sometimes that you don’t even know how much are like your own damn father

Lucifer let a few tears fall from his own eyes. He really was like his father at the worst of times.

Lucifer: I’m sorry, I pushed you too hard and I shouldn’t have said that, I’m so, so sorry. Let’s just sit down for a second

They both sat on the mattress silently crying while looking away from the other. Suddenly Adam started kissing Lucifer’s neck. Lucifer brought him over and into his lap as undressed himself and his omega. Their lips clasped together as their tongues dominated each other fighting for control. Lucifer had one hand fondling Adam’s H cup breasts. Each breast getting some love, even a nipple tweak causing a gasp and then moan into his mates mouth. The other hand made his way down into his underwear and began playing with Adam’s holes. First with a slight handjob for his dick, giving long strokes then the fingers lowered down into his pussy. Adam moaned loud into his mouth and he decided to stop teasing his mate. The two soon found themselves in a missionary position, their favorite.

Lucifer was glad Adam wasn’t ovulating since they didn’t have any condoms on hand. Lucifer stared down at Adam’s face, sweat glistening both their heads. He gave a hard thrust and Adam moaned out loud

Lucifer: you like that baby?

Adam: I love it, I love you!

Lucifer: I love you too, OH ADDIE

Adam: OH LUCI

Lucifer despite being the size he was at height more than made up for it with his shaft. The beds headboard started banging against the walls as the mattress springs squeaked. Their moans filled the house

Lucifer: OH FUCKING BABY!!!!

With one final thrust Lucifer squirted into Adam’s tight hole, as it clenched around his dick. Lucifer let out one last moan before collapsing himself on Adam who was panting, trying to catch his breath. He laid his head between his favorite pillows, snuggling right into them, causing a slight laugh from the owners of them. They then basked in the afterglow the rest of the afternoon until the rest of their kids got home. Unaware that they forgot one child of theirs was already home the entire time. @things-arent-what-they-seem66

F is for family

(Yes, this au is based off of the Netflix show, I apologize for nothing)

In an upper-class neighborhood in southern California, one dark house housed the infamous Morningstar family. Lucifer Morningstar, CEO of Morningstar Toys Company, the head of the house, father of seven, and alpha to one Adam Morningstar. Who currently at this moment was sitting in his car in the driveway trying to destress from his long day at the office. Take a couple minutes to do some breathing exercises, not want his kids to get the brunt of his anger. With one final exhale he exits the car and heads inside his large home.

Lucifer: KIDS DADDY'S HOME!

@things-arent-what-they-seem66