#writing asks

[ljmoorewrites]

How can I become a writer?

Write.

But I don't know where to start.

Write.

But I'm worried.

WRITE.

What if nobody likes it?

W R I T E

What if it's not very good?

Write. Write. WRITE. WRITE.

W

R

I

T

E

Write

Write. Write. Write. Write. Write. Write.

Write.

Write

Write

Write

Write

Write

Write

Write

Write

W R I T E

Write write write

Write

Write

[tahbhie]

How many drafts should you go through before deciding your novel is ready?

There's no specific (official) number, but to create a foundation that ensures you don't burn out quickly, overwork yourself, and get tired of your work, I'll say four. It's the same number I use for my students since most of them have other engagements outside writing that take up a copious amount of their time.

1. Initial or Zero Draft:

This draft is also called the 'just write' draft. Focus on putting that idea down. As the creative juices flow, let it all out. Don't worry about perfection or coherence; the goal is to capture your raw ideas and get the story out of your head and onto the page.

2. Second Draft:

This is the plot draft. Read through what you have written to see if every detail you added was meant to be. Here, you focus on the structure of your story. Ensure that the plot makes sense, the pacing is right, and there are no major plot holes. This is where you might add, remove, or rearrange scenes to improve the overall flow of the narrative.

3. Third Draft:

Character development draft. In this stage, you look deeper into your characters. Make sure their motivations, backgrounds, and arcs are well-defined and consistent. Flesh out their personalities and relationships, ensuring they are compelling and believable. This is also a good time to refine dialogue and make sure it sounds natural and true to each character. That's for this drafting stage.

4. Fourth Draft:

Grammar and punctuation draft. This is the polishing stage. Focus on correcting grammatical errors, punctuation, and spelling mistakes. Pay attention to sentence structure, word choice, and overall readability. This draft is about making your manuscript as clean and professional as possible.

Keep in mind that the goal is to define what completion means for each draft. Once you reach the goal, take a break and return to it for the next drafting stage.

Some writers pay people to carry out some of the drafting stages for them, so if you fall into that category, you might have fewer drafting stages to handle yourself!

Reblog to save for later 😉

Thank you all for the support 💜!

[writers-potion]

Editing Tips: Watch Out for Tautology

When you say the same thing twice with different words, it's a "tautology". They make manuscripts wordy.

Examples:

He shrugged his shoulders. -> He shrugged.

She clapped her hands. -> She clapped.

Her feet stepped back. -> She stepped back.

He hand picked up the knife. -> He picked up the knife.

If a movement is necessary for an action, the movement is included in the action and doesn't need to be spelled out separately.

He reached out his arm and took the book from her -> He took the book from her.

She lifted the glass to her lips and drained it. -> She drained her glass.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* . ───

💎If you like my blog, buy me a coffee☕ and find me on instagram! 

💎Before you ask, check out my masterpost part 1 and part 2 

💎For early access to my content,  become a Writing Wizard 

[cy-cyborg]

Hi, I saw your rant-post about amputee representation and you brought up cyborgs/cyberpunk again.

Tbh I just stumbled upon your blog yesterday because I wanted to see what thoughts people on tumblr have about writing cyborgs, you know prompts, ideas, anything really and then I found your posts about amputee and realised that it's much deeper than just "okay what do other people think how to care about cybernetic enhancements?" but more like okay, I need to be careful in how I write this side character so I won't cause harm.

And yeah. I don't know if you answer asks like this but I was wondering since you mentioned it now again, how you wish the cyberpunk genre would represent amputees? Like what kind of issues should not be just "fixed" by tech no matter how advanced it is?

I would really like to try and represent my amputee character in a good way. I'm just a bit insecure on how to proceed.

Thanks!

Hey, I'm glad to hear that I made you think!

I have a post and video on my page (somewhere under all these asks lol) about the "prefect prosthetic" trope, which is a good place to start! Mainly, you want to focus on making something about the cybernetics different to the real thing, outside of just appearances. You don't want it to just be "arm, but shiny metal" - something about the way it functions should change.

For cyberpunk in particular though, I HIGHLY suggest looking at some of the shitty behaviour the irl prosthetic component manufacturers already do. Things like forcing amputees to have their logos on their bodies (and penalising us if we try to cover/remove them by voiding the warranty), which can actually be a problem for amputees wanting to go into jobs like acting or modelling, because you have a brand logo on you. Things like my prosthetic leg collecting data about me and my activity levels, which can be used against me to prove I'm not "using it enough" to warrant getting it fixed/replaced by insurance (in Australia, we have the NDIS but they work off the same principles) - that's also deeply unnerving to think about in general and you could take that a lot further in a cyberpunk setting. Also not making prosthetics for certain body types despite the tech being available, because there's "no demand for it" but they're the reason there's no demand. e.g. many companies don't make prosthetic leg components for people above a specific weight, because "people who are that big don't usually use prosthetics" but we don't use prosthetics because none of the existing components are safe for us to use, so we can't use them, which means there's no demand, so they don't make them and it becomes a weird cycle. this has contributed to MASSIVE issues with eating disorders in amputee circles as people desperately try to force themselves into the "acceptable" weight window so they don't loose the ability to walk.

Also, if you're going to tackle the "how much of your body can you replace with robotics before you stop being human/stop being you" question, be sure to tread carefully and remember that there are already real people who you might be (unintentionally) discussing the humanity of.

[the-bar-sinister]

Nonsexual acts of Intimacy- the sequel - Select from the following and send a pairing

I : Holding hands under the table, or otherwise hidden from view II : Brushing their hair III : Offering them their jacket in the cold/rain IV : Comforting them after a shock V : Listening to their heartbeat VI : Wiping away their tears VII : Kissing their hand VIII : Stargazing/Cloud watching together IX : Listening to the same piece of music X : Coaxing them to eat or drink something  XI : Trading affectionate insults XII : Tucking their hair behind their ear XIII : Holding on to each other in a crowd XIV : Helping them dress or undress XV : Watching them sleep XVI : Singing them a lullaby XVII : Comforting them after a nightmare XVIII : Stroking their cheek XIX : Pressing their foreheads together XX : Falling asleep in their lap XXI : Preparing a meal together XXII : Sharing the same cigarette or drink XXIII : Tucking them in to bed

[writersbloxx]

Writing Physical Description

Continuation of my Character Building post in a brief overview of describing physical traits.

When portraying a character through physical description, it's important to focus on key details. This can include:

Height, hair color or length, build, facial features/eye color, distinctive markings like scars or tattoos, how they dress, and many more.

Ex:

Note: Not everything has to be written at face value. When necessary, physical description can be made interesting with figurative language or when interacting with other elements like setting. If a character’s hair is black, you don't always have to leave it at “their hair is black.”

Ex:

Food for thought: Describing someone through the perspective of another character doesn't have to remain objective. Playing around with perspective/tone can help with characterization or even building an unreliable narrator.

In this case, the narrator could’ve said that the character was too tall (indicating a preference), or that a heavy stack of rings on each finger blinded them (hyperbole can convey the narrator as dramatic)

Asks are open if you want more specific tips/prompts! Happy writing!

[novlr]

how to describe despair in writing

Despair is a visceral and crushing emotion—one that echoes through the pages of a story, gripping readers with its raw intensity. It is more than just a feeling; it’s an abyss that characters fall into, a shadow that colours their every action and decision with hues of hopelessness and loss.

Behaviour

Neglecting personal care or obligations.

A lack of motivation or interest in activities they once enjoyed.

Withdrawing from social situations or avoiding company.

Engaging in self-destructive actions or habits.

Consistent signs of fatigue or lethargy.

Frequent emotional outbursts or mood swings.

An inability to concentrate or focus on tasks.

Indecisive, even on trivial matters.

Focusing on negative thoughts.

Displaying a loss of hope or a sense of defeat.

Interactions

Avoiding physical or eye contact with others.

Short-tempered and easily irritated.tempered

Speaking in monosyllables or giving terse responses.

A sense of indifference or apathy toward others’ concerns.

Struggling to express themselves or to articulate their feelings.

Misinterpreting others’ intentions or words negatively.

Isolating themselves despite offers of help or companionship.

Being unresponsive to attempts at humour or light-heartedness.

Blaming others or external circumstances for their despair.

Seeking out enablers or situations that validate their mindset.

Body language

Slumped shoulders or a consistently bowed head.

Averted gaze or blank stares into the distance.

Fidgeting, such as wringing hands or picking at skin.

Slow, dragging movements or a lack of coordination.

Heavy sighing or audible breaths.

Neglecting personal space or boundaries.

Minimal gestures or lifeless posture.

Clenched fists or jaw during moments of heightened emotion.

Visible trembling or shaking due to emotional strain.

A general lack of energy or life in physical presence.

Attitude

Pessimism towards the future.

Cynicism about intentions, whether their own or others’.

Resignation, believing that effort will not change their situation.

Indifference to opportunities or choices presented to them.

A sense of helplessness or powerlessness in all scenarios.

Self-deprecation and a tendency to dismiss their own value.

An overwhelming sense of guilt or responsibility for past events.

A fixation on the negative aspects of every situation.

An inability to accept comfort or positive feedback.

Believing they are a burden to others.

Positive Story Outcomes

An epiphany or realisation that sparks a desire for change.

A gesture of kindness from another character that provides a glimmer of hope.

The discovery of an inner strength or previously untapped resource.

A serendipitous event that offers a new perspective or opportunity.

The formation of a supportive relationship or friendship.

Minor victories or achievements that build self-confidence.

Learning a valuable lesson through hardship.

Developing empathy for others going through similar experiences.

Finding purpose in aiding others, easing their own despair.

An eventual embrace of vulnerability, leading to healing and growth.

Negative Story Outcomes

A surrender with long-lasting consequences.

The breakdown of important relationships.

A significant loss incurred because of inaction or apathy.

Descent into a more self-destructive or reckless lifestyle.

The solidification of a character’s role as an antagonist.

A missed opportunity for redemption or improvement.

A worsening of the character’s situation, potentially affecting others.

The development of a trait or flaw that hinders future happiness or success.

A downfall that provides a cautionary tale within the narrative.

A tragic ending that leaves a profound impact on the reader and other characters.

Helpful Vocabulary

Desolate

Forlorn

Wretched

Crestfallen

Anguished

Dolorous

Bereft

Hollow

Numb

Morose

Sullen

Bleak

Languish

Melancholy

Hopeless

Despondent

Dejected

Heartbroken

Miserable

Pained

Woeful

Eclipsed

Defeated

Overwhelmed

Grief-stricken

Tormented

Disconsolate

Listless

Oppressed

Despairing

[practically-an-x-man]

OC/Ship Ask Game: Firsts

We're back with another super-long ask game! Send a number + a character/ship for a description of their "first"... plus a couple questions for the author as well :D

If you reblog, please send asks up and down the chain for reblog courtesy! It's not a requirement but it does make things more fun for everybody 😊

____

For the Character:

First big aspiration (i.e. what did they want to be when they grew up?)

First time meeting their best friend

First opinion of school as a kid

First time experiencing grief

First time breaking a bone

First time they realized their "calling" in life

First time they experimented with their personal style

First time they took a risk, or the biggest risk they've ever taken

First time living away from home

First time adopting/taking care of a pet

First "big purchase" they ever made on their own

First time leaving their home country

First time being drunk/high

First time facing their fears

First thing they remember feeling proud of

First thing they remembered feeling ashamed of

First favorites - favorite color, animal, movie, etc.

First example of real character growth along their journey

First time they felt rejected by another character

First time they felt accepted/welcomed by another character

First major change in their life, and how they dealt with it

First introduction in their story (share a snippet or description)

First display of their powers or abilities

First major loss/failure in their story

First major success in their story

____

For the Ship:

A. First meeting B. First impression of each other C. First physical contact (handshake? hug? something else?) D. First kiss E. First time meeting the other's family F. First date G. First time seeing the other one sick/injured H. First time sharing a bed (non-sexual) I. First time sleeping together (sexual) J. First concert/show/festival they attended together K. First fight L. ....And the first time they had to make up M. First time they introduced the other as their partner N. First road-trip/vacation together O. First double-date with another couple P. First time seeing the other all dressed up Q. First act of non-sexual intimacy (e.g. washing the other's hair, taking a bath together, sharing food) R. First time cooking for the other S. First anniversary + how they celebrated T. First time dancing together U. First pet names/nicknames they give each other V. First time they felt insecure/jealous, and how they worked through it W. First time they realized their relationship is endgame... or isn't X. First major hardship they got through together Y. First time living together Z. First time they said "I love you"

____

For the Author:

🐣 - First piece you ever wrote (share a snippet or description)

🥹 - First time describing strong emotions, and how you've improved since then

🎬 - First fandom(s) you wrote for, and if you still write for them

💀 - First time writing character death, and how you felt about it

🤝 - Favorite "first meeting" scene you've written between two characters

💋 - Favorite "first kiss" scene you've written between two characters

🔥 - First time writing romance/spicy scenes, and how you felt about it

🌍 - First attempt at worldbuilding, or a notable piece of worldbuilding you're proud of

🐉 - First genre you wrote for, and if you still write that genre now

🖌️ - First character you created, or first character you wrote for

🤩 - First big inspiration for writing (an author? a piece of media? a plot idea?)

🕷️ - First time writing something that scared you, and how it went

📝 - Pick a character: first draft of that character + the final version of that character

🏳️‍🌈 - First queer character/story you wrote

🤖 - First nonhuman character you wrote

🪶 - First longform/multi-chapter piece you've written

✒️ - First shortform/oneshot you've written

🪢 - First time writing a crossover or gift fic

🤯 - First story that gained traction/attention, and how it made you feel

📦 - First story that really took you outside your comfort zone

📖 - Piece you'd recommend as a "first piece" for a new reader to enjoy

‼️ - Free space! Tell us about a notable "first" in your writing journey!

[sequinsandfins]

19 landoscar

19. for luck. first time writing them so hope you enjoy! Kiss Prompts Here.

Lando has him pushed up against the wall of his driver’s room and Oscar has the fleeting thought that maybe this has gotten out of hand.

Oscar can hear himself gasping as Lando’s lips make their way down his neck. He should say something, and put an end to this intimate superstition.

For Luck.

That had been what Lando had said, before the Miami Grand Prix, and he’d quickly pecked Oscar on the lips. He’d laughed as Oscar had spluttered and pushed Lando away, wiping furiously at his mouth.

But then Lando wins.

Oscar finishes a distant 13th, and Lando suggests; the reason is because he didn’t really kiss Lando back. So the next race he doesn’t push him away as Lando gives him a soft kiss on the lips, chaste, is the word which floats through Oscars head.

Lando doesn’t win, but at least Oscar finishes P4.

In Monaco, Oscar allows Lando to cup his face, and Oscar parts his lips, briefly thinking that this is getting dangerously close to making out with his teammate.

He’s left a little turned on, as Lando winks at him, exiting his driver’s room.

Lando doesn’t have to convince him anymore after Oscar finishes P2. But it’s Oscar who lets his hands begin to wander and Oscar who revels in the sounds that he is able to drag from Lando’s mouth.

He should probably put an end to this, but as Lando tugs down Oscar’s shorts, he reasons that they don’t want to cause any bad luck by stopping now.

[queenofbaws]

writing asks: the year in review

🎊 what's the first thing you wrote/posted this year? 🎉 what's the last thing you wrote/posted this year? (or what do you expect it'll be?) 🎀 what's your FAVORITE thing you wrote/posted this year? 🔮 what are you hoping to write in the coming year? ⏳ what project(s) did you spend the most time on? 🧮 do you know how many words you wrote this year? 💡 what's a fun idea you had that you didn't have time to get to? 🏅 what are you most proud of accomplishing? 💌 did you receive any comments/reviews that stuck with you? 🪄 which project flowed like magic? 🔪 which project challenged you more than you expected? 🛠 is there anything you're hoping to improve on in the coming year? 📂 what's still in your wip folder? 📌 did you learn anything about yourself as a writer this year? 💬 what dialogue are you most proud of? 💭 what description(s) are you most proud of? 🎶 any music/playlists you listened to while writing? 🪅 brag about any project you want to! tell us why we should be reading it RIGHT NOW!!! 🎁 hype up one of your writing buds! what of theirs did you enjoy this year? 💞 HAVE A HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

[kaylinalexanderbooks]

Behind the Scenes Writing Ask Game

So behind the scenes won the poll, but I thought I'd do an ask game with it!

✍️ "when did you get started writing?"

✏️"what are your current WIPs about?"

📜"how did you get started on your WIPs?"

📝"what stages are you currently in your WIPs?"

🖊️"how does your magic system work?"

🖋️"what inspired you to write your WIPs?"

📖"what has surprised you about your WIPs?"

💻"what perspectives do you write in?"

🖥️"what types of writing do you do?"

❤️"what are your favorite scenes from your WIPs?"

😭"what are the biggest challenges writing your WIPs?"

❗"how many WIPs do you have?"

‼️"what has stayed consistent across all drafts?"

⁉️"what do you do when stuck on a scene?"

❓ask anything you want!

If anyone wants to reblog this to play with too that's totally fine with me!

[writers-potion]

MASTERPOST (PT. 2)

If you like my blog, buy me a coffee☕ and find me on instagram! 📸

For romance writing prompts, plotting tips & more, check out: MASTERPOST PT. 1

⭐Dialogue

Writing Dialogue 101

Crying-Yelling Dialogue Prompts

---

⛰️Words to Use Instead Of...

Synonyms for "Walk"

Synonyms for “feeling like”

Words To Use Instead of "Look"

Words to Use Instead Of...(beautiful, interesting, good, awesome, cute, shy)

Said is dead

---

🔠Vocab Lists

Nervous Tension Vocab

Kiss Scene Vocab

Fight Scene Vocab

Haunted House Inspo & Vocab

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👁️‍🗨️Setting & Description

Common Scenery Description Tips

2012 School Setting Vibes - follower question

Describing Food in Writing

Describing Cuts, Bruises and Scrapes

Using Description and Setting Meaningfully

How Different Types of Death Feel

---

🗡️Weapons & Fighting Series:

Writing Swords

Writing knives and daggers

Writing Weapons (3): Staffs, Spears and Polearms

Writing Weapons (4): Clubs, Maces, Axes, Slings and Arrows

Writing Weapons (5): Improvised Weapons

Writing Weapons (6): Magical Weapons and Warfare

Writing Weapons (7): Unarmed Combat

Writing Female Fighters

Writing Male Fighters

Writing Armour

Writing Group Fights

Writing Battles At Sea

Erotic Tension in Fight Scenes

Pacing for Fight Scenes

Writing a Siege Warfare

Different Genres, Different Fight Scenes.

Making Fight Scenes Sound Nicer

Fight Scenes For Disabled Characters

---

🌎Worldbuilding

Constructing a Fictional Economy

Homosexuality in Historical Fiction

Writing Nine Circles of Hell

Writing Seven Levels of Heaven

Master List of Superpowers

Magic System Ideas 

A Guide to Writing Cozy Fantasy

Dark Fantasy How-To

Dark Fantasy Writing Prompts

Dark, Twisted Fairytale Prompts

Fantasy World Cultural Quirks 

Fantasy Nobel Ranks: A List

---

🌠Symbolism in Writing

Plant Symbolisms 

Weather Symbolisms

Symbols of Death

---

🪄Writing Magic

Writing Magicians - the basics

Writing Magic Systems

Magical Training Options for Your Characters

---

📋Other!

List of Fantasy Subgenres

Beauty is Terror: A List

The Pirate's Glossary

Storyediting Questions to Ask

Writing Multiple WIPs Simultaneously

Idea Generation Exercises for the Writer

Book Title Ideas

Picking the Right Story For You

What If God Dies in Your Story 

International Slang, Slang, Slang!

10 Great Love Opening Lines 

How to Insult Like Shakespeare

Serial Killer Escape Manual

Best Picrew Character Generators for Your Characters!

How to Write Faster

[paracosm-draw]

for the ask game, what about obikin & 14. "hey I'm with you, okay? always." ? 🤠

Heyy, thank you for the proposition ! I had a lot of fun thinking about how I wanted to include this sentence in a short story, hope you'll like it ! 👀

---

“He broke his arm but the surgery went well. He’s not in any pain ; he’s actually pretty high on painkillers right now, so… He might not exactly be like himself for the next hour or so.” 

It’s the only information Obi-Wan gets from the moment he steps off the bridge of the Negotiator, unsettled, anxiety still clinging to his skin despite the many hours he spent meditating during their hyperspace travel, and the moment he enters into the Halls of Healing. 

It’s just a broken arm. 

Just a broken arm. It could have been way worse. He could have lost it, could have lost another limb because the Force is cruel like that sometimes. He didn’t. Just a broken arm. Already fixed. Still, he cannot help but think that he could have prevented it, should he have been there, by Anakin’s side, instead of being dispatched to the other end of the galaxy where his usefulness had been, in his opinion, more than questionable. 

He doesn't like it one bit, being away from Anakin so often and for so long. He never really liked it, if he’s being honest. Not when Anakin was twelve and he had to leave him to another Master to fly from a diplomatic mission to another. Not when Anakin had been knighted and made a general in charge of his own battalion, and by extension of his own missions away from Coruscant and from Obi-Wan. Certainly not now that they're very freshly and very illegally married behind the Council’s back. 

The moment he pushes the door of Anakin's medical room, he’s still thinking about the speech he’s going to give the Council next time they try to send them on different systems. They’ve always functioned better together, anyway. Completing each other. Catalysing each other. A frighteningly powerful synergy even the Council couldn’t deny the efficacy. A perfect team. The team, as the holonet called them now. Obi-Wan kinda liked it. If only they knew. 

“Obi-Wan !” 

The noise in Obi-Wan’s mind mutes as soon as he looks up to a very awake, very happy Anakin. He’s lying on a quite impressive pile of pillows (Obi-Wan isn’t sure he's supposed to have so many pillows) like a perfectly content loth-cat, white cast resting over white sheets. His entire face lights up when Obi-Wan closes the door and lays his eyes on him, and Obi-Wan’s heart does a funny little thing at the pure, unfiltered joy written in capital letters on his features. 

“You came !” 

“Of course I came, dearest.” Obi-Wan chuckles, scanning the room as he approaches the bed. 

There’s a nurse in a corner, preparing medications in a couple of syringes. No obvious display of affection, then.

“Good evening, Master Kenobi.” She kindly smiles at him. He gives her a respectful nod. “I’m glad you came, he wouldn’t stop calling for you.” 

Of course, he did. He thinks but doesn’t say. Instead he says : 

“I hope he didn’t cause you any trouble.”

“You took sooo long ! What took you so long ?” Anakin whines from the bed. 

Obi-Wan can hear him squirming and shuffling in a vain attempt at sitting up, but he knows him too well to ignore the underlying attempt at getting his undivided attention back on him and him only. Obi-Wan can’t remember ever having refused him, even once. 

“Oh no, he’s been very quiet and easy. The perfect patient.” The nurse says, but Obi-Wan had already turned his back on her, stepping towards the bed with a scoff. 

Quiet and easy. Really ? Obi-Wan raises an eyebrow at Anakin, who gives him a sheepish smile. Those two words don’t belong in a vocabulary destined to describe him. He’s probably the worst patient in all timelines and universes. Some would say him and Obi-Wan were fighting for the first place but Obi-Wan doesn’t agree. He knows how to behave himself, thank you very much, he just doesn’t need half of the care they try to impose on him most of the time. 

“So you’ve been waiting for me calmly and without complaining ?” He asks skeptically, pulling a chair on his way to sit right next to the bed. He refrains himself from touching Anakin, not until they’re alone, but he brushes his fingers over the sheet covering his wrist and keeps them there, pressed against the side of his durasteel forearm. 

Anakin squints at him like he just asked a very complex question requiring a great deal of thoughts, but then a smile spreads on his lips and he beams at him with a giggle. 

“Your beard looks funny.” 

Not… exactly the answer Obi-Wan expected. But before he can ponder on what Anakin finds so funny about his facial hair, the young man continues. 

“Looks so soft, like- Like… Y’know that old sweater you insisted on keeping that’s ugly and smells funny too… It’s like… Can I touch it ?” 

Obi-Wan is too occupied being offended about Anakin criticizing his favorite sweater (it’s not ugly) to register the end of the sentence and notice the mechano fingers sneaking from under the covers until they’re on his face, petting his cheeks with awkward movements. 

“Anakin, behave yourself.” He reprimands gently because the nurse is still in the room, but a smile still makes its way on his lips when Anakin gives him the same pout as when he was nine and was denied a third portion of dessert. 

Obi-Wan couldn’t resist him back then, he still can’t fifteen years later. So he takes his hand in his own and intertwines their fingers on the bed. The nurse be damned. He needs to touch him. The other hand, the flesh one, the one on which Obi-Wan put an engagement ring, is stuck on the cast, from the tip of his fingers to his elbow. But Obi-Wan doesn't care. He doesn’t care about holding gold and black metal. The durasteel skin and wired tendons are as much a part of Anakin as are his blood and bones. And he loves all the parts of him. 

“Hey.”

When Obi-Wan looks up from their hands, Anakin is wiggling his eyebrows at him, a blissful smile plastered on his face. Obi-Wan knows this face. He’s got something on his mind, most probably one of his terrible pick up lines that makes Obi-Wan cringe and Anakin laugh his ass off. But he also has glassy and unfocused eyes - high on painkillers, Obi-Wan remembers - and seems way too proud of what he’s about to say, so he plays his game. He’ll have something to bargain with next time Anakin decides to be a little shit and disclose embarrassing stories about him. 

“Hello.” 

Anakin giggles again and clears his throat, trying and failing at looking at least a little bit composed. 

“Did the stars- No, wait. Did someone take all the stars in the galaxy to put them in your eyes ? Because you’re so pretty.” Anakin grins, and Obi-Wan can’t help but bark a laugh at the cheesiest line he’s probably ever heard until now. And Force knows he’s heard his fair share of them. 

“You think you’re very smooth, mmh ?” 

“Affirmative.” The young man - the war General - nods enthusiastically. “I’ve got baby skin.”

That’s when the nurse decides to leave the room. Thank the Force. Obi-Wan isn’t sure how much more time he can stop Anakin from saying something betraying both of them on the true nature of their relationship. He truly hopes she will take all of this as the nonsensical rant of a man high on medications only. 

As if on cue, Anakin leans towards him with a conspiratorial air, almost losing his balance on the process. 

“You got a boyfriend ?”

Obi-Wan stabilizes him with a chuckle and pushes him back gently on the pillows, arranging them for better support. Anakin lets him but his eyes never leave his face, the intensity of his stare unsettling a long time ago, but almost reassuring now. He really wants to know. And Obi-Wan can’t resist a little bit of teasing. 

“I’ve got a husband, actually.” He says very casually, even though his heart still misses a beat at the words. It’s been two months. He hopes he will never get used to it. 

“Oh.” 

Anakin’s entire face falls at that. Obi-Wan didn’t know what to expect but he should have known. Because soon, Anakin’s lips start to wobble and his eyes widen, filling with tears at an alarming rate. Obi-Wan winces. He should have known. If there’s one thing Anakin never jokes about, high or not, it’s the complicated, forbidden, precious love they keep for each other. 

“Anak-”

“So you don’t love me ?” 

Ah, kriff. 

“Of course I love you, dear o-”

“You had a husband all that time and you never told me !” Anakin whimpers, tears finally spilling on his cheeks and rolling down to the collar of his hospital gown. “You don’t love me.” 

Good job, Kenobi. Making your husband cry not two months after you promised to make him happy every day. 

Obi-Wan may well know that the medications are most probably talking for Anakin right now, the tears in his eyes are real enough to make his stomach clench. The last thing he wants is for Anakin to think he doesn’t love him, even as a joke. He takes his hand in both of his and presses a kiss on the sensors at the tip of his fingers, their sensitive mechanism translating the gentle pressure into an electrical signal sent to his brain, mimicking the sensation of lips against real skin. Or so Anakin explained to him. 

“I do love you.” He says softly. “You’re the one I married, remember ?”

Anakin sniffles and gives him a wary look. He’s beautiful, even like that. 

“Prove it.”

They don’t wear their rings, obviously. They can’t. Not on their fingers, anyway. They keep them together on a chain. They decided to take turns ; the one being sent on the most dangerous mission leaving the rings behind with the other, just in case he didn’t come back. So they would never be separated. 

“Look.” 

Obi-Wan slips his fingers under the tight collar of his undertunic, pulling out the golden chain preciously pressed against his chest. Sometimes it leaves marks on his skin, tiny dents he discovers when he disrobes before going to sleep. He cherishes them just as much as the marks Anakin leaves on him when they reunite, a secret proof that he’s here all the time, in Obi-Wan’s head and flesh, right next to his heart. 

“See that ?” He asks, laying the rings on the palm of his hand. There’s a black one and a copper one, interlocked into one single ring, two pieces of the same entity. He disconnects them to show him the copper one. “You gave it to me, remember ?” 

Anakin doesn’t seem very convinced. His gaze travels from Obi-Wan’s palm to his face. 

“I gave it to you ?” 

“Yes, you did.” Obi-Wan smiles. “Even though I’m the one who proposed to you.” 

Anakin hums. The pout is back but the tears stopped. 

“So you won’t leave me for another husband…?” He asks in a whisper, voice wavering hesitantly at the end. 

Obi-Wan puts the chain back under his clothes, hidden behind several layers like he keeps their love hidden, safe and private and only theirs. Then he leans towards Anakin, cupping his beloved face between his hands and gently wiping the wetness on his cheeks. 

“Hey.” He breathes softly. “I’m with you, okay ? Always. I’ll never leave you, Anakin.” 

Anakin closes his eyes and lets out a shaky sigh, leaning into the touch for a moment before suddenly opening his eyes again with a gasp. 

“But I broke my arm. I can’t be married if I can’t even put my ring on !”

Obi-Wan sighs deeply. The “next hours or so” promised to be long. 

[atevanfool]

Prompt: Tommy has an NDE following Bobby's death and Buck breaks down

Thanks again for the ask; I love these angsty prompts so much. While I don't like seeing our boys suffer, I'm not going to lie and say that it's not fun to write. Also. I'm not sure if this counts as breaking down? Close enough.

Words: 1,878 | Rated: G

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"Buck." Maddie's voice is calm, but he hears the underlying tension. "I need you to listen to me, and I need you to remain calm. Can you do that for me?"

Still groggy from the dead sleep he's been woken from, he props himself up on one elbow and knuckles the crust out of his eyes. Glancing at his watch on the nightstand with bleary vision, screen lit up at his movement, he grumbles a bit as he replies, having to clear his throat. "Maddie? It's three in the morning." He barely has a hold on his phone. He's so tired. He's been home maybe four hours, and only asleep for two of them, after one of the most brutal shifts he's had since... Well. Since then. There's not an awake bone in his body or muscle in his brain.

Maddie clears her own throat, voice tight when she continues. "Tommy's been hurt, Buck." Immediately, he's awake and alert, shooting straight up in bed, kicking his legs over the side as he scrambles to find his pants. Fuck, why can't he put his clothes away like a normal human being?

"How bad?" He demands, damn near breaking his screen as he jabs at the speaker button with his thumb. His heart is in his throat; hears his blood pumping in his ears. This can't be happening. Not now. Not so soon after... He swallows back bile.

Maddie doesn't respond fast enough, so Buck shouts, not feeling guilty like he should, "Maddie. How. Bad?" The words are spoken through clenched teeth.

Sniffles from the other end of the line. It takes her way too long to say, "I... It's bad, Buck. The ambulance took him to 1st Pres, and they wheeled him back to surgery immediately, but they're not sure if he's going to make it."

"What the hell happened?" Buck demands as he shoves his arms through a sweatshirt that smells like smoke, but he doesn't care; doesn't have it in him to think of anything except getting to his heart before he can no longer touch it.

There's the sound of fabric rustling as she switches the phone to her other side. "There was a partial building collapse. He'd gone in to try and help the ground crew stabilize it before they completed the rescue, but... there was a tremor, or explosion shockwave, they're not really sure, that destabilized the area they were working in. Tommy pushed one of the other firefighters out of the way, and a concrete slab fell directly on him."

A flashback of the bridge collapse; screaming as he tried to get his people out; all alone and scared.

Tears form in his eyes, and he can't help it when they roll down his cheeks. "How could they not know if an explosion happened? That's a pretty damn loud thing to happen close enough to cause a rippling effect." He shoves down the anger, knowing that Maddie doesn't deserve it. She doesn't deserve any of the explosive emotions he's feeling right now. Furiously he swipes at his eyes as he snatches his keys and wallet from the side table. Really, he shouldn't be driving right now, but he doesn't have the patience to wait for a rideshare. He needed to be with Tommy. Now.

His sister sighs, shaky. "I don't know, Buck. I really don't. His team is at the hospital waiting for news. I called you as soon as I could step away."

He takes a deep, steadying breath to center himself. Turning back to headset mode, he holds the phone to his ear as he slides into his truck and mutters, "Thanks, Maddie. I... I'm sorry for-"

She cuts him off. "Don't worry about it, little brother. I'm here if you need me, okay? I get it. I know how scary it can be. Just, remember to keep me updated, okay?"

He sniffles. "Thanks, Mads. Love you."

"Love you, too, Evan." They let the silence hang for a second before Buck hits the end call button and starts his truck, determined to break land speed records just to get to his... To his pilot.

He reaches the hospital in record LA traffic time, almost squealing into the parking spot. He doesn't care that his back tires are outside the line because it's already been way too long since he's gotten an update and his ears feel like they're stuffed with cotton. The world around him has taken on a dreamlike quality, like he's losing his grip on reality.

Inside the emergency area waiting room, Tommy's coworkers stand huddled together in filthy turnouts, murmuring quietly amongst themselves. Tommy's captain is the only one seated and he's staring off into the distance at nothing, head on his fist like The Thinker. Lucy stands slightly off to the side on her own; he can't tell if she's holding up the wall, or if its holding her as she nibbles worriedly at her thumbnail.

She's the one he knows best so he calls out her name, breathless. "Lucy." When she looks up, her eyes are glassy and without a seconds hesitation, Buck wraps her up in a hug. She doesn't hesitate to hug him back. He holds on until she lets go first, a few of her tears dampening his sweatshirt. "H-have we heard anything?"

She shakes her head, voice wavering, "Nothing yet. He's still in surgery. Oh God, Buck. It was so bad."

He runs a hand through his hair, noticing for the first time that he's shaking. "What...?" The questions hangs in the air.

"Shattered leg. Fractured pelvis, possibly. At least a couple of broken ribs, though we're not entirely sure how that happened. And a collapsed lung from one of the ribs puncturing it. He was hardly breathing when they brought him out, even with the oxygen mask."

Buck's heart stills and the world spins. He reaches out for Lucy and has to use her shoulder as support. Maddie wasn't kidding. How could Tommy come back from this? He was no spring chicken anymore. "Fuck." The word is barely a passing of air through his vocal chords.

"You can say that again." Lucy agrees, gripping Buck's hand on her shoulder and holding it there.

The wait for news is long and painful. Buck wears holes in the shitty office grey carpet; drinks one too many cups of crappy hospital vending machine coffee but has to stop because he's going to throw it up he's so nervous; sits in a shitty plastic waiting chair and bounces his leg so violently some of the patients a few seats down glare at him because he's vibrating the entire row. Lucy takes a nap on his shoulder, clearly exhausted after helping out at the scene and then heading straight there.

After two hours gets a call from Maddie with no updates.

Four hours after that, he FaceTime's with Eddie and Christopher. Their sympathetic looks hurt him too much and he prematurely hangs up.

Another hour later, Hen shows up with Chimney and a blessed cup of high quality coffee that he still barely manages to choke down. They sit with him, Hen pulling him into her side and cuddling him, stroking his hair. Chimney is a quiet, reassuring presence on his other side, occasionally reaching over to squeeze his knee, or give him a reassuring pat. He lets him know that he called off for Buck so he doesn't need to worry about it.

He completely forgot about having to go in today. He was about to unintentionally play hooky.

Finally, Buck doesn't know how many hours later, a harried Doctor emerges from the emergency room doors, calling for the 217. He leaps to his feet, despite not being one of them. Lucy pulls him to her side and wraps an arm around his waist, which he's grateful for.

The Doctor prattles on for much longer than Buck wants; the itch to see his pilot is overwhelming. He doesn't care what happened during the surgery as long as Tommy made it through.

Finally they're allowed back in pairs. Buck is surprised when he's one of the first allowed back, and not a single one of Tommy's team asks him to leave as they shuffle through single file. Not that Buck notices; His Tommy is hooked up to so many machines, and his skin is covered in mottled bruises. His leg is elevated, covered in a thick white cast. The mask over his mouth is the only proof that he's actually breathing, air puffing out and clouding the plastic.

Not wanting to hurt him, but feeling compelled to be touching him, Evan takes one of Tommy's large, calloused hands between his and presses it to his own forward, muttering prayers and wishes as the time on the clock ticks by without end. Visiting hours end but the nurse doesn't manage to get him to leave, conceding to let him stay as long as he doesn't put up a fuss.

He doesn't. He doesn't move from his spot as he waits for the man to open those gorgeous, sky blue eyes; eyes the color of Tommy's favorite place to be. Hours pass. His ass is numb. His eyes feel like lead, and his stomach growls unhappily at the lack of sustenance. Still he doesn't move.

And then, those fingers twitch. Head shooting up, Buck sobs in relief as Tommy blinks his eyes slowly open, brows drawn in a frown as he tries to remember where he is. Tilting his head to the side he says, "Evan?" voice harsh from lack of water and hours of not talking. "Where am I?"

"Hospital." Buck chokes out, not withholding the sob that works up his throat. "You nearly met with Death."

Tommy chuckles weakly before closing his eyes again. "I'm not sure I'm ready to get that particular set of wings quite yet. What are you doing here?"

Bucks hold on that familiar hand tightens. "For you. Why else?"

Tommy cracks an eye open, still frowning, though it's small. "For... Me?"

"Yeah, you idiot. Maddie nearly gave me a heart attack when she told me how badly you were hurt." Tommy hums, but says nothing, clearly confused. "Tommy..." his breath catches. "You know that I'd do anything for you, right? Together or not, friends or just acquaintances, I will always be here for you. By your side. I... I don't know what I'd do without you in my life." Tommy's heart quickens and, though weak, he squeezes Buck's hand, both eyes open once again as he stares at Buck. "Of course, I'd love to be here by your side for the rest of your life as yours, but that's a conversation we can have when you're back on your feet, okay?"

It was Tommy's turn for his eyes to go misty. He snaps them shut but it's too late; Buck's already seen. It makes his heart flutter with hope.

Within minutes, his pilots breaths even out and the heart monitor beeps a happy rhythm as Tommy falls into a deeper slumber. No matter how long it takes, Buck is determined to be here by Tommy's side when he wakes up.

Just like how Tommy was there for him, no matter what.

[book-of-baba-fett]

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