#((. conversations. ))

[elenaduarte]

Elena smiled softly, the edges of her mouth quirking up in that familiar way that had always meant more than just politeness. “Briar Ridge suits you,” she said, voice low but sincere. “There’s something to be said for knowing exactly where you belong—even if the rest of the world’s calling.”

She let out a small, teasing sigh. “I guess that means I’m the restless one, always chasing something I’m not sure I’ll ever catch.”

Her eyes glimmered with something like hope—or maybe mischief. “Mountains sound good, though. I wouldn’t say no to a trip with you. And who knows? Maybe one day you’ll surprise me and change that name.”

She nudged Livia gently with her elbow. “But until then, I’m glad we’ve got a few good years left to catch up—running, hiking, or just sitting in silence somewhere that’s quiet enough for us to hear ourselves think.”

It had been a bit too long, but that was on the both of them. Livia could've tried harder on reaching out as well to the woman she had once called her roommate all those years ago.

Grey area was something that often didn't exist in life. Either black or white. Or as Elena had said; loud or quiet. "I'm happy that you are still standing. It would be a shame to see a power woman like you go down." Because that was what the other was to Livia; a powerhouse. She had continued despite the fact that her family situation had changed. She kept going. And she could only admire that really.

"I don't think you will get me out of Briar Ridge soon. Those few years in Charleston were already more than enough to be away from here." No, she was a Briar Ridge girl through and through. This was her home and it was hard to imagine it otherwise. To be able to get to the beach so easily, to do what she wanted in life and work. It was just a dream come true basically. Which made it all sound like she had it all figured out in life... Truth being that it was definitely not the case.

"So no changing names for me just yet. But if I do, I will let you know and maybe you can accompany me in the mountains," Livia mentioned with a chuckle, the teasing tone in her voice filling the air. "Although we can always go for a trip to the mountains of course, that's always an option if we ever need an escape for a few days."

[elenaduarte]

closed starter for - @travmarshall

location— gym / boxing ring

The low rumble of Nyx’s engine echoed off the concrete walls as Elena rolled to a stop outside the gym, the bike’s purr fading as she killed the ignition. The night air was thick, heavy with the promise of rain that hadn’t come, and for a moment she stayed seated, gloved hands resting on the handlebars, watching the glow of fluorescent lights spill from the open bay doors.

She hadn’t planned on coming back. Not tonight. But after a day packed with work calls, paperwork that wouldn’t end, and juggling everything at home—still picking up the slack her siblings kept leaving—she’d needed an outlet. So here she was. And if she carried any of that weight, she wasn’t showing it. Not tonight.

Swinging her leg off the bike, Elena tugged off her helmet, letting her hair fall loose around her shoulders. This time she came ready—no stiff leather jacket, no boots too heavy for the mats. Just fitted joggers, a faded tee that clung from the humid ride over, and wraps already snug around her hands. Intentional. Comfortable.

Inside, the rhythmic thud of fists on a heavy bag filled the space, steady and familiar. She exhaled slowly, a faint smile tugging at the corner of her mouth as she stepped in, boots soft on worn mats.

Her gaze found him immediately. Focused. That same intensity she’d caught before—the one that had made her pause, made her walk out last time before she let herself get drawn in.

Not tonight.

She drifted toward the ring, arms draping casually over the ropes, watching him with that easy, steady calm she did so well. Then her voice cut through the space, light and edged with a hint of challenge.

“Tell me you’re not too tired to spar.”

[hexjulia]

so hard not to become the most annoying person on earth if you're a little excitable and just learned a little about a topic literally no one around you has any interest in

[lesbianpoetess]

ao3 turns 15 today

reblog if youre older than ao3

(there's a lot of people asking about this, but the legal age to use social media is 13, except in few countries. so yes, there are people here under 15)

[whimsycentral]

[mysterioussinkhole]

Hey just a general PSA from someone officially diagnosed and documented:

Now is not the time to seek out an autism diagnosis.

RFK's plans have been made very clear and any diagnosis you do get will get you put on this "national disease registry" they're proposing.

Trust me when I say I completely understand the need for accommodations and a better understanding of yourself, but if you have gone this long without being diagnosed, you will be better off waiting.

Furthermore, listen to and advocate for folks who are diagnosed, especially folks with higher support needs. They'll be the first ones targeted for whatever bullshit "experimental treatments" the government tries to push.

Stay safe and look out for your neighbor.

[ghost-in-the-corner]

just as a general reminder

learn how to fact-check for yourself, cause soon enough, most online sources won't be reliable

[siegecraft]

i know it's hard. but i so firmly believe the strongest antidote to loneliness is reaching out first. and continuing to reach out. again and again and again. excise any scrap of shame you hold about being the person who texts first or pitches the plan or asks to get lunch. everyone is tired and busy and struggling. and afraid of feeling unwanted and unimportant. don't let the people you love feel that way. reach out first. don't be a ghost in your own life.

[lobotomy-maybe-bestie]

boring take from real 21st century idiots: bdsm is bad because it's basically torture

interesting take from a fictional 14th century monk: torture is bad because it's basically sex

[oldtvandcomics]

HEY GUYS!!

GUYS!!!

FRANCE HAS REACHED THE REQUIRED NUMBER OF SIGNATURES ON THE CITIZEN'S INITIATIVE AGAINST CONVERSION THERAPY IN THE EU!!

ONE COUNTRY DOWN, SIX TO GO!!

We also need still quite a few signatures in order to reach the one million required.

As to date, the six other countries with the most signatures are:

Spain - 38.72%

Finland - 30.31%

Ireland - 24.86%

Netherlands - 24.15%

Germany - 23.54%

Belgium - 23.09%

So yeah, still a long way to go, but we ARE slowly getting closer. Don't stop now! Don't let this stay within the community, either, if you have any friends or family who are open to queer rights, get them to sign, too!

[cronchy-baguette]

I promise

[elenaduarte]

starter for @vanna-huang

Elena was early, which wasn’t unusual. Old habits, hard to break.

The café was busy for a weekday afternoon—enough of a crowd to feel like she could blend in, not so much that it felt claustrophobic. She ordered her usual, black coffee no sugar, and chose a small table by the window, one where she could keep an eye on the door without it looking like she was waiting. Which she was, technically. But she wasn’t about to make a thing of it.

It had been years since she’d seen Vanna in person. Since before Europe, before her dad died, before either of them had circled back to Briar Ridge like two people who hadn’t meant to come home but somehow did. They’d kept in touch for a while—holiday check-ins, quick updates. And then life happened. Schedules changed. Numbers changed. Priorities shifted. It was easy to lose track, harder to find your way back.

Still, the Huáng's had always been around, in the ways that mattered. Dropping off meals when her parents had gotten sick. Checking in after the funeral. Helping out when Elena hadn’t known how to ask. She’d made a point to keep in touch—out of gratitude, out of decency, maybe out of something quieter. And in November, when she’d stopped by to see Vanna’s mother and drop off some soup, it was her who’d mentioned it—casually, in that offhand Southern way that still made Elena feel like a kid in someone else’s kitchen: Vanna’s back in town, you know. Just got in. Didn’t she tell you?

She hadn’t. But Elena hadn’t expected her to.

They’d been trying to make plans ever since.

Elena took a sip of her coffee, eyes flicking toward the door as it opened, then settled again when it wasn’t her. No rush. If Vanna showed, great. If not—well, she’d had worse afternoons than a quiet half-hour and a decent cup of coffee.

Still, a part of her wondered what it would be like, seeing her again. If it would feel familiar or foreign. If the easy banter they used to have would still be there beneath the surface, or if time had worn it thin.

She wasn’t sure. But she was here. And that counted for something.

[ceilingfan25]

A silly grayghost identity reveal for dannymay day 13 truth!

[beebfreeb]

Messaging people for the first time is so hard. What am I supposed to say? Like, "You seem really odd and your blog intrigues me. Do you want to have philosophical conversations or perhaps talk about fictional characters?" What! Whatever. I will just follow you back and stare at your blog with my big beautiful brown eyes.

[peachandpinwheel]

me: oh yay Andor is back what's going on gang

Andor: undocumented immigrants are facing sexual violence every day. left wing infighting will get everyone killed. rich people buying back things stolen by colonists is still an act of colonialism.

me: right so just a light season then