#and then the problem is solved and i can bake again. thinking....

[pollen]

i'm super motivated to cook and bake again lately and that means making food people can eat. i don't have a ton of people in my house so i'm thinking about how cute it would be to put extras of things in boxes and set them on a table at the end of my driveway for people to take for free. seems like a win-win tbh

[steampoweredskeleton]

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Ignore

[madwomansapologist]

Please share your headcanon about gale's kinks!!!!

gale's kinks/turn ons

Navigation | More Wizard of Waterdeep | AO3

synopsis: A deep dive into what the smart wizard man think it's hot. Yes, the brain rot is that serious.

warnings: i'm sick so if this isn't good i will blame the pills. testing a new format. this is about sex, don't interact if you're a minor. remember: if you kink shame me i will get horny just to spite you.

PRAISE KINK

That's a man willing to write poetry about your body, mind and soul. His tongue has only two purposes on life, and both of them involve making you see stars. If his mouth isn't in use, he will be praising you.

And when Gale feels so good he can't even speak, isn't that a praise on itself?

But that we all know. His reaction to receiving praise is what makes me want to bite my fingers off.

Gale Dekarios knows his value as a wizard, but not as a man. His ambition isn't a consequence of his desire to pursue more, but to be more. To deserve love, he must prove his worth. As we all know, it often doesn't end in a good way.

I don't think Mystra ever wasted her precious time to assure Gale of the contrary. And when she did, it wasn't about Gale Dekarious: it was about Gale of Waterdeep, her chosen. How his control of the weave was impressive, how he could conjure any sort of images, how his illusions could fool everyone.

So when he receives praise for any other part of his life that isn't his academic pursues, a part of his brain burns. Be as intricate as his poetry or as lascive as one can be, Gale can feel his knees getting weak. Weaker.

FOOD PLAY

Not only Gale loves to cook and bake, but he loves the whole idea of being responsible for making someone stronger and healthier. Hunger is a hurtful thing, that he knows, and he don't want anyone else to deal with it.

It comes hand to hand with his praise kink. When you eat something good, you don't need to use words: your whole body shows it. He would apreciate the compliments, nonetheless.

To spoon feed you would be such a turn on. It's so intimate, such a show of trust and care, nothing but human. The way your mouth opened for the spoon, how your tongue licked it clean. Can you blame him?

After helping you eat, it would be his turn to end his hunger. You don't mind being his plate, do you? Gale promises to lick you clean. You always taste so sweet for him, what's a bit of honey to add to that?

OLFACTOPHILIA

Your scent can turn him into a fucking mess. There is something so human about it. So natural and real about it. Is just you.

After a fight, when you are covered in sweat and blood, he can't help himself. To be around you can make him drool. You fresh from your shower, smelling just as you and not as any perfume. When you spend the day laying around and is too lazy to get clean.

The amount of times his cheeks burned red because he breathed in when you walked past and a companion noticed can't be numbered.

Gale prefers to undress you rather you doing it yourself. That means he will be able to breath deep against your undies before getting them off of you.

Wanna get him as hard as a rock in mere seconds? Give him a underwear you used for a long time. Just threw it at his face and go on with your day. He will be quick to follow.

Gale loves how he can still smell you on his upper lip after going down on you. If you squirt, he will cum on his trousers. I don't make the rules.

FACE-SITTING/FACE FUCKING

Again: his mouth has only two uses. Is almost therapeutic for him. Just get on top of him, use his mouth however you want. The place in between your legs seen perfect for him to die on.

Gale Dekarios is a service top looking for a pillow princess/prince. I VOLUNTEER!

FINGERS IN MOUTH

You know that feeling of not knowing what to do next? Where to put your hands, what to do with your mouth? Since he prefers to be the one doing things, this can be a problem. A problem that can be easily solved by your pretty fingers.

It can hit even harder if he's in the process of casting something and you stop him by just putting your fingers into his mouth. Gale won't even know hot to react. Actually, he might suck them.

Ok, he might have a oral obsession. What are you, Freud?

BONDAGE

Hand to hand with that sort of anxiety about what he must do next. Make sure Gale stays put in place and use him. Remember guys, your service tops also deserve to be fucked around a bit.

Magic restrains or ropes, and make sure to do some beautiful knots. He could break free from them, but Gale won't desobey. Not after you spend so long getting him ready for you.

shadowheart turn ons/kinks

if you enjoyed, please reblog! i promise it makes a difference ♡

BALDUR’S GATE 3 TAGLIST: @citrusbunnies

@ madwomansapologist.tumblr.

[mika-no-sekai-blog]

One bed

Azriel x reader

Word count: 3000+

Summary: Due to unforeseen circumstances, you end up in the same room as Azriel

Warnings: none

I'd love to say I have solved the Frozen thingy, but I haven't yet. I've started writing part 3 and that's where I stopped because of the madness around. I was so close to making a solid plan for it. Unfortunately, the work happened, then Christmas at work baking f***ing chicken farm. Then husband got fever🙄and he couldn't live without getting someone else sick as well, so now son has high fever too and I'm the last one somehow surviving here. At least I have whole week of holidays next week. I hoped to relax and write more, but we'll see. Wish me luck🥴

Anyway here's something small and not so angsty that just popped up suddenly. Hope you enjoy it.

And for everyone who celebrate, have a peaceful holiday 💕

"I thought I've reserved enough rooms," Rhysand sighed. The last hour he was talking with the owner of the inn we were staying at, trying all possible tactics to persuade him to find us one more room. Impossible task from the very beginning as the inn was full.

We were on non-official official mission. At first, there were only six of us supposed to go as Amren declined, intending to stay with Mor in Velaris, protecting it. However, the two of them had yet another quarrel recently, which led to Amren suddenly appearing with a packed bag in hand a few seconds before intended departure. Nobody, not even Rhys, had balls to tell her no. And that's why we ended up in this situation. Rhys had everything perfectly planned, as usual, but he couldn't have known this would happen. And now we were one room short, but again - nobody dared to tell aloud whose fault it was. Amren was like hungry bulldog, ready to tear to shreds anyone and anything at the best of her days. Now, she was pissed off.

Feyre and Nesta took their keys, Feyre giving me an apologetic look. From the start, they were supposed to share rooms with their mates. This was also kind of vacation for us, so it was only logical they wanted to be with their partners.

That left Rhys with last two keys in hand. Amren snatched one and without looking at anyone or even a small mumbled sorry, she left. We exchanged look and whole group finally relaxed.

"Sorry," Feyre murmured as she headed to her room with sorrowful expression.

Before she left, Nesta gazed at me with silent question and I nodded. I would be fine, for sure. Cassian winked at me as he followed her. They both knew about the feelings I had for Azriel for quite some time, each supporting me in their own way. At this point, probably everyone around knew, except for the mentioned Shadowsinger and I didn't plan to be the one to break the news. I knew my limits and he was off them.

Rhys turned to me and Azriel with sorrowful expression, brows furrowed. "I'm sorry, Az, but you know.. Ladies first," he offered me the last key. Spymaster didn't even as much as blink, no protests at all. He looked as his usual self, unbothered by the problem at the hand.

"Thankies," I smiled, took the key and looped hand to Azriel's arm. "Come."

They both opened mouth in surprise, none of them expecting this from me. Rhys recovered as first.

"Enjoy yourself," he smirked and I rolled my eyes.

"Ha ha ha, how funny," I stuck out tongue at him. He chuckled and hurried after his mate, leaving the two of us alone. I raised brow at Shadowsinger who was still too shocked to speak. He didn't even notice Rhys' teasing.

"What? Did you think I would let you sleep on roof or what?"

"B-b-but," he stammered, his cheeks dusted with pink.

"No buts. Come!" I had to pull reluctant Azriel down the hallway.

"I can try another inn-"

"Nonsense! You would miss all the fun. Plus, I really don't mind. We are friends after all. I have nothing to be afraid of, right?"

I came to a sudden stop, realizing something.

"Wait! You mind staying with me in the same room?"

Before, it didn't occur to me that he could be against. I thought we were getting along pretty well, given the fact that we tended to seek out each other's company, sitting together and talking. The two of us even often hung out in the city, venturing cafes and bakeries. I thought he liked to spend time with me, but it could be only my mistaken impression. I knew I couldn't hope for more than friendship and I was fine with that as long as I could be close to him. He could feel differently though.

"No!" he hurried with an answer, eyes wide. "No, nothing like that. It's just.."

"What is it?"

"It's just.. you are female and I'm male."

I was so relieved to hear that, that I wanted to laugh, but I didn't. "That means that you will pounce on me like an animal as soon as door close?"

He flushed fiercely, averting his eyes. "You know I will do no such a thing. It just means that you might be uncomfortable because of that."

"I'm fine. Believe me," I said softly and took his hand. "So come on, silly."

He chuckled and this time, he willingly followed me.

The room, we got, was quite a nice one for an old inn, but it was rather smaller one. Most of the space was occupied by bed big enough to accommodate Illyrian wings. It was one of the reasons Rhysand chose this place, thinking about the comfort of his brothers. We were supposed to spend here whole week, maybe longer, so it was necessary.

Except of bed, there was only small table with two old chairs, hearth and connected bathroom.

After we settled down, the air had somehow thickened, both of us suddenly embarrassed. And so I did what I could to lighten the atmosphere a bit, but every try for a conversation died out soon after it started. At last, I gave up.

"It was long day," I stretched out, all my joints making a satisfying cracking sound and Azriel grimaced. He didn't like when I did it. "I'm tired. Do you want to use the bathroom as first?"

"No, go ahead," he offered and started to line up on table all the daggers he had on him. I paused and watched him, amazed. How could he hide so many? I thought he had only two, max three. He noticed me and smiled shyly.

"I'll clean them while you take shower. Don't worry, I'll put them away afterwards."

"I don't mind them at all," I mumbled, ashamed I got caught. "I'm just stunned you managed to sneak in the whole arsenal. Seeing it now, I would bet that not only do you have one for each of us but also even one spare."

At that he finally laughed, the rich sound warming my heart. I already missed that sound. Corners of my mouth curled into satisfied smile and I quickly gathered all necessary things and went to the bathroom.

When I came out, the daggers were gone from the table. Azriel was seated on the same chair he occupied since we came, pyjama in hands. He was staring into space, looking somehow troubled. Shadows gathered around his ear and he looked up at me, faking smile. Without a word, he stood up and hurried to the bathroom.

While I was waiting, I shoved my used underwear to the bottom of my bag and climbed to the bed, snuggling up in a warm blanket. It was quite cold here, old window hardly blocking the cold wind from outside.

Azriel took quite long to finish. By the time bathroom door creaked open, I was almost asleep. He rustled around for a while and adding big log to the fire, he turned off lights. I waited. The room went completely silent.

I opened eyes. "Are you kidding me," I sat up, sighing. "Az, I thought, we already talked it out." I glared into a dark corner by the hearth.

"Don't worry about me and sleep," he replied from his place on the old chair.

"You can't sleep on that old crap. It will most likely give in soon." The only answer was silence.

"C'mon, Az. It won't do you any good if you're sleep-deprived. To none of us in fact. What if something happens and you won't be able to fight because you are too tired and sore?"

Again silence.

"Do you want me to help you to the bed? I warn you, I'm going to drag you here not by arm but by ear this time."

He chuckled. His wings rustled and mattress dipped under his weight. "Fine then. Have it your way."

I tucked him in like a small child, mindful of his wings and settled down, heart pounding in my throat.

"That wasn't necessary."

"Believe me it was. And don't try to fake it. I'm light sleeper. I will know if you get up in the middle of the night."

"Fine, fine." He sounded amused. He was lying on his back, wings folded and tugged close to his body.

"Relax. The bed is enough big for both of us. Even if you touch me. I'm not made of sugar, I won't melt into puddle," I assured him as I curled up on my side of bed with back to him, taking as little space as possible so he had enough comfort. He made a sound at the back of his throat.

I thought I wouldn't be able to sleep at all with him being so close. But as bed warmed up with his presence and his calming scent wrapped around me as another blanket, I fell asleep in no time.

* * *

Azriel didn't even blink an eye. He was just lying there, stretched on his back, gazing at ceiling. He wasn't used to falling asleep next to someone. After she reassured him, he relaxed a bit but only his body. He was too nervous and excited at the same time. He was scared to even breath, not wanting to wake her up. How could she sleep so soundly? Didn't she feel the same? Didn't his presence stir her nerves?

Shadows curled on pillow near his ear, whispering. They described him in detail how she drifted off with sweet smile on her lips. Smile that she was still wearing. He wished he could see it with his own eyes.

He dared to turn his head to the side to watch her back, her shoulder slightly rising with every breath. Even at place like this in the middle of nowhere, she kept smelling like field of spring flowers, delicate and sweet. He inhaled deeply, enjoying the moment.

He felt so lucky right now and thanked the Mother for sending Amren at last minute, giving him this opportunity. For years, he was trying to get closer to Y/N. No matter how many times, he was ready to tell her about his feelings, he always gave up in the end, not daring to even suggest it. She was everything he wasn't, beautiful, kind and perfect. She deserved better.

He watched her entire night, mesmerized. It was strange. She was always so energetic during the day, yet at night she didn't move at all. It made him wonder whether it was because of him or it was normal.

It was after the sunrise when he finally calmed down and dozed off for hour or two.

* * *

Three days later, a knock sounded on our door. We were just finishing off the lasts of our breakfast. We looked up in time to see Rhysand's head peeking in. He held hand over his eyes with sassy smirk on his lips.

"Can I come in? I wouldn't like to see something inappropriate."

I rolled my eyes while Azriel bid him in, unaffected by his teasing. Honestly, everyone was making fun of us for no reason. After the first night, Nesta pulled me aside to ask me how it went and how I felt. I had nothing to tell her. At least nothing interesting anyway. I slept like a baby and not only the first night, but every night after.

Every evening, Azriel dutifully took his side of bed and I curled up on mine. No touching, only a pleasant small chat between friends. It was noticeable that he didn't sleep much the first night, however after that, he didn't seem to have such troubles. I was glad for that.

"I came to inform you that finally one more room is available. If you want, one of you can take it," he grinned and waited for our reply with one brow raised.

Out of the corner of eye, I looked at Azriel who was already eyeing me with unreadable expression. It seemed he wouldn't speak and it was up to me to decide.

"Well.. I don't mind to share room with Az at all. But if you'd like to have your privacy.." I turned to him.

His eyes widened slightly and his lips moved without making a sound.

"I don't mind, too," he managed.

"So," Rhys dragged the word. "You want to stay together? Really?"

We nodded as one man, not willing to give him what he hoped for. He was visibly disappointed.

"Fine then," he sighed, "as you want. I'll inform the owner."

* * *

A week later we were so used to this situation and each other's presence that we returned to our usual selves, rambling about anything, laughing, even touching lightly.

Our mission was over and this was our last night of sharing room. Azriel was spread on bed next to me, his wing gently touching my back. I was slowly falling asleep while we did small talk. Somewhere between dream and reality I got idea. Crazy as it was, my sleepy brain didn't find anything strange or wrong with it and my body acted on its own.

With closed eyes I rolled to his side, wrapped arm around his waist and rested my head on his chest. Azriel made a surprised sound and stiffened, but he didn't try to push me away. His smell filled my nose, his warmth seeping into me. Frantic but steady melody of his heart lulled me deeper into sleep. Last thing I felt before I completely drifted off, was his body relaxing under me and his arm holding me close.

* * *

Azriel was so surprised, he couldn't think straight. What was happening? He touched Y/N lightly, yet she didn't mind. She was almost asleep, relaxed and seemingly comfortable with him as her pillow. He felt her smiling into his chest and that gave him courage to wrap his hands around her. She hummed with satisfaction and dozed off completely.

Azriel gazed at her, unsure what to think or feel. Naturally, it made him happy, a dream-come-true kind of situation, but was it really okay? Was it really happening? It seemed to him just like a figment of his imagination, fed by amazing week spent by her side, so close to her.

He pinched himself, really painfully, leaving a bruise on his forearm. It was real. He swallowed hard. Slowly small smile spread on his face. He could get used to this.

When the initial surprise and embarrassment had passed, he found himself enjoying this. His heart was pounding fast, as he touched her hair and pushed them aside to see her face. He couldn't help it and traced a single finger down her face and jaw, mapping her full lips, lovely nose and soft arches of her brows.

He chuckled lightly. Y/N didn't even stir. So much to a light-sleeper.

As he watched her, his fantasy took over, offering him all kinds of imaginary situations that could lead to them ending up in this position; from innocent snuggling together for the night to them being naked, covered in sweat and spent after good sex. His heart squeezed in pain. He loved it and wanted it all. He didn't even realize that he was tugging her closer and closer, holding her so firmly there was no space left between them.

Despite everything, the scenario of innocent snuggling immediately became his favourite one. It held a certain kind of peace and warmth, something he longed for the most. He kept replaying it again and again until he fell asleep, too. The fantasy followed him even to his dreams where it became so real that it was unbearable.

* * *

I woke up unusually early at dawn. Still drowsy I looked around, not comprehending where I was. I was warm and comfy, so ready to close my eyes again, until I notice rising and falling steady flesh under me. That completely woke me up.

I looked up, finding Azriel still fast asleep. He was smiling sweetly, yet the tears rolled down his cheeks, soft whimpers leaving his lips. My chest tightened at the sight. It hurt me to see him like this. I reached up and gently wiped the tears off.

He slowly opened eyes and looked at me, still smiling.

"Good morning," I whispered.

"'Morning, Y/N," he replied, his deep voice raspy in the most sexy way. His thumb started to move up and down my waist in soothing motion.

"Bad dreams?"

"Sometimes dreams can be so beautiful that they make one cry," he murmured. He sounded so sad that I felt like crying too. Instead, I placed both of my hands on his chest and rested my chin on top of them.

"Do you want to talk about it?" I searched his eyes.

He shook his head and wiped off the rest of his tears. "I just wish I could go back and keep having the same dream for the rest of my life," he sighed, his eyes never leaving my face.

I propped up on my elbow and caressed his cheek. "You know that dreams don't have to stay dreams. They can became reality if you want them to."

His eyes widened and he swallowed hard. He seemed to be thinking very hard about something. Determination filled his eyes and he lifted up his head, stopping an inch from my face, waiting.

It was so sudden that I held my breath, but I didn't pull away. Watching me closely, Azriel leaned even closer and his lips lightly grazed over mine. I moaned, my body acting on its own. My eyes closed and I firmly pressed my lips to his. All the years of my suppressed feelings poured into this one kiss, not believing that there would be any more. He groaned and opened up, slowly moving, testing the waters. His fingers dug into flesh of my waist, holding me impossibly close.

It ended as suddenly as it started. He reluctantly broke the kiss and rested his forehead against mine, heaving.

"I want it to become real."

[beneathsilverstars]

Was explaining my thoughts about Vaugardian attitudes towards mental health and therapy as part of a different topic, but it got really long so dfjkghdf here it is as a whole post! Starting with some more general worldbuilsing but hold on, we’ll get there.

Since Houses canonically contain libraries and infirmaries and provide things like education and transition care, I see them as a center of not just community but specifically community resources. If you have a problem or a question, you go to the local House, and if they can't solve it themself they'll point you in the direction of whoever can! Thus Housemaidens generally fill a role similar to social workers, and specific Housemaidens will have specialties like being a doctor, cook, teacher of a particular subject, etc. In larger cities, a lot of the more specific or labor-intensive resources would probably be outsourced to other charities/companies/organizations, or perhaps split into specialties by House, to better serve a dense population instead of trying to cram every resource into every neighborhood's House. But you would still go to any House first to find these other resources, so every House would maintain a focus on educating and advising. Combine this with the fact that religious leaders are often one of the first people that followers go to for personal guidance, and it makes sense that Housemaidens would provide all sorts of counseling, filling the role of everything from job coach to therapist.

If Housemaidens are the people providing all or at least most of the therapy in the country, then even if they're not trying to push religious doctrine, the Change belief is still going to be the source of the values and philosophies that their therapeutic models are based in. They can try to be nonpartisan and avoid mentioning Change in so many words, but it'll still be baked into the default assumptions of the local modalities in a self-perpetuating manner. If you want an entirely different approach, you're probably going to have find someone who specifically studied alternate modalities from other countries, any of which would have a much smaller market share than Change-based therapies.

So! Vaugardian therapy will focus on questions like "What Changes have been happening in your life lately, and how do you feel about them?" "What would you like to Change in your life?" "What can you Change about your thought processes and habits to address the things that trouble you?" and "Who do you want to be?" Which sound like just a particular way to word fairly common topics, but! These questions would be asked in pursuit of Change-y goals, as well.

The goal of irl mental healthcare as an industry is to make sure people can be productive. A common diagnostic question is "does this symptom interfere with your ability to work and otherwise get things done?" But Vaugardians are friendly and helpful to the point of approaching utopia, so I could see them being less concerned with this, because they're more willing to accept that some people can't work and some people need more support. In fact, in keeping with their distaste for carcinization, they might actively oppose the idea that there is any particular goal that people should be working towards. If there's one type of existence that is best for all people at all times, reaching it would mean there's no reason to ever Change again! So instead of any particular milestones, the goal is simply to set and strive towards goals that feel right to you.

I also think they'd be less likely to work off of a diagnostic model at all; you can't just say that someone inherently has depression. They may be depressed right now, but that can Change! The Change might require constant upkeep, but some Changes are like that, and it doesn't mean the Change is any less real. Instead, they'd probably be more focused on individual symptoms (and traits!), which might tend to come in certain clusters, but those clusters would be seen as trends rather than criteria. The Change modality would be less concerned with whether a state of being is disordered vs normal/healthy (and they'd be less likely to conflate "normal" and "healthy"), focusing instead on whether you're happy with where you're at, but also willing and able to Change as suits you.

So, "I feel apathetic all the time, I don't want to put effort into anything and I don't care about anything, I don't know who I am or who I want to be" would be an experience of depression symptoms that a Vaugardian therapist would prioritize helping you Change. But "I don't care about any of the things I used to care about, I think I want to quit my job and cut off all my friends so I can spend more time sleeping" would be... an idea a good therapist may recommend you spend some time exploring, to make sure that's what you really want and you're ready for the ramifications... but they wouldn't say, "No, that's a bad thing to want, we need to treat your depression so that you no longer want to do that." If you really do hate your job and your friends right now, stagnating in that because you feel like you ought to would be the worst case scenario! If pursuing this Change ends up making you feel unfulfilled and lonely and sick of sleeping all day, then, well, you can just Change again at that point, once you've decided that's what you want to do.

In an opposite example, a common criticism of irl therapy is that it provides bandaid solutions for structural issues. "I'm anxious about losing my job" might be addressed by mindfulness methods to lessen anxiety, which is better than nothing, but if you're genuinely in danger of losing your job and thus access to shelter and food, that's not something you can mindfulness away. Versus, in Change-based therapies, they would focus on discussing what you get out of that job and what about it makes you anxious. You might decide that you want to change careers to something that fits you better right now — which would be a lot easier to accomplish in Vaugarde than it would be irl, because of the resources provided by the Houses and general community. Or, you might decide that there's something about yourself that you want to change in order to better fit the job. So instead of working on the feeling of anxiety, you might work on building new skills, or building better relationships with your coworkers.

... I wrote this post thinking that Vaugardian therapy might use similar techniques to CBT (therapy), since CBT focuses on understanding the patterns of thought, behavior, and belief that lead to psychological issues, so that you can replace negative patterns with habits that serve you better. Sounds like making mental changes in order to change your feelings and actions! It would just be in favor of different goals than irl CBT under capitalism.

However. I did some more research, and it looks like Humanistic therapy is very similar to what I made up just now? According to this text, humanistic therapy "emphasizes growth and self-actualization rather than curing diseases or alleviating disorders." Psychological issues are "viewed as the result of inhibited ability to make authentic, meaningful, and self-directed choices about how to live," so it focuses on "helping people free themselves from disabling assumptions and attitudes so they can live fuller lives."

It's less of a set of techniques and more of a philosophy. According to this website, the key is empathy and "unconditional positive regard," which means the therapist "shows warmth, is receptive, and is nonjudgmental." They cultivate a casual, friendly atmosphere, instead of positioning themself as an authority figure. Client-centered therapy is a subtype that sounds like the most cliché sort of talk therapy; the therapist "listens, acknowledges, and paraphrases your concerns," giving you a space where you can be honest and accepted as yourself. Another subtype is gestalt therapy, which "focuses on the skills and techniques that allow you to be aware of your feelings and emotions," and encourages a focus on the present and self-responsibility.

So! That sounds about right! Vaugardian therapists aim to help you recognize your emotions and figure out who you are and who you want to be, through casual conversation and empathetic active listening, without judgement. They help you look at your skills, emotions, desires, and struggles, and guide you to consider the full breadth of options available to you, so you can decide what Changes will lead you to happiness and fulfillment. They especially try to avoid diagnosing, prescribing, or otherwise telling you who you must be or what you must need. They may provide suggestions — help you put something into words, or bring up options that professionals are more familiar with such as medication, or challenge you to re-examine your assumptions — but it's a collaborative brainstorming, and they want you to freely choose the option you think is best for you.

[revelboo]

Do you have any thoughts on Cliff jumper? I think he's neat in a totally healthy way 🫣

Never tried to write for him…

TKO

Cliffjumper x Reader-accident

18+ 🌶️

• “No,” Cliffjumper growls, servos flexing against the urge to snatch the weapon back from the engineer, who’s not even listening to him. Hasn’t been listening this whole time. “I don’t want it improved. I just want it to stop overheating. That’s it.” From the corner of his optic, he spots the human. Wheeljack’s little…pet? Friend? He has no idea. It’s staring at him, though, that scrutiny unsettling. Why anyone wants something so squishy and just weird around is beyond him.

• “Sure. Right,” Wheeljack murmurs in that tone he knows too well. The engineer’s lost in his own world and is not only going to frag up his gun, he’s probably going to completely destroy it. “I’ve got this.” Sure. Swallowing a growl as he gives up and stalks out of the lab, he’s aware of the human watching and just can’t get why it’s kept around, allowed to roam the halls like it belongs. It’s just a weak, little organic from this miserable mudball they’re all trapped on.

• There is one thing he enjoys about this world. Leaning into a curve in the road later that day, he soaks in the quiet. Sometimes he just needs to get away from the noise of the Ark, let the solitude of this world sink into him. Prowl and Red Alert still insist on patrols even though he’s never seen any sign of the Decepticons this close to base, but he’s not complaining. It wouldn’t matter if he did. There’s so many Autobots stranded and he’s never been the biggest or strongest. Always there, always overlooked no matter how hard he works.

• He sees the truck on the side of the road ahead, the two humans standing outside it. The bigger one throwing his arms up as the smaller one walks away. Some petty human argument. He’s almost to them when the bigger one grabs the smaller human’s arm, wrenching on it as the smaller one struggles, longer hair catching the sun. Yanking loose as the other lifts its free hand in a fist and stumbling back. Falling into the road in his path.

• He transforms without thinking, peds leaving the road as he throws himself over that little body and slams into the dirt, rolling and swearing. When he lifts his helm, the bigger human is gone, that truck speeding away. The other one is still sprawled in the road staring at him with wide eyes and frag, he remembers Optimus’s decree that if they’re seen, reveal themselves to a human, they can’t let them escape. Can’t hurt them either. One of them is long gone, growing ever smaller in the distance. But the other? Frag him. One is bad enough, but he can’t let two of them see him and get away.

• Laying sprawled in the road in frozen horror, your brain just keeps bouncing from the fact that your boyfriend just left you to the giant, metal monster slowly regaining its huge feet. And you can’t move, can barely breathe. The sound of those heavy feet approaching finally breaks through your shock. Because a huge hand is reaching for you and nope. Not happening. Rolling, you’re scrambling to your feet, lunging to avoid those huge fingers swiping at you with a frustrated snarl. Then you’re running flat out in a blind terror, because that thing is chasing after you.

• Primus, it’s fast for such a tiny thing. Screeching nonstop as it races off into the desert. And oh, it’s tempting to just let it go. The sun’s baking him, surely a fragile, little organic wouldn’t last long out there. Problem solved and he wouldn’t be saddled with the thing. It’d get lost out there and probably never be seen or heard from again. Not his problem to deal with.

• He keeps chasing after it, anyway. Guilt spurring him on. He doesn’t want a human to look after. Doesn’t need this mess to deal with. Ahead, it stumbles and this time he manages to get a grip on it, almost dropping it again in surprise at how disturbingly soft that little body is in his servos. It screams out again, thrashing like a mad thing even though it must know it can’t win. That doomed, desperate struggling is impressive in a way. Refusing to give up. Wild eyes stare up at him as he adjusts his grip on it to make sure it can’t wriggle free and get accidentally dropped to its death. He can feel that little heart pounding so quickly against his servos as it keeps fighting, screaming out for help that’s not coming. “Sorry, but you’re not going anywhere,” he sighs. You’re both fragged.

Next

[apricustar]

when it comes down to it, when you're really, truly in love, it's about stepping into their life and everything that comes with that--mess and all.

this is the undeniable truth laying the foundation of buddie--the undeniable truth they've woven throughout all the current canon couples. it's a ribbon that's threaded through both buck and eddie's respective list of failed relationships.

in a lot of ways, love is an unfolding—not an undoing, but an unfurling: the slow, achingly tender process of being known, and knowing in turn. it’s feeling safe enough to open yourself up entirely. to love and be loved is to be at rest, at peace; it is not a performance or something you perfect. it is allowing someone to witness your pain, your chaos, your history—and not turning away when they do the same.

take maddie and chimney: from the very beginning, he doesn’t flinch at the weight she carries—doesn’t try to fix it or rush it. he simply stays. he isn’t swayed by the shadow of doug—not even when the shadow becomes far more real. he meets her where she’s at, even when all she has to offer him is friendship. he never asks her to be more than she can give. he’s there—consistent, dependable, loving in his safety and presence. she takes a step, he is right there, taking his cues from her; from everything she says, and everything she doesn’t.

so much of bobby and athena’s love is rooted in mutual understanding, in the depth of the pasts they carry, but i think one of their most raw moments comes when we learn about athena’s ex-fiancé. we know athena to be a powerhouse: independent, fierce, and capable. she gets shit done on her own. she is her own partner. and we see bobby struggle a bit with fitting into that space—with finding his footing in a relationship where the other person doesn’t naturally lean on him. but bobby? bobby doesn’t try to force his way in. his love is in his patience; similar to chim, it’s in his dependable nature and consistent presence. he waits, he listens, he offers himself; and knowing athena as he does, he gives her what he knows she needs even when she herself can’t, or won’t, ask for it. when the case is finally solved, it’s bobby she goes to, whose arms she breaks down in. there’s is an intimacy born from quiet knowing and learning. love, here, is not about rescuing—it’s about witnessing. and staying.

karen and hen!!! again, so many different moments i could bring up. but the one i thought of while first thinking about this post was when we get the background of their relationship—specifically with denny. when hen tells karen she didn’t say no to eva, karen leaves; not because she doesn’t love hen, but because she isn’t ready for the gravity of that choice, for the responsibility that comes with it. and still, when all is said and done, she comes back. love isn’t linear. there isn’t always a clear-cut answer to things. karen returns, ready to choose all of hen, not just the easy parts. and in doing so, they build something solid. they co-parent. they raise denny. they navigate life together, as partners.

so, buddie. what’s wild is that this exact pattern—the showing up, the choosing, the stepping into the mess—it’s been baked in since day one. it is an integral facet of their entire relationship!!!!!!!! from the moment buck helped save the guy with a bomb in his leg during eddie’s first shift, they have each other’s backs. without fault, without expectation.

this is truly set in motion when buck gives carla to eddie. he bears witness to eddie’s problems with finding childcare and doesn’t hesitate to step in and offer a solution that is deeply personal to him. carla isn’t just a recommendation—she’s someone buck trusts, someone who supported him through his own mess. and he hands that over to eddie, because that’s what buck does. he sees a need and he fills it. he steps into the chaos, into the overwhelm, and with his actions says: you don’t have to do this alone.

and eddie accepts it!!! not just carla—but buck’s presence. his help. his heart. and from there, it builds on both sides. not in grand, sweeping gestures, but in steady, consistent moments of being there. of knowing each other’s silences. of anticipating needs. of showing up. of existing together in life’s most happy and sad and scary and terrible moments and knowing being together is better than doing any of this shit alone.

over the course of 7 seasons, they’ve built a life around one another without ever needing to define it. and isn’t that the most honest kind of love? the kind that just is, because you’ve chosen each other so fully, so completely, that no other reality makes sense?

this isn’t subtext. it’s not speculation. it’s the same emotional blueprint we’ve seen over and over in canon couples: vulnerability, mutual care, mess, and the willingness to stay anyway. and buck and eddie? they’re already living it!!!

and that’s why it feels inevitable. because the show has always told us that real love is about staying through the hard stuff, about choosing someone every single day, especially when it’s not easy. love is partnership—being there through it all and helping one another heal. it’s a willingness to hold space for each other’s vulnerability; a willingness to grow and learn together.

like thomas told buck back in season 2, a real love is not something you found, but something you made. buck and eddie have been making it all along.

[fashionteahouse]

Can we get more of lipgloss

sure ! hope you enjoy :)

lipgloss - embry x reader x paul x rachel

<<prev

You looked at her face. You looked at Paul’s face. They didn’t speak to each other. A faint frown was plastered on the both of their faces.

As you and the pack ate, they sat separated.

“What’s going on?” you ask as you and Rachel walked about outside before the sun had set.

She rolls her eyes and huffed out a breath of anger.

“Did you and Paul get into a fight?” you ask nervously.

“Yeah.” she says as she kicked a small pebble.

“Was it over…?” you whisper.

“You don’t have to whisper Y/N, we’re away from the house where they can’t hear us.” she says and pulls your hand to pull you down next to her on the rock that’s at the beach you both had reached to.

“Well, what happened? I thought things were good. It seems you two never fight.” you say.

She stuffed her hands in her jacket pockets.

“It’s back to before.”

“Wait..What?”

“Exactly.” she says annoyed.

“Maybe we shouldn’t have..”

“Do you regret it?” she asks with worry.

“Um…I didn’t have a bad experience…Do you?”

“Uh, no.” she says as if it were obvious.

“I don’t want it to put a strain on you guy’s relationship.”

“I don’t even know what the problem is. I thought things would improve but…We’re back to square one.”

You sigh as you look at the waves that crashed.

“I do admit….I think about what we did. A lot.” she says after a long beat of silence.

You whip your head at her, “Rachel!” you hiss.

She only breaks a soft chuckle, “I’m only being honest.”

“Yeah but….No. You can’t say that.” you say as you shake your head in disapproval.

“How is it with you and Embry?”

Your mind went to when you tried initiate in the bedroom. He was tired. You felt crushed as he invited you only to cuddle.

“We’re good.” you say with a slight nod.

You both didn’t speak about it after that day. But, day by day, you saw the strain with your own eyes. The pack was oblivious, only making fun of the bickering. But you knew, the deep meaning behind all of it.

When Embry thought you were sleep, he slipped out of bed. You had to use the bathroom, so you quietly but tiredly made your way to the bathroom, only to find it cracked open with a light leaking from the crack.

His breaths were deep, quiet and rapid as he stood over the sink. His hand strokes himself as he breathed out heavy through his nose. You back away, not knowing how to feel about it all.

You were beginning to feel an itch that needed to be scratched again. It was starting to be long since you and Embry were intimate together. You couldn’t look at kissing scenes in movies because you felt like a virgin. Getting hot and bothered over the smallest things.

“Is it me?”

“What do you mean?” Embry asks.

“You haven’t touched me in so long.”

He sighed and looked down. He looked embarrassed almost.

““I’m sorry Y/N but….I can’t get the image of…You and Rachel out of my head.”

You nod sadly.

“It wouldn’t feel right to have sex with you with that in my mind. I wouldn’t be able to focus and you deserve my attention.”

“I understand…”

“Are you upset?”

“No…I’m glad you..Told me..I wish you would’ve told me sooner.”

”I should’ve…I’m sorry.”

Rachel calls you. She invited you over, both Paul and Embry were out with Sam for a boys night out. You agree.

“He said that?” Rachel asks as you both bit into cookies that she baked.

You nod silently as you chewed.

“I’m sorry.”

“Rachel, stop it.” you say.

“No..I’m serious. What’s even happening?” she thought to herself.

“It’s just a little hump. Me and Embry always get over our problems and the same goes for you and Paul.” you say with a shrug.

“We’re right back to square one.” she grinned and flopped down on the couch.

You lay your head on her shoulder, “This sucks.”

“We solved it without them before, we can solve without them again.” she says in a low voice after silence stretched out.

“Paul would be able to smell it.” you say back.

“But…We could…Make it quick and then open the windows.”

You don’t say anything. You watch as she moved off of the couch and kneels in front of you. You sit up from your slumped position.

“Rachel..I don’t want to make things worse. I get it..It’s been a long time for both of us but…”

“It’s just so we don’t go crazy. You just caught Embry jerking off. At least he’s getting pleasure while ours is just building up.”

“You mean you haven’t…Touched yourself?”

“No…..Have you?”

“No….”

You both stare at each other.

“They’re going to be gone for hours…We can just…”

You were hesitant but the thought excited you. A shaky but excited hand reached for your cheek. She lays her lips on yours and you flutter your eyes closed.

You both look at each other after pulling away, seeing how one felt about it. She leans in again, this time you meet her halfway.

You both sigh out in each other’s mouths as the heated kiss goes straight to both centers. Rachel is now straddling you on the couch. She takes control of the kiss. Tongues danced with each other.

She takes your empty hands and makes them feel under her shirt. No bra, just her warm breasts. She makes your fingers move as she lets out a soft moan while looking at you.

Your hands caress and squeeze and Rachel moves her hips to increase the pleasure. She leans forward, capturing your mouth in a wet kiss.

Before you knew it, you both were bare, lying on the couch as you both felt every crease of each other’s bodies. This time, you laid on top of her as skin was touching skin. Her fingers felt between the wet lips of your center, making you sigh out.

She dipped her fingers in one by one, curling them inside of you that deliciously licked your insides.

She smiled a bit, applying your fluids like lipgloss. You burst out a chuckle. It halted when you felt her fingers dip and curl inside of you again.

A small orgasm came and you let her climb on you. You do the same for her. She grinds on your fingers. letting them fill her. She trembles and lays flat on top of you.

“I want to taste you like last time.” she whispers with a pant as she tried to catch her breath.

You open your mouth to say something but you hear the door. Both you and Rachel look at the opened door. You both scramble off of each other and scoop up the discarded clothes. Rachel pulls you into the bathroom and shoved the door closed. Holding a hand to your mouth.

“Rach?” you hear Paul’s voice.

“Yeah?” she calls back.

You hurry up and put your clothes on. She does the same trying to stay quiet.

“Where are you?” Paul asks.

“Um….Im just…”

You pull your shirt down and hear a sharp knock on the door.

“You in here?”

Before you knew it, the door twists open and he looks at the both of you.

“What are you doing?” he asks quietly.

“Nothing. We’re just goofing off. Move.” Rachel says and grabs Paul’s hand.

He retracts it as you both enter the living room.

He pulls something out of his pocket. Your underwear that’s dangling from his finger.

“Goofing off?” he asks.

He then looks to you. Your eyes are wide.

“Does Embry know?”

“About what?”

“Y/N…” Paul warns.

You shake your head. Rachel jumps in, “Paul, it was my idea.”

“Both of you are a lot. Seriously.” he says to her.

Rachel makes a face.

“Y/N, go home.”

“No! She doesn’t have to go home.”

“Go home.”

“It’s fine, Rach. See you.” you say. Rachel folds her arms.

You noticed that your underwear from his finger was gone. You didn’t want to ask where they were since things were already awkward enough.

Thankfully, Paul didn’t say anything to Embry.

Time had passed, you call Rachel.

“It’s nice today. We should go cliff diving.”

“It won’t last long. It’s supposed to rain.”

“We can beat it.”

“Okay.” you hear the smile in her voice.

You leave a note for Embry while she left a note for Paul just in case they come back from patrol while you two were gone.

She picks you up. You both get out once you both arrived to the beach.

“Get on my back, Y/N.” Rachel says after you both go to the top of the cliffs. You both laugh as Rachel jumped off.

You both smile and swam to each other. Rachel points and laughs. You look down and then roll your eyes.

A nip slip.

Hearing the faint noise of thunder, you both swim back to shore and run to the car before rain splattered on you both.

Rachel invites you over and Paul isn’t home, which meant they must still be on patrol.

“Ugh, I have sand on me.”

“Me too.” you say.

“You can use my shower.” she says.

You both were used to dressing in front of each other, even before the foursome happened.

You both discard the swim suits that you both had wore.

She turns on the water to the shower and you both start to clean up.

However, the looks of each other’s wet bodies were rising feelings. Rachel leans in with a quick peck. You return it.

She pulls you in and you both hug against each other as you both slowly kiss again. You both allow each other to feel each other’s bodies. The kisses turned heated as you both felt the sexual frustration rise.

She turns the water off.

She lays back as you climb on her bed. This time, the door is closed. You both showed looks of excitement.

You lay on her as you both kiss each other. She moves so your chests are rubbing against each other’s.

You both grew excited, excited that relief was guaranteed.

She sat on your thigh as she rode it. She worked her fingers to circle your excited nub. You lay back with you eyes closed before opening them back up to fondle her meaty breasts.

You both shuddered with smiles. Rachel climbed off of you, wanting you to try it. You moved your hips to find the golden spot, you move once you did. You take care of Rachel’s pearl. She showed her appreciation by caressing your hardened nipples.

Womanhood’s were mushed together. The lips that were on both womanhoods, looked to be wearing lipgloss. You both became wetter. It looked like they were kissing. You both harmonized high octave moans as you two held onto each other. You both saw stars.

You open your eyes. Paul was opening up the door.

“Rachel.” you moaned out. She smiled at you. Her back was to the door, not even taking the hint. She moaned your name back. You tilt your head back as you shuddered with pleasure, mouth cracked open with a shaky sigh.

White semen was in Paul’s hand as his jaw was clenched. He held himself.

“W-when did you get here?” Rachel asks quietly as she finally turned around. She wasn’t scared. She was just surprised to see him.

“When Y/N, moaned your name.”

“Where’s Embry?” you ask in a whisper.

“Waiting for you. At home.”

You didn’t care that you were naked.

Dialing up Embry’s number, you tell him where you are. He hangs up after telling you he’s on his way.

You go to put your clothes back on but a warm hand grabbed your arm. You look at him. He was shaking his head in disapproval.

“We’re going to finish what you two have started.” he says. You look at the bed. Rachel was under the covers, still naked. She was relaxed.

You’re led to the bed by Paul, he pulls the covers back to have you get in the bed. You swallow once you seen that his hardness was hanging low and hard.

He’s next to you as you scoot in bed. Rachel seemed excited all over again.

Embry was able to walk in. Paul’s door was unlocked.

“Paul, you left your door unlo-“ he stopped in the bedroom doorway.

He slowly walked in. Your heart stopped.

“Come here, Y/N.” he says quietly. You pull down the covers and climb forward. He watched you. The spark was in his eye. He kissed you deeply. You fell backwards and he groaned as your chest was being mushed by his own. He shoved his shorts down, you run your hand down his chest.

You already feel the bed moving. You stroke Embry. You look up at him.

“Do you want me to…?” you ask in a whisper. He nods eagerly.

You get up and he lies on his back. Rachel was already making Paul’s dick wet with her mouth. She slowly took him in, her head going up and down in a steady rhythm.

You lick the tip before taking it in your mouth. You treated his hard and heavy flesh like it was a melting popsicle on a hot summer day.

Embry’s eyes were closed as he groaned, even biting his lip. He hardened even more in your mouth, making you moan. You stroke him with a twist with the saliva that coated him. He leaned up and grabbed you in a kiss before encouraging you to rub his wet dick against aroused center.

You moan as you both hold hands. You moan to the sky. You shudder and twitch quickly.

You were being kissed and you kissed blindly back. You open your eyes to Rachel pulling away her mouth from yours. She goes and slowly sits on Embry’s face. He eats at her as you continue to ride against his wet erection. She leans forward so you both could continue to kiss. You both moan into each other’s mouths.

Rachel came, that’s when you turn to see Paul holding himself. She climbs off of Embry. She takes your hand and puts it on Paul’s erection.

She gives you a look before you both lick at Paul. You both occupied each side of him, even stopping to kiss at times.

Readjusting, Embry sinks you down on him, making you ride him from behind. You’re still able to eat and lick at Paul with Rachel, only this time, she’s riding Paul’s face.

Embry lifts you up as he pumped out his semen in his hand. Paul is free from Rachel and he lifts you under your arms, making you go on your back.

He slides right into you. You moan breathlessly. He was in so deep and his long strokes made you see a white light. Rachel caressed and fondled your breasts for him. Even leaning down to give you kisses.

Embry climbs back on the bed, somewhat hard. Rachel turns and stroke him. He lays her next to you, sinking into her. She moaned the same breathless moan that you did.

You were starting to feel drunk. You didn’t know how Rachel could handle it. He was deep in you, you look down, his penis wasn’t all the way in. You lay your head back with a soft groan, he pushed more of himself in, making you softly whine out.

You turn your head to the side. Rachel was feeling buzzed just by off of her face. You both were able to kiss as you both got pounded in. You felt your knees fold back to your chest and you clutch at Paul’s arms. He felt deeper and you furrowed your eyebrows before an aggressive shudder emitted from your body. You creamed on his flesh as he moaned himself, getting the last bit of pumps in. He came. Embry came with Rachel’s whine.

You and Rachel still pant. You look at each other. Rachel starts to smile a bit, you couldn’t help but do so too.

You and Rachel decide to thank them in a way. You made them dinner.

“Im sure they worked up a good appetite.” Rachel whispered as you heard the television going on in the living room.

“Yeah..To be honest..So did I.” you say as you felt very hungry.

Rachel chuckled, “Yeah. Me too.”

[lastoneout]

My favorite thing about Wanderstop is something I think it has in common with the Pathologic games, in that it doesn't feel constrained to a loop of making the player feel good, and in fact goes out of it's way to make you feel BAD.

Wanderstop is a loop, kinda, and every new start you lose almost everything that you had saved. Your mugs, your trinkets, the colors you change the pluffins to, it resets and there is no way around it. You HAVE to become comfortable with profound change because it's baked into the gameplay loop.

On top of that, every loop you meet new people with interesting problems that need to be solved, and the game does not let you solve them. You never see all but one the characters ever again, Boro, the shop owner, is the only constant. And the other characters will always leave before you can solve their problem. You cannot heal the curse, you cannot help the demon hunter find his confidence, your biggest fan will be dissapointed in you no matter what you do and he will suffer irreversible consequences because of it. And there's really no way to help them.

Wanderstop FORCES you to become comfortable with change and unresolved problems/conflict and people leaving and being powerless. It forces you to confront the realities of life, because we really will lose touch with people forever and not be able to help everyone or solve every problem and how you will lose belongings and leave places you love and jobs that fulfilled you and give up dreams that are no longer within reach and that is just how it is. You can scream and cry and cling to every little thing as much as you want, but it won't change it.

And idk I just love that. Change is so uncomfortable and you are going to get used to it weather you like it or not because you CAN get used to it or you can destroy your life trying to prevent it and end up alone and miserable. You cannot give up living your life for fear of change. And you're not gonna have a choice!!

[phoenixwithapencil]

more half-baked Gladio musings for the masses

I think Gladio doesn’t know how to Drop It. When he finds a problem, he will resolve it one way or another.

It is not always the best solution that he picks.

I bring this up specifically in reference to the argument on the train and Gladio’s DLC.

On the train, Gladio decides that there’s too much tension and too much unsaid and Noctis is stagnating in his despair again and they don’t have the luxury of time to let him ride it out. Not to mention the ruins of Altissia and Iggy’s blindness and noct nearly dying (while Gladio was half way across the city able to do naught but sit on his hands) and the encroaching dark and the whole world falling apart around their ears. So he snaps and forces the issues that can be resolved. Even though he knows *damn* well that it’s not what Noctis needs (because he is on multiple occasions characterized as legitimately charismatic), not really what any of them need. On the laundry list of mostly unsolvable problems, getting Noctis to step up and put on the ring and *keep moving* is achievable. He can fix that. So he does his level best to make it happen even if that bar is somewhere in hell.

The way he sets out for his DLC much earlier in the game is what leads me to him needing to solve problems, not just being the sort to force a conversation. Because he really, really doesn’t talk with Noct at all about it. He just tells Noct he needs to deal with some stuff and he’ll catch up to them. And then he goes and solves the issue of his self confidence for a week despite it taking him into a canyon known for killing all who enter (save for Cor because Cool Factor TM). Regardless, it’s still forceful but immediate problem solving because he can’t drop the issue of Ravus besting him. So he has to Fix It.

[swiiivet-screamathon]

"Ah-- shit shit shit-- Milky I need a hand--!"

"What have gotten you so bold now then?"

"I don't have time for your snark-- just come help!!"

"Or else?"

"You're responsible for cleaning up two 10 kilos worth of wafflebot ingredients--"

"This problem isn't my fault! Can't just put that on me, tut tut."

"I thoroughly do not ca-- arGH-!!!! Get down here!!!"

"Fine, fine, what do you need?"

"That crank, pull it now, as hard as you can--"

He raises his staff--

"No no, not magic, it will break it all--!"

"Huh? How the hell is that supposed to work?"

"STOP ASKING AND PULL IT--"

He floats down and apprehensively grabs onto it.

"HURRY!??"

He gives a glare to Crepe, but pulls it... And tries again-- whoo-wee is he going for it.

"Holy-- Okay just magic this thing up, be careful and do not move it at all."

Smilk glares again at Crepe but lets go, and does way wave his wand-- a set of strings get summoned that holds the collapsing wafflebot in place and Crepe quickly sprints over to pull the lever, that pulls with no resistance whatever. With the switch it enables some mobile poles that hold up the machine.

"Phew-- wait hold on-- no don't leave I know you're about to. I'm not judging you."

"I think you should be grateful enough that I saved your little project regardless of your earlier audacity."

"I am, I really am, genuinely thank you for helping me. But apparently there's some safety hazards that needs to be discussed if you don't want me to kick you out."

"... You dare threaten me?"

"It's not a threat, it's for everyone's safety here-- There's a lot of physical work that goes on here, if something falls on you and you can't lift it off you that's a hazard that PV will never let go. This is essentially a construction zone, you know that right?"

"I've got no reason to stay here if you want to follow through with it. In fact I can level this entire place if I'd so choose."

"Sigh, look, I know you're a secretive stubborn twat, but if you didn't want to be here we wouldn't have constructed an entire floating capsule for you to live in, so I have to do my due diligence to make sure no work accidents occur, or else we both get kicked out. Do you have a physical disability?"

"And here I thought you good guys would have more-- tact, than that."

"Shadow Milk, I know you like avoiding personal questions but this one has to be answered today; do you want me to go tell Vanilla to get you to talk or will you answer me right now?"

"... Not what I'm aware."

"Okay, so your inability to pull a very light and greased lever is just a lack of exercise?"

"There's no point in putting any effort in your physicality when you're baked immortal and can solve all your problems with magic. That's something you mortals have to contend with, not me."

"Well that lever is made with magichanical engineering just like most of the equipment in here, where if affected by uncalculated magic will screw with its wiring and make it unable to control its items as precisely as it currently does, so you're gonna have to do some physical stuff in the world ever."

"Last I checked I still wasn't employed here to do your petty work."

"Breathe in, breathe out-- Okay, how about we take this another avenue; do you want such an obvious weakness where if I throw a rock at the back of your head you're out cold?"

"And you think I'm so blind with my multitudes of eyes that I can't see you revving up your wafflebot to throw one at me to prove your puny point?"

"Eugh, your confidence is going to get you killed-- I'm just considering getting him anyways, he'd get through this layer of ego and I wouldn't have to waste my entire afternoon on this when I should be fixing what broke my machine in the first place. Look, you can be physically weaker than the average cookie and not be weak overall, I am very much willing to admit you've got a good head for magic, certainly better than the 'prodigies' from the school, I'm not judging you for struggling in this avenue."

"Curious how you believe it's ego that's making me not want to do your labor for you."

"And here I was suspecting you just wanted to get paid to do the-- eugh, """puny""" labor. I mean it's obvious you're here for a reason, if you weren't you wouldn't be here, anyone with half a brain could figure that one out, yet it's also something you're not willing to just not say outright. I doubt it's embarrassment, you don't get embarrassed, you just get annoyed-- it really does feel like it's your ego, that you're the Beast of Deceit, so you have to be all macho all the time retaining a mystery because what else beyond that is a better lie? It'd be a lot more appreciated if analysing your dough answered these questions, simply knowing you're full of knowledge does nothing to help with your stubbornness."

"D'aw, do you really think that lowly of me?-" Suddenly a marionette's control bar appears above Crepe and the strings ties itself around their limbs, lifting them off the ground-- much to Crepe's complete disappointment. Though it seems that they shuffle strangely underneath their coat.

"-Believing me to be a petulant child who's roleplaying out their fantasies? What could I possibly have done to give you such a view of me?"

"This isn't exactly helping your case. Why haven't you left yet?"

"Out of the two of us I'd describe you as the petulant one, trying your best to squeeze an answer out of me, such patheticism is entertainment."

"I think I'm being quite reasonable trying to get neither of us evicted, though if the only reason you're sticking around is to watch me be mad then maybe I should go tell Vanilla that you're no good fit here."

"It is true that eventually your absence would be noticed, and who else would be the bigger suspect; but that only matters if I care to be a criminal to this floating rock, doesn't it?"

"You're gonna threaten to crumble me over trying to determine whether you can lift a twig? Real slick there, bluey."

"Of course not! One of us actually has some tact, you know. I've got far better means to ensure things go my way."

"For as long as I've known you I cannot say I could even fathom what 'your way' is supposed to look like, your motives aren't exactly consistent."

"You were right with one thing, I am the Beast of Dec--ough--!"

Suddenly Smilk is ensnared into bindings made of golden scrolls, where he looks down to see what occurred only to become immediately disappointed and glare at Crepe.

"I've got him Crepe! Land safely!" Crepe's own puppet strings poofs into the ether and Crepe themself falls to the ground yet lands without any damage.

"Took your time, that's for sure."

"I know, I'm sorry, but are you harmed?"

"No I'm good. No, this wasn't really an emergency at all, sorry for alarming you but I needed you here quickly to settle a thing."

"Huh? Settle a thing? What's with the puppeteering then?"

"I just wanted a better look at them! Land bound cookies are so difficult to keep eye contact with. We were having a civil discussion"

"He threatened to 'make me absent' so that he wouldn't have to confront you."

"Are you pushing Shadow beyond his boundaries?"

"Well his boundaries are a workplace hazard and if I want to keep my workshop I need to get some answers out of him."

"Okay, before we get explanations to catch me up, are you going to threaten Crepe again, Shadow?"

"It wasn't a threat, just playing around."

"No playing around either?"

"If you're currently threatening me with these bindings what choice do I have?"

"I'll take that as enough of a yes." The bindings unfurl and dissipate into golden sparkles, letting Smilk stretch his newly freed limbs.

"I want to hear Crepe's telling first, and then yours Smilk, any objections?"

"If you insist."

"Before I start, can you go pull that lever?"

As asked, Pv walks over to the pointed lever and does indeed pull it, where one of the wafflebots legs raise up into the air.

"One of the supports holding my wafflebot collapsed and fell on me, so because I was busy trying to not get crushed to crumbs I asked Milk to pull the lever to get a new support, but he could not pull it. Once it was sorted and fixed I asked him about it since being unable to pull it is a sign of extreme physical weakness, and knowing the stipulations for me staying in my workshop I needed answers that he's been avoiding continuously."

"And is your telling different from theirs?"

"I wouldn't exactly define it as avoiding."

"You've not answered me at all!"

"It's his turn to speak."

"... Fine."

"I'm neither a huge fan of you treating us like children settling a meaningless argument, calling mom was entirely unnecessary."

"I'm not quite sure how else to handle the situation, I apologize. But if they are speaking the truth I have to admit I am concerned. Can you really not pull that lever?"

"The writer and ringleader has no need to deal with the activities the rest of the troupe employs, my job is to direct, not anything like that."

".. Crepe? Can you promise you won't tell anyone about what you witnessed today for Shadow's sake?"

"I couldn't give any less of a shit about spreading any rumors, that's the easiest promise I can make in my entire life."

"Good, I think you can go then, I'm sure he'd like some seperation right now."

"Why can't you guys just leave my workshop instead of the other way around? Eugh, yeah sure, don't break anything. T_T"

...

"If you don't mind me asking, can you stand for me? On the ground."

It's just barely noticeable that he seemed taken aback by the sudden request.

"What, don't want me to bring you to my eyelevel too?"

"No, I want to see you walk around the room."

"Do you really think I'm so weak I can't even do that?"

"Well if you can then it should be simple to prove me wrong, to rub it in my face about how wrong my inquiry was, shouldn't it?"

"Hmh..."

He floats down to the ground and lands as indicated by a subtle sound, though to the most observant it seemed unsteady.

"You want me to go down the catwalk now? Wanna watch me pose while you're at it?"

"However you want to interpret 'walking around the room whilst on the ground' is good, I don't need poses."

"I didn't think I'd ever get to see you this sick..."

He does as requested, taking a prance around the room, but with each step it becomes clearer and clearer that it's a struggle with every foot that goes past the other, getting wobblier and wobblier. Once a circle has been met he swiftly returns into the air.

"There we are, fulfilled your fantasies now? Gonna sleep well tonight?"

"I can't believe I never noticed your ailment, I'm not sure what to say. My first instinct is to ask whether you want me to see if you can be healed or helped."

"My ailment? I don't have any ailment, besides a headache from this entire thing."

"Are you lying by omission again or do you really not know that's not normal? Every cookie I know who can fly can also walk just fine, no struggle at all."

"Sounds pathetic to me."

"Sigh, Crepe was right you know. Staying in here whilst being so weak endangers everyone, you included. You may be immortal but you are still fragile, you know I know that. I can do my best to help you regain some of that strength though if you want the help."

"... What'd that look like?"

"A variety of things, but probably first establishing if you've always been this way, or if this is a deterioration."

"I've not deteriorated."

"... But?"

"... A library doesn't shelve itself."

"I see. Well, either we could investigate your dough to see if anything is fundamentally wrong, or we can go straight into very basic exercises to get your body back into the idea of being used again."

"You will not get me on some regimen. >:I"

"Then I won't suggest it, but something has to be done if you want to stay here in the workshop, even if it isn't some scheduled rigorous thing. We can try something here right now though, come here."

He quietly and apprehensively floats back over, where Pv takes each of his hands into his own.

"Stand again."

He looks to the ground, his feet dangling in the air, but after a moment steps back down again.

"If you need to you can put all your weight on me, you won't fall."

"Of course I won't fall, I can fly."

"Well, I won't drop you either way."

A couple seconds passes, he already seems to struggle staying in one place. A minute passes, he's starting to shuffle his feet to regain balance. Another minute, and he gives up, floating back into the air, ripping his hands away from Pv.

"Walking was easier than standing, wasn't it?"

"..."

"It seems that will be our benchmark for now. My deepest gratitude that you were willing to commit to that, I'm proud of you."

"... (> _눈。)"

[aroace-hedgehogs]

✄ DVD BONUS: pick a fic and I’ll describe or write a deleted scene! [source]

This was supposed to be the original scene for Sticks Sense where Amy reads for Sonic. It was supposed to be it's own fic, but I decided it wouldn't flow well.

.

.

.

Considering how Amy was raised and has grown, it really shouldn't have been a surprise to Sonic when she sits him down on a plush, deep-pink cushion. The sound of her shuffling cards mixes familiarly with the scent of Sandalwood that flows freely from lit incense. The warmth of her home is never lost on Sonic; she had just begun baking when he arrived, the oven leaving the rest of the homey place toasty.

"I don't really think--"

"Sonic, I love you, but you suck at explaining yourself verbally, give this a chance to help you, and maybe we don't have to fumble through hours of you trying to piece your words together." Amy raises a pointed brow at the island hero, a challenging smirk painting her features in a perfect concoction to try and shut up Sonic's possible over-exaggerated complaining.

The hedgehog pouts, crossing his arms as he taps his finger against his forearm to a particular song he can't get out of his head. "I just don't have a connection with your cards like you do; I don't get how what you usually do will work on me."

"It's not just about the cards, Sonic," Amy explains, knocking on them before blowing on them. "It's about the connection between chaos and our world. When we open ourselves up to it, we can better use chaos to figure ourselves and others out." She quickly shuffles the cards again, smiling affectionately at her handmade crafts. "You have to keep an open mind and heart. You're the only one in the world born with chaos freely living inside of you. I think that out of everyone, the cards will understand you better than anyone else."

Sonic looks down at the gold and maroon cards as they glimmer in the sunlight that suddenly seems to cast itself over them. The sun has finally broken free from the thick clouds that have been blanketing the sky for days. Sonic can't help but smile gently at the situation.

Amy takes a deep breath, "We'll start out simple to orient everything." She spreads the cards out in an arch in front of her. Sonic watches curiously as her eyes land on a card on the far right; she elegantly flips it, revealing a card with Sonic's silhouette collecting rings with an outstretched hand and a determined expression. "Good, everything is right then."

"Mind explaining?" Sonic prods, leaning in close to take a look at his card. He had forgotten Amy had crafted each one to depict those in her life she adored and knew.

"I just needed to make sure the cards were focused on you, so I asked if the cards knew who we were helping today," Amy shrugs, shuffling the cards again. Sonic nods his head in new-found interest. "Now we can get into why you're here." The pink hedgehog knocks and blows on the cards once more before closing her eyes and speaking clearly into the space between them. "What kind of problem is Sonic facing that he can't express?"

The cards are spread once more, and Sonic tilts his head as Amy sweeps her eyes over the cards, collecting three to flip in front of her in the order by which they were chosen.

"Queen of Water and 8 of Lightening are both drawn down while Hero is drawn up, that's..." Amy glances up at Sonic with a starting concern, leaving Sonic shifting in his seat, ears twitching back. "The cards are saying that in the past, you've been very self-sacrificing," She gently pushes the Queen of Water towards Sonic, watching him carefully. "It's a lot, knowing you, and because of that," Amy brushes the next two cards, "You presently need to work on accepting parts of yourself you've damaged with all that self-sacrificing you've done in the past to forge ahead."

Amy looks back down to the cards, brows knitting in thought. "Basically, they're saying that your problem is one you've always struggled with, and you need to confront it to solve it." The hedgehog glances up at Sonic, "What is something you've struggled with for as long as you can remember?"

Sonic scratches at his cheek, his leg bouncing. "Well..."

He lived an inconsequential life, where nothing dared tie itself to him but the few who could handle his never-ending spur of adrenaline and sass.

How long could Sonic hold onto something like Shadow? How long until those eyes looked into Sonic and saw something that no longer drew them closer but permanently pushed them apart?

"--But this? This...inability to understand why I can't say or do certain things. Be parts of myself I never thought even were possible?" Sonic slumps, looking at his reflection in a glass. "It sucks."

...what about his bond with Shadow that made it so hard to share? Manifest into something that refuses to leave his throat, clogging it to the point he suffocates each and every time he tries to speak of it to anyone who actually matters to him?

Sonic places his hands into upturned quills, loving the sharp pricks that effortlessly loosen under his touch. "I'm scared that the moment I allow myself to show how different I am, the people I care about most will leave."

Amy unbuttons Sonic's collar, tugging the dress shirt more open, fixing it neatly onto his shoulders so it looks relaxed but not sloppy. "I go to these events because I know how hard they are for you. To be cooped up and to be so unlike yourself. If it wasn't for the connections to help more people...I know you wouldn't be anywhere near this place."

"...he isn't perfect and sure isn't supposed to please everyone, no matter how hard he wants to, just so he can save the world over and over again..."

Sonic rubs at his face, running a hand through his quills, scoffing at his stupidity. "This whole time, I was so scared you'd no longer want me...That you'd find me disgusting. Because what kind of a person likes being torn apart and fought against? Especially when it's you."

Sonic cringes, gritting his teeth as his quills bristle.

"Sonic?"

The blue blur closes his eyes, fighting back the instinct to swallow down his thoughts and feelings. He had to do this.

He could do it. He could say it aloud.

"You won't lose me, okay?"

"I'm different." The words come out monotone, unfeeling, and so unlike Sonic that he can't help but flinch, feeling like his own words hurt him.

Amy studies him before understanding, which fills her expression so deeply that Sonic looks away. Instead, he focuses on Amy's hands working on her craft.

"In what way specifically?"

"I-I..."

The cards lay themselves out again.

"Do you need help saying it?"

Sonic nods, and Amy pulls a card.

A distorted Eggman logo meets Sonic's eyes, and he can't help but feel his quills rise further in discomfort as Amy speaks softly. "Monstrum Machina drawn upside down," she smiles sadly. Rules are stifling to you, taking your freedom and chaining you into bitter isolation." A warm gaze coaxes Sonic's eyes to his best friend's. "You've always struggled to fit into what's expected of you from a really young age, and despite everything you do to go against it, it's gotten a hold of you, hasn't it?"

"I don't get how," The hero grits through his teeth, anger bubbling up so obviously at himself that Amy can't help but take his elbow and squeeze it comfortingly. "I don't care what people think. I genuinely don't."

"That doesn't mean you don't care about how thoughts affect the people around you or how caring about people opens up different vulnerabilities." Amy politely places her cards to the side, sliding herself across the floor to Sonic's side, easily taking his weight as he leans into her presence. "You're a private person despite your extroverted nature and carefree lifestyle. Especially when you've been shunned for so long, it's why you've learned to close certain people out of your life while welcoming others in, like our friends." She combs her fingers through Sonic's quills, calming them. "To let people in means to care about what they think and feel. Maybe you don't care about the world's view of you outside what can grant you opportunities to help, but that doesn't mean a part of you doesn't care about what we think. We matter to you; we're what you fight for, and you proudly say that in and out of battle. But when that battle is reflected inward, you could freak out, throwing you off because you're not used to it. What do you think?"

Sonic huffs, squeezing his arms to avoid trancing the scars under his gloves, "It still doesn't make any sense."

"Does it really, or do you think it shouldn't happen because you're Sonic? Because Sonic can't care. If he does, is he risking himself getting hurt again?" Amy pokes his cheek, and Sonic lightly swats it away.

"I hate how Tails was right about you therapizing me." The half-hearted joke isn't lost on Amy.

"And you know it's exactly what you need, or you never would have come over, Buster," She points out knowingly. Sonic pokes his tongue out before sitting up, hugging himself as he turns his back to his friend.

"Basically, my whole problem is that I'm scared of what my friends think of me?"

"Well, it sounds like it." She gives Sonic a curious look. "What's going on that has you so scared we'll look down on you for it?"

Sonic glances over his shoulder at Amy, chewing the inside of his cheek, claws pricking through the fabric of his gloves as he hugs himself tighter.

[iiotic]

Neuvi with a reader who is working towards her degree so is studying alllllll the time and is superrrr busy and while he admires this abt her and admires how beautiful she looks while focusing, he worries for her physical and mental health and maybe just maybe also would like her attention 🤭 tehehehe

BUSY, TOO BUSY..

summary: in which, you, neuvillettes wife recently moved in with him, after some time neuvillette realized that you are overworking youself, working towards your degree, and is busy most of the time how'd he react?

tw: overworking reader?? generally fluff, slightly suggestive at the end, lowercase intended, not proff read, fem reader | wc: 0.6k

thank you for the request!! neuvillette my beloved, hope you enjoy girlie. (not one of my proudest works i hate it omf)

recently, you and neuvillette married, nothing too big mostly just formalities and a small wedding in the city of freedom, mondstadt away from prying eyes of strangers.

then you moved in together, the house wasn't too big yet enough for your comfort. after some time of living together you both learnt some of your habits, how neuvillette would check every morning and before going to sleep if theres any new letters from the melusines, how'd you always wake up at a ceratin hour, how'd neuvillette bring you flowers every week before going to work, leaving them on the kitchen cabinet, or on the bed with a little note attached to it, how'd you and him struggle with the same problem; overworking yourself.

neuvillette didn't realize it at first, you'd always study when he was working. however when he came back and saw you still studying, thinking that you just started or been studing for like an hour he admired your determination. you always looked so focused on your work, your eyes narrowing slightly with you biting your lower lip or your tongue sticking out slightly; beautiful. he found you absolutely mesmerising, even more in those moments.

you managed to find time for it even after cooking, keeping the house clean and coming back from your own work. he never understood why you needed to work, he was makinh enough money already but you insisted telling him that you needed it for your experience, and so he never really brought the subject again.

it all changed when he realized that the cycle repeated itself again, again, again and again. the first or two weeks that it happened he just thought that its the specific hour that you study at, but after that he started to get a little worried about you.

the day would be the same practically everyday; waking up, getting ready, kissing you goodbye, going to work, coming back from work, seeing you study, getting unready, going to sleep sometimes with you or without you in bed.

neuvillette was tired of it. he didn't understand emotions very well and yet he could sense that he missed your touch, your affection, he wanted more than just a kiss goodmorning and goodbye. call it selfish but at this point he couldn't care less. besides don't you know that is unhealthy for you? draining you mentally and physically.

what was his solution? try to get off work for you atleast once every week, which not always succeded as he still is and will be his busty self. (but can you blame him? the whole fontaine reliefs on him.) and take you out on a date, whether it would be taking you to a romantic expensive restaurant, taking you out on a picnic or simply baking or cooking with you at the comfort of your house.

yet it didnt solve everything, sure his "selfish" desires were fulfilled but it didn't sopve the problem of you overworking yourself. he didn't exactly know how to solve it as he struggled with it himself.

so what was the most reasonable thing to do? talk with you about it. he already thought that you were smart already, and dont need to study 24/7 just to get some deegree. the talk could go two ways either a. it would turn into a fight or b. the talk would go smoothly and you end up considering what the chief justice said.

however even though the situation would go in two different ways, it would end up the same way. things would be settled in bed, if you know what i mean. pheraps if the iudex would prove how much "fun" you're missing, you'd change your mind and study less valuing your mental and psychical health more.

at the end of the day you chose the right option, besides your deegree is coming soon, isnt it?

© 2024 iiotic. — do not steal, translate or repost any of my content onto any other platform

[redrandomposts]

a tissue wld be nice thank u 🥹

imagime till hovering at ivan's bedside for hours on end, painstakingly transferring all his past life memories into pen and paper. hes remembering a life of pain and suffering and conga line after conga line of trauma that ivan, present ivan, had pulled them out of before they could go through it in this life. he remembers how he repaid that miracle and he cringes so hard, he thinks the other till in his head cringes with him as well.

imagine till promising to both himself and the till of the previous life that hes going to make it up to the ivan of the past and the ivan of the present this time. he's gonna be a better friend this time around and he wont be as ungrateful as he used to be. it's the least he can do, right ?

but then ivan wakes up and it's like a part of ivan had died out there. there's recognition in his black and red eyes but it's less than what it used to be. the old ivan used to look at him with a painful sort of resignation mixed with longing and regret and mourning. now, this ivan just looks... tired. he looks almost disappointed at being alive and sometimes his gaze just glides over till like he's part of the background.

and it's a small, almost imperceptible thing but when till tries to reach out to ivan... to comfort him maybe... ivan flinches back. the look on his face doesnt change, but ivan flinched back. from till's touch.

till's heart drops.

----

ANYWAYS IDK WHAT I'M DOING IT'S 3AM IM HALF DEAD AND MOURNING TILLIVAN LMAO 😭 idk how to fix these kids help 😭 call me math prof bc all i do is create problems for everyone else to solve bless

— 🌦️

timezone differences are wild. 3am??? 🌦️ put down your phone.

guys its ok a true love's kiss will fix it all up (no it wont)

ivan isn't able to leave the medical ward for another month, and till takes advantage of that time to make it all up. he learns how to bake and brings pastries for ivan, sings love songs written for him, desperately tries to rekindle what they had.

and ivan—ivan falls in love again. he can't help but love; love all the songs and the treats and all of till. when he sees those eyes directed at him, his heart skips several beats at once, when he sees the smile he can't help but feel all is right in the world.

ivan's world is till. even if the world hates him, he cant help but love his world.

[annepsilvaauthor]

Begin Again - Lee Dutton

Pairing: Lee Dutton x OC (Natalie WentWorth)

Summary: The life of renowned lawyer Natalie WentWorth was quiet in Boston, but everything changed when she received a call from a former Harvard colleague, Jamie Dutton. After reflecting a lot, Natalie agreed to solve some problems at the Yellowstone Dutton Ranch, but she did not imagine that her life would change completely when she arrived in Montana. One of the reasons for this change was Lee Dutton, the eldest son of John Dutton, cowboy and livestock agent, who would represent all the comfort she needed to have in the midst of the chaos of the Dutton family. Natalie could begin again at that ranch.

Warnings: Subtle sexual innuendos, brief language, alcohol consumption, angst, smut, fluffy.

Parte II

Boston folks

Natalie stared at the steering wheel, frustration bubbling over. She turned the key in the ignition once more, but all she got was the same pitiful click. Her Volvo refused to start, as stubborn as she was. After everything—being brushed off by John Dutton, navigating a tense auction hall full of Montana’s roughest ranchers, and dealing with Jamie’s half-baked plans—the last thing she needed was a dead car.

She leaned her forehead against the wheel, taking a deep breath. She’d been at this for what felt like forever, but the car wouldn’t budge. Damn it.

Just then, she heard the unmistakable rumble of a truck pulling up behind her. She didn’t need to look to know who it was.

"Car trouble, Miss Wentworth?" Lee’s voice carried that familiar mix of amusement and concern. He was enjoying this far too much.

She sat up straight, took another breath, and forced her face into a mask of calm before turning to face him. "Nope. Just sitting here for fun."

Lee chuckled, his grin widening. He stepped closer to her window. "Need a hand, or are you too proud to admit defeat?"

Natalie narrowed her eyes at him. "I’m perfectly capable of handling my own car, thank you very much."

"Sure you are," he said, leaning against the side of her car, clearly settling in for a long conversation. "But you’ve been at it for a while now, haven’t you? You can keep fighting it, or you can let me help."

She glanced down at the key in her hand, contemplating her options. She hated asking for help, especially from someone like Lee who seemed to think he had the world figured out. But, unfortunately, so did her car.

With a heavy sigh, she turned back to him. "Fine. You win. What can you do?"

Lee straightened up, a cocky grin playing on his lips. "That’s more like it." He walked around to the front of her car, lifted the hood, and took a look. After a few minutes of tinkering, he stepped back and shrugged. "Looks like your battery’s shot. I can tow it for you if you want."

Natalie pursed her lips. "I didn’t realize Montana hospitality involved towing cars for damsels in distress."

Lee gave her a look. "You ain’t no damsel, but we help our own out here. Whether they like it or not."

She crossed her arms, stubbornness flaring up again. "I don’t need rescuing."

"No one said you did," he shot back, heading toward his truck. "But you do need a ride. Now, unless you plan on walking to your new apartment, I suggest you let me do what I’m good at."

She bit her lip, watching him as he hooked up her car to his powerful truck. The man was infuriating, but there was no denying he knew what he was doing. Eventually, she relented, slipping out of her car and making her way toward his truck.

"Just… don’t think this means I owe you anything," she muttered as she climbed into the passenger seat.

"I wouldn’t dream of it," Lee drawled, sliding into the driver’s seat. He turned the key, and the engine roared to life beneath them. As they pulled out of the parking lot, Natalie found herself watching the landscape pass by, the mountains cutting into the sky like jagged teeth.

After a few moments of silence, Lee glanced over at her. "You know, you could’ve just flown in. Would’ve saved you a lot of trouble."

Natalie shrugged, her eyes still on the horizon. "I don’t like flying."

He raised an eyebrow, expecting more. "Bad experience?"

"No," she said simply. "I just don’t like it. I like driving. I like the control, the speed. The feeling of being on the road. Planes… they take that away from you."

Lee chuckled softly. "You like speed, huh? That why you drove thirty-six hours straight just to deal with a bunch of stubborn ranchers?"

She smirked. "Among other things."

He shook his head, half-impressed, half-amused. "You Boston folks are something else."

Natalie shot him a look. "Oh really? And what makes us so different from you ‘cowboys’?"

Lee grinned. "Well, for one thing, we don’t mind helping folks out when they need it. Seems like you city types are too busy trying to prove something all the time."

She bristled at that. "That’s not true. In Boston, people help each other. We just don’t go around assuming everyone needs saving."

Lee raised an eyebrow. "Is that what you think this is? Me trying to save you?"

"You tell me," she retorted. "I didn’t ask for your help."

"No," he agreed, his tone calm. "But that doesn’t mean you didn’t need it."

Natalie opened her mouth to argue but stopped herself. She hated that he had a point. Back in Boston, she was used to fending for herself. It was a dog-eat-dog world, and asking for help was seen as a weakness. Here, though, things were different. People just… helped, without expecting anything in return. It was disconcerting.

"I guess we see things differently," she muttered after a moment. "In the city, no one has time to stop and offer help. Everyone’s too busy."

"Maybe that’s the problem," Lee said quietly, glancing at her. "Out here, we don’t see kindness as a weakness. We just see it as the right thing to do."

She scoffed. "Kindness? You call this kindness? You’ve been teasing me non-stop since we met."

"Hey, I’m just having a little fun," he said, smiling. "Can’t blame me for trying to lighten the mood."

"I can, actually," she replied dryly. "And I will."

He laughed, his deep, warm chuckle filling the cab of the truck. "Alright, alright. I’ll tone it down. But you’ve got to admit—it’s better than sitting in silence, brooding."

"I don’t brood," she snapped.

"Could’ve fooled me," Lee teased. She shot him a glare, but he just smiled wider.

They fell into a more comfortable silence after that, the tension between them easing as they drove. When they reached her new apartment building, Lee parked the truck and got out to unhook her car.

As he finished up, he turned to her. "Need help with your bags?"

Natalie shook her head immediately. "I can manage."

Lee leaned against his truck, folding his arms over his chest. "You sure about that? You don’t have to prove anything to me, you know."

"I don’t need your help, Lee," she insisted, her voice firm. "Just because I’m from the city doesn’t mean I’m incapable of carrying my own bags."

He chuckled. "Never said you couldn’t. Just thought it might be nice for you to take a break, is all."

"I don’t need a break," she replied sharply. "I’ve been taking care of myself for years, and I’m not about to stop now just because some cowboy with a hero complex thinks I should."

Lee’s smile faded, and he raised his hands in surrender. "Alright, Miss Wentworth. Have it your way."

She nodded once, satisfied. But as she grabbed her suitcase from the back seat, she couldn’t help but glance at him out of the corner of her eye. He was still standing there, watching her with that infuriating calmness, like he had all the time in the world.

Finally, she spoke up. "Why do you even care? You don’t know me. You don’t owe me anything."

Lee shrugged. "Doesn’t have to be that complicated. Sometimes, it’s just about doing what feels right."

She stared at him for a moment, trying to make sense of his words. In Boston, everything was calculated. People didn’t do things without a reason. But here, in this strange, wild place, people seemed to operate on a different set of rules—rules she didn’t fully understand.

"Maybe you’re right," she admitted quietly, almost to herself.

Lee smiled again, but this time it was softer, less teasing. "Maybe I am. Or maybe we just see the world differently."

With that, he tipped his hat and climbed back into his truck. "Good luck with the rest of your night, Miss Wentworth. If you need anything else, you know where to find me."

She watched him drive off, the rumble of his truck fading into the distance. As she carried her bags inside, she couldn’t shake the feeling that her time in Montana was going to challenge her in ways she never expected.

And somehow, she didn’t entirely hate the idea.

[rainbogen]

The Worst Mario Sidequest

So you know how, when you're going for 100% in a video game, there's always that objective.

The one where fun goes to die and you're just left feeling miserable the whole way through. Like capturing Morty in Luigi's Mansion 3 or getting all the Sparkle Gems in Patissière 2 in Princess Peach Showtime.

Well, Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door has one sidequest (or trouble, as the game calls it) like that too.

And mamma mia, is it awful...

Now what character traits do you think of when you think of Mario?

Being a good brother to Luigi?

Being a humble sweetheart everyman?

Being the perfect hero who will help anyone in need?

Well this sidequest takes all of those traits... and tosses them straight into the trash.

The Trouble:

So this Toad girl wants to meet Luigi in person to give him cake?

Sounds like a simple enough problem to solve. And it'll feel good to do something nice for Luigi. Especially since all of Mario's interactions with him up until now have had...

...an overwhelming flavour of dismissive apathy.

Without a single moment of kindness from Mario's end.

Huh, that's weird. When I try to tell Luigi about what's going on, he just does his usual dialogue. I can't tell him about his biggest fan.

Is the game bugged or something? ...I'm going to ask around. Maybe someone has some hints on what to do.

[BTW, I will be transscribing most of the text because Tumblr has an image limit.]

You know, you and Luigi look a lot alike. If you swapped clothes, even I might have trouble telling you apart.

By the by, did you find the badge in Poshley Sanctum that changes your clothes? It was high up, deep in there.

Oh and by the way, there's some guy who uses a badge to pretend to be Luigi!

I know that green suit is dreamy, but come ON!

I would never fall for that, so don't even THINK about trying to trick me that way!

I really have no choice but to do this, do it?

YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEK! I can tell... I can totally tell! I've never met him before...

But I can ABSOLUTELY TELL! YOU'RE THE REAL LUIGI!

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH! I knew it! This is so cool! Omigosh! What should I say?

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH! I'm totally freaking him out! I'm freaking out Luigi!

Oh nooo... What should I do? Oh! RIght! Duh! Duh! Duh! The cake!

The one I baked was a total loss... but Zess T. did a great job on this one!

Here you go, Mr. Luigi! Please take this!

Hey, Bro! Say, why are you dressed like me?

Hey! Who...who do you think you are! You filthy imposter! POLIIIIIIIIIIICE!

Whaaaaaat? I'm no impostor! I'm Luigi!

Hey, say something, Mario!

EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEK! EW! EW! EW! How DARE you speak to Luigi, you liar! You LIE-igi!

You'll NEVER be Luigi, no matter how many green hats you wear! Now stop interrupting our special time!

But...I'm pretty sure I'm me! This is a nightmare... A bad dream! I won't believe it! Wake up, Luigi!

The remake only made one change to this sidequest. And that change was to add the sound of Luigi crying.

UGH! Er, oh no... What have I done?! You've seen such a horrible side of me─the worst side!

Don't... Don't worry about it? Oh thanks, really, Luigi. You're so sweet!

And thanks for coming today! I will always treasure these moments. Always!

So please... come see me again, OK?

If you speak to her again while wearing the L Badge:

Oh, wow! You came again!

Luigi remembers me! Luigi remembers me!

My Breakdown:

So that was an utterly miserable expierience from start to finish. Now I'm going to ramble out all the reasons I hate it.

First, there's the elephant in the room of Mario not only not standing up for Luigi, not only taking the side of Luigi's bullies, but actively enabling their bullying of his little bro.

Because that's a character trait Mario is well known for... *bitter sarcasm*

Now one might claim it's unfair compare this moment to media that came out later. Plus there's the technicalities of Paper Mario being a seperate version of Mario.

So from this point on, I'll only be discussing things from this game itself.

Note that this does not make the situation any better.

If anything, the rest of the game makes the trouble look even worse.

For starters... remember this line from Peach much earlier in the game?

When you love someone, you will do anything to help when that person is in trouble.

Well...

Luigi had directly asked for Mario's help, while he was suffering from a problem Mario caused, yet Mario chose to side with the people giving Luigi trouble.

Going by this game's definition of love, Mario feels the furthest thing from it towards Luigi.

If he did love his brother, or even show him the bare minimum amount of respect, he wouldn't have turned the head of the Luigi Fanclub against the man in green.

Wait... a person who steals someone else's identity... and turns people who would normally be on their side against them?

Where have I seen that before?

Oh yeah!!!

That's exactly what Doopliss did to Mario back in Chapter 4!!!

Mario had suffered the same exact thing. He knows just how much this hurts. And yet he willingly put his little brother through the same pain after the fact.

Why did they think it was a good idea to have the story's hero do the exact same thing as the villains, with no exonerating external circumstances? And to reward him for it on top of that??

If anything, what Mario did to Luigi is worse, because Luigi is terrible in social situations, something Mario knows, meaning he'd have an even harder time standing up for himself.

Oh... and speaking of Chapter 4...

The whole reason Vivian joined the party was because Mario showed her the kindness she never got from her abusive older sisters.

So why did they think it would be a good idea to have Mario treat his own younger brother so badly??

Paper Mario in this sidequest is at odds not only with Mario throughout the rest of the franchise, but with himself in the same game!!

And it's not like the writers didn't know what a healthy sibling relationship looks like.

After all, this game has Punio & Petuni, Jolene & Prince Mush, the two Toads from the harbour, heck even Hooktail and Gloomtail of the positive end VS Beldam and Marilyn & Vivian on the negative end.

And speaking of relationships, there's Mario and Toadia's.

Now, Toadia is an idiot and by no means a saint. But at the same time, she's also somewhat of a victim in this situation.

Her conduct makes it very clear that she hates people who pretend to be Luigi. Yet the game makes her fall for the kind of person she detests, turn against the one she admires, and treats this as a good thing.

Whatever she and Mario have going on isn't cute. It's creepy as all heck. It also takes this game's running gag of every girl having the hots for Mario to its worst possible conclusion.

By the by, what is the reward for completing this sidequest?

An item which restores 5 HP and 15 FP.

Which at this point in the game is... uh...

It's such a shame too. This sidequest could have easily been a pretty good one if they just had Mario do something nice for his brother by telling Luigi about his fangirl and let Toadia meet her actual idol.

The reward wouldn't even need to be changed, since you can't convince me that if someone gave Luigi a cake, he wouldn't willingly share some of it with Mario.

Instead, we got an absolute mess where I can't think of a sensible Watsonian motive for Mario's actions other than that he enjoys hurting Luigi.

Also...

Just who is this sidequest for??

It's not for fans of Luigi, since they hate all the overused jokes where he's hated by everyone and made to suffer despite having done nothing wrong.

It's not for fans of Mario, since they don't enjoy seeing him actually being written as an abusive older brother to Luigi. As a moral coward who would rather see his little brother be driven to tears than admidt he did something wrong, and doesn't regret those actions in the slightest. As a creep who can't permit the existence of even one female who loves his brother, but not him.

It's not for the Mario hating contrations, since the game expects the player to be on Mario's side and outright rewards him for being a bad brother.

It's not for fans of the Toads, since it's yet another instance of their only personality trait being hyping up Mario while belittling Luigi for no good reason.

It's not for the old Paper Mario fans, given how it completey bastardises the themes of Chapter 4, widely considered to have some of the best writing in this game.

It's not for parents, since they wouldn't appreciate video games telling their kids it's okay to lie and steal from their siblings.

There's only 3 nice things I have to say about this sidequest:

It doesn't have much in the way of gameplay requirements. So if you're going for 100%, this trouble is quick to clear by just mashing through the text.

It's an easy way to get the recipe for the Choco Cake added to the recipe list, if you somehow haven't done that already. Note that this only applies to the remake.

For how awfully Mario was written here, this sidequest did not cause the bad "Mario is a sociopath" takes... since nobody actually did this game's sidequests prior to the remake. Because you just know that people like Game Theory would have been all over this had they known it existed.

I could go on, but I think I've said enough. So I'll just leave this post off with this.