#and then there is a chance for them to start understanding each other

[corrodedheartsclub]

I’m Dumb She’s a Lesbian

Steddie. Modern au. Getting together. Platonic Stobin. 1685 words.

Steve’s used to people mistaking him and Robin as a couple. Unfortunately, he’s not used to Eddie’s form of problem solving.

After trying to explain to Eddie, without success, that him and Robin are purely platonic, he mistakenly admits that he did have a crush on her briefly, but once he knew it was never going to happen, they’ve become best friend. Platonic soulmates even.

“It’s honestly so for the best, Eddie. We weren’t meant to be a couple. We’re like cosmically linked on a whole other level.” Ok, Steve might be a little high, but he really believe him and Robin are meant to be in the most platonic way possible. He’s laying on Eddie’s bed, the joint their sharing nearly gone, and he can’t help the goofy smile that splits across his face. “Eddie, you know… I actually-”

“You guys are perfect together though! You’re always together, laughing and leaning on each other. How could there be no chance?” Eddie laments.

Steve shakes his head and groans, turning his face into the sheet. Eddie was hopeless.

“You’ve just gotta find the right timing.” Eddie doesn’t understand a world where anyone would shoot down this newly evolved Harrington. He’s perfect, and if Eddie can’t have him, he’ll make it his personal mission to get Steve and Robin together.

Steve’s watching him, wondering what the heck is going on in that head of his. Eddie was a mystery to him.

-

Kicking off his plan, Eddie starts by asking them to go to the movies, only to bail at the last minute. “I completely forgot I promised Wayne I’d help him work on the truck. I’m the worst, but no you guys should still go! Enjoy the movie!” He urges them on.

They sit through a cheesy romcom, and by five minutes in, they’re both questioning Eddie’s choice in movies. Never mind that Steve did end up really like it.

“That was weird, right?” Robin questions as they leave the theater.

“Which part?” Steve was finishing the last of his candy by turning over the box. He looks over at her, a mouthful of sour gummy worms.

Robin laughs, “You look like a creature.”

Steve crosses his eyes and laughs.

She’s shaking her head. “Eddie. He’s being weird. Did you notice anything last night when you guys were hanging out?”

“Mostly that he’s gorgeous and still completely oblivious every time I try to tell him how I feel,” Steve grumbles. “Plus, he’s so convinced we should be dating.”

“We? Like, you and I?” Robin mock gags, but then she jumps and smacks Steve’s arm. “That’s it!”

“Ow what the fuck, Buckley? What’s it?”

“He’s trying to parent trap us!”

Steve looks skeptical, but he starts connecting the dots in his head. He gaps. “Oh fuck.”

“Ok, we’ve just gotta sit him down and tell him we’re not together.”

“You could just tell him you’re gay and have a girlfriend. That would probably kill this idea that we belong together. I mean, he’s gay, so you shouldn’t have to worry about him?” Steve suggests.

“I’m just not ready to scream it from the rooftops. Plus, Vickie’s in the closet too, and I don’t want our time together being put under a microscope and risk outing her before she’s ready. I know I can trust Eddie to be supportive, but he’s so loud and proud and though I love that about him, I worry he’d let it slip on accident.”

Steve understands. Eddie is bold and outgoing, and it’s all wonderful. It’s just not what Robin needs right now. He agrees they just need to sit him down and set the record straight.

-

Steve leans against the counter at Family Video. The day’s been painfully slow so far, and he finds himself slow-blinking at the door, dozing off against his better judgment.

The door chimes and shocks him awake. He’s greeted by Dustin dumping a pile of returns in front of him. “Good morning,” he teases.

He rolls his eyes and groans at him. “You watch too many movies.” He yawns through Dustin’s offended scoff.

“Did you just go to the movies last night? Hypocrite!” Dustin defends.

Steve shoots him a look. “How do you know that? Stalking me, kid?”

“I was picking up character sheets from Eddie. He had some extras and I’m prepping for our next campaign. He said you and Robin were out watching a romcom. Are you guys finally dating?”

Steve lets out a small chuckle. “Ah, the man of the hour. No, we’re not dating, and we’ll never be dating. Eddie’s just trying to make something happen. Nosy little shits, the lot of you.”

Dustin looks skeptical. “Why would Eddie want you and Robin together? That doesn’t make any sense.”

“You’re the one that just asked if we’re finally dating, and now you’re flipping the script. Who’s the hypocrite now?” Steve is scanning in the movies and shaking his head.

“I just mean that Eddie wouldn’t want you guys together because he’s totally into you,” Dustin says it like an obvious fact. “He’s always so whiny about it.”

Steve freezes. “What?”

The kid’s eyes widen as he realizes his overstep. “I shouldn’t have said that.”

Steve’s already reaching for the phone. He punches in Robin’s number and points at Dustin while it rings. “You shouldn’t have. We’re going to talk later about not blabbing other people’s secrets. For now- scram.”

Dustin has the hindsight to look remorseful.

Robin answers with a theatric sigh. “Are you so hopeless without me that you must call on my day off?”

“Change of plans. I’m going to catch Eddie in his own trap, and you’re going to help.”

-

It’s all going according to plan. Steve and Robin find that it’s pretty easy to give Eddie the slip on his attempts.

Eddie tries to get Robin and Steve on a romantic date? Oh no, Robin’s got a family emergency. Eddie, you should stay so Steve isn’t all alone.

Lined up for Robin and Steve have to ride the ferris wheel together? Whoops, Robin remembers she’s afraid of heights at the front of the line, quick Eddie switch with her so Steve didn’t wait in this line for nothing.

Eddie sent flowers to Robin at family video with a card that says from Steve. Shame that the order got mixed up, and they went to Steve instead. Oh, but look how Steve blushes at the delivery.

The duo is feeling pretty good about their plan, but Eddie is losing his mind. Instead of fixing his crush, he’s fallen harder than ever. Every time he thinks he’s set the perfect trap, it twists around, and he finds himself spending more time with Steve. He’s not complaining necessarily. Any time alone with Steve makes his heart pound in his chest, but if he can’t have this perfect guy, he’s set on getting him the girl of his dreams.

Alternatively, Robin is starting to find it more and more difficult to explain to Vickie why she’s playing a game of set-up chicken with her friends.

Robin decides it’s time to end Eddie’s misery.

Her and Steve plan an elaborate picnic out at skull rock. There’s a big blanket, tons of pillows, and the most classic picnic basket you’ve ever seen.

Steve is pacing at the tree line. He needs this to go well. His crush had settled deep in his chest, and Steve was sure it was love. He didn’t want to play games with Eddie. It was time for everyone to clear the air and be direct with their feelings, but he couldn’t help the nerves that made him question everything. What if Eddie didn’t like him? Maybe he really did think Steve and Robin belonged together.

He tries to clear his mind. Robin was telling Eddie to come meet him here right about now. He should be here soon. Steve fiddles with his hair, trying to quell the anxiety.

When Eddie finally makes his way through the woods, Steve isn’t sure how to greet him.

Eddie’s surprised at the setup, and he immediately tries to rationalize it before Steve can get a word out. “Did you mean for me to come here? Buckley said you were looking for me, but I can go get her? Or do you need help setting up… I’m not sure you can do much else. It looks perfect.”

Steve is dumbfounded at Eddie’s ability to completely misread his intent, once again.

“No, Eddie, I meant for you to be here. This is for you.” He tries to speak clearly, leaving no room for confusion.

Eddie looks utterly confused. “For me?”

Steve can’t help his fond smile. “Yes, dummy. You. If you can stop trying to set me up with my best friend for a minute, I’ve been trying to ask you out for a while now.”

The man is gaping at him. “No. You’re not serious.”

He groans and tosses his hands up. “Eddie, what do I have to do to convince you?” Steve stares at him for a moment before he gets a bright idea. He stands up straight, walks up to Eddie in two long strides, grabs his face, and kisses him.

Eddie lets out a surprised noise before grabbing at Steve’s arms, waist, hair, anything for purchase to pull him closer.

Steve parts, pressing their foreheads together and keeping Eddie close. Eddie whines softly before looking back at Steve, trying to understand it all.

“I just wanted you to be happy. I didn’t think- I had no idea this was an option. Even if it couldn’t be with me, I just knew you deserved all the happiness,” the words spill out as Eddie reaches up to touch Steve’s face gently, tracing along his jaw reverently.

“I’m in love with you. I tried to get the words out so many times, but I was so nervous for how you’d react.” Steve leans into the touch.

Eddie’s breath hitches. “I love you too.”

-

Later, Robin introduces Eddie to her girlfriend, and he spends the rest of the afternoon apologizing for his schemes.

[unsolicited-opinions]

how long do you give it for the Free Palestine movement, as it stands right now, to self-implode?

I'm not going to make predictions about the Western "Free Palestine" movement, but I'll try to put it in some context.

How Long Until the Western "Free Palestine" Movement Implodes?

Pattern Recognition: Comrades Eat Comrades

Western leftist movements are uniquely good at destroying themselves from within. I don't mean in a vague "movements always change" kind of way. I mean they start off energized, decentralized, idealistic…and then flame out in spectacular fashion after turning on their own organizers for being insufficiently pure.

Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) collapsed in the 1970s when it split into warring factions…some of whom literally became terrorists.

Occupy Wall Street No hierarchy, no demands, no outcomes. Just a long, slow descent into incoherence as activists argued over process, language, identity, and whose trauma deserved the most microphone time.

The problem wasn't the cause.

It was the belief that moral clarity must always mean moral absolutism. Absolutism inevitably leads to internal purges. The only real suspense is how fast it happens. Ideological rigidity eventually leads to doom.

Say what you want about the political far right (and I do because they suck), but they do understand how to rally behind a single message and follow a demagogue without asking whether he centers each of their specific sub-groups and sub-interests.

We saw in the 2024 election how many leftist purists were willing to help sabotage an imperfect candidate generally aligned with their values...and help elect Trump.

Why? Because the candidate who agreed with 65%-70% of their positions was more offensive to them than someone who has openly expressed admiration for Hitler. (How's that been working out for you, leftist purists?) These parts of the far left have their heads firmly up their own pure asses. They can’t/won't see the forest for the trees.

They subvert the goals they claim to care about because they're too busy performing their purity and moral absolutism for each other and clout instead of trying to effect changes to policy.

An Aesthetic of Resistance

The Western "Free Palestine" movement, especially since October 7th, has exploded in scale and visibility.

While some people are genuinely driven by concern for Palestinian civilians, a whole lot of others are clearly in it for the aesthetic, the vibes, the social belonging, or the drama.

It's a chance to cosplay 1968 without reading anything published before 2010.

What the Western "Free Palestine" movement offers isn't a roadmap to peace, justice, or statehood. It offers an identity. It's a moral fashion statement. You wear the scarf, you learn the slogans, you change your bio, and…congratulations! You're part of something Righteous and you didn't have to sacrifice or even learn anything!

An aesthetic of resistance, however, is not a strategy. It doesn't change policy. It doesn't build power. It doesn't endure.

Worse, it doesn't tolerate any nuance. In a coalition built on branding, anyone who doesn't fit the brand becomes a threat.

It can't permit any introspection or growth, so while might grow in size, extremism, or tactics, it's intellectually sterile, and that can make it ineffective and/or brittle.

Pattern Recognition: Factions and Purges

Leftist movements which base their legitimacy on moral purity almost always eventually turn inward.

First they identify the oppressor, then then identify the collaborators, then they start purging anyone insufficiently zealous. Eventually, everyone's a collaborator.

That’s already happening.

Mainstream ceasefire activists have been smeared as traitors by more radical circles for not calling explicitly for the abolition of Israel. Members of groups like JVP or IfNotNow (who for years were considered the "edgy" left flank) are now sometimes labeled as gatekeepers, liberals, or even crypto-Zionists for refusing to call October 7 a legitimate form of resistance…and JVP and INN keep shifting with the overton window of their movement to greater degrees of extremism.

Arab and Palestinian organizers who speak about nonviolence, coexistence, or long-term political strategy are being pushed out of leadership roles and branded as traitors...by white cultural Christians who know far less about the matter than they do. If they suggest anything other than total victory for Hamas and the destruction of Israel "by any means necessary," they're branded a sellout or a Westernized Zionist. The movement increasingly rewards people who sound revolutionary...not people who organize effectively.

Jewish allies to their movement, even the extremely anti-Zionist ones, are walking on eggshells. Support is conditional. They're expected to show up, shut up, and definitely not talk about antisemitism unless they want to be accused of derailing and supporting genocide. The number of Jews who've been publicly smeared or privately frozen out by movements they supported is growing fast, and most of them aren't saying anything. They just walk away. I don't know what their numbers are, but I've spoken with a handful like this. In each case, it was the privately unrestrained antisemitism which broke the spell and helped them realize what was happening.

Internal discourse policing is relentless. Want to talk about the complexity of Hamas's role in Palestinian suffering? You're platforming Zionist narratives. Want to discuss how sexual violence on October 7 has been minimized? That's "white feminism." Want to clarify that Jewish self-determination doesn’t inherently mean colonialism? You've committed the cardinal sin of nuance and must be purged.

None of this is new. It’s the same bullshit which took down SDS, tore apart the anti-Iraq war movement, and gutted Occupy from the inside. When your movement decides internal deviation is a bigger threat than external opposition, it stops building anything and just chases ideological purity.

Social Media May Accelerate the Cannibalism

In the past, movements have sometimes eaten themselves slowly. SDS took years. The anti-globalization movement unraveled over the better part of a decade. 

That was all before social media. Now what used to take five years can happen in five weeks.

Every far left movement now has an online wing and an IRL wing. The online wing is where purity spirals metastasize because virality rewards outrage, not organization.

Calling someone a colonial apologist gets more engagement than helping to register voters.

But Engagement ≠ Change.

So what does that mean for the Free Palestine movement? It might just undergo a slow, chaotic unraveling. Callouts, splintering, people walking away in frustration or disgust because they're too tired of it to say much about it as they just…stop showing up.

"Free Palestine" means..?

One of the biggest warning signs here is that no one consistently agrees on what the endgame is. We know that to Hamas it means the end of Israel, but it's much more vague for many "Free Palestine" activists. It can mean:

End the occupation of the West Bank!

Ceasefire!

One-state solution!

Two-state solution!

Third intifada, globalized!

Dismantle the state of Israel!

Ask 10 of them, get 12 answers. In normal movements, that's no big deal, because people are allowed to disagree. In this movement, though, disagreement is treated like betrayal.

If you say you support a two-state solution, you're a filthy Zionist.

If you mention Hamas's role in civilian suffering, you're a genocide denier.

If you're Jewish and support Palestinian rights (that describes most Jews), you'd better not talk about antisemitism lest you be accused of centering yourself, weaponizing antisemitism/trauma, and supporting genocide.

And if you try to discuss actual policy? That's imperialist behavior!

This isn't just ideological incoherence, it's a refusal to tolerate difference...which can make organizing unsustainable.

So will it implode soon?

I very much doubt it.

Will it unravel soon? 

Almost certainly not. The slogans, at the very least, will stick around and the hashtags aren't going anywhere because they've become identity signifiers.

A lot of the disinformation fed to Gen Z has been sticky and I'm concerned what the US will be like when they reach the peak of their political power.

There will always be a core of people pushing for Palestinian liberation (whatever that means to them), and some of them will have good intentions and/or good strategy. Some of today's antizionist zealots will eventually come around and start hearing Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib.

The count of antizionist social media accounts and posts will continue to be high - much higher than the number of actual belly buttons in the movement IRL, due to bots and agents controlled by those seeking to destabilize the West. Those probably won't go away any time soon and are likely to get much more sophisticated, effective, and difficult to screen out...because AI.

But as a mass movement? As a unifying force with real impact on politics? Something which puts people on streets in huge numbers? I'm less sure about that. From here, it looks like it's already fraying around the edges. The internal fights, the factionalism, the paranoia about bad-faith actors, the purity tests, the bizarre rituals of performance...that looks to me like the start of a collapse by attrition.

What if it just hangs out in the ideological natural reservoir of academia?

It's already been absorbed into academic discourse and nonprofit branding, right? It may just live there in a natural reservoir while continuing to do nothing material to improve Palestinian lives.

I'm not sure if/how it can be dislodged from academia. I can't support Trump's methods, but the absence of ideological diversity is both alarming and predictable.

From graduate admissions to peer-reviewed publishing, career advancement in the humanities often depends not on the originality or rigor of an argument, but on how well it aligns with prevailing orthodoxies. Scholars are trained to cite the right theorists, frame questions within accepted ideological paradigms, and signal moral allegiance to dominant narratives, particularly around identity, power, and oppression.

You pass your dissertation defense if your committee LIKES YOUR VIEWS. If your dissertation shows excellent scholarship which disputes their preferred narrative, you've wasted years and tens of thousands of dollars...and there are already more degreed scholars than faculty positions in these disciplines. So they're highly motivated to conform.

So dissent is pathologized instead of being debated. The result isn’t a community seeking truth, but a faculty enforcing consensus. Challenging the orthodoxy ends friendships and careers.

That's how you end up with an entire Middle Eastern Studies department which only knows and only teaches one narrative. It's not just a political problem, it's an intellectual ans social problem.

(On a personal level, this makes me very sad. When I was an undergrad in the 90s, I learned so much from the disagreements between professors I respected. I also admired the civility and intellectual honesty they offered each other.)

So...it seems like academia is going to be an ideological natural reservoir for the movement until that's addressed somehow without resorting to fascist tactics.

Maybe it'll splinter out into competing groups with varying flavors and intensities of dogmatism.

There are groups and individuals within the movement who think Amnesty International is a Zionist PSYOP.

There are self-styled anarchists and communists who want violence. They want chaos. When these people chant "by any means necessary," I have no problem believing they're willing to resort to domestic political violence to globalize the intifada.

Maybe some violent factions will splinter off like the Weather Underground splintered from SDS.

The revolutionary left has been recycling these dynamics for over a century.

The rhetoric tends to be more lasting than the movements which use it, because movements built on purity or aesthetics rarely build lasting institutions or effect meaningful positive change.

The Party Dynamics

Forget "Free Palestine" for a moment and look at the bigger picture.

It may be hard to believe right now because the Free Palestine people are so loud, but most Congressional Democrats continue to support Israel's right to exist as a Jewish state. Party leadership has repeatedly affirmed this position, and recent bipartisan resolutions backing Israel's legitimacy passed overwhelmingly, with only a small group of "progressive" dissenters. While a vocal minority on the far left calls for conditions on aid and proposes condemnations of Israel, they don't represent today's Democratic party. Voting records, public statements, and primary outcomes all show that the Democratic caucus remains broadly pro-Israel, even as internal debates have grown louder.

But:

Since Clinton, Democrats have largely hugged the center, while polarization on the Right exploded...culminating in the MAGA takeover of the GOP.

Now the Left has its own hardliners, people whose politics are less democratic and more dogmatic. That's the very vocal minority. That's AOC/Tlaib/Omar.

...and they're driving moderates away from their party.

Trump didn’t surge in 2024 because Americans suddenly loved him. A lot of voters were running from a Democratic Party they see as increasingly dysfunctional and in which the loudest voices are often the most extreme.

The Democratic party's base keeps pulling left, but the candidates the "progressive" wing would nominate for a general election wouldn't do well.

AOC polls better than you might expect and may be beloved in Brooklyn or Berkeley, but she's still deep underwater nationally. If Kamala Harris was successfully cast as "too far left," AOC would be radioactive anywhere but the coasts. AOC may well take Schumer's senate seat in New York, but in a national election she'd likely crash and burn.

The far left isn't going to win the White House or a congressional majority any time soon because it alienates allies and energizes opponents...but a takeover of the Democratic party seems possible. Maybe not likely, but possible.

If you think that's silly, please note that nobody thought Trump would hijack the GOP and remake it in his image so quickly...until he did.

If you oppose the rising political power of the antizionist movement, get involved in Democratic party politics and help move them in more practical, policy-focused directions.

Final answer?

I'm less concerned about how/when the Free Palestine movement will end than I am about how many good people will be hurt by it before it does.

[midniqhtt]

comfort fic reads II 4k celebration

₊˚⊹⋆ main masterlist ꨄ︎ part two list ₊˚⊹⋆

a/n: list got too long and had me maxed out. so i shifted some fandoms to part two instead.

hi loves! i never do anything for celebrating but i thought i could make a big list of all my favorite fics i’ve read over the past few months/years and continue rereading. i can never get enough of showing my appreciation for writers and all their hard work, and i want them to know i think of these fics/series at least once a day ♡︎ i say ‘comfort’ but theres more angst lol

key- A: angst II F: fluff II S: smut II SB: slow burn II C: comfort

.𖥔 MARVEL .𖥔

𝑩𝑶𝑩 𝑹𝑬𝒀𝑵𝑶𝑳𝑫𝑺

ꨄ︎ loving you is easy two II @blank-potato II A + F

You and Bob are indifferent to each other, never seeming to mesh. But when you lose your memory, something new blooms between the two of you.

ꨄ︎ fooled around and fell in love II @flowersforbucky II S + A + F

you've never been one for commitment, and your teammates know it. when you and bob start seeing each other, it takes them by surprise and makes them worry about how he'll react to the heartbreak that they expect to follow. what they don't understand - you've never felt like this about anyone.

ꨄ︎ soft currents next to you II @nghtwngs II S + A + F

there is falling in love. there is also falling into another universe. there is also falling in love again.

ꨄ︎ home is where the heart is II @ilovemilestellersmoustache II A + F

Wanting to feel more included Bob decides to help on a mission but in efforts to protect you he injures himself leaving him with amnesia. Your boyfriend not remembering isn’t the biggest problem because he’s always going to find you again, even in a hundred lifetimes.

ꨄ︎ soulmate II @geminiwritten II A + C

you're engaged to bucky when you find out that not only are fated mates real, but you have one... and it's not your fiancé

ꨄ︎ we can’t be friends part two II @tfatwsbarnes II A

bob always wondered why you didn’t favour him over the rest of your team. until he learned that you had unsettled the bones of the tva.

ꨄ︎ cowboy like me II @goldenlikedayl1ght II A + F

you get a text from an old friend and think.. you could do worse than a book club.. with some benefits.

ꨄ︎ xerox two three II @ichori II A + SB + C

you had one last job before you were free. no more splitting, no more deaths. unfortunately, that job seemed to rope in four other assassins and a... a man in hospital-wear?

𝑩𝑼𝑪𝑲𝒀 𝑩𝑨𝑹𝑵𝑬𝑺

ꨄ︎ bad boys don’t buy flowers II @espinosaurusrexex II S + A + F

Bucky would have never thought, he’d be chasing after a girl. Not when all of them usually fell at his feet. But when he finds himself entangled in a deal born out of a desperate argument with his assistant, he realizes there is nothing he wouldn't do for you: The independent florist who is adamantly dragging him to the homeless shelter every chance she gets. There is just one problem: Bucky doesn't know how to tell you. And the teasing from his friends is certainly not making things easier for him...

ꨄ︎ come back to you II @buckyalpine II F

What happens when a time travel mission ends up with a version of Bucky from the 40′s standing on the time travel platform.

ꨄ︎ curiosity killed the cat II @queers-gambit II A + C

after rescuing you from kidnappers, you overhear your boyfriend-turned-savior complain about how clingy you've become.

ꨄ︎ you’re my desire part two II @marvelouslizzie and @notafunkiller II S + F

Your best friend drags you out on a double date. You were supposed to be Steve Rogers' date, but plans change pretty quickly and you end up in Bucky Barnes' arms.

ꨄ︎ graveyard part two II @wkemeup II A + C

As the unofficial healer for the Avengers, you pride yourself on the ability to mend heroes with the touch of your hand. Only, your gift comes at a heavy price — one you keep secret from your friends —and when Bucky asks you to do the impossible, they’ll discover why your gift is called a sacrifice, too. 

ꨄ︎ dreamscape II @/wkemeup II A + C

When Bucky falls under the spell of a Djinn, the line between fantasy and reality blurs. In order to survive, he must fight his way back to the real world - even if it costs him everything he's ever wanted.

ꨄ︎ blurred lines part two II @ellemj II S + A + F

When choosing a female agent to send back in time to gain young Sergeant Barnes's trust, everyone's in agreement that it should be Sharon. Until Bucky, the man that you barely get along with, speaks up and lets everyone know that it could only be you.

ꨄ︎ love language II @/flowersforbucky II S + F

snapshots of your relationship with bucky told through the five love languages.

ꨄ︎ flashing lights part two II @pellucid-constellations II A + C

Bucky’s worst fears come true when he’s called to a scene. If he’s the one with the dangerous job, then why is it your life that’s hanging in the balance?

ꨄ︎ stay still part two II @buckysknifecollection II A + C

What if your soulmate was the one person you had hurt the most?

ꨄ︎ saturn II @shurisneakers II A

you die. bucky tries to bring you back (or) close to a year after you die, bucky's desperation finally finds an answer. but it may not be the one he's hoping for.

ꨄ︎ bleeding heart II mournthebird II A + C

You're his assigned nurse.

ꨄ︎ 40s!bucky II @helaintoloki II A + F

after accidentally sending yourself back in time, you run into a younger version of the man you loathe only to find yourself questioning your feelings for him

𝑱𝑶𝑯𝑵 𝑾𝑨𝑳𝑲𝑬𝑹

ꨄ︎ under my skin II @/flowersforbucky II F

what first begins as a series of bad luck shows you a different side of the man who normally drives you crazy.

ꨄ︎ moral of the story II @starktonyx II A

You never expected to be blindly sent to kill your ex-husband, but when you cross paths again in looping shame rooms, it’s like going through the pain all over again.

𝑴𝑨𝑻𝑻 𝑴𝑼𝑹𝑫𝑶𝑪𝑲

ꨄ︎ without you part 2 II @foli-vora II A

You return after the 'blip'. Five years is a long time, and a lot of things can happen in that time.

𝑴𝑶𝑶𝑵 𝑲𝑵𝑰𝑮𝑯𝑻

ꨄ︎ for science II @projectionistwrites II S + A + C

In which the Moon Knight alter system presents a unique opportunity to settle the nature versus nurture debate, once and for all...

ꨄ︎ red flags II @astroboots and @thirstworldproblemss II S + A + F

Sweet as he is, dating Steven means you have to be willing to ignore a few red flags along the way. 

ꨄ︎ the jake problem pt2 II @bensolosbluesaber II S + A + C

Jake hates you. Like really hates you, which wouldn’t be a problem if you weren’t dating Steven and Marc. But maybe, just maybe, Jake doesn’t hate you.

𝑷𝑬𝑻𝑬𝑹 𝑷𝑨𝑹𝑲𝑬𝑹

ꨄ︎ sunset lovers II @duskholland II F

you’ve never met your soulmate, but you know his handwriting like the back of your hand—literally. every word your soulmate writes on his skin appears on yours, and vice versa. you’re desperate to meet him, but until the universe decides to introduce you, you’re stuck with scribbled smiley faces and chemistry formulae.

ꨄ︎ one more to see you II @waitimcomingtoo II A

in an effort to see Peter again, you Dream Walk and learn it’s consequences

𝑷𝑰𝑬𝑻𝑹𝑶 𝑴𝑨𝑿𝑰𝑴𝑶𝑭𝑭

ꨄ︎ silent treatment II @floral-and-fine II A + C

where the words their soulmate speaks first are tattooed on their arm.

𝑺𝑻𝑬𝑽𝑬 𝑹𝑶𝑮𝑬𝑹𝑺

ꨄ︎ watchful eyes II @/espinosaurusrexex II S + A + F

When your best friend gets you a new job, cleaning the apartment of the most successful man in New York City, you don't hesitate to accept. The pay is more than good, and the man himself is better than any eye candy you have ever seen. Unbeknownst to you, you've caught his attention just as much. Steve can't keep his mind off you, so much so, that he drives everyone around him insane with his grumpiness when you aren't around. It seems like he has to take matters into his own hands when he realizes, you're too shy to take things further yourself.

ꨄ︎ out of time pt2 pt3 pt4 pt5 pt6 pt7 pt8 II @after-avenging-hours II S + A + F

When Steve is poisoned on a mission, his only hope is a pure Super Soldier Serum. You travel to 1943 to find it—but without the infinity stones, your actions could change the future. Can you save him before time runs out?

.𖥔 TOP GUN .𖥔

𝑩𝑶𝑩 𝑭𝑳𝑶𝒀𝑫

ꨄ︎ the plan II @/geminiwritten II A + F

the squad are all pretty sure that bob has a thing for you, but you're not convinced, so you hatch a plan to tease him within an inch of his life until he snaps

ꨄ︎ the kind of girl i could love II @roosterforme II F

Bob has a secret admirer, but he's convinced it's actually Jake and Nat messing with him. 

𝑩𝑹𝑨𝑫𝑳𝑬𝒀 𝑩𝑹𝑨𝑫𝑺𝑯𝑨𝑾

ꨄ︎ love to lie pt2 pt3 pt4 II @/ddejavvu II A + F

Your worst fear is recognized when Bradley’s jet goes down with him in it. You’re not sure why you’re still his emergency contact, you’d broken up two weeks ago, but when you rush into the hospital room, you discover that you have a chance to fix the mistake you’d been cursing yourself for. The only problem is, you have to lie to Bradley, and you discover that you love doing it if it means you get to be with him again.

ꨄ︎ things unseen and heard II @bloatedandalone04 II S + A + F

the one where you overhear bradley talk about you to jake and decide to give him the space he apparently wanted.

ꨄ︎ playing games II @/geminiwritten II A + F

you've been best friends with rooster for years and you're both obviously in love with each other, but he refuses to cross that line... until you accept some help from hangman and he takes the game just a little too far

ꨄ︎ wrong number II @roosterforme II F

Bradley was planning on a quiet night at home with a beer and a basketball game on TV. When he receives a text from a wrong number, he's left looking at a beautiful photo of you. Now he just needs to persuade you to ditch the guy you meant to text and focus on him instead.

ꨄ︎ between friends II @sometimesanalice II S + F

Bradley and you don’t talk about that Spring Break. But a single question asked during a night out at the Hard Deck might just change things between the two of you forever.

ꨄ︎ trouble in paradise II @/sunlightmurdock II S + A

After the most painful break-up of his life, Rooster is stationed in Hawaii for the next six months. Alone, away from home and hurting, he finds comfort in the arms of a stranger.

ꨄ︎ i’ll show you good, restore your faith II @/se7entyrell II A + F

Your relationship with Bradley is new. Really new. Like, 'haven't let him smell your morning breath yet' new. But when he gets a call telling him that his mom is dying, you find yourself driving him to San Diego in the middle of the night, preparing to meet his entire extended family during the worst period of their lives.

ꨄ︎ terms of endearment II @ohtobeleah II A + C (heavy themes)

They always say when you aren’t looking for love it tends to find you. So when you and your daughter turn up in Fighter Town, Bradley Bradshaw is instantly infatuated. With reluctance to trust and harbouring a bad past, you don’t make it easy for the fighter pilot to love you.

𝑱𝑨𝑲𝑬 𝑺𝑬𝑹𝑬𝑺𝑰𝑵

ꨄ︎ domestic fantasy II @/geminiwritten II F

your ex is coming back to collect some things he left behind and you accidentally tell him that you have a new boyfriend, so hangman accepts the role of your new (fake) boyfriend

ꨄ︎ dirty laundry part two II @/geminiwritten II S + A + F

after a couple months of living together, you're still completely oblivious to how you affect jake and he's starting to spiral because now he's... feeling things

ꨄ︎ medical emergency II @marvelwitchergilmore II F

When Jake gets a call asking to pick you up from the hospital, it's safe to say he's confused. Especially considering neither of you were known for getting along with the other.

ꨄ︎ sign of the times pt2 pt3 pt4 pt5 pt6 pt7 II @se7entyrell II S + A

You're destined to die in Jake Seresin's arms. In every life, in every iteration, it's inescapable. Whether you loathe, or love each other, each ending stays the same. But what if it doesn't have to?

ꨄ︎ spring fling pt2 pt3 pt4 pt5 pt6 pt7 II @ddejavvu II F (in progress)

You should have known the ‘no refunds’ detail on the website for Spring Fling was a red flag. But you paid no mind to it, eager to be assigned a quick fuck for spring break. When the man that walks through your cabin door is none other than Jake 'Hangman' Seresin, your wildly infuriating fellow pilot, you have two choices: bicker the entire time and have a miserable spring break, or fuck.

.𖥔 MISCELLANEOUS .𖥔

𝑹𝑯𝑬𝑻𝑻 𝑨𝑩𝑩𝑶𝑻𝑻

ꨄ︎ odds are stacked II @sunlightmurdock II S

In which Rhett loses a bet and you lose your virginity.

𝑻𝒀𝑳𝑬𝑹 𝑶𝑾𝑬𝑵𝑺

ꨄ︎ all yours II @/geminiwritten II A + F

after being best friends and chasing storms with tyler for years, one night changes everything... now you're staring at a pregnancy test with two pink lines—and just as you're working up the nerve to tell him, tyler announces to the world that he never wants to settle down or have kids

ꨄ︎ orange juice II @ahsokaismyqueen II S + F

When it's time to interview a group of storm chasers for your new book, you get sent back to your hometown. You never would have guessed one of the people you'd be interviewing would be your ex boyfriend. And you might still be a little in love with him.

ꨄ︎ no hesitation II @briefinquiries II S + F

Tyler would be the type of guy that if a girl came up to him and said ‘this guy is creepy, pls pretend to be my bf’ he would be like ‘hell yay’ and scare the guy away

𝑪𝑯𝑹𝑰𝑺 𝑩𝑬𝑪𝑲

ꨄ︎ all the stars are closer II @kashimos-hajime II A + F

mark watney wasn’t the only one left behind on mars, and as you struggle to survive on the desert planet, hidden feelings come to light between you and your best friend, dr. chris beck.

𝑪𝑳𝑨𝑹𝑲 𝑲𝑬𝑵𝑻

ꨄ︎ all american boy II @scribes-of-valar II A + C

Your friend has been distant for months, all of a sudden he's a brand new man. He's practically a puppy dog following after you and you're not sure how to feel. What's a girl to do when she suddenly finds herself looking at not one, but two Clark Kent's?

ꨄ︎ no.1 party anthem II @sunsburns II F

what was supposed to be a night for work takes an unexpected turn when you run into clark kent—alone at a restaurant, waiting for a date who seems to have no intention of showing up. poor guy.

𝑴𝑰𝑪𝑯𝑨𝑬𝑳 𝑹𝑶𝑩𝑰𝑵𝑨𝑽𝑰𝑻𝑪𝑯

ꨄ︎ an itch you can’t scratch pt2 II @theonewiththefanfics II S + A + F

After taking a bad fall, Y/N gets rushed to the ED of Pittsburg Trauma Medical Hospital only to come face to face with a man she had a one-night stand with, and who ghosted her that same morning without a word - Dr. Michael "Robby" Robinavitch. As if her bad day couldn't get any worse than it was...

[makelifeyourbitch42]

Realism ≠ No Mansion

So I saw a confession on the Creepypasta Confessions blog and I am pissed.

First off, to be clear: I’m not trying to attack anyone personally. But I am extremely tired of people throwing around takes like this and calling it “realism” because it’s not. It’s uncreative and borderline gatekeeping.

This is gonna be a long one. Buckle up:

🚫 Saying “Jeff would kill everyone”

That’s not realism. That’s avoiding the question of why he might not. You’re dodging character complexity in favor of edge.

👁 Saying “Eyeless Jack only sees others as prey”

That’s not realistic. It’s ignoring that even monstrous characters might have nuance or boundaries, or that he might recognize other cursed beings as more than meat.

🎮 Saying “BEN Drowned only sees others as pawns”

You're writing off any chance of him forming actual relationships or attachments.

🎪 Saying “Laughing Jack sees them as entertainment”

Again, yeah… until he doesn’t. What happens when the entertainment fails? What happens when he connects? Explore that.

💋 Saying “Nina only cares about Jeff”

Okay, and what about after? What about growth? What about disappointment or found family? You’re locking her character in amber.

⏰ Saying “Clockwork and Toby are too insane to get along”

So… you’ve never heard of shared trauma bonds, dissociation, or neurodivergent kinship, huh? They're more than their instability.

👧 Saying “Sally won’t trust anyone”

Great. That’s the start of a story. What about the arc? Who does she learn to trust? What brings that wall down?

�� Saying “Slenderman isn’t a father figure to everyone”

Sure. But why can’t he be one to someone? Who sees him that way? What does he feel about that? Explore the dissonance, not just the denial.

🔥 “Realism” Isn’t an Excuse to Be Boring

I’m sorry you couldn’t think of ways these characters might grow, clash, bond, or just coexist without stabbing each other, but don’t act like that’s realism.

Here’s some so-called “realistic” reasons for why Slenderman might have a mansion just pulled out my ass just right now:

Maybe it’s not his, it’s just a convenient base

Maybe he built it to contain or protect his proxies

Maybe a proxy built it for him

Maybe it’s just a house from when he was human, if you roll with that theory

Why might Jane and Jeff exist in the same space?

Slenderman's forcing them to

Jane’s forgiven him, Jeff doesn't have to stay evil

She’s forgotten what he did, Slenderman gave Toby amnesia why not her?

You can write any of this in a grounded, character-driven way. “Realistic” doesn’t mean “everyone is alone and evil forever.” It means understanding why they’re not.

💡 This Mindset Hurts New Creators

What pisses me off the most is that someone who wants to write a “realistic AU” might see this garbage take and think:

“Oh… I guess I can’t do that.”

YES. YOU. CAN. If you want to write a mansion AU? Do it. If you want to make them friends, enemies, exes, reluctant roommates? Go wild.

Just ask yourself why it works. Get creative. Build the bridges. Tell the story. Stop saying "this can't work." And say, "How can this work?"

Don’t let boring people kill possibility and call it "canon."

[maspers]

I remember how when Chapter 2 came out there were multiple people who noticed that Ralsei went largely unnoticed by the inhabitants of the Dark World, like how Queen forgot to bring a cage for him and him otherwise being often overlooked by the other Darkners in favor of focusing more on Kris and Susie (or Noelle). I dunno how prevalent the scrutinization of it was but I do remember it being a weird thing people noticed.

But then Chapters 3 and 4 come along and suddenly the Darkners seem much more aware of Ralsei's presence? Sure, Tenna focuses on Kris a lot because backstory but overall he treats the three heroes as a cohesive group, including all three of them in the different minigames and giving each of them opportunities to shine. Heck, he seems to deliberately draw attention to Ralsei, what with the plushie running gag and all. And while Gerson is obviously most focused on helping Susie, he goes out of his way to bring Ralsei tea and otherwise directly address him. Of course, Gerson isn't exactly a regular Darkner, but in Chapter 2 the Lightners seemed just as likely to overlook Ralsei as the Darkners were, Berdly and Noelle don't seem to comment on him at all, with Noelle only bringing him up as a minor detail to her "weird dream" when she discusses him in Chapter 4. (The Darkners aside from Gerson and Jackenstein in Chapter 4 don't seem to give Ralsei any special attention, but honestly they don't give any of the three heroes special attention, the Ch 4 Darkners are weird.)

Maybe I'm reading too much into it, but it kind of feels like the Dark World is starting to pay more attention to Ralsei because Kris and Susie are paying more attention to Ralsei. Before the events of Ch 1, his Castle Town is pretty much empty and abandoned, and he only really seemed to exist for the sake of acting as a tutorial/guide/moral compass if need be. He's just fulfilling his role in the prophecy, nothing more, so the rest of the Darkners treat him in kind. But because Kris and Susie view him as a person and refuse to let him fade into the background, filling Castle Town with recruits and doing their best to emphasize the importance of Ralsei's personhood, the other Darkners reflect that in their behavior as well. Ralsei suddenly is directly involved in making choices in the plot, and I don't think he understands how to cope with that. Or maybe I'm just delusional?

On a completely unrelated note, there's a nonzero chance that Ralsei is completely off the mark about his role in the prophecy and the "Prince of the Dark" is actually Lancer (or like, some other guy, but it'd be funny if it was Lancer), and I genuinely think if that's the case Ralsei would NOT react well. There's already been some people discussing ambiguity about the terms used in the Prophecy to describe the three heroes, and while it could be a red herring it could also lead to some really crazy twists down the line. And Ralsei... Ralsei doesn't react well to twists, I think.

[blissfullsvn]

bungee

summary. there are two things to know about han taesan. one, han taesan is hard to understand, and two, han taesan does not like you. it turns out that neither of these are particularly true.

pairing. han taesan x reader genre. fluff, college/university!au word count. 1.3k warning. brief mention of drinks being spiked (not from MCs) a/n. in love with the concept of taesan looking so cool but being the most idiotic specimen on earth but even i think he’s questionable here 🧍‍♀️ nonetheless, i hope you enjoy this as much as i did! reblogs are welcomed with open arms :D masterlist

taesan has always been a bit of an enigma.

he dresses like your typical emo skater boy, but is obsessed with chococat. he hates being called a cat, but has all kinds of cat-related accessories for his outfits. he looks like he would never be seen within a five-meter radius of any dessert, but always has five packs of pudding in his bag. 

but above all, what truly confuses you is how he treats you.

for starters, taesan doesn’t like you.

at the very least, he’s uncomfortable around you.

that’s a well-established fact. has been, ever since you started hanging out with jaehyun and naturally integrated with the rest of his group. taesan has always kept his distance with you, even after you’ve grown close enough with everyone else for them to show up at your door unannounced. whenever it comes to you, he’s always chosen to be at the sidelines, walk a few steps behind, pipe up with minimal responses.

but it’s not like you have anything against him for that. you know it’s impossible for everyone to get along, even if it’s within the same friend group—especially when you joined later than everyone else—and it’s not like taesan has ever said or done anything offensive to you; he just . . . tolerates you. 

as easily as your friends welcomed you with open arms, you simply accepted that that’s just how it’ll be between the two of you; floating in parallel orbits without ever reaching each other. and you’re okay with that.

. . . despite your tiny, little crush on him.

you don’t know when it started, but from some moment onwards, you frequently found your eyes drifting towards taesan. on monday, when the lecture is particularly boring; on wednesday, when the lecturer enters ten minutes late; on thursday, when his smile is especially blinding and there are strands of white fur on his black tee.

so, maybe your crush isn’t actually minuscule, and the chances of it being reciprocated are less than zero, but you can live with it. that’s just how taesan is with you.

but that’s also why it’s confusing when taesan does things that are so . . . uncharacteristic.

like when you’re having lunch at the cafeteria, and he casually picks up the banchan on his own tray to replenish yours. or when you let out a whisper that you’re cold, and he’s the first to remove his jacket to drape it over you. or when you once dug through your bag and pockets to find a hair tie before settling with a pen, and from then on you always see him with a hair tie on his wrist.

it’s even more confusing when you stare at him afterwards, equal parts flustered and fluttery, and all he does is look back at you in question, as if asking you “what's up?”, like what he did was nothing out of the ordinary; like it’s something he has no problem doing for you; like it’s something as normal as breathing.

and then, when you’re left to wonder what exactly it means, losing sleep and sanity, taesan would show up the next day, acting as usual—distant, aloof, withdrawn.

as much of a whiplash it is, you can’t say it’s particularly surprising. taesan, in all his enigmatic glory, has always been difficult to understand, to comprehend, to grasp.

but right now, you might be a step closer to figuring him out.

“don’t.” taesan’s hand is around your wrist, grip firm but gentle. he’s huffing a little, hair disheveled. it’s clear he had been running towards you, but you haven’t a single clue why. 

“what . . . are you doing?” you look at your wrist, the way his hand engulfs it entirely, and then to his eyes. his pupils are so deep and dark that you’re drawn in immediately, and it’s then that you realise: you and taesan have never looked at each other face-to-face, this close before.

instead of looking away, which is what you expected and what he would have done, he does something completely uncharacteristic, once again.

for the first time, taesan takes a step inside your orbit.

your breath hitches at the proximity, and you almost want to ask if jaehyun is around the corner, filming this as a poor idea of a prank. but it’s taesan who’s in front of you, and he would never agree to anything like that. especially not when he’s looking at you like . . . that.

it’s so intense that you have to look away, find a spot on the gravel to ground yourself. but that doesn’t last long, because you’re immediately pulled back to him when he speaks, just like a force to a satellite.

“don’t have dinner with him,” he says—commands.

under normal circumstances, you might have butterflies. be thrilled, even. because this implies that he had been thinking about you; that what you do does affect him.

but right now, what you feel is something closer to indignation. you’re all dolled up, ready to meet someone new and have some fun, and hopefully rid yourself of your chronic illness of pining. but then the reason for all this comes and demands like you owe him?

before you can chew him out, taesan speaks again, and all the words on the tip of your tongue immediately melt away.

“he’s a terrible person.” he clenches his jaw. “has a reputation for . . . tampering with people’s drinks.” his grip on you tightens. “and i overheard him offering to take someone else out tomorrow.

“so . . .” he softens, his fingers slackened against your skin, “don’t go out with him.”

“i. . . .” you open your mouth but shut it immediately. this was the last thing you expected him to say when he came up to you, so you’re not entirely sure how to reply. you decide to say the most appropriate thing first: “thank you for telling me.

“but . . .” you continue before he adds anything, “why?”

“why?” taesan repeats, reeling back in surprise. “what do you mean?”

“why . . . did you come all the way here?” you tilt your head in question. “your class just ended, didn’t it? that means you ran all the way from campus to my dorm to tell me this. which i’m super grateful for, of course!” you add quickly. “but i’m just . . . confused.” internally, you wonder when you’re ever not confused by him. “a phone call would have sufficed.”

taesan blinks, as if he hadn’t thought about that.

“oh.” he lets out. “that . . . wasn’t on my mind.” he scratches his nape. “i just wanted to see you.”

you freeze, your brain short-circuiting. it takes a while to recover, but even then, taesan is still looking at you like he hadn’t just spewed out your new sleep-deprivation material, like it’s truly something as normal as breathing for him.

“taesan.” you call out, and the way his thumb brushes your skin in response sends a jolt down your spine. “do you . . .” you pause, rethinking your wording, before deciding on a far safer option. “are we good?”

“huh?” he tilts his head, wondering if you’re making a joke. when he sees that you’re not, he answers definitively. “of course.”

you let out a shaky breath, unconsciously leaning towards him. so . . . you’re good. taesan doesn’t dislike you. that’s good enough—no, way better news than anything.

“okay.” you nod, and a strike of confidence hits you. emboldened by the newfound knowledge, you inch closer. “i’m all dressed up, but i just found out my date is an asshole. what should i do, taesan?”

“huh?” taesan looks flustered, and you revel in that information now that the smokescreen blocking your vision has disappeared. “you . . . can still go out?” his tone is hesitant and clumsy, but nothing short of endearing.

“right.” you nod. “so go out with me, taesan.”

taesan splutters. “w–what?”

“be my date instead, taesan.”

and for the first time, you know what his answer is going to be.

a/n. don’t you just love it when ppl discover communication

© blissfullsvn 2025. All Rights Reserved.

[i-nssomniia]

«Spoiled date»

Pairing: Hyuk x reader x Wooin

Tags: polyamorous relationships

Note: I don't know, I just want two of them. well, please

@shintaru @dzvelinaskebiyars

you look up at the sky, seeing the clouds gathering, a sure sign that it's about to rain, or more specifically, pour.

"We should hurry home if we don't want to get wet" - Hyuk takes your hand, starting to walk forward, when you feel another warm hand on your waist. Ah, Wooin.

you nod curtly as you walk between them. you were actually so upset. the two of them are so often gone for training or their part-time jobs that you rarely spend time as a three, except for the night, but that was different. and now on your shared weekend, you were able to get the two of them on a date to spend time together, but even so, it was all ruined by the weather. you're sure you checked the forecast several times in the morning and even before you left, but there was nothing about a downpour.

"Hey", - you feel a hot breath near your ear as thunder rumbles in the sky. You shudder slightly at the sound, and the rain is about to start. "Are you okay?" - You turn your head to look at Wooin. It's an uncharacteristic display of concern, rather than teasing or random acts of affection towards you or through Hyuk.

You nod at him curtly, trying to hide your disappointment, but even Hyuk, who does not recognize emotional signals well and does not understand other people's actions and their mood, sees that you are not okay. You can feel the small droplets of water beginning to settle on your skin and hair before a full-fledged downpour strikes, forcing you to run and seek shelter in a convenience store.

you look out the store windows, see the strong wind, and realize that you're stuck here for a long time. and it could have been a good chance to spend time as a three-piece, but your mood was so much worse and it was so stupid. you leave the two of them behind as you walk past the store shelves to grab your favorite treat, but even that doesn't have the enthusiasm you just hang in front of the shelf.

"why are you upset?", - Hyuk approaches you with his hands in his pockets, his wet hair sticking to his face, covering his forehead.

"I'm not upset, I'm just-"

"nonsense", - Wooin snorts, placing her hand on your shoulder and reaching for a pack of Poki tubes on the shelf, - "you're acting like it's someone's funeral, seriously."

You sigh, covering your face with your hands. You didn't want to tell them that you were just feeling sad about something small. After all, you spend time with them separately, you share the same apartment, have each other's belongings, and-

"because the date was ruined?" - and you just hate all of this insight from Wooin. You didn't want to look like a fool in front of them, but you just nod, running your hands through your hair, combing the wet strands back.

"We don't spend much time together, and we see each other separately, but it's different. Being on a date with you two when you both have time, but now it's just ruined, and I feel like-"

your stream of complaints is interrupted by a simple question, "why?" from Hyuk, who tilts his head to understand your train of thought. You and Wooin look at him, sighing briefly.

"why what?"

"why is the date ruined?" - he frowns in confusion, shrugging, - "we're all three together now, just like you wanted, so-"

"because it's different, damn it", - you click without even thinking to turn yourself around, - "because it's one thing to be on a date, and another thing to be locked in a store because of the weather. It's different for me. Because when tomorrow comes, everything will start over, but..."

your lower lip trembles as you bow your head down, breathing through your nose. it was so silly and you tried to stop yourself, and you knew you were starting a tantrum out of thin air as you closed your eyes to stop yourself from crying. a few moments pass when you are slapped on the cheeks, lifting your face in warm hands.

you look up, seeing Hyuk looking from Wooin, who's sitting behind you, his arms wrapped around your back now, to you and your face, his gaze skimming over your features.

"We can take a few days off"

your breath catches when you hear those words in front of you. we? a few days off? spend some time together? this is..

"let's take Wooin's car, a small house by the sea", - Hyuk shrugs, brushing your hair. you hear a soft snort behind you, but you stand there, staring at him like a deer in headlights.

"really? a vacation together?", - you receive simultaneous assent from both of them. it sounds much better than a date, to be honest..

You nod briefly, smiling softly as you bask in the arms of the two men, your eyes half-closed. You don't notice Hyuk and Wooin exchanging glances, clearly relieved that they've managed to cheer you up.

Later, you might learn from them that they've been planning this little getaway as a surprise for a while, but they had to tell you to make sure you were okay now.

because even if you spend time with them separately, it doesn't mean they don't notice how good you feel in their arms when they're both around.

MASTERLIST

[rubiedmoon]

Since Always

If someone had asked me back then — back when we were small and spent our afternoons racing broomsticks through the Malfoy estate gardens, or hiding from the elves in the endless halls of YLn Manor — I would have told them Draco Malfoy was my best friend.

No hesitation. No doubt.

We’d been raised side by side, our parents close since their own school days — a quiet understanding between old families, old names. It made sense that their children would be just as inseparable.

And we were.

Even after we came to Hogwarts — sorted into the same house, Slytherin green and silver wrapped proudly around our shoulders — not much changed. We sat together in the common room, partnered in lessons, drifted through the castle like a matched set.

At least, at first.

Somewhere between fourth year and fifth, something shifted. I wasn’t sure when it started — maybe the first time I caught him watching me with something softer in his expression, or when he’d brush my arm in passing and his touch would linger just a second too long.

Or maybe it was me — noticing the way my cheeks would heat when he smiled, the way my heart tripped when he’d lean in a little closer than necessary during a Potions when he didn’t quite understand how to extract juices from a certain insect or plant..

Whatever it was, it wasn’t the same anymore.

Not that we ever talked about it. Merlin, no.

We still passed each other in the corridors — but now, when Draco’s lips curved into that familiar smirk, something gentler beneath it, I would duck my head slightly, warmth blooming across my face no matter how I tried to fight it.

When we sat in the common room, we ended up closer — thighs brushing, elbows knocking, his arm sometimes draped behind me along the back of the couch. If anyone noticed… well, no one dared to ask.

And when I spent time with Harry, Ron, and Hermione — people he never would’ve tolerated before I became friends with them — Draco didn’t pull away. He’d scowl, sure. He’d grumble. But he came anyway, sitting at the Gryffindor table when I asked, enduring their pointed stares and sharp remarks, all for the sake of one quiet thankful glance from me.

It was one of those afternoons — a Hogsmeade weekend — when everything felt different again.

I’d spent the morning with Hermione and Ginny traveling the numerous shops in the main square, but by midday, I found myself in the solidarity of my favorite corner table at The Three Broomsticks, fingers curled around a butterbeer, lost in thought.

“Mind if I join you?”

I looked up — and there he was. Draco, blonde hair tousled slightly from the cold winds, scarf loose around his neck. No sharpness in his tone, no familiar drawl. Just… Draco. My Draco.

I swallowed the flutter in my chest and nodded. “Of course.”

He slid into the seat beside me — not across, never across anymore — and let his arm brush mine. Close. Warm. Familiar in a way that made my heart ache.

“You looked like you needed rescuing,” he said, voice soft.

I smiled faintly. “From my own thoughts?”

“Well that and the fact that you're alone again after spending all day with them,” he said with a slight tilt of his head toward the group of Gryffindors across the room — Harry, Ron, Hermione, laughing over something. “I still don’t know how you stand that lot.”

I nudged his knee with mine. “Because they’re good people. You’d know that too if you actually gave them a chance instead of ignoring them like your father taught you to.”

His lips twitched. “I give them a chance. I sit at their bloody table for you, don’t I?”

That made me laugh — soft, unguarded. “You do.”

“Though I don’t care too much for doing so, I have endured their needless banter and ridiculous antics.”

I tilted my head, watching him. “And yet you keep doing it.”

He met my gaze — and something flickered there. Something that wasn’t teasing, or pride, or performance.

“Because their time matters to you and you matter to me,” he said simply. No smirk. No bravado. Just truth.

My breath caught, the warmth rising in my cheeks impossible to hide.

Before I could think of an answer — before I could even steady my heart — he reached for my hand beneath the table, fingers brushing mine, then lacing them gently together.

For a moment, neither of us said anything.

His hand in mine — warm, certain — was such a simple thing. And yet it sent my mind spinning in a way no spell or potion ever had.

I could feel my pulse hammering beneath my skin, each beat echoing in my ears louder than the chatter of the pub, louder than the clink of mugs and the distant laugh of students.

I swallowed hard. “Draco…”

He looked at me then — really looked at me — and there wasn’t even a hint of his usual mask. No cold aristocratic sneer, no Slytherin pride, no carefully schooled smirk. Just Draco. My best friend. The boy who knew every corner of YLn Manor and every secret passageway of Hogwarts that I would hide in when I felt the need to escape the world and would travel them just to find me. The boy who still remembered I took my tea with too much sugar and couldn’t stand the thick texture of pumpkin juice.

And in that gaze, I could see it — see everything he wasn’t saying.

I took a shaky breath. “You know… if you keep doing that,” I whispered, squeezing his hand slightly, “someone’s going to notice.”

He didn’t let go. If anything, his fingers tightened, slow and deliberate.

“So what, YNN,” he said, voice low, a thread of steel beneath the softness. “I’m tired of pretending I don’t want this.”

The words — simple, so very Draco, and yet… they undid me.

I blinked, heart fluttering. “Since when?”

He tilted his head slightly, lips curving — not into a smirk this time, but into something softer. “Since always, if I’m honest. It just took me a while to realize that wanting you mattered more to me than I cared to admit.”

My breath caught again. And then, before I could stop myself, I laughed — soft, nervous. “You’re going to be the death of me.”

And then — slowly, giving me every chance to pull away — he lifted our joined hands and pressed the faintest kiss to my knuckles. Not showy. Not for anyone else’s benefit. Just for me.

It was that simple touch that unraveled the last bit of distance between us.

I leaned in just a fraction, shoulder brushing his. “You know our parents probably have betting on this since the day we were born,” I whispered with a soft giggle.

“Yeah probably,” he said, with a chuckle of his own. “Who do you think will owe the galleons to who?”

“Ours fathers to our mums. No doubt. And if I’m being honest maybe to Professor Snape too. Something tells me he would have been in on it as well.”

Draco laughed — a real laugh, low and warm — the kind I heard so rarely it made my heart flutter all over again.

“You’re probably right,” he murmured, gaze dropping briefly to our still-entwined hands. “Snape always did have a way of knowing things before anyone else. Our Fathers just might have to make a withdrawal from Gringotts just to pay him.”

Amidst our delightful laughter, a voice called out from the far side of the room — one of our housemates waving him over. He glanced in that direction, lips twitching faintly.

“I should probably pretend to tolerate their company a bit longer,” he said, sighing dramatically. “Lest anyone suspect I’ve actually got a heart under all this.”

I smirked. “Wouldn’t want to ruin your carefully crafted reputation.”

He leaned in slightly, voice low near my ear. “But after… want to meet me by the lake? After dinner?”

I met his gaze, heart thudding. “You’re sure you can brave the cold?”

“For you? Every bloody time.”

I couldn’t stop the smile spreading across my face. “Then I’ll see you there.”

Reluctantly, Draco gave my hand one final squeeze beneath the table before pulling away, straightening his scarf with practiced ease. His usual cool mask slid back into place — but now, there was something softer beneath it. Something only I would see.

As he rose and drifted off toward his friends, I let out a slow breath, fingers brushing the rim of my butterbeer.

The warmth of the fire couldn’t quite match the warmth that still lingered in my chest.

Merlin help me, I thought. I’m completely gone for him.

And somehow… I didn’t mind one bit.

[corner-collects-rocks]

im curious if renee actually thought jean was the right person, wrong time or if she said it to try and give jean a chance to move on.

(this is probably gonna get rambly and stop making sense but im tired and thinking so enjoy what my head organ has chosen to provide)

i head canon renee as aroace so that plays a factor into this but; i think renee was trying to help jean move forward whilst still leaving herself open to talk to. the reason renee and jean start talking is because neil asks her to reach out. i do think they had a genuine friendship and maybe they both had feelings for each other but i dont think renee did.

personally i think renee seeks companionship over partnership. i think thats also why her dynamic with andrew works so well. i dont think either of them were interested in each other romantically but they could find value in seeking out each others company. i think she was striving for a similar dynamic with jean, and jean (bless his poor bisexual soul) was attracted to renee in part because she was beautiful but also because they don’t really have rainbows in the nest. renee was one bright thing when dealing with the torture he endured in the nest. (think of it like a one sided trauma bond, or like a “the waiter was nice to me i think they might be in love with me” type of deal)

i havent read all the EC but im pretty sure we dont get to know much of what jean and renee discuss. in general (iirc) it seems a lot of what we see from renee is her offering jean kindness and some safety in a place where all of his had been striped away.

also after jean moves out to california renee isnt something he really dwells on (fair enough moving is rough on its own, let alone leaving a cult) i understand that renee is also something jean chooses to keep private even from us the readers(shout out the literal end of the golden raven filling us in that they text REGULARLY) but from what i’ve seen people tend to think about their situationships a lot even after they move on since they tend to leave more of an impression since the human brain loves to dwell on “what could’ve been”

anyway i’ve lost my train of thought with this, if i find it i may reblog w/ more thoughts. in conclusion, jeanee (whatever their shipname is idk) works better as a platonic dynamic and renee walker is aroace and i love her!!! also petition for renee to be jeans best man at the wedding, or have cat and renee co-best man.

Sincerely, Corner

P. S. nora please please please let renee and jean hang out in the broken cage. as a treat!! like even if its only for a little bit after a game or something (trojans play at foxes stadium and they go out after or whatever) i think they deserve a debrief! and renee i think would like to hear how jeans list has grown (because oh boy has it) and my girl deserves to see some good come to her after all the shits shes seen!! renee walker ily and ur awesome and holy shit u deserve so much. i want to know so much more abt u diva. so much. please nora i am begging you.

[mbruben-stein]

Okay so it decided to post the request before I got the chance to finish it. So can I please get the AOT veterans with their s/o being the doctor of the scouts? Like their poor s/o has to work overtime trying to keep them from falling apart.

AOT characters dating s/o who is the doctor of the Scouts would include.

~Eren~

Eren would experience a constant internal battle between immense pride and crushing worry when it comes to his doctor S/O. On one hand, he deeply admires their dedication and skill, watching with quiet awe as they work tirelessly to patch up wounded scouts and save lives that might otherwise be lost. Their steady hands and calm demeanor in crisis situations would remind him why he fell for them in the first place. However, this admiration would be overshadowed by his protective instincts going into overdrive. Every time he sees them rushing between patients, blood on their clothes and exhaustion etched into their features, his heart would clench with the familiar fear of losing someone precious to him.

His guilt complex would reach new heights knowing that his own reckless behavior directly contributes to their workload. Each time he returns from a mission with injuries, seeing the worry flash across their face before they slip into professional mode would eat away at him. Eren would start becoming almost obsessively careful about minor wounds, trying to treat cuts and bruises himself before they could notice, not wanting to add to their burden. He'd probably hover anxiously whenever they're treating other scouts, torn between wanting to help and knowing he'd just be in the way. The sight of them working late into the night, struggling to save a comrade's life, would trigger his deep-seated helplessness and make him question whether his presence in their life brings more pain than joy.

Despite his worry, Eren would become fiercely protective of his S/O's wellbeing in ways that might sometimes border on overbearing. He'd make sure they eat regular meals, practically forcing food into their hands between patients. When he notices them pushing themselves too hard, he wouldn't hesitate to physically carry them away from their work for mandatory rest, despite their protests about patients needing care. His own disregard for his safety would create tension, as they'd constantly worry about him while trying to focus on other patients. Eren would struggle with the irony of wanting to protect someone whose job it is to run toward danger to help others.

The relationship would fundamentally change how Eren approaches missions and combat. Knowing that his S/O would be the one treating wounded comrades would make every expedition feel more personal and urgent. He'd find himself fighting not just for humanity's freedom, but to ensure fewer people end up on his partner's operating table. In quieter moments, he'd be incredibly gentle with them, understanding better than most the weight they carry. He'd become their anchor when the losses become too much to bear, holding them when they break down after losing a patient, and reminding them of all the lives they've saved when they doubt their abilities.

~Mikasa~

Mikasa would initially struggle with the constant worry that comes from watching her s/o work tirelessly to save the lives of their fellow soldiers. Every time she returns from a mission, bloodied and battered alongside her comrades, she witnesses firsthand the toll it takes on her partner - the exhaustion etched into their features, the way their hands sometimes shake after particularly difficult surgeries, the quiet moments when they think no one is looking and allow the weight of lost lives to show on their face. Despite her own physical and emotional wounds, Mikasa finds herself more concerned about her s/o's wellbeing than her own injuries, often downplaying her own pain to avoid adding to their already overwhelming workload.

Her protective instincts would manifest in subtle but meaningful ways throughout their relationship. Mikasa would make it her personal mission to ensure her s/o eats regular meals, often bringing them food during their long shifts and sitting quietly beside them while they work late into the night. She'd learn to recognize the signs of her partner pushing themselves too hard and would gently but firmly insist they take breaks, sometimes physically guiding them away from their medical supplies to rest. When her s/o inevitably protests about having too much work to do, Mikasa would simply state that they can't save others if they don't take care of themselves first - a lesson she's learned through her own experiences of nearly losing herself to grief and exhaustion.

The sight of her s/o's dedication would fill Mikasa with a complex mixture of pride and anguish. She deeply admires their commitment to preserving life in a world that seems determined to destroy it, seeing in them the same fierce determination that drives her own need to protect others. However, she also recognizes the parallel between her s/o's overwhelming sense of responsibility for every soldier's life and her own desperate need to keep Eren and Armin safe. This understanding creates a deeper bond between them, as Mikasa realizes that her partner carries the same heavy burden of caring too much in a world that offers little mercy to those who fight to save others.

During the quieter moments between expeditions, Mikasa would become her s/o's sanctuary just as they serve as the scouts' lifeline. She'd wrap her red scarf around both of them during cold nights, holding her partner close while they decompress from the day's losses and victories. In these intimate moments, Mikasa would allow herself to be vulnerable, sharing her own fears about losing the people she loves while listening to her s/o's struggles with the impossible task of trying to heal everyone. Their relationship would become a mutual source of strength, with Mikasa providing the emotional support and grounding her partner needs to continue their vital work, while her s/o offers her a different perspective on what it means to fight for others - not just through violence, but through healing and hope.

~Armin~

Armin deeply admired his partner's unwavering dedication to keeping the Scout Regiment alive, though it filled him with a complex mixture of pride and concern. He understood better than most the weight of responsibility that came with protecting others, and he recognized the same selfless determination in his s/o that he saw in commanders like Erwin Smith. Their medical expertise was invaluable to the regiment's survival, and Armin often found himself marveling at their quick thinking during emergencies and their ability to remain calm under pressure. However, his analytical mind also picked up on the subtle signs of exhaustion—the slight tremor in their hands after particularly difficult surgeries, the way their shoulders sagged when they thought no one was looking, and the dark circles under their eyes that seemed to deepen with each expedition.

His protective instincts, usually reserved for Eren and Mikasa, extended fiercely to his partner, though he struggled with how to help without overstepping boundaries. Armin would quietly observe their work patterns, mentally cataloging when they skipped meals or worked through the night, and he'd devise small but strategic interventions. He'd bring them carefully timed cups of tea, sit with them during brief breaks to provide silent companionship, or offer to help organize their medical supplies—anything to ease their burden without interfering with their crucial work. His naturally empathetic nature made him acutely aware of the emotional toll their job took, especially when they lost patients despite their best efforts, and he became expert at recognizing when they needed space to process their grief versus when they needed comfort.

Armin's tactical mind proved invaluable in supporting his s/o's medical practice, as he'd often help them strategize about resource allocation, patient triage, and efficient treatment protocols. He understood that their work required the same kind of calculated decision-making that he applied to military strategy, though the stakes were measured in lives rather than territory. During quiet moments between expeditions, he'd listen intently as they discussed challenging cases or new medical techniques they wanted to try, offering thoughtful questions and observations that helped them think through problems. His ability to remain level-headed during crises also made him an ideal assistant during medical emergencies, following their instructions precisely while keeping other panicked soldiers calm and out of their way.

Despite his admiration for their strength and competence, Armin worried constantly about his partner's tendency to prioritize everyone else's wellbeing over their own—a trait he recognized all too well in himself. He'd gently but persistently remind them to rest, sometimes using his tactical knowledge to point out how their exhaustion could compromise their effectiveness and, by extension, endanger more lives. His own struggles with self-worth made him particularly sensitive to the moments when his s/o questioned whether they'd done enough or blamed themselves for losses beyond their control. In these vulnerable moments, Armin would draw on his growing confidence and hard-won wisdom to remind them of their irreplaceable value to the regiment and to him personally, using the same logical arguments and emotional insight that made him such an effective strategist to help them see their own worth more clearly.

~Erwin~

Erwin's relationship with the Scout Regiment's head doctor creates a unique tension between his role as commander and his personal feelings. He watches with a mixture of pride and concern as his partner works tirelessly in the medical bay, often going days with minimal sleep to tend to wounded soldiers returning from expeditions. The sight of them frantically moving between patients, blood staining their uniform and exhaustion evident in every movement, stirs something protective within him that conflicts with his typically calculated demeanor. He understands better than anyone the weight of responsibility his s/o carries - every life saved is a victory, every life lost a burden they both share.

The commander finds himself torn between his duty to maintain professional distance and his desire to ease his partner's overwhelming workload. During strategic meetings, Erwin's mind occasionally wanders to the medical bay, wondering if his s/o has managed to eat or rest. He begins subtly adjusting mission parameters when possible, not enough to compromise objectives but perhaps routing squads closer to medical supply caches or timing expeditions to allow for better preparation. His stoic facade remains intact in public, but those closest to him notice the way his jaw tightens when casualty reports come in, knowing each number represents another sleepless night for his beloved.

In their rare private moments together, Erwin reveals the softer side of his nature that few ever witness. He takes to quietly tending his partner's needs - ensuring they have proper meals, drawing baths to wash away the day's blood and trauma, or simply holding them when the weight of lost soldiers becomes too much to bear. His large hands, typically used for signing death warrants and battle plans, become gentle as they massage tension from tired shoulders or brush hair from his s/o's weary face. These intimate moments become his anchor, reminding him of what humanity is truly worth fighting for beyond the abstract concept of freedom.

The relationship fundamentally changes how Erwin views sacrifice and loss. While he maintains his ability to make the hard choices that define effective leadership, he struggles with the knowledge that each decision potentially puts more strain on his partner. He becomes more invested in soldier training and injury prevention, not just for tactical advantages but because he cannot bear to see his s/o break under the endless stream of casualties. When his s/o inevitably reaches their breaking point - perhaps after a particularly devastating expedition - Erwin's composed exterior finally cracks. He holds them as they sob, making quiet promises about a future beyond the walls where their healing hands won't be needed for war, even as he knows such promises may be beyond his power to keep.

~Levi~

Levi's relationship with his doctor s/o is built on a foundation of mutual respect and shared dedication to preserving human life, though he'd never admit the latter part out loud. He watches with quiet admiration as they work tirelessly to patch up his fellow soldiers after each expedition, their hands steady even when treating the most gruesome injuries. What strikes him most is how they never seem to lose their composure, maintaining the same clinical focus whether they're treating a minor cut or performing emergency surgery. He finds himself drawn to their competence and unwavering commitment, qualities he values above all else. Their shared understanding of the weight of responsibility - his in keeping soldiers alive in battle, theirs in keeping them alive afterward - creates an unspoken bond between them.

The captain becomes increasingly protective of his s/o as he witnesses the toll their work takes on them. He notices everything: the dark circles under their eyes from sleepless nights in the medical bay, the way their shoulders slump with exhaustion after particularly brutal expeditions, the tremor in their hands when they think no one is looking. Levi starts bringing them tea during their long shifts, never making a big show of it but simply setting the cup down within reach before leaving without a word. He also begins assigning scouts to help with medical supply runs and equipment cleaning, claiming it's for "efficiency" when really he's trying to lighten their workload. His concern manifests in practical ways - ensuring they eat regularly, forcing them to take breaks, and occasionally threatening other scouts who might interrupt their rest.

What frustrates Levi most is his s/o's tendency to prioritize everyone else's wellbeing over their own, a trait he recognizes all too well in himself. He's witnessed them work through their own injuries, skip meals to tend to patients, and push themselves past their limits time and again. This leads to some of their few genuine arguments, with Levi's blunt nature clashing against their stubborn dedication. "You're no use to anyone if you collapse," he'll tell them harshly, though the worry in his grey eyes betrays his true feelings. He's learned to be more subtle in his approach, sometimes literally picking them up and carrying them away from the medical bay when they refuse to rest, his actions speaking louder than any gentle words ever could.

Despite their demanding schedules, Levi treasures the quiet moments they manage to steal together. Late at night, when the medical bay is finally empty and the base is quiet, he'll find his s/o organizing supplies or updating patient records. These are the times when his walls come down slightly - he'll help them with mundane tasks, work in comfortable silence beside them, or simply sit nearby while they finish their work. He's surprisingly gentle when tending to any injuries they might have sustained during their duties, his usually steady hands becoming even more careful when touching them. In these intimate moments, Levi allows himself to show vulnerability, sometimes resting his forehead against theirs and whispering his gratitude for everything they do, not just for him, but for the people he cares about most.

~Hange~

Hange would be incredibly affectionate and attentive when her s/o is tending to other injured scouts, watching with genuine admiration as they work. She'd brag constantly about her partner's medical skills to anyone who'd listen, much to their embarrassment. During quieter moments, she'd curl up in the medical bay while her s/o works late, content to organize files or clean equipment just to be near them. Hange would also insist on being her partner's personal test subject for any new medical techniques, claiming it's "for the advancement of medical science" when really she just enjoys the gentle attention.

Hange would be absolutely smitten with her doctor s/o, though she'd probably drive them to the brink of exhaustion with her reckless tendencies. She'd constantly show up to the medical bay with cuts, burns, and bruises from her Titan experiments, always with that sheepish grin and a hurried "It's just a scratch!" Her s/o would have learned to keep extra supplies on hand specifically for Hange's frequent visits. Despite her casual attitude toward her own injuries, Hange would be incredibly protective of her partner's wellbeing, often staying up late to help organize medical supplies or assist with patient care when the scouts return from particularly brutal expeditions.

The dynamic between them would be both exasperating and endearing. Hange's s/o would have developed a sixth sense for when she's about to do something dangerous, often appearing at her lab with a first aid kit before Hange even realizes she needs it. They'd have gentle arguments about Hange's safety protocols, with her partner trying to implement basic protective measures while Hange insists that "science requires sacrifice!" Her s/o would have learned to hide behind Hange's workbench when she gets that particular gleam in her eye that means she's about to test something potentially explosive.

When Hange gets seriously injured, her usual bravado would crumble around her s/o, showing a vulnerability she rarely displays to others. She'd be an absolutely terrible patient - fidgety, trying to get back to work too soon, and constantly apologizing for worrying her partner. Her s/o would have to use a combination of medical authority and romantic persuasion to keep her in bed long enough to heal properly. In return, Hange would shower them with small gifts from her research - carefully preserved flowers, interesting rock samples, or beautifully detailed sketches of Titan anatomy, each accompanied by rambling explanations of why she thought they'd find it fascinating.

~Jean~

Jean initially finds himself torn between pride and worry when it comes to his s/o's role as the Scout Regiment's doctor. On one hand, he's incredibly proud of their medical expertise and dedication to keeping everyone alive, often bragging about their skills to fellow soldiers. However, his pragmatic nature makes him constantly anxious about the toll their job takes on them. He sees firsthand how they work through exhaustion, patching up soldier after soldier following expeditions, and it conflicts with his desire for both of them to have some semblance of safety and normalcy. Jean often catches himself wanting to suggest they transfer to a safer position, but his respect for their commitment and his understanding of how crucial they are to the regiment keeps him from voicing these concerns too forcefully.

The sight of his s/o's hands, perpetually stained with blood and trembling from overwork, becomes something that haunts Jean during quiet moments. His brutal honesty, usually directed outward, turns inward as he struggles with guilt over not being able to protect them from the emotional and physical strain of their work. He starts paying closer attention to the casualties during missions, not just for tactical reasons, but because he knows each wounded soldier means another sleepless night for his partner. Jean begins taking on additional responsibilities around their shared living space, handling chores and meals without being asked, understanding that their time and energy need to be preserved for saving lives.

Jean's natural leadership abilities manifest in how he becomes fiercely protective of his s/o's wellbeing, often stepping in when he notices other soldiers taking advantage of their dedication. He's not above using his blunt personality to tell exhausted soldiers to handle minor injuries themselves or to remind officers that his partner needs rest between missions. Despite his own aversion to dangerous situations, Jean finds himself volunteering for riskier assignments partly because he knows that fewer casualties mean less work for his s/o. He starts viewing mission success not just in terms of strategic victory, but in terms of how many soldiers return unharmed, knowing that each healthy return is a small gift to his overworked partner.

The relationship deepens Jean's understanding of sacrifice and duty in ways his earlier self-centered motivations never could. Watching his s/o work tirelessly to save lives, even when their own health suffers, gradually shifts his perspective from wanting an easy life to wanting a meaningful one. He begins to see their work as a form of heroism that doesn't require grand gestures or dramatic battles, but rather quiet, consistent dedication to preserving life. Jean starts leaving small notes of encouragement in their medical supplies, brings them meals during long shifts, and learns to provide the kind of steady, reliable support that his s/o needs to continue their vital work. His love becomes expressed through understanding when they're too exhausted to talk, holding them when they've lost a patient, and being the calm presence they can return to after witnessing humanity's fragility day after day.

~Sasha~

Sasha's relationship with her doctor s/o is a beautiful blend of understanding and gentle chaos. She quickly learns that her partner's dedication to keeping the Scout Regiment alive means long, unpredictable hours and constant worry. While initially frustrated by the missed dinners and interrupted conversations, Sasha develops a deep respect for her s/o's unwavering commitment to saving lives. She becomes incredibly protective of their rare moments together, often bringing meals directly to the medical bay and creating a small sanctuary where her exhausted partner can find comfort between emergencies.

Her nurturing instincts, usually reserved for food and close friends, extend completely to her overworked s/o. Sasha makes it her personal mission to ensure they're eating properly, often sneaking extra portions from the mess hall or hunting fresh game to prepare hearty meals that can sustain her partner through their demanding schedule. She learns to read the subtle signs of her s/o's exhaustion - the slight tremor in their hands after a particularly difficult surgery, the way they unconsciously massage their temples when overwhelmed with casualties. During these moments, Sasha becomes remarkably gentle, offering wordless comfort through simple gestures like warm embraces or quietly braiding their hair while they rest.

The unique challenges of their relationship teach Sasha patience in ways she never expected. She learns to find romance in stolen moments - brief kisses exchanged in supply closets, her s/o falling asleep against her shoulder during rare quiet evenings, or the grateful smile her partner gives when finding a carefully wrapped meal left on their desk. Sasha's naturally intuitive nature helps her anticipate her s/o's needs, whether it's preparing medical supplies before they ask or simply being a steady, comforting presence during the aftermath of particularly brutal expeditions.

Despite the difficulties, Sasha finds immense pride in loving someone so selflessly dedicated to protecting others. She often brags to her fellow scouts about her partner's skills and dedication, becoming fiercely defensive if anyone suggests the medical corps doesn't face the same dangers as field operatives. Her s/o's compassion and skill inspire Sasha to be more mindful of her own safety during missions, knowing that her injuries would only add to her partner's already overwhelming burden. Their relationship becomes a source of strength for both, with Sasha's unwavering optimism and warmth providing the emotional support her s/o needs to continue their life-saving work.

[thetrialsandtribulationsofeb]

i’m in the mood to rank buck’s and eddie’s love interests throughout the show from the “best” (ish) to the worst, ‘cause why not:

1) ali - we didn’t see a lot of their relationship, and maybe that’s what saved her, lol. but, like, overall, i actually liked her personality, and she and buck looked good together. i also understand her reason for breaking up with him - not everyone can handle buck’s lifestyle. and she at least waited till he recovered a little bit before breaking up with him, so bonus points for politeness, i guess. (though i understand tatiana’s perspective on her breakup with chimney too.) also, the way she was gently stroking buck’s cheek as he was crying is living in my head rent-free

2) shannon - she wasn’t the perfect mum and she wasn’t the perfect wife, but i liked her personality. she was cute and kind and tried to make it work for so many years until she finally broke down. and i still think it’s mostly eddie’s fault, ‘cause he actually didn’t have her back. he wasn’t there for her when she needed him the most. and he still didn’t put himself fully into their relationship when they reconnected, even though she wanted to give them a chance again. so, yeah, i think she had the potential to be a good partner - not her fault she got caught up in this mess. they both were young and stupid and didn’t know any better until reality caught up (eddie not being able to love her the way he wanted to love her, and she wanted to be loved)

3) taylor - i kind of hated her in the beginning because of wanting to reveal bobby’s personal life in her video about the 118, but i started to like her in season 4. she actually had a fleshed-out and complex personality - one that didn’t match with buck’s, in a romantic sense at least. but they made a great team as friends and partners-in-crime. i also think she should’ve broken up with buck after he cheated on her. but, yeah, another case of two people falling in love with each other and ignoring all the ways they’re incompatible until it finally blows up in their face. i’d say at least buck learned what he doesn’t want in a relationship while being with her - but then he dated natalia and tommy, so yeah…

4) abby - look, i think she was actually pretty okay during their relationship. and i also don’t see the age gap as an issue, ‘cause buck was 26 at the time and already had a lot of life experience. like, it doesn’t count as grooming imo, so who cares that she was older. and it’s nice that buck decided to take things slow and learn how to be in a serious relationship, and she gave him that chance. ‘cause, yes, she maybe saw him as a boytoy, but she still also took time to learn about his personality. but obviously, they were never meant to last, ‘cause she was at a very different stage in her life. buck just built a castle on sand with the way he got so involved in their relationship. BUT, i will consider her a bitch for not breaking up with him properly and stringing him along for several months. like, i get your reasons, girl, but how about communicating them and letting the other person know instead of giving them false hope?

5) ana - she had more chemistry with ravi in that one scene than with eddie in all their time together… also, i can’t tell much about her personality. their relationship was just boring. but she is gorgeous

6) marisol - again, such a beautiful woman. eddie couldn’t care less though. he likes them blue-eyed. i don’t know whether i should respect her for her amount of patience or, on the contrary, feel pity for her. i’m putting her below ana ‘cause she managed to have even less chemistry with eddie than her

7) natalia - it took a long time to decide whether to put her in last place or not. but my dislike for tommy turned out to be stronger. her biggest problem was just her obsession with death. which is a weird reason to date someone

8) tommy - first of all, i’m still holding a grudge about hen and chim and how he didn’t do anything to stand up for them or at least let them know privately that he’s on their side, like chim did with hen when she first got into the 118. i don’t like people with sheep minds. secondly, he was definitely the one who saw buck as some hot prize/himbo and didn’t care the least about his personality. and at first i thought “oh, thank god for seeing that buck is into men and kissing him to finally let him know that,” but then he turned out to be the shittiest boyfriend in the world, and i was like, “oh, here we go, another meaningless relationship for buck that didn’t work out, because the person he’s dating doesn’t fit him at all”

also, this confirmed again that both buck and eddie’s problems in their relationships stem from them not really thinking about their actual wants and needs, and just doing it out of some internal pressure they put on themselves - which they call “going with their gut”

when in reality, it’s more like: buck tries to fill the hole inside of him with any relationship he can find, even if they’re bad for him, ‘cause he doesn’t like to be alone, and he thinks he needs to be of service to someone (he’s a helper and a fixer, after all - the unconscious trauma that was implanted in him basically since his birth)

and eddie tries to have that “ready-made” family he had with shannon (i’m actually obsessed with how he romanticizes his relationship with her by calling it “magic” when their marriage was ready-made too, because she got pregnant and they were pretty much forced to marry without figuring out first whether they even wanted it or not)

meanwhile, they choose each other over and over again because they actually want to

they have shared values, they understand each other like no one else. and even when it all goes wrong, they fix the problem and still choose each other instead of giving up on their relationship

and it’s mutual. that’s the key - they both want the same thing. each other, and the family they built with chris

so yeah

buddie canon when?

[fangsandfeels]

I gained the next level of appreciation for how well Dragon Age 2 understood trauma, the ugly side of it.

I don't blame Fenris. I understand why after enduring years and years of abuse, humiliation, having your autonomy, your memories, everything that constituted you including your own name stripped away from you, you have no empathy for anyone reminiscent of your abusers - especially if nobody came to save you in the end and you are the only one fighting for your life and freedom. I understand why upon hearing how someone (who reminds you of your abusers) suffers unfairly, the only thing you can say is "Good" - and lash out at anyone trying to tell you off for it. Where all these fucking preachers were when you were suffering? Why even in the land that is supposed to be different from your own hellhole, your word and your experience still don't matter?

I don't blame Anders. I understand why after being betrayed by your own parent, after the decades of listening how you must suffer for the sin of being born, being confined to isolation, being treated like a monster while being a child, being denied the simplest of comforts, you fiercely defend people who share your abilities - because nobody else would ever look out for you and them. Of course you would clash even with someone who has legitimate reasons to be negative towards people like you because your own wounds sting more than their pain. You have dealt with the Chantry's vile propaganda for so long, you no longer take things at face value. Of course, Chantry would say that the foreign land where mages rule is foul, and corrupt, and full of blood magic and demons! So many times rumors, lies, and twisted religious depictions have been used to abuse, lobotomize, and enslave you, you're no longer letting it happen - and you only believe what you see and hear. And all you see around is injustice and indifference. And you're only the one screaming into the void, raging against the horrors everybody else is willingly blind to.

I don't blame them both for losing their mind in their own ways while the rest of the group silently wondered why they couldn't just be normal.

Personally, I don't think there was any chance for them to become friends or make peace during the events of the game. The "I suffered so I don't want anyone to suffer like I did" or "I'm a bigger person" are pretty lies and half-truths at worst. At best, they are mindsets only possible after someone who suffered finally feels safe and can be out of their survival mode. Which is not really true for Fenris and Anders, even during the final act of the story.

Even on high friendship or romance, Anders is still self-destructive, ready to die at Hawke's hands after launching his plan in motion. Even with a friend/lover at his side, he is alone in his head, in his vision of the world, in his pain.

Even with proper support and help, it takes Fenris three years to accept a relationship, but it doesn't change his perspective and if you don't have enough of his trust, you lose him to his trauma-based response.

I may be overthinking it, but I am truly thankful to the game for not toning down the complex, hard and uncomfortable aspects of trauma. People have always been in love with the concept of the perfect victim (who hates only "the right" bad guys and suddenly knows when to be tolerant, nice and accepting and doesn't say any rancid and hateful shit ever), but it became particularly aggravating lately.

[ruvviks]

PLEASE DO NOT TAG AS YOUR OWN OC OR PAIRING.

Nathan and Ruben share a bond more powerful than most; mutual understanding through past experiences no one should ever have to go through, and through past actions so horrible they cannot be spoken of. Their grief and the blood on their hands binds them to the STEM technology they created, which has alienated them from the rest of the world— but they give each other the comfort they have both longed for so desperately for years, and that is all they need. They are each other's counterpart; you cannot imagine one without the other, like two sides of the same coin. Through their pain, their grief, their desire, and their regret, they have become one.

anna akhmatova, the guest // bones; equinox // 'i won't become' by kim jakobsson // agustín gómez-arcos, the carnivorous lamb // by oxy // achilles come down; gang of youths // czeslaw milosz, from 'new and collected poems: 1931-2001' // 'extended ambience portrait from a resonant biostructure' and 'migraine tenfold times ten' by daniel vega // a little death; the neighbourhood // marina tsvetaeva, from 'poem of the end' // by drummnist // katie maria, winter // 'nocturne in black and gold the falling rocket' by james abbott mcneill whistler // micah nemerever, these violent delights // body language; we are fury // 'the penitent' by emil melmoth // chelsea dingman, from 'of those who can't afford to be gentle'

taglist (opt in/out)

@shellibisshe, @florbelles, @ncytiri, @hibernationsuit, @stars-of-the-heart;

@lestatlioncunt, @katsigian, @radioactiveshitstorm, @estevnys, @adelaidedrubman;

@celticwoman, @rindemption, @carlosoliveiraa, @noirapocalypto, @dickytwister;

@killerspinal, @euryalex, @ri-a-rose, @velocitic, @thedeadthree

[nobodybetterlookatme]

Anyway after thorough research, I can confirm that I am, in fact, not a big fan of the snow ahsjakskla it was really cool for like an hour and I was having a fantastic time, but the novelty wore off quick when it melted into my clothes lmaoooo

[alicepao13]

There is one comment that I read which annoyed me and I tried to let go without mentioning it but, you know what? The poster didn't think of keeping their thoughts to themselves about it, and it's the second time this exact thing is happening in relation to one of my shows, so what the hell.

Because of the anti-AI sentiment and discourse, some of which is justified and some completely unhinged (example: if you've ever bullied disabled people online for using it to make their life easier, please rethink your life choices and touch some grass), I'd think that people would be more careful who they're accusing of using AI in art. Turns out, people are not careful.

I've read quite a few "this must have been made with AI" false accusations lately but I did not expect someone to suggest that they used AI on Hudson and Rex. On footage that has already been filmed years ago, no less, and re-used in the new intro. Most of these scenes, including footage that had been used for a S4 promo, are not new. I assume that the use of the footage from S4 is what's confusing here, along with some not-so-smooth transitions and slow motion, which is something I found jarring as well. As a fan of the show, I don't need to know the technology to say that this wasn't due to AI. But as a person who has always tried to keep up with technological advancements and understands some of the AI technology, and as an amateur (non-AI) video editor, I can say that there was no AI use anywhere on that intro.

To people who have no idea what is or isn't AI or don't know much about film/tv/video making: Please don't make accusations like that. It's that simple. And think before you make a post. Posting an opinion presented as fact on a social medium, whether you realize it or not, is like saying something out loud in a crowded (or less crowded but certainly not empty) space. Someone is bound to see it sooner or later. And in a small fandom, it's actually more likely for someone to see it, even though the number of eyeballs is likely to be small, because content is scarce and your post will not "disappear" amongst an influx of other posts.

[anistarrose]

It's still sinking in that The Owl House was about a girl running away to a fantasy world, all because of the ripple effects of losing her father at an unfairly young age — only to eventually learn that the fantasy world itself was made of the bones, and the flesh, of a loving father who'd protected his child with one of his final actions, before dying and giving life to that fantasy world. And eventually, in his truly final action, even giving life to Luz herself. Luz ran away to the Boiling Isles, all because of a single book that her dad gave her — and unknowingly, she spent every day walking over ground that embodied parental loss. A world that was born from a parent's death, a parent who had to leave their child far too soon — and not just any child, but Luz's own new best friend, in all of this new magical world. And King and Luz were only ever brought together because of their fathers' deaths — before they even realized they had anything in common to grieve. Before they realized a reminder of that grief had been beneath their feet this whole time.

But, at the end of the day... their fathers both gave them parting gifts. Their fathers both gave them the key to come of age in a world full of people who'd care about them — maybe not the only world where they could've been happy, but a world they wouldn't want to imagine missing. Their fathers gave them the chance to meet each other. To understand each other. And, ultimately, to heal and grow up together. Until the ground beneath their feet stops feeling so heavy, like grief — and starts feeling lighter again, like a gift, and a happy memory.