#I need to be physically affectionate with someone

[julietcpulet]

Shimao is not canon.

(Spoilers) I responded to someone else’s post kind of in this spirit but thought I would write my own. In truth I don’t think I should have to say this but Shimao isn’t canon. The interaction between Maomao and Shisui, all the touching and things, added by the animators. In the light novel there’s none of that mentioned. They’re friends yes, although there’s even a complexity to that and a debate on how deep the friendship went from either side but we know they had a bond given Maomao’s prayer for Shisui at the end. However there’s no romantic undertone to any of this. I think the anime simply caused more problems by adding scenes that ended up being interpreted by the fandom in this light. If this stayed in the realm of headcanon, maybe not an issue although I still don’t see the need to ship them but the problem is that people have gone on to hate on the actual, canon core ship of the series, Jinmao, which was my main worry.

Even before Shisui and Maomao’s latest interactions people saw some of Jinshi’s actions as “problematic” which, even if they’re wrong about it, made an opening for them seeing his future behavior as worse if they now view Maomao as being interested in Shisui or as their “love” being thwarted due to the rebellion. It’s a silly concept because Maomao was literally kidnapped by Shisui, their friendship was on thin ice at the end and the dynamic in the original novel material is in no way romantic. But I’ve seen people are now upset at Jinshi’s later actions in rescuing Maomao, the carriage and the Verdigris House because he just doesn’t get that she’s repressing herself or wanted to stay with Shisui. This is not true in the slightest, actually there’s evidence to suggest she was hoping Jinshi would rescue her and further meaning in being separated from him in the last part of the novel. However this is what comes from the anime breaking with canon and giving the implication of Maomao’s affection for Shisui being deeper than the novel presents. Yes, she cared for her as a friend but there is nothing deeper between the two as people are taking from the anime.

These kinds of changes cause problems not just for shipping but overall character development because although Maomao may have been physically affectionate with say Xiaolan, it was more of a sisterly fashion and sometimes like allowing a one-sided hug. Otherwise her character is not “touchy” and so it factors into later storylines when she does let her guard down and casually touches Jinshi who’s the first person she begins doing this with without thinking about it. The show making Shisui that person takes away from her development as a character. Especially when we consider how Maomao appears put off when Jinshi touches her so there’s a lot of “see she’s really a closet lesbian” posts going around, a sentiment that’s not canon or true. But that’s how her development can be changed because the anime decided to give Shisui the preference as the person Maomao was comfortable reaching out to first vs. Jinshi, hence why I think these subtle details matter. I simply hope that people will realize the animators may have decided to include these things and Shimao may be a headcanon ship but it’s not realized in the novels at all. So to hate on Jinshi or Jinmao as a ship or insist Shimao is canon is going against actual canon which if you don’t like that it’s your preference but maybe go watch something else and don’t disparage the fans who are fine with the original material.

[kikibereading]

LOVE LANGUAGES: ROLLINS EDITION

They don’t always say the right things, but they love each other fluently - in gestures, in presence, in the quiet corners of every day.

Heather receives love best through words of affirmation, though she’d never say so. She’s used to being relied on, not reassured. But when Robby tells her things like, “You did everything right today,” or “I trust your judgment completely,” it hits her deeper than she expects. She pretends to brush it off, maybe rolls her eyes, but she holds onto those words longer than she admits. It’s not about praise. It’s about Robby seeing her - not just as a doctor, but as someone worthy of gentleness, even when she can’t ask for it.

She needs quality time, too - the kind without pressure or performance. On their nights off, Robby will sit with her in silence while she decompresses. Sometimes, they eat takeout in the car, sometimes, they lie side by side scrolling through their phones, not saying much at all. And it’s perfect. Heather won’t ask him to stay, but when he does, when he doesn’t try to fix her day or push her to talk, she leans a little closer, her body finally relaxing. That’s how she knows she’s safe - with him.

The way Heather shows love is just as quiet. She’s the type to pick up his meds without telling him or refill his water bottle and set it on the nightstand before he even realizes he’s thirsty. She folds his hoodie because it was bothering her on the chair, but then leaves it on the couch with a note: “Don’t forget this. It’s cold out.” She doesn’t make a big deal out of anything, but she’s always paying attention. When Robby’s exhausted, she’ll cook something and slide the plate in front of him like it’s no big deal. “I made you something,” she’ll say. “Don’t get used to it.” But he knows exactly what it means.

Touch, for her, is rare but intentional. She’s not openly affectionate, but she’ll rest her palm on his chest when she’s falling asleep or run her fingers along the back of his neck when he’s stressed. When she reaches for him first, it never goes unnoticed. For Robby, it means everything.

Robby, on the other hand, receives love best through physical touch. He doesn’t need long conversations - just her hand in his hair or her legs across his lap while they watch something on the couch. After a brutal shift, all he wants is to curl up next to her, to feel her presence. When she brushes her thumb across his knuckles or presses a kiss to his shoulder in passing, it grounds him. Reminds him he’s not alone. If she pulls him in by the waistband or tangles her fingers with his under the covers, he practically melts.

He also deeply responds to acts of service. Robby doesn’t expect anything - he’s the one people go to when things fall apart. So when Heather thinks of him first, it catches him off guard in the best way. When she picks up his favorite protein bars without saying anything or throws his scrubs in with her laundry, he feels seen. Cared for. Her small, quiet efforts mean more than grand gestures ever could.

The way he gives love mirrors that same instinct to anticipate her needs. Robby fixes things before she notices they’re broken - her tablet screen, the cabinet hinge, her car’s low tire pressure. He brings her soup when she’s tired, extra snacks when she’s skipping meals, and leaves sticky notes in her locker with reminders like “Drink water today” or “Proud of you.” He doesn’t say “I love you” constantly, but he’ll lean in close when they’re alone and tell her, “You’re the smartest person I know,” or “They’re lucky to have you. I’m lucky to have you.” He says the things she doesn’t know she needs to hear - soft truths, offered freely and without expectation.

They don’t always get it right. Sometimes, they miss each other’s signals - her silence mistaken for detachment, his hovering mistaken for pressure. But they try. Robby learns to give her space without pulling away. Heather learns to speak, slowly and imperfectly, in the language of vulnerability. And between them, love becomes something they build in layers - not loud, but steady. Not always easy, but always real.

[possumcollege]

I love the way physical proximity and touch is used in Andor.

(the following contains spoilers)

Rebel characters are often so close together, familiar. They hug, they huddle, they touch. It's not unusual for them to be shoulder-to-shoulder when skulking around. Their locations are intimate, by nature of their need to hide, but most settings appear open, communal, familial. Their clothes are softer, weathered, textured, lived-in.

The Imperial world is much more strictly regimented, isolated, and physical separation highlights their hierarchy. Rank confers the right to breech that barrier but physical separation is the cultural norm. Officers have sterile secure office cells. Their uniforms are stiff, crisp. Their soldiers are armored.

The Imperial prison is an encapsulation of how the Empire sees people. They are acquired at the Empire's leisure, only allowed to gather in order to produce, then get stored in their little styrofoam packing blocks. Prisoners are conditioned to see eachother as competition, or as threats to their own eventual freedom. They are only rewarded with flavor in their feeding tubes. Attempts to gather, coordinate, escape, or move freely are brutally punished. Entire blocks of prisoners are disposable. Touch is purely incidental or punitive.

Rebel locations and places free of direct Imperial oversight are much different. Ferrix is built up and urban, but it has a very culturally fluid structure. People brush past eachother in the narrow streets, they work closely in the shipyards, they come and go from eachother's homes. The camp on Aldhani has no significant doors or walls. It fits the nomadic culture of they're trying to blend in with, but it also puts the team on the same plane. They may not all share 100% of the information, but they are all exposed to the same threats and depend on eachother. The same can be said of the base on Yavin. It's a sprawling complex, but the marshal yards, supply areas, living quarters are not enclosed. The only real separation is the chamber where leaders meet but we see many other characters have access to it. Cassian's place on Yavin has no doors or interior walls. The exterior walls aren't solid. It's more psychological shelter than secure position.

Conversely, The Empire's backbone is pure authority. The structure keeps the machine rolling and the pieces need to be kept apart to minimize friction, maximise compartmentalization, and make people easier to monitor or replace. The most memorable scenes of Imperial characters touching someone else are aggressive and disturbing. Closeness is an enemy of order. Depersonalization is almost a prerequisite for advancement.

This theme of closeness and separation is really highlighted when these modes change. When Rebel characters are alone, it's usually to protect the rest of the alliance, and when they isolate themselves, it's tragic. When Imperial characters are alone it's usually because they're being played as pawns or they've screwed up. When they make contact, it's almost always threatening.

The Rebels need to trust and have faith in eachother because their connections are their greatest strength. The highest ranking rebel leaders are not as insulated from direct threats as Imperial officers. Isolated rebel characters are removed from the very lifeblood of their cause, eachother. When they touch it usually reinforces their bonds. We are meant to see that the compartmentalization necessary for secrecy is extremely taxing for many of them. Closeness and intimacy are a sacrifice to the cause of freedom.

Even at their most amicable, Syril and Dedra's physical relationship is awkward. I get the impression that, thanks to their upbringing, and professional culture, neither of them understands how to perform affection. We can tell there is a desire for it but it isn't accessible to them. Because of this, their affectionate interactions still read like power plays or secret transgressions. It's shocking when we see Syril grip Dedra by the throat on Ghorman because it violates their personal relationship, their established dynamic, and every cultural norm Dedra is used to. This contact is the result of a breech between them, a collapse, and an outpouring of emotion between two people whose primary motivation is order. Syril's entire conception of the purpose of authority and his relationship implodes into a white-hot point of anger, leaving both feeling frightened and betrayed.

The fight between Syril and Cassian is an extension of this, with Syril pouring all of his grief and rage into an explosion of physical violence. For Syril, his relationship with this man is personal, intimate, and the systems that were supposed to resolve it have turned to ash. The law didn't share his sense of justice and dedication. The Empire (and as far as he knows, Dedra) exploited his sense of duty, using him as a tool to exterminate an entire population. His mother can't even treat him like a whole person. In that moment of crisis on Ghorman all he has is physical contact. He focuses all the rage of his isolation and insignificance on Cassian's face, only to learn that the one man who is responsible for the most important years of his life doesn't even know who he is. He devoted his life to causes that repeatedly reward him with total erasure.

When Krennic confronts Dedra in the interrogation room, his initial touch is more unsettling to her than anything he says. She expects to be grilled and raked over the coals, but she doesn't expect contact. In their world, contact is something that happens to other people. To be touched by the Empire is usually an act of subjugation, domination, and violence. For that to land literally on top of her head is terrifying. The initial contact is also incredibly demeaning and immediately tells her that she is no longer respected or safe. She is no longer on the distribution side of violence. A sentiment further ground in when he grabs her by the head. Her service to the Empire evaporates and she's reduced to nothing more than a violation of security protocols.

Luthen and Mon Mothma are great example of these themes because they must present acceptable fronts to the Empire in order to undermine it. Their physical and social spaces are simultaneously very open and controlled, intimate but largely performative. Their minds are their only truly personal spaces.

Mon's home is very spacious with few interior doors. The people inside move about and easily come into contact. Her clothes are orderly, intricate, and sculptural, but open backs and necklines portray a vulnerability and intentional exposure, unlike the high, stiff "protect your neck" style Imperial uniforms.

Luthen's shop is open, presumably, to the public but the objects on display that distract and attract also act as a subtle sort of barrier, like his public persona. Luthen uses his gregarious image to get closer to positions of power. All of his garish layers and lighthearted mannerisms make his priorities seem obvious and frivolous.

Luthen is nonthreatening to the Empire because he performs the distance of a dilletante, in service of himself. Mon maintains her position by participating in the arms-length business of public diplomacy. The Empire only suspects her as much as any other senator because they ultimately know the senate has no teeth to bare against them. She's one voice among thousands.

It's appropriate that each representative in that senate is isolated in their own little floating dog-bowl. They're all in the same room, but they are still physically isolated within that space. The space of each little pod can easily render a person very small and exposed in the face of the assembly looming over them.

It draws a lot of parallels to historic controls of proximity and touch to shape society, reinforce authority, breed privilege, and crush dissent. There are times when all we have is eachother. Depriving is of that is such an act of calculated cruelty. I really appreciate how well the show uses these themes to humanize the characters on both sides of the conflict and illustrate how fundamentally dehumanizing an authoritarian empire is.

[fairytalegonewronga03]

SalEddie ✋!! Love how you write them 😍

Aww thanks @mixkstyle! This one was harder cause I use this prompt in most of my fics but here is 600+ words of newly dating SalEddie with a hand carding gently through their hair! Prompts can be found here. ✋ - a hand carding gently through their hair ✋✋✋✋✋

The hospital room's fluorescent lights cast harsh shadows across Eddie's face, making the bruises appear even darker against his pale skin. The steady beep of the heart monitor provided a rhythmic counterpoint to Sal's racing thoughts. Just six hours ago, Eddie had been running into a burning building. Now he lay still, except for the gentle rise and fall of his chest.

Sal carefully climbed onto the narrow hospital bed, mindful of the IV lines, and nestled beside him. He threaded his fingers through Eddie's soot-stained hair, still smelling faintly of smoke despite the hospital shampoo. Eddie stirred, his eyelids fluttering open. A lazy, drug-induced smile spread across his face.

"Your hands," Eddie murmured, voice rough from the smoke inhalation. "They're like... magic, y'know?”

Sal chuckled softly. "The painkillers are hitting you hard, huh?"

"No, no, listen," Eddie said, reaching up to grab Sal's hand and bringing it to his lips. "Your hands—they just feel right. The way they hold me, the way they move… it’s always steady, always careful." He pressed a soft kiss to Sal's palm. "They make me feel safe. Just like you do." Sal felt heat rise to his cheeks. In their three months together, Eddie had never been this verbally affectionate. "Your hands," Eddie continued, his eyes half-lidded but intensely focused on Sal's fingers. "I think about them when I'm alone. How they'd feel sliding down my chest, lower... how they'd grip my thighs." His voice dropped to a whisper. "How they'd wrap around me, stroke me until I can't think straight."

Sal's breath caught in his throat. "Eddie—"

"I dream about your fingers," Eddie continued, the painkillers dissolving any filter he might normally have. "Opening me up, making me yours. Never knew I could want that until you. Never knew I could want anyone the way I want you." Sal stared at him, stunned. Eddie had always been reserved about sex, cautious in a way that made sense for someone navigating his first relationship with a man. They'd been taking things slowly, and while their physical relationship was developing, Eddie had never spoken like this before—raw and unfiltered desire.

"I love your hands," Eddie mumbled, his eyelids growing heavy again. "Love everything, they do. Everything they could do." Sal didn’t mean to kiss him—not at first. But the way Eddie looked at him, hazy-eyed and vulnerable, full of trust and aching tenderness, unraveled every thread of restraint he had left.

So he leaned in.

Their lips met in a soft, aching kiss—nothing demanding, nothing rushed. Just the press of Sal’s mouth against Eddie’s, steady and warm and full of everything he hadn’t said out loud. A promise. A plea. A breath shared in the stillness. Eddie let out a soft noise, almost a sigh, and tried to follow him when he started to pull away, fingers curling in the front of Sal’s shirt with quiet desperation.

“Don’t go,” Eddie whispered, his voice rough, wrecked, and sleepy. “Just… stay here. Keep kissing me.”

Sal smiled gently, brushing the tip of his nose against Eddie’s. “I’m not going anywhere. But right now, you need to rest, cariño.”

Eddie made a frustrated sound, his fingers tugging lightly, but Sal caught his hand and brought it to his lips, kissing each knuckle one by one.

“You’re high as a kite and half broken,” he murmured, then settled back down beside him, close enough to feel every exhale. “We’ll pick this up when you’re not held together by bandages and pain meds, I promise.”

Eddie grumbled under his breath, but he didn’t fight it when Sal’s hand returned to his hair, stroking slow and soothing. He leaned into the touch instinctively, like it was the only thing anchoring him to the earth. And Sal stayed there—curled beside the man he cared about, hand in his hair, heart in his hands—until Eddie’s breathing evened out again, and the weight of the night slowly gave way to something like peace.

✋✋✋✋✋

[urb3stg1rl]

90s Shawn Michaels SFW Alphabet

A - Affection (How affectionate are they? How do they show affection?)

Very physically affectionate!!

Random and sometimes overstimulating physical touch.

A neurodivergent/touch sensitive partner may just have to learn to coexist with 90s Shawn’s need for touch.

He seems like the type to randomly touch/tap you and keep some type of contact with you for emotional comfort

(ie. sitting beside you and leaning in so that your arms are touching, manspreading so that his knee touches yours)

B - Bonding (what is their favourite bonding activity with their partner?)

This man is soooo low maintenance… bonding with him is a case of beer in the backseat of his truck while you two drive around aimlessly.

Depending on what his day was like, he may want total silence, you silent with the radio quietly humming in the background, or the radio up with you two yapping back and forth.

Make sure he brought his chew with him or he WILL drop everything and go back to the house to grab them.

You two also bond over junk food.

This man doesn’t get to indulge in his sweet tooth very often but when he does, he goes IN. It’s a whole event and you’re apart of it.

C - Cuddles (how do they cuddle with their partner?)

This man thrives off of physical touch so cuddles are always a must

As long as some part of his skin is touching yours, he’s satisfied. He doesn’t need to crawl in your skin but he wants to feel you.

He likes to face you, so no big spoon/little spoon

however, he def likes being little spoon so that his hair can get played with.

Hes on his back as you two lay down, holding you against his chest like a child does a teddy bear, his chin resting on top of your head.

D - Dates (do they prefer flashy or casual dates?)

Remember those drives with a case of beer in the backseat… yeah…. That’s your date, babe.

If you make a big enough fuss, he’ll take you out to eat somewhere in his hometown.

Shawn’s not cooking a romantic meal a home. Not saying he’s going to burn the kitchen down, but something will just taste wrong.

Like that one time he managed to make the alfredo taste like soap and you winded up ordering takeout anyways…

Now, his cheat days every Friday? That could be a date night.

He takes you to the store so you can both grab whatever unhealthy snacks you want (he’s getting pizza and cookies every time). Expect to have all the cookies, the pizza, chips, and ice creams, soda, gummies, etc spread out on the coffee table while you two pig out and watch a movie.

he’s low maintenance and will turn anything into a date night and have it at home…

so, moral of the story: you’re responsible for date night…

E - Ending (How would they end things with their partner)

Bro is calling you and breaking up over the phone…

he’s too socially anxious and non confrontational outside of the ring when he’s sober.

He already knows your day-to-day schedule, so it’s too easy to just call you when he knows you’ll be at home and won’t have work the next day…

at least he’s considerate enough to not send you to work with a broken heart??

F - Feelings & Fiancé (who caught feelings first? How committed is he? Does he want to marry you?)

He caught feelings first.

He saw you across the way and couldn’t take his eyes off you.

Once he realized that you guys worked at/lived at/frequented the same place near each other, he found joy in those few seconds he saw you every day.

Not in a creep way, but in a “I really, really, really like this person and I don’t know if I’m good enough for them” type of way. “Look at them, all put together, and look at me” type of vibe.

When he finally gets the balls to come up to you or you come up to him, hell yeah he wants to marry you! Why NOT get married? Makes no difference to him. It’s kinda a no brainer for 90s Shawn because he's really not taking it that serious

“Why wouldn’t you want to get married to someone you love” is his mindset… but he also loved you after the second date… take it how you will.

G - Generosity (how often do they give their parter gifts? what are their gifts like)

Trivial or superficial showy shit doesn’t seem to matter to this man.

Bro got a 1996 Ferrari and that was the last time we saw him with luxury shit, so you getting a Chanel bag on a random Sunday is out of the question.

He will, however, make sure you have the COOLEST & HOTTEST cassette tape and CD collection for your car.

Apparently there was this music shop in SATX that Shawn used to frequent for cassettes and CDs of his favorite music like once or twice a month.

While you will see this man in the same button up shirt, same hat, and same shoes, he likes his partner to be dolled up. Whatever you like to wear, you’ll have plenty of it.

You looked at that shirt for 1.5 seconds? He went back to the store later and bought it in multiple colors for you.

The foodie in him is constantly bringing you sweet treats on his way home that he can’t eat because of his diet. He’s living vicariously through you.

H - Hugs (do they like hugs? how often do they do it? what are their hugs like?)

This man thrives on insignificant, damn near, constant physical touch. He will always take a hug. Every greeting comes with a hug.

Depending on your height, he’s a back of the header grabber most times. But if you’re taller than him, this short king is used to being the little spoon in a hug.

He’s sliding his hands around your waist every time he’s excited to see you. He loves touching your hips and patting your ass.

I - I love you (who said it first? how long did it take)

Unless you are the final boss of I hate my bf, you say it first. And he’ll happily say it back! But he’s not saying it first unless you make him.

If you say it a bit early for his taste, he’ll say it back with an odd look and a sweet chuckle but still mean it.

If you are the “I hate my bf” final boss and just have a hard time expressing your love, forcing him to say it first, he’ll say it like a question… like a test.

He’s sure you love him. You gotta love him at this point… right? “___, I love you?” just to see if you’ll say it back.

J - Jealousy (how jealous do they get? what do they do when they’re jealous?)

Shawn is a big loyalty guy. If he’s having a problem with someone, you should stand beside him and limit your interactions with them.

This can end up becoming a bit of an issue when you’re with a guy who is picking fights with literally everyone and isolating himself, in turn isolating you.

On a lighter note, he’s also an attention whore.

Don’t watch another wrestlers matches without watching his!! While Shawn doesn’t care to watch his matches for anything but taking notes, he wants you to watch his matches whether you’re on the road with him or on tv. He’ll pitch a bitch fit if you don’t.

What do his jealous bitch fits look like? Shawn isn’t going to completely ice you. He might give you the cold shoulder but he’s also throwing sly little comments over his shoulder too. He’s mumbling slick shit under his breath and pretending he didn’t say it.

“why don’t you ride with Bret to the next show since you liked that knee drop he did so much?”

K - Kisses (what are their kisses like? where do they like to kiss their partner? where do they like to be kissed?

This man is a plain Jane kisser. There is no getting hot and heavy from a makeout sesh with him…

He’ll kiss you anywhere that’s close to him.

You’re standing between his legs as he sits, facing him or away? You’re getting a kiss on your stomach or back.

But he’s a peck type of man. HOWEVER, when it comes to kissing him?? Oh baby. Kiss him anywhere. Actually, kiss him everywhere all of the time. He loves that shit.

L - Love Language (what’s their love language?)

TOUCH!! How many times do I have to say it?

He’s always holding your hand, has a hand on your back, sitting shoulder to shoulder with you, doodling on your thigh with his fingers.

M - Mornings (What are mornings like with them)

This man is on the road 250 days a year at the very least; closer to 300 days a year. That’s not including when he’s home and still in the gym and dieting.

While on the road, he’s starting his day at the local Gold’s Gym in town.

He’ll probably bring you someone from the hotel’s continental breakfast once he gets back.

But Shawn is a star and to keep that star status, he’s always working. The most time you can get out of this man while he’s on the road is showering together or eating together.

When he isn’t on the road, his morning workout seeps into his at home routine too because it’s what he’s used to. But if he’s at home, he’s off.

So the mornings can be more lax and he might wait to workout so that he can slowly wake up with you instead of before you.

He’ll play with your hair, scratch your scalp, or run his fingers up and down your back until you wake.

If you like oatmeal, he’ll make enough of his so that you can have some and eat it with you at the dining table before he leaves.

He’ll even cut up fruit to put in your bowl.

N - Nicknames (what nicknames do they give their partner? What nicknames do they get in return?)

…he’s gonna call you by your name. “Sweetheart” if he’s feeling adventurous.

Actually, sweetheart might be quite frequent but, surprisingly, he’s extremely uncreative outside of the business.

O - Obvious (How obvious do they make it that they like you?)

At first, you aren’t even sure if this man knows you exist.

You might even question if you drank some type of invisibility potion with the way he walks past you without acknowledgment.

But after you two are dating, he’s up your ass.

He knows he loves you, you know he loves you, and so does everyone else. He’s constantly holding your hand in public (in private too).

it might be a "staking my claim"/ "this is mine" thing

P - Patience (how easily do they get angry? What ticks them off?)

Talking positively about other wrestlers, especially the Hart Foundation, will tick him off. And if you keep going, he will say something.

Shawn will admit everyone's talent and say how he wouldn’t want to work with anyone else, but the man is a D1 hater.

He’s V*nce's golden child of WWE and he will take it personally if you like another wrestler too much for his liking.

It won’t take much for him either. All you have to do is tell Steve Austin that his promo was really good that night and Shawn is speed walking ahead of you outside of the arena and to the car.

Talking about some “That’s his job: to cut a good promo. It was okay at BEST” under his breath.

Other than that, it's not that Shawn gets angry, it's that he's sensitive and will take everything personally.

Q - Quizzes (how much do they remember about their partner)

He remembers your favorite foods!!

Not that he cooks it for you, but it will order it as takeout for you!

And your favorite shows.

If there’s a favorite moment from a show you like, he’ll quote it to you or act it out with you all the time to make you laugh or just see a smile on your face.

He also has your measurements committed to memory, this includes ring size and wrist size for watches.

Shawn loves a good watch and what he loves for himself, he loves for you.

R - Remember (what’s their favourite memory with their partner?)

He loves his junk food nights with you, specifically when you both bake the most outrageous things.

The you introduced him to slutty brownies changed his life. He tells everyone about how genius you are and how you’re going to be the reason he gains 20 pounds.

Brownie batter mixed with cookie dough and Oreos in the middle?! He’ll never forget it.

Or the ice cream bar you two did one Friday night?

He loaded his chocolate ice cream up with m&ms, marshmallows, sprinkles, chocolate sauce, and caramel and paid for it with a stomach ache…

S - Sad (how do they like to be comforted?)

When Shawn is sad, the whole world must end. You have gear up and lace up your boots to go into this battle because there is no consoling this man when he gets into a dark place.

Play with his hair, tell him the botch could’ve been way worse, be a yes person. Adamantly, and I mean VEHEMENTLY, oppose any negative thing that he has to say about himself. It’s the only thing that works.

He doesn’t want an ear or a shoulder, he wants and needs a yes person to reassure him.

So if that botch was the worst thing you’ve ever seen in your life, suddenly that was the best that move was ever done and no one could’ve done it better.

T - Tend (How do they act when you’re hurt or sick, and vice versa?)

He’s a lost puppy if you’re sick and extremely unaware of self.

Constantly pestering you to see if you need anything… at least you know that if you DO need something, he’ll get it?

He’s so attentive but he goes overboard with it without actually offering any help.

And when he’s sick? This poor wittle baby.

Shawn will take concussions, a broken back, stitches, etc. but god forbid he has a sore throat. The whole world must end when Shawn Michaels has a tickle in his throat.

U - Ugly (what would be some bad habits or bad personality traits of theirs?)

I’ve skimmed past it during this whole thing… but we all know. ANYWHO.

This man is also a gambler and not even a cool one!!

He goes to the slots, like man… At least go to the table and play some blackjack, but whatever.

Strip bars are also something he enjoys, unless his partner nips that in the bud.

Then he’s looking longingly at his buddies as they leave the venue to go without him.

He’s also extremely sensitive outwardly.

His feelings are hurt and you're gonna know. Not because he tells you but because he looks like a kicked dog or an angry toddler.

He hurt his own feelings and it’s always someone else’s fault.

He’s an overly sensitive and petty bitch… those two don’t go well together but you love the man anyways.

V - Vanity (how much do they care about their looks?)

Well… do I have to say it? We all know that Shawn loves Shawn.

You think that man just had Rapunzel hair without the work?? No, he’s using up ALL of your shampoo.

When he’s at home, he’s back in his shorts and boots and a tank… terrible fashion sense.

BUT his hair will look like it belongs in a Pantene commercial, his skin is impeccable because he washes his face morning and night with water, and he has no idea what 3-in-1 soap is.

The sun visor is constantly down in his truck, not because the sun is blinding, but because he needs the mirror to make sure there isn’t anything in his teeth.

And my god! The amount of floss this man goes through??

And the amount of floss you find throughout the house… yeah…

W - Wild Card (whatever you headcannon about them)

Surprise but this overly confident WWE stripper is sad about EVERYTHING!

Insecure and sensitive. When he’s with you, in a safe space, it shows.

He plops down next to you with a sigh, dramatically turns his head to look at you, and then lets it all out.

Whether it be the mole under his eye, his height (he wears shoe inserts, tell me i'm wrong), or his bad rep in the locker room, the only thing saving his self esteem is his undeniable talent and the ability to lean on you.

But with this comes being a hype man. He needs you to tell him that his beauty mark is attractive, that he isn’t that short, and that he’s a good person.

X - Xray (How easily can they read you?)

This man can’t read you for shit. Sorry.

You need to spell out your emotions for him. Sit him down and explain how you’re feeling and make sure he doesn’t get distracted on you.

Don’t get me wrong, he cares! He wants to understand and he can sometimes pick up on when you’re huffing and puffing that something is pissing you off, but he’s lost altogether.

Y - Yearning (how do they act when they miss their partner?)

All those times Shawn was borderline harassing/pestering Diesel, Hunter, or Chyna in the ring like a bad ass kid? Yeah, it was because he had gone too long without seeing you.

Now they have to deal with his dependency on physical touch.

They're calling your house phone and begging you to get on a plane and give Shawn a hug or a kiss. SOMETHING! He won’t stop jumping on, poking at, or just being overly active with anyone in sight.

He needs you and everybody knows it

Z - ZzZ (how do they like to sleep?)

Shawn is an undiagnosed insomniac.

He’s often wired after shows which is great in turn because he spends nights driving on the road anyways. And if he’s not driving on the road, he’s going to a club, bar, or casino anyways.

But for the few days of the year that he’s home with you or you’re with him in a hotel, he’s not sleeping and this messes with your sleep schedule.

The best he can do for you is channel surf with the tv on mute to keep his hands and eyes busy or go outside with a tin of chews and look at the night sky.

His dog does sleep on the foot of the bed and I guarantee you that Shawn will wind up playing tug on the with the covers or something as you sleep.

Shawn and sleep don’t naturally go together most night unless there’s something else intervening. But if he can sleep, he’s out cold wherever he lands.

[owlfacenightkit]

They’re so physically affectionate I need them to explode

[dirtytransmasc]

I think I need MelVik connecting when Viktor was on his sick bed. they had been amicable before, maybe a little more than that due to their connection through Jayce and her presence around Hextech and such. but they weren't entirely friends. not yet.

and she goes to see him. perhaps she feels a tinge of guilt at assuming the worst about Jayce, or her bleeding heart makes her feel responsible for keeping Jayce out of the lab when Viktor had needed him. maybe Jayce needs to step out for a moment, and she soothes his worry by promising to sit with Viktor. maybe she just wants to be closer to the man that's so painfully important to the one she loves, wants to befriend him, wants to know him, all before it's far too late.

maybe it's a little bit of each.

but she goes to see him. she sits in the chair that Jayce has nearly worn a hole through, and keeps a semi-awkward distance between them, not knowing what is too close and too far.

this man is dying. he is dying and he has accepted that. he looks like a corpse. cold emanates off of him. he is something she doesn't fully understand.

she doesn't know how to approach.

but she does.

she greets softly and speaks softly and hesitates to touch, but rests a hand over Viktor's and feels how cold he is, even as a sickly warmth brews in his bones, leeching the warmth from his skin and the energy from his body.

he seems surprised she's there. it feels out of place. like the song and dance of their dynamic has shifted, and now he needs to relearn the steps. and now this is a dance of two, not three.

she will tell Viktor, in enough detail to be understood and not enough to be awkward, where Jayce was. because it feels right to confess. it's not an apology, but the avoidance of keeping something like a secret from a dying man.

Viktor will probably just nod and say something self deprecating, because what else do you say when your body is already making a joke of itself? before assuring her that Jayce is not his keeper, that she is not to blame, but even that comes off as some twisted attempt at humor. sue him for being sardonic as he lay dying.

but unlike Jayce, who will cringe at the jokes, she will hide a smile behind her fingers, muffling a soft, if not saddened, chuckle in her palm.

Viktor's eyes will light up ever so slightly.

she'll feel awkward once more. should she have laughed? was this playing into a complex? was this right of her?

Viktor will smile weakly.

she'll feel a little less awkward.

she will realize Viktor needs someone to laugh with. that Jayce, bless his soul, cannot be that person for Viktor. his worry has brewed too long. it's too strong.

but maybe a fresh face like Mel's can be there to smile when Jayce cannot. will laugh when Jayce cannot. can make cheeky jokes and pokes and prods.

the three fit together like 3 pieces of 3 broken puzzles. they fit together, not perfectly, but they fit, and create a finished object, even if off kilter her and uneven there. but it's ok, they're making due.

[broken-clover]

Deeply deeply attached to the idea of Potemkin and Dizzy being friends and an unreasonably large portion of that is the thought that she's basically one of the few things he would be able to hug and not immediately reduce to paste

[catinasink]

mutuals kiss me when. mutuals cuddle me when. mutuals please i desire physical affection soso bad.

[the-oracle-of-the-lost]

the aroaceness of twelve/river means everything to me.

[battingchaos]

while on the topic ━ let's talk about soft / platonic / comforting / affectionate energy from stelle for a moment !! none of this should ever be considered forced shipping, or flirting UNLESS it has been previously discussed. please understand, stelle is incredibly soft with people she cares for and trusting, and mostly unashamed. she will hug someone, or give them a kiss on the cheek, hold their hand ━ many things that of course muses who are not used to soft affectionate people will probably feel ??? about BUT. stelle rarely intends for these actions to be flirtatious or romantic in nature. it's obviously different if she has a crush on said person or they HAVE been intimate, but stelle truly enjoys being soft and affectionate with those she cares for and will always be happy to by physically soft with them. she's not easily touchy with people, but people she gets to know closely? they will always be in her mind open game for hugs, soft affection and intimacy AND i do encourage muses who are NOT comfortable with this to tell her so, or to get upset with her over it. please let them react however they would! but when she cares for someone, she will show it. it's extra affectionate if they are closer than friends or familial bond, of course, she is generally a very affectionate girl! and she also has a strong sense of empathy, another lovely side-effect of being an undiagnosed autistic so she doesn't know why she can feel it when someone is incredibly emotional near her, so she can and she will react accordingly.

[puppy-bird]

Coming to the unfortunate realization that I might have to face my fears and do sexual stuff with strangers in order to get any physical affection beyond the occasional quick platonic hug or fistbump

[fishparasite]

oh okay i'm like this because i'm lonely

[nerdyqueerr]

kissied me on the cheek? When goodnight hug?!?!?! im normal

[whattraintracks]

90s Raphael’s characterization between the first movie and the next two is interesting. Could make for a good fic.

I love Raph's characterisation across the 90s trilogy.

There are so many little things I could point out, but overall, I love that he's a little guy with big feelings! He doesn't always know what to do with them given he's a teenager with sensory issues and trauma. I love his strong convictions about right and wrong and justice and helping others and protecting his family and bystanders. I love watching this kid who spent fifteen years in isolation discover what he wants and fight for it.

Splinter tells him and his brothers their whole lives (as gently as possible) that the world above will never understand or accept them, but Raph carves out a place for himself anyway. He must have brought home so many strays growing up, and then he brings home three humans who change their lives. As he gets to know April, Casey, and Keno, he learns that he craves connection, a wider social circle than his family can offer. He wants people to know he exists. And we see how much he wants, but the price to have it is too steep. Because he can't reveal himself to the whole world and protect his family; he can't live in ancient Japan and have them, too. Despite so desperately wanting more, he chooses his family every time. I love when tmnt media and fandom explore these aspects of Raph.

My 90s fics tend to focus on how Raph is harmed by their conflict with the Foot Clan.

Sunset is my take on some of the missing hours between Raph's capture and rescue from Foot HQ.

Wrestling imagines how Raph might've broken down after the first two movies given everything he went through.

Thanks for the ask =)

[k20spock]

love my college friends but I miss having friends around I’ve known forever so I can just lay on top of them like a cat.