#building-relationship

[quotelr]

when you become addict in to MATERIAL things in life then the TRUE natural life start to run away from you, YES! it's can give you certain pleasure in the society but in the same time it will sabotage your true HAPPINESS of life which we could have simply with GRATITUDE and FORGIVENESS

Rashedur Ryan Rahman

[ghosted-jazz]

The protagonist of Legends ZA being Sycamore's kid is real TO ME

[chloesimaginationthings]

The Aftons are a very normal FNAF couple

[shepscapades]

[Part 1] [Part 2] [PART 3]

Xbralis as the first canon dbhc pairing with the steel chair!

[jjkyaoi]

by the way. people are allowed to complain about this season feeling rushed. i don’t know when it became a thing in this fandom to completely jump people who have valid complaints like YES arcane is a fantastically produced and beautifully animated show and nobody will be able to top it but they did start things with some characters only for it to never go anywhere so it can all be wrapped up in three episodes 😭

[whoiskt]

Questions about two of your original characters about their relationship. Should work for friends/lovers/coworkers/enemies/etc, maybe not so much for family, but you're welcome to try!

How did they meet?

How long have these two characters known each other?

What were their first impressions of each other? How does that compare to their impressions of each other now?

How would they describe each other if asked? Physically? In personality?

Do they get along? Why or why not?

Do they have any shared interests/hobbies? Do they ever do these hobbies together?

How often do they see each other? Where do they usually meet?

How do they communicate with each other? Are there any recurring phrases or gestures unique to their relationship?

What is one quality they have in common?

What is one major difference between them?

Does one act as a narrative foil to the other? How so?

Do they have any affection for each other? How do they show it?

Do they have any disdain/contempt for each other? How do they show it?

Do they share the same goals in life?

Do they trust each other? Why or why not?

Is one of them keeping secrets from the other? Why? How would they react if the secret was revealed?

Are they keeping a secret together? How do they feel about that?

Do they view their relationship as temporary or permanent?

Are they satisfied with their relationship? Do they wish they were closer/more distant?

What is their best memory together?

What is their worst memory together?

When were they the most vulnerable with each other?

Do they have any mutual friends? Mutual enemies?

How do these two interact with each other in public versus in private?

If a stranger saw them together, how would they describe their relationship?

How would these characters react to being stuck in a small room with each other?

How far would they go for each other? Would they risk their own lives for each other?

[juicegremlin]

they're so "sisters pitted against each other by their manipulative father who bond over how majorly he sucked ass after he's gone"

[bekkomi]

Hi, I'm still getting emotionally destroyed

[b1asho]

While it's on the mind, here's my wings of fire designs too. Not as much of a brainrot but still fun. Bad take or am I cooking with some of them? Let me know in the comments. Here's some (too many) notes:

I really liked the original designs when I first read these books, but I wanted to try my hand at uhh changing them a little. Mainly making them more distinct from each other (even if this irreversibly breaks canon XD)

-Sandwings live in a mixed savannah and desert habitat and have bodies adapted for resource scarcity, effective hunting, and heat dispersion. They have large ears to help cool off and listen for stuff. They can fly, but pretty weakly in comparison to some others, mainly using flight to navigate their large territories , get onto cliffs, and scan for prey. They typically climb up somewhere and then jump off. They are built like felines, and use a solo stalk and rushdown hunting approach coupled with a sting instakill. They live in family groups, with a ‘queen’ title going to the alpha female 💪 and everyone else hunting and living together. They are immune to their own venom, which acts very similarly to a scorpion’s but in a massive dose, causing numbness, breathing difficulties seizures, and eventually death. It takes time for them to make more once they’ve expended the dose, so they rarely use it outside of hunting or life/death situations (though the prospect of being stung is very scary to everyone else, and they will instinctively raise their tail when startled or threatened)

-Skywings live in high mountainous and forested areas, with some living in the lowlands. They are powerful flyers and very acrobatic due to their tail, though this comes at the expense of their agility on land and the strength of their non wing arms. They have long legs with powerful talons for grasping prey midair or snatching them from off the ground. They hunt and live alone unless they have a partner. Communities are made up of a loose group of related individuals who rarely collect in one place at once(queendom structure are a more recent and ‘unnatural’ thing for them, but very useful for organizing military efforts and empire building). They stay aloft for long periods of time and usually only land on their cliff homes. They need a sprint or a takeoff point to get flying, though. Unlike every other tribe, they have a noticeable difference between male and female (being a nose horn and red face for males.) males are prized for these features, and having a pretty husband is seen as an attractive trait for a queen.

-Seawings live along the coast. They normally only venture out of the water for trade and other resources, since they can get everything else they need underwater. Their large neck houses gills protected by thick pads that will close when on land, while their lungs are in their mid chest. Primarily adapted to swimming, they have very strong tails and webbed fingers and toes. They will also use their wings to steer and paddle, as well as manipulate things their other arms can’t reach. They will hunt in packs, corralling fish and other animals into a kill zone. They are very clumsy on land and in the air with their short limbs and weak wings. Their bioluminescent spots can be flashed for communication, and compared to the other tribes they have pretty poor vocal ability (due to the gills in their neck getting in the way) and will supplement with other spot/sign signals. Every individual has unique spots, though their glowing ones come in consistent numbers, sizes, patterns, and places on their body so they can use them for common language across their group. However, Different groups from different parts of the ocean have different numbers of spots in different areas, making cross communication via only spots difficult. Their whiskers help navigate in close or dark areas, and are seen as a status symbol.

-Mudwings live in warmer areas, specifically marshes and other wetlands (though sometimes in some forested areas too). Their thick armor helps protect them from other mudwings/competition, while also acting as an insulator that allows them to easily venture a wider range than other tribes from warm climates. Physically, they are the strongest and bulkiest. They typically use the element of surprise and their overwhelming size and strength to take down large prey. However, unlike other tribes they tend to eat more plants too due to their large size (all of them are technically omnivores, but meat makes up the dominant part of their diet because of their energy needs and their ancestors). They are also the poorest flyers out of the bunch, having sacrificed that for size and strength, though they can do short bursts similar to a chicken to get to hard to reach areas or to surprise attack prey faster than them, they’re similar to hippos and are adapted to living in the water too, using powerful webbed arms to propel themselves and dig through the mud, and their large lung capacity to stay submerged and hidden for long periods. Their nostrils, ears, and eyes are located near the top of their head, which also gives more room for Tusks. They use these to root around occasionally defend themselves. Tusk maintenance and appearance is very important to them. They live in large groups of families in the same area and have more communal social standards than other tribes.

-Rainwings live in tropical areas and have a very small habitat range. This has caused them to look and act very different than most tribes, leading to poor perception of them. They use their long claws, strong grasping fingers, and prehensile tail to climb around, and are pretty much arboreal. They have wings meant for quick takeoffs and flight in dense areas, and are pretty agile and swift. They and aren’t that great at sustained flight or dealing with high altitudes and winds though . Their frill is delicate and used for emoting (probably originally for mating purposes) Their skin is packed with chromatophores that they can use to match their surroundings, and they have loose ridges in their skin that they can raise to enhance the effect. Their skin is constantly changing color due to their brain activity, though they have set patterns/colors for emotions and communication. They can also choose to focus on organizing their skin patterns to get coordinated colors and patterns, since normally it’s pretty disorganized. They eat a lot more plants due to their environment and due to social standards, but arent herbivores. They have the ability to spit acid out of hollow retractable fangs, and use precise shots of this coupled with their camouflage ability to get prey. They can also spray it at higher velocities for defense and offense, though this expends their supply much quicker. They don’t recognize a queen in their communities and are fairly disorganized into different cooperative groups.

-Nightwings are the result of a group that split off onto an island, though the volcanic activity on their original island escalated to the point where they had to emigrate. They are great fliers, using their wings and tail extensions to travel great distances to track prey and ambush from above. When on land, they aren’t particularly fast or strong, and instead are built for persistence. Their hunting tactic involves getting an initial bite onto prey, then waiting for it to succumb to infection. Their spines, horns, muscles, and talons are mainly for defending their kill from other Nightwings rather than hunting it in the first place. As a result of this competition, they aren’t naturally very social like other tribes, They are mainly nocturnal.

-Icewings live in the colder tundras and snowy forest environments. They are pack hunters, using their speed and persistence to take down prey, similar to wolves. Their long overlapping scales help them trap heat and survive in the cold, and while the guy i drew here is pretty skinny they also store fat much more readily than other tribes. Their bowed wings are mainly used to swoop in in prey, and like falcons they often take steep dives to grapple it. Their antlers only grow in at a certain time in the year, but royalty will wear embellished artificial ones in the meantime.

[fanaticalthings]

Most children, once they've grown up and moved out, sometimes come back to visit their parents to use their house as a sort of personal grocery store

And with Bruce being a literal billionaire whose house is always stocked with food and supplies, the batkids (that aren't living in the manor) definitely visit just for the purpose of taking shit for themselves.

---

For Dick, it's just small things, food and maybe some utensils. Bruce is barely in the kitchen so he never notices dishes go missing, and there are like 10 other children in his house so literally any one of the younger kids could've stolen food in the middle of the night, so he doesn't bat an eye at all.

Babs probably steals Bruce's hardware or his tools from the batcave. Sometimes, if she's nice, she'll leave a note.

Steph probably takes shit that no one will notice at the time but will absolutely be annoyed about when they need said thing. Stapler, soap bars, the microwave plate, etc...(Taking after Jason, she steals the hub caps off the batmobile's tires)

However, for Jason, once his relationship with Bruce is somewhat decent, of course he's gonna be petty and start stealing the more expensive shit in the manor for his apartment. Jason's microwave is broken? The next day, the cave's self-made and enhanced microwave made by Bruce for convenience is just gone.

Jason's feeling a coffee maker for his place? The one in Bruce's study disappears, too.

---

At first, Bruce thinks he's just sleep deprived, but then much bigger things start to go missing, like the whole TV and couch set in the living room. He assumes the younger kids are just playing pranks on him (sounds like something Stephanie would do) but then Bruce notices that the thief deliberately avoids stealing things from the kitchen, which is where Alfred is most of the time, and suddenly Bruce has an irritated clue on who the culprit is.

At first, he doesn't say anything, until one day he comes back, tired from a patrol, and is about to log in all the info on the computer only to realize his batchair is gone. That's when he texts Jason a blunt "If you really need things for your place, you can just ask me. I'll buy them for you." (As if Jason himself isn't loaded from his totally legal activities)

---

So now Jason's pettiness levels increase tenfold, and oh, wouldn't you look at it, his bike needs some new tires, and he knows a great place to get some more.

One night, Bruce is just blearily getting up for a late night snack, only to see Damian scamper away with a...lamp? So Bruce immediately follows him into the foyer only to see ALL of his kids (sans the ones not living in the manor), trying to haul two arm chairs out the window, and they just stop dead silent to stare at him until someone whispers a nervous "Crap"

Bruce doesn't even have any energy to fight, he just pinches his nose and is all "What is the meaning of this" in his tired dad voice. And Duke meekly responds with "we wanted more chairs at Jason's place"

And suddenly it all makes sense. Not once did Bruce wonder how the HELL Jason managed to lug a whole 60in TV and a full couch set on his own in one night. Of course, he had accomplices. Bruce just turns right around and goes right the hell back to his room to sleep. He'll deal with this in the morning.

[hairmetal666]

They're sitting in Eddie's bedroom, Steve propped up in the bed, flipping through some sports magazine, Eddie curled on the floor using his knee as a table as he scrawls notes for Hellfire's next campaign. Metallica spins on the record player, volume low. They're doing this more and more, being together and doing their own thing, music a soft backdrop to it all.

Eddie's deep into his planning, enough so that he manages to forget that Steve Harrington is in his bed. He keeps hearing something, though. It just manages to catch at the edge of his awareness, but when he fully tunes in the only sounds are Steve flipping a page, Ride the Lightning, the shift of blankets as Harrington taps his fingers. It happens a few more times, but when he tries to catch it, it's gone. Steve hasn't reacted at all, to the point Eddie wonders if it's all in his own head.

The next time, he's interrupted before he even gets back into it, that noise again, but this time, now, he's aware enough to see that it's Steve. And he's not, like, reading the magazine out loud to himself. No. He's singing along.

To Metallica.

And he wasn't idly tapping his fingers before. He was tapping along to the beat.

"You're singing along?" He asks before he can stop himself.

Steve looks up, a faint smile on his handsome face. "It's not too bad."

"Not too--Not too bad." Eddie's nearly screeching. Can't wrap his mind around Steve--"You've been listening to Metallica on your own? You've been--you--" He jumps to his feet, notebook spilling onto the floor. Steve's just looking up at him with big eyes and a gentle grin.

"Sure, Munson. You like it, yeah?"

He nods, mutely, unsure how he so thoroughly lost the plot that Steve's been listening to Metallica just because Eddie likes it.

"Got a taste for any other metal bands I should know about, Harrington?" He flops down on the bed, making Steve bounce a little.

"Well, Dio's pretty okay."

This time Eddie does really, actually shriek.

---

Eddie swans into the kitchen to greet Steve, who's already lounging on the couch with a beer. There's another one on the coffee table, waiting for Eddie.

"Just helped yourself, Harrington?" He teases.

Steve shoots him a look. "Wayne grabbed them before he left. What the hell took you so long?"

He can't say it's because he wanted to look nice with Steve coming over, even if they are just getting high and watching movies. Of course taming his hair took so long that he didn't have time to find a shirt, and Steve's knock at the door had him grabbing the first thing he could and jamming it over his head.

"You want chips?" He asks.

"Wait--Eddie--" Steve stands, pointing at Eddie's chest.

"What?"

"That's my--oh my god, I've been looking for that."

And, well, he had thought it was a little strange that the t-shirt he grabbed was gray. He pulls at the fabric, stares at the upside down Hawkins Tiger with a basketball in its mouth.

"It's my favorite sleep shirt. I thought Robin took it and you--"

Eddie's face heats. Steve's shirt. Of course. Steve stayed over one movie night, forgot the shirt, and Eddie. Well. He was going to give it back, but--

"Here, man, my bad." He goes to pull the hem over his head. "I didn't know it was your favorite."

"Nah," Steve says. He's sitting back on the couch. "You should keep it. You look really--" he pauses and takes a sip of beer. "It's nice on you, Munson."

He's sure his blush is a horrendous thing to witness, has to fight the urge to hide in his hands. "Right. Uh. Chips!" He whirls towards the cabinets, refusing to think about the matching pink stripes across Steve's cheeks.

---

"C'mon, Munson, you're hogging the covers." Steve's sleepy mumble cuts through the dawn quiet.

"Mmph," Eddie groans. Rubs the soles of his feet against Steve's shins.

"You're a dick," Steve grumbles. He shimmies closer, which is what finally does the job at fully waking Eddie.

"Wha--huh?" He blinks.

"You stole the blankets, man. If you're not going to share, the least you can do is cuddle."

"Uhh." Eddie is sure he's dreaming, but Steve's warm, strong arm slips around his waist, pulls them together.

Eddie doesn't know what to do. Where he should put his body. Does he relax into it? What do his arms do? They're not usually this rigid, right? But what do they do when he's sleeping? Somewhere in his gay panic, he has the presence of mind to grab the edge of the blanket and throw it over his friend.

"Better?" He asks. His voice is all wrong but maybe Steve will attribute it to tiredness.

"Mmm." Steve's grip tightens around his waist, his nose nuzzling against the nape of Eddie's neck. His breathing is already slow and deep.

Eddie can't imagine sleep finding him anytime soon. Not when Steve, his crush, his best friend, is holding him like this. Not when he now knows what the real thing would be like. Not when it's so impossibly out of his grasp.

---

Steve and Wayne are watching a Cub's game. Eddie's curled up on the couch between them, trying to work on a sketch, but his brain keeps skipping to a song he's writing. The lyrics have been easy, coming to him like nothing, but the melody...he wants it to be heavy, loud, wanting, but it won't fit.

He glances up at Steve, chatting with Wayne about some baseball thing called a ribee. His hair's not done, flopping softly around his forehead, and he's wearing his result-of-too-many-concussions glasses, the yellow sweater from that horrific boat ride, retrieved by one of the kids and painstakingly washed by Karen Wheeler.

Steve looks sweet, soft, relaxed. He laughs at something Wayne says, and Eddie's a lost cause. He's just fucking smiling at the pretty boy on his couch, hanging out with his uncle, too far gone to be able to fight it.

A melody forms in his head, and it's soft. Not sweet, no, but gentle. Almost tender. Nothing like he imagined.

---

It's early, early enough that Wayne's not home yet, but he got tired of trying to sleep. Didn't want to bother Steve, who still softly snored in Eddie's bedroom. So, he grabs his acoustic and his notebook, goes out to the couch to work on the song. It's coming along, really good, one of his best. He hasn't shared it with the guys yet. It's--he's not ready, lays him too bare.

There's a clatter from the kitchen, Steve's voice, deep and sleep rough, says, "Hey, Munson."

He pushes the guitar and notebook aside. "Did I wake you? I was trying to be quiet, I'll--"

Steve shakes his head, pads into the living room. He's wearing the yellow sweater, a pair of Eddie's sweatpants, bedhead rampant. He curls up next to Eddie, pulling the couch afghan over his feet. "What're you working on?"

Eddie's ears get hot. "Nothing much. New song I've been noodling on."

"Cool." Steve's smile is little and fond. "Play it for me?"

"Ahh," Eddie says. His hand twitches around the neck of the guitar. "Not sure if it's quite ready for that."

"Oh, yeah." Steve nods. His face does something weird and squiggly that Eddie's never seen. "Just never heard you play before. Thought now might be...you know."

Eddie swallows, hard. "Well, maybe we'll get a show up at the Hideout soon."

"Of course. It's just--this is just you."

He blinks at Steve for a few long seconds, can't believe he's about to do this, but--It's not like Steve will know it's about him, anyway. "It's not a full song yet, alright? Just a verse and half of a chorus, so like. Don't judge it too hard."

"I would never." He can sense Steve's smile but can't look directly at it, knows it would kill him.

He situates the guitar, spins the notebook to read the lyrics like they aren't already burned into his brain, starts to play. His fingers are deft and sure, his voice a little rough, a little raspy with nerves.

The song ends and he's afraid to look at Steve, to see the thoughts written plane on his face. The silence extends, though, and he asks. "So, what did you think?"

"It's--that wasn't what I expected." Steve's voice is weird. Wobbly. Eddie chances half a glance at him, but can't make anything definitive out from his expression. "I didn't think--that's not the kind of music I thought you made."

He licks his lips, swallows. Puts his guitar down. "It's not usually."

"It was a love song." Steve says. His eyes burn into Eddie's.

He can't say anything for seconds that seem to span minutes. "Yeah, Steve," he says in a voice cut with gravel. "It's a love song."

"Eddie," Steve whispers. He reaches out then, thumb tracing along Eddie's jaw, the scars that linger there from the bats. "Is this okay?" He can only nod as Steve's hand twines through his curls.

He's shaking, just a little bit, not because he's inexperienced but because this is Steve, because it's happening, because their lips are meeting and a trembling noise falls from his mouth at the sweet way Steve kisses him.

It's gentle and quick, but they don't part when the kiss ends, stay sharing air as their foreheads rest together. Eddie can't stop smiling.

"Please tell me I'm not dreaming, Stevie" he whispers.

"You dream about me?" Steve asks, eyes blazing.

"I wrote a song about you, and you think dreams are a reach?"

Steve laughs, brushes a kiss against the tip of Eddie's nose. "I loved the song."

"Yeah?"

"Can't wait to hear the whole thing."

"Well, stick around for a while."

Steve leans in, kisses him again, longer this time. "Just try to get rid of me, Munson."

[ciderjacks]

despite Laios low self esteem making him think that if he’d been eaten, Chilchuck and Marcille wouldn’t have helped Falin,

theres a small part of me that thinks the reason Chilchuck stayed with the party and went back in the dungeon in the first place was because he didn’t want to leave Laios alone. That Laios was moreso the reason he stayed.

[inkedinserendipity]

one of the reasons i think that the murderbot diaries’ emotional moments hit so hard is because of a scarcity effect that the author has set up really, really well.

because, like—murderbot, as a character, is an answer to the question how do you “show and not tell” emotional moments from the lens of a character who point-blank will not acknowledge any affection directed their way. or, instead of overtly stating that characters are friends (“tell”), how do you demonstrate it with text (“show”)? well, most authors go ham on characters smiling at each other, laughing, joking, expressing reciprocal loyalty.

murderbot does none of those things. murderbot probably never smiled before preservation, and definitely didn’t laugh. (this is only partially an exaggeration.) telling jokes? hell yeah, MB’s funny as fuck. to other people? hell no. that would require conversations and it’d rather die, thanks.

add that to the fact that murderbot treats any expressions of affection toward it—internal and external—like being bit by a snake.

so you have this character + writing style that bars most conventional ways of establishing relationships between characters. you also have this character who is basically incapable of feeling any sort of reciprocated, positive emotion toward itself. so what do you do?

you work around your character. murderbot will never pick up on affectionate body language. it hates hugs. every sentence it hears passes through about fifteen different filters of self-loathing. so you make your relationships clear, and when you hit, you hit hard.

you summarize snapshots of characters panicking about the main character getting hurt. you drop your character’s performance reliability (and their walls) and have them banter. you have your character walk in on the tail end of conversations that expose concern for it.

and then you do things so overt that even your shit-self-esteem character can’t talk its way out of. you have its friend tell it directly that it can’t lose it too. you have its friends accommodate it and understand it without it directly expressing a single need. you have its friends stand up for it in conversation when it is too tired to do so. and then, when you really want to hit, you have your character pretend to be physically compromised rather than have to feel one (1) positive emotion toward itself.

positive emotions toward itself can’t really pass through murderbot’s walls. so you have to establish relationships by beating your main character over the head with them. and it can’t be all the time—because that’s not how relationships and emotional recovery, yknow, works—but it can be sometimes, and it can be very powerful, and that is why i think murderbot diaries in particular is very, very effective.

[literaryvein-reblogs]

Some Writing Notes for your Sex Scenes

Foreplay - any sexual activity that comes before intercourse.

The purpose of foreplay is typically to pave the way for sex, but good foreplay can be enjoyable enough to be the main event.

Everyone has different preferences when it comes to foreplay—the possibilities for sexual stimulation are nearly endless.

With full consent from all participants, foreplay is an exciting way to explore your own desires, and it can often lead to a pleasurable orgasm.

Tips for Better Foreplay

There are many ways to improve your foreplay. Consider incorporating these foreplay ideas into your sex life.

Be mindful of your environment. Light some scented candles to set the mood, share a bottle of wine, or put on some sexy music and ask your partner to dance. A sensual environment makes you and your partner more comfortable to explore other forms of foreplay.

Take your time. Remain present with your partner, and savor every moment of anticipation. There’s no rush. Enjoy a long makeout session; kissing triggers the release of chemicals in your brain like oxytocin, dopamine, and serotonin, giving you a sense of euphoria. If your clothes are still on, try dry humping. If you decide to remove your clothes, try performing a striptease or allowing your partner to help you slowly undress.

Consider roleplaying. Roleplaying can add an erotic element to your foreplay. If you’re comfortable with it, share your sexual fantasies with your partner and plan a roleplaying session. Use your imagination to build out the scenario in your mind, and perhaps pretend that you are strangers meeting for the first time. Alter your behavior to fit the role you’re playing, and enjoy experiencing a new kind of sexual encounter with your partner.

Perform a sensual massage. Find the erogenous zones on your partner’s body, then use massage oil to rub your partner with whatever intensity they prefer. You can also use feathers to tease your partner’s sensitive body parts, like their thighs, breasts, or back. As long as there is clear consent, consider running your hands down to your partner’s genitals to give their vulva or penis manual stimulation. Stroke and rub your partner with different motions and speeds. Using your lips and tongue on your partner’s erogenous zones is another great foreplay technique.

Try using sex toys. If you’re trying to shake up your foreplay routine, sex toys might do the trick. Consider using a blindfold or handcuffs to focus your partner’s awareness on every physical sensation. Vibrators are an excellent option to enhance foreplay. Move your vibrator across your partner’s body, searching for erogenous zones and focusing on areas like the nipples, scrotum, labia, and clitoris. The right sex toy can lead to exciting new foreplay techniques between you and your partner.

Communicate clearly. The key to long-term sexual satisfaction with your partner is good communication. Becoming more comfortable talking about your sexual desires will lower your inhibitions and generate more intimacy in your relationship. Consider sexting your partner when they are away or using dirty talk as a foreplay technique. Encourage your partner by telling them about the things they do that you enjoy, and ask them what they want out of foreplay. If your conversations about sex and foreplay are difficult, consider talking with a sex therapist to discuss ways of enhancing communication.

There are both psychological and physiological benefits of engaging in foreplay.

It can strengthen emotional intimacy within your long-term relationship, build your self-confidence with new sexual partners, and even reduce stress.

Foreplay also helps with sexual arousal, increasing blood flow to your genitals and preparing your body for sexual intercourse.

Oral Sex - involves stimulating your partner's genitals with your mouth.

You can perform oral stimulation using your tongue, lips, and/or throat.

Oral sex can be a form of foreplay before sexual intercourse or as the main event of a sexual experience.

There are 3 subcategories of oral sex: cunnilingus, fellatio, and analingus.

Types of Oral Sex

If you want to engage in oral sex, here are three oral sex acts to try with a partner:

Cunnilingus: Cunnilingus is an oral sex act perfomred on the vulva or vagina. During cunnilingus, the giving partner typically focuses on stimulating their partner’s clitoris, the most sensitive erogenous zone for vulva owners.

Fellatio: Fellatio, more commonly called a blow job, is an oral sex act that involves stimulating your partner’s penis with your mouth. Despite its name, a blow job doesn't actually involve blowing on the penis; rather, you perform a blow job by licking and sucking the penis.

Analingus: More commonly called a rim job or rimming, analingus is the act of orally stimulating a partner’s anus. Licking, kissing, and sucking can stimulate the sensitive nerve endings in and around the anus and rectum. With thoughtful safer sex practices and clear communication, rimming can be a pleasurable sexual activity for persons of all genders and sexual orientations.

Health Risks of Oral Sex

It is possible to contract STIs (sexually transmitted infections) through oral sex, but the risk is much lower than vaginal and anal sex. Use barrier methods and take precautions to practice safe sex:

Communicate with your partner. Talk to your partner about each other's sexual health history and STI status before engaging in oral sex.

Know the potential risks. STIs you can transmit through oral sex include Human papillomavirus (HPV), which causes genital warts; Hepatitis A, B, and C; oral herpes and genital herpes, gonorrhea, Chlamydia, Syphilis, and HIV. STIs can be asymptomatic, but possible symptoms include a sore throat and sores in or around the mouth or throat.

Use protection. For maximum STI prevention, use a condom during fellatio and a dental dam during cunnilingus and analingus.

Take precaution. The risk of STI transmission is typically higher for those giving oral sex than those receiving it. To decrease the risk while giving oral sex, avoid brushing your teeth or using dental floss right beforehand, since bleeding gums will increase exposure to any viruses.

Tips for Performing Cunnilingus

Direct clitoral stimulation can increase pleasure and lead to climax. Start performing cunniligus slowly, and keep these considerations in mind:

Know that every vulva is different. Be mindful that all vulvas (the external female genitalia including the clitoris, labia, and vaginal opening) are different. This means the smell, look, or taste of your partner's vulva may not be what you expect, and that's completely normal.

Focus on the clitoris. Direct and consistent clitoral stimulation is the key to making your partner orgasm. To locate the clitoris, look for where the two inner labia (the vaginal lips) connect at the top and form a small hood. Use your fingers to spread the labia apart. Underneath the hood is the clitoris, which looks like a tiny nub, typically slightly larger than a pea in size.

Start slow. A general rule for all sexual activities is to start slow and gradually increase the pace so that your partner has time to build up their level of arousal. Begin with slow, sensual licking. Before you target the clitoris, tease your partner and build suspense by lightly circling your tongue around the entire vulva area.

Pay attention to body language. One of the best ways to tell if you're pleasing your partner is to tune into their body language. Heavy breathing and tilting their hips closer to your mouth are good signs. If your partner isn't showing signs of pleasure, switch up your technique with a slight variation in tongue pressure, pacing, or location.

Encourage communication. Even easier than reading your partner's body language is listening to their own words. Let your partner know that you’re open to feedback, and be sure to ask questions mid-performance. Asking your partner about the pressure and speed is a great way to zero in on their pleasure.

Use your fingers or a sex toy. For enhanced stimulation, insert your fingers or a sex toy (like a vibrator or dildo) into your partner's vagina while simultaneously licking their clitoris. To massage your partner's g-spot, gently insert one or more fingers about two-inches inside the vagina and move your fingers towards you as though you're making a "come here" motion. Know that not everyone enjoys fingering during cunnilingus, so it's a good idea to discuss your partner's preferences before you give it a try.

When your partner is approaching orgasm, keep doing what you're doing. If your partner signals that they're close to climaxing, either verbally or through body language, don’t switch up your technique. Keep targeting the same spot until your partner orgasms or instructs you otherwise. (It may be okay to increase your tongue pressure or speed as your partner is approaching orgasm, but you should typically continue focusing on the same location.)

Blow Job Techniques

Experiment with these blow job techniques to find what feels best for your partner.

Use your lips to shield your teeth. If your teeth touch your partner’s penis, the sensation for them will likely be unpleasant. Wrap your lips over your teeth as a cushion as you go down on your partner.

Use your hands. For the best blow job, mix in some hand job work. Place your dominant hand around your partner's shaft, then simultaneously move your hand and mouth up and down the penis. To enhance this motion, twist your wrist back and forth as you move up and down. Make sure to use lube to prevent painful friction. Once you have the motion down, use your other hand to gently massage your partner's testicles.

Have an ejaculation plan. If you intend to bring your partner to orgasm, plan ahead so you're both prepared for ejaculation. If you prefer that your partner doesn't ejaculate in your mouth, let them know beforehand. That way, your partner can give you a verbal warning right before they orgasm, and you can switch to hand job-only mode as they climax. If you are okay with your partner climaxing in your mouth, decide whether you would rather spit or swallow. If you do choose to swallow, know that semen is perfectly safe to ingest.

Show enthusiasm. To give a good blow job, first express to your partner that you want to give them head. Try showing your enthusiasm through a little dirty talk. You can also ask your partner, "Do you like how this feels?" to show that you're invested in their pleasure and open to feedback. As you go down on your partner, look up every so often to make eye contact and indicate that you're enjoying yourself. If you’re not into giving blow jobs, be honest about that with your partner, and never feel pressured to do something you dislike. Only engage in sexual acts that you're comfortable with; if that doesn’t include blow jobs, try exploring alternate ways to please your partner.

Use your tongue to stimulate the penis head. During most of the blow job, you'll want to apply soft pressure with your tongue against the penis as you move your mouth up and down the shaft. For a pleasurable change of pace, try focusing your tongue attention on the head of the penis and the frenulum, the sensitive band of skin on the underside of the penis head. Grip the lower shaft with your hand, and use the tip of your tongue to lightly lick the top of the penis head in a slow circular motion.

Practice before trying to deep throat. Deep throating—the act of putting your partner's penis far enough into your mouth that it reaches your throat—is a turn-on for some blow job recipients, but you should only go as deep as is comfortable for you. If you want to attempt deep throating, first train your gag reflex by practicing without a partner. Start by slowly moving a toothbrush toward the back of your throat, and try to hold it there for 10 seconds. When you gag, relax, and overcome your gag reflex by taking deep breaths. Once you make it 10 seconds without gagging, move to a larger object like a dildo. Repeat the same process you’re comfortable moving the dildo back and forth in your mouth.

Stimulate your partner's other erogenous zones. The key to a great blow job is to make it a full-body experience. While your mouth pleasures the penis, simultaneously stimulate other erogenous zones on your partner's body. Try massaging their balls, licking their inner thighs, stroking their perineum, or engaging in some anal play.

Add a sex toy to the mix. Try enhancing your blow jobs with a vibrator; simply press it against your cheek or chin so the vibration passes indirectly to your partner’s penis.

How to Give Analingus

If you and your partner decide to explore rimming as a type of anal stimulation, follow this step-by-step guide to safely engage in analingus.

Talk to your partner first. If you want to try rimming, start by telling your partner why you find it sexy and why it’s something you’d like to incorporate into your sex life. Be prepared for your partner to say no. You need consent before trying any form of sexual activity with a partner, including analingus. Remember that performing or receiving a rim job does not mean that other forms of anal sex are on the table.

Clean up first. The key to safe rimming is maintaining good hygiene practices. Use the bathroom at least an hour before engaging in anal play. Before receiving a rim job, take a shower with your partner and wash your anus with warm water and mild soap. If you are still worried about cleanliness, consider using an anal douche or enema. Be careful, though—overusing douches or enemas can result in the disruption of healthy gut bacteria. If you are experiencing gas, constipation, or diarrhea, avoid receiving a rim job until your digestive system is back to normal.

Go slow. When giving a rim job, take your time with various foreplay techniques, allowing your partner to become fully aroused. Light some candles, put on sexy music, and undress slowly. When you’re turned on, your muscles relax, making it easier to enjoy anal stimulation. Try a long make-out session, then slowly kiss your way down your partner’s body.

Find the right position. There are several positions you and your partner can try for pleasurable analingus. If you are the receiving partner, consider lying on your back with your hips propped up under a pillow and your partner on their knees in front of you. You can also stand with your partner kneeling behind you. Another good rimming position to try is doggy style.

Experiment with different techniques. When performing a rim job, explore different ways to stimulate your partner’s anus. Kiss your partner’s perineum, the area between their genitals and anus. Consider using your warm breath to tease your partner. Then, relax your tongue and start with long, slow licks. Try moving your tongue in a circular motion around your partner’s anus. Be sure to communicate clearly with your partner about what feels good and what doesn’t. Remember that if you or your partner becomes uncomfortable at any time, you can stop rimming immediately.

Use your hands. While it is possible to experience an anal orgasm in response to anal stimulation alone, stimulating other erogenous zones on your partner’s body can create an even more powerful sensation. During analingus, consider squeezing your partner’s nipples, rubbing their clit, fingering their vagina, or stroking their penis. With the right stimulation, a rim job can add a whole new pleasurable element to you and your partner’s orgasms.

Consider sex toys. The use of vibrators or BDSM gear like handcuffs can enhance your rim job. Consider purchasing sex furniture like swings or wedge pillows to assist with difficult positions. If you are interested in solo anal play, some anal sex toys are specifically designed to stimulate the nerve endings around your anus by imitating the sensation of analingus.

Doggy Style - a sex position in which one partner is positioned on all fours.

With one partner on their hands and knees (or elbows), the other partner can stand on their knees and use their hands to hold onto their partner’s hips.

This position can be great for anal or vaginal penetration, whether with a penis, strap-on, finger, or other sex toy.

Tips for Doggy-Style Sex

Use these techniques to turn doggy style into your new favorite sex position.

Prepare for deep penetration. When it comes to penetrative vaginal or anal sex, doggy style allows for deeper penetration. For vaginal penetration, doggy style decreases the distance between the vaginal opening and the cervix, increasing the likelihood of your partner striking this often-sensitive part. If this is painful for you, try slowing the pace, reducing the depth of penetration, or adjusting the angle. You can also use a cock ring or similar toy to create a barrier, preventing the penis or toy from going too deep.

Use props. Pillows, cushions, or other props placed underneath your joints can help you relax, prevent injury, and discover the perfect position. Taking time to get set up will make the experience more enjoyable.

Add sex toys. Doggy style is a great position for using sex toys. Try penetration via strap-on, dildo, or vibrator, but don’t forget about other erogenous zones. The doggy-style position can sometimes make it harder to access your partner’s nipples or clitoris—nipple clamps and a wand-style vibrator can help.

Keep it clean. One of the advantages of doggy-style sex is that it makes the anus readily accessible. When engaging in anal play, cleanliness is especially important since bacteria from feces can pass to the genitals. To reduce the risk of infection, shower or use a bidet both before and after sex, and clean dildos and other toys after each time you use them. Condoms can also prevent sexually transmitted infections. Use a new condom each time you switch between partners or orifices—or if the condom breaks or falls off.

Try oral sex. Although doggy-style is often thought of as a penetrative sexual position, it’s actually a great position for cunnilingus and anal rimming. If you’re new to anal rimming, simply apply lube to your partner’s anus (ensure that they’ve washed first), then stimulate with your tongue.

Try downward doggy style. If you’re into yoga, try this variation on the doggy-style position. The receiving partner starts on all fours (traditional doggy style), then lifts their knees up off the ground to come into an inverted-V shape. (It’s okay to bend your knees). The giving partner can then stand to penetrate their partner with their penis, strap-on, fingers, or favorite toy.

Cowgirl Position - a sex position that consists of a penetrative partner lying flat on their back, with a receiving partner straddled atop facing them.

The receiving partner can control the pace, angle, and depth of penetration as they bounce, gyrate their hips, or otherwise customize the movement in this position.

The sex position is one of the best sex positions for those who require clitoral stimulation to climax because it allows the vulva owner to grind into their partner to stimulate their clitoris.

Couples can perform the highly customizable position in reverse, horizontally, and with sex toys.

While the term “cowgirl” is widely used to describe the position, it can also be called “cowboy,” “rider,” “cowperson,” or another variation for males or gender non-conforming individuals who ride atop their partner during intercourse.

Benefits of the Cowgirl Position

The receiving partner can be in control. Since the receiving partner is on top, they can control the speed, depth, and angle of penetration during intercourse. This control is beneficial if the receiving partner wants to tailor the stimulation to their particular desires to achieve orgasm—for instance, bouncing at a specific angle to hit an especially sensitive internal spot.

It offers more clitoral stimulation than other positions. If the receiving partner is a vulva owner, the cowgirl position can offer much more clitoral stimulation than other positions (and for many vulva owners, clitoral stimulation is the key to orgasm). To achieve this stimulation, vulva owners will grind their clitoris on their partner during cowgirl or use their fingers to stimulate their clitoris.

It’s very customizable. There are many cowgirl variations, from upright to horizontal to reverse, each offering their own targeted stimulation. Upright and reverse cowgirl stimulate the vaginal canal and g-spot, while horizontal stimulates the g-spot and clitoris. While in the cowgirl position, both partner’s hands are free to stimulate each other’s bodies. Additionally, couples can perform cowgirl variations using anal penetration for a different type of stimulation.

How to Do the Cowgirl Position

The penetrative partner lies on their back. Whether the penetrative partner is a penis owner or uses a strap-on dildo, they should begin by lying on their back with their legs straight.

The receiving partner mounts. The receiving partner then straddles the penetrative partner, upright and face-to-face with their partner.

Begin stimulation. Once in position, there are many ways to begin stimulation. The receiving partner may bounce or grind against the penetrative partner, or the receiving partner can remain still as the penetrative partner thrusts upward. Couples can perform the cowgirl position vaginally, anally, without penetration, or modify it to suit their individual needs. For example, having the top partner lean back or forward, or the bottom partner sit up or elevate their knees.

Ways to Try Cowgirl Position

Go horizontal. While the most traditional form of cowgirl has the person on top riding upright on their partner, asking the receiving partner to lean down so that they’re close to, or resting on, their partner’s chest can provide additional pleasure. If the receiving partner is a vulva owner, this is also a great way to increase g-spot stimulation during penetration.

Sit up. Instead of lying down, have the penetrative partner sit up during cowgirl, so both partners’ bodies are upright. This angle makes it easier for the penetrative partner to stimulate the receiving partner’s body with their mouth—from lips to neck to chest—and can feel especially intimate, like an embrace.

Try a squatting position. The most common cowgirl position is when the receiving partner is on their knees while straddling their partner, which is usually most comfortable for the receiving partner. However, if the receiving partner is flexible, they can squat over the penetrative partner with their feet on the bed, allowing for extra power and muscle control while bouncing.

Try reverse cowgirl. Reverse cowgirl is a variation in which the top partner faces the penetrative partner’s legs away while bouncing. Depending on the penis or toy’s curvature, they can stimulate different areas inside the top partner—for vulva owners, the g-spot, and for penis owners, the prostate. Reverse cowgirl can also offer a less-stressful position for partners who might feel slightly self-conscious or not interested in being face-to-face with the other during sex.

Introduce toys. Couples vibrators and cock rings are great hands-free ways to increase stimulation during cowgirl. It’s also easy to introduce some light bondage by tying the penetrative partner’s wrists or ankles to the bed, giving even more control to the person on top. Pillows are also a great tool: a pillow under the penetrative partner’s glutes will help elevate the penis or toy for deeper penetration, while pillows under the receiving partner’s knees will give them extra control of penetration depth.

Reverse Cowgirl - a sex position that involves one partner lying face-up as the other partner straddles them while facing away from them.

The person lying down can penetrate their partner’s vagina or anus with their penis or a strap-on or other sex toy, and the partner who is on top can grind on their partner or use their fingers or a toy to stimulate themselves and/or their partner.

The name “reverse cowgirl” refers to another popular sex position, cowgirl, which is basically the same thing, but with both partners facing each other.

How to Get Into Reverse Cowgirl Position

If you’re the one lying down, position yourself comfortably on the bed, propping your head up with pillows.

You can also sit up against a wall or headboard.

Since you won’t be able to move much in this position, make sure you have everything you need close at hand, such as lube, toys, or condoms.

You can use your hands to help your partner get into position.

If you’re the one sitting up, straddle your partner’s hips, with your knees on either side of their thighs.

Shift backward and forward until you and your partner feel comfortable, then lower yourself down onto your partner.

You can rest your bodyweight on your partner or hover above them using your knees for support.

Tips for Sex in Reverse Cowgirl Position

Begin slowly. As with any new position, it’s important to start slowly to avoid injury and ensure everyone is comfortable—especially if penetration is involved.

Have one partner set the rhythm. This position works best if one partner sets the pace. The partner on top is in a superior position to control the depth of penetration or the rhythm of grinding. Once you’re both feeling comfortable, the lying-down partner can take a more active role, placing their hands on their partner’s hips or using their fingers to stimulate their partner.

Try a seated variation. In this variation, instead of lying down, one partner sits on the edge of the bed, on a chair, or against a wall, and the other partner sits on their lap facing forward. You can also start out seated, then move into full reverse cowgirl.

Look over your shoulder. Not being able to see your partner’s face during sex can feel sexy and mysterious, but sometimes you just want to look them in the eyes. Turn your head over your shoulder or lean back to take a peek at your partner.

Use sex toys. Reverse cowgirl is a great position for penetration, so it’s an good choice for strap-on sex. Since this position leaves your hands free, it also provides an opportunity to play with other toys, such as a bullet vibrator.

Sex Swing - (also called a love swing or sex sling) a harness that suspends one person in the air during sexual intercourse.

In addition to helping couples execute sex positions that would be otherwise challenging, a sex swing can make sex more exhilarating and effortless.

You can use a sex swing for oral, vaginal, and anal sex.

Sex swings reduce the strain on muscles and joints and can help those with certain physical impairments participate in a larger array of sexual activities.

For those interested in BDSM, sex swings can be used as bondage furniture.

Types of Sex Swings

Conventional sex swing: The standard sex swing typically features stirrups, a seat, and two main straps that support the swing. It may also have a headrest or handles. You can install a sex swing with hooks attached to the ceiling or on either side of a hallway, depending on the specific model. You can also hang most conventional sex swings from a sex swing stand.

Door sex swing: This type of swing attaches over a door frame and is simple to install. A door sex swing is a great option for your first sex swing becuase of its low price point and easy installation, but its location does limit the range of motion and available sex positions.

Sex slings: Similar to a hammock, sex slings have a large seat designed to support the entire body. They're available in a range of materials, including fabric, leather, and wood. Sex slings may have a limited range of positions compared to conventional sex swings.

Body sex swings: A body sex swing is a wearable harness that attaches to another person as opposed to a ceiling, wall, or a sex swing stand. The person wearing the body sex swing must be standing while their partner is strapped into the swing.

Spinning sex swing: This type of swing is capable of spinning 360 degrees in either direction.

Tips for Using a Sex Swing

Adding a sex swing to your sex life takes practice. When purchasing, installing, and using a sex swing, consider these tips.

Start with a basic door sex swing. If it's your first time using a sex swing, make sure it's an activity you enjoy before you invest in a full setup. Door sex swings are more accessible for beginners and relatively easy to install.

Follow the installation instructions carefully. It's crucial that you pay close attention to the assembly and installation instructions to ensure that your sex swing is safe to use. If you install a swing incorrectly, you risk injuring yourself and your partner. If mounting a swing to your wall or ceiling is outside of your abilities, consider using a door sex swing or a free-standing sex swing on a stand.

Communicate clearly when using a sex swing. It's essential that you and your partner have an open chain of communication to ensure the swinger is comfortable and enjoying themselves.

Use your momentum. Whether the standing partner is using their penis or a strap-on dildo, they can use the momentum of the partner on the swing to achieve deeper penetration and more intense sex.

Relax. If you're the swinger, release any tension in your body, and let your partner take control.

Sex Swing Positions

Adding a sex swing to your collection of sex toys will open up possibilities for new positions. You can use a sex swing for solo masturbation, but consider these positions to try with your partner:

Swinging missionary: The swinging partner rests on their back with both feet in the swing's leg straps as the penetrating partner stands between the swinger's legs.

Hanging doggy style: The swinging partner leans forward onto the swing so it supports them at their waist and places their hands into the straps for support. As with traditional doggy style, the other partner penetrates the swinger from behind, holding the swinger's hips up so their legs are suspended in the air.

Swinging cowgirl: This position is similar to the standard cowgirl position—but suspended in the air. This position requires the penetrating partner to sit back into the swing as their partner climbs on top and straddles them. The partner on top can either keep their feet on the ground or lift them up so both partners are suspended. For a slightly different position, the partner on top can face the other direction for swinging reverse cowgirl.

Supportive lap dance: This position requires both partners to keep their feet on the ground. One partner sits down with the swing's seat resting against their upper thighs, while the standing partner holds onto the swing's straps and penetrates the swinger from behind.

Floating oral sex: One partner lies back in the swing while the other kneels on the ground in front of them and performs oral sex. The kneeling partner can use their hands to caress and stimulate areas of the swinger's body that might be inaccessible without a swing.

Sources: 1 2 3 4 5 6 ⚜ More: Notes ⚜ Writing Resources PDFs

[rednightmare18]

It's not even about the vindication of calling a ship, okay. It's that the supposedly anti woke studio wrote about 3 million words of medieval fiction centering the relationship of the two main characters who are in most ways (or in all ways if you follow the obvious canon momentum of the story) meant for each other, as counterparts who help each other survive the great travails of their lives and who challenge/complete the other to become fuller, braver, kinder people. It's so clear these two people are soulmates, platonically or romantically, something observed consistently by the world around them and by themselves.

Except their society (feudalism, Catholicism) dictates that they are intended to be completely incompatible by nature and divine law. Not just for the obvious fact they are both men, but they are separated by what is arguably an even steeper chasm of social class. Their existence even as friends utterly spites, interrupts, and threatens feudal order right down to its theological and philosophical roots. They should not see each other as human and yet.

It's the fact that they do. The fact that the entire story has been about this--that these two protagonists fit together, undeniably, and grow to love each other fiercely (a love that deepens superbly from their knee-jerk playful puppy-friend-love in kcd1 to something selfless and mature by the end of kcd2). And they do so despite the immense opposition by their world, their social circles, their faith, and indeed their fandom.

And yes, it really does fucking matter that all of this culminates into a deep onscreen romantic love (if you get out of the way and allow it to) between two fandom-beloved male main characters (not just side characters rammed in for an optional gay romance but THE main characters of the duology; the "you" as in the player character and your erstwhile dick-jokes bro you have perhaps grudgingly at first been invited as the audience to love) in a historical fiction story that has been wrongly touted by the worst of our contemporaries as the holy grail of cultural conservatism.

Holy shit. Warhorse -- y'all. I'm sorry I doubted you. So few game writers understand how love works and indeed how people work, let alone translate it so well onto the screen.

Calling this an "optional romance" is not technically incorrect, I suppose, because it's true you can opt out and choose to remain platonic friends. But this language feels like a disservice, as if Henry & Hans's romance is a typical RPG wham-bam fanservice makeout with a minor fan fave character who never interacts meaningfully with the player again. Or as if it's a Bioware-style "give this NPC the right gift and do their side quest and you get to see a jankly ugly-bumpin' montage" situation.

Kingdom Come: Deliverance is so very much not that. The "main, optional" romance scene in question is just one consummation event of two people who have been growing up and falling in love in front of us over the course of some 200-300 (or god knows how many) hours. The fact these protagonists openly love each other is very much not optional.

This is, sincerely, groundbreaking storytelling in this medium and this genre. How fucking cool that we all got to see it now.