#but i'm also like... terrible in conversation...

[unfairunknown]

And somehow Rogue's super-hell fate isn't even the thing I was most sucker-punched in the gut about, in regards to going into these RTD2 seasons with good faith and being disappointed at nearly every turn. I have to get some DW thoughts out, I think. It's a long one, so I put under the cut. TL:DR is

Disappointed by RTD2 era DW which feels like I'm being gaslit by an entire IP.

Verada Sethu is an incredible talent, and if I had a nickel for every time a prominent long running sci Fi series show horned her character into terrible misogynistic tropes in 2025, I'd have two nickels....

Ncuti Gatwa was the bright light of the season. Beautiful, effervescent, charming, what a delight as the Doctor.

"The Story and the Engine" was the best of this run.

My knee-jerk reaction to Rose Noble, as a transgender person myself, was deep discomfort that never quite resolved....there's something slightly *off* with how I feel RTD presented her I never quite managed to land on, beyond that I think it was really problematic to insinuate that Donna absorbing feminine magic while she had a child in utero is why that child "became" a girl...but I have lost a lot of my tolerance for transgender "discourse" because of a lack of good faith critical thought and conversation...I don't even know what I'm saying besides, did other transgender people feel that way?

Also, while DW has always been campy, it's also often made some kind of social statement. And yet I feel this entire run lacked the fangs or impact of any true statement or positionality. A problem would be introduced, as of to say 'look how aware of the social contexts we are,' only to ignore or refuse to contend with what that issue actually means or would impact. Like Rogue's arc, for example.

The "problems" I think his character seems to address:

1. That the Doctor never says they love their companions to their faces. Heavily implied to mean romantic love (see the famous Ten/Rose sequence) but not always.

2. Having a canonically confirmed queer element to the Doctor. I.e. diversity/representation, etc.

But what the narrative actually DOES is more important, to me, than saying something exists on the page. "Look, we confirmed the doctor was queer by having him kiss Rogue and say he loves Belinda to her face!' yes, and that's nice, sure, in 2025, but here's why I have a problem with these things:

1. While the longing and angst is certainly an intentional element in storytelling, the let the Doctor tell their companions they love them thing, when juxtaposed with Thirteen's appearance and commentary regarding her romantic love for Yaz, which I think was pretty clearly stated "it would be you," but I digress...if the core of these longings is romantic queerness, then the Doctor saying he loves Belinda, whose own ending is so....awful, doesn't actually address what the desire for the 'I love you" commentary actually WAS. It's a bit like saying retroactively Dumbledore was gay the whole time...and like I do think it's important to show and express platonic love, but I think that message is lost by refusing to even acknowledge the lurking spectre of queer desire present since original DW. 15 talking about his love for any other companion, especially non romantic ones like Graham, could have assuaged me here.

2. Rogue. In a lot of ways the episode mirrored Ten's "The Girl in the Fireplace," which was also heavily implied romantic/sexual that ended without Ten getting his happily ever after, too.

Except in that case, his love interest went on to love a fulfilling happy life where she was the consort to a powerful man who she seemed to hold in high regard, even if she did have true feelings for the Doctor.

And Rogue...went to hell. He isn't dead, but he isn't coming back any time soon.

And I can't help but feel like the conservative issues I had with RTD1 era and Moffat era in general have been enhanced by Disney's corporate sanitization?

'look at all the diversity' but what does that actually MEAN? The beat episode of Ncuti's run WAS written and directed by the people whose story was being told, and you could tell! It was incredible! And it wasn't *trying* to make a point without understanding what it's core context is in the world of 2025.

Finally, I have all these feelings, and I am deeply upset by these seasons of a television show, because I want to belong to the IP's I love, I want them to cling to me, too. If I didn't love it, it wouldn't hurt.

poor rogue saved the world from compulsory heterosexuality and is still chilling in gay super hell (only other occupent: castiell)

[englishisaboutconfidence]

Morso d'amore : Part 2 of Ahyeon knows best

Dating Ahyeon was great for a number of reasons, one being you had a smoking hot girlfriend and second your girlfriend already knew you better than anyone else. The first few weeks of dating didn't cause you to have to change your life really at all. You still had the same classes with her and sat next to her during all of them. You two kept working on projects together for classes, so it was an easy excuse for your friends as to why you were with her and why you were leaving the dorm. She already knew how much of a nerd you were so she wasn't too mad (emphasis on too mad) when you would ghost her while gaming or when you would spend hours grinding solo queue. Although she did force you to be on FaceTime with her as often as possible if you were going to be gaming for a few hours. Plus, you know, the whole thing that you were having a very active sex life with one of the IT girls of your school, who also happened to be your childhood crush. So, to summarize your current situation, you had an amazing hot girlfriend, and your friends and family had no clue… or so you thought.

Your sister Pharita and told Ahyeon that she was going to spend the weekend with your parents, so naturally Ahyeon had let you know immediately, and you ran over to their dorm the second Pharita left for your parents. You barely had time to text Ahyeon you were there before she pulled you in and started making out with you. Stumbling onto her bed, you two were too busy fighting for oral dominance that neither of you noticed the door open and someone entered the room. Finally asserting our dominance, you went to remove Ahyeon's shirt when you heard a loud "Yaaaah". Spoked by this, Ahyeon released a loud shriek before hiding herself behind you. Turning around, you see your sister Pharita with her arms crossed and an annoyed look on her face.

"How long has this been going on? My best friend screwing my brother?"

Awkwardly rubbing the back of your head, you say "Uhhhh, like 3 weeks".

Unsatisfied with your answer, you feel Ahyeon gently elbow you in the stomach, "And its ummm dating. Yeah, we've been dating for 3 weeks."

Still waiting for the most important part, Ahyeon cleared her throat "And I love her and intend to marry her."

Finally satisfied, Ahyeon gives you a quick peck on the cheek.

"Really?" Pharita asked which you and Ahyeon responded with an affirmative nod.

"God, you two are terrible at hiding it then because I realized it the Sunday you two returned from "dog sitting" at our parents".

Surprised, you and Ahyeon questioned your sister "Huh! What do you mean you've known since then?"

"Please, you two were making googly eyes at each other while you Y/N dropped Ahyeon off at our dorm. Plus, you two forgot there was an eyehole in the door, so I saw your little goodbye kiss. Also, did you two dumbasses forget that I have both of your locations so I can see when you two disappear to Ahyeon's house to fuck, or our parents place, or a love hotel? And of course, the fact that you Y/N make any excuse to come over and you Ahyeon don't even try to hide how much you love lying all over him when we watch shows."

Annoyed that your little secret wasn't really a secret, you respond to your sister’s very logical statements with a very mature "yeah whatever."

Chuckling at your annoyance, Pharita continued "Ahyeon although I do wish you would have told me yourself that you finally got Y/N to confess."

"Sorry Rita, I was a little distracted since this dummy finally stopped ignoring his feelings and accepting that he's mine."

"It's okay Ahyeon, I'm just happy that we are going to finally be sisters in law sooner rather than later."

Confused by the entirety of the conversations, you interrupt the two dormmates and childhood friends "Wait, what are y'all talking about? Rita, you knew that Ahyeon liked me and that I somehow liked Ahyeon? And what do you mean sisters in law? We just started dating 3 weeks ago."

Amused by your confusion, Pharita just smiled and said "Oh please, both our families have known that you two were destined for each other for years. You forget, but you would not stop talking about and hanging around Ahyeon when y'all first met in the 1st grade. You think that Ahyeon's infatuation with yours started out of nowhere? Please, you would always gravitate towards her and eventually, I guess Ahyeon somehow started to like you despite how annoying you were. 'Ahyeon said this. Ahyeon did that. Ahyeon likes this instead'. Good lord you would not shut up about her. Although in middle school you stopped talking about her as much though it was clear that she still occupied your thoughts and feelings and started to try to suppress your feelings for her with annoyance; but that's when Ahyeon truly showed how much she cared for you. She started following you instead and talking to you and about you all the time, or maybe how central you were in her life was made more apparent when you tried to hide how much Ahyeon occupied your life."

Hearing the quick recount of your two’s history, Ahyeon just smiled and leaned forward into your back while capturing you in a back hug.

Still confused and even more so with how relaxed Ahyeon was, you turn to her "Why are you so relaxed? If you knew all of this, why didn't you tell me."

Still smiling at you, Ahyeon gave you a quick peck before saying "Because honey, you needed to come to that conclusion mostly on your own. Plus, I was never scared about losing you, even when you were 'pissed' at me, your adoration of me was easy to see through the pointed jabs and attempts at annoyance and indifference. I knew that you only had eyes for me and that my happiness and joy for life were essential to you, even when you didn't realize it. Do you remember when my grandma died?

You nodded.

"Well, it was a really shitty time especially the funeral, but honestly, it is one of my favorite days because it showed me what kind of person you are and how much I mean to you. Your family was of course coming to the funeral; but I remember Pharita telling me how much pressure you put on your family to show up not only on time (which is struggle especially for your dad); but an hour early to make sure that whatever my family and I needed, you could provide. Of course, you didn't yell at them like a drill sergeant; but you kept subtly reminding your mom and by extension your dad that my family would do the same and that it's probably really important and helpful to show up early and take care of us during such a tragic time. And then when you arrived at the funeral, I don't remember you ever leaving my sight. You didn't ever really come up and tell me you were there for me explicitly; but you kept hovering in case I needed something, I could tell that you had your eyes on me the entire time, and whenever I did ask for something, you pretty much sprinted and got it for me and made sure that you were the one taking care of me. And of course, you comforted me after the funeral when everyone had left, even our parents and Pharita and you just sat with me for hours. And when I went to leave, you softly grabbed my hand and tried to console me but instead started to ramble awkwardly which led me to smile for the only time that day."

"I don't remember your smiling; all I remember is my rambling and staring at our hands instead of you because I could barely look at you in the eyes because of how nervous I felt."

"Do you remember how I finally got you to shut up Y/N?"

Blushing, you nod your head.

"God you two are the worst. It's like watching a cheesy romcom; but I also love you two and wish you nothing but happiness; but can you let me know what the hell she has been since I wasn't there, and she never told me this story?" Pharita said exasperatedly.

Looking at her, you silently beg Ahyeon not to tell the whole story, but she just lovingly pats your check and continues on

"Okay Okay. Well, despite his truly terrible and inaudible rambling, I knew the gist of what Y/N was trying to say as well as where it came from, so I decided the best way to shut him up was to do something that would truly stun him, so I grabbed his face with my right hand and raised his face so our eyes met and kissed him right then and there, at the funeral home on the day of my grandmas funeral. Then while he was stunned and opening and closing his mouth like a fish, I told him the truth, that I loved him and wanted him to be my first and only for everything in my life. And this asshole just stared at me and right when I was about to turn and leave, heartbroken; he grabbed my hands and pulled me into a kiss and told me that he had no clue how or why, but that he knew that he loved me too and that something inside of him was telling him that I was the one for him. We then just stood there hugging for a while before he walked me home hand in hand. But of course, being Y/N, the next day he was back to his old self and kept acting like I was the bane of his existence when we both knew it was quite the opposite."

"Awwwww, that's so cute. Disgusting but cute. I didn't realize how in touch with your emotions you were Y/N." Your sister said.

"I'm not. I just can tell what my gut is telling me, and it told me that if I fucked that up then I would regret it for my entire life. So, I am not cute and that story doesn't need to be repeated".

"Okay sweetie" Ahyeon responded.

"I'm not!" You responded back like a child.

"Of course,"

"I'm telling you Ahyeon. That story is not sweet or cute and doesn't need to be mass spread."

Sighing softly, Ahyeon just said "Y/N honey, that story is going to be told at our wedding and probably plenty of times before that so you are just going to need to accept the fact that everyone is going to know you’re a big softie who is also absolutely whipped for your wife"

"Fine, but you were obsessed with me and that's how we got together so you're even more whipped, so ha."

"Of course," Ahyeon sweetly responded before shutting you up with a quick peck.

Smiling since she knew she had won, Ahyeon turned to your sister and asked, "So are you going to your guys' parents or was that just bait?"

"Oh, don't worry you two, I'm still going. Just needed to confirm my suspicions so now I can tell both families the great news. But don't worry, I'll make sure they don't do anything tonight or tomorrow; but be prepared for Sunday because they will summon you then."

"Wait, shouldn't we be the ones to tell them?" You quickly questioned your sister.

"It's fine Y/N. They deserve to know ASAP, plus let's be honest, if you had it your way, no one would know until after the wedding."

Knowing she was right and that this was probably the best way for the news to be revealed to the parents aka you would have a 2 days to prepare for the Spanish Inquisition as well as an overindulgent celebration of you getting your head out of your ass, you just nod and say "Fine, just make sure we get to eat steak on Sunday and no one bothers us till then"

Smirking, Pharita responded "Of course dear brother… although I will tell them that you are busy making them grandchildren" before running out the door laughing.

"Wait, Rita. Don't say that!" you yelled at her retreating figure before laying on Ahyeon's bed sighing and saying "God they are going to be so annoying on Sunday. At least we have 36hrs before then. So, what do you want to do Ahyeon?"

Turning to look at her, you are met with an annoyed and dumbfounded look. Once again confused, you say "What?"

"Your sister who we thought was going to be gone all weekend is finally gone. She is telling your parents we are making babies. You came over specifically because she was going to be gone and we haven't fucked in 2 days, so what do you think I want to do?"

Realizing that you were in a very advantageous position and that to fuck it up would be an absolutely moronic thing to do, you make the very tough choice of giving your girlfriend what she wants as well as making sure you do what you came over to do.

You quickly recapture the moment your sister so rudely interrupted and pin your girlfriend to the bed with your hands while you capture her lips with yours. Moaning into your kiss, Ahyeon frees her wrists from your control and guides you to take off your shirt while making sure not to separate her lips from yours. Knowing what she wants next, you flip the two of you over and quickly remove her shirt. Taking a moment to catch your breaths, you are happily surprised to see that Ahyeon had decided to forego a bra that night and your eyes were met with her perfect, perky tits adorned with the most beautiful areolas. Knowing your next move, Ahyeon quickly shoves you back onto the bed before you can capture her tits in your mouth and wiggles out of her pants before quickly discarding yours along with your underwear (she of course doesn't have to deal with panties of her own since she had also decided to go commando for tonight).

Giving you a quick little smirk, she grabbed your cock and quickly started stroking it to get it nice and prepped for her. After needing a couple of seconds to recover from the pleasure that she was giving you, you grab her by the waist and pull her close to you before capturing her right tits with your mouth and giving her left one equal attention with your hand before starting to switch between the two like a man eating for the first time in weeks. Feeling how hard you were and knowing how easy it was for you to become distracted from the objective when her tits were present, Ahyeon tears you off her chest before straddling you and sinking down until you were fully sheathed in her. Not letting you recover, she quickly started to ride you but not before once again capturing your lips with hers. After a few minutes of her strong riding, you feel your orgasm coming. Sensing this too, Ahyeon quickly locked her legs around you and made sure you were buried as deep as possible in her. Burying yourself as deep as possible, you let your orgasm take hold and you release spurt after spurt of cum into Ahyeon's waiting womb. The feeling of you filling led to Ahyeon finally reaching her peak. Once the last remnants of your shared orgasm subside, Ahyeon finally allows herself to let go and she falls onto your chest. Pulling up the covers which you two had cast to the side during your lovemaking, you make sure that Ahyeon is properly covered before sighing and saying "Fuck, I love you Ahyeon". Smiling softly, Ahyeon raised herself up to give you a soft kiss on your lips saying, "I love you too". Content, satiated, and utterly spent, the two of you finally fall asleep in a loving embrace with your legs intertwined and bodies connected in a way that showed true intimacy.

[call-me-strega]

How to Become a Step-Dad in 5 Easy Steps: Chapter 8, Step 3a: The Blessing

A new chapter for Pride Month! We are officially in the month this story begins in!

first, prev, next, lore, ao3

~~~

Step 3: Ask them out after receiving their child’s blessing

Sub-step A: Obtaining the blessing

Jason was a coward.

It had been about 5 months since he had met the Nightingales in June. It had been nearly 2 months since he realized he was in love with Danny in September. Now it was mid-November and Jason was still yet to make a move.

Over the past few months, Jason has had multiple conversations with Danny both in person and over the phone. He's played with and babysat Ellie a plenty of times. They have dinner together almost as frequently as Jason does with his own family. Hell, he's officially Ellie's secondary emergency contact! He has her drawings and spelling tests up on his fridge! Jason has undeniably become just as important to them as they are to him.

So why is he still hesitating?

Jason sighs into his files, catching Fern's attention.

"Hey Chief, everything okay? Is it 'bout the Thanksgiving dinner for the one soup kitchen? Did John and Irene forget to order something because I told them-"

"Calm down Power Puff, those two didn't do anything wrong."

"Not yet at least," Fern muttered under their breath, recalling the last time Irene and John had caused a mess. They missed a produce delivery because they were too busy arguing. Fern nearly had a conniption when they found them produce-less and made them go recover the delivery when the driver was halfway across Gotham, promising to skin them alive if they came back with so much as a single lettuce leaf wilted in the meantime.

And Jason only hired people who were reliable and made good on their words.

Jason doesn't remember if he'd ever seen the pair work together better in the entire time he'd known them.

Shaking his head, he reassured Fern. "Nah, Johnny reported a mishap in product quantity with the turkey suppliers but I've already worked it out. Also our tofu option supplier fell through but my baby brother is vegan and I had Irene get in contact with one of his recs so we should be fine. So don't go scarin' the daylights outa them again just yet, I still need 'em. 'Sides I'm sighin' for personal reasons and shit."

"Alright Chief, they live for now," the pastel punk relented.

They continued their work in silence for two whole blissful minutes before Fern piped up again.

"Right then, out with it Chief. What's got you sighin' if it ain't the terrible two-some?"

"Didn't I just say it was personal shit?"

Fern raised an eyebrow at him.

"Oh please, if yah didn't want me askin', yah wouldn't have said shit 'bout it in the first place. Yah want someone to ask yah so you can get it outa yer system. So spill Chief." Fern said, reading Jason like a book.

Jason sighs in defeat.

"Okay so do you remember Danny and Ellie?"

"Yer hot neighbor and his kid who came to the soup kitchen that one time? The one Irene's always ribbin' yah about?"

"Yes," Jason glared with no heat, "that's them."

"Whatta 'bout 'em?"

"Okay so you CANNOT tell Irene this," he began. "Buuuuuut, she wasn't exactly wrong about me liking Danny."

Fern's eyes glimmered in excitement. "Oh yeah?" they questioned eagerly.

"Yeah," a sappy expression began to grow on his face. "He's just- he's a really great guy. He's kind and sweet and thoughtful. He's smart and good with his hands- and did I tell you he's working for Leo now? He fixed up my bike a while back and it's running smoother than ever! Oh- and he's an amazing dad! He's always making time for El, playing with her, protecting her. One time I saw 'im clock a guy across the face to protect her! He's-"

An amused look on Fern's face caused him to trail off as he realized he'd begun ranting.

"He's just really great." He finished weakly.

"So you've mentioned," Fern chuckled sympathetically. "Sound like you've got the hots big time Chief. So what 'bout this has got yah all out of sorts?"

"I- I really love him, Fern. Both of them really," he confessed.

"And this is an issue because...?" Fern questioned, drawing their eyebrows together.

"Because I'm too scare to tell him. I just don't know what to do. We talk and see each other all the time. I spend time with Ellie too, but I just can't seem to say anything about it."

"Well why not?"

"Something about it just doesn't feel right?"

"Come on man, stop pussyfooting and be specific. Ya worried he won't like ya back? That he'll cut you off?"

"Wha- no! No. He wouldn't do that even if he didn't like me back. He and Ellie care about me nearly as much as I care about them. He wouldn't put her through a drastic change like that. At the very least he'd still try to be friends."

"Hmmm. Is that the issue?"

"Huh? Is what the issue?"

"Are you worried it'll be a drastic change for the kid?"

"I-" Jason stopped to consider Fern's words. "Yeah I guess so? I mean there is big big difference between being a family friend she calls uncle and being her dad's boyfriend. I guess I'm not sure she'd take it super well?"

"Look Chief, I think yer overcomplicatin' this. There's a simple solution if yer worried about what the kid will think."

Jason gave Fern an inquiring look.

"Just talk to the kid first." Fern said in an exasperated voice. As if they couldn't believe Jason hadn't thought of this sooner. "Ask her if she'd be okay with ya dating her pops or whatever. She sounds like she likes ya well enough, so ya might have a chance if she approves or whatever."

"Yeah. Yeah you're right. I think I will talk to Ellie first." A determined look grew on his face. "Thanks Fern, you're the best!"

"You know it!" Fern shoved Jason's shoulder. "Now get back to work Chief! Some of us refuse to take work home with us!"

~

Jason was packing his things up for the afternoon when his phone started beeping. He opened it up to see that the family had come to life group chat:

In "The Colony":

"Dad-Man: Alfred would like me to ask if we intend to do a Thanksgiving dinner this year. Dick, I already know that your going on an off-grid trip with Kori, Donna, Victor and the rest of your friends next week, but what about the rest of you?

CoachPretzelHead: Aww B! You do listen! 🥹"

Jason huffed, even though it was encrypted line, Bruce still insisted they talk in code. 'Hmm,' he thought. 'So Dickie-bird's going on a mission with the Titans'. He kept reading to see what the other's had sent.

"BossBaby: I won't be here

BossBaby: Connor invited Bernard and I to Kansas so we'll be spending the long weekend with the Kents.

Dad-man: 🤨

Dad-man: Alright son, but be safe

BossBaby: Ugh I hate it when he uses emojis

BossBaby: Its so cringe

BossBaby: @/PurplePain I blame you

AllSeeingEye: I'll be celebrating with my dad

CoachPretzelHead: Tell him I said hi!

AllSeeingEye gave this message a thumbs up

PurplePain: same hat

PurplePain: i am celebrating with my mom

PurplePain: also sorry not sorry tim

PurplePain: suscks to suck lmao

Dad-man: Alright that's fine you two. Barbara tell Jim I say hi and Steph give my best to Crystal

PurplePain: stay away from my mom 🤢

Dad-man: Stephanie...

PurplePain: okaaay jk jk

PurplePain: chill B

PurplePain: I'll tell her you said hi or whatever

VeeseChiking: Father, I see no point in partaking in this inane holiday celebrating colonialism

VeeseChiking: Which one of you heathens has change my display name once more

CoachPretzelHead: I'm pretty sure I saw Jon with your phone at your playdate yesterday"

Oooh this seemed like a good time to jump in before the gremlin went on another rant about how this treatment was "unbecoming" or whatever.

"(D)Re(a)dSon: I won't be able to make it. I've got a bunch of different soup kitchens to manage and prep for the holiday

(D)Re(a)dSon: I'll be volunteering that night too

(D)Re(a)dSon: But tell Alfie I'll stop by sometime for some tea or smth"

That was both code and an earnest plan. He'd be working in the Catherine Johnson Center soup kitchen before he went on patrol that night.

"Dad-man: Alright lad. Alfred would be happy to have you over. Glad to hear you'll be helping out the Foundation.

CoachPretzelHead: *cough* favoritism *cough*

(D)Re(a)dSon: What part of that interaction was favoritism Golden Boy

TechnicallyADemigod: I'll be home if Alfred needs help in the kitchen or anything

TechnicallyADemigod: Also Cass is with me rn and she says she to lazy to text so to tell you she won't be going back to Hong Kong until after thanksgiving so she'll stick around for dinner if she doesn't tag along with Steph

Dad-man: Okay Chum thanks for letting me know. Tell Cass we'd be happy to have her. I'll let Alfred know we don't plan to do a big dinner this year."

Deciding this is a safe place to drop out of the conversation, Jason turned off his phone and headed to the safe house that has gone up on his list of favorites, the one which he now comfortably calls home.

Once he got home he checked messages to see a new batch notifications from the both the family chat and another contact.

Danny🕊️

"Hey Jase how ya doing?

I wanted to ask if you're free the friday after thanksgiving

I kinda need a favor

Ellie has a long weekend coming up and I need someone to watch her on that Friday bc I have to go give an in-person exam bc my prof breaks exams into 4 instead of a midterm and final

But also who gives an exam the day after a federal holiday?

Like I know that Unis aren't required to give off but like still man

There should be laws against this type of thing"

Jason pause his reading to smile. He could practically hear Danny pout through his phone

"Anyways, I'd leave her with Jazz since we're going to her place for Thanksgiving on Thursday but she's got some internship thing to do

And I know your pretty busy and normally I'd ask Trina but she's traveling to Florida so Sasha can see her grandparents for the break

Pls lemme know if you'd be available"

Jason chuckled over his friend's plight as he typed out an affirmative. He knew he shouldn't have anything going on, and he'd have a chance to talk to Ellie.

"An opportunity to spend time with my favorite Nightingale?

Sign me up!"

He smiled at his phone as Danny typed back:

"Hey I thought I was your fav :(

lol jk jk

Ellie's my fav nightingale too

Thanks, Jase! <3"

'He sent you a little heart!' the definitely-not-the-pits voice cried in his head. Yeah, he really just needed to talk to Ellie soon.

~

Jason is totally not nervous about having Ellie over. Definitely not.

He'd look after her plenty of times and she'd always enjoyed herself! The kid loved him! There was absolutely no reason to stress! He just had to relax! Be cool. It's not like he's some romance novel protagonist trying to receive the blessing of his lover's family to marry despite the fact that he'd be marrying above his station or whatever! (Although, Danny probably was out of his league.) Nope! Not one bit!

He continued to mindlessly cut up strawberries that would be his bribe snack for her once Danny dropped her off. He carried out the repetitive motion almost mindlessly.

Two cuts diagonally at the top, removing the stem and leaves. One cut width-wise down the middle.

It wasn't until he reached for the next berry, only to be met with an empty carton that Jason snapped out of his head. He flushed realizing he now had a bowl overflowing with heart-shaped strawberry halves. He tried not to think about it too hard as he slid it into the fridge for later.

Instead, he wandered back into the living room to adjust and arrange his coffee table. He set the TV remote in the middle. In the top right corner a half-assembled puzzle of a biplane from the last time Ellie was here, and on the left edge a stack of books with another Boxcar Children book, 6th in the original series: The Blue Bay Mystery, on the top.

Ellie had loved the book Jason had given her. She had been ecstatic when he told her there were more. He started searching for some of the other books, getting them either from thrift stores or the GPL (Gotham Public Library). They would often read them together when she came over. It had become like their own little thing.

Jason felt some of the tension he was pretending not to have melt out of his body as he smiled, thinking about reading to her.

He could do this.

Jason checked his phone. Danny wouldn't bring her over for another hour or so. He really should relax in the meantime. Jason picked up a worn copy of The Princess Bride that Dick had gifted him years ago, and began to read.

~

"*Mm-ach*... -and then Uncle Tuck mimed throwing up behind Aunt Sammy's back so she took her tofurkey leg and slapped him with it! And auntie Val laughed at them until Auntie Jazz called to them from the kitchen and told them they better not be getting into another food fight and making a mess or else she wasn't gonna give them desert. And then they sat down really quick like... uh..- like ducks! Yeah they sat down like ducks b'cause Daddy and I made dessert and they know we make the best-est desserts!"

Jason sat on the couch with Ellie, chuckling as she recounted her Thanksgiving yesterday between bites of strawberry.

"Sounds eventful munchkin! What was your favorite part?"

"Mmm, when Val was trying to make auntie Jazz blush! Daddy got so surprised because he thought Val liked Sammy! He freaked out and Aunt Sammy laughed and he realized they were just making fun of him and while they were doing that I was able to get an extra slice of pie from Uncle Tuck!"

"Hahaha, that's great! Maybe I should call you my little Muncher intsted of Munchkin, huh?" he joked, playfully tickling her stomach.

She burst into a fit of giggles " Hehehehehe -eek! Uncle Jaaason stah-stooop!" She complained trying to push him back.

"Alright, alright!" he relented, "I'm glad you had fun." He finished earnestly glad she had so many good adults she could trust in her life, and by extension, that Danny had such good friends. Ellie nodded back at him clearly happy.

"Yeah, it was nice seeing everyone again. I know it made Daddy happy too. Plus I got to give everyone their invitations!"

"Invitations?" Jason questioned.

Ellie looked like she'd been stuck by lightening. She gasped and tossed herself off the couch rushing to her butterfly backpack. Out of it she pulled out a slightly crumpled piece of paper. She scurried back over and shove it in his hands.

It read, "Youre Corgially invited to My Brithday!", written in messy blue crayon with a drawing of a red cake and yellow party Hat underneath.

"This one's for you," she told him gently. She was a bit more subdued than normally, looking off to the side and tugging at her sleeves. She was nervous, unsure how he'd react.

His grip tightened just the slightest bit, a big smile naturally grew on his face as he tried to make his emotions plain. He brought his large hand down, entirely covering the top of her head and ruffling her hair.

"I'd love to attend Munch, when's your birthday happening?"

"My birthday's on December 14th! It's halfway from Daddy's so its his half birthday too! He said we should tell people before so they have time to plan!"

Hmm okay, so Danny's birthday was June 14th and he's invited to Ellie's birthday party in a couple of weeks. One that her other aunts and uncle will likely be attending.

"I'll be sure to mark it down on my calendar," he replied. "Is there any gift you want in particular?"

"Hmmmm, oh! A rocket! Or a yeti! Or or or a spear! Or maybe a slingshot or a pair of wings! *Gasp* OR A PUPPY LIKE CUJO!"

Ah yes, machinery, animals and weaponry. All normal things for a little girl to want.

"Why a spear?"

"Spears are cool!"

"Fair enough," he conceded. "I'll see what I can do."

"Hey since its Daddy's half birthday you should get him something too! But something small since its not his real birthday." She told him, smiling yet subdued. "We were still moving during his real birthday so he didn't really get real presents, everyone just came over to help."

"Hmm any ideas what he'd want?"

"Daddy likes space a lot. And making things. He likes to you too. I think he'd like anything that made you think about him." she told him as if she wasn't dropping info that made Jason's heart leap.

He nodded a bit flustered, and rushed to reply. This was a good a chance as he'd get to bring it up. Something in him screamed "Now! Now's your chance to ask! you have to do it now!"

"I like him too. A lot, actually." he began, swallowing his pride and his nerves. "Ellie I wanted to ask you something."

"Hmm?" she tilted her head at him inquisitively. Jason crouched down and held her hand before continuing.

"Elle, I like your dad a lot. He makes me laugh and smile. He makes me feel warm and happy. I care about him. And I care about you too. Your both so.. incredibly important to me. And, well I- I wanna ask for you permission."

"My permission?" she questioned, her brows furrowing suspiciously.

"I-... Would it be alright with you if I asked your dad on a date?"

"A date?" she parroted back at him like she didn't quite understand what he meant.

"Yes. I'd like to take him out, to do something fun with him. I want a chance to make him as happy as he makes me." he tried to get his point across.

"Oh!" she gasped in realization, "you want to court Dad!"

Her voice seemed surprised but steady.

"Yes," Jason confirmed. "I would like to court him. But I'll only do it if you're okay with me spending so much time with your dad. I don't wanna make you uncomfortable."

Ellie kept her body language surprisingly neutral for a 6 year old. She face was blank as she carefully stared deep into Jason's eyes. He could see the deep thoughts and mental calculations in her eyes. As if she as if trying to gauge his sincerity, to examining his soul for stains. Her silence was beginning to scare him. He wondered if perhaps he had too presumptuous.

Then, wordlessly, Ellie grabbed a heart-shaped strawberry from the bowl. Slowly, looking directly into his eyes, she crushed it in her tiny fist. Jason suppressed the urge to flinch. She maintained eye contact as she brought up the pink mush to her mouth, before she chewed and swallowed. She gave off such an intense aura it nearly made him shiver. It seemed to carry the implication in her actions.

That's what I'll do to you if you hurt him.

Jason gulped wordlessly but did not look away. He could understand the subtext of their interaction loud and clear, but it didn't matter. He loved Danny. And he loved Ellie too. He'd never want to hurt them. If Ellie didn't want him too, then he wouldn't. But until she said something he would keep meeting her head on.

Suddenly, her cold facade broke, giving way to a wide grin. She began to vibrate excitedly.

"Yes! You can have my permission to court Dad!" she declared.

Jason let out the breath he'd been holding. "Thank you, Princess," he said, grateful and relieved. His smile grew to match hers. He drew her into a hug and she returned it tightly.

Ellie tilted her head up and gleefully whispered in his ear. "I was gonna give you permission from the start, I just wanted to see you sweat a bit first."

Jason gasped before barking out a laugh. "You little menace!" he said fondly, tickling her stomach. "Where'd you learn to be so devious?"

"Hehe- nooooo, Haha. Uncle Jason, HAHAHA, stooop!" she shrieked.

"There is no more uncle Jason," he began gravely, "Only the TICKLE MONSTER!"

"Hahahaha- noooo! Hahaha!"

~

Danny came to pick up Ellie around five. Despite the blessing he obtained that afternoon, Jason decided not ask Danny out just yet. He wanted that moment to be special. So instead he just had another normal send off.

"Thanks again for watching her."

Danny stood in the doorway as Ellie gathered up her things.

"Like I said, its no problem," Jason waved him off, "Anything for my favorite neighbors." he teased.

Danny just smiled back fondly as Ellie rushed over with her bag.

"Alrighty then Ell, ready to go?"

"Yup! I just gotta say good by to Uncle Jason!" She turned and he crouched down to hug her. Similarly to what she had done earlier, Ellie placed her arms around his neck and brought her face close to his ear.

"Goodbye Uncle Jason!" she said at a normal volume before tilting her head to whisper in his ear. "Also, please try not to mess up with Dad. I like you and it would be a shame if you had to get knee surgery."

Jason really shouldn't have been as distracted as he was based on her prior behavior. She released him from her arms and in a flash she was bouncing down the hall as her dad trailed her.

Jason stood slowly, shaking his head. 'That precocious little spitfire had really threatened me. I should find it as cute as I do', he thought.

~~~

Group Chat Name Guide

I tried to make it obvious who was who but just in-case:

Dad-man: Bruce, play on Batman

CoachPretzelHead: Dick, he's a gymnastics coach in this au (not a cop) and it references his flexibility

AllSeeingEye: Babs, reference to Oracle

BossBaby: Tim, bc he's still currently CEO of Wayne enterprises

PurplePain: Steph, reference to Spoiler and the Prince song Purple Rain bc her mom likes the song even though she personally doesn't actually listen to his music

VeeseChiking: Damian, a play on his canonical love for the video game Cheese Vikings

(D)Re(a)dSon: Jason, play of words on "dread son", "red son", "read son",and "Jason"

TechnicallyADemigod: Duke, reference to how canonically his bio dad, Gnomon, is some immortal god dude

Also Not featured in this chapter but:

GrandBattementOfJustice: Cass, reference to the ballet move: grand battement (which is a high kick) and also to Black Bat, and the term "Hammer/Fist of Justice"

Mr.Bond: Alfred, its bc he's British and will use guns

[simpy-simpers]

Day 9! Together

Oops! Tripped and drew them

also screw the order of the prompts I do what I want WHEN I want (I have 'Shadows' sketched out but I don't want to do itttttt, same with 'Memory')

Probably gonna end up drawing all the prompts across the summer because I'm slow asf. Anyway, take the boys.

RAHHHH ok ok ok I really want to go to bed so I won't say much but I'll finish typing out what I've got.

So far, the daycare closes around 7pm for everyday guests, certain memberships will have different perks and employees can even leave their children there during their shifts, and if their shifts go past 7 pm then just one of the attendants will take over blah blah blah.

Past 7pm Sun and Moon swap out, one going to take rounds and the other watching the children (if there are any). During the Raves and parties, they're multipurpose. Sun loves handing out snacks and drinks (he has a chip scanner in his palm!! So when he grabs people's fazwatches or cards it can charge depending.) Moon usually acts as both a waiter and security.

Sun and Moon are NOT the only waiters/security. There are staff bots everywhere, and Sun and Moon are only really for public attention and appeal. Sure you get to see the Glamrocks and have the time of your life at a rave... but you also get to get a photo and have a conversation with the beloved daycare attendants?? You bet people will come for that.

They don't appear at all of the shows, but they'll be there for a good amount. They do not (usually) perform on stage.

Sun and Moon were almost scrapped due to their AIs jumbling together, but Parts + Service (P+S) figured that if they separated the code enough, that it would eventually sort itself out. It did not!!! They are not ok!!!

Say you take two containers of marbles and mix them together. You can eventually pick them out, right? It may take a second but it works. Now say you have blue and orange marbles in a pile, and then you pour two types of sand on it, blue and orange again. All the blue, marbles and sand, is Moon, and all the orange is Sun. You can sort the marbles out just fine, but that sand is near impossible to fully separate.

As such, they've mixed in little ways.

Sun is equally as aggressive as Moon, and Sun's crippling anxiety got spread over both of them. They did get separated in the remodeling and remaking of them, causing for a lot of.. adjusting. They can't charge alone. It scares them. One would sit with the other while they charge, but their batteries suffered until management made the cords longer to allow them to 'sleep' right by eachother. Their internal monologues are connected, they say their heads are 'too quiet' without the other.

I remember being obsessed with these guys when I was like 14, and I still remember the characterizations I had given them. Keep in mind the art above is not terribly accurate!!! It was a bit rushed.

Anyway, if anyone would be interested in a dca reader fic (Same style as my other Fic) I'd honestly write it. It'd probably be up to interpretation whether you want it to be romantic or platonic (IF I ended up writing it). I'd have a basic plot in mind, but it'd mostly be centric around just watching their shenanigans. That, and finding burnt antique robots with ungodly resolve.

Anywho! I'll be off to sleep. Again, feel free to ask any questions, I really don't mind.

Stay Simping yall!

[krilayt]

Not a day goes by without the dumbest dramas in the Bully fandom.

At that moment, when it would seem everything had already been said and discussed ten times, a couple of people came out who decided not to understand the situation and just collect public approval on heightspeech in fact. Come on, knights on white horses, keep looking for any absurd reasons to try to "make fun" of someone.

Now a few words about all the screenshots that holymoly.... posted and also people she's reposting. First of all, in all these attempts to shame Murka's honor, you are literally putting in good light a person who REALLY supported nazism/racism/fatshaming and even tried to convey some kind of thought through her work (I'm talking about Aubrey if anything. She is a creator and distributor of content, unlike Murka, who uploaded art to the telegram channel, which is viewed mainly by her friends.Yes, some random types could go there, but as a rule, they didn't stay there for long. Trying to compare Murka and Aubrey, you forget that Aubrey literally put her work on display on a social network with a million+ users And was proud of it, without giving up her destructive, absolutely terrible views. Fuck, the whole first paragraph looks like something that's not worth explaining at all.)

Second. Don't you people have anything to do? Instead of "fighting" on Tumblr with a person who participated in a really important cause (yes, the fact that Aubrey's content is not found on Tumblr is a victory and a huge plus), you could do something useful for society. Because exposing spiritualistic images that were created during friendly conversations and local jokes, trying to condemn the use of GIFs (a gif with Elon Musk, who was under the influence of "drugs" at Trump's inauguration.), and condemning a person for a nickname without understanding the situation is low, disgusting and extremely stupid. And I even understand why such "liquid" arguments came in. You "spectacle-hungry" people simply had nothing else to accuse.

And unlike Aubrey, Murka does not delete her profile, does not deny, and even admits mistakes. Yes, there is irony somewhere, but in our world there is nowhere without humor. And speaking of humor. You're trying to portray ironic, non-pretentious drawings and "jokes on hot topics" as something terrible. But fuck, is having fun with friends without putting it on public display a bad thing? And I can't fucking believe that you're so "moral" that you've never made any black jokes or drawn stupid things in your friends' notebooks. Everyone has a sin, even the smallest one. Only you refuse to understand the situation. Almost like bulls who see a red rag and get enraged.

Now the bottom line. Why did I say all this at all? Murka is absolutely not the kind of person who deserves such attacks/ attempts at ridicule / absolutely stupid posts with accusations for no reason, when the situation with Aubrey had ALREADY subsided. In addition, Murka did not support harassment, she just wanted that girl to stop producing such content on this million-plus social network.

You can call me a hypocrite, an excuser, a devil's advocate, just an idiot, and so on. I don't give a fuck. Maybe I've even earned all these nicknames, I don't know, I'm used to it already. One thing is unclear to me. Why do people have so much anger, hatred, and a desire to ruin something? Yes, you can endlessly excuse yourself with phrases like "well, we are good guys here, we do not support anything bad, but we will continue to rummage through the telegram channel of another person" who, in turn, publishes everything for friends and is not an art creator and also does not try to show any of her views or convey questionable thoughts. As for the accusations of using GIFs and attempts to find a connection between a person's nickname and support for nazism, I have already said. This is idiotic.

I cannot look at a causeless dislike of a person and obvious attempts to achieve something. My whole fucking life is made up of hate. To myself, from society to me, and much more. That's not what we're talking about. I just want to say that all these human feelings are disgusting, destructive and lead to nothing good. I know and understand it just fine. And as I said earlier, Murka doesn't even deserve the funny posts that people have made about her. Try to compare really good people and Nazis further. You're doing a great fucking job (no). But seriously, just stop this flow of gratuitous accusations and natural nonsense. Be reasonable. Peace and happiness to all

And the hero who started it all, the one who wrote anonymously, among other things, you can take off your masks and log in to Murka's telegram channel. You somehow found access. I think even now, when she is ready for dialogue, you can

[1-800-local-slut]

Hello jenny honey. Could u pls do a storm from marvel rivals inspired reader for mark grayson . Literally queen with her king 🥰🥰

Hey sexy of course I can! These are gonna be short headcanons, because I have to get through a lot of other requests and I'm trying to stop them from piling up.

Mark Grayson x Black! Superpowered! Reader

Warningss: none, just a lot of fluff and good vibes

Notes: hi everyone! I'm sure we all know the legend herself, Storm but if anyone needs to know she has weather-based powers, along with some magic, she just has so many powers that I can't fit them all in here but she's actually so goated. Also you and Mark are in like third year of college so 20-21. Mark is still a drop out but you're still chasing that degree. We love an educated woman! Unless you didn't go to college, we still love y'all.

༻༺༻༺༻༺༻༺༻༺༻༺༻༺༻༺༻༺༻༺༻༺༻༺༻༺༻༺༻༺༻

⚡️Y'all are the couple. Period. The love you have is too mature to be just cute. It's deeper than just cute with y'all

⚡️You're a hottie, Mark was honestly humiliated by how much he liked you considering you ignored him at that bar you met in. The finest girl on Earth to be honest. Your white hair, the natural curve of your hips, the deep rich color of your dark brown skin, the way you walk with confidence, carry yourself with such magnitude. He's so down bad.

⚡️Mark loves flexing you. He's never not hype to say that you're his girl. He drops it as many times as he can into conversation when you first start going out.

"Yes, my girlfriend will have this item right here."

"My girlfriend will also have a coke with that."

"Oh, my girlfriend's not paying, just give me the bill."

⚡️You find it so amusing but honestly Mark doesn't care he's going to flex until the day he dies.

⚡️He does it so much it gets him distracted

"Mark we know she's your girlfriend, lets focus on surviving maybe?" Eve asked, rolling in the giant hamster ball that they somehow got trapped in.

"I'm just saying my girl would never let us get caught in something like this. She's so much smarter than me, I swear I'm not exaggerating. She's like...super smart."

⚡️If anything can make you feel better it's your boo.

⚡️When you're having a terrible day and dark clouds are brewing wherever you go, Mark always brings the sunshine out. He makes you smile, and I mean smile hard. He has you CHEESING. I mean it's randomly hot outside because of how much you love him and the Sun comes out in full force.

⚡️Sometimes it's not global warming it's just you laughing with your man

⚡️You two talk about each other all the time, your friends clown you. You say Mark's name all the time and your girlfriends clown you for it sometimes. And Mark is always getting shit on for flexing on you every ten seconds but neither of you care.

⚡️ You are his safe space. Mark endures a lot of pain. He goes through so much, and when he disappears for three weeks straight it means he's going to need some sweet loving when he gets back

⚡️You always have love for him. Always there to cuddle up with him, to affectionately pat his head, to plant kisses on his skin and whisper soft words in his ear to tell him how he's your man and the only man for you. You love him, you're not going anywhere

⚡️Mark can be goofy with you, he's silly as hell but he also knows something else. He knows that you tend to hold yourself to emotionally high standards. You keep yourself chill because you have too but Mark always gets you laughing. It's not on purpose, he just brings out joy in you by being his dorky self.

⚡️ You have a bad habit of letting the little stuff get you down. Mark will adjust to anything if it helps the situation.

You have a headache, now it's down pouring, and you feel really bad? There's nothing some advil and a good nap together can't fix.

You got pissed off by someone at work and a storm cloud followed you around no matter what? Mark is there with a soothing back rub and giving you a safe space to explain your emotions.

⚡️Mark loves sleeping beside you. He just likes having someone there, and you are the best someone in the world to him.

⚡️Mark likes to do your hair. You don't let him do it often because your hair is so important to you. You serve looks and body no matter what. You could shave your head bald right now and still serve looks so hard the Earthquakes. But you do love your white curls and strive to care for them.

⚡️However, the feeling of Mark touching you is so soothing. You've fallen asleep while he was gently detangling your hair, the feeling of his calloused fingers massaging oil into your scalp is like melatonin. The man has magic hands.

⚡️Since you two have started dating, he's been adopting little parts of you. You're a baddie, so you have some different requirements.

⚡️He has to carry your lip glosses and stains in his pockets, he holds the camera on his phone up for you to use as a mirror, keeps an eye out for any losers who think they have a chance and don't take Mark standing there as a sign to piss off, carries an umbrella with him everywhere. The normal stuff.

⚡️Something Mark loves about you is your maturity. You're a grown woman. You pay your rent on time, your car note is always paid, them utilities have never been turned off on you, and your credit score is better than Mark's entire future. He's used to being with girls who are still a little childish (this is not Amber slander, never gonna hate on my girl) so he likes that about you. It's different but he loves it.

⚡️You're teaching him how to stand on his own two feet as an adult. You have loving parents of course, but you're at that age where you're starting your own life. Mark has never been on his own. He's always had to be responsible for everyone but never really learned how to be responsible for himself.

⚡️Mark wasn't perfect when you two met (you weren't either) but that's part of a relationship. Helping each other grow. Mark eventually starts feeling frustrated about his life. He has a steady income but it's hard.

⚡️He feels a bit like a loser sometimes. His friends have cars, drivers' licenses, can shop for their own groceries, are shopping for apartments. Even getting pets. Mark is 20, dropped out of college, Oliver is old enough now where he isn't even purple anymore, he's still doing the same thing he was at 18. Dropping his life to save other lives.

⚡️You notice his little funk, so you decide to step in because if there's one thing you gon do it's take care of yours. You call him up one day and tell him you're thinking of moving. Your real estate agent is gonna come by and show you around some places, he should come with you.

⚡️You said this while putting up new pictures in your apartment by the way, you aren't moving anywhere. But you fly over and pick up Mark. You two walk around looking at all these apartments while Mark skeptically tries to figure out what's wrong with your apartment for you to suddenly move.

"This looks just like your old apartment without the balcony. Why are you moving again?"

"Hm?"

"Why are you moving?"

"Oh you know. Just a change of pace. Moving my life forward. Hey, look at this! There's a washer and dryer in here."

"Right."

⚡️He's suspicious by the third apartment. Mainly because he knows he just helped you put a new dresser in your bedroom and buying new furniture for your old apartment isn't exactly 'moving my life forward' behavior. However, he can't say he doesn't appreciate you.

⚡️But he is gonna bait you into confessing. Later that night when you're eating pizza in your apartment.

He's lighting a candle on your coffee table while you put down coasters for your drinks before he clears his throat, interrupting the ambience of the show in the back ground

"So, babe."

"Yes baby?"

"I'm...I'm feeling a bit bummed."

You stop, looking at him with concern. You put down your paper plate, before propping your body on the couch with your elbow on the top of the couch. You rest your head on your palm, using your free hand to touch his hand that rested on his thigh.

"Why?"

He sighed, leaning back in the couch and letting his head dramatically fall backwards.

"You're about to be on your second apartment. I still live with my mom. My full-time job is being Invincible, but you're about to graduate. And you know maybe school wasn't for me but I still don't want to live at home forever. I just wish I had someone to show me what to do."

Meanwhile you're looking like you're about to burst. He sits silently before you sigh and drop your shoulders.

"Okay. We weren't apartment shopping for me today. We were kind of apartment shopping for you today. And I know you didn't ask but I hate seeing you in such a slump. I just want you to...you know maybe start your own life. I'm a superhero too but I have a life. You can afford it. You can't really do the same stuff you can from living at home. You can't get crazy drunk, you can't really come and go as you please. And you need to learn how to take care of yourself! Like laundry, and bills and grocery shopping-"

Before he's placing a hand over yours. He stops your ramble before you can explain till your face turns blue.

"Thank you."

⚡️It's full steam ahead from there. You don't believe in babying men, but Mark wants this. He wants to be his own person. Sometimes he needs a little help but eventually he gets the hang of balancing being an adult and being Invincible. And no, you don't let him move in with you.

"But we could save on rent!"

"And probably break up from you fucking up basic house chores. Baby you need to learn to live on your own. You're a great man already but you need to be a capable one. You've never been on your own but now you have too."

You scolded while shoving his tired face away off your lap and tap on the screen of his laptop for him to go back to viewing apartments.

⚡️Mark loves that you think before you act. You two love each other so much that you'd jump at being around him all the time. But you think it through. You aren't here to baby a man. You aren't here to hold him down. And you aren't going too either. Mark appreciates you so much and appreciates how you're helping him live his life. Without you he would've been too scared to start.

⚡️When he does get an apartment, you get him a nice plant as a house warming gift. You help him unpack and you two spend the rest of the night eating chic-fil-a on his living room floor and listening to him figure out what comes next.

⚡️Mark's your biggest fan! He's at your graduation front and center. He's hype, he's recording, he's wearing a matching outfit with whatever you have under your robe.

⚡️Oh he's a good cook by the way. Hell, he can make the best bowl of cereal in the world.

⚡️On a side note, public perception of you two is a bit funny. You're well known in your field of choice. You're a smart, independent, successful young woman with a bright future ahead. And Mark's your boyfriend who as far as anyone knows is unemployed, lives in an apartment who everyone assumes is paid for by his parents and does essentially nothing all day. They're wrong but you can't tell your coworkers that

⚡️The short answer you give when asked about him is 'he makes me happy'. That's enough for anyone. As it should be, because who are they to be in your business?

⚡️You two are a powerful, loving couple. As superheroes and as regular people. Very much girl boss x male wife but the male wife is just as strong. You two are very much a perfect match. You show Mark how to take life seriously. Not just his life as Invincible but to take his life as Mark Grayson seriously. He's always there to support you no matter what.

⚡️It's real mature love around here y'all.

(I'm randomly tempted to write a one shot about you adopting a cat and the two of you taking care of it together. That's all. Goodbye!)

[sysmedsaresexist]

No one in this thread understands what dissociation is, and you're ALL part of the goddamn problem

@corditepowder even your tags got hidden, isn't that great?? This is how education and debate works, OP doing a great job out here

No, i don't have you blocked, and I'm going to run through every single problem here

LET'S GO

1. What the fuck is dissociation?

Dissociation is something that everyone on this planet does, children especially. It's the same mechanism that let you play dolls and house as a kid. It's your ability to disappear into a game or book for hours, it's highway hypnosis, it's HEALTHY.

Everyone does it.

When it comes to trauma, dissociation allows us to push down the emotional turmoil surrounding it so that we can continue to function. THIS IS ALSO HEALTHY.

Until it's not. Dissociation can develop into a behavioral addiction, it can become maladaptive, it starts to happen outside of your control and to things you shouldn't be ignoring or pushing away.

In children, it's this same function that allows alters to form. When a child dissociates that hard and for that long, parts can begin to develop within themselves, developing their own likes, dislikes, opinions, etc.

Dissociation is a vast spectrum that only RARELY causes amnesia.

I highly suggest Jamie Marich's book, Dissociation Made Simple. You can find it online.

2. What the fuck is emotional amnesia?

It's a dumb, fancy way of saying dissociation, specifically the disconnect of memories and emotions. It's a horrible term, I hate it, it exists in no clinical texts and has done nothing since it was coined but cause confusion.

Emotional amnesia is the most normal type of dissociation that everyone experiences to some extent. It's just really pathological in CDDs.

3. So what is amnesia?

It's missing/misfiled/rejected/dissociated memories. In CDDs, we're specifically referring to dissociative amnesia.

4. Do endogenic systems dissociate?

Probably, but that's going to be a matter of personal opinion, as well. Colin Ross once said that in order for the mind to talk to itself, and to hear itself talk back, there MUST be dissociation in some form.

This is easier to understand when you actually know what dissociation is.

Disconnect.

5. Is the ToSD just a theory?

No.

That's a link. Click it.

The ToSD is so rock solid that the ICD included it in the DID entry, and it can be seen, IN ACTION, on brain scans.

6. So amnesia creates CDDs?

Fuck no.

Amnesia is a result of the dissociation. The dissociation creates the alters. Though this sounds simple, it adds extreme complexity to the conversation that MATTERS.

Amnesia creating alters is Google Ai making a mistake. I made a post on it.

It's the emotional dissociation that keeps the feelings and trauma between alters, not amnesia. Amnesia may appear, but it's not required.

7. Does DID need amnesia?

ACTUALLY, NO.

It just needs dissociation. It most often comes with memory loss, but not always.

The DSM and ICD are set up differently. The DSM has DID, which requires amnesia at some point over the course of the disorder-- not now, not between everyone, not blackout. You could have amnesia for childhood events only, between some alters and not others, or, shockingly, none at all.

Here comes osdd.

Osdd 1b requires EMOTIONAL amnesia (read: dissociation) ONLY, if you are missing any memories, you have DID

1a will have memory loss

***obligatory, 1a and 1b aren't real diagnoses, and that conversations between patients and therapists may result in different labels

The ICD has DID and P-DID, neither of which require amnesia.

Make sense?

8. Do not EVER refer to DID as an infection again, that is so disrespectful.

Be better.

***for those confused, this was a terrible analogy, not only is it inaccurate because it's based on a faulty understanding of how CDDs work, it's very telling about how OP views trauma and this disorder

9. Level of agency?

It comes from dissociation, not amnesia, this is so stupid.

10. WHAT THE FUCK, "if dissociative barriers had to be there, functional multiplicity wouldn't be a treatment option."

WHAT

IT'S CALLED DISSOCIATIVE IDENTITY DISORDER, NOT AMNESIA DISORDER

It's the dissociative barriers that allow for alters to exist, they HAVE to be there, if you remove the dissociation, fusion happens.

Dissociation allows for parts to gain agency.

Anyways, @corditepowder, hope this helps

I’d consider myself endo neutral so I’m not debating rather than asking you a question which is a lot of the reason I’m not pro endo

So I’m not saying you can’t have a system form through other means or create themselves for the purpose of this question. If we assume you can create a system or have members form endogenically, would they not also form dissociative walls. Or emotional amnesia and stuff as well? Because that’s what in CDDs allows multiple people to exist in one brain in the first place, the emotional amnesia so that you’re able to be in one brain but have different emotions.

A lot of endos say they are not disordered have no amnesia grey outs or emotional amnesia, and if that’s true, how scientifically speaking are they plural? Without emotional amnesia and grey outs and all that where is the separation?

There are some endos who do have emotional amnesia ect and I’m not talking about those

- George

CDD systems are formed from trauma and trauma also causes dissociation, amnesia, etc. The theory of the way CDD systems form is that during childhood, there is so much trauma that the brain must split up into parts to protect itself. The amnesia between parts or alters is necessary to protect the parts/alters from the trauma.

So, for example, Part A is fronting when a traumatic event happens to them. The brain doesn't want the rest of the parts to know that a traumatic event happened to them, so it creates the amnesic barrier between Part A and the rest of the parts. That means that when Part B fronts, they're not 'burdened' with the memories of the trauma that Part A faced and Part B can function relatively well, while Part A may be so overcome by the trauma they can't function well.

If there was no amnesia between parts, the brain's coping mechanism of splitting would be useless as now there would just be many parts that are all traumatised, and the brain doesn't want that. It wants to make sure the trauma is put away where the absolute minimum amount of parts can know about it.

I kind of think of it like an infection, right? The trauma (or memories of the trauma) is the infection and if one part catches it, you want to isolate them to make sure that the rest of the 'population' (system) doesn't catch the same infection. If you just let the 'infected' part roam around, coughing and sneezing all over the rest of the system, then everyone will catch the infection, and that is very very bad because now the entire population is bedridden with illness.

Therapy is kind of like a vaccine, so you can more safely let the population catch the infection but the symptoms can be managed and after all the doses are given, the population may not experience any symptoms at all.

Endogenic systems who don't have any trauma do not have to isolate their infected parts because there are no infected parts. Their population is not at risk of becoming bedridden with illness because there is no illness. Their brain doesn't have to put up protective barriers because there's nothing to protect against.

As for your last point, most endogenic systems (and a lot of CDD systems) consider their headmates as whole separate people, which is how they have different names, ages, genders, emotions, etc etc. I don't think it's the dissociation or amnesia that makes headmates separate people, I believe it's the level of agency one headmate has over another's thoughts. If Headmate A thinks "I like pizza" and Headmate B HATES pizza, Headmate B is obviously not going to think that they thought "I like pizza", they are going to know it was someone else. There doesn't have to be dissociation for multiple streams of thought or multiple consciousnesses to inhabit one body. I referenced this study in my previous post but to keep it short, it's a study done on tulpamancers (who underwent a psychological evaluation and was found to have very little to no signs of having a CDD or having any kind of delusion or psychosis) and evangelical Christians and brain scans revealed that the level of agency of the tulpamancer's thoughts (and evangelical Christians reciting the Lord's prayer) was much, much higher than that of the tulpa's (and evangelical Christians while speaking in tongues). So their brains literally didn't recognise those thoughts as their own, despite there being no dissociation.

I hope this makes a bit of sense!

[namimikan]

i get too intense and obsessive at times. it sounds like i hate a thing, when it's just. i can't stop talking about it, i want to interrogate it and pull out its bones, and i'll be screaming and crying, and there's love in that, there's some devotion on how much i want to chew on it and think on it, and sometimes it's because i don't get a thing, some detail bugs me, so i interrogate and fixate, and i'll still be surprised if someone says 'but don't you hate x?'

and it's like. i don't think i've reached that conclusion while i'm still processing it, or even after, tbh. i might have moved on, but i don't think i hated it with a passion. i don't think i ever hated barbie 23, or wish 2023, despite my beef. the frustration was there, and v. real, but in the end of the day, i found it mediocre, rather than. irredeemable trash. tho the way i talked about it might have given the impression that i thought it was trash based on the negativity i felt. but it still had it's merits, even if i... don't think it succeeded being anything more than spaghetti on the wall.

sometimes i think it's more obvious that i'm positive towards something, but as always, idk. it's not like it's a neat box that can contain the messiness of feelings to be shoved into when i'm going through it. bc it can often be like. wow, i liked this so much, but there was also this stuff i didn't like, and it's not. black and white, while it can feel that in the moment.

[anghraine]

Every time I read it, I'm amused by Elizabeth getting so distracted by Caroline Bingley's uhhh objectively enthralling attempts to flirt with Darcy that she (Elizabeth) stops reading to listen to them. And I do think it's kind of hilarious that the interaction between them absolutely confirms her opinion of not only Caroline but Darcy, even though he's not really doing anything other than getting annoyed at being continually interrupted while trying to write a letter to his sister.

[elvisqueso]

Pocahontas refusing to confide in Nakoma.

Pocahontas (1995)

rambling lil' meta under the cut

i've been thinking a lot about pocahontas's relationship with nakoma and what kind of friends they really are in the context of the film. when we meet them both, pocahontas is elevated and nakoma is in a boat far below her, shouting up to reach her. i think nakoma is always reaching for pocahontas and pocahontas will only reach back sometimes. it's a pretty unbalanced friendship, when you look at it, and i wonder why nakoma remains the main point of contact in the community for pocahontas besides her father. perhaps it's because they're similar ages. maybe they're childhood friends who just got so used to each other that the one may take the other for granted.

pocahontas never confides in nakoma, and you gotta wonder why. even their first interaction has pocahontas demurring when she answers that she was up on the cliff thinking. thinking about what? She doesn't say, but she doesn't refute nakoma's assumptions.

and nakoma...what does she get out of this friendship? maybe she's just used to trailing after pocahontas this way, maybe she just doesn't have another friend, or she thinks pocahontas needs her.

nakoma is sort of a foil for thomas, who trails after john smith like a starry-eyed fanboy with an intense para-social relationship perspective. nakoma also is the active participant in the friendship, not pocahontas. nakoma fills in the gaps of their relationship with assumptions and guesswork, because pocahontas is so reticent, so hesitant to share of herself that nakoma Has to. and when pocahontas's seclusion goes too far, when she fails to confide in nakoma some of the most essential elements of what she intends, nakoma has to fill in the gaps again. and when she does it's Not Good, and her solution is to send their strongest warrior (a man with affection for pocahontas, who might keep her secrets if she needs him to) to try and save her friend. and then it all blows up in their faces and a man lies dead in the water for it.

every relationship in the movie is so tragic like brO—

[fromtheseventhhell]

Another reason that Stansas hate the idea of Arya and Dany being friends (outside of them wanting to demonize Dany) is that they've convinced themselves that Dany and Sansa are the only main female characters, so if a Stark sister is going to have a significant relationship with Dany it has to be Sansa. Arya being constantly downplayed and treated like an accessory to Sansa has generally led to the consensus that her relationship with Dany will be defined by whatever Sansa's relationship (positive or negative) with her is. That's why Arya is always being left out of the "we were robbed of [x] female character friendship" conversations and why theories about Dany/Arya getting along are treated as Sansa hate; Arya, as a character, is seen as secondary to Sansa by a lot of people

[zakiyah]

.

[network-rail]

so an experience I had recently was when I (someone who does not watch anime) vastly underestimated the difference between the amount of anime watched by a friend who hates anime (but who I strongly suspect has watched some, and regularly make fun of for this) and a different friend who watches a lot of anime. apparently 2000 animes. which is a lot of anything to have watched, and not remotely what I (a non-watcher of anime) was expecting.

[magnusmodig]

ovo whispers menacingly abt his grandstanding .

[starthur]

hiiiiii everyone

[pride-of-storm]

on the one hand 'i get to put up whatever shower curtain i want' is kind of a stupid hill to die on, but on the other hand i have acknowledged your claim on every other hill i could have picked, so fuckin acknowledge my claim on this one