#compliments

[definitelynotshouting]

Hey! Your Hunger AU has me Fucked Up and I was wondering if you have any more specifics on what (potentially) the Life Series might have been like? Plus any particular reactions of the Hermits afterwards (and Grian’s own feelings)? I know this has already been asked but please answer if you have any more/other details, this is the angst point point that my brain is Fixed On

Oh my gods okay first of all thank you so much for the kind words and your even kinder comment on ao3, it genuinely made my day when i saw it, it was so nice 🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺 i took a screenshot and shoved it in the folder where i put all my other nice comments and now it is immortalized Forever ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

SECOND OF ALL this has been sitting in my askbox for way too long because i truly wanted to give like, a really nice thought-out and detailed reply to your question but alas after finishing chap 10 my brain is SOUP so thats,,, not happening anytime soon,,,, auaghh 😭😭😭😭😭 about all i can tell you are the broad strokes that in my head what happened was he sorta snapped mentally, asked people to join a secret game during the world's worst fugue state, fucked with their memory codes so they couldnt remember how or why they were on this unfamiliar server, and fed on their confusion and fear until things spiraled and the game had them truly believing their final deaths were permanent. Lifers' Terrible Horrible No Good Very Bad Vacation type beat 😭😭😭💀💀💀

As for reactions, i know each time they came back from the games they were VERY freaked out and traumatized, and for a few months afterward they'd feel incredibly paranoid until it tapered off back into normalcy, only for it to eventually happen again. Rinse and repeat

Grian's own feelings were pretty much a mix of horror, guilt, and disgust at himself-- but also a little bit of relief for being able to feed properly for once. Which, ofc, recycled itself right back into the disgust and shame. Mans was not having a good time over here either

Dksnksndke okay thats kinda all ive got for you rn, hopefully i can come back to this soon and give you a FAR more detailed rundown of what happened, how it happened, and how that impacted everything going on in canon, but for rn thats all ive got 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭 CHEERS AND THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL THE LOVELY COMPLIMENTS!!! 🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[localcanadiancryptid22]

Idk what mad scientist needs to hear this today but your googles and lab coat are incredibly flattering and all your experiments will blow away the scientific community who called you a fool.

[tumbler-polls]

Anonymous prompt:

Recently, I’ve seen 1000 Reddit discussions about male loneliness and how guys struggle with getting no compliments. As I read the comments, it became apparent that the only compliments they count as “real” are the ones about their physical appearance that originate from hot women. So anyway, I’d like to ask: which compliments do you see as more valuable: appearance-based or trait/action-based, e.g. you’re intelligent/kind (as a response to what you did/said)? Maybe make a distinction between cis/trans and nb people to make it more nuanced. Thanks! ^^

[rainbow-neko-artblog]

Hey, to everyone who takes time out of their day to send stuff like this to artists. Time you could be spending continuing to scroll past. Time you could spend just liking and moving on. Time you could do literally anything with...but spent on us.

Thank you.

You make a world of difference, I promise. Keep being nice- if not for us, then at least for yourselves.

Go out there and make someone's day.

[iedistis]

It's a shame they changed the Franc letters so much tone-wise because they gave Gortash a lot more nuance in his methods than what's going on in the patched version. Sure, those may be more banite but I always liked how in the original, the tyranny was not in the relationship between both characters but rather their acts committed together.

I enjoy Gortash as a character so much because he subverted the expectation of what a Chosen of Bane would be. His approach is deeply Machiavellian. The idea of him working his way up through the ranks of aristocracy by both cultural impact that is unignorable thanks to his machinery and a force of personality that disarms his targets emotionally and turns them favourable towards him on an interpersonal level instead of forcing them into submission via fear and threats(as one would expect) made it compelling. It made way for tyranny harder to uproot than one built on aggression because it would not just subjugate people, but change them. A person who fears you is closer to betrayal than one who loves instead. It is an alternative way of subjugation and I like to think that's what may have differentiated him from other Banites so much it made him a Chosen.

And those letters showed how that could've played out. They were deeply manipulative. Threats, if there were any, were in the beginning and faded into the background with the overpowering charm that continued on. The newer version falls flat in comparison. They start and end with thinly veiled threats and that's just not as powerful.

It sucks because I considered them a potential window into how the past relationship of Gortash/Durge could've started out too (regardless of how you interpret the nature of it). I don't think they could've gotten so close as to prompt something like the prayer of forgiveness like this simply because I can't see a Dark Urge responding to threats, fearless avatar of murder and all that. But the first version? Shallow flattery to get the foot into the door and appealing to their wants (like some good old torture racks) to ultimately foster an emotional attachment so severe it borders on heresy for at least one of them? That's awful. I like it.

In the patched letters he's just…evil. A more open and diplomatic (and perhaps more in line with bane) version of it, but also one a lot more predictive. Shame.

[elizakai]

Badsansuary Day 4: Compliments

(Personally head-canon that Killer flirts with and/or compliments Horror consistently, knowing that he’s self conscious ^///^)

[creativepromptsforwriting]

Ninth Day of Gift-Giving

Nine Nice Compliments

"I really like the way you speak. You make everyone listen to what you have to say."

"You definitely have a talent for this. It’s awesome."

"Hanging out with you is always so much fun."

"You’re a good friend, and I appreciate that so much."

"I admire how you always find the right words to say."

"Your style is so great and works perfectly for you."

"I always feel safe around you."

"You're so strong. I always admired that about you."

"I wouldn’t change a thing about you, you are great as you are."

24 Days of Gift-Giving

[batri-jopa]

Cinema Therapy - Therapist Reacts to TREASURE PLANET

[naffeclipse]

I love when you mention the dca listening to/feeling the reader’s heartbeat in your fics 🥺❤️

It’s so sweet to me in Cryptid Sightings, Sleuth Jesters, and Garden of Garlic since they don’t have a heartbeat of their own

That's incredible alsdjflasf I'm really glad you like it and pointed that little detail out! Something about a big creature listening to a little human's heartbeat just makes me feral

[definitelynotshouting]

"people who stumble upon hunger au and have it consume their brains irreparably and undeniably" gang unite

i have to know how many of you this has happened to now

[hitmewithsomebooks]

@jegulus-microfic Feb 14 - lips

Cowboy James 🤠

Inspired my @regulusmydarlin here's the one where Reggie finally cracks 🤗

Previous part first part

~

"Has anyone ev'r told ya you're gorgeous?" James pondered, running a finger along the side of Regulus's face.

"You have. On multiple occasions, if I recall correctly." Regulus replied, eyes still on his book.

"Y'do indeed." James replied with a grin. "An' I'm gonna keep doin' it." He added, flicking a silky black curl. Regulus sent him a little side-glare, and James chuckled.

"Honestly, though, darlin', how could I not tell you over n' over? Ev'ry time ah see you, ah’m flabbergasted at how darn pretty y'are."

Regulus scoffed.

"Real smooth, Potter." He droned. James smirked.

"What, d'ya want me t' go inta detail? Would that convince ya?"'

"If it would make you happy, go right ahead, nosy." Regulus encouraged, still fondly holding onto that nickname.

"Mmm, alrigh'. T’ start, y’r hair is gorgeous," James began, twirling a curl around his finger. " 's so shiny and bouncy, an' y'look divine when y'laugh or turn 'round, it alw'ys bounces n' lands perfectly. Your hands, god, th’r the prettiest hands ah’ve ever seen, ah honestly don' un’erstand. Th'r thin and delicate and y'r skin overall is jus' such a pretty, markable compl'xion..." James trailed off, observing Regulus. The man still hadn’t reacted, staring downward, though James could tell he was no longer actively reading; he was listening intently.

"And don' even get me started on y'r lips, darlin'. Th'r sinfully stunnin', so pink and jus' the perfect plumpn'ss, ev'ry time I look at you I jus' wanna kiss ya. I wanna bite 'em and make 'em all swollen and shiny... s'pose tha's a bit off topic..." James trailed off with a smirk. He caught a little tick at the corner of Regulus's mouth.

"Then th'rs your waist, y'r whole damn body, with y'r long limbs n' pretty legs and that fuckin' arse... ah mean, Christ almighty, if ah wasn' a sinner before ah met you..." the cowboy didn't even finish the sentence, but Regulus got the implication. It was getting harder for James to focus. Pointing out all these rather delectable things about Regulus, sitting right next to him, made it hard to not simply shut up and devour the man.

"But ah think my fav'rite’s gotta be y'r eyes." He spoke, and he noticed Regulus's posture straighten slightly. The younger man hadn't expected this.

"Ev'ry time ah look into y'r eyes ah feel like 'm drownin'. Ah've nev'r seen nothin' like 'em, really. Th'r like a storm an' a silver bullet at the same time, all steely and sparkly and just fuckin' stunnin’. Ah could look into y'r eyes fr'vr, sugar." James's voice had dropped, but it was soft. Like he was getting lost just talking about Regulus's eyes. 

Apparently, that was the key.

James’s face split into a delighted grin as he watched a blotchy red spread across Regulus's cheeks and exposed neck. Unable to help himself, he leaned in, pressing his lips to the red spots.

"So tha' was all it took, huh? Ah feel like ah jus' foun’ the 8th world wonder." James drawled cheerily, and Regulus rolled his eyes, but was still furiously blushing. James leaned forward again, sucking more red marks onto his neck.

"Maybe, if ah mark y'up, tha' pretty blush will last fr'ver." James murmured, dragging his tongue over Regulus's Adam's apple to the other side. Regulus shivered slightly, and he felt James's grin against him.

"Watcha think 'bout that?"

"I think Sirius would kill you." Regulus hummed, but he tilted his head back to give the cowboy easier access.

"Ah think 's worth it if ev'ryone else would know y'r mine." Regulus turned his head slightly, and James paused.

"Am I yours?" He questioned, not looking directly at James.

"D'ya wanna be?" James asked in response, and Regulus bit his lip.

"Yes."

"Then tha's that." James stated, but his grin stretched from ear to ear. He pulled Regulus in for a proper kiss this time, licking into his mouth hungrily. Regulus let out a huff of air, throwing his book on a nearby chair and pulling James down towards him.

"Now," James broke away to pant, hovering over Regulus. "What do ah hafta do to make y' blush all over like that?" He murmured, voice growing husky. Regulus groaned, pulling him down again, and James spent the rest of the night finding out.

~

"Hey, pretty." James drawled as he walked into the room, where Regulus and Pandora were sprawled on the couch. As he said it, he made direct eye contact, his gaze intense. And just like that, Regulus was a red as a tomato. Pandora gasped.

"Holy shit!" She exclaimed, before clapping a hand over her mouth.

"Sorry!" She squeaked, and James laughed, a rumbling chuckle from his chest.

"Don' worry, doll, 's nothin' ah have'n heard before." James said, and Pandora blushed.

"Right, of course. Sorry, just... I've never seen Regulus flustered. Ever. I didn't even know he could blush!" She declared, and James laughed again.

"Took me a secon' t’ figure it out, too." He admitted, plopping down on the couch next to Regulus, who was pointedly ignoring the charming man next to him.

"Aww, Reggie's all hot and bothered!!" Pandora cooed, and the man sent her a glare. She burst into a fit of giggles, which was soon joined by James's hearty chuckle.

"I hate you both."

~

"Howdy, Sirius." James greeted as he walked into the bar, followed by Regulus.

"Well hey there, partner." Sirius replied, grinning as he wiped out a glass. "And Reggie! What are you two doing together?" Sirius wondered, and James shot a look back at Regulus.

"Well, ah was jus' comin' here t' see ya, when ah ran into lil Reggie here in the parkin' lot." James drawled, and Regulus heavily resisted the urge to roll his eyes.

"Oh, how funny!" Sirius commented, setting the glass down and leaning his arms on the bar. "Hope he wasn't too rude to you." He added, sending a warning look at his brother, who did roll his eyes this time.

"Aw, naw, he's been a righ’ angel." James replied, smirking at the smaller man. Sirius scoffed, sweeping a glance at Regulus.

"I don’t know who you met, but I don't think it's my brother." He grumbled, and James laughed.

"Don' worry, he's been plen'y polite. Very gentlemanly." James assured Sirius, and Regulus had to hold back a laugh. He didn't think anyone would find him or James very gentlemanly if they knew what the two had been getting up to over the past few days.

Sirius shrugged, taking the towel off his shoulder and grabbing another glass.

"Well, I have to tend to some folks, but let me know if you're feeling thirsty." He said with a wink, before moving to the other end of the bar.  James scooted over closer to Regulus, so they were shoulder-to-shoulder.

"Real subtle." Regulus murmured, letting his gaze travel around the bustling bar, not the gorgeous hunk next to him. He couldn't be too obvious with Sirius only a few feet away, whether he was busy or not.

"Right?" James agreed, and Regulus sighed. "Y'know, y'look even prettier under these dumb lights. Ev'ryone else looks all weird n’ wash’d out, but y'look like a damn vision. An' y'r eyes just reflect all the colors, it's stunnin’." James commented, and Regulus could feel his cheeks heat. He could also, suddenly, feel his brother’s eyes on him. He turned his head, locking eyes with similar grey ones, which were soon moving closer.

"Are you blushing?" Sirius asked, astounded.

"No." Regulus snapped, trying to step away from James as casually as possible. "Must be the lighting."

It didn't work.

"Mm, no, you're definitely blushing! And you two were standing awfully close... James, are you fucking my baby brother?" Sirius questioned, in true, blatant, Sirius Black fashion. The cowboy answered without hesitation.

"W're datin', actually." Sirius's jaw dropped open.

"So this is where you've been going?" He screeched to Regulus, gesturing wildly at James.

"Yes..." Regulus replied, sheepish.

"And you didn't tell me?" Sirius's voice was only rising in pitch and volume.

"Listen," James cut in, placing a hand on Regulus's lower back. Sirius tracked the movement, and Regulus couldn't quite read his face. "Ah know he's y'r baby brother, an' y'r protective, but—"

"Whoa, whoa. Yeah, I wish he was still a baby. But I have no misconceptions about Regulus's lack of virginity and all. I know he dates and fucks. Hell, he told me the first day he met you how badly he wanted to fuck you." Sirius rambled, and Regulus shot him a death stare as James looked down at him smugly.

"I'm offended because Regulus didn't tell me. How could you not spill that you were hitting this?!" Sirius exclaimed, gesturing to the cowboy next to Regulus, who grinned.

"Because you told me not to!" Regulus cried out, throwing his hands up in the air. He wasn't a generally expressive person, but when it came to Sirius, he gestured a lot.

"Yes, as a rebound. But since you agreed to date him, clearly you're in a better state than I thought. I'm proud of you, baby bro." Sirius grinned, holding out a fist to Regulus. The younger man frowned, looking at it as though it were a puzzle. James chuckled, before demonstrating.

" ‘s a fist bump. Y’ bump his w’th y’rs, like this." He explained, before bumping his fist against Sirius's. Regulus raised a haughty eyebrow at the both of them, before rolling his eyes and bumping Sirius's fist. James held out a fist next, grinning eagerly. Regulus gave him an exasperated look, but when they bumped fists and James brought his out in an explosion, he couldn't help a small smile.

God, was he turning into a sap??

Minutes later, when James snaked a hand around his waist and whispered pretty and stunning into his ear, he confirmed that yes, he absolutely was.

~

1656 words :)

[femgineerasolution]

a drunk girl at a wedding just came over and said i make her feel like when she was a kid and she'd look up to her barbie dolls cus they were so beautiful and she wanted to be like them and then kissed the back of my hand and then apologised like she hadn't just given me one of the best compliments of my life

thank you random drunk girl ilu

[uroboros-if]

hi!! this might be a silly message, but i've just come across your game on itch.io and i would do anything for alessi. i would commit unspeakable atrocities for them. they're so gorgeous and i'm so compelled by their story. time to go gaze longingly at their character art again.

Hi Anon, not just a silly message at all -- it means a lot to me!! 🥺💕 I am so glad you like Alessi, and you may just get to do that! (Kidding... maybe!)

I'm really happy that their art made its way into the artist's recap of 2023! I adore their character art and, like you said, he made them gorgeous!

Artist is the amazing princepol!

In the new art I'm commissioning for them, they'll have dreads that I think will look amazing!! I love their afro, but I also love exploring the many possibilities of styling their hair. It brings out my childhood glee of dressing my dolls or styling hair in Flash games 💓💓

I hope you'll enjoy the second chapter because they have a really huge role in there, and I'd say they're even the focus! So you'll get to learn more about them and even interact with them at length. :)

Thanks so much for taking the time to send a "silly message," but I promise it's not silly to tell others when a character has compelled you!! Thank you again Anon 💕💕

[anonymousdandelion]

One of my favorite little strategies for when I am struggling with the far-too-frequent feelings of self-loathing is rapidly becoming this ridiculously basic thing: say nice things to people.

Remind a loved one that you love them. Thank a mentor or role model. Compliment a stranger (in a non-creepy way). Leave a comment on a piece of fanfic. Tell a colleague how much you appreciate the great job they did on that project last week. Send a supportive ask.

See, what I've found is that it makes it a bit harder for my brain to keep insisting that I am horrible, worthless, nothing but a useless burden on everyone around me, etc. etc... when I have evidence that I just put something positive into someone else's life.

(And yes, kind words do put something very positive into the life of the recipient. If I ever start to doubt that, I just need to stop and remember a time or two when I was lucky enough to be on the receiving end. Kindness counts. It matters.)

If approaching people in person feels out of reach, that's okay. Try an email, text message, or DM. Feeling shy? Turn on anon and send a nice ask to your favorite Tumblr blogger.

(Confession moment: I started occasionally doing that back before I even had a Tumblr account at all, when I was a blog-less lurker on this here Hellsite. It's remarkably fun, being a disembodied voice. 10/10 do recommend.)

Whatever works, resonates, and feels accessible for you.

If you're someone who enjoys vicarious happiness, you may get an additional benefit if/when the person responds. (When I'm low in self-image, I also tend to be low in general mood. Making someone smile reminds me that, hey, smiling is possible.)

If you're someone who, like me, tends to socially isolate or withdraw when feeling down (which can be quite the vicious cycle), complimenting someone provides a moment of interaction.

If the recipient of your kindness is someone you already know, a family member or friend, you'll be strengthening that relationship; and if you choose a stranger, who knows, perhaps that classmate you've never spoken to before is a future friend.

You'll be practicing expressing kindness and caring, developing skills that may eventually translate into self-talk.

And the best part? Well, look, people are different. Just because this helps me doesn't guarantee it will help you. For that matter, it doesn't always help me. Brains are complicated.

But there's nothing to lose. Worst case scenario, you've brightened someone's day, and the world has a little more kindness in it.

[thechaotichorselord]

i love being called sweet/kind

it makes me feel so happy that the other person or a friend considers me to be nice

[rainyfestivalsweets]

8/28/23 NSV

My coach just told me my face gets thinner and thinner every time he sees me.

My elderly neighbor waved me over to tell me that he is proud of me for getting my health in check.

Yes yes yes yes yes 🙌 👏 😍 💖 💓 ❤️ 🙌