#dysfunction

[allhailthe70shousewife]

Father hates it when Mother is kind and welcoming to Daughter’s friends.

[aliolly]

INTO THE WOODS° (2)

PART TWO

Emmett Cullen x gender neutral reader

Hoping to mend their fractured marriage and find solace in one another after walking on egg shells for years- your parents up and move you to forks with a declining population that gets smaller by the minute- only one mall, one grocery store, one everything- life had already thrown curveballs in your direction but this seemed like the final blow- you didn’t know how you’d manage in a small town like this, with seemingly nothing to do, except to listen to the sound of your parents relationship shatter even more.

But despite your efforts to mend and seer the same thoughts in your head that this was the biggest mistake they’d made- and that you’d never be happy in a place like this- it all changes, but ultimately, it all started with the boy in the woods.

TW: blood, neglectful parents, sore subjects such as mentions of a family member dying and miscarriage.Reader might come off as annoying? She’s surrounded by dysfunction so bare with her please

Forks was considerably the lowest in numbers when it came to population growth- and passing by the welcome sign proved your statement. You sat in the back seat of the car frozen in disbelief and puzzlement because how could a town hold so little? You knew where you were going would be significantly smaller than the area in Portland where you lived but you didn’t expect the difference to be so noticeable. It was almost laughable, because of course your parents picked the smallest town with an even smaller amount of people living in it.

If you were worried about fitting in then, you definitely were now. If the town itself was this small then you couldn’t even imagine how much smaller the school was and the students attending- how they would all collectively know one another and be close friends- meanwhile your there sticking out like a black sheep surrounded by white sheep in the middle of the pen- you yourself never had a problem where you felt as though you had to fight to fit in or cower in the shadows- but this felt odd, as if it’s exactly what you’d have to do.

You clench your fits tightly in your lap, taking a deep breath and resting your head backwards on the headrest like you were going to take a short nap- but in actuality you couldn’t even fathom doing that right now- your nerves were spiked and your heart was suddenly thumping in your chest so much it caused discomfort to shoot through your tense body. Holding onto the polyester of the seatbelt with a tight grip- you took in the scenery around you with quick glances before it was driven past. Opting to try and sooth the sudden nerves by distracting your mind with the beautifully bloomed trees that seemed to be everywhere you looked- you had to admit after passing by so many- that the sight was uniquely beautiful- so much green, in all different shades, it felt oddly comforting despite your earlier feeling.

The trees looked so, alive, which was a stark contrast to the trees you’d see in your neighborhood in Portland. Always brown, even in the summer, they never grew any green leafs and even if they did, they’d wither long before fall came around- which left a sad depressing sight to wake up to day after day. But you had grown to appreciate it. Like it, even, but no matter how much love you have for your home- forks was a sight, which kind of surprised you because you thought with the situation that you’d hate it even more, no matter what it looked like.

But you were wrong, evidently so in many ways. You sat up as the car slowed, droplets of rain clashed against the glass and slid down-leaving a trail behind. The grass in which you caught sight of almost instantly- looked different then from back home, more alive, more green, healthy looking. The trees around it danced softly with the wind, and the water only made the sight more pleasant to stare at-

You wished Ian could see this.

His love for nature was far more greater than yours.

When the car picked up speed underneath the green hue of the traffic light, you watched as the trees disappeared from your sight but more appear more and more the faster you went. It all looked alike despite the trees seemingly getting bigger and bigger the more your dad drove further into town. It makes you wonder what the house looked like, and if it was surrounded by trees like all the stores seemed to be. Or maybe they picked a house secluded from the trees and void of any kind of possible human interaction. You scrunch your face up at the thought, knowing the latter option was most likely true.

“Just around this corner? Do I turn left or right?”

“I don’t know, I’m waiting for it to load, reception out here is terrible”

“We’re surrounded by trees, honey, of course the reception is terrible”

You look away from the window as your mother deeply sighed, frustration evident on her face as she glared down at her phone that resumed loading with the circle- she tapped on the screen in hopes of it working but when a box appeared in bold letters saying “failed to load” she groans with another sigh and refreshes the page.

“It’s not working, this is my third time refreshing it” she says with a sigh.

“Pull it up on my phone, then, the tab should still be on the last time I looked up directions”

“It would’ve been nice for you to have told me that earlier instead of watching me struggle with this shit for over an hour”

You look back out the window, playing a little game in your head where you create a little character running along side you on the street,imagining them jumping over obstacles like the trash bin on the ground and the log on the side of the road halfway- all while doing some kind of flip. Bringing your eyes up and down to pull the illusion that your making them jump over the things you see in reality- you don’t really pay any attention to your surroundings which was what you wanted, your parents might not be arguing now but that’s how theirs always start. It starts off with something so small normal couples wouldn’t even argue about- then it gradually picks up along with the yelling, and all of a sudden their throwing smart remarks and bringing up past arguments to make a point.

You can hear it in your mothers tone that she’s deliberately trying to start something that isn’t there- and normally your dad would catch on and try to have the last say, but your relieved when he doesn’t respond and instead turns the car left into a neighborhood- further more burning out the lit fire in your mother for now.

You press the button to roll the window down and eye all the big and semi big houses lined up side by side with reasonable distance in between. When the car comes to a slow stop in front of a brown bricked house with flowers blooming all around the front yard, you cant help when your lips curl up into a slight smile- it was beautiful. It couldn’t compare to your home back in Portland, but it was beautiful nonetheless.

“Oh wow.it looks better in person” your mother exclaims with a soft gasp, pushing the door open and stepping out. You unbuckle your seatbelt and do the same, picking up your dog in the process and wrapping the end of its leash around your wrist so they don’t run off. You step onto the pavement and stare. Homey, and..big. You think to yourself.

“What do you think?” Your mother asks,hands on her hip as she admired the house in all its cozy glory.

“Big…is someone else staying with us and you just hadn’t told me or did you and dad actually buy a house that looks like a family of six could live here?” Your mother rolls her eyes with her lips lifted into a smile, she clicks her tongue and slightly pushes you forward onto the lawn before turning around to unload the trunk.

“Look at it this way, hun, you finally get your own room, and your own bathroom, we all know how much you wanted your own space.” you turn slightly as your dad steps onto the sidewalk with a suitcase in his hand and a doufle bag in the other.

“Crazy how we had to move hours away just for me to get that” you mumble with a slight shake to your head from side to side. You tighten your grip around your dog but not to much to hurt them, gazing around the area other than your new home.

“Hey” you look back to your mom. “Instead of catching an attitude why don’t you busy yourself and get the door for your dad, alright?” Please and thank you—- you wouldn’t have had a problem doing a simple task like that if there was a please and thank you attached to it. You walk up the colored pebble path until you reached the door, taking the keys from your dad’s outstretched hand and unlocking the door before pushing it open with the hill of your shoe.

“Look at that honey, you always wanted a fire place, remember?” You walked in behind him and saw the fireplace he was talking about- it was all brick with a wooden mantle above it where you could store books or a clock. It was pretty, the windows behind it that overlooked more trees made the scene even more precious. “The truck will be here any minute so why don’t you settle your things in your room before then” you nod, eyeing the fireplace one last time before retracting your steps and walking out the house to grab your things.

[tomorrowusa]

Excerpt from a recent conversation about DOGE between Gail Collins and Bret Stephens of the NYT

Gail Collins: Musk, of course, is frequently ranked the richest man in the world. More and more Americans are beginning to wonder about trusting their financial future to a guy who thinks 20 million dead people are collecting Social Security. You’ve always been a let’s-spend-less conservative, right? Any hope you can offer on this one? Bret Stephens: I suspect historians will one day remember the Department of Government Efficiency the way we now remember lobotomies. It seemed, to some at the time, like a good idea. Gail Collins: Hey, maybe future generations will look back on the Trump administration as the lobotomy laboratory.

Source... Trump Really Likes It When Things Go Wrong

Trump and Musk seem intent on lobotomizing the federal government.

[serenityquest]

[superxstarzz]

ur classpect combos. vaery tasty. may i request. mage of void + prince of mind ? i am very curious. keep up the good work ... !

thank u sm!!! mmmmm yummy,, here ya go!!!

[thrivingwhilemultiple]

Our goal is to have a life worth living, a life to recover in, a life to recover with.

With The Tides

[cozzzynook]

Soundwave working on a report when Rodimus comes in and sits in his lap looking exhausted. He immediately falls asleep and Soundwave can tell something is wrong. Rodimus is sick.

My favorite headcanon is giving Rodimus a chronic disease i made up ( not sure if its real in canon or called something else ) called spark flutters. Its a heart condition that he was forged with and made worse by Nyons living conditions.

Its usually something he can hide but it does flare up from time to time during their time of peace.

Roddy missed one dose of medicine because he was rushed out of berth and had to answer an emergency. He was waiting to get home to take his evening meds but it didn’t work out that way.

His vision was bad and his chest was hurting and his spark was visibly flickering as he struggled down the hall.

He ended up making it to Soundwaves office and managed to sit on his lap before passing out as he laid against him.

This was not how he wanted Soundwave learning he had a spark condition especially after having dated so long and beginning the conjunx ritus.

He wakes up to Soundwave sleeping beside him with Ratbat attached to Soundwaves dock and Ratchet surprisingly not glaring at him.

“I know what happened. I saw the missed dose and heard about the emergency. Waiting for your next dose is the smart thing to do but in your case its not. The next time this happens come to the medbay we’ll give you a filler that holds you until your next dose. Nothing was made worse thankfully.”

He nodded looking so relieved and he both thanked and apologized to Ratchet for the scare.

“Not me you gotta worry about kid,” the smirk on the docs face made him tense up and grimace and Ratchet truly was evil because he left him with Soundwave and locked the door from the outside.

“Heeey Soundwave,” he tried to play it off and got the deepest growl he’s ever heard before.

There was a lot of yelling on Soundwave’s part and a harsh pecking from Ratbat for the scare.

Soundwave tried to wake him up and when he moved Rodimus almost dropped out of his arms and had stopped venting.

Thankfully Ratchet was still working so Soundwave was able to comm him as he rushed him to the medbay.

“I’m sorry. I know I should’e told you way before now its just…bots..bots don’t like bots with a dysfunction..mine is permanent. I was born with it and i’ll offline with it. It’s hereditary too..if you want a sparkling with me they could inherit this from me..I..i wanted you to like me..but I should have told you.”

“I’m sorry Soundwave. If you want to leave I won’t stop you,” Rodimus said sincerely, “I know I owe you for lying all this time.”

His words were cut off with Soundwave wrapping his feelers around him.

“Shut up.”

He quickly closed his intake and let Soundwave talk.

“You should’ve told me because something could’ve happened to you. I’m far better at preparing things than you. When Ratchet gets back I’m getting your medicine numbers and you will be taking them where I can see and I will have an emergency bottle along with Ratbat for such occasions.”

“We will discuss this further when you get discharged, at our home.”

Rodimus just knew Soundwave meant his home since it was bigger and most of his stuff was there and he also knew he was not getting out of this conversation and he couldn’t help but cry at Soundwave still wanting him even with his serious dysfunction.

Soundwave was immovable when it came down to it but he was a soft immovable mech when it came to rodimus’s tears.

“This will not save you,” he grouched as he rubbed Rodimus back as the mech was in his lap.

“You still love me,” he continued to sob rubbing against him.

A low growl from Soundwave against his frame and Ratbat comfortably purring in his lap and Rodimus fell into recharge.

[contemplatingoutlander]

Some excerpts from this column by Michelle Cottle:

A healthy democracy needs its participants to accept a basic will-of-the-majority model. Fringe factions have rights, but they do not run the show. For years, the Republican Party has been shifting toward an anti-majoritarian, burn-down-the-system ethos. Time after time, the preferences and well-being of the many are abandoned in pursuit of the desires of the extremist few. Nowhere has this become more evident than in the House, where various slivers of hard-liners delight in holding the entire chamber — and on occasion the entire country — hostage. The Freedom Caucusers want this or that unpopular policy stuffed into a spending bill. Matt Gaetz’s rebels clamor for this or that procedural change. In some cases, the Venn diagram circles of demands overlap; in others, different gangs dig in on different priorities. Forget compromise or collaboration or collective governance within the conference. It is not even a question of might makes right so much as a contest to see who can grab the most attention for throwing the most disruptive tantrum.

Below is a graphic from the column that shows just how fart to the right Jim Jordan is compared to his fellow Republicans in the House.

[escapism-from-the-real-world]

When I was younger, I thought I had a really big bladder. On 12 hour roadtrips, I’d only go to the bathroom like once and I’d rarely ever go at home. I thought I was built different.

Anyway, I have adhd and autism and I’ve been making myself drink water regularly and wow, have I always been this dehydrated? Have I been not going to the bathroom enough times to be considered healthy? I have overestimated my ability to gauge healthy behavior.

[aliolly]

INTO THE WOODS° (5)

PART FIVE

Emmett Cullen x gender neutral reader

Hoping to mend their fractured marriage and find solace in one another after walking on egg shells for years- your parents up and move you to forks with a declining population that gets smaller by the minute- only one mall, one grocery store, one everything- life had already thrown curveballs in your direction but this seemed like the final blow- you didn’t know how you’d manage in a small town like this, with seemingly nothing to do except to listen to the sound of your parents relationship shatter even more.

But despite your efforts to mend and seer the same thoughts in your head that this was the biggest mistake they’d made- and that you’d never be happy in a place like this- it all changes, but ultimately, it all started with the boy in the woods.

I DECIDED, to try first person to see if my writing would run smoother this way. Tell me if you like it, if not I’ll go back to how it was originally!!

TW : blood, neglectful parents, sore subjects such as mentions of a family member dying and abortion. Reader might come off as annoying? Clingy? She’s surrounded by dysfunction so bare with her please.

The Swans were normal people. Normal home with little significance clinging to it despite it being homey. Normal yard that looks as though it gets taken care of periodically, normal backyard with seemingly remnants of the past littering underneath the small shed- a pink bike, chest full of old and probably molded toys and a pink glittery helmet to go with the bike. A normal father who puts mine to shame, and a daughter that my mom probably wanted but got me instead.

Bella seemed to adequately please my mom without needing to say much. That morning when I had gotten up from sleeping on the floor, I walked downstairs and didn’t need much help finding the dining room when I could smell the food lingering in the air and the quiet banter filling the silence. When I turned the corner I hadn’t expected to see my parents, most days since we’ve gotten here, they’ve both inhabited a habit to sleep in, especially with all of the stress they’re body undergoes on a basis with the whole, missing truck situation.

But that wasn’t what surprised me. It was Bella, who, not only sat by them, but was engrossed in a conversation i didn’t know she was capable of holding. She seemed so quiet last night- and understandably so- our own little talks didn’t venture far without her shutting down or shifting the topic so fast it took me for a whirlwind. I just chalked it up and blamed it on the circumstances, telling myself that shes only closed off because we don’t know each other and that im just a random girl sleeping in her bedroom for the night.

It made sense then, not so much now. She sat close to my parents, oddly close, smiling, chuckling, using her hands to help grasp what she was trying to say- better. But when my presence had been made known with just me stepping forward, she stopped, and collectively my parents and Bella looked at me as I took the empty seat across from them.

“Oh, good morning, thought I’d treat this morning with a big breakfast for the big day” I look over my shoulder to Charlie.

“Big day?” I turn back to my parents.

“You weren’t up when we got the call, but, your father found a job at the forks community hospital. It’s only temporary, but with your dad’s history of recent jobs I’m sure they’ll give him a permanent position” my mother says, beaming, her hand closed over dad’s arm.

“They’ll only keep me for three months. After that if they like my work and dedication then they’ll hire me for the real thing” my dad says.

I nod again. “Speaking of jobs, Bella are you interested in working now that you’re 17?”

“Oh I’ll be 18 in a few weeks actually, but I haven’t thought about it as of recently”

Like I wasn’t even there..My mom turned back to Bella, awaiting for an answer and chiming in whenever the opportunity arose. Suggesting which jobs she should look into solely based by just her judgment of character- and which jobs she shouldn’t look into that not only has low pay but will “dim your spark”

I lean back into the chair, I had no other choice but to listen. Listen as my mom went on and on to someone else’s daughter but her own about things she hadn’t even talked to ME about. They were fundamental, is what my mom always said, you’ll learn naturally, is what she’d tell me. My fists clench under the barrier of the table, relieved it wasn’t glass but thick wood.

Charlie brought over a plate and sat it in front of me, I mutter my thanks of appreciation but still grasp onto my mother’s face for any kind of reaction. She never liked when I talked her ear off about things, always said how I needed to slow down or that she’s busy and we’d talk about it later….yet, “later” never came, it never did. But with Bella, talking and talking, actually looking to enjoy this moment despite her hand holding tight on the edge of the table- she just kept going, voice small and still closed off but definitely not hidden. And my mom?

She just….listened, no cutting in, no interference, just, devotion and patience to hear what Bella had to say. And it….it hurt. I felt this pang in my chest, and, and for the life of me I couldn’t explain how it felt, it was instant, and it stayed there right in my chest. Amplifying more and more whenever my attempts or advances to talk to my mom were ignored with a dismissive wave..or an irritated glare that spoke volume without needing words.

So I just sat there, uninterested in the food in front of me but still taking bites here and there because I didn’t want Charlie’s cooking to go to waste over my own dumb feelings. I sat there chewing, and seconds later it felt as though I wasn’t only trying to chew, but hold back the stinging in my eyes that I couldn’t attempt to wipe away. I didn’t want to draw attention to myself.

Later on in the day I had hoped to be back in the newly home with D/N, but my parents had something to say about that as pure usual. I don’t know if it was the newfound sense of friendship that bloomed between my dad and Charlie or the sudden infatuation my mom harbored over Bella- but after breakfast I found myself seated in the passenger side of Bella’s beat up red truck, heading to a location unknown with someone whom I sure hated this more than I did.

She had told Charlie that she was heading out to meet “Edward” I can only assume by her tone that Edward was her boyfriend or close to it. But, she had plans on meeting with him later on after breakfast to just relax and bask in each other’s presence like most couples. And I didn’t think much on it, in fact, I didn’t think at all. I was already packing my bag to walk back home when my mom peaked in and told me I was going with Bella.

It was ridiculous, if my parents had this much trust in Bella whom they’ve known for not even 24 hours- then they shouldn’t be surprised if my body was to turn up on the news- stranded in the woods, stripped of any goods i might have on me and my damn dignity. I couldn’t even try to joke about this to myself because there was nothing funny about it.

I felt unwanted, and I know I should’ve tried harder to convince my mom to just drop it, but she was adamant, and when my mom gets adamant about something, it doesn’t normally end well in my favor. Or for anyone’s for that matter.

“Squeeze any harder and you might break the seatbelt” Bella’s voice shifts me out of my daze when I turn to look at her. My eyebrows furrowed in confusion until I could feel just how tightly I was holding onto the seatbelt. I let go after I realize, and place both hands on my lap.

“Sorry” my tone sounded quiet

“It’s okay” but hers was even quieter.

“I….probably should’ve tried harder to convince my mom to let this go. I can’t imagine how awkward and uncomfortable you must feel, driving with a stranger to your boyfriend’s house- that sounds a lot more awkward than this. You don’t have to go through with it, you can just drop me off and I’ll walk back home-“

“Y/N..” i look to Bella, shutting my mouth when I notice the insane amount of babbling that just irrupted out of me. “It’s okay, seriously. Yeah it’s a little weird, but it’ll be fine” somehow her words didn’t sooth me despite it being soothing words.

“Are you sure? Because I feel like I’m widely overstepping a boundary you didn’t even have time to place down” Bella lightly chuckles, her grip around the steering wheel loosening the more she spoke to me.

“Im sure” she reassures. “I mean, I thought I would’ve felt annoyed or irritated by the thought of having to take you with me, but I don’t know. I don’t, and that’s surprising for me”

I didn’t take Bella for the kind of person to be outgoing, so it was easy to believe her. And after she had reassured me that it was fine, I didn’t feel fine, but I did feel some calmness seep over me that was enough for my body to finally relax from it’s rigid tensity and lean back. For the most part it was quiet after that, the radio was on low and I would’ve been able to hear if not for Bella’s rolled down window, but then again, mine was rolled down too. It helped my nerves from resurfacing and kept me leveled until we got to wherever she was driving too.

The roads were packed for a weekend, I thought since it was Saturday that nobody would be out driving especially this early, but I was wrong. We sat at traffic for a solid five minutes before the first green light flicked on ,just to be stopped by more traffic just up ahead. It wasn’t until Bella turned into a street where it became quiet and easy going from there. No cars in sight coming or going, just us, passing trees that got noticeably thicker and thicker the more she drove, and the grass that slowly turned to snow.

The air got colder but the breeze felt good on my face. The green trees decorated and caked in snow, and soon enough Bella was parking the red truck behind a smaller, more expensive looking car that was all black, even the windows.

When I glance over my eyes slightly widen. I wasn’t expecting to see such a big home nestled on a hill (the snow was expected) decked out with pure richness it almost felt illegal for me to even look at it let alone be here. “Wow” i mutter, unbuckling my seatbelt and stepping out when Bella had gotten out. She looked at me and lightly smiled, a look of understanding. “Yeah”

I round the truck and nestle my hands deep in the pockets of my jacket, getting colder and colder by the minute it felt like I’d need winter gear just to feel warm. “This is……big” I chime in.

“Very”

The front door opened when I glanced over. I didn’t know who to expect, well, I had a suspicion on who it could’ve been based on earlier’s conversation, but I wasn’t expecting an older woman to walk out with a younger looking girl trailing behind her. Her hair was spiky almost, sticking out in places but it looked pretty on her, especially with the black headband she was sporting. “Bella, you made it, any trouble getting here?”

“Just the traffic” the older woman shook her head, rubbing Bella’s arm. “I told Edward he should’ve gone to pick you up”

“Hi” I look over at the girl, she smiles kindly to me and grabs both my hands from inside my pockets, squeezing with a sense as if she’s recognized me from somewhere or knew who I was. She looked into my eyes and hers seemed to gleam, i didn’t know who this girl was and I wasn’t opposed to finding out- but just with her holding my hands I could feel this strange feeling of comfort just oozing off of her. “You must be Y/N. Word gets around fast in forks, I’m Alice” I smile back, I should feel odd, right? I should feel anxious or literally anything, but I don’t.

“It’s nice to meet you” when I look over at Bella, I miss the action in which both Alice and who I now know to be Esme- sharing a knowing glance at each other before they both look at me. “My name is Esme, please come in, the both of you must be freezing out here” When Esme finishes i feel Alice take my hand again and pull me towards the door.

“The boys are out back cutting wood and Rosalie is getting our gear ready for the trails!” Esme said, beaming from ear to ear.

“You have to join us” Alice says to me. “The trails may seem long but the reward is worth it. A big beautiful waterfall that outshines any other you may have seen before” it does sound nice.

“That sounds beautiful, but I wouldn’t want to intrude, I was just gonna…wait in the car-“

“Nonsense” Esme cuts me off. “We’d love for you to join us, some more than others” she eyes Alice. “You’d be surprised how welcoming we are”

[family-trauma]

Lately I've been absolutely burnt out. Not only has my personal life been toxic and draining, my work has became the same if not worse. Trying to stay afloat and keep everything straight has been extremely exhausting for me.

I thought going to a new job will help reduce some of the toxicity of the previous one, well I was so wrong. The new job turned out to be 10 times worse. With too many managers and politics being played, the environment has been unnecessarily toxic even though the work itself is good.

Please send some good wishes my way so I have the strength to handle all of this. 🙏

[malinaa]

L’ESPRIT DE L’ESCALIER by CATHERYNNE M. VALENTE

[superxstarzz]

sylph of mind and heir of void maybe?

here ya go!!!

[xxdreamscapes]

diary 043025 | 11:00 am

I’m done with lectures about *protecting one's peace* when the decisions a lot of people make are consistently self-centered and clearly dysfunctional ( ˘ ³˘) The grass might be greener cause it’s astroturf bitch. It’s greener where you water it and tend to your community garden ♥︎

[stoicmike]

If I feel the need for drama in my life I go to see a play. -- Michael Lipsey