#its like messaging without the commitment and fear<3< /div> Explore tagged Tumblr posts

[begaydodrughailsatan]

Messaging someone < using the tags of a tumblr posts to message someone back and forth

[oddinary4bts]

Chasing Cars | ch 15 (jjk)

☆summary: when your brother goes to study on a semester abroad, your life collides with his best friend Jeon Jungkook, who's coincidentally your roommate. Will you survive the collision, or will you crumble into dust?

☆pairings: brother's best friend!Jungkook x younger sister!female reader

☆rating: 18+ (minors DNI, some chapters have mature content)

☆genre: forbidden love?au, college!au, slice of life!au, smut, angst (as usual a lot of it), fluff

☆warnings: cursing, mentions of taehyung getting slapped, alcohol, a haunted house (and a clown), fear of someone possibly committing the irreparable, confessions <3, explicit content: implied penetrative sex

☆word count: 7.4k

☆a/n: finally the end of the angst :') hope you guys enjoy <3 and thank you to @moonleeai for beta-ing, you're the best <3

☆series masterpost

☆add yourself to the taglist here!

☆☆☆☆☆

If I lay here If I just lay here Would you lie with me and just forget the world?

Chasing Cars, Snow Patrol

☆☆☆☆☆

Friday, October 11th

You don’t think you’ve slept. You’ve lied in bed all night, chasing the smell of Jungkook from last night on your sheets. You hoped he’d reappear, materialize here in this room where you and him always made sense, but he stays gone, and you stay alone. 

Lonely, like the moon in the sky up above. 

The morning is grey, colourless. The sun rises like it didn’t care about you and Jungkook, like its heart perhaps never imploded on itself. But yours has, the second you had to watch Jungkook walking out of the door.

He’d closed the door softly behind him, and you’d turned towards Taehyung. You’d seethed, “I fucking hate you”, through your teeth, and Taehyung had offered you a sad, apologetic stare.

“You’ll understand that this is the best for you,” he’d said, and you’d walked up to him and slapped him, hard enough for your hand to sting.

He’d taken it, barely even flinching, and as his cheek had reddened, you’d said, “You should have fucking stayed in Paris.”

And then you’d fled to your room, and he’d let you do it.

It was the first time you’ve ever slapped him - or anyone, for that matter - and you really hope it’ll be the last. Perhaps because it came from such ugly feelings, from heartbreak and betrayal and everything in between, and it raged through you only to leave a pathetic shrivelled shape behind.

You’d meant it last night - you miss Jungkook. And you miss him more than ever now, as you’re faced with the irreversibility of your falling out.

Ariane came back home after you’ve gone to bed last night. You heard her walking in, heard her speaking to Taehyung in the living room before the sounds faded as they moved to their room. And as you lied there, you’d wondered, why did Taehyung even come back home so early?

Why couldn’t he stay at the movie theatre long enough for you and Jungkook to fix your relationship? Long enough to have that much needed conversation, long enough so you’d never said that last night was a lapse of judgment?

You regretted the words the moment they were out. You don’t think you truly meant them - yesterday night was heaven on Earth, a step out of time to a past you were trying to move on from.

This morning, you know you’ll never be able to move on from Jungkook. Not when your feelings for him were strong enough to make you hate the one person who always cared for you, who always was there for you growing up.

Because with the grey light of dawn you realize that you do truly hate Taehyung. You don’t think you’ll be able to see him again without blowing up in his face, so you remain hidden in your room as he and Ariane get up. He doesn’t text you if you want breakfast, doesn’t say anything at all.

You think it’s a relief - you don’t have it in you to fight anymore.

Jungkook hasn’t texted you either. You’ve debated sending him a message for most of the night, but you haven’t figured out what. You reckon he might need space after last night, after the roller coaster of emotions that everything was, and so you think it might be okay if you haven’t texted him yet.

You rub the tiredness out of your eyes, sighing deeply as the sounds in the apartment fade when Taehyung and Ariane leave for their morning classes. You get out of bed then, putting on clothes before you head to the kitchen.

Taehyung left you a plate of eggs and bacon on the table, with a scribbled note next to it. I’m sorry is all that’s written, and you wonder if Ariane forced him to write it.

It’s unlike Taehyung to ever apologize for anything after all. You crumple the piece of paper, throw it out in the recycling bin, and then eat the food even though it’s gone cold since Taehyung left it there. It’s still food, and though your appetite doesn’t show up, you still manage to eat half of it.

You text Nabi that you won’t make it to class before heading back to your room, the heaviness of everything that happened in the last twelve hours catching up to you. You feel bone-deep exhausted, and you hide underneath the covers of your bed, tears pricking at your eyes.

It’s nothing new - you’ve been crying on and off since Jungkook left last night, and that, most of all, must have been the reason why sleep evaded you all night long.

You grab your phone, quickly moving to your text message app. You find Jungkook’s conversation, rereading his text from September.

[09/08/24] JK: hey.. do you want to talk?

You’d ignored it then, but today, you find yourself in his position. Find yourself writing a message similar to the one he’d sent, and you reread it a thousand times before you find the courage to press send.

[9:37 am] You: i’m sorry about what i said last night. can we talk?

Anxiety flushes through you as the message delivers. It’s adrenaline in your blood, and you remain on the conversation for five minutes, hoping Jungkook might reply right away.

He doesn’t. As a matter of fact, he doesn’t reply all morning, and you busy yourself by going back to the dorms, not wanting to stay at the apartment knowing that Taehyung is going to come back eventually. 

You find the dorm room to be empty, which you reckon is a relief. You don’t think you’d have the strength to see anyone right now, not when the exhaustion is almost enough to make you crumple on yourself.

You end up taking a nap for most of the afternoon, waking  up drenched in sweat from a nightmare you forget the second your eyes open.

Perhaps the presence of Nabi and Ria, sitting on Ria’s bed next to you, contributes to your forgetfulness after all.

“Morning,” Ria teases.

You frown, shutting your eyes again as you hide your face in Nabi’s pillow. “Morning,” you mumble in reply.

“Why’d you miss class this morning?” Nabi asks.

You let out a noncommittal sound.

The mattress dips next to you as someone sits there. “What’s wrong?” Ria asks.

The tears are spilling over a second later, and you tell them everything. You tell them how your conversation with Ria yesterday inspired you to do the same thing with Jungkook, but that you never got the chance to tell him how you feel. You tell them about Taehyung, about Jungkook leaving without a single look back. You tell them about the text that sits unanswered on your phone, and you tell them you’re tired, oh so tired.

Ria runs a soothing hand on your back through it all, while Nabi says she’ll go buy ice cream. You sit with Ria in silence for a while, before glancing at her.

“I hope things went better between you and Seokjin,” you say, voice rough from all the crying you’ve done.

She offers you an apologetic smile. “It did. But we don’t have to speak about it right now.”

You take a deep breath, wiping your cheeks dry even though you haven’t shed a tear in a few minutes. “No,” you say after. “Tell me everything. I just need to stop thinking about Jungkook for a while.”

There’s a knock on the door, startling the two of you. Ria throws you a quizzical look and then gets up to open the door. 

Yoongi’s on the other side, a six-pack of beer in hands. “Nabi said to meet you guys here,” he says to Ria, then looks behind her to see you sitting on the bed. You must look like hell, because he lets out, “Shit.” 

It makes you laugh, and then you pat the bed next to you. “No clue if beer mixes well with ice cream, but come here.”

Yoongi grins, and then he walks in, kicking off his shoes. Turns out beer does not mix well with ice cream, as you find out half an hour later when Nabi’s returned with a one-liter tub of vanilla ice cream with fudge ripples in it.  The two tastes clash in your mouth, but you shrug it off.

It’s Friday evening, and though Jungkook still hasn’t replied, you want to have fun with your friends. And you really try to - Ria drags you all to a board game bar near campus, and you play as you drink and eat your fill.

You’re walking home, arms hooked with the girls while Yoongi leads the way, when your phone buzzes in your pocket. You can’t see who’s texted you, but your heart picks up its pace, like it knows.

“Thank you for tonight,” you say to no one in particular.

Yoongi looks over his shoulder. “You suck at board games.”

He bursts out laughing as you let out an offended sound, and Ria and Nabi pull you back as you try to jump on Yoongi. 

“You’re a dick!”

He just laughs harder, until everyone joins in. 

Until joy pierces the clouds in your mind, and weight seems to be lifted from your shoulders. You feel lighter - who needs a man when you have your friends?

“For real though,” you say once the laughter subsides. “I don’t know what I’d do without you guys.”

Nabi rests her head on your shoulder. “Good thing that you don’t have to live without us.”

“You’re such a sentimental drunk,” Ria teases, yet she pecks your cheek all the same. “Love you, bitch.”

“Love you too.”

Later, when you’re about to hop in the shower at the dorms, you finally look at your phone. You’d all but forgotten the earlier buzzing, but the message that waits for you is a bomb awaiting explosion, and you think it explodes right in your chest.

[11:26 pm] JK: i honestly don’t think we should talk rn. sorry

You swallow the rumbles of your beating organ, but they cut on the way down until you’re bleeding out standing there, naked save for the flip flops on your feet.

The clouds come back to your head, thickening until all light seems gone.

[11:58 pm] You: okay… i really am sorry

Jungkook never replies to that, and you cry yourself to sleep that night.

Sunday, October 13th 

Each year like clockwork a fair comes into town around Halloween. It’s a fair of light and music, games and plush toys to be won, with a haunted house and a corn maze. It’s not exactly in town - it’s a fifteen-minute drive from the outskirts of town, but Namjoon has a car, and so does Seokjin.

You technically do too, but you left it to Taehyung when you moved to the dorms. 

You get there with Nabi and Namjoon, Yoongi riding in the backseat with you. Ria and Seokjin are going to get there later, which you think is a good thing.

They have months of catching up to do, and you can’t blame them for wanting to be alone. Especially not when you see just how much Ria has been glowing the last few days.

You have to park the car in a field, and you’re glad you chose to wear your frat party shoes - the field is muddy from yesterday night’s rain. Nabi complains about it, and Namjoon immediately offers her a piggyback ride to cross a large puddle of mud.

You turn to Yoongi.

“Can I piggyback you too?” you ask, lips jutting out in a small pout.

He snorts. “No.”

You roll your eyes, though you chuckle as he walks around the puddle as best as he can. It’s useless - there’s mud everywhere, and your shoes are entirely dirty by the time you make it to the fair grounds. You head to the ticket booth, though you have to wait in line for a while before you manage to finally get in.

“I want a plushie,” you say the second you see the first game a little while later.

It’s a game where you have to throw rings on the necks of glass bottles. Your friends follow you to it, and you’re quick to make a competition of who’s going to succeed the most. To your surprise, it ends up being Nabi, and she wins a small dragon plushie that she gives to you immediately.

You cradle it to your chest as you make your way to the next game, though your heart drops to your ass when your gaze connects with Taehyung’s as he stands next to the stand.

“Nope,” you let out, turning around to head in the other direction.

“What?” Yoongi asks, but he soon falls into step with you. “Y/n, what’s wrong?”

“Just saw my asshole of a brother, and I have no interest in talking to him tonight,” you explain as your heart races in your chest from newfound adrenaline. “Or ever, to be honest.”

Yoongi winces. “Can’t blame you.” He looks behind you, nudging you with an elbow. “We’re clear though. He didn’t follow.”

You nod, stopping to glance behind yourself too. Nabi and Namjoon are nowhere to be seen, but you think it’s okay - at least you’ve got Yoongi. And Yoongi is a fun partner, though he beats you in most of the games you end up playing with him. He makes you laugh, and you think that’s what’s most important right now.

To have fun with your friends, lest your heart runs back to a doe-eyed boy who’s decided to leave you in the past.

“Want to do the haunted house?” you suggest to Yoongi.

He seems unconvinced, yet he still says, “Sure.”

Seokjin and Ria find you in line for the haunted house, joining you in the middle while apologizing to the people behind you, though they barely even pay attention to you. You hold a smile in at the sight of their entwined hands, and you nudge Yoongi to point towards it.

He rolls his eyes, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips. The smile freezes on his face a second later, and you glance in the direction he’s looking.

It’s the guy from the reception at the gym. He recognizes you, and you wave hello as Yoongi turns beet red next to you.

“Want to go talk to him?” you say, wiggling your brows.

“You say a single other word, and I’m going to murder you,” Yoongi says through gritted teeth.

“Damn,” Ria lets out. “Someone’s angry.”

Yoongi scoffs, though his cheeks remain fully flushed up until you make it to the front of the line. It fades when you walk into the haunted house, though you think it might be because a clown jumps in his face the second you walk in.

Yoongi raises his fists in a defensive stance, and you burst out laughing as the clown moves to Ria, who shrieks so loud you wouldn’t be surprised if she ripped your eardrums.

“I don’t think you’re supposed to punch them,” you tease Yoongi.

He glares at you in the dim light. “Maybe I should punch you.”

“Try me bitch.”

At that he laughs, and then tension finally goes out of his shoulders. You spend the rest of the haunted house startling whenever someone jumps in front of you, letting out small shrieks that are entirely shadowed by Ria’s screams. Seokjin doesn’t fare any better, and you and Yoongi make fun of them, so much so you find yourself wiping happy tears from your eyes when you finally walk outside again.

“Never doing one of these again,” Seokjin deadpans, which only makes you and Yoongi laugh again.

Ria punches his shoulder. “You were supposed to protect me.”

“I was scared too!” Seokjin lets out, massaging the spot she hit. “I don’t ever do haunted houses!”

The two of them start bickering, though the teasing twinkle in their eyes tells you that it’s all in good fun. And it’s beautiful to see, though you can tell Seokjin is not all the way in yet.

You can’t blame him - Ria did lead him on for a while. But you can only hope that they’ll make it despite everything. When he throws an arm around her shoulder to pull her in, kissing the top of her head, you reckon they will.

If anyone makes it through the college experience without breaking up, it’ll be them, and Nabi and Namjoon. At least you hope so.

You meet up with Nabi and Namjoon when you go to the area where multiple food stands have been erected. You and Yoongi get corn dogs, only because you haven’t eaten them in forever and you feel like indulging tonight.

Like forgetting that, three days ago, you broke your heart and Jungkook’s heart with words you didn’t mean, all because your brother took you by surprise while you were with Jungkook.

Speaking of Taehyung, you notice him on the other side of the food court-like area, surrounded by his group of friends. He sees you, waving halfheartedly at you like he expects you might have forgiven him already.

You haven’t. As a matter of fact, the sight of him out and about enjoying himself after he caused Thursday’s heartbreak makes you hate him even more, and you turn away from him to focus on your friends’ conversation. But you can’t join in - your thoughts have run back to Thursday, to the feeling of Jungkook’s gentle hands all over you as you’d had sex, and then as you’d taken a shower together.

Your thoughts run back to your love confessions, that you both didn’t register because you were too angry, too caught up in the moment. But you know he said he fell in love with you, just like you did with him.

And that, most of all, is the reason why you hate Taehyung. Because no amount of loving Jeon Jungkook could save the relationship when your brother was so keen on destroying it. 

You take a deep breath as heaviness settles on you, and Nabi sidles closer to you, nudging you gently.

“Don’t think about it right now,” she whispers for just you to hear. 

You swallow around the lump in your throat. “It’s hard.”

“I know,” she gently says. “I know it’s hard, and I know you probably wish you weren’t here right now. But this is a good distraction, no? You loved it last year.”

You did. You’d ended up coming here four times before the fair closed shop for the year, and each time you had had the time of your life, messing around with your friends with not a single care for the world around you.

Needless to say, you’ve lost that unbothered attitude now, the frivolity of it completely forgotten.

You sigh, meeting Nabi’s gaze for a few seconds. “I’m trying. It doesn’t help that Taehyung is here, though.”

“You want me to go kick his ass?” Nabi asks. You chuckle, and a smile tickles at the corner of your lips. Nabi grins at the sight of it. “You’re going to be okay,” she promises. “We’ll make sure of it.”

You can only hope that she’s right.

After eating, you all head to the maze. You team up with the girls, racing the boys to the end. Evidently you get lost, and you manage to laugh around with your friends even through the heaviness on your shoulders. You’re lost somewhere in the middle of the maze when your phone rings in your purse with three incoming text messages.

You reckon you know who texted you. Considering that all of your friends are here with you tonight, there’s only one person you think could have texted you.

So you stop walking, Ria and Nabi stopping a step ahead of you, and you pull your phone out of your purse, heart dropping to your ass.

[7:27 pm] JK: hey so i’ve been thinking and there’s some stuff i need to get off my chest [7:27 pm] JK: sorry for the long message [7:28 pm] JK: I want to apologize for everything. I’m sorry, so sorry that I couldn’t make it work. I’m sorry Paris happened, I’m sorry I wasn’t honest with you right away. I wish I’d been, maybe we’d be together now. But I had to fuck it up, multiple times honestly and I think it’s proof that I definitely am not ready to be in a relationship. I wanted to try tho, I really did. I think you and I could have been something great. And lately I’ve been wondering if, maybe we made it in another universe. Like… I can’t accept that there’s no universes out there where we make it, you know? Because I really love you. I’ve loved you since the day I met you and you ran into me. I fell for you the second I saw you, and then I found out you were Tae’s sister, and the rest is history. But I wanted you to know it, to know that I love you and that I’m sorry. I’m so sorry I fucked it up. I’d take everything back if I could, I’d save you the heartbreak, but life doesn’t work that way. so yeah… i’m really sorry peach… I hope we can make it in the next life

You can’t breathe. You can’t breathe for a whole minute as you reread again and again, and Ria and Nabi stand next to you, asking what’s wrong. You can’t say anything - you think your heart has stopped beating altogether.

You hand your phone to Ria, and she and Nabi read the messages while tears prick at your eyes, adrenaline flushing through you.

“Holy fuck,” Ria curses under her breath, and she meets your gaze. “Y/n, do you know where he is?”

You don’t. You have no clue where he’s gone to hide after he left Thursday, and you think you might be sick. “I don’t know,” you answer. “I don’t know, I don’t know.”

Tears fall from your eyes, and you grab your phone, immediately pressing on the call button. It goes to voicemail right away, and you choke on a sob as Nabi grabs your arm, pulling you behind her.

You were almost at the end of the maze, luckily, and the second you’re out you take off, your friends yelling your name behind you. Apparently, the boys made it out first, because there’s a chorus of ‘What is going on?’ as you run back towards the last place where you saw Taehyung.

Your brother is not there, and though you’re out of breath, you sprint down another alley, where a bunch of artists sell paintings and bracelets and everything in between. You try calling Jungkook again, but it once again goes to voicemail.

You’re about to throw up. You’ll fucking throw up your corn dog, you’ll fucking lose him, irreparably. The fear takes hold of you, sweeps through you until you’re shaking, tears falling freely like they have a mind of their own. You can barely think around the loud beats of your heart, around the sound of the blood gushing into your ears. 

You can’t think around the thought that Jungkook is about to hurt himself.

“Y/n!” Namjoon says behind you, and you spin around to see he’s the only one who managed to follow you. Your other friends are just now turning into the alley, and they rush towards you.

“Where’s my brother?” you ask, and you choke on another sob.

Taehyung is likely the only person here who might know where Jungkook is.

Namjoon looks over his shoulder as Ria skids to a halt next to you. “I don’t know,” he answers, and you almost want to punch him.

How is he so intelligent and doesn’t fucking know that?

“Have you guys seen Taehyung?” you ask your other friends as they all stop next to you. “I need to find him.”

They all nod, and you disperse throughout the fair, searching for your brother.

“Why don’t you call him?” Yoongi asks, and you startle - you didn’t notice he’d followed you.

And you find yourself stupid for not thinking about it before. Instead of trying to call Jungkook again - you’ve been trying constantly since you received his messages - you go to Taehyung’s contact, calling him.

He picks up on the third ring. “Finally talking to me?” he drawls.

“Where are you?” you ask.

He must hear the panic in your voice, because he answers, “In line for the haunted house. Is something wrong?”

You hang up, not replying, instead sprinting towards the haunted house. You indeed find Taehyung next to it, though he’s not in line anymore, like he knew you’d come see him.

“Where’s Jungkook?” you ask, the panic in your voice so stark you see the colours fading from his features.

“Why?”

“Where the fuck is Jungkook?” you repeat, and tears once again roll on your cheeks.

Ariane steps closer to you, resting a hand on your arm. “Y/n, what’s wrong?”

You break down. You fully break down, hiding your face in your hands. Yoongi explains the situation while Ariane pulls you into a hug, and you cry on her shoulder, clutching the fabric of her sweater - Taehyung’s sweater - as if that'll stop you from breaking.

“He’s at home,” Taehyung says, pulling you from Ariane’s arms. “He’s at home, Y/n. Let’s go.”

You nod, and you both take off, leaving Ariane and Yoongi behind. They don’t try to follow, clearly sensing that this is something you and Taehyung need to do alone. 

You’re frantic on the ride home, one leg bouncing up and down as Taehyung drives, and you urge him to go faster.

“It won’t do us any good if we get in an accident before getting home,” Taehyung answers, but you notice he does accelerate.

“Should we call the police?” you ask when you stop at a red light.

It only then occurs to you that you might walk in to find Jungkook hurt.

“We’re almost there,” Taehyung says gently. 

You are. You’d likely get there before the police would.

You’re crying again, the panic and terror swimming through your blood so loud you can’t think anymore.

You don’t know what you’ll do if Jungkook hurt himself. If you get home to find him…

You don’t dare finish the thought.

It feels like an eternity before Taehyung finally parks the car near the apartment, and you’re flying out of it before it’s gone to a full stop. Taehyung doesn’t comment, and you’re sprinting faster than ever, climbing up the stairs to your apartment in a record time. You try the door, but it’s locked, and you curse as you search through your purse, but you don’t have the keys.

You don’t have the keys.

“I got you,” Taehyung says as he reaches the top of the stairs, keys already in hand.

He unlocks the door in no time, and the second it’s open you crash in, skidding to a halt as you scan the apartment with your gaze. The door to the bathroom is open, revealing that it’s empty. So is the kitchen, but light filters from underneath Jungkook’s bedroom door.

You run to the door, push it open as your heart beats so fast you’ll likely go into cardiac arrest.

Jungkook is sitting in front of his gaming PC, and he turns his head towards you, gaze going wide at the sight of your distressed state.

“You came?” he lets out.

You just stand there, watching him. Taking in the sight of him, alive and unharmed, playing computer games like he always does. It’s enough to make you break down again, and you fold on yourself, tears streaming down your face. 

“I uh…” Taehyung trails off from behind you. “I’ll let you guys talk.”

Soft footsteps move towards you, and gentle hands pull you up and inside the room. You don’t see anything through the blinding waterfall in your eyes, and all you can do is sob harder when you’re pulled into someone’s arms.

Jungkook’s arms. They wrap around you, strong and steady, holding you close to him. Your fists clench on the fabric of his oversized white t-shirt, and you cry as you rest your forehead on his chest.

He holds you as all the anxiety rushes out of you in the form of endless tears, and you just cry and cry, the relief that he’s safe and sound so intense you feel whiplash. 

Eventually, Jungkook makes you sit down on his bed, and he gently takes off your shoes. He then lies next to you, pulling you down, and you rest your head on his chest, the flow of tears finally slowing down.

It comes to a full stop when Jungkook kisses the top of your head, his arms around you momentarily tightening.

“You’re an idiot,” you say, voice raucous from all the crying.

“I assume this is about the message I sent you?”

You frown, lifting your head to meet his gaze. His eyes are red-rimmed, and you only then realize that he’s been crying with you all along. “Gosh, Kook,” you let out, fresh tears welling up in your eyes, but you manage to blink them away. “I thought you were going to hurt yourself.”

“Oh.” He worries at his piercings for a few seconds, then adds, “I wasn’t.”

“You sounded like you were.”

His eyebrows almost touch over his eyes. “Oh?”

“‘I hope we can make it in the next life’” you narrate. “Doesn’t that sound like what someone would say before…” you trail off, unable to say the words, the fear still impacting you despite the fact that you’re realizing he was never in any danger.

He winces. “Now that you say it like that, I guess it does sound bad.” He scrunches up his nose. “Sorry?”

“Fuck,” you curse. “Jungkook.”

“I really am sorry, I didn’t want to worry you,” he insists. He pulls you down, forcing you to rest your head back on his chest. “I just wanted to tell you how I feel. And I knew I’d say it wrong if we were talking face to face, so I just put everything down in that message.” He chuckles, though you hear him gulp. “I wrote it all in my notes app before sending it to you.” He pauses, and his lips ghost the top of your head. “My therapist said I should write down how I feel, and reading it after, I realized I wanted you to know too.”

Your hand is resting on his abdomen, and you shift it until it’s wrapped around him, pulling his body closer.

“I love you too, Jungkook,” you whisper. “Maybe not for as long as you… but I love you too.”

“I know,” he murmurs in the same tone. “I know, peach.”

You blink away the new onslaught of tears that threatens to spill on your cheeks, and coincidentally on his shirt. “We do need to talk, though.”

“I know.”

You take a deep breath, trying to find courage. As if speaking to Jungkook is scary, dangerous.

But then again, this is just Jungkook. This is the man who took care of you when you were upset on Valentine’s Day, who took care of you at every party you attended last semester.

This is the man who was ready to lose his friendship with his best friend if that meant having you. And you realize then that there’s nothing to be scared about. It’s just you and Jungkook.

It was always going to be you and Jungkook, wasn’t it?

“I’m sorry too,” you admit. “For being so afraid of Taehyung’s reaction. And I wasn’t wrong to be.” You lift your head to eye the purple-turning-to-yellow mark on his cheek. It’s streaked with a linear scab, where the punch cut his skin. “I can’t believe he punched you.”

“I was expecting it.”

You look a little higher, meeting his gaze. “Why didn’t you try to stop him?”

His Adam’s apple bobs and he takes a deep breath. “I thought I deserved it.”

“Jungkook…”

“I did,” he affirms. “Did you know he told me not to touch you, ever, before I even met you?”

You frown. “That sounds like Taehyung.”

“Yeah…” Jungkook takes another deep breath, and you move your hand to hold his shoulder, thumb ghosting on the side of his neck. “And yet I did.”

“I’m happy that you did,” you whisper. “All the time we spent together last semester… I loved it, you know? I really fell for you.”

“I’m lucky you did,” he replies, and he pecks the top of your head. “But then again I treated you like shit. I should have pushed Gabrielle away before she even kissed me. But I just thought I was helping her.”

“It’s okay,” you reassure him. “I stopped being upset with you about it the second she told me everything.” You hold him a little tighter for a few seconds. “She was rooting for us, you know?”

Jungkook nods. “I know. She told me.” He sighs, and his lips brush the top of your head again, as if he’s trying to anchor you here.

To anchor himself here, with you, just lying in his bed, slowly forgetting the world.

“I’m sorry about Lisa,” he adds after a few beats of silence. “I really didn’t expect you to ever show up like that.”

“I should have texted you first,” you say as your heart clenches in your chest at the memory of Lisa in his shirt, of every scene of them together you imagined during your countless sleepless nights. “You had every right to try to move on with someone, you know?”

“But you didn’t,” he points out. “I should have held out for longer.”

“Jungkook,” you say sternly, lifting your head to meet his gaze again. “You couldn’t have known that I’d come back. You had the right to move on.”

His gaze is lined with silver, big doe eyes shining softly in the dim light from his PC monitor, and from the LED lights strung all around his room. They shine a gentle yellow tonight, so unlike the red you’re used to.

“I’m still sorry about it,” he murmurs, lower lip quivering.

“Stop,” you whisper, cupping his cheek. “Stop, Kook. I can’t lie and say that it didn’t hurt, but I was never mad at you for it. Not even for a single second.”

“I don’t deserve you,” he says, and tears spill from his eyes.

You’re quick to dry them with your thumb. “It’s not a question about who deserves who or what,” you say, and you move until you can pull his face into your chest. “It’s never been about that.”

“But I don’t deserve you.” He chokes on the words, and you run a hand through his hair, massaging his scalp soothingly.

“You do,” you say. “You really do, Jungkook. You were here for me all those months. You treated me well despite Taehyung being a concern, despite the fact that I never really fully gave myself to you because of him.” You blink away the wetness in your gaze. “You deserve me because you love me,” you add, and your heart warms in your chest.

It only occurs to you then how real the feelings are. They’ve always been there, always been strong, but now they have a name, and you think it’s the most beautiful name in the universe.

You were right to chase cars around his head, after all.

“You deserve me because you love me,” you repeat, “and because I love you.”

“I do love you,” he says softly. “I really do.”

You can’t help yourself - every single second of your life has led to this moment. You pull away, and he looks up at you as you lean forward. As you softly press your lips on his, and as you swallow the soft sigh he lets out. You kiss him gently, your heart syncing with his, the cars now chasing themselves around both of your heads.

And you do forget the world, as you kiss him. It’s just you and him, like it’s always been meant to be. Just you and Jeon Jungkook, and your souls fusing into one. And maybe the three words aren’t enough, maybe ‘I love you’ can’t convey everything that you feel for Jungkook, but you reckon you have an eternity in front of you to demonstrate the feelings, in all of their glory.

And you kiss for your own little eternity, not ever falling into desire and passion territory. You ride the wave of the love between you and Jungkook - a gentle wave, like those a soft breeze summons on the surface of a lake in the summer. No, you just kiss with all of the love you share, and it burns brighter than the moon ever could, rivalling the Sun.

You wonder, do the stars see you shining in the sky outside? Do they know of the love that was born between you and Jungkook all those months ago?

The kiss ends gently, much like it started. Your eyelids flutter open to meet Jungkook’s soft gaze, and you take in the emotions swirling in the depths of his eyes, reflecting those in yours.

“Thank you,” you whisper.

He frowns slightly. “For what?”

“For telling me how you felt,” you reply. “For sending that message, even though I misinterpreted the end.”

He offers you a small smile, his lips barely curving upwards yet his eyes shining bright. “You deserved to know.”

“And you deserved to know that it’s all reciprocated,” you say. “I’m in love with you, Jeon Jungkook.”

The sparkles in his eyes explode into the most beautiful fireworks. “You’re getting cheesy on me,” he teases.

“And what about it?”

He pulls you down in another kiss, though this time it’s much shorter, more a quick peck than a deep love confession.

“I like it,” he admits. “Be as cheesy as you want.”

“I will be,” you promise, eyes twinkling with mischief.

His answering laugh is oh so healing, and you use it to cure the wounds on your heart.

To cure those on his heart, too.

“I do need to say,” you say a few minutes later, after you’ve laid your head back on his chest, “that I’m sorry about what I said to Taehyung Thursday. It was never a lapse of judgment, and I really don’t know why I said that.”

“It really hurt,” Jungkook admits, and you hold him tighter, trying to erase the past. “But at the same time, I do get why you said it. You were just trying to get Taehyung off our backs.”

“I was, but it wasn’t the right way to do it,” you say. “It was stupid, and hurtful, and I really didn’t mean it at all.”

“It’s okay.” Jungkook’s mouth brushes the top of your head, and he adds in a whisper, “It’s okay.”

You don’t think it is, but then again, there’s a lot of things you need to leave in the past if you want to be able to move forward with him.

You both made mistakes, a lot of them, but holding onto them won’t bring you anywhere positive.

“You know,” Jungkook says. “I suck at relationships.”

You lift your head to meet his gaze. “You don’t.”

“No, but I do,” he insists. “I’ve never had a real girlfriend. As you know, Gabrielle was just… a cover?”

“Yeah…” you trail off, resting your head on his chest again. “Did you guys ever…”

He chuckles. “Yeah. Once, when we were seventeen. She said she couldn’t really know if she was gay if she didn’t try having sex with a guy once.”

“How did that go?”

You hear the wince in Jungkook’s tone as he says, “Poorly. It was my first time, and hers too obviously, and it was entirely shit.”

You laugh, patting his chest. “Don’t worry, you’ve gotten a lot better.”

“Oh did I now?” Jungkook teases and he pushes you off his chest, forcing you to lie on your back so that he can climb over you.

Your laugh turns into a giggle as he hides his face in your neck, his breath tickling you, and you retaliate by tickling his sides.

He bursts out laughing, falling on the side next to you. “How dare you!”

You rest your hand on his stomach, stopping him before he can climb on top of you again. “I want to know more,” you say, falling serious.

He cocks an eyebrow, his grin slowly fading. “Know more?”

“About you,” you say. “I feel like I don’t know a lot about you, despite all the time we spent together.”

Maybe because there always were too many secrets between you and Jeon Jungkook. 

But not anymore, not ever again.

“What do you want to know?” he asks.

“Everything.”

He widens his gaze, laughing softly. “It’s going to take the whole night.”

“I don’t care,” you insist. “I want to know everything that makes you, you.”

He wets his lips, toying with his piercings. “And do I get to know more about you, too?”

You nod forcefully. “I’ll answer every question.”

There’s a silence as you just share a look, until Jungkook turns on his back, looking up at the ceiling. You just stare at his profile, wondering what question he’ll ask first.

“We should go on a date,” he says, taking you by surprise. He looks at you again, before adding, “On a real, proper date. Like in the movies. And then you could ask me all your questions.”

You snort. “You want to go on a date with me?”

“Of course,” he says. “Friday night at eight pm. Wear your best clothes.”

“You’re deadass?”

He narrows his gaze at you. “Yes? Why wouldn’t I be?”

You shrug, cheeks dusting with pink. “Does that mean that we’re…”

“That we’re?” Jungkook presses when you never finish the sentence.

“That we’re dating?”

Your heart beats out of your chest at the question - it holds the weight of the universe. Two hours ago, you would have never believed you’d get to ask Jungkook that, ever.

Yet here you are, and when his gaze fills with all the warmth of love and summer days and everything in between, you know the answer.

“Well…” he trails off. “If you want to. We can also take it slow if you prefer?”

“What about a little bit of both?”

Jungkook chuckles. “How would that work?”

“I mean…” You lie on your back, looking up at the ceiling as you search for the right words to say. “As you said, you suck at relationships, and so do I. So maybe we can learn along the way? Do things the right way this time around?”

He’s smiling when you turn your head to look at him again. “Yes,” he agrees. “One day at a time.”

The kiss that follows starts slowly, softly, gently, but it escalates quickly, led by the lingering fear that you could have lost him tonight. It burns with passion, Jungkook’s tongue pushing into your mouth, and you let out a breathy sound as he climbs back on top of you, his knee parting your legs.

You wrap them around his waist to hold him closer, your arms snaking around his neck. 

It’s all kisses and soft moans and whispered confessions until you’re naked, entwined, your bodies joined in the most intimate of ways. Jungkook muffles your moans with his lips on yours, and you pour all of your love into the kisses, in the way your hips lift to meet his.

When Jungkook climaxes, you hold him even closer - you’d be dumb to let him go. Not when it was always meant to be him. Not when your love for him is growing, flourishing inside of your heart, of your soul, to form the most beautiful garden.

A garden of you and him, of feelings shared and confessed, of yearning and longing that only led to this beauty. To this moment of you and him together - to this first moment of you and him together of the long list that will follow.

And later, before you fall asleep in his embrace, you whisper against his skin, “I love you.”

He whispers it back, and the reciprocity of the feelings shines on you through the night, like it will shine on you from this day on until you dwindle into stardust, to be carried on a wind of eternity.

Prev | Chapter 15.5 | Next

☆☆☆☆☆

I told you the angst was almost over :') which is good, bc there's only two chapters left. I hope this one managed to heal you guys a little, tho it started off sad. The last two chapters are for healing but first, what did you guys think of this one?

All rights reserved to @/oddinary4bts, 2024. Do not copy, repost or translate.

[beneathitall-thesame]

tianshan ficlet (based on chapter 411)

i've been rummaging through my old drafts and found this little thing i wrote the same day this chapter came out <3 (more than two years ago w h a t)

if you happen to read this, i hope you enjoy it!

When He Tian’s eyes open to pitch-darkness, he can only feel two things: Guan Shan’s hedgehog hair tickling his nose and the cold numbness prickling across the skin of his bandaged hand. The whole of him feels misaligned, as if something inside shifted during sleep and never clicked back into place. Where obscurity would usually send him spiraling into the grip of whatever personal nightmare chose to haunt him, its silence now leaves room for the desperation and fear to recede and for the memory of the crazy string of events that led them here to come drifting back to him.

Just hours ago, his mind had been consumed with two things: Guan Shan’s safety, and tearing She Li out of the quiet, fragile patch of peace he and Guan Shan had somehow begun to build. A peace so muted and sparse, they hadn’t noticed it growing until it was already under threat.

Fewer hours ago, there had been only one thought left in his head: Guan Shan, Guan Shan, Guan Shan. The world had receded without protest, minutes stretching wide and unhurried as they got lost in each other. It had been just one kiss, but as soon as their lips met, Guan Shan showed a kind of courage so rare—not the bluster he wore like armor when pushing people away— that it would have been a crime not to see it as the treasure it really was. He Tian had poured everything into the moment, tracing every soft exhale, every hitch in breath, every detail; the scent of his skin, the heat of his mouth, the gentleness neither of them felt they had the words to name.

When they separated, out of breath after what felt like an eternity, Guan Shan looked at him as if, for the first time in his life, he had climbed over the walls that encased his hurt and landed on his feet, instead of breaking into pieces. For the split heartbeat that display of faint hope stunned He Tian into silence, those impossibly sharp eyes, pupils now soft and unfocused, washed in a haze of colour that is the most alluring he has ever seen.

He Tian can only hope that whatever his eyes mirrored in that moment honored even a fraction of what he was given. Seeing as Guan Shan now lies beside him, back turned and exposed, maybe it did.

He’s sure as fuck banking everything on Guan Shan believing in him, because what waits ahead is a fall without wings, and they’re already leaning over the edge.

Now that the shadow eating away at Guan Shan’s life has been dispelled, the two are melting into the mattress, tension bleeding out one exhalation at a time. He Tian craves giving himself up to this sweet reprieve. And yet, a bell tolls in his mind, each sound signalling this unbelievable night's retreat.

A creak in the hallway. Pipes groaning like an old man’s knees. A truck grinding gears out on the road. The quiet snick of the front door closing. Ms. Mo, kind as ever, doesn’t want to disrupt their slumber, even when she must be up at an ungodly hour to make it to an early shift.

Every sound stings the silence with one message: Time’s almost up, He Tian.

He shifts, slowly, careful not to wake Guan Shan. The hand that still aches is useless, so he props himself up with the other, watching the curve of Guan Shan’s spine rise and fall beneath the sheet. There’s a tiny, pale scar near his nose that He Tian doesn’t remember seeing before. The blemish beckons him to commit it to memory: another marked page to come back to when sleep won’t come and he needs to remember who it all is for—everything he’s done, everything he’ll give.

When he convinces himself he's sated, he lies back down, buries his face into the pillow he knows Guan Shan fluffed up for him when he thought he wasn’t looking. He sinks into the terribly inviting warmth of the body beside him, hoping to drown in it, if only to quiet his own thoughts. In the end, he can barely soak in it, but still, he’s grateful. Grateful he gets to touch him like this: just the barest glide of his fingertips over slightly overgrown red hair, a vulnerable nape, vertebrae pressing through a thin T-shirt.

By the time the shy daylight begins to brush over their bodies, He Tian finds himself wishing for once that the night could stay, holding this moment in place forever.

[wisesoultarot]

What do you need to hear about your love life?

Hello, everyone! 🥰 I'm Amrita, the proprietor of Wise Soul Tarot. I'm thrilled to share my inaugural 'pick a card' reading post with you all. Feel free to refer to me as Ami if that's easier for you.

Instagram | Tip Jar | Book a Reading with me now!!

Image 1 (butterfly)-

For singles - Financial concerns may be distracting you from focusing on your romantic life. You aim to secure financial and career stability before contemplating your personal life, as you're hesitant to take risks or make commitments until you feel secure. However, it's advisable to remain open-hearted without entirely shutting yourself off from potential relationships.

For committed/in a relationship- At times, it may seem like you and your partner frequently argue or disagree on certain matters, leading to communication issues after each altercation. This relationship has the potential for long-term success and emotional fulfillment, but it is crucial for both of you to enhance your communication skills to prevent unnecessary conflicts. Often, these communication challenges stem from unresolved issues from the past. The key is to release these past burdens. For those who find this message relatable, if you are experiencing numerous problems in your current relationship yet remain firmly attached to one another, it may be time to either let go of this bond or engage in deep reflection to assess the state of your partnership.

In separation- Firstly, you are a person of great value. You are grounded, practical, realistic, and stable when it comes to love. What you seek is commitment and security in your romantic life. At this moment, you might find yourself curious about your partner's activities—not out of suspicion, but simple curiosity. For some, there may be an anticipation of a text or call from their significant other. There appears to be a renewal on the horizon concerning this relationship, suggesting you still have significant influence over your partner. They continue to harbor passionate feelings for you, and it seems likely that you will once again capture their heart. This person still holds you in high regard, yet the ultimate destiny of this relationship rests with you, as its progression depends on your desires for its future.

Image 2 (glass door)-

For singles - It seems that right now your love life isn't at the forefront of your mind. Many of you may have recently moved on from someone who left you feeling uncertain. Currently, you're prioritizing your personal growth and development, which is bringing a sense of clarity and structure to your romantic journey amidst the surrounding chaos.

For committed/in a relationship- The individual you are engaging with may possess a keen mind and intellect. They take their work very seriously and typically do not display much emotion. This relationship might have experienced some challenges or a conclusion recently, but it is now moving towards a more positive phase. Both of you could be contemplating the future of this connection, or you might be considering ways to strengthen this partnership through collaboration and unity.

In separation- This individual is understanding, calm, composed, and emotionally mature, and importantly, they still harbor feelings for you. If you haven't heard from them yet, expect it soon, as a message from their end is imminent. However, be prepared for a more direct form of communication this time.

Image 3 (flower)-

For singles - It sounds like you've made significant progress in navigating the ups and downs of your love life. While it’s understandable to feel anxious about the future and stressed about being single, it’s great to see that you’re channeling your energy into work as a distraction. Staying busy can sometimes help us avoid confronting our fears, but it’s important to recognize that allowing yourself to feel those emotions is part of the journey. Remember, keeping your heart open and tuning into your intuition can lead to wonderful opportunities for love. Take some time to reflect on what qualities you truly seek in a partner—someone who resonates with your essence and complements your personality. By using mindfulness, meditation, and positive affirmations to break down emotional and mental barriers, you’ll be better positioned to welcome love into your life when the time is right. Stay hopeful; love could be just around the corner!

For committed/in a relationship- The individual you are engaging with is your soulmate or life partner. There is a strong potential for long-term success, but it appears that you sometimes become anxious about the future of this relationship. However, there is no need for concern as there is a perfect balance, harmony, and love in this connection. There is also passion and excitement present. What is necessary is for you to remain decisive, trust your intuition, and leave the rest to the universe.

In separation- From the moment of separation, it may feel as though all your joy left with them. You might be bearing the weight of the past and the pain of the separation. The connection has not fully ended yet. The advice for you is that rather than blaming yourself or shouldering the weight of what transpired, it would be beneficial to engage in social activities and concentrate on your work, career, or studies, or perhaps focus on financial growth. What is essential now is to discover your inner fortitude and not to wait for their return. When the time is right, they may come back into your life. For now, it's best to direct your attention to other pursuits.

Image 4 (crystals)-

For singles - You appear to be diligently focusing on your career to build a better future. A new relationship may be emerging for you, but it could go unnoticed as you are deeply engrossed in your work. While continuing to concentrate on your career and financial goals, remain open to the possibilities of love.

For committed/in a relationship- Some of you might be questioning whether your partner is currently unfaithful. I genuinely believe this is unlikely, as your partner is an ambitious and serious individual who considers the long-term implications of their actions. Additionally, some of you may have noticed your partner seems distracted and may be questioning their current intentions. It's essential for both of you to manage your egos, which are leading to miscommunication. Altering your communication patterns could foster a fresh start in your relationship.

In separation- The energetic connection remains despite the current separation. Both of you, preoccupied with work and responsibilities, continue to think about one another. A small effort could fortify this bond. Rather than abandoning the relationship, mutual efforts could lead to a long-term commitment. However, prior to taking this step, it's crucial for both parties to contemplate their current position in this relationship and whether reconciliation is a mutual consideration.

[prettyrealm]

a message from the universe 🌌

pick a card #2: sometimes we can all use a bit of direction! here’s what the universe wants you to shift your focus to and what you should work on to improve your overall quality of life 🌼

how to participate:

🌤️ ask yourself "what should I focus on?" “what should I put more energy into?”

🌷pick the spring sanrio plush that you feel most drawn to.

clear your mind & take as long as you need to choose. keep in mind that you may feel drawn to & choose more than one. you also may not feel drawn to any of them, so don't force it! please consider your headspace before participating as these readings will be honest. the piles are in order from left to right.

🌸 pile 1

there’s something you’re in denial about and the universe wants you to know it’s best you summon the courage to come to terms with it. it’s time you try to acknowledge these issues now to overcome them and not carry this weight with you. be honest about yourself, your intentions and others. I feel this may have to do with someone trying to take something away from you that’s rightly yours, or the give-and-take dynamic of this situation is denying you of achieving your goals. there is no balance - you may be giving more to this person or project than you receive and your resentment is growing. you may even find yourself giving without true genuine compassion, now carrying a “you owe me.” mindset that only stresses you out. facing the reality of this situation, acknowledging it and making a change will bring very good things to you, and very soon at that. you may have gone through a time of hardship, but things are settling and the universe wants you to know that big and positive changes can and will come into your life be it you follow direction. release your fears. you are ready.

💐 pile 2

the universe wants you to know bright new prospects have opened up! you have and will be making immense progress towards your goals - big strides. you may have felt super optimistic lately and this isn’t for no reason, things will be looking up for you. you have nothing to fear. it is time for you to put trust in the universe and in yourself, something amazing is in store for you and you may even feel like a miracle is unfolding before your very eyes. the only downfall is a bit of conflict may appear before you get here - strife and conflict - prepare for battle, but no worries, you will come out on top. this competition will bring out your passion and show your commitment and may even cause others to admire you more for it. don’t be petty, fight fairly and stay honest. seek true understanding. this small hiccup aside, your desires are manifesting, and your new life is on its way.

(note: if you’re someone who has been trying for a child I can assure you it’s coming soon!)

☁️ pile 3

the universe wants you to look forward to new friends, a new environment and seeking knowledge. important things will be happening soon and you may need to prepare for a change in your relationships. you are being told you need to rid yourself of problems and memories you dwell on from the recent past and practice forgiveness. focus on the changes you and others are making to usher in and happily welcome this new change of scenery. moving past the trails you’ve faced will only strengthen your connection and appreciation for your family members. the universe also wants you to practice and strengthen your powers of reason, stop letting emotion cloud your judgement and make your decisions for you. come to solutions without blaming people, playing the victim or projecting. you’re being given the power to think more clearly and objectively at this time to make the changes to your life that you need, so use it. should you listen to the universe, a weight will be lifted from your shoulders and a sense of freedom will wash over you.

🐣 pile 4

the universe wants you to know your problems are or will be resolved! expect an end or at least an extended break from whatever adversaries you’ve been facing recently. the waters are nice and clear from here on out so feel safe jumping on any opportunity that arises - and they will. whatever your desires may be, the door to obtaining them will be opening up soon. it appears many doors have actually opened for you in the past, but you never took the chance. it’s likely you didn’t realize these opportunities were MEANT for you, but it’s time you stop taking them for granted and start receiving. all the universe asks is that you stop taking things for granted and appreciate what you have. count your blessings, maybe even start a gratitude journal. pay attention to the way you move and your influence on others, be kinder, more responsible and more sweet to those who aid you every day. do not bite the hand that feeds you, and opportunities and gifts will begin to shower you.

🦋 pile 5

the universe is asking you to look to an older male figure in your life. he’s looking out for you and he has the skills and connections that you need at this time. he will be very responsive if you ask for help and expect nothing in return, genuinely wanting the best for you. he is very well-educated and will help push you along on your path, but also provide you with valuable information that will greatest help you in the future. do not take his help for granted and make sure to show your appreciation along the way, this will strengthen the connection and only help you in the long term. you are being asked to relax and relinquish your burdens, accept this assistance and allow the weight to be lifted from your shoulders. you may be extremely stressed recently and these are all things that will help you relieve that stress, but also push you closer to your desires. spend this time day dreaming about, fantasizing about and visualizing what you want for your future.

🐝 pile 6

the universe wants to let you know that you’re on your way to perfecting your craft and rewards will so be yours as a result of your proficiency and hard work! I do see you need to work on getting more information before you make any big decisions. research throughly, consult with others, get a lot of data even if that means as far as going to seminars or watching online lectures. this aside, success and glory is on the horizon! life might feel pretty good right now, but there’s even more joy and happiness in store for you. the universe wants you to step out of your comfort zone, push the limits and stop playing it safe - you’ve been restricted for too long. do not fall victim to close minded thinking, moving off of assumptions and negative history. try to think from a new perspective and don’t get stuck in a loop of bad thought patterns. free yourself.

[sem24]

He’s not running. He’s not armed. He’s not resisting. He’s just walking through a sunlit plaza, surrounded by strangers, near a shop he has no interest in. And then, without warning, he is stopped. Questioned. Accused. There’s a disturbance nearby, they say. He looks suspicious. He’s sweating. Why would he be sweating unless he’s guilty of something? The questions become statements. The statements become charges. And the charges are meaningless—vague phrases muttered by a bored official who barely looks up from her typewriter. He’s sentenced before he even understands what’s happening. A number is handed down. He protests. “Take it up with the Emperor,” says the official, already calling the next case. (Andor, Season 1, Episode 7)

This is the trial of Cassian Andor, in Season One, Episode Seven of Star Wars: Andor.

The prison Cassian is sent to is efficient, sterile, and almost eerily quiet. The walls are spotless white. The prisoners wear identical uniforms. There are no bars or shouting guards. Control is built into the architecture, with electrified floors omnipresent and always ready to punish.

Andor ties power not just to violence but to sound. To be heard is to have power. In Narkina 5, the Empire completely strips prisoners of that. Orders come down through speakers; pain comes up from the floor. The guards remain unseen, the prisoners unheard.

The work itself is grueling but orderly. Inmates spend their days assembling mechanical components without knowing what they’re for. Kino Loy, the floor manager, enforces the system. He’s not cruel, but he’s committed to survival. When someone dies, Kino replaces them. When their team falls behind, he pushes harder. The message is clear: stay “on program,” follow the rules, and wait out your time for release. (Andor, Season 1, Episode 8)

Everything changes when they learn that released prisoners are merely cycled back into the system, and an entire floor is executed to maintain secrecy. Obedience doesn’t earn freedom; it keeps the machine running. Cassian begs Kino to help him plan an escape. But Kino resists; he doesn’t want to be overheard plotting and punished. He believes in the system, even now.

“They’re so proud of themselves,” Cassian says about stealing from the Empire. “They don’t even care. They’re so fat and satisfied, they can’t imagine it.” (Andor, Season 1, Episode 3) The Empire isn’t stopping people from resisting; it’s banking on the idea that they won’t realize they can. Its strength isn’t fear, it’s complacency. It doesn’t need loyalty. It just needs passivity. They do not even have to monitor the prisoners. “Nobody’s listening,” Cassian screams. (Andor, Season 1, Episode 9)

As Arendt warned, totalitarian regimes don’t just control people’s actions; they limit what people think is possible. The genius of Narkina 5 is that prisoners believe escape is impossible, so they never even try. On a floor with hundreds of prisoners, how many guards are there? Cassian asks. “Never more than twelve.” (Andor, Season 1, Episode 9)

Narkina 5 is the Empire in miniature, a system that hides its brutality behind procedure and relies on silence and fragmentation to keep people from realizing their own power. As Karis Nemik writes in his manifesto: “The Imperial need for control is so desperate because it is so unnatural. Tyranny requires constant effort. It breaks, it leaks. Authority is brittle. Oppression is the mask of fear.” (Andor, Season 1, Episode 12)

That’s why it matters so much when Kino finally takes the mic. His voice, trembling, uncertain, rings out through the same intercom that once controlled them. “One way out!” becomes a chant. A signal. A rupture. (Andor, Season 1, Episode 10)

“Someone must have been telling lies about Josef K.,” begins The Trial. (Kafka 1) Words have power. One lie is all it takes to unravel K.’s entire life. But K. has sharp words of his own. He wields language like a master fencer, parrying and jabbing with cold irony and careful precision, verbally sparring with every faceless representative of the court.

What is the difference between Cassian Andor and Josef K., who both face insurmountable odds? For all his cleverness, for all his resistance, K. is alone in the face of unyielding bureaucracy. He was always going to lose. Cassian, unlike K., is not alone, and that makes all the difference.

If Josef K. is an example of one person being crushed beneath the heel of an uncaring system, then Maarva Andor is that rare spark that sets the fire, one that burns down Nemik’s siege, and she does so impressively, from beyond the grave.

Her funeral is announced by the steady, swelling rhythm of the Ferrix band: horns, drums, the slow cadence of grief turned defiance. Then the projection flickers to life, and her voice fills the square. She does not plead. She does not rage. She invites: “The Empire is a disease that thrives in darkness. It is never more alive than when we sleep.” (Andor, Season 1, Episode 12)

The music behind her surges, no longer mournful but militant. On Ferrix, resistance is built on noise, or more accurately, on the refusal to be quiet. Even the instruments are significant. The anvil of Ferrix rings out like a signal flare. In a world ruled by silence, every note is a risk. Maarva’s voice cuts through the complacency on which the Empire depends. And when she says, “Fight the Empire,” when the crowd echoes her words, it becomes more than a cry. It becomes clear that no one will be left to be crushed alone. (Andor, Season 1, Episode 12)

This has been Part 2 of: A Great Organization: Repression and Propaganda in Andor

part 1 < > Part 3

Masterlist of all parts

[thisdreamplace]

Dream, I hope this doesn't sound whiny to you. I really have no one to go to and you have always been so kind and gentle to your followers so I'm here.

I have been on this journey for a few years now. Like many others I have only ever had small success stories. Now, when they happened I was shocked and excited and I believed the law completely. But then I tried others things and they didn't work.

I have seen so many bigger success stories across Tumblr, Reddit and Youtube coaches and I can't believe all of this people are lying or all their success stories are just them getting lucky. I have seen physical success proof too.

I understand the law and how we make the rules and all that. That It's not the technique it's us that manifests. I am also applying it. I'm not perfect. I break down often, get anxious. I tell myself it's okay. I have also always been a very imaginative person and I imagine based on what I'm feeling. Which is often sad scenarios lol. I also swing between mindsets, as in impressing the subconscious, praying to higher self and just using consciousness to stay in the state.

I have a very beautiful script of my dream life and I want to live it bad. But I can't seem to make it. Thoughts of aging, being physically weak and getting diseases also creep up and I break down.

What do I even do? I don't want to live a bad life. I would really appreciate some advice, kind words, or anything really from you or even your followers.

hi <3 i hope i'm able to help u in some way sweet anon~

the thing is for me,, when i experienced a lot of what you mentioned, those scary things that creep up and all that, i sat with it. i made myself really sit with those scary feelings, allowed myself the moment of experiencing what feels like, and like that the feelings dispersed more and more. it was a practice i chose to do, that not many are willing to do. but for me it meant freedom. if i can sit with these things, they cant hurt me anymore. they stopped being so scary because i kept moving forward, more lighter and free within myself. and i really, really wanted to be free

now im not saying you HAVE to do that, it's just what worked for me. but reading your message reminded me of that time because, on a level you're one foot in and one foot out. and it seems there's a part of you that simply isnt ready to commit to that life you dream of. without realizing, the life we dont want but are currently living does have a level of comfort and safeness within it, even when we don't like it. because more than anything it's familiar, and our ego clings to familiarity. even if its not the best thing for us.

so with that being said, moving forward, its really about finally choosing yourself over choosing the fears. and sometimes that takes time, but keep building yourself up for it little by little until youre finally ready to fully leave the old way behind.

you got this, just be kind and patient and understanding with yourself along the way <3

and dw, you dont seem whiny at all! its always a safe space :3

this journey isnt always the easiest, so i'm here for yall xo

[alcione-association-blog]

EUROPE IS PREPARING FOR WW3

Europe is preparing for WW3 with survival guides, mass evacuations, huge bunkers, and conscription.

As geopolitical tensions continue to simmer across the globe, Europe is taking unprecedented steps to prepare its citizens and infrastructure for the possibility of a large-scale conflict, often framed as a potential World War 3.

From survival guides to mass evacuation plans, the construction of massive bunkers, and the reintroduction of conscription, governments across the continent are signaling a shift toward heightened readiness. Across Europe, governments are distributing survival guides to equip citizens with the knowledge to endure crises.

According to a report by The Guardian, Germany and Nordic countries like Sweden, Finland, and Norway have taken the lead in issuing booklets and developing apps that advise on building bunkers, stockpiling food, and surviving without electricity.

These efforts stem from growing concerns about a potential Russian threat, with experts cited in the report suggesting an attack could materialize within the next five years. Similarly, Reuters noted that Sweden reissued its Cold War-era pamphlet “If Crisis or War Comes” in recent years, updating it to address modern threats like cyberattacks alongside traditional warfare. The messaging is clear: self-reliance is key in the face of disruption.

Beyond individual preparedness, European nations are devising large-scale evacuation strategies. BBC News reported that Poland, situated on NATO’s eastern flank, has been quietly developing contingency plans to evacuate major cities like Warsaw in the event of a sudden conflict. Local authorities have identified transport routes and temporary shelters, reflecting fears of escalation near its borders with Ukraine and Belarus.

Meanwhile, DW (Deutsche Welle) highlighted Germany’s efforts to modernize its civil defense protocols, including simulations of mass evacuations from urban centers. These plans, dormant since the Cold War, are being revived as a precaution against a rapidly deteriorating security landscape.

The construction and refurbishment of bunkers are also gaining momentum. France24 detailed Finland’s extensive network of underground shelters, capable of housing over 80% of Helsinki’s population. These facilities, maintained since the Soviet era, are now being upgraded with modern ventilation and supplies to withstand prolonged sieges.

In Switzerland, Al Jazeera reported that the country’s famous bunker system—enough to accommodate its entire population—remains a cornerstone of national defense policy, with recent inspections ensuring readiness.

Germany, too, is revisiting its past, with The New York Times noting a surge in private bunker construction as wealthy citizens hedge against instability, though public shelters remain limited compared to Cold War highs.

Perhaps the most striking development is the return of conscription in several nations. CNN reported that Lithuania reinstated mandatory military service in response to Russia’s actions in Ukraine, a policy echoed by Latvia and under consideration in Estonia.

Further west, The Washington Post covered debates in Germany about reinstating conscription, which was phased out in 2011, as a means to bolster NATO commitments. In Scandinavia, AP News highlighted Norway’s long-standing draft system, now intensified with increased training cycles, while Sweden’s reintroduced conscription targets both men and women to ensure a robust defense force. These moves reflect a broader European acknowledgement that voluntary enlistment may not suffice in a major conflict.

While some view these preparations as prudent, others see them as alarmist. The Times (via posts found on X) suggested that Europe’s actions might fuel public anxiety rather than calm it, with critics arguing that the focus on World War 3 scenarios overshadows diplomatic solutions.

The combination of survival guides, evacuation drills, bunker investments, and conscription paints a picture of a continent unwilling to be caught off guard.

The specter of Russia looms large in these narratives, though officials interviewed by BBC News emphasize that preparedness is about resilience, not provocation.

Source: End Times Headlines

[neodymiumcuilz]

Extreme Physical/Mental abuse at detainment camps in China - targetting the Muslim population.

Hello everyone, with this post I would like to bring some awareness to the terrible injustice suffered by Uyghur Muslim people kept in detainment camps in Xinjiang. What's going on is horrific yet the world is pretty much silent, and it's important to speak up about this.

I will be linking various websites - I heavily encourage you to CHECK THESE WEBSITES OUT YOURSELF. Please see the websites I link, and find out more information. Please, by no means am I alone a credible source. I am just sharing what I found from my research - I highly recommend you check out the findings from Uyghur people and journalists who actually share their stories and do the work.

If you want anything added/removed from this post, or find anything I say to be incorrect or offensive in any way shape or form, please message me, my messages are open and I'm open to any criticism or advice in getting this post out there.

Here is a post I made on other means China has took to eradicate and suppress Uyghur culture.

Former Uyghur detainees describe crowded cells, waterboarding, torture during interrogations, food deprivation, being forcibly drugged and shocked. Along with immense brainwashing.

Kayrat Samarkand says he faced seemingly endless brainwashing and humiliation, he said in an interview, and was forced to study communist propaganda for hours every day and chant slogans giving thanks and wishing a long life to President Xi Jinping. "Those who disobeyed the rules, refused to be on duty, engaged in fights or were placed in handcuffs and ankle cuffs for up to 12 hours," He said. Further disobedience would result waterboarding or long periods strapped in agony, in a metal contraption known as a "tiger chair," Samarkand said, a punishment he said her suffered. Website here.

There are also reports of widespread rape and sexual humiliation committed against Uyghur/Kazakh detainees. According to Washington Post reporting; In December 2017, Gulzira Mogdyn, a 38 year old ethnic Kazakh and Chinese citizen, was detained in Xinjiang after a visit to Kazakhstan because WhatsApp was found on her phone. She was placed under house arrest and examined by doctors at a nearby clinic, who discovered she was 10 weeks pregnant. Officials told her she was not allowed to have what would be her fourth child. The following month, Mogdyn said, doctors "cut my fetus out" without using anesthesia. She still suffers from complications.

A Kazakh woman with close relations in China was forced to undergo two abortions, in 2016 and 2017, while living in Xinjiang, her lawyer said. Aiman Umarova, a Kazakh human rights advocate and State Department honoree, said her client was seeking refuge in a Kazakh city, and does not wish to be identified for fear or retribution. Umarova sees the women's stories as forming a pattern. "Sexually violating women, including stopping them from reproducing, has become a weapon for China against its Muslim population." She said.

Many (Uyghur women) interviewed said they were subjected to sexual humiliation, incidents that included being filmed in the shower and having their intimate parts rubbed with Chile paste.

Here is a video showcasing the experience of 3 men who were formerly detained.

Mihrigul Tursun describes her experience of being tortured in an electric chair. "As if my daily life in the camp was not horrific enough, I was taken to a special room with an electric chair, known as the tiger chair. It was an interrogation room that had one light and one chair. There were belts and whips hanging on the wall. I was placed in a high chair that clicked to lock my arms and legs in place and tightened when they press a button. The authorities put a helmet like thing on my head. Each time I was electrocuted my whole body would shake violently and I could feel the pain in my veins."

She also recalls being given two drugs; one that caused a loss of consciousness and reduced cognition, and another that caused mixed side effects for different women, including loss of menstruation, extreme bleeding and even death. "They forced us to take some unknown pills and drink some kind of white liquid. The pill caused us to lose consciousness and reduced our cognition level. The white liquid stopped women's periods, though it caused extreme bleeding in some women and even caused death." Tursun witnessed nine deaths in her cell of 68 people during three months of incarceration.

"One victim was a 62 year old woman called Gulnisa. Her hands would tremble, she has red rashes all over her body, and she could not eat anything. She was really sick but the doctors in the camp determined she was fine, because if they said the inmates were sick, they would be perceived as sympathetic or supportive of the patients. One night, Gulnisa was humiliated for not having memorised her lines in Chinese and she was crying when she went to sleep. She did not snore that night and her body was very cold when we tried to wake her up the next morning. She has died in her sleep."

Tursun also states "There was another 23 - year old woman named Patemhan. Her mum has died and her husband, father and brother were all taken to the camps. Her crime was attending a wedding in 2014 that was held according to Islamic traditions, where people did not dance, sing or drink alcohol at the wedding. She said all of the 400 people who attended that wedding were arrested and taken into camps. When she was was arrested she left her two kids in the backyard. She had been in the camp for one year and three months and she agonised over the wheat abouts of her kids. She had been bleeding for over a month and was denied any medical treatment. One night while she was standing by other women, she suddenly dropped to the floor and stopped breathing. Several people with masks came, and dragged her with her feet and dragged her away."

Arresting people attending a wedding may violate Article 35 of China's constitution. "Citizens of the people's Republic of China enjoy freedom of speech, of the press, of assembly, of associations, of procession and of demonstration."

These abuses also appear to violate Article 2 of the Genocide Convention by "Causing serious bodily or mental harm." to targeted Uyghur victims. The abuses also violate Article 5 of the ICERD.

Conditions at camps are opaque because of the intense continued monitoring of Uyghur's communication and movement - but there are widespread credible reports of extreme physical and mental abuse that meer the definition of torture under international human rights law, including the CAT, which mandates that even in exceptional circumstances, states must take measures to prevent "any act by which severe pain or suffering, whether physical or mental is inflicted on a person for purposed of obtaining a confession, intimidation, or coercion, discrimination or punishment."

The UDHR is also relevant here, Article 5 states "No one shall be subjected to torture, or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment." And Article 9 states "No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest, detention or exile." China's Constitution states - Chapter 2 - Article 37 - "Freedom of the Person of citizens of the People's Republic of China is invioble. No citizen should be arrested except with the approval or by decision of a people's court and arrests must be made by a public security organ. Unlawful detention or restriction of citizen's freedom of ther person or by other means is prohibited, and unlawful search of the person of citizens is prohibited."

Tracking the detention camps.

Here is a video of a Chinese citizen obtaining rare footage of these camps.

China regects the allegations that it has locked up large numbers of Muslims in re-education camps. The facilities, it says, are vocational training centres that emphasise "rehabilitation and redemption" and are part of it's efforts to combat terrorism and religious extremism.

While China says the Uyghur camps are vocational training centres, they are heavily guarded. Researchers have resorted to using satellite imagery to view and track the expansion of these facilities.

Reuters (made the website I'm going off of) worked with Earthrise media, a non-profit group that analyses satellite imagery, to plot the construction and expansion of 39 of these camps, which were initially identified using publicly available documents such as construction tenders. The building by building review of these facilities revealed that the foot print of the built up area almost tripled in size in the past 17 months between April 2017 and August 2018. Collectively, the built up parts in these 39 facilities now cover an area of 140 soccer fields.

Reuters visited the locations of seven of the facilities identified as detention camps from construction documents and satellite photos. All had imposing parameter walls, guard watchtower and armed guards at the entrances. Signs at two of the facilities identified them as vocational training centres when reporters approached the compounds, police pulled them over and told them to leave. An example of a heavily guarded camp is Turpan Gaocheng District Vocational skills Education Training Centre is walled off and has a guard watchtower. Construction notices published on local government websites have provided clues about the locations and features of many of the camps, including refrences to guardhouse surveillance systems that leave "no blind spots" automatic weapons and their safe storage.

Having identified 80 detention facilities using construction notices, Reuters focused its analysis on 39 that were clearly identifiable from satellite imagery. They visited the locations of seven of the facilities identified as detention camps from constitution documents and satellite photos. All had imposing parameter walls, guard watchtower and armed guards at the entrances. Signs at two of the facilities identified them as vocational training centres. When reporters approached the compounds, police pulled them over and told them to leave.

The full scale of the camp network is likely vast. Many smaller buildings like schools, hospitals and police stations were repurposed to hold Muslims, according to residents in Xinjiang and construction and procurement documents. Two of the smaller camps visited by Reuters were previously a factory and a school. Adrian Zenz, an anthropologist has tracked the expansion of the camps, estimates there could be as many as 1,200 - at lease one for every country and township in Xinjiang. There is limited information on the costs of construction, but tenders for one facility outside the city if Kashgar list a contaminated budget of $45.6 million. The vast majority of facilities have been built since 2017. And recently the Chinese government has stopped publishing tender notes and has been deleting old ones from the Internet.

Out of the 39 camps, there was a total of 539 buildings covering 379,000 square meteres. This then doubled to 1,129, covering an areas of 1 million square meteres (roughly 140 soccer fields). And the expansion continues, a further 67 buildings, covering an area of 210,000 square meteres are now under construction, according to the satellites.

They interviewed 8 former detainees, they described being shackled to chairs for days and deprived of sleep. They described living in prison like conditions - every move, including visits to the bathroom, were heavily monitored by cameras and microphones, they said. One said her cell was so crowded that inmates took turns to sit and rest while others stood.

From early morning to night, detainees were subjected to mind numbing political indoctrination. This included reciting Chinese laws and Communist Party policies, as well as singing the national anthem - those who failed to memorise were denied food. Detainees were forced to renounce their religion, engage in self criticism sessions and report on fellow inmates, relatives and neighbours. "I started becoming obsessed with suicide. I had thought for a long time about how to do it. I made sure the wall next to me was hard enough and ran and rammed my head into it." -Kairat Samarkan.

Despite evidence of brutal torture and detainment for no reason, the Xinjiang governor Shohrat Zakir states; "Through vocational training, most trainees have been able to reflect on their mistakes and see clearly the essence and harm of terrorism and religious extremism." He says, "They have also been able to better tell right from wrong and resist the infiltration of extremist thought." A Chinese official, Li Xiaojun at the the UN Human Rights Counci in Geneva said the West could learn alot from his country's program of vocational training.

A UN human rights panel said Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities were "being treated as enemies of the state based on nothing but their ethno-religious identity."

Forced labour

This BBC website has a video on the transfer scheme, showcasing a young girl called Buzaynap being coerced into going to work.

The Chinese government has facilitated the mass transfer of Uyghur people to factories across the country. Under conditions that's strongly suggest forced labour. An Australian Strategic Policy Institute report estimate that more than 80,000 Uyghurs were transferred from 2017-2019 some directly from detention camps. The estimated figure is conservative and is likely to be far higher. In factories Uyghurs typically live in segregated dormitories. Undergo Mandarin and ideological training outside of work hours, and are subject to constant surveillance, and are forbidden from participating in religious observances. Numerous sources, including government documents, show that's transferred workers are assigned minders and have limited freedom of movement.

The ILO lists 11 indicators of forced labour (you can find the pdf HERE) Relevant indicators in the case of Uyghurs may include:

-Being subjected to intimidation and threats such as threat of arbitrary detention, and being monitored by security personnel and digital surveillance tools.

-Being placed in a position of dependency and vulnerability, such as by threats to family members back in Xinjiang.

-Having freedom of movement being restricted, such as by fenced in factories and high tech surveillance.

-Isolation, such as living in segregated dormitories and being transported in dedicated trains.

-Abusive working conditions, such as political indoctrination, police guard posts in factories, "Millitary - style" management, and a ban on religious practises.

-Excessive hours, such as after work Mandarin language classes and political indoctrination sessions that's are part of job assignments.

For example...

In January 2020, around 600 ethnic minority workers from Xinjiang were employed at Qingdao Taekwang Shows Co.Ltd. Taekwang's primary customer is the American multinational company Nike. The Xinjiang workers are mostly Uyghur women from Hotan/Kashgar. The The factory, the Uyghur labourers make Nike shoes during the day. In the evening, they attend night school where they study Mandarin, sing the Chinese national anthem and receive "vocational training" and "patriotic education".

BOYCOTT

In all, ASPI's research has identified 82 foreign/Chinese companies potentially directly or indirectly benefitting from the use of Uyghur workers outside Xinjiang through abusive labour transfer programs; including Ambercrombie & Finch, Acer, Adidas, Alstom, Amazon, Apple, ASUS, BAIC Motor, Bestway, BMW, Bombardier, Bosch, Changan Automobile, Cisco, CRRC, Dell, Electrolux, Fila, Founder Group, GAC Group automobiles - Gap, Geely Auto, General Motors, Google, Goertek, H&M, Haier, Hart Schaffner Marx, Hisense, Hitachi, HP, HTC, Huawei, iFlyTek, Jack & Jones, Jaguar, Japan Display Inc., L.L.Bean, Lacoste, Land Rover, Lenovo, LG, Li-Ning, Marks & Spencer, Mayor, Meizu, Mercedes-Benz, MG, Microsoft, Mitsubishi, Mitsumi, Nike, Nintendo, Nokia, Oculus, Oppo, Panasonic, Polo Ralph Lauren, Puma, SAIC Motor, Samsung, SGMW, Sharp, Siemens, Sketchers, Sony, TDK, Tommy, Hilfiger, Toshiba, Tsinghua, Tongfang, Uniqlo, Victoria's Secret, Vivo, Volkswagen, Xiaomi, Zara, Zegna, ZTE.

Now I understand completely that it might not be possible to boycott all of these companies, as they seem to be everywhere/a large influence, and your financial situation may affect your ability to boycott - but PLEASE boycott what you can, and keep this in mind <3

Why should we care? / what should we do?

The violence and repression against Uyghur Muslim people is appalling, and the fact that nobody talks about it is crazy to me, there are very little posts on social media in general. They seem to be ignored. The fact that we are allowing an entire ethnic group to be oppressed is insane to me. I would just ask you to do four things-

Listen to Uyghur voices - Mihrigul Tursun wrote a testimony on her experience in detainment, (referenced/linked in my post) and wrote a book. Both of which are easily accessible online. FOLLOW @/uyghuryouth and @/shahnura.ksm on tiktok. If you yourself are Uyghur or know of a voice thats you would like for me to include - tell me.

Do more/your own research - alot of my information comes from reports and websites - I am just passing what I learned. Please look into these yourself. IF YOU FIND ANY MISINFORMATION OR ANYTHING UNCONFIRMED IN MY POST - LET ME KNOW.

Boycott certain companies profiting from Uyghur labour

USE YOUR PLATFORM TO SPEAK UP. This doesn't get nearly as much attention as it should. We need to give Uyghurs the same energy as we do with other injustices in the world. We should be putting pressure on companies/governments/human rights groups to condemn this and stop supporting this. Please - if you have any platform - follower count dosent matter - speak up, call this out. Uyghur people are being silenced and we should be talking about it.

[tabutesakina]

Guardians of Faith: How the Symbol of the Open Hand Finds Fulfilment in the Ahl al-Bayt

Throughout history, humanity has been drawn to symbols, images charged with meaning that seem to reach beyond the visible world and into the realm of the sacred. Among these, one symbol stands apart: the open hand, five fingers extended, quietly radiating an aura of protection, strength, and divine guardianship. This symbol — enduring for thousands of years — is found in art, ritual, and sacred artifacts from cultures as diverse as ancient Mesopotamia, Egypt, China, Japan, and beyond.

What is it about this open hand that resonates so deeply across time and place? Why did so many civilizations revere it as a source of safety, purity, healing, and spiritual power? This hand, revered across the world, seems to carry a subtle but universal message — one that has long pointed toward a hidden truth, a divine reality awaiting full revelation.

The Journey of the Open Hand Across Civilizations

1. Mesopotamia and Egypt: Divine Guardianship and Protection

In the ancient Mesopotamian and Egyptian cultures, the open hand was believed to channel divine protection. Mesopotamians crafted amulets and carved the hand symbol into tablets, seeing it as a sacred shield against unseen forces. In Egypt, hand-shaped charms were buried with the dead, signifying a protective presence that extended beyond mortal life.

For these cultures, the hand represented a promise of guardianship — an invisible protector watching over humanity, a powerful force that would remain long after the physical world faded.

2. Jewish and Islamic Traditions: The Hand as a Blessing and Defender

In Jewish culture, the open hand became known as the Hamsa, or “Hand of Miriam.” It represented divine blessing and defense, associated with the protection of the soul. Its five fingers often represented the Five Books of the Torah, underscoring a connection between the sacred law and the hand’s protective power.

In Islamic tradition, this symbol evolved into the Khamsa, or “Hand of Fatima,” a beloved talisman worn for protection against harm. In the hands of both Muslims and Jews, the open hand served as a tangible reminder of divine blessing and strength — a reassurance that, even in times of danger, a higher power was at work.

3. Japan: Purity, Protection, and Fearlessness in Spiritual Practice

In Japanese Buddhism, the hand finds expression in sacred mudras, or gestures, used to channel spiritual power. The Abhaya Mudra, an open hand raised in blessing, represents protection, fearlessness, and compassion. This gesture, seen in statues of the Buddha and bodhisattvas, reminds practitioners of divine guidance and shelter, dispelling fear and reassuring the faithful.

Shinto Rituals: In Japan’s indigenous Shinto beliefs, the raised hand symbolizes purity and openness to the kami (spiritual deities). Hands are lifted during prayers as a way to receive blessings, uniting humanity with the sacred.

Martial Arts and the Open Hand: In Japan’s martial arts, the open hand symbolizes strength tempered by restraint. In Aikido and other practices, it represents control, peace, and protection without aggression. Here, the hand conveys an ideal of disciplined strength that is dedicated to defence, not harm.

4. China: The Hand as a Channel for Vital Energy and Balance

Taoist Beliefs in Energy and Harmony: In Taoism, the hand plays a central role in channeling qi, the life energy believed to flow through all things. Certain hand gestures, like mudras or yin-yang positions, are used in meditation and healing to balance internal energies and foster wellbeing, a form of self-protection and harmony.

The Abhaya Mudra in Chinese Buddhism: Much like in Japan, the Abhaya Mudra in Chinese Buddhist art symbolizes reassurance and protection. Often depicted with Avalokiteshvara (Guanyin in Chinese), the Bodhisattva of Compassion, the open hand promises safety to those in need, embodying a commitment to mercy and spiritual guardianship.

Confucian Values and the Open Hand: Though Confucianism does not directly focus on hand symbolism, it emphasizes virtues like benevolence (ren) and justice (yi), conveyed through gestures of open hands in greetings and offerings. Here, the open hand represents peace, respect, and harmony — values essential to Confucian ethics and society.

5. Other Ancient Traditions: Christianity and Native Cultures

Christian Symbolism and the Hand of God: In early Christian art, the open hand often symbolized God’s blessing, reaching down to humanity. It represented the divine promise of protection, strength, and grace — concepts embodied in the “hand of God” extending to guide believers.

Native American Handprints as Sacred Protection: Native American tribes painted open handprints on sacred objects and cave walls, viewing the hand as a mark of spiritual guardianship and ancestral power. The hand was believed to serve as a bridge to the spirit world, offering strength and connection to those who sought divine guidance.

The Universal Qualities of the Open Hand

Across cultures, the open hand has consistently symbolized:

Protection: A shield against harm, a sign of divine guardianship that reassures and defends.

Purity: An emblem of the unblemished soul, purity of intention, and devotion to the sacred.

Healing and Balance: A connection to vital energies that sustain, heal, and bring harmony to life.

Fearlessness and Strength: The power to overcome fear, the courage to stand firm, and the strength to protect others.

These qualities reflect a universal human longing for divine care, protection, and wisdom — for figures who would embody these virtues in their lives.

The Grand Revelation: Fulfilment in the Ahl al-Bayt

Over the centuries, the open hand remained a symbol, its true meaning glimpsed but not fully known. But in the seventh century, on the sands of Arabia, this symbol found its ultimate expression in the lives of five figures, beloved to God and revered by many for embodying the virtues humanity had long seen in the open hand.

These figures, known as the Ahl al-Bayt, or “People of the House,” are revered in Shia Islam as the family of the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him. They embody the virtues that the hand has always symbolized: protection, purity, healing, and fearless strength.

The Ahl al-Bayt represent the fulfilment of the hand’s message:

The Prophet Muhammad: As the messenger of divine guidance, his wisdom brought unity, compassion, and strength to humanity.

Imam Ali: Known for his courage and justice, Imam Ali’s hand defended the oppressed and upheld the truth, embodying fearless strength.

Lady Fatima: The daughter of the Prophet and a figure of purity and compassion, she represents the nurturing spirit of the faith.

Imam Hasan: His dedication to peace and unity, even at personal cost, is the hand that sought to heal divisions within the community.

Imam Husayn: His ultimate stand against tyranny at Karbala symbolizes undying faith and the courage to defend truth, a testament to the hand’s promise of protection for the righteous.

For Shia Muslims, the Ahl al-Bayt are more than historical figures; they are a living legacy, embodying what the open hand had always symbolized. In their lives and sacrifices, the Ahl al-Bayt offer the ultimate expression of divine care and guidance.

Conclusion: A Symbol Fulfilled

The open hand — which once served as a distant emblem of protection, purity, healing, and strength — finds its fulfilment in the Ahl al-Bayt. This symbol, spanning millennia and cultures, is not just an ancient motif but a promise fulfilled in the lives of those who became the guardians of faith, truth, and humanity.

In the Ahl al-Bayt, the open hand transcends symbolism and becomes a legacy of divine guardianship, guiding those who seek a life rooted in faith, compassion, and strength. Through them, the ancient human desire for divine protection and guidance becomes a living reality, inviting followers to recognise in the open hand the virtues that have long united the human spirit.

[piracytheorist]

hiiii. this is kinda random but just wanted to say I'm starting to understand you going anime only for SxF. I watched S1 blind, then bcs I craved more I read the manga. Now bcs I know what happens, watching S2 has less exciting effect for me (?) Don't get me wrong I'm still so excited and the animation/voice is stunning, but it would be nice to experience the story for the first time again. anyway it's impressive you got to stay committed to anime only! sorry for rambling in your inbox ;-;

Hi, and no worries, I appreciate the message! Ramble in my inbox whenever :D

And yeah, the feeling you describe is exactly what I fear I'll feel if I go manga first anime second. It even happened with the bullet in butt date episode, since I'd read the chapter already, it impacted my enjoyment of it a bit. I ended up comparing it a lot to the manga and this interfered with my immersion. Funny thing is, any time I read a chapter that I'd already watched in anime, this didn't happen. I was able to enjoy anime and manga both, without interference.

That said, the one other chapter I'd already read before it was adapted was the one where Nightfall visits the Forgers for the first time. While once again I ended up comparing the anime to the manga a lot, after a couple months that feeling went away and now I can enjoy rewatching the episode without making any comparisons. So I'm hoping that after a while I'll be able to enjoy the bullet in butt date episode on its own merit, and maybe it will feel the same for you!

I think it's a testament to the quality and heart of the story, that we want to experience it for the first time all over again. If you're caught up with the manga it'll probably take a few years for the anime to catch up, but if you want to also go anime-only I will probably be here for... well, a long time 😂 one of the worst parts about being anime only is that I have next to no-one to talk about it, and I can't search for posts here or anywhere else because most fans read the manga and avoiding spoilers is impossible, even when you tell people you're avoiding manga spoilers. I'm pretty sure a few of my followers here secretly want to nudge me to catch up with the manga 🤣 So yeah, one of the things that kept me an anime only was the hope that I may provide some company to a fellow anime only 🤣

And look, I totally get you. I'm honestly surprised myself I made it all the way here and only indulged myself once, and only for a couple pages from a certain chapter after I saw some spoilers. When season one ended last December I actually expected I'd break and read through at least a couple arcs into the manga. So the temptation certainly isn't small!

I would say, find the way that makes you enjoy it more and take that. I enjoy the story told through anime more, but not when I get a ton of spoilers here and there, so I have to accept that I will have very limited interactions with fellow fans for years on end, as I don't see the story ending soon, and the anime will need one to two years (if not more) to catch up once the manga ends. So that's something to consider. On the other hand, keeping a distance from chapters you've already read may help you enjoy the respective episodes more. Like, the more time passes from a manga chapter you've read, the more immersed you may be by the adapted anime episode. Idk if you wanted advice, but I thought I could share some thoughts XD In any case, feel free to share with me whenever! I love talking about everything sxf <3

[dfroza]

A link to my personal reading of the Scriptures

for the 13th of june 2025 with a paired chapter from each Testament (the First & the New Covenant) of the Bible

[The Book of Matthew, Chapter 4 • The Book of Job, Chapter 32]

along with Today’s reading from the ancient books of Proverbs and Psalms with Proverbs 13 and Psalm 13 coinciding with the day of the month, accompanied by Psalm 86 for the 86th day of Astronomical Spring, and Psalm 14 for day 164 of the year (with the consummate book of 150 Psalms in its 2nd revolution this year)

A post by John Parsons:

Shelter of the Most High...

The “world” is a place of fearful exile from the Lord. To find healing and peace, we must turn away from its faithless messages and listen (shema) to the great promises of God. As it is written: “He who abides in the secret of the Ascended One will dwell in the shadow of Shaddai” (Psalm 91:1).

The sages say that Moses wrote Psalm 91 as he dwelt in the “secret place” (סֵתֶר) of the Most High God, in the “midst of the dark cloud” (Exod. 24:18), a place of sacred and holy concealment. The thick clouds were a “hiding place” for him (Job 22:14). Notice that the one who “abides” in the secret of the Most High dwells in an ascended place of rest – lifted up above the surrounding madness of this fallen world. The Hebrew word means to lodge or to “sleep” (לוּן), connecting it with death and resurrection. By dwelling in the death and resurrection of Yeshua, God will shield you with His Presence and make evil powerless before you.

When you abide in the secret of Elyon (עֶלְיוֹן) - “the Ascended One” - you are concealed by the dark clouds of His Glory, and the Presence of Shaddai (שַׁדַּי) overshadows you... The LORD will save you from the ensnaring trap and from the devastating pestilence (Psalm 91:3). By abiding in the truth that God's Presence pervades all things at all times – you become a "stranger" (גֵּר) with the LORD in this world, a "sojourner" (תּוֹשָׁב) who awaits the healing of the world at the end of the age. “You will tread on the lion and the adder; the young lion and the serpent you will trample underfoot” (Psalm 91:13).

We are made secure exclusively on account of Yeshua the Savior, who gloriously ascended over the powers of this age and made safe passage for us by means of his sacrificial death on the cross. Because of Him alone, we have acceptance and access to the Holy of Holies made without human hands. Yeshua is the Ascended LORD of Glory, the Master of all possible worlds, and the King over all things! Nothing can stop Him or thwart His victory secured for those who are trusting in Him.

Since God hides Himself in this world (Isa. 45:15), we must humbly seek His face to enter into the place of His holy concealment in all things. God is Elyon – ascended High above - but He dwells “with the lowly and the broken of heart” (Isa. 57:15). Therefore the LORD our God is called Shaddai (שַׁדַּי) – our Sustainer, Provider, Refuge, and Home. Just as we can be surrounded by the “shadow of death” (tzal mavet), so we can be surrounded by the “shadow of Shaddai” (tzal Shaddai). Like a powerful eagle brooding over her chicks, so Shaddai covers you with wings of protection (Psalm 91:4). Amen.

[ Hebrew for Christians ]

========

Psalm 91:1 Hebrew reading:

https://hebrew4christians.com/Blessings/Blessing_Cards/psalm91-1-jjp.mp3

Hebrew page:

https://hebrew4christians.com/Blessings/Blessing_Cards/psalm91-1-lesson.pdf

6.12.25 • Facebook

from Israel365

Today’s message (Days of Praise) from the Institute for Creation Research

[brocoffeeengineer]

Ethical Persuasion in a Digital World: Where Influence Meets Integrity

In a digital ecosystem saturated with content, ads, and recommendations, persuasion is everywhere. From brand messages and influencer shoutouts to SEO-driven blog headlines, persuasion fuels decision-making. But at what point does persuasion cross the line into manipulation? That thin ethical boundary has become a hot topic in today’s marketing world—especially as audiences become savvier, more skeptical, and more privacy-conscious.

The core question modern marketers must face is: Can you ethically influence someone to act without misleading them? The short answer: yes. But it requires more intention, transparency, and empathy than ever before.

Understanding the Line Between Persuasion and Manipulation

At its heart, persuasion is about helping someone make a decision—ideally in their best interest—by aligning your message with their values or needs. Manipulation, on the other hand, involves distorting facts, triggering fear, or pushing emotional buttons for self-serving gain.

Here’s a simple breakdown:

Persuasion: Transparent, respectful, value-driven.

Manipulation: Deceptive, coercive, exploitative.

The ethical tension arises when tactics designed to drive action—like urgency (“Only 3 left in stock!”) or social proof (“1,000 people just bought this!”)—are misused or exaggerated. The result? Short-term wins, long-term distrust.

A 2024 Gartner report found that 72% of consumers abandon brands they perceive as manipulative—even if they liked the product.

Why Ethical Persuasion Matters More Than Ever

Modern consumers, particularly Gen Z and millennials, value authenticity and transparency more than any prior generation. They’re less impressed by flashy marketing and more moved by honest communication.

Here’s why ethical persuasion is now a necessity, not a choice:

Trust drives conversions. Audiences are more likely to act when they believe the brand genuinely cares.

Retention beats acquisition. Ethical marketing builds long-term loyalty.

Regulatory pressure is rising. Governments are tightening data privacy and ad standards worldwide.

Backlash spreads fast. One misleading claim can trigger viral outrage, as seen with multiple brand controversies in the past year.

In response, many digital marketing professionals are revisiting traditional methods rooted in psychology and combining them with today’s need for empathy and consent.

Techniques of Ethical Influence That Work

So, how can brands persuade ethically—and effectively? These time-tested strategies build trust while still guiding behavior:

Reciprocity (Give First): Offer free value—guides, trials, insights—before expecting commitment. When people feel helped, they’re more likely to reciprocate.

Authority (But Earn It): Share knowledge and experience without arrogance. Display certifications, real reviews, or industry contributions to build credibility.

Consistency: Align your actions, promises, and content. If your brand promises eco-friendliness, don’t use unsustainable packaging.

Social Proof: Use real testimonials and case studies—not inflated claims. People follow people, not bots or brand-generated hype.

Clarity Over Cleverness: Don’t hide important information in fine print. Ethical persuasion means your customer knows what they’re agreeing to.

One example of ethical persuasion done right is Patagonia, which encourages conscious buying—even discouraging over-purchasing—while maintaining strong sales and customer loyalty. Their message aligns with their audience’s environmental values, building deeper emotional ties.

How AI and Algorithms Complicate the Ethics

The rise of AI-powered personalization, especially with tools like ChatGPT, predictive analytics, and behavior-tracking algorithms, adds complexity. While these tools enhance targeting, they also risk overstepping boundaries by exploiting psychological triggers.

For instance, many e-commerce brands use real-time data to personalize urgency (“Your favorite jacket is almost gone!”). While effective, these nudges can feel manipulative when overused or based on minimal interaction.

As ethical considerations around AI grow, marketers must ensure transparency. That means:

Disclosing the use of AI in messaging.

Respecting data privacy and user consent.

Avoiding dark patterns (e.g., hidden opt-outs or trick questions).

The European Union’s Digital Services Act and India’s draft Digital Personal Data Protection Bill both reflect global momentum toward digital ethics. Brands that future-proof themselves with transparency now won’t just stay compliant—they’ll win consumer loyalty.

Relevance in Today’s Marketing Landscape

In India, where digital acceleration has spiked in the past five years, the ethical persuasion conversation is gaining traction. As urban consumers get exposed to both global and local campaigns, they're demanding more from brands in terms of honesty and social responsibility.

Professionals entering this space—especially those enrolling in a Digital Marketing Course Bengaluru—are learning not only technical tools, but also the frameworks for creating content and strategies that respect user boundaries. Bengaluru, known for its startup ecosystem, has emerged as a testing ground for many conscious marketing strategies rooted in values like sustainability, inclusivity, and transparency.

Measuring the Impact of Ethical Marketing

Ethical persuasion doesn’t always deliver instant clicks—but it builds something far more valuable: brand equity. It creates customers who don’t just convert but also recommend, return, and defend your brand during setbacks.

Here’s how brands can track ethical marketing success:

Net Promoter Score (NPS): Measures likelihood of recommendation.

Customer Lifetime Value (CLV): Indicates long-term trust.

Churn Rate: Lower churn often reflects higher trust.

Review Quality and Sentiment Analysis: Tells you not just what customers say—but how they feel.

Even platforms like Google are adjusting their algorithms to reward content that’s helpful, honest, and user-first. The 2024 Helpful Content Update emphasized human-first content over SEO trickery, proving that ethical approaches are also strategic ones.

Conclusion: Influence with Integrity

Ethical persuasion isn’t about losing sales—it’s about earning them the right way. In an industry where credibility makes or breaks brands, marketers who focus on influence without manipulation will outlast those who rely on deceptive tactics.

As digital competition sharpens and consumer awareness grows, ethical marketers will be the ones building not just clicks, but communities.

To gain the right balance of strategic skills and ethical mindset, enrolling in Certification Courses for SEO Bengaluru can offer future-ready insights. These courses focus not only on rankings and tools, but also on building digital influence that respects audience intelligence.

[collaborationcourses]

Mastering Change: Why a Change Management Certificate Matters in Today's World

Change is the only constant in business. Whether it's the rise of new technology, internal restructures, or responding to market shifts, organisations must continuously evolve to stay competitive. But managing change isn't easy, which is where a change management certificate becomes invaluable.

In this comprehensive blog post, we explore everything you need to know about change management certification. From its real-world value to how it can transform your career, this article breaks down the concept into digestible parts, including common topics, key challenges, a step-by-step guide to getting certified, a practical case study, and a solid conclusion.

The Power of Change: Why You Need a Change Management Certificate

Change is no longer an occasional event — it’s a daily reality in modern business. Companies that succeed are those that adapt quickly and smoothly. But how do they do that? The secret is having trained professionals with a change management certificate to guide teams through transitions effectively.

A change management certificate proves that you understand how to:

Analyse the impact of change

Create structured change plans

Engage stakeholders

Manage resistance

Ensure smooth transitions

Professionals who invest in such certification are not just supporting their organisations — they’re boosting their own career prospects significantly.

Unique Topic: "The Emotional Side of Change — What Your Team Really Feels"

One aspect of change management that often gets overlooked is the emotional response of employees. When companies undergo transformations, from rebranding to merging departments, people react emotionally. Fear, uncertainty, and resistance often follow.

A change management certificate doesn't just teach technical skills — it helps you understand the psychology behind change. Certified professionals learn how to:

Empathise with team members

Communicate effectively to reduce fear

Build trust during uncertainty

Support mental wellbeing during transitions

This human-first approach is what separates a good change leader from a great one.

Common Challenges in Change Management

Even with training, managing change can be difficult. Here are the most common hurdles:

1. Resistance to Change

People naturally prefer stability. Change introduces fear of the unknown, which can lead to pushback, even when the change is beneficial.

2. Lack of Clear Vision

Without a clear direction, teams become confused. Employees need to understand not just what is changing, but why.

3. Poor Communication

Communication can make or break a change initiative. Inconsistent or vague messaging leads to rumours, fear, and misunderstandings.

4. Inadequate Leadership Support

If top management isn’t on board or visible in the change process, employees are less likely to commit.

5. Limited Resources

Often, change initiatives are underfunded or understaffed, leading to burnout and incomplete implementation.

Earning a change management certificate trains you to overcome these issues with proven frameworks and strategies.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Get a Change Management Certificate

Getting certified in change management is easier than you might think. Here’s a simple roadmap to follow:

Step 1: Research Programs

Look for programs that are:

Accredited (e.g., Prosci, APMG, or ACMP-endorsed)

Aligned with global standards

Flexible in learning format (online, hybrid, in-person)

Step 2: Choose the Right Certification

Some popular certifications include:

Prosci Change Management Certification

Certified Change Management Professional (CCMP)

APMG Change Management Foundation and Practitioner

Step 3: Enrol in the Program

You can find reputable courses via universities, training organisations, or directly through certifying bodies.

Step 4: Complete the Training

Most programs take a few days to a few weeks. They cover:

Change models (like ADKAR, Kotter’s 8 Steps)

Case studies and practical tools

Assessments or exams

Step 5: Pass the Exam

Once training is complete, you’ll need to pass an exam or practical project. Study guides and mock tests are available to help.

Step 6: Maintain Your Certification

Some certifications require Continuing Professional Development (CPD) hours. Stay updated with the latest in change management.

Case Study: From Chaos to Clarity — A Change Leader’s Journey

Background

Samantha was a project manager at a mid-sized marketing agency in Melbourne. Her company decided to implement a new project management tool and restructure their entire operations.

The Challenge

The change caused confusion, lowered morale, and created friction among departments. As the rollout continued, deadlines were missed and client satisfaction dipped.

The Turning Point

Samantha decided to pursue a change management certificate through the Prosci program. She learned how to apply the ADKAR model and immediately put it into action.

The Implementation

She assessed readiness levels and resistance points.

She built a clear communication plan.

She held workshops to train and motivate staff.

She collaborated with leadership to align goals.

The Result

Within three months, productivity rose by 40%, and team satisfaction scores improved significantly. The company successfully transitioned to the new system, and Samantha was promoted to Head of Operations.

This real-life story shows how a change management certificate can transform not just a business, but a career.

What You'll Learn in a Change Management Course

A good change management course will equip you with:

Frameworks: Like ADKAR, Lewin’s Change Model, Kotter’s 8-Step Process

Stakeholder Engagement: Identifying and managing key people

Communication Strategies: For clarity and alignment

Risk Management: Anticipating and addressing resistance

Measurement Tools: Assessing success and making adjustments

With these tools, you’ll become a go-to expert in your workplace for any change initiative.

Who Should Get a Change Management Certificate?

This certification isn’t just for HR professionals. It’s ideal for:

Project Managers

Business Analysts

Operations Managers

IT Professionals

Team Leaders

Entrepreneurs

Anyone involved in leading or supporting change will benefit greatly.

Why Employers Value a Change Management Certificate

Businesses don’t like risks. Change initiatives without trained leaders often fail — costing time and money.

Hiring someone with a change management certificate means:

Faster implementation

Reduced resistance

Better team morale

Lower risk of project failure

Employers know this and often seek certified professionals for leadership and transformation roles.

Final Thoughts: Is a Change Management Certificate Worth It?

Absolutely.

In a world where businesses evolve every day, professionals who can navigate transitions smoothly are more valuable than ever. A change management certificate proves you have the knowledge and practical tools to lead people through change confidently.

It opens doors, builds trust, and positions you as a strategic asset in any organisation.

Are You Ready to Become a Change Leader?

If you're considering a change management certificate, now is the perfect time. Whether you're looking to advance your career, guide your team through major transitions, or make yourself more marketable, certification is a smart and forward-thinking investment.

Let change be your opportunity — not your obstacle.

[leadership-courses]

Mastering Change: Why a Change Management Certificate Matters in Today's World

Change is the only constant in business. Whether it's the rise of new technology, internal restructures, or responding to market shifts, organisations must continuously evolve to stay competitive. But managing change isn't easy, which is where a change management certificate becomes invaluable.

In this comprehensive blog post, we explore everything you need to know about change management certification. From its real-world value to how it can transform your career, this article breaks down the concept into digestible parts, including common topics, key challenges, a step-by-step guide to getting certified, a practical case study, and a solid conclusion.

The Power of Change: Why You Need a Change Management Certificate

Change is no longer an occasional event — it’s a daily reality in modern business. Companies that succeed are those that adapt quickly and smoothly. But how do they do that? The secret is having trained professionals with a change management certificate to guide teams through transitions effectively.

A change management certificate proves that you understand how to:

Analyse the impact of change

Create structured change plans

Engage stakeholders

Manage resistance

Ensure smooth transitions

Professionals who invest in such certification are not just supporting their organisations — they’re boosting their own career prospects significantly.

Unique Topic: "The Emotional Side of Change — What Your Team Really Feels"

One aspect of change management that often gets overlooked is the emotional response of employees. When companies undergo transformations, from rebranding to merging departments, people react emotionally. Fear, uncertainty, and resistance often follow.

A change management certificate doesn't just teach technical skills — it helps you understand the psychology behind change. Certified professionals learn how to:

Empathise with team members

Communicate effectively to reduce fear

Build trust during uncertainty

Support mental wellbeing during transitions

This human-first approach is what separates a good change leader from a great one.

Common Challenges in Change Management

Even with training, managing change can be difficult. Here are the most common hurdles:

1. Resistance to Change

People naturally prefer stability. Change introduces fear of the unknown, which can lead to pushback, even when the change is beneficial.

2. Lack of Clear Vision

Without a clear direction, teams become confused. Employees need to understand not just what is changing, but why.

3. Poor Communication

Communication can make or break a change initiative. Inconsistent or vague messaging leads to rumours, fear, and misunderstandings.

4. Inadequate Leadership Support

If top management isn’t on board or visible in the change process, employees are less likely to commit.

5. Limited Resources

Often, change initiatives are underfunded or understaffed, leading to burnout and incomplete implementation.

Earning a change management certificate trains you to overcome these issues with proven frameworks and strategies.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Get a Change Management Certificate

Getting certified in change management is easier than you might think. Here’s a simple roadmap to follow:

Step 1: Research Programs

Look for programs that are:

Accredited (e.g., Prosci, APMG, or ACMP-endorsed)

Aligned with global standards

Flexible in learning format (online, hybrid, in-person)

Step 2: Choose the Right Certification

Some popular certifications include:

Prosci Change Management Certification

Certified Change Management Professional (CCMP)

APMG Change Management Foundation and Practitioner

Step 3: Enrol in the Program

You can find reputable courses via universities, training organisations, or directly through certifying bodies.

Step 4: Complete the Training

Most programs take a few days to a few weeks. They cover:

Change models (like ADKAR, Kotter’s 8 Steps)

Case studies and practical tools

Assessments or exams

Step 5: Pass the Exam

Once training is complete, you’ll need to pass an exam or practical project. Study guides and mock tests are available to help.

Step 6: Maintain Your Certification

Some certifications require Continuing Professional Development (CPD) hours. Stay updated with the latest in change management.

Case Study: From Chaos to Clarity — A Change Leader’s Journey

Background

Samantha was a project manager at a mid-sized marketing agency in Melbourne. Her company decided to implement a new project management tool and restructure their entire operations.

The Challenge

The change caused confusion, lowered morale, and created friction among departments. As the rollout continued, deadlines were missed and client satisfaction dipped.

The Turning Point

Samantha decided to pursue a change management certificate through the Prosci program. She learned how to apply the ADKAR model and immediately put it into action.

The Implementation

She assessed readiness levels and resistance points.

She built a clear communication plan.

She held workshops to train and motivate staff.

She collaborated with leadership to align goals.

The Result

Within three months, productivity rose by 40%, and team satisfaction scores improved significantly. The company successfully transitioned to the new system, and Samantha was promoted to Head of Operations.

This real-life story shows how a change management certificate can transform not just a business, but a career.

What You'll Learn in a Change Management Course

A good change management course will equip you with:

Frameworks: Like ADKAR, Lewin’s Change Model, Kotter’s 8-Step Process

Stakeholder Engagement: Identifying and managing key people

Communication Strategies: For clarity and alignment

Risk Management: Anticipating and addressing resistance

Measurement Tools: Assessing success and making adjustments

With these tools, you’ll become a go-to expert in your workplace for any change initiative.

Who Should Get a Change Management Certificate?

This certification isn’t just for HR professionals. It’s ideal for:

Project Managers

Business Analysts

Operations Managers

IT Professionals

Team Leaders

Entrepreneurs

Anyone involved in leading or supporting change will benefit greatly.

Why Employers Value a Change Management Certificate

Businesses don’t like risks. Change initiatives without trained leaders often fail — costing time and money.

Hiring someone with a change management certificate means:

Faster implementation

Reduced resistance

Better team morale

Lower risk of project failure

Employers know this and often seek certified professionals for leadership and transformation roles.

Final Thoughts: Is a Change Management Certificate Worth It?

Absolutely.

In a world where businesses evolve every day, professionals who can navigate transitions smoothly are more valuable than ever. A change management certificate proves you have the knowledge and practical tools to lead people through change confidently.

It opens doors, builds trust, and positions you as a strategic asset in any organisation.

Are You Ready to Become a Change Leader?

If you're considering a change management certificate, now is the perfect time. Whether you're looking to advance your career, guide your team through major transitions, or make yourself more marketable, certification is a smart and forward-thinking investment.

Let change be your opportunity — not your obstacle.

[changemanagement-marketing]

Mastering Change: Why a Change Management Certificate Matters in Today's World

Change is the only constant in business. Whether it's the rise of new technology, internal restructures, or responding to market shifts, organisations must continuously evolve to stay competitive. But managing change isn't easy, which is where a change management certificate becomes invaluable.

In this comprehensive blog post, we explore everything you need to know about change management certification. From its real-world value to how it can transform your career, this article breaks down the concept into digestible parts, including common topics, key challenges, a step-by-step guide to getting certified, a practical case study, and a solid conclusion.

The Power of Change: Why You Need a Change Management Certificate

Change is no longer an occasional event — it’s a daily reality in modern business. Companies that succeed are those that adapt quickly and smoothly. But how do they do that? The secret is having trained professionals with a change management certificate to guide teams through transitions effectively.

A change management certificate proves that you understand how to:

Analyse the impact of change

Create structured change plans

Engage stakeholders

Manage resistance

Ensure smooth transitions

Professionals who invest in such certification are not just supporting their organisations — they’re boosting their own career prospects significantly.

Unique Topic: "The Emotional Side of Change — What Your Team Really Feels"

One aspect of change management that often gets overlooked is the emotional response of employees. When companies undergo transformations, from rebranding to merging departments, people react emotionally. Fear, uncertainty, and resistance often follow.

A change management certificate doesn't just teach technical skills — it helps you understand the psychology behind change. Certified professionals learn how to:

Empathise with team members

Communicate effectively to reduce fear

Build trust during uncertainty

Support mental wellbeing during transitions

This human-first approach is what separates a good change leader from a great one.

Common Challenges in Change Management

Even with training, managing change can be difficult. Here are the most common hurdles:

1. Resistance to Change

People naturally prefer stability. Change introduces fear of the unknown, which can lead to pushback, even when the change is beneficial.

2. Lack of Clear Vision

Without a clear direction, teams become confused. Employees need to understand not just what is changing, but why.

3. Poor Communication

Communication can make or break a change initiative. Inconsistent or vague messaging leads to rumours, fear, and misunderstandings.

4. Inadequate Leadership Support

If top management isn’t on board or visible in the change process, employees are less likely to commit.

5. Limited Resources

Often, change initiatives are underfunded or understaffed, leading to burnout and incomplete implementation.

Earning a change management certificate trains you to overcome these issues with proven frameworks and strategies.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Get a Change Management Certificate

Getting certified in change management is easier than you might think. Here’s a simple roadmap to follow:

Step 1: Research Programs

Look for programs that are:

Accredited (e.g., Prosci, APMG, or ACMP-endorsed)

Aligned with global standards

Flexible in learning format (online, hybrid, in-person)

Step 2: Choose the Right Certification

Some popular certifications include:

Prosci Change Management Certification

Certified Change Management Professional (CCMP)

APMG Change Management Foundation and Practitioner

Step 3: Enrol in the Program

You can find reputable courses via universities, training organisations, or directly through certifying bodies.

Step 4: Complete the Training

Most programs take a few days to a few weeks. They cover:

Change models (like ADKAR, Kotter’s 8 Steps)

Case studies and practical tools

Assessments or exams

Step 5: Pass the Exam

Once training is complete, you’ll need to pass an exam or practical project. Study guides and mock tests are available to help.

Step 6: Maintain Your Certification

Some certifications require Continuing Professional Development (CPD) hours. Stay updated with the latest in change management.

Case Study: From Chaos to Clarity — A Change Leader’s Journey

Background

Samantha was a project manager at a mid-sized marketing agency in Melbourne. Her company decided to implement a new project management tool and restructure their entire operations.

The Challenge

The change caused confusion, lowered morale, and created friction among departments. As the rollout continued, deadlines were missed and client satisfaction dipped.

The Turning Point

Samantha decided to pursue a change management certificate through the Prosci program. She learned how to apply the ADKAR model and immediately put it into action.

The Implementation

She assessed readiness levels and resistance points.

She built a clear communication plan.

She held workshops to train and motivate staff.

She collaborated with leadership to align goals.

The Result

Within three months, productivity rose by 40%, and team satisfaction scores improved significantly. The company successfully transitioned to the new system, and Samantha was promoted to Head of Operations.

This real-life story shows how a change management certificate can transform not just a business, but a career.

What You'll Learn in a Change Management Course

A good change management course will equip you with:

Frameworks: Like ADKAR, Lewin’s Change Model, Kotter’s 8-Step Process

Stakeholder Engagement: Identifying and managing key people

Communication Strategies: For clarity and alignment

Risk Management: Anticipating and addressing resistance

Measurement Tools: Assessing success and making adjustments

With these tools, you’ll become a go-to expert in your workplace for any change initiative.

Who Should Get a Change Management Certificate?

This certification isn’t just for HR professionals. It’s ideal for:

Project Managers

Business Analysts

Operations Managers

IT Professionals

Team Leaders

Entrepreneurs

Anyone involved in leading or supporting change will benefit greatly.

Why Employers Value a Change Management Certificate

Businesses don’t like risks. Change initiatives without trained leaders often fail — costing time and money.

Hiring someone with a change management certificate means:

Faster implementation

Reduced resistance

Better team morale

Lower risk of project failure

Employers know this and often seek certified professionals for leadership and transformation roles.

Final Thoughts: Is a Change Management Certificate Worth It?

Absolutely.

In a world where businesses evolve every day, professionals who can navigate transitions smoothly are more valuable than ever. A change management certificate proves you have the knowledge and practical tools to lead people through change confidently.

It opens doors, builds trust, and positions you as a strategic asset in any organisation.

Are You Ready to Become a Change Leader?

If you're considering a change management certificate, now is the perfect time. Whether you're looking to advance your career, guide your team through major transitions, or make yourself more marketable, certification is a smart and forward-thinking investment.

Let change be your opportunity — not your obstacle.