#mindreader

[laserwings]

Two Green Nightwings 🌒💚

[wof-headshots-daily]

could you please do mind-reader?

Day 270- Mindreader

[ninoxwof]

Mindreader the Nightwing

EDIT 1/31/24: Updated the design due to inaccuracy in portraying vitiligo, special thank you to @capsulepocket for pointing out the error!!

[Image Description: A digital drawing of a purple nightwing dragon named Mindreader. She has vitiligo, giving her white color patches all over her body with ones notably on her eyes and mouth. She has a marking on her chest that is shaped similarly to an eye that is a light pink, and nightwing star markings on the sides of her tummy, neck and wings. Her horns curve downward and she notably has two dark spines on her head that curve down towards her snout. She has curious oval blue eyes with two lashes on her lower eyelid. /.End ID.]

[deersoncupcakes]

If your doing OC's still, here's my little guy Fruit bat :) a little Nightwing dragonet that got adopted by a rainwing when she found his egg

Thank you if you do end up doing it :)

tried to do that one leaf-dapple style of lighting. I wonder who adopted them ,,,

[angstylittleguy]

Introduction: Dalton Richards

The awkward first meeting between Rory and Dalton. She discovers him having a "growth spurt" in an empty lecture room in their university.

tw: panic attacks

character context: Rory is a mind reader that is unable to control her ability. The voices in her head are constant and the emotions of the people around her are often inflicted onto her. Dalton is a size-shifter whose height is affected by his emotions.

word count: 2.7k

-> In Which Everything Goes Wonderfully Wrong masterpost link: Here

-> character introductions and moodboards: Here

Rory felt the familiar tingle at the base of her neck when she was changing classes at school. The hallway was crowded, students rushing to their next class or back to their dorm. Rory stood silent, rubbing at her neck, and looking around as people bustled past her, not giving her a second glance. It felt like she was in a swarm—or maybe she was like a light—the people acting as bugs that flew around her but never touched her. 

The burning sensation on her neck grew more intense, enough to make her wince as it felt like electricity crackled up her spine and settled somewhere behind her eyes. She looked around, searching for who could possibly be the cause of this overwhelming feeling. Someone at her school was like her. Someone with these unwanted abilities that made them feel like they couldn’t function in a normal society anymore. Someone who would understand.

Her eyes fell upon a male student wearing a beanie. He was sprinting at full speed down the hall, shoving people out of the way as he ran. The pain on Rory’s neck lessened as the boy got farther away, fading into almost nothing as he rounded the corner of the hall.

Rory sprinted after him. 

The hallway became less and less crowded as students found where they needed to be, so it was fairly easy for her to figure out which empty lecture room the boy had dashed into. Silently, she slid through the door and allowed it to close behind her.

She wasn’t sure what she was expecting to see, but him lying on the floor and trembling was not one of them. He had his hand clutched to his chest as if he couldn’t breathe. His thoughts were going haywire, obviously in a panic and unable to pinpoint a single thought. All Rory could pick up on clearly was him repeating, ‘Control it, control it, control it.’

About to make her presence known and offer to help him, Rory was then stunned into silence as the boy suddenly began to change size, growing to fill the space of the room.  He reached both sides, pressing his hands against the walls as if he’s trying to stop the sudden growth spurt, but then he just folded in on himself as he tried to make himself as small as possible. 

(Calm down, calm down, calm down, you’re okay, it’s all okay, it’s going to be okay, its fine.)

Rory fell backwards on her back, staring up at him with wide eyes as she watched the room shrink around him. He tried to shift into a more comfortable position, quickly becoming too big for the small room. She looked to the door, ready to flee to avoid being crushed, but one of his overgrown limbs was draped in front of it, acting as a barricade. 

Rory laid quietly as she listened to his labored breaths. His eyes were squeezed shut, his jaw clenched, and his mind running at a million miles per hour. The burning sensation on Rory’s neck had faded, and she rubbed at it absent-mindedly, still too stunned to speak. 

The boy’s gargantuan hands reached to his head and removed his beanie, revealing a mess of brown hair. He was clenching it as if it were a lifeline, his knuckles turning white against the black fabric. When he opened his eyes, Rory watched his pupils settle on her miniscule form, shock and utter fear taking over his features. 

(No, no, no, no, no, no.)

Panic began to roar behind his eyes. 

(What is she doing in here? The room was supposed to be empty! Oh no, oh no, oh no, oh—)

“Um,” Rory tried, but she suddenly found her voice failing her. What could she say?

He studied her still, his heart pounding in his chest. Rory felt his panic welling in her throat thanks to her stupid abilities, and so they both laid there in anxiety-riddled silence. 

“What—? What are you doing in here?” The boy finally asked, his voice so strained and choked that it sounded like he was about to cry. 

Rory involuntarily flinched; his voice so much louder than she was prepared for. Her actions made him freeze, and he thought, ‘I’m scaring her, oh god, this is bad—’

A wave of embarrassment and fear washed over him and the realization that he was scaring her encouraged his growth spurt. His head banged against the ceiling and he was forced to tuck his legs in tighter to himself, further swallowing Rory into the room.

“I’m so sorry,” he whispered, trying his best to keep his voice as quiet as possible so as to not scare her again. “I—I’m not sure—”

A tear rolled down his cheek and he quickly moved to wipe it away. He’s so embarrassed to be trapped in this room, but what’s worse is that there’s a stranger trapped in here with him, watching his pathetic breakdown. He tried to block out the panic, tried to pretend that everything was fine, but his heart was pounding against his ribcage in such a ferocious way that he’s near certain she can hear it. The thought made the room close in further, and he wrenched his eyes shut, turning over on his side so that he could lay on the floor and pray he doesn’t get any bigger.

“I’m sorry,” he tried again, hating the sound of his voice and the loudness of it all. 

“It’s okay,” Rory found herself saying. 

He opened his eyes to look at her. “It’s not, but thanks anyway.” 

“I’m Rory.”

He was certain he would have laughed at the absurdness of the situation if it weren’t happening to him and his world wasn’t crumbling apart right before his eyes. “Dalton,” he managed to wheeze out. “And… please don’t tell anyone.”

Rory recognized the fear in his voice. The uncertainty of who could be trusted with a secret so massive. It’s why she doesn’t tell people about her own ability unless she gets that static sensation on the nape of her neck. “Don’t worry. I won’t tell.”

(Can I really trust her? What’s stopping her from running off and telling the first person she sees when she gets out of here?) 

Dalton glanced at the door that was now dwarfed by his leg. 

(I can’t keep her in here obviously, and there’s nothing I can do to stop her.  But what will I do if she tells? Where could I go? I’d have to leave—move cities—or just go hide out in a cave in the woods with the rest of the monsters where I belong.)

“You’re not a monster because of your abilities,” Rory said.

She felt the returning anxiety from Dalton scratch at her throat as he said, “Well, I sure don’t feel human right now.”

“Not feeling human doesn’t mean you’re a monster.”

He scoffed, finally tearing his gaze away from her. “Yeah, like you would know.”

“I understand more than you think.”

Rory pulled herself to her feet, and she knew that the fact that she was standing made Dalton nervous. 

“I’m sure. You look the type that turns into a dangerous monster every time you experience an emotion.”

The comment made Rory freeze. He’s the size of a bus because he was going through something moments before. She remembered what he looked like before he had grown, lying on the floor and trembling. Even now, his heart was pounding and his thoughts were a jumbled panicked mess. 

“You were having a—”

“Yeah,” he cut her off. “I get in my head a lot. It’s not that big of a deal anymore.”

She looked at his hands that were still gripping his beanie. Squeezing the fabric as hard as he could. He wanted nothing more than to disappear. 

“Do you want some company?” Rory asked. “It helps me when someone is in the room.” 

“I don’t have much of a choice, do I?”

They both glanced at the door, it completely hidden by Dalton’s limbs. “I could probably move around and you can leave, but I’d have to pick you up and I don’t think I trust myself enough to do that.”

“That’s okay. I don’t mind staying.”

(I don’t want her to see, not when I’m like this. It’s humiliating and dehumanizing and I feel like a freak. How is she so calm about this? I’m—I’m huge! And she’s calmer than I am, acting like nothing is wrong. God, this sucks.)

“I can read minds,” Rory blurted. 

His face contorted. “What?”

“Think of literally anything in the world and I’ll prove it.”

His hesitance and doubt hit Rory like an invisible wave, but he still decided to indulge her. Dalton glanced at her hair and thought of the word ‘purple,’ his skepticism apparent even in his thoughts. 

“Purple,” she parroted, crossing her arms. 

They continued this back and forth until Dalton finally believed her. 

“I guess I shouldn’t be surprised. Not when this is possible.” Dalton gestured to himself.

“I could tell you were like me when I saw you in the hall,” Rory explained. “I get this feeling on the back of my neck that feels like TV static.”

“And that’s why you followed me in here?” He asked.

“Yeah. I didn’t know this was going to happen, though. I was planning for a casual conversation.”

“Sorry to disappoint.”

She shook her head. “I’m not disappointed. Just a little surprised is all. But I’m over it now. Besides, it’s kind of cool.”

“Cool?” Dalton all but scoffed. “This is not cool. It’s terrifying if anything. I’m—” he struggled with the words. “I’m a private person. I don’t like people to know what I’m feeling or anything like that. But with these powers—or whatever they are—it’s obvious when I’m happy, sad, angry, literally anything. I hate that I can’t have any privacy anymore. Besides, mind reading is way cooler, and it comes with way less emotional damage.”

Now it was Rory’s turn to scoff. “No, reading minds isn’t cool. I hate that I can’t give anyone any privacy anymore.”

“Well, aren’t we quite the pair.”

Dalton’s heart was still beating rapidly in his chest, but it was much less severe than it was before. 

“Do you get small too?” Rory found herself asking.

“I…” his voice trailed off. (Don’t want to talk about it.)

Rory was about to change the subject when he said, “I get small too, yeah. It depends.”

“Different emotions do different things?”

“Yep.”

(And sometimes they’ll switch up on you, so I can never tell what’s going to happen until it’s already happening.)

“I have good and bad days,” Rory told him. She sat back down on the tiled floor. “Never quiet days, though. Just sometimes less severe days.”

“How about today?” Dalton asked.

“Today’s a better day, I think. I can hear everyone in the classroom down the hall and upstairs, but that’s about it.”

“Everyone?”

“Yeah, it’s never a one at a time kind of thing. It’s everyone, all at once.”

Dalton was quiet. He adjusted his position on the floor again, trying to get comfortable. Despite his size, he was very aware of his surroundings, making sure he was a safe distance from Rory before moving. He watched her carefully as he tried to cross his arms under his head. 

“You’re the first person I’ve ever been around when I’m huge.”

(And hopefully the last.)

“Sorry you had to be the guinea pig,” he joked.

“You’ve been small around others before?” Rory asked.

She felt a sense of dread and lingering sadness tap at her spine. Dalton swallowed. “I don’t think anyone was aware, but yeah.”

Rory wanted to ask questions. How small could he get? How big? How long had he known about his abilities? Would he want to meet Bennett? But one look at the overwhelmed expression on his face alerted Rory that wouldn’t be the best idea right now. 

“What do you do to return back to normal?” Rory asked him instead. 

“I have to calm down, mostly,” Dalton responded.  His thoughts betrayed him as he thought, That won’t happen anytime soon, though. Not with her in the room.

“Oh,” Rory said aloud at the realization. “Am I freaking you out by being in here?”

Dalton seemed to jolt at her words. “It’s okay!” He was quick to reassure, turning over on his side so he could look at her better. His shoulder nearly brushed the ceiling. “It’s not your fault that you’re in here.”

Rory glanced to the door again, hidden behind his overgrown legs. If he could reposition himself, she could leave and he’d be able to focus on getting back to normal.

“Do you think you could move enough to unblock the door?” she asked. “I think if I weren’t here, you’d be better off.”

Dalton didn’t argue the fact that he would be a lot less anxious if Rory wasn’t watching his massive breakdown, but he still shook his head. “I don’t want to pick you up. I—I don’t know my own strength, and you’re so, you're so fragile, and—”

The thought alone was enough to send him into a spiral. His breath quickened and he began to grow. His shoulder pressed against the ceiling and he scrunched his eyes closed in an attempt to control the growth spurt. 

“Hey, hey, hey! Don’t worry! You don’t have to pick me up!” Rory quickly assured, holding her hands up in a non-threatening gesture. “What if, you just don’t move, and I’ll climb over.”

Before Dalton could voice that he thought that was an absolutely terrible idea, Rory was already clutching the oversized fabric of his shirt and pulling herself upwards. Dalton was stiff-still. He held his breath as she climbed up his front, not daring to move a muscle. 

When she reached the top, she balanced on his midsection for a moment and glanced over at his face. Dalton was beet-red. Oh my god, he was thinking, I can’t believe this is happening. Oh my god.

“See?” Rory said as she began her descent. “That wasn’t so bad!”

When she was safely on the other side and her feet were on solid ground, Dalton released the breath he was holding. “Are—are you okay?” He was too afraid to turn over to look at her, not when he couldn’t see exactly where she was standing.

“I’m all good!” She told him. “Now, if you can just bend your legs a little, I should be able to slide out the door.”

When he didn’t move, Rory raised a brow. “Dalton?”

“When you get out, what are you going to do?”

(Is she going to run away? What if she tells people about me? What if she brings more people in here? What if—)

“What do you want me to do?” Rory asked him, stopping his spiraling thoughts of hypotheticals.

“I… I don’t know.”

Rory hummed at his response. “What if I waited in the hallway for you? I won’t say a word to anyone else while I’m out there.”

Dalton thought it over. He couldn’t think of a better alternative, and it would give him the opportunity to properly talk to her about everything once his head was back on right. 

He tucked his legs in closer to his chest, unblocking the door. “Okay,” he said.

Rory glanced at him one last time before cracking the door open and sliding out into the hallway. When she closed the door, she felt a wave of relief rush over her as Dalton released a trembling breath. 

Rory sat down in the hallway next to the door and put her headphones on. 

[variouspolltournaments]

Anti-Propaganda is not allowed. Please only give reasons to vote for something and not give reasons to vote against something.

[moonlight-flags]

Mindreadergender / Mindreadercharic, Mindreaderkingender, Mindreaderkin

Mindreadergender / Mindreadercharic - A gender relating to or that feels like it is WOF's Mindreader. This can be in any way.

Mindreaderkingender - A gender related to or influenced by the users kintype as Mindreader (WOF) in some way. Exclusive to Mindreaderkin.

Mindreaderkin - What it says on the tin.

Mindreader is the Copper winglet Nightwing!

[ID: Three flags, all with the standard art of the character "Mindreader" from Wings of Fire in the center. The first has five stripes, from the top they are black, grey, and light grey. The second has seven stripes, from the top they are ink, dark blue-grey, blackened green-blue, ice blue, greyish blue, greyed out cerulean, and the oceans depths. The third has six stripes, from the top they are gunmetal, greyish blueish, grey, darker grey, dark grey, and near black. /End ID.]

[skylarmoon71]

Patrick Jane (Mentalist) - Chapter 3

It took a little bit of convincing on Jane’s part. There was still so much that needed to be discussed. But you knew you couldn’t avoid work for more than a week. So for the remaining days of your little vacation you try to evaluate all that you’ve learned and your mind trails back to Jane. 

“I can help you.” 

With an obnoxious laugh you just turn your head at his words. 

“Yeah, and I should trust you why? You almost outed me.” 

“That’s because I thought you were a spy or a terrorist.” 

You send him a look and he smirks. 

“Okay maybe I didn’t but I knew it was something big. If you did turn out to be dangerous I think they deserved to be warned.” 

You sigh. 

You can’t exactly be mad at him for that. You might have done the same. Surely you would have gone about it differently. 

“How exactly are you going to help me?” 

“No idea.” 

Your glare speaks volumes. 

“I’m not exactly an expert but you said it yourself. I’m the only one who’s able to hear you. So it goes without saying that I’m the only one that can help.” 

In some crazy way that almost makes sense. 

“What do you say?”

“It’s not like I have a choice.” You run a hand through your head. 

“Why the hell did my captain have to be such a great guy?” You grumble.

Jane is just smiling at you with a thumbs up. 

There’s nothing encouraging about that infuriating man, but he’s right. You can’t run away. That would raise every flag in the book. You have to face this. The alternative is being suspected of some heinous crime or disappointing your former captain who spoke so highly of your abilities. You can’t let him down. 

You’re not surprised when Jane comes to visit on your last day of relaxation. He was standing at the door with a smile and a little wave. Something about his face just made you want to punch it. 

“You were thinking about punching me in the face weren’t you?” 

“No.” 

“Yes, you were. It’s all over your face.” 

You let him in, rolling your eyes. Sometimes it really does feel like he’s the mind reader. 

“Lisbon told me to check in on you.” 

“No she didn’t. She probably told you to stay far away from me.” 

“Oh, you got me. Guilty as charged.” 

Dropping onto the couch you just direct your gaze at the wall. Jane really does have a tendency to push people’s buttons, but as of right now he’s the only one who knows about your secret and he hasn’t reported you to the government or called you crazy. You should be happy. 

Your eyes move to the door to address the topic of your return but he’s not there. 

“Jane?” 

He walks out from the kitchen with a cup of tea and a smile. 

“What the- how the hell did you make that so fast!” 

“You’ve been staring at the wall for about five minutes. I figured I’d make myself at home.” 

This man was obviously put on the planet to be a nuisance.

“If you really didn’t want the job why did you bother taking it?” 

You just fold your arms at his question. 

“Because Captain Haynes went out on a limb for me. I can’t let him down.” 

“He raised you.” 

Your arms slowly unfold and you look at your lap. 

“He looked after me. The only reason I’m a cop is because of him. He’s the first person who’s ever helped me without wanting anything in return but my success.” 

Jane seems inquisitive.

“You’ve read his mind before.”

You nod, a bit ashamed. 

“It was once back when he made me do community service at the precinct when I was in high school. I got caught stealing from a grocery store. The owner agreed to drop the charges if I apologized and said that I learned my lesson. Captain told the owner that was too lenient. He made me work at that place for months. He said that if I didn’t show up he’d throw me in a cell.” 

Jane can’t help but laugh because it was obviously a bluff. You smile at the sound.

“I was used to people trying to take advantage of me. One night I was there with him late. He called me into his office and I was ready. Ready for him to proposition me. I wanted to hear it. To prove that there were no more good people in the world. I grabbed his arm. I still remember those words.” 

“You’re smart. You can be great if you apply yourself. I wish you didn’t have such a tough life, kid.” 

You would never forget that.

“I was so shocked that I’d started crying right there and then. It was the first time I’d heard something good in someone’s head. Turns out the only reason he called me in there was to threaten me to stop skipping classes. He wanted me to join a sports team and try to get a scholarship. He had a whole presentation and everything lined up. He was going to keep threatening me with time in jail to get me to stay on the straight and narrow.” 

It’s funny how you’d been so oblivious to how much he’d just wanted to offer a hand. 

“He was the first man in my life that I could depend on, I could trust. I knew he sent in the application because he thought I was clinging unto him. Sticking to his side out of loyalty. He didn’t want me to limit my ability because of any obligation.” 

Jane was beginning to see the bigger picture.

“There were times that I wanted to tell him, I really did. But the thought of him thinking I’m crazy, or ever looking at me differently it would hurt too much.”

He can only imagine. 

“I never thought I’d tell anyone.” 

But now, Jane out of all the people knows. 

“I won’t betray that trust.” 

Maybe he reads it on your face. You just offer a smile. Jane is unpredictable as hell, so you've already prepared yourself.

[zelly-raptor]

-FLASHBACK FRIDAY- To May 2K24: Professor X/Charles Xavier.

"I'm Charles Xavier, would you like some Breakfast?" - Charles Xavier.

To wrap up my recent X-Men drawings here's the Cool Professor himself "Charles Xavier" a.k.a Professor X. As a Kid and Adult I thought Charles Mobility Chair was really cool and I hope I get to use one of my own one day...

"Do you remember Professor X In the 90s X-Men cartoon?" Honestly not really, I remember him being in the Opening credits but that's about It. Its only till recently when I rewatched the X-Men cartoon I discovered that Charles is a bit of a Squealer...

Oh I'm sorry did I say "Bit of a Squealer" cause the Man does Scream alot in later seasons. Of course how could we also forget the amazing Pat Stew playing Charles Xavier in the X-Men films. Yes I know James McAvoy plays a younger Charles too but I much prefer Pat Stew playing him.

Professor X/Charles Xavier and related X-Men characters are property of Marvel/Disney™ all rights reserved.

[ilikemicrowaves]

Nightwing Student HCS (dying wish au)

Fearless -

Fearless, without the superstength from darkstalker, is still pretty strong

To make up for her lack of size, her wings are like a skywings

She has a broken tooth, and has to hunt things that won't make it worst

Fearless is very good at singing, and likes to sing while Trush plays drums

She likes to take risk and afton injures herself, giving her a few scars on her

Lesbian

Mindreader

Mindreader is farley small but larger than Fearless

She's very chubby and doesn't like to do much unless she has motivation

Mindreader is Trans (mtf)

After making bracelets with Moon's winglet, Mindreader found her joy in it and made a lot and hoards them.

Mindreader is friend shaped :)

Moonwatcher

Moon has a scare underneath her right wing from a jaguar

Moon found an interest in snakes and has 2 that Morrowseer wouldn't let her take to JMA

Moonwatcher is bi and aroace

Moonwatcher doesn't have a British accent like the other nightwings

Mightyclaws

Autistic

Genderfluid (prefers masculine most the time)

Art isn't just how he copes, it's his love language

Queer

The earring he got is made from quartz

Poor eye sight but refuses to wear classes

Paranoid

Bigtail

Not confident

Doubt himself alot

Likes to hunt with Mindreader

Prefers to stay out of wrestling matches

Very calm

Good at speeches

Didn't like Moon at first

Bi and Trans (ftm)

[oliversdumbshit]

Which fic should I make???

(Ill probs make all of them, just which one i should make first)

Option 1: Remus is asexual and is making out with Janus when he's like, "shit, i dont think i like sexual stuff" (itll be really short, itll mostly be like just ace rep with a character that is really suggestive)

Option 2: Logan is a mindreader with aphantasia, and Roman is a daydreamer. Logan is amazed by his ability to create such gorgeous ideas in his mind. (might do this with Remus, but honestly hed probably be freaked out more than anything)

Option 3: logan and Virgil live together in a cottage in a very, very cold and snowy place. This little puppy arrives at their doorstep, and they just HAVE to adopt her, right? I mean, at least, according to Virgil.

[frickityfrackityfuckingshit]

If I was with a mind reader during dinner conversation all they would able to hear is

This is so irrelevant. Why do we care. Shut the fuck up and eat your food. Shut the FUCK UP. Shut up. Irrelevant. So irrelevant. I don’t care. It tastes fucking fine. Shut up. Just eat.

[wherechaoswins]

2️⃣

when u tell a girl "i HATE u 😡" n she be like "u don’t mean it" 😏…GIRL HOW U KNOW MY MIND?? 😭💀 u got telepathy or sum?? 👀🔮 stop playing wit me 😩🔥😂

[angstylittleguy]

Brewing Thoughts

Part 3 of the first meeting between Rory and Bennett.

part 2 // part 1

character context: Rory is a mind reader that is unable to control her ability. The voices in her head are constant and the emotions of the people around her are often inflicted onto her. Bennett frequently gets stuck in time loops and the only way to get the loop to end is for him to survive the day.

word count: 1.2k

-> In Which Everything Goes Wonderfully Wrong masterpost link: Here

-> character introductions and moodboards: Here

The coffee shop was crowded, as was expected on a Tuesday morning. Rory didn’t think she’d ever experienced a moment where it wasn’t filled with caffeine-deprived college students. It was quite easily the only thing keeping them all alive and functioning. There was something about a large black coffee mixed with a five-hour energy that really made your heart pump.

Rory found a table for herself and Bennett while he stood in line and ordered their drinks. The crowded coffee shop was a reminder that they lived in a dog-eat-dog world, as Rory had to skirt around the bodies of her peers to find a table, and then she had to claim it by draping her belongings over the chairs. 

Bennett found her after a couple long minutes (the baristas were sleep-deprived students themselves), and he held out her coffee with the name misspelled. “Thanks,” she muttered to him, already taking a sip. It was scorching hot, and though it burnt the inside of her mouth and brought tears to her eyes, it felt good on her throat and in her chest. 

“I thought it was going to be weird to be here in my pajamas,” Bennett said, cradling his coffee in his hands still. “But it looks like other people had the same idea.”

Rory glanced around, seeing two or three other students wearing what they slept in. “You’re not the only one self-conscious,” she told him, nodding to a girl in the corner. “Coming in here was not part of her plan. But her roommate is spontaneous and she’s getting dragged along.”

“I’m not self-conscious,” Bennett told her. “I couldn’t give a rat’s ass about what people think of me.” 

Rory sipped her coffee again, knowing it wouldn’t be any cooler but couldn’t find it in her to be patient. “I try to be the same way,” she said. “It’s hard though, especially when you can actually hear what they’re thinking.”

Bennett grimaced, that fact just now clicking for him and knowing that he had probably thought a few things he wouldn’t want her to hear. He opened his mouth to apologize, but Rory cut him off. “Don’t worry about it. You’ve been a lot nicer than most people.” 

Bennett finally sat his coffee down on the table. The messy writing on the cup read “Benn.” 

“I guess that’s a relief.” He gave her a half-smile. “I wasn’t exactly the nicest guy the first few times we met. It wasn’t personal, I swear. Just… it’s been difficult lately.” 

Rory could feel the weight in his words, heavy and awkward. The confession was there, though veiled in hesitation. 

“So, what do you usually do when you’re not, you know, hearing people’s thoughts?” Bennett asked, shifting the conversation, hoping to lighten the mood.”

“I’m always listening to people’s thoughts.” She took another sip of coffee. “When I’m not, I’m trying to tune them out.”

“And how do you do that?”

Rory pulled out her phone, tapping on her screen to pull up her music app. She tugged on the headphones that were draped around her neck and handed them to Bennett. He hesitantly put them on. “Ready?” she asked him, though she didn’t wait for an answer before she pressed play. 

She watched Bennett as the music blasted through the headphones, his face going completely blank for a second before he jolted like he’d just been hit with a lightning bolt. The drums hit first, so fast and loud it had to have felt like they were punching him in the chest. His hands twitched, gripping the edges of his coffee cup a little tighter, but his expression remained frozen. The volume was almost deafening, with Rory able to hear it coming through the headphone speakers from across the table. Bennett looked totally thrown off, like he didn’t know if he should laugh or run.

She turned down the music, a small smile playing on her lips as he removed the headphones and handed them back to her. “I see,” was all he said, a laugh caught in his throat. 

Rory draped the headphones back around her neck.

“That’s definitely… one way to drown out everything,” he said, shifting in his seat. 

“It works for me sometimes. Gives me something else to listen to. I’m always hearing things. Every day I wish I couldn’t.”

“Yeah,” Bennett muttered, leaning back in his chair, staring into the distance. “I get it. I’ve kind of been stuck in my own head lately.” His eyes met hers, a flicker of something unspoken passing between them.

“You’re the first person I told, you know,” he added, his voice barely above a whisper. “First person that believed me, at least. Everyone just thinks I’m losing it.” His fingers absent-mindedly traced the rim of his coffee cup. “It’s hard to explain, you know? And I don’t know if it’s ever going to stop. Maybe today’s the day it ends. Or maybe it won’t. I just—” He trailed off, glancing out the window, unsure of how to finish his sentence.  

Rory didn’t say anything for a moment. Instead, she took another sip of her coffee, letting the warmth spread through her. She wasn’t exactly sure what to say either. “Yeah, I get it. I really do. It’s like being stuck in your own head, but it’s your world that’s not real.” She shrugged, her eyes drifting to the table. “It’s like I can hear everyone’s thoughts, but none of them feel real either. Like, they’re all just noise.”

Bennett met her gaze then, and for a moment, they were both just two people, sitting in a crowded coffee shop, connected by something neither of them fully understood. “I don’t want to be stuck forever,” Bennett said, his voice rough with a mix of fear and resignation.

“You won’t be. This loop may not end today, or even tomorrow, but it will end. I’ll make sure of it.”

Bennett studied her for a moment, like he was trying to decide whether or not he believed her. He opened his mouth to speak, then closed it again. 

Rory pushed her phone towards him across the table. “If it ends—or if it doesn’t—text me. I’ll be there, either way.”

Bennett hesitated, then pulled his phone out, unlocked it and holding it out to her. “Here,” he said quietly.

She took his phone, added her number quickly, and handed it back. 

For a moment, they just looked at each other—both of them, in their own way, waiting for something to change, or at least to feel like it might.

And then Bennett looked at his phone again, half-laughing under his breath. “If it ends,” he said, his voice almost teasing, “I’ll text you first. Even if it’s just to say, ‘I’m free.’”

Rory smiled, the first real smile that had crossed her face in a while. “I’ll hold you to that,” she said softly.

[notyournanny]

Can anyone recommend a manga with mindreaders as protagonists??

Can be any type: manga, manhwa, comic, bl, gl, comedy, horror, etc...

🙏🏻🥺