#safe spaces / threads

[asktheevilgeniusesson]

Thinking lately and i might give infinite epilepsy, perhaps. And no not just for ‘oo drama reasons’ because thats just.. wrong? To give a character a real life issue JUST for dramatic things. I personally like to explore disabilities, disorders, physical issues etc via giving them to characters and writing for disabled characters, its my personal way of learning and such and trying to make my followers and other moots who struggle feel like this is a safe space, or such like that.

So, in thought of this, i’d love to hear your guys’ opinions and thoughts on this, i’d rather be told outright that “hey this is a bad/good idea” then it be sugarcoated btw, ill check the comments and any asks abt this when im back from my nap. Take care lovelies<3

[heartsbreaking]

y'all know i hate enforcing boundaries and i've really tried to be cool about this one cause it seems like it doesn't matter to most people, but this has been in my rules for a while and i'm going to start enforcing it:

IN REGARDS TO AFFILIATED BLOGS please do not expect me to keep up with shared lore between affiliated muses if i am not mutuals with all involved parties. i will still respect exclusivity. if i am mutuals with all involved parties, i'd still prefer to discuss it before too much writing happens in regards to how we proceed and whether our interactions are in a separate verse or share a verse/lore with interactions one blog/mun has with another blog/mun.

if you want to mention someone else's muse in a thread please come to me and ask even if you know i'm mutuals with that person. if i am mutuals with the blog (or could be) i will probably be okay with it and we can continue. if i'm not (and won't be) i'll find a nice way to say it (i.e. "no i'd rather we not mention x person's muse in our threads as we're not mutuals"). i don't expect my moots to keep up with who i do and don't follow and i don't want this to be a stressor to anyone. i would also love it if you didn't mention my muses in threads or plotting without asking or at least letting me know you are.

while i don't generally mention other people's muses in threads on principal, if i do feel the need to i will give other mun's the same courtesy of asking if they're okay with it.

[von-koopas-muse]

Being into jewelry and age regressing is so funny

I can make friendship bracelets? And sell them?? Like i did with loom bands in grade school???

BTW, i'm into handmade stuff, im almost done with a gift for @hpipwipsnb. It's experimental and wonky, but! He got me out of my comfort zone! and im actually happy with how it's turning out!!

[blueheartedmayor]

OOC: I was having a think during dinner, and I've had a thought.

I've decided that if there's any threads or headcanons that discuss Damien's work as a Mayor in detail, I'm going to add the "p.oliti.cs tw" tag. I'm not using that now so people who have that tag muted can be informed that it isn't me talking about OOC matters. It is all strictly IC related, and should be okay to read should you choose to click it.

This won't include things like "two characters are talking but are in the Mayor's office", or "Mayor tells person what he does for a living". This is focused more on him more of an insight into why he works as hard as he does regardless of whether it's the W.KM version or the modern anomaly, a more in-depth focus on something he is doing as part of his work, or the "T.ED Talk" I gave on my writing blog some time ago about why I love writing Damien the way I do that I wanna find and share again xD

Simply put, given current matters for my A.merican writing partners, and the fact that this is a muse that is involved with politics despite that being an aside on the blog, I would rather err on the side of caution.

[thedreadvampy]

wait no sorry one last quick immature bitch moment

the more I find out about how this person has behaved in both this relationship and a bunch of other relationships, the funnier it is how much they like to set themselves up as a like. authority on ethical nonmonogamy and consent and conflict management.

when like. they constantly sexually assault people to prove a point, pressure their partners into shit, got into enm by cheating on 3 people concurrently, and literally every time a problem in their orbit is brought up it gets explained away without anything actually changing, or they cry about how hard it is until everyone says OH NO IT'S FINE DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT

you know. very "call yourself a Community Organizer even though you're not on speaking terms with your roommates" energies.

[magnusmodig]

PRE-ESTABLISHED RELATIONSHIP MEME 0.2 / @paragonrising / ACCEPTING !

╰┈➤ ✿

✿  and i’ll fill out the template below. bold for things i could definitely see or want, italics for things i could see or am unsure of and striked out for things i don’t want or cannot see.

FRIENDSHIP.     childhood friends  /  work buddies or coworkers  /  family friends  /  friends with benefits  /  smoking buddies  /  adventure buddies  /  fake friends  /  recently friends  /  party buddies  /  friendship of need  /  dying friendship  /  circumstantial friendship  /  partners in crime  /  old friendship  /  [ your muse ] is the good influence  /  [ your muse ] is the bad influence  /  [ my muse ] is the good influence  /  [ my muse ] is the bad influence  /  opposites attract  /  ride or die  /  frenemies  /  roommates or flatmates  /  penpals  /  exes to friends  /  enemies to friends  /  other

ROMANCE.     childhood sweethearts  /  [ your muse is mines ] childhood crush  /  [ my muse is yours ] childhood crush  /  exes  /  exes to lovers  /  forbidden lovers  /  highschool sweethearts  /  secret relationship  /  opposites attract  /  long distance  /  unrequited [ from your muses side ]  /  unrequited [ from my muses side ]  /  unrequited [ from both sides ]  /  skinny love  /  friends to lovers  /  enemies to lovers  /  spurious relationship  /  power couple  /  newly entered  /  soulmates [ metaphorical ]  /  soulmates  [ literal ]  /  awkward  /  turning toxic  /  toxic love  /  cheating [ on your muse ]  /  cheating [ with your muse ]  /  other 

FAMILIAL.     siblings [ half ]  /  siblings [ step ]  /  [ my muse ] is an older sibling figure to your younger sibling figure  /  [ my muse ] is a younger sibling figure to your older sibling figure muse  /  [ my muse ] is a parental figure to yours  /  [ my muse ] is a child figure to your muse  /  guardian figure  /  legal guardian  /  adoptive child  /  foster child  /  [ your muse ] is taken under mines wing  /  [ my muse ] is taken under yours wing  /  other

ANTAGONISTIC.     dangerous to each other  /  dangerous to others  /  unpredictable  /  rivals  /  petty  /  developing into sexual or romantic tension  /  based off family matters  /  based of off circumstance  /  based of professional matters  /  based off misunderstanding or lies  /  conflict of ideology  /  betrayal  /  hero - villain dynamic  /  enemies  /  fight club  /  friends turned enemies  /  lovers turned enemies  /  exes turned enemies  /  other 

ooc notes:

I honestly really love the idea of Carol and Thor eventually becoming space-faring, galactic protector buds! They share a lot of similar ideals, and their individual tendencies to run hot and fly off the handle sometimes when they're feeling passionate can really create some fantastic dynamics! Now admittedly, my Thor does not adhere to the MCU canon, with the last canon event I'll adhere to being Tony's Funeral (an extremely brief description of what changes can be found in verse 1 and verse 4 on my carrd.), so I'm not sure how that might effect Carol's dynamics with him. But I'd be more than happy to talk about it wit you! :D

[qapsiel]

// I'm rewatching my favorite spn episodes, and Dean kicking Cas out of the bunker bc of fucking Gadreel will forever be one of the saddest moments of the show

[dxjisung]

safe space.

back then, jisung used to think that a life of solitude is the type of life that would suit him most. he had long since rectified that train of thought though—it's not that he's content with being alone, with no company to call his own. it's that he wants to live a rather simple life, surrounded by the few people he holds dear, his own valuables tucked away somewhere safe and calming, with nature accompanying the small treasure trove he would have collected.

he sneaks away, sometimes, to a forest far off from the hustle and bustle of modern day living. admittedly, he doesn't do a lot there but enjoy the environment and truly melt into nature. sometimes almost literally, rolling around in the dirt and mud simply because. it's a nice feeling, and he suspects it may be because of his ability—or rather, the fact that he is also a wolf ( even though this 'hobby' of his feels like something more suited for a puppy ). he doesn't mind enjoying these moments alone, but he feels even more elated now that he has company. he wonders if it shows on his face though, it's usually so monotone.

jisung doesn't know how @garamdx really feels about... literally getting dirty and filthy, clothes covered in muck, so he hadn't suggested anything along those lines yet. instead, he brought along his guitar, promptly sitting on the grass. "ah... i brought a blanket if you don't want to sit directly on the ground. it's small though, so it can only fit you. so don't mind me." he takes it out of his bag, laying it out for the other boy before returning to his seat.

"i come here sometimes... when i want to get away from the rest of the world," jisung informs the other. "i know you've been dealing with a lot, so i hope this can bring you reprieve of some sort," he speaks softly, a gentle smile on his face. "it's my safe space, and i want to share it with you."

jisung picks at a few strings on his guitar, humming a familiar tune to himself. "we can just sit here... we can also explore. if you want, i can play you something too."

[stolencrownsofplenty]

@mouffete : x

being the only follower with a depth of knowledge when it comes to all things medicinal, Coco is glad to help accompany the Lamb when they go on a crusade. it only makes sense to keep a source of healing around in the moment rather than when it’s too late, but this method still comes with a risk when the follower in question isn’t experienced in battle. && Coco is anything but dangerous. he’s as aggressive as a guppy at best. naturally an accident is bound to occur at some point && it most certainly did with their most recent adventure. all it took was for the small fellow to get scattered amidst a chaotic moment, end up in the reach of an enemy, then— shluk! a nasty gash left on his chest. fortunately; not deep enough to be life threatening. unfortunately; high risk for infection && it hurts like a bitch. Coco is no stranger to using their practices on himself, yet there still lies the issue of needing to see the wound itself when tending to it. this particular issue leading to the conundrum now && the instructions that fall onto the skunk’s ears, which fold back in response. posture faltering as a breath gets caught in his throat. “my.. robe?”

“th-that’s all I’ve got on!” a pause to think, then he stammers on. “I mean - I have these… shorts, I guess. but I’m not used to showing my chest.” it’s not like Coco has anything to hide with the upper-half, though it doesn’t make it any less flustering.

The familiar whiff of crisp, spicy incense faintly burned in the skunk’s nose when the Lamb gently guided them to the smoothed out purple rug.  With it already abandoned by the giant, red feathered bird who had often read out the ewe’s fate in constant, the arcane reader’s sanction felt quite empty without his looming presence; leaving only a few blankets, violet pillows, and some leftover incenses forever smoking in the creature’s absence.  Little bits of sunlight leaks in overhead through Darkwood’s overhanging trees, where their branches softly creaked and hissed idly in a constant sway as a drifting breeze blew through its broken cracks.  For now, the pair had found themselves a quiet clearing, where the Emperor only had themselves to blame for not getting their fellow healer to safety sooner.  Often they’d keep their followers within a protective distance, always having their godly sword drawn for any threat of harm that would come to their flock, whenever they went to take some out for a long few day crusade to hunt for some heavy supplies.

In their haste earlier to mow through the persistent heretics that often tried to oppose their unquestionable rule, they still left themselves undeniably blindsided to a hostile swordsman that had snuck up upon the pair from behind.  In the chaos, they were occupied with an archer trying to aim for their many blind spots (with their one remaining eye already going white, and already depending on their crowns for their vision, the ram wasn’t without their faults), they didn’t sense right away the ground shifting in the slightest tilt before it was too late to deflect the oncoming blade.  For one of their own flock to draw blood on their watch… It felt only a blur to them when they heard their companion’s sharp outcry from behind.  All the ram could remember in the moment of their sparked fury, the lowly heretic was already left dead by their sword, sliced to pieces where one could barely recognize what it was to begin with.

But with a soft shake of their head to rid themselves of agitation, their golden chains sang out its jiggling chime, being the lightest warning to any creature that would dare to come near the Lamb’s claimed area.  Not if their heretics were smart enough to keep away, that is.

“We would not ask more of you if it meant we could find a way to work around this, Coco.”  The Emperor sighs with equal weariness.  With their red veil already left to hang by the nape of their neck, the dark shades of their colorful crowns sweep their many eyes down the poor follower’s wounded form.  Although their voice still held its familiar warmth towards the other, it could not be helped that the air felt cold every time they drew away their mask; allowing any mortal to feel the icy touch of their magical allure.  “But we’d be remiss to leave you bleeding out by a fault of our own.”  A palm quickly settles to the other’s back, their hand sprouting a dab of warmth through the idle cool of their wedding bands.  

In their earnestness, they offer the other a light smile.  “We can’t have our only healer faint on our watch, can we not?”  With a free hand, they gesture towards a big bean bag chair that looked a bit discolored, with fraying pinks at its edges where the weather must’ve affected it some.  “Besides, as much as we can go without days to eat, you still need your rest.  In sickness and hunger, we made a promise to provide through hardships.”  The Lamb allows themselves to pause for an instant.   “.. Would you like it if we kept each other on equal footing, Coco?”

[jinx-blackout-84]

fuck this. I fucking hate this shitty website and their little money grab schemes.

Just wait because the second we find a new website that does the same things this one used to before you went and fucked it up, your users are gone.

Consider how your actions may affect other people, next time.

@staff

well we had a terrible run guys. just absolutely godawful. the worst anyones ever done it. i forgot where i was going with this

[batbetbitbotbut]

Low space & low budget weaving

Want to weave but don't have space for a loom? Have a few sticks and yarns but no DIY skills? Come, be tempted anyway. Weaving is a whole family of crafts, some of which don't require a loom at all.

Small-ish looms like box looms (as basic as yarn wrapped around a cardboard grocery tray), inkle looms, and rigid heddle looms exist, but I'm assuming every possible space for a box in your life is already filled. In this post we're going even smaller and cheaper. As far as possible, everything either is flat enough to stow behind/under furniture or rolls up safely into a bundle of just sticks and yarn.

Many of these crafts have some crossover - the same setup can be used for multiple styles of weaving. Most of them can be improvised at home depending on what you have on hand, or if you need to buy something there is not a huge gulf between homemade vs professional equipment. Alas I am not skilled in any of these and my descriptions will not be wholly accurate; corrections and additions welcome! If you need help, I'd only be able to tell you to seek out books and tutorials yourself, ask other weavers, and just try stuff out.

All photos included with permission. My thanks to the people allowing me to use their projects! I saw so many gorgeous and skillful projects when assembling this and I wish I could have included them all.

Fingerweaving

Projects by @kitteniestkitten (here) and @wefty-weaver (here)

Culture - I am aware of this as a Native American technique, I don't know its history with any more specific tribe.

Fabric - "Warp faced" cloth of any width, insofar as warp and weft have meaning for this craft as the weaving is on a diagonal. Often used for sashes or blankets.

Method - There is no loom! A couple sticks hold the yarns to begin with, but then it is all freehand. Starting at one corner, you use your fingers to weave a strand through the other strands, and... that's it. Very simple beginnings work up to very complex patterns that no loom is capable of. The whole project can be rolled up when not active.

Backstrap loom

Projects by @calendae-creations (here) and @weavingforlooms (here)

Culture - I am most aware of this from the Andes but I think it is much more widespread than that.

Fabric - Warp faced or balanced fabric of any width up to your own reach, suitable for blankets and clothes and many other things.

Method - You are the loom! Several horizontal rods hold and manipulate the warp threads but your body provides the tension, with the other end hooked to some furniture or around your own feet. When not in use, you can roll up all the equipment into a small bundle of yarn and rods. You can also use a backstrap loom setup for other methods like tablet weaving.

Warp weighted loom

Projects by @shadowcreepling (here) and @doctormead (here)

Culture - used by ancient Greeks among many many others.

Fabric - any kind of fabric at any size. Shadowcreepling is using a warp weighted loom for a tablet-woven band, Doctormead is probably using heddle rods to make a wider piece of cloth.

Method - the warp threads are held by a bar at the top and tensioned with weights on one end that hang down towards the floor, then the weft is woven into them with any method such as tablets, heddle rods, or by hand (if you have a lot of patience) and beaten into firm fabric at the top or bottom of the loom. Warp weighted looms can be very big, but they are simple and can also be very small and taken apart when not actively weaving.

Tablet weaving / card weaving

Projects by @damage-ko (here) and @foxease (here, hardware from CellesKit on Etsy)

Culture - found as far apart as textiles (geographically and temporally) from Byzantine Egypt and the Vikings

Fabric - a warp faced fabric with patterns made by twining warp threads around each other, usually used for strong narrow bands like collars, belts, and shoelaces.

Method - the cards hold open the shed so you can pass the weft through, then rotate the cards to advance the pattern. Many people make their own with cardboard or playing cards, or you can buy some. The rest of the weaving setup can be improvised with a backstrap (or just a shower curtain hook clipped to your trousers), a cardboard box loom, or warp weights.

Rigid heddle band weaving

Projects by @pisaracraft (here) and @crookedtines (here)

Culture - small rigid heddles like the first project have been found in Roman archaeological sites across Europe. The larger rigid heddle in the second project is being used for "baltic pickup" style designs on the band.

Fabric - can be warp faced or a balanced weave, size limited by the size of your heddle.

Method - you provide tension with any setup you please such as an inkle loom, backstrap, or warp weights. The heddle creates sheds so that you can pass weft yarn through the warp easily. Infinitely many "pick-up patterns" let you weave patterns and even words into the cloth.

Pin loom / potholder loom

Projects by @pardalote (here) and @weavingmyheartout (here)

Fabric - a small square (or rectangle or triangle) of balanced weaving, which can be used alone or patched together into larger fabrics. Pin looms are finer and suitable for many knitting/crochet yarns, potholer looms are chunkier and designed for big elastics, but the method is similar.

Method - wind yarn lengthways around one set of pins and then pull yarn widthways through these strands with a hook. Or, work at 45 degrees in continuous strand weaving! Lots of room to experiment with colour and texture. You can improvise a pin loom by cutting notches in a square of sturdy cardboard.

Needle weaving / stick weaving / peg loom

Projects by @thaylepo (here) and @pastelispunx (here)

Fabric - weft-faced fabric and rugs of any size.

Method - thread long thin warp threads through the pegs, then wind a thick weft (eg heavier yarn, sheep fleece, or long scraps of fabric) around the pegs. Push the weft down along the pegs as they fill up, so that it slides off onto the warp. The pegs can be secured in a base to make a peg loom for large projects, or just handled freely. I believe these evolved as separate crafts and the nuances are different, but the overall method is similar.

Frame loom / tapestry loom

Projects by @squeakygeeky (here) and @battlestar-gasmacktica (here)

Fabric - weft-faced or balanced fabric ideal for wall hangings and upholstery, size limited to the frame being used.

Method - (usually) thinner warp threads are wound round a frame, such as heavy cardboard with notches cut in the end, a picture frame, or a small and flat purpose-made loom. Thicker weft threads are woven in by hand using needles or just small lengths of yarn. Some people make lifelike images, others make more ordinary fabrics or geometric patterns.

Bobbin lace

Projects by @crochetpiece (here) and @noxx-notions (here)

Culture - began in renaissance Italy and spread throughout Europe, often as a cottage industry.

Fabric - balanced fabric usually made of very thin threads in freeform shapes. It's not usually considered "weaving" but the basic cloth stitch is definitely a woven fabric!

Method - each thread is wound onto a bobbin (e.g. a clothespeg) and then bobbins are crossed over each other to weave threads together. The lace is pinned to a cushion to hold everything in place while the design grows.

[roboctopus]

.

[natalieleif]

Seeing a steady rise of people using the library as we carry through summer break, so here's a quick thread from a staff member on little things you can do (for free!) to make life easier on staff. Let's go!

If you want to put a book back, DON'T put it back on the shelf! Put it on the return cart or bin, or give it to a staff member. Not only does this make it MUCH easier to catch misfiles and gather abandoned books in one trip, our budget is literally based on returns. Putting it on a cart gives us more money!

(To expand on the above: not only do we get paid more based on more returns, our book-buying budget for next year is based on what titles seem popular. Even if you don't check out a stack of books, putting it on the cart lets us know there's an interest so we can order more in that genre and support that author.)

Conversely, if you see a cart already full of books being pushed around by staff, PLEASE don't yank books off it or loiter around it. Carts are unwieldy and returns can build up quick, so let a shelver have space to move around and do their job.

(Again expanding on the above, especially please don't yank books off a staff person's cart if you see them pulling books off the shelf instead of putting them back. Books are pulled for a reason--hold requests for another patron, damaged, need to be relabeled, etc--so taking one can really throw off our list.)

If you rent a DVD and notice it's scratched or doesn't play, please tell us! We don't have the time or resources to watch every returned DVD, so we rely on patron feedback. Even a note tucked inside the case helps it get flagged for damage inspection when we're processing returns.

Pay attention to news related to your local branch! The VAST majority of book-banning demands we get are bulk lists from only one or two people--which means contesting them (or requesting a challenged book) also only takes one person.

Remind your friends that most libraries don't do late fees anymore! We want to be a safe haven for low income and disabled/nd people, so don't let being late or disorganized or poor or anything else discourage you. Bring your books back whenever you can, or just mention to a librarian if you lose it, and you're always welcome to come back.

[leafy-ghoul]

threads is such a cesspit

[luwha]

LMAO so, recently someone tried to SCAM me, so i'll show you what happened and the telltales of it being a scam.

This one is quite obvious but i know people who are just starting their artist careers and might not have experiece.

Follow the thread:

🚩#1: They pick your most famous/Popular art as reference. They don't know what you actually sell.

🚩#2: They will pick a random popular character. They're not roleplayers or anything. They're not here for the art in any level

You ask me, what are the odds they really like Goku? Oh, well, you'll see. At this point i check their profile for anythign that might indicate it, but as you'll see you won't have to.

🚩#3: They say they saw my ToS. On it i state i only work with paypal and google forms.

🚩#4: Random issue with payment method. They might have a real problem with it, but see; they'll never ever accept any other payment method, such as Zelle, CashApp, Payoneer, Ko-fi, etc.

I already knew this drill so, let's continue.

🚩#5: I love playing dumb lmao. Anyway, this scam revolves on them either sending you "too much money" and asking it back or something like it. I won't be following through because i know it'll be annoying.

BE ADAMANT WITH YOUR METHODS. Do NOT EVER bend them for randos.

🚩#6: They're so ready with the info on how the payment works it's fucking funny.

The reason I PERSONALLY use PayPal INVOICES (no any other payment within paypal) is that they're safe for both me and my client. My rules are stated clearly.

MAKE A ToS I BEG YOU YOUNG ARTIST

🚩#7: They're not even a good scammer lmao they REFUSE to go on my PROFILE to get a link or read anything.

I use Forms because it collects the client requests and it's easier for me to read it all in one place. It ALSO makes scammers bored.

🚩#8: They're so disinterested on the art they don't care for posing, vibes, colors, nothing. Again, they're NOT here for art. That's hilarious.

🚩#8: Same as above. They don't care for posing or anything.

On my art they link me, i have a vampire almost staking himself in a state of euphoria.

IMAGINE VAMPIRE GOKU STAKING HIMSELF THAT'S SO FUCKIGN FUNNY MY BRO, THINK YOUR SCAM THROUGH MAYBE

🚩#9: They will price your own work for you. And they'll overshot what we, smaller artists, charge for it.

They'll overshot by a lot.

They want you to be impressed and showing "generosity" usually gets people who need monay into risky situations. That's just plain cruel.

🚩#9: Same as above. Over generosity and eagerness to pay.

They're not even with the sketch, this haven't been an hour, they don't have any work form me but OH GOD they're SO READY to pay you NEED TO KNOW they WANTS TO PAY YOU SO BAD

Lmao yeah it's working out ❤️

THIS ONE IS JUST HILARIOUS BRO I CAN'T EVEN.

ANYWAY let's continue

🚩#10: They don't know me. They don't follow me. They broke every rule on my ToS. They're making me go through a payment method i am unfamiliar and don't use.

They don't care for my process. They're not interested on my sketch.

BE. ADAMANT. ABOUT. YOUR. RULES. AND. PROCESS.

Now, for the beautiful closure of this:

Have a ToS. Don't bend the rules for randos.

Use Invoices. Be sure you're safe.

Use forms if you'd like. Requests through DM and Discord ARE COMMON FOR OTHER ARTISTS. I personally don't like it, i have ADHD.

Being an artist on an online space is dangerous. If you need help, poke an artist you know, see how they operate and if it fits you. Most of them would help you.

🚩#11: goku isn't even on their icon 😭

This is the account that tried to scam me.

#art is life ❤️

[callsign-fox]

Space to Breathe - Bob/Robert Reynolds

Pairing: Bob/Robert Reynolds/Sentry x Fem!Reader/Superhero

No warnings, lots of fluff!

*Could be a continuation of Dance with Me, but can also stand on it's own*

Thank you for all the love on my first one! It's SO much fun to be writing again! xo

Y/N was no stranger to chaos. 

Being the Phoenix meant living in constant unpredictability, and getting close to people like Bucky Barnes and Yelena Belova only sharpened her instinct to brace for the worst. 

She’d faced monsters, corrupt governments—but nothing prepared her for him. He wasn’t a threat she could fight or a mission to complete. He was something else entirely. And that made him dangerous.

Y/N didn’t look back as she walked into the kitchen, but she felt the newcomer Bob’s eyes on her. That invisible thread tugged at her spine—persistent, undeniable. She’d felt it the moment they met, and it terrified her.

Leaning against the counter, arms crossed, her gaze drifted to him. Bucky was already talking, something about Valentina and a plan to take her down for good, but Y/N wasn’t listening.

Beside her, Yelena nudged gently. “You good?”

“I’m fine,” Y/N replied. It was automatic. A lie dressed in calm.

The meeting moved fast—intel, threats, movements. The kind of stuff that used to make Y/N’s skin buzz with adrenaline. But now, it felt muted. Distant. Her focus kept drifting, always back to him.

Bob didn’t say much, but he listened. Closely. His hands were folded in his lap, but they weren’t still—his fingers moved constantly, a nervous habit or something deeper, like he was trying to ground himself.

Once the debrief ended and the others trickled into different rooms, Y/N lingered behind, pretending to refill her coffee. She could feel him behind her before she heard him.

“I’m sorry,” he said softly. 

She turned. “What are you sorry for?” 

He shrugged, gaze lowering. “I don’t belong here. I’m making you uncomfortable, I can see it in your face.” 

“That couldn’t be further from the truth.”

He brushed his fingers through his hair. “I…I just don’t want to be a burden.” 

“You could never be a burden, Bob.” She whispered, smiling up at him. 

His eyes flicked up to meet hers, a curious expression etched on his face. He hesitated for a moment, but finally asked, “Why can I feel you?” 

“I have no idea, but I can feel you too.”

He took a small step closer.

Y/N reached out slowly, her fingers just brushing against his. He started to pull away, then froze. For a moment, neither of them breathed—caught in the quiet weight of something unspoken. But when a door creaked open down the hall, they both flinched, the moment shattering like glass. 

“Alexi, if you touch my toothbrush I’m going to kill you!” Bucky yelled from the hallway. 

Y/N reached behind Bob and grabbed a set of keys that were sitting on the counter. “Come on, I know somewhere we can go.” 

He followed her out the apartment, up the stairs and out the side door that led to the rooftop. The city stretched wide and glowed below, lights flickering like the stars.

Y/N sat first, pulling her knees to her chest. Bob settled beside her, a safe distance apart-but not too far. 

“You don’t like being touched,” Y/N said quietly.

He tensed. “Not usually.” 

“But you let me.” 

“I didn’t want to move,” he admitted, “didn’t want it to stop. It feels…right.” 

That thread tugged again, deep and low in her chest. 

Y/N looked over at him, “Me either.”

The wind was soft up here, cool against their skin, and the sounds of the city below felt miles away. Up here, it was just them—two people weighed down by too much power, too much memory, and a connection neither of them could explain.

Bob leaned back on his hands, his gaze drifting over the skyline. “It’s quiet here.”

Y/N eyes drifted. “That’s why I like it. No questions, no pressure. So much space to breathe.”

He nodded slowly, like he understood. “I don’t remember the last time I felt calm.”

She didn’t speak—just shifted closer, her knee brushing his.

His breath hitched. 

“You don’t have to be anything up here,” She said, voice low. “No powers, no stress. Just…yourself.” 

Bob looked over at her then. Really looked. His eyes were soft now, less guarded, like he was letting her see behind the walls. Her pulse fluttered at the way he studied her—like she was something he didn’t know he needed until she appeared.

“I have to tell you something,” he said softly, voice barely above a whisper. “But I’m scared that if I do… you’ll leave.”

Y/N’s brows knit together, and she tilted her head, her voice steady and warm. “I’m not going anywhere.”

He hesitated, eyes dropping briefly to her lips before meeting her gaze again. “I would really like to kiss you.”

For a second, all she could do was stare, her heart thudding against her ribs. Words tangled in her throat, but one slipped free—quiet, certain. “Yes.”

His brow furrowed. “Yes… what?”

A small smile curved her lips as she moved just a little closer. “Kiss me.”

Bob leaned in slowly, like he was afraid the moment would vanish if he rushed it. His fingers brushed her neck before cupping her cheek gently, grounding himself in the warmth of her skin. She didn’t move, just let him take his time, let him choose her. 

His lips brushed against hers, and an immediate pulse of power thrummed through her body. They had barely touched, yet something inside her ignited—hot and electric.

Y/N gasped, the air catching in her throat, but Bob didn’t move. His lips hovered just above hers, breath mingling with hers in the fragile space between.

“Do you feel that too?” he murmured.

She nodded, unable to speak, her hand finding his chest, fingers curling tightly into his shirt like she needed something—anything—to hold on to. Her body was aching for him, hungry for more.

“Please,” she whispered, voice trembling. “I need more.”

When his lips finally met hers again, it was soft—reverent almost—but beneath it, desperation burned. He kissed her like he was trying to memorize her, like she was the only thing anchoring him in the world. He lit something inside her, a fire that roared to life, and she never wanted it to burn out.

He pulled back just an inch, his forehead resting against hers, like he was anchoring himself there. 

“This feels like...” he exhaled, voice shaking, “home. I don’t feel like I’m breaking anymore.”

Y/N smiled, breathless. “That’s because you’re not.”

Her fingers brushed slowly along his jaw, lingering before her thumb swept across his bottom lip with a teasing softness. Her voice was a whisper, thick with longing. “I don’t think I could ever let you go now.”

Something shattered behind his eyes—walls crumbling, fears dissolving.

He wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her closer. “I’ve been waiting my whole life for someone to say that. And now that you have… I won’t let go. Not unless you ask me to.”

And for once, the chaos quieted.

Not gone. Just... stilled.

They were just two people finding something they didn’t know they were missing.