#support cope and navigate with it

[system-of-a-feather]

I know for a fact certain things in life and certain decisions I made played a large role into the 36-48 hours I was hypomanic for; but today I did realize I'm like 5-6 days late on my weekly testosterone shot and am also wondering how much the likely large dip in testosterone played into that mood instability / irregularity...

[excelsior9173]

officially working on getting on a waitlist for an asd assessment! (unfortunately the system is not as great for adults here. it’s much easier to get seen as a child but everyone decided i was normal- just “shy/quiet/reserved”)

i have suspected for a long time. my sister (who is diagnosed on the spectrum) gave me some self assessments to fill out and compare to her scores and lo and behold exie here scored almost the exact same 😅

have to say i’m not really surprised that these assessments say i have autistic traits (i won’t say i’m autistic until i’ve spoken to some professionals but the behaviours are there!) i have struggled for a really long time with not feeling “normal” and even just having the “yeah there might be something there” brings a lot of relief because it’s like, “I’m not a freak my brain just works different”

[miraclesthroughmayhem]

Embracing Change: Resilience Amid Life's Transitions

Embracing Change: Resilience Amid Life’s Transitions Losing my mother has been a heartbreak like no other. It leaves me feeling as though the ground beneath me has shifted entirely. At the same time, my family and I have been confined to one level of our house during basement renovations. It’s been cramped, chaotic, and overwhelming. Now, as I see the basement taking shape, I’m caught in a mix…

[compassionmattersmost]

The Six Types of Courage in the Journey with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

For those of us living with post-viral chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), the path we walk is not a simple one. Each day brings its own set of challenges, often invisible to the outside world but deeply felt within. Yet, amid the fatigue, the uncertainty, and the pain, there are moments where we are called to draw on reserves of strength we didn’t even know we had. Courage, in its many forms,…

[peachesofteal]

Raspberry Girl Previous + masterlist + AO3 Simon Riley/female reader CW: 18+ daddy kink

It’s too soon. 

The weight of this certainty is nearly too heavy to carry, his footsteps echoing with dread. 

You’re not ready. 

He’s not ready. 

It’s his fault. Selfishly, he’s encouraged your co-dependence, pulled you closer and closer into deeper water where he knew you’d have trouble swimming without him. He thought he’d have more time to help you develop coping strategies, to get you settled, moved out of your apartment and into his house. Now, he’s leaving you alone as you try to navigate an entirely different life while straddling two living situations, without him at your side.  

You’re at his house tonight. It’s becoming more common, three nights turning to four, then five and sometimes even six, letting yourself in before when he gets caught up on base. His brave fawn on stronger legs, taking self assured steps, and following his lead, his guidance. Your comfort in his home, this world he’s created for you, feeds the beast inside his chest, the dark one, the monster curled around your body in the night, possessive and obsessed. It’s a perfectly balanced scale, never tipping too far in one direction, all his parts and pieces perfectly arranged for you, expertly developed so he can love you in every way you need. 

He’s pleased you’re home and already in bed an hour before you’re supposed to be, curled in the middle with your kindle, your blankets and pillows arranged in the usual bird’s nest, lips parted, glasses halfway down the bridge of your nose. 

They became a new rule after he realized you were getting headaches from not using them. 

“What do you think is appropriate?” 

“For my recipe cards?” 

“For screens and your recipe cards, precious girl. Squinting and strainin’ your eyes is what’s causing these headaches.” 

“Oh right.” You nodded, and then lifted your chin. When you have rules, boundaries, you have security, confidence, support. You don’t have to think, agonize, try to step into a skin that doesn’t fit. All the things that worry you, frighten you, overwhelm you, they now belong to him, they’re his to deal with. You just have to focus on the rules. “Wear my glasses when I’m looking at screens or my recipe cards. Got it.” 

“Good girl.” 

He pauses in the doorway. 

You’re kneading. 

It started a week ago in your sleep. You’d find your way to his chest, rocking and rolling overtop his heart, working a rhythm into to his sternum as you slept, a physical manifestation of your peace, your trust, a subconscious recognition of feeling safe, and cared for, and loved. It’s become present in the quiet of the morning or an evening lull too, when you’re relaxed and content, kneading away on a pillow or his thigh. Such a simple, silent thing that says so much.

Knuckles thunk on wood, and you kick beneath the blankets, kindle falling into the pillows, your startle turning to surprise, and then the sweet spread of happiness colors your face. His drug. The way you beam and light up when you see him is the same way you bloom when you’re baking, or talking about baking, or feeding someone. Your bliss gets him high. A gift he could never repay, and something he’ll never give up. You’ve been able to venture outside of your comfort zone more and into his hold, no longer hiding yourself within his walls, cautious steps becoming more self assured. He knows you’ll always struggle, but he’ll always be here, ready to catch you when you fall. 

“Hi daddy.” 

“Hi sweet girl.” He leans over the edge of the bed to brush a kiss across your lips, little whimper falling into his mouth as he takes it farther, tastes you, nips you. You give him more and more, truly limitless in his arms, your home, exploring and testing, discovering both him and yourself. This willingness, this trust, is a precious thing like your heart. And it all belongs to him.

Your throat bobs when he pulls back and tugs his shirt over his head, sneaking a sly glance as he tugs his pants down next. “I need t’get in the shower. Stay put, keep reading your book, I’ll be a few minutes.” 

“Okay.” He’d have you get in with him, but you look so happy, so cozy, fuzzy socks on your feet, cuddled up in a sweatshirt, and he wants to leave you to your peace. 

Since he’s about to ruin it. 

Your hand is small in his, and too cold. The ice he finds there matches your frozen posture, your nervous expression buried beneath snow as you try to put on a brave face. His precious girl. 

“I don’t understand… I’m- a-are you…” you lose your words, hitch of panic in your breath as you scramble to find what’s needed, something, anything to convey the influx of emotions, the quick build of questions, and he squeezes reassuringly. 

“Take your time.” Normally, he’d just stay silent, give you the space and time, but right now, he knows you need more, recognizing the way you’re tearing yourself apart inside your head. You blow out a shaky breath. 

“How long… how long will you be gone?” 

“It’s hard to say, but I think it’ll only be a few weeks.” The flash of fear strikes through your irises like lightning.

“Okay.” You nod, but it doesn’t stop. You just keep nodding, trying to steady yourself, and he doesn’t think you know you’re trembling a bit, lower lip start to peel away.  “What if something bad happens?” It’s a question for the ages, one he’s wagered his entire existence. A longstanding bet with the reaper, one he never made a fuss about.

Now, he’d barter his soul for one more moment.

“Nothing bad is gonna happen, I’m very good at my job.” He tries to soothe you, but you’re already lost, tangled up in a web, one he should have cleaned up before.

“B-but you can’t promise that, right? I mean, you can’t be sure. Right?” 

“I’m going to be just fine, baby. I want you to focus on yourself instead of worrying about me, alright? You’ll follow all your rules and take care of yourself. Do you understand?” You have a faraway look in your eye, responding like he didn’t speak. 

“I’m sorry, I’m not handling this… I feel… I’m overwhelmed, I don’t…” He pulls you close, and you don’t waste a second, placing your cheek to his chest, ear just over his heart. 

“My good girl, following her rules,” you look up at him, so tortured, conflicted and scared, and his heart aches. “There’s no reason to be sorry. I should have prepared you for this, and I didn’t. That’s daddy’s fault, not yours.” You’re drowning. You’re too far underwater, trying to reconcile what you know with what you fear, kicking and swimming against a current that keeps sweeping you out to sea, desperately clinging to him, searching for your lighthouse in the storm. It’s too much, he knew it would be, and if he could put it off he would, but this is one mission he can’t delay. It’s a rescue, in the bloody jungle, one squad already failing to reach the other. He has no choice.

He curves around you, pulls you down into the blankets and pillows, kissing your salt soaked cheeks. “I know you’re scared baby, I know. I’m sorry.” The guilt stings and bites, a serrated blade between his ribs. He did this, it’s the consequences of his failure that you’re facing now, your uncertainty and fear all created by him. 

Your face presses into his neck as he applies pressure to your nape, murmuring against the shell of your ear, surrounding you with himself, blocking out the rest of the world. 

That’s where the two of you stay, long past the conversation, your tears turning to quiet whimpers before you fall asleep, snuffling against his skin, still holding him tight. 

“I’ll be good daddy, I promise.” He’s got a duffel slung over his shoulder and a backpack at his feet, truck running in the driveway, waiting. He should have left ten minutes ago. Fifteen even, but he can’t let go, still standing in the foyer cupping your face, memorizing every detail. There’s not much he can do now to fix his mistake. It will have to wait until he comes back, a razed city left waiting to be rebuilt.

“I know you will sweetheart,” he brushes his knuckles over the apple of your cheek, “everything is going to be fine.”

“And you’ll call when you can?” He kisses your forehead. 

“I’ll call when I can.” He’ll need to release all of this before he steps on the plane, but for now he allows himself to feel it, ruminate and own it. He’s worried. This is his fault, he’s pulled the rug out from beneath you without any semblance of a warning, he’s changing your routine, your life, again, uprooting you just when you’ve started to feel comfortable. You’re vulnerable, and he’s abandoning you. Ripping a freshly healed wound wide and pouring salt in it.

You lean in, turning your cheek to press your ear over his heart. “I’m going to miss you.” 

“I’m going to miss you too sweet girl, so much. But I’ll be home soon, I promise.” His younger self would scoff at him, chastise him for making such a promise, but it’s different now. 

He’d dig himself out of grave all over again just to crawl home to you. 

[fosteringinsc]

Navigating the Honeymoon Period: A Guide for Foster Parents

Navigating the Honeymoon Period: A Guide for Foster Parents. Becoming a foster parent is a rewarding and life-changing decision. As you embark on this journey of providing a safe and loving home for a child in need, you may encounter various challenges and phases. One important stage in the foster care experience is the “Honeymoon Period.” In this blog post, we will delve into what the Honeymoon…

[wendichester]

I'm gonna be a little bit greedy because I loved the first one. 😁

I can't think of a particular situation, but can you just give me your best, heart-wrenching dean x reader angst? I know you'll do great cuz you write Dean so well.

Thanks love your stuff so much!

⊹ ࣪ ˖ ghost of you,

summary. you're gone and dean doesn't know how to cope

pairing. dean winchester x reader ; super angsty!

wordcount. 499

notes. first, thank you for the leap of faith!!! i hope this manages to bring a tiny tear to your eyes ehe 🥺

Dean Winchester is good at losing people.

He’s been doing it his whole life.

His mom. His dad. Jo. Ellen. Bobby. Cas.

And now you.

You, who was supposed to be the exception. The one person he swore he wouldn’t lose, the one person he couldn’t lose, because if he did—

If he did, there’d be nothing left of him.

But life doesn’t care about what Dean Winchester swears.

It takes anyway.

He doesn’t remember much about the hunt.

He remembers blood. Your blood.

Pooling beneath you, warm and red and so much, spilling through his fingers as he pressed down, as he begged—

"Stay with me, sweetheart, c’mon, please—”

You were shaking. Your lips were turning pale. But you still managed to smile, soft and sad.

“Dean,” you whispered, and he almost screamed, because it sounded too much like goodbye.

But you died before he could make you promise it wasn’t.

The worst part isn’t the funeral. It isn’t the silence, the emptiness, the quiet ache of absence in every part of his life.

It’s the almosts.

The moments where he forgets.

Like when he’s driving, and he sees something stupid on the side of the road and thinks, She’s gonna love this, only to remember—

You’re gone.

Or when he wakes up after a hunt, body sore, reaching for you without thinking—

Only to find the other side of the bed cold.

Or when he hears someone laughing, and for half a second, his heart lifts, convinced it’s you—

Only for the world to gut him again.

You haunt him more than any ghost ever could.

Sam worries.

Dean knows he does. He sees it in the way his brother watches him, cautious and quiet, waiting for the day Dean breaks.

But there’s nothing to break.

One night, Dean dreams of you.

Not in the way he usually does—not memories, not shadows, not echoes of the past.

You’re there.

Standing in the bunker’s kitchen, barefoot and beautiful, wearing one of his old shirts, looking at him like he’s the only thing in the world that matters.

“Hey, baby,” you say, soft and sweet, like nothing’s changed.

Dean can’t breathe.

He rushes toward you, grabs your face, touches your skin like he’s trying to memorize the way it feels before you disappear again.

You don’t disappear.

You lean into him, warm and real, fingers tracing the lines of his jaw. “I’m here.”

Dean swallows hard. His vision blurs.

“This isn’t real,” he whispers.

You smile. “No.”

And then, quieter—

“But I wish it was.”

Dean squeezes his eyes shut, presses his forehead to yours. “I can’t do this without you.”

You kiss him. Soft and slow and final.

“Yes, you can.”

When he wakes up, there’s an ache so deep inside him that he doesn’t know how he’s still breathing.

But he does.

Because that’s all he can do.

Because no matter how much he loves you—

No matter how much he misses you—

Ghosts don���t come back.

ꔛ. navigation 𓂃˖ ࣪ all drabbles ; compatibility readings ; support my work .ᐟ

want be part of the taglist.ᐣ ⋆.˚ ★— @iloveeveryoneyoureamazing ⋆ @deans-daydream ⋆ @taurus0queenie33 ⋆ @ambiguous-avery ⋆ @krabog ⋆ @itsdearapril ⋆ @nymphet-quenn ⋆ @bluemerakis ⋆ @titsout4jackles ⋆ @lyarr24 ⋆ @hauntedrose555 ⋆ @chevroletdean ⋆ @dulcescorderitas ⋆ @blackmarketfruitrollups ⋆ @impala67rollingthroughtown ⋆ @rulesareshadesofgrey ⋆ @nervoussystems ⋆ @daryls-luvrr ⋆ @sunnyteume ⋆ @drakelover78 ⋆ @angelblqde ⋆ @mostlymarvelgirl ⋆ @whisperingdaze ⋆ @funkenniffler ⋆ @bossyblondie ⋆ @lieutenantchaos ⋆ @iluvnewtie ⋆ @dyhsversion ⋆ @lovewolfspirit ⋆ @kayleighwinchester ⋆ @s0urw00lf ⋆ @cursednevermore ⋆ @onelonelybitch ⋆ @americanvenom13 ⋆ @iluvdeanwinchester ⋆ @idk6505 ⋆ @devilslittlehelper ⋆ @cloverleaf20 ⋆ @giggles1026 ⋆ @idontwannabehere7 ⋆ @beakaleak32 ⋆ @ocelotlist51 ⋆ @lelapine ⋆ @pwin098 ⋆ @lacysretribution ⋆ @globetrotter28 ⋆ @i-love-gvf ⋆ @lemonswinchester ⋆ @4k1vrr ⋆ @bejeweledinterludes ( continues in the comments )

[psychofright]

I love the AOS versions of Kirk and Spock especially. Not only because they’re just both so catty and downright bitchy towards each other and that’s a funny dynamic, or just because I love the casting choices. Not just because I love watching characters who start as near complete opposites and almost enemies (one driven purely by what seems to be instinct/emotion, the other by what seems to be logic) develop deep respect and love for each other. Mainly, I love their AOS characterizations because they are both so deeply flawed when you get down to it, and it adds a whole layer of depth and complexity to them that other versions of them seem to sometimes lack.

AOS Kirk is a complete product of trauma. And yes, he’s incredibly intelligent to start with. But at the end of the day, his charming and deeply caring personality, his recklessness and disregard for his own safety over that of others, his ability to instinctually know things are going to happen before they happen based on very little logic or evidence to support his “hunch”, his skills to calmly and effectively navigate crisis scenarios, and his general lack of respect for and aversion to (most) authority figures is all birthed of trauma. When you go through the type of shit he went through as a child, it literally rewires your brain and how you process things, and how you notice things. And that makes him a great Captain yes, but he also has very obvious (probably a list of honestly) anxiety disorders, and as such is hyper vigilant and unable to cope with periods of down time (at least, at the start).

And then there’s AOS Spock. He tries his best to be a perfect visage of calm cool and collected, seemingly completely driven by logic, but he’s actually just constantly masking. But then Kirk comes along and is this wholly illogical thing who some how always ends up being right in his predictions (that, to Spock, seemingly are improbable and nearly fantastical, and almost always driven by emotion rather than evidence) and it effortlessly derails Spock’s entire visage of calm and emotional neutrality. He literally has an on-screen meltdown in the 2009 movie when Kirk provokes him after meeting Prime Spock. And at the end of the day, AOS Spock is an overwhelmingly emotional individual who has practically been told since childhood by his society that is unacceptable and wrong. But it doesn’t change the fact that he is, so he just finds ways to bury that side of him and mask it (successfully, even). At least he does until Kirk comes along and Spock hates him automatically, because well, Kirk is a mirror image of Spock, it’s just that the reflection is of his highly emotional side that he tries with great effort to hide, and it’s staring back at him with bright blue eyes and completely unavoidable.

[bloodless-blair]

Why Dark Fiction, Kink, and Taboo Stories Matter for Mental Health

A trauma-informed, psychology-backed defense

1. Writing and Creativity as Healing Tools

Writing, drawing, roleplay, and other forms of creative expression help people externalize their internal chaos.

“Expressive writing helps individuals process difficult emotions and traumatic experiences, contributing to improved mental and physical health.”

– [Pennebaker & Smyth, 2016]

This is why some trauma survivors turn to:

Dark fiction

Kink writing

Taboo themes

Horror, violence, or morally grey characters

It’s not about glorifying harm. It’s about creating a safe and controlled space to confront emotional pain, explore agency, and begin healing

2. Creativity Works Like Therapy

Much like art therapy, engaging in creative tasks (even ones with heavy or “inappropriate” themes) reduces symptoms of:

PTSD

Depression

Anxiety

“Creative activities often lead to a state of 'flow'… associated with mindfulness and relaxation. This can empower individuals to navigate trauma more effectively.”

– [Stuckey & Nobel, 2010]

Creating (or consuming) taboo fiction allows the person to:

Control the narrative

Feel seen in experiences that are often stigmatized

Build emotional resilience through storytelling and catharsis

While writing alone won’t heal trauma, psychologists recognize it as a valid coping tool. Expressive writing lets people process pain, explore emotions, and regain a sense of control—especially for those living with PTSD or deep emotional wounds.

3. Horror, Kink, and Taboo as Exposure Therapy

Trauma often involves fear, powerlessness, or shame—kinks and horror fiction let people safely reenact, challenge, or reclaim those dynamics.

“Horror media… taps into deep-seated fears and anxieties… [and] aligns with exposure therapy by letting individuals confront fear in a controlled setting.”

– [Foa & Kozak, 1986]

“This controlled exposure can help trauma survivors regain a sense of agency and control.”

– [Pittman & Karle, 2015]

This is why kinks like BDSM, powerplay, or even fetish content about fear or degradation can feel therapeutic when engaged consensually and responsibly.

4. Bibliotherapy: How Fiction Helps Us Cope

Reading about dark topics also helps. That’s called Bibliotherapy—and it works.

Bibliotherapy—the use of fiction and reading for emotional healing—has been recommended by mental health professionals for decades. It’s not just self-soothing; it’s structured, reflective, and evidence-based.

“Bibliotherapy has a reported success rate ranging from 68% to 84%, with some studies showing even 100% improvement.”

– [Shechtman, 2009]

Reading fiction (especially dark, challenging, or symbolic stories) gives people safe access to difficult feelings. Much like EMDR therapy creates “safe space” scenarios to revisit trauma, bibliotherapy lets readers explore pain indirectly, without immediate real-life stakes. This allows for desensitization, insight, and the development of personal agency—all crucial for healing.

Fiction doesn’t just distract—it builds inner resilience.

5. In Conclusion

Not every dark or explicit piece of media is “problematic.” For many, it’s survival. It’s where we:

Rehearse safety

Reclaim control

And explore trauma-driven feelings in a safe, harmless way

Shaming trauma-informed art, kink, or dark fiction does not protect victims—it isolates them.

sources undercut

[julietcpulet]

Jinmao: Not a shojo romance

I feel people who come to Apothecary Diaries have a shojo expectation of the romance. Given that’s what the anime is labeled as, makes sense. Guy and girl are gonna meet, maybe misunderstandings and some bullying and awkwardness, a kiss and then bam, romance. Nope that’s not how this one works. If you read the light novels, you know. It’s twisty and complicated and not at all quick to work out. But that doesn’t mean it isn’t worth sticking around for. The anime has actually done incredibly well fleshing out that dynamic within a shojo / seinen context and even adding other aspects to it that I really appreciate (the moment in the gif is one of them, her checking for fever isn’t in the LN). That being said, there is more to it and in a time where we’re used to instant reward Jinamo isn’t a payoff you’re going to get right away, or close to soon at all but if you’re someone who can appreciate growth and crumbs then maybe their journey might be for you.

So let’s lay out some perspective (spoilers below):

Jinshi went into the rear palace at around age 14, had to suppress his manhood with drugs and has been leered at by older creepy women and men his whole life while having to deal with the sex lives of others, including his own father. Maomao was mutilated by her mother, abandoned by her father and even when he came back it had less to do with her and more to do with his obsession over her mom. Her sisters pushed sexual acts on her to make her understand being a courtesan, they left her alone until she learned to be emotionless (she wasn’t born autistic, it’s learned behavior and coping mechanisms from no one caring how she felt) and her adopted father took her in but even he can look at her in a disturbed way due to her intellectual curiosity. Her intensity with medicine and bent towards self-harm are due to a lack of self-protective mechanisms because no one was there to protect her in childhood. There’s evidence even to suggest that she only experiments with poison in an effort to feel something and as she beings to feel more emotions in a normal way, she experiments on herself less and leans more towards medicine in its simple form for healing and not in poison. Luomen may have taken her in, her “sisters” kept her around, fed and did what was necessary for her but no one gave her the love and care she needed. It’s why she views love in a cynical, dismissive way and very much thinks she cannot or almost should not experience it.

With Jinshi, he has had no healthy relationship with a woman since he was young. Older women are predatory towards him due to his looks, he’s watched both his “mothers” be consorts their entire lives and waste away due to jealousy, political issues and lack of affection and Suiren, while affectionate can treat him too much like the palace prince, alternately spoiling and disciplining in a way that’s dehumanizing. He didn’t have a father figure, we can argue about Gaoshun but he frequently mentions wanting to return to his own family and end his assignment with Jinshi, not to mention his exasperation, so to me the implication is while there’s a mild affection for having seen the young boy grow up, he doesn’t consider him family. So overall Jinshi has spent his whole life being watched over by strangers who feel no particular attachment to him while simultaneously getting leered at by inappropriate court women and men.

With all of these factors between the two combined, expecting these two to have a fluffy relationship is unrealistic. They were stunted emotionally, forced to grow up too soon, abused verbally and physically in different forms and traumatized. Left without real parental or friendly support, given no emotional tools to navigate the world and told to figure it out themselves. It’s a miracle they’re not weirder than they are or more horrible to each other. They’re two people who’ve spent their whole lives having no one give two cares about them as people suddenly have one person who’s very intent on knowing them for them and that is not something either is used to. Maomao’s seeming disinterest in Jinshi isn’t about him, it’s about his position. Everything else that has to do with him personally she takes note of, his habits, his moods, how he responds to her, even the smell of his incense, those minute observations tell us she cares enough to consider him. With Jinshi, he is like the young boy who teases the girl at first because he likes her. He wants to get a rise out of her because she’s so disinterested. But that doesn’t stay forever. He’s a boy who’s had to act like a twisted version of a man his whole life but finally been presented with the opportunity to actually be a man for once in pursuing a woman he likes. When Jinshi decides to actually go after Maomao in earnest, his maturity grows too.

Maomao’s telling herself that things don’t affect her isn’t “truth”, it’s her way of deflecting, if she says it then that makes something true that likely isn’t. Examples being, acting as if she didn’t know Jinshi’s identity for the longest time, same with Loulan and how at one point she says she barely feels pain then almost cuts off her own finger before Jinshi stops her in the epilogue of LN 4. The whole moment is brought up to correlate her crying over the loss of her friends, being out of the palace and away from Jinshi but acting like she doesn’t care to her then over-experimenting and almost harming herself. This mimics her mother and Lakan’s twisted beginning but the sense is the same, Maomao doesn’t know how to deal with emotion so she pushes it away and excuses it as something else. The point being that she’s a hurt young woman dealing with a lot in not the best way and Jinshi has his own way of dealing with things too, usually by being a bit childish. When they manage to make breakthroughs they’re small but meaningful.

Their interactions can be uncomfortable at times because these are two characters who aren’t comfortable in their own skin. One had to fake being 5 years older than he was and the other had to be a parent to the only ones she’s had and those around her so acts like she’s 10 years older than her own age. Ironically as they’re interacting with each other they’re finally getting to be the young adults they never had the room to be. So yes that petulant, sometimes aggressive and childish back and forth they get into can be uncomfortable because it’s just two young adults trying to figure out what love, friendship and partnership actually might look like as they never saw it modeled properly or have experienced it. It’s awkward, slow going and imperfect but interesting if you’re willing to stick around for it.

Like Maomao running her hand through Jinshi’s hair or him kissing her on the forehead while she’s sleeping and having Suiren prepare her a bath after exhausting herself. It’s moments that show a mature, measured kind of affection they’re growing into together. It also exemplifies the different kinds of affection they show. Jinshi is more the outwardly affectionate type, expressing a want to marry her, giving her the hair stick, even the brand to prove he’ll allay her fears, while Maomao’s affection is expressed in how she cares for Jinshi, worries about his health and is thinking about him when she doesn’t need to. Different but equally complementary and necessary.

Remember too this is set during an imperial dynasty, there are going to be weird complicated roles and things we don’t see play out in the modern world now. And yes while the author could just have said throw that out and had them have an unrealistic romance across societal lines, I’m glad she’s made it realistic in how they’re struggling to make it happen across the boundary of the imperial society they live in.

Lastly, it’s fantasy. If some of the things these characters did happened in real life would they be “toxic”, maybe, although we could argue about that too but it’s not real. This is a fictional couple so sometimes I think people just want to stamp their modern view on it and say it’s a certain way when they can’t or don’t want to see the larger narrative at play. Believe me, if he really did assault her, or was a pedo or doing something completely gross I wouldn’t be writing these long monologues about them being even an interesting fictional couple. Because I do think there’s a line to be drawn in books, I don’t even like most romantasy today because the MCs are too disgusting and the FMCs unrealistic for me if that says anything. But this isn’t real life where a lot of us wouldn’t even talk to someone like Maomao who’s burning her arm on a regular basis for experiments, we’d be telling her to get help. It’s a fictional couple in a fictional world where there can be more twisty plots and that’s ok because we don’t need to take it so seriously. Watch the anime, read the light novels and enjoy it for the mental break it’s all supposed to be. Let those who enjoy the romance enjoy it and if that’s not for you then hit fast forward and there’s plenty of mystery to be had. That’s the good thing about Apothecary Diaries is it kind of has a sprinkling of genres for everyone. As for me, I’ll be excited for every Jinmao crumb along the way and writing these I’m sure annoyingly long rants I’m glad if anyone reads 😂

[zeroseuniverse]

Revenge Food

Word Count: 816 Summary:He shrugged. “Just saying. If it makes you feel better, I knew they were trash from the start.” You groaned, throwing your head back against the couch. “Then why didn’t you tell me?!” Pairing:Seungmin X reader

Taglist: @sh0dor1

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You sat on the couch, arms crossed tightly over your chest, staring at the floor with a blank expression. The weight of betrayal sat heavy in your stomach, a sickening reminder of just how much trust you’d misplaced. Seungmin sat beside you, one leg crossed over the other, scrolling through his phone like this wasn’t a monumental crisis.

After a long silence, he sighed. “I don’t know why you’re surprised. Betrayal never comes from an enemy.”

Your head snapped up to glare at him. “Wow. Thanks. That helps so much.”

He shrugged. “Just saying. If it makes you feel better, I knew they were trash from the start.”

You groaned, throwing your head back against the couch. “Then why didn’t you tell me?!”

“Oh, yeah, because that always works,” he deadpanned. “‘Hey, bestie, your favorite person is garbage, please stop trusting them.’ That would’ve gone over so well.”

You shot him a glare, but the corner of his lips twitched, betraying amusement. He nudged your arm with his elbow. “Come on. Let’s go get food or something. That way, instead of being sad, you can be sad and full.”

You sighed. “…Fine.”

Seungmin stood up, grabbing his keys. “See? I’m an excellent best friend.”

“You literally just told me I should’ve expected to be betrayed.”

“Yeah, but I’m also buying you food.” He smirked. “That makes up for it.”

“…Debatable.”

“Too late. No take-backs.”

And just like that, Seungmin managed to make you feel a little bit lighter. In his own weird, slightly emotionally-stunted way, he was comforting you.

Even if his version of comfort included zero actual emotional support.

Seungmin led the way out of your apartment, his hands tucked into the pockets of his hoodie as you trudged behind him. You were still upset—rightfully so—but the fact that he was actively trying (in his own questionable way) made it a little easier to breathe.

As you walked toward his car, he tilted his head toward you. “So, what are you in the mood for? Comfort food or revenge food?”

You frowned. “What’s the difference?”

“Comfort food is, like, ramen or ice cream. Something that makes you feel warm inside.” He unlocked the car and slid into the driver’s seat. “Revenge food is messy, greasy, and will make you sick later. Like an ungodly amount of fries. You eat it while plotting someone’s downfall.”

You snorted as you buckled in. “And which one do you think I need?”

Seungmin started the car, shooting you a sideways glance. “Oh, definitely revenge food. You look like you’re two seconds away from committing a crime.”

You groaned dramatically, throwing your head back. “Ugh. Why are you like this?”

“Because you’d be miserable if I were normal,” he replied smoothly. “Now, let’s go get the greasiest food imaginable so you can emotionally recover while slowly clogging your arteries.”

You rolled your eyes, but the corners of your lips twitched. As much as you wanted to stay buried in your emotions, Seungmin wasn’t going to let you.

As you pulled up to the drive-thru of a fast-food place, he turned to you. “Alright. What’s your order of destruction?”

You scanned the menu, pretending to think. “Large fries, a burger, and a milkshake.”

He raised a brow. “Weak.”

Your jaw dropped. “Excuse me?”

He hummed. “If you’re gonna spiral, do it right. Two large fries. Add nuggets. And get a second milkshake in case you drop the first one out of dramatic frustration.”

You stared at him. “How are you so good at this?”

“I’ve known you for years. Plus, I am a professional at emotionally repressed coping mechanisms,” he said proudly before turning to the drive-thru speaker.

The order was placed, and soon enough, you were both sitting in the parking lot, tearing into the food like it held all the answers to your problems.

Seungmin grabbed a fry and waved it in the air. “Okay, now’s the part where you either vent or plot your revenge. Dealer’s choice.”

You chewed your burger, thinking. “I mean… I could start an elaborate social takedown.”

He nodded approvingly. “Classic.”

“Or I could just let karma do its thing.”

He made a face. “Boring, but mature. I hate it.”

You rolled your eyes. “What do you think I should do?”

Seungmin took a long sip of his milkshake before answering. “I think you should eat these fries and remember that you don’t need fake people in your life. If someone’s willing to betray you, they’re not worth your energy.” He shot you a look. “And no, that’s not me being nice. It’s just facts.”

You blinked, a little surprised by the sincerity. “…That was actually solid advice.”

“Gross, right?” He shuddered. “Don’t expect it often.”

You chuckled, shaking your head. Maybe Seungmin wasn’t the best at emotional support, but he was the best at being there. And in that moment, that was enough.

[delusionalwritingsofagay]

Bruce Wayne Head Canons

Bruce and Y/N met in their early childhood when Y/N's family and bruces meet at a fancy gala for the influential families in gotham.

They bond over their shared loneliness, as both are somewhat isolated due to their families status.

They often stuck together at the fancy parties they were made to go to.

After the death of bruces' parents, Bruce changed a lot due to the trauma. Bruce eventually found comfort in Y/N during it, accepting his friends support.

Y/N was quietly supportive, offering an understanding ear and a shoulder to lean on, helping Bruce cope with his grief. However, he never treated Bruce like glass, which he appreciated.

As children, they were often affectionate exchanging hugs when they thought the other needed them.

Bruce always brought him as his plus one or his date to events and obligations even before they began dating.

As they entered their teenage years, Y/N started to realize he had feelings for Bruce, finding himself attracted to his deep sense of justice and pretty face though he kept it hidden due to the worryof disrupting their friendship.

Bruce became fiercely protective of Y/N and took on the role of the knight in shining armour/guard dog

After a heartfelt confession from Y/N, they decided to date officially, navigating the vulnerabilities that surfaced due to their childhood history. Bruce often took Y/N on spontaneous dates that they both would enjoy.

Bruce is protective, obviously because they live in gotham.

In their relationship, Y/N often serves as the grounding force for Bruce.

Alfred is the one who sat them both down to give them the talk.

They experiment with intimacy, from soft, passionate kisses to playful teasing. Bruce loves to surprise Y/N with romantic gestures that lead to intimate moments, like candlelit dinners that end in deep kisses and heated discussions about their feelings.

After sex both are quite nurturing, often holding each other close and whispering reassuring words.

Y/N helps Bruce manage the challenges of being the vigilante while maintaining their relationship.

Y/N helps clean Bruce up after Bruce spent the night going around gotham as a vigilante

Tagging : @r0ttingpvppy

[catboybiologist]

Can I do one of those sappy "highlight/visibility" posts? It's not my usual vibe, but this is my first transgender day of remembrance since starting HRT and coming out to a few friends, and it has me feeling some kind of way.

So here's to the trans people that didn't "know they were different" from day one. The ones that don't have the stories about playing with dolls, or monster trucks, or wearing clothes atypical for their AGAB. The ones who took their first doses of estrogen and didn't have an immediate parting of the clouds, or lifting of a fog, but rather started a journey.

The trans people that had a growing seed of discomfort and no words to describe it. The ones with the vague horror of inhabiting a body that was betraying them but didn't know in what way. The ones that may have dissociated to cope and buried it deep.

The ones who are fighting and navigating through it now. The ones who are still unsure to take that first step.

The ones who figured it out on the other side. The ones who had to chisel and create who they were. The ones with a complicated relationship with their actual gender in addition to their AGAB. The ones who created who they are, and came out as a happy, loving person, despite not feeling like their identity was "defined" somewhere internally.

You are not alone, you are loved, and you are supported. You *will* make it, and you will be happier for it. You are welcome in this community, no matter what. You have the right to discover yourself. Your pain is real, but your identity is too. Every trans experience is different and beautiful in its own way.

[indiaalphawhiskey]

India, I hope you don’t mind me asking this, but I’ve noticed that something you really value about Nicola is how vocal she is when it comes to different social causes, how she consistently speaks up in different ways. That’s honestly something I admire too.

So my question is: how do you personally deal with the fact that L and H aren’t very outspoken when it comes to activism or social issues, especially when that’s something that really matters to you? And even more so considering that people around them have been called out as problematic.

I’ve especially seen you talk more about Harry, and he’s often labeled a “yes-man” or called out for his privilege because of the people he calls “friends.” How do you navigate all that and still feel comfortable supporting him?

Hi, love. So, this is an extremely complex question with no simple answer, but I'm going to answer it as best I can. I don't expect people to agree with me, nor do I expect people to think what I'm doing is inherently right or enough. Conversely, I'm not here to debate these choices with strangers on the internet. This is just me, a human, coping with the realities of the world and trying my best.

I've worked in humanitarian aid for six years and it's been very humbling for my personal ethics. What do I mean by that? I mean that I've seen, first hand, titans of the sector -- and I mean people who have been on the ground for literal decades, who have done this every day of their working life until their literal dying breath (I am not exaggerating) -- constantly grapple with the very real, very tangible consequences of what I foolishly thought were "easy, obvious" questions, with "inherently right and wrong" answers. It has made me extremely aware of how little I truly understand about the hand of global politics in what should be universal human rights and what it really means to stand ten toes down and speak out when you genuinely have something to lose, both personally and professionally.

Because, the truth is, most of us do not have anything to lose. Some of us do, of course, but not all of us. Certainly not me. My livelihood was aligned with my ethics, everyone I respected, respected my ethics, everyone I worked with expected me to speak out. My life was (and is) very easy in that regard. And therefore, it's very easy for me to look like a "good person", because I'm doing the right thing with nothing at stake. But who would I be if I truly had to sacrifice something for my ethics? What if my career, my safety, the safety of my loved ones, my relationship with people who I have loved my whole life, were threatened? Would I be brave? Would I speak out? Would I stand ten toes down? I truly don't know.

Every day I break bread with people whose political and ethical views don't necessarily align with mine, because the truth of my life is that I can't sanitize it so that I only have relationships with the people who agree with me. That's not pragmatic, and more than that, I don't know that I'm personally brave enough to do that.

What I learned about Nicola on the Bridgerton world tour is that she's an exceptionally brave person, because she can do all of these things in the midst of the biggest break of her career, which she has worked towards since she was nine years old, even in the face very real consequences to her personal and professional life. I love her for it. I aspire to it. It makes her so, so, so wildly beautiful to me.

But, what I also learned is that not a lot of people are brave, never mind exceptionally so -- not her co-stars, not Harry, not Louis, not any of the boys, and not me. And, if you have decided you can only stan/love people who are because that's how you choose to utilize your support, then that is a decision you've made and you're welcome to it. But, I don't know that I could personally live up to that standard, so holding celebrities to it -- even celebrities I truly love -- feels hypocritical. This is not me excusing their silence. I'm acutely aware that they've been silent, and it's top of mind when I think about them, all the time. I won't ever forget it.

That means that I'm never going to stop wanting them to do good. I'm never going to stop hoping that they do speak out (all of them, because I hold all the boys to the same standard). I'm never going to stop hoping that they distance themselves from people with questionable reputations. But, until I can hold myself to my own moral standards without a shadow of a doubt, I can only assume that others are doing the same within their personal and professional limitations.

I understand if that's not enough for people, but everyone has to decide that red line for themselves. I'm not here to convince you to support people who aren't living up to your moral standards. I've just learned through my work that I don't know anything. I'm not as smart, or as kind, or inherently as good as I think I am. I'm just currently in circumstances that allow for me to be.

[wendichester]

hiii! if this is out of your comfort zone then please feel free to just ignore this! but i was wondering if i could request dean and sam as reader’s overprotective big brothers? but also that reader is on the autism spectrum? i’m not sure how good my plot is but i was thinking something where they are getting breakfast at a diner and the waitress makes a small comment on something the reader is doing, like stimming or talking too quietly, and sam and dean just both get really defensive. but the reader is more on the rational side and just feels embarrassed and wants them to stop. sorry if this is crappy, i’ve never requested something before but i love your works 😭🙏

｡𖦹°‧ don't make a scene,

summary. people can be mean, but luckily, your two big bros will always have your back

pairing. big bros!sam + dean winchester x reader genre. fluff

wordcount. 502

notes / warnings. just overall soft protectiveness // thank you oh so much for requesting this sweets 🩷

The diner smells like pancakes and bacon, the comforting kind of greasy you’ve come to love. You’re sitting between Sam and Dean, both of them crowding you in a little too closely, just the way they do when they’re being extra protective.

Sam's talking to you about the case you're working on, voice low and soothing. Dean's half-listening, chewing on his breakfast, but his eyes are always scanning. Always watching.

You tap your fingers against the side of your coffee mug, a small rhythm, just to focus. It’s calming, and it helps. You can hear the world around you, but it’s quieter with the soft thrum of your own little movement.

The waitress comes over, her steps light, a smile on her face that doesn't quite reach her eyes as she sets a plate of eggs in front of Sam. She glances over at you, noticing the way your hand is stilling for a moment before the tapping starts up again.

“You okay, hon?” she asks, her voice too bright. Too fake. "You seem... like you’re lost in your head."

You freeze, fingers pausing. You don’t know if it’s the question itself or the tone that makes you feel a little small. The tapping stops for a moment, but then it starts again, quieter now, just a little out of place.

You glance up, trying to smile, but it doesn’t quite reach your face. “I’m fine, thank you.”

But Dean doesn’t miss a beat. His eyes narrow, and his voice drops to that protective growl you know all too well.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Dean’s tone is sharp, his knife forgotten on his plate.

The waitress blinks, surprised by the sudden edge in his voice. Sam, ever the peacemaker, glances at you, checking if you’re okay before looking back at the waitress.

“She’s fine,” Sam says smoothly, giving her a polite smile. “She just has a way of coping. Don’t worry about it.”

The waitress nods, awkwardly backing away as Sam shoots her a gentle, reassuring look, and Dean’s still glaring at her like she might’ve just insulted you.

You shrink back into the booth, heat rising in your cheeks. You hate it when they get all defensive. It’s not necessary, and it makes you feel weird, like you’re a kid again, too loud or too quiet.

“Guys,” you mumble, voice small and embarrassed. “Please don’t. I’m fine.”

Sam looks down at you, his hand hovering near yours. He squeezes it gently, his thumb brushing over the back of your hand.

“We know, kid,” he says quietly, his voice a comfort. “But no one messes with you.”

Dean grumbles, his hand sliding across the table to steal a slice of bacon from your plate. “Yeah, well, if she’s gonna comment on you, she can deal with me.”

You smile a little despite yourself, the tension easing as the two of them bicker over the last of the food.

You might be embarrassed, but you’ve always known—you’re never really alone when they’re around.

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[bearofohu]

something i dont see talked a lot about in layton fandom is that hershels a hoarder. there are multiple mentions made in in blurbs, dialogue and even cutscenes that bring up how how much of a cluttered labyrinth of papers, books & items laytons office is

we dont see his flat much but i remember a dialogue blurb from luke somewhere in the og trilogy that mentions its even worse than his office (which is a little telling bc his flat looked fine in the cutscene from when claire was still alive). it’s also said that luke is the reason his office and flat look even slightly presentable. technically a combined effort from luke & rosa—but come the og trilogy it’s basically just luke

there could be a multitude reasons why he has this problem. personally i doubt level-5 intended it to be anything more than a character quirk of a genius, as messy spaces is a trope of that archetype. but the thing is, it’s not just messy, it’s very notably cluttered. its described as difficult to navigate through when its not cleaned up. it’s described as a labyrinth at one point. its easy to just chalk it up to a harmless quirk, but its also reasonable imo to take a more introspective route and interpret it as a byproduct of grief

in real life theres often more than one thing contributing to hoarding behaviors developing in adults but the loss of a loved one is often a big trigger of what causes the problem to become notable. grief is one word for a vast spectrum of emotions but becoming more adverse by the thought of discarding or losing things is a common psychological way to cope against the anxiety grief can cause, which can very easily add up. and it should be noted that laytons immense emotional attachment to the tophat would put him in a position where hoarding urges unfortunately thrive—emotional attachments to objects

on the bright side however—hoarding is very much something a person can work on. it’s not easy, nothing like this ever is, but it can be worked on. and personally i think what did it for hershel was realizing that after luke had moved, letting his spaces look the way they were previously would basically be saying that it didnt matter to him how much fussing luke did so his space could be nicer—and it very much did matter to him. so over time and with emotional support from rosa & flora he works and works on it

come new world of steam and hes not perfect—but hes a lot better, better enough that he can recognize when things are getting bad on his own and correct it. and now when luke drops by his rental place in steam bison and has nothing to clean hes caught between pride and pacing around restlessly bc hershel just auto completed his main quest objective