#until recently when i've finally begun to embrace it

[idiosyncraticrednebula]

The backlash against Frozen, which, from my observation, has cooled down (that isn't a joke, I swear-) quite a bit over the past few years, was less based on the quality of the movie itself and more on the fact that its massive success and reach really overshadowed a lot of other movies that came out prior to it and after it and was getting credited for stuff that had already been done before plenty of times, and in many cases, in those exact movies. This is why, to this day, many fans STILL refuse to give Tangled its props without trying to put Frozen down in some way. In their eyes, Tangled should have gotten the glory and accolades Frozen received, but did not, and that made them quite jealous. Overall, Frozen is far from a bad movie. It's a great movie with a great message, characters, music and does actually deserve the success and recognition it got, and some fans need to stop being so salty about it and uplift their fav movies without putting Frozen down so they get the proper appreciation they deserve as well. Although, yes, the credit this movie got for allegedly introducing themes, archetypes and tropes that had already been seen before in Disney, including movies set in a fairytale world with heroines as the protags, was undoubtedly the most annoying part about its success and is part of the reason why many tried to drag this movie and its main leads.

[bokettochild]

Hey Ketto, I'm not sure if you are taking any requests rn, but I've had a rough time of it recently and if it's no bother or hassle, could I request a fic where Time gets comforted by Warriors? Something with cuddles and hair petting, and Time getting to be held. Only if it's no bother. - Nick @thesacredtwink

Of course, Nick!

Sorry I didn't see this until just recently, but I whipped up something for you as soon as I could. I hope it helps, luv, and if you want more please do not hesitate to ask!

Time has been acting strange since the last switch.

At first, none of them questioned it, after all, leaving the ranch made them all a bit down, Time especially however, their leader usually sprung back to himself within a few days of travel time, going back to making jokes that made the others groan and offering advice and aid to their younger heroes. This time however, Time had only gotten worse, the shadows under his eyes growing nightly, the older hero falling silent and stern and very nearly snappish with the others. Only this evening, Warriors had seen Time lose his temper with Wind when the kid had been bubbling around him all day, and while the sailor took the scolding and tired ‘you’re just too much, Wind’ like a soldier, Wars had seen how the kid had retreated to Twilight and Legend during dinner, clinging to the both of them with misty eyes and keeping himself strangely silent while Time brooded on the other side of the fire.

The captain sighed to himself. If his boys were having trouble getting along, not just adjusting to being on the road again, then it was his place as a father (brother?) to step up and see what the problem was. After all, Time would tear himself up about this later, so he needed to nip it in the bud now before the man did something that would make the following guilt later even worse.

Time was seated on the far edge of camp that evening, and unlike most nights on the road, the man had left his sword in its sheath, himself still clad in his armor as the others shed their excess layers, and a blue ocarina was cradled in his hands, eyes distant and brows pulled low as he stared off into the forest. Not brooding then, sulking, and he wasn’t quite sure if that was better or worse in the moment.

“Room for one more?”

Time���s blue eye flickered to him for a moment with a dark scowl, the man shaking his head tiredly and pulling himself up.

Oh shoot, a royal sulk! Time was usually fine to let someone sit next to him, even when he was brooding, but if it was so bad that he didn’t even want anyone nearby? Oh goddesses, Warriors had his work cut out for him.

Dinner that night was a cold affair, the younger ones trying to prompt Wind into anything resembling conversation as Legend poked the sailor’s side, and the older ones exchanging worried glances as they looked from their sulking leader to each other. Usually, someone would break the stillness with a joke or a tease, but Legend’s snark only made things worse when Time shot the vet a look after he had made a jab at Warriors, and while the captain appreciated the defense of his honor, it was reminding him much too much of the war when Time had been a gremlin ready to wreak havoc on anyone at the nearest hint of insult to his father-figure. And while he rather doubted that Time could pants Legend (no pants, and their leader hopefully knew better now that he was older) it was an uncomfortable reminder of the kid’s worse days when nothing could get through to him and Warriors had to be very careful to hide his flask where the kid wouldn’t find it.

When arranging watches, Time had just grunted and moved to the edges of camp and Warriors found himself wincing.

“I’ll take second watch.” He told the others. “Time’s claimed first- don't ask, that’s what that huff usually means. Wind, you’re on Twilight duty, make sure the rancher doesn’t wander off again this evening, alright?” That earned a smile from the kid however hesitant, and while Twilight looked mildly offended, Warriors mentally blessed the rancher for not protesting the comment.

“Yessir, Cap’n.” Wind offered a sharp little salute, and he couldn’t help but reach over and ruffle the kid’s hair as his chest had swelled with pride. They’d worked on that salute a thousand times and now it was as clipped and smooth as any officer’s, even better than many of his men. Maybe he should have the sailor give his soldiers a few tips he chuckled to himself as the others sorted out watches; Legend taking the one directly after his and Hyrule the one after. Wild was on morning cooking duty, so the kid was ordered to rest for the night to avoid any sort of unfortunate mishaps. Usually, it wasn’t a problem to let the wild Champion take final watch, but if his plans (of course he had plans, did you doubt him?) were going to work out, the kid would need to be well rested to prepare the breakfast he’d asked for in the morning.

Knowing glances were shot his way by the others, Sky and Twilight both clapping his back and Legend tugging his scarf with an impish smirk as the others headed to bed, silent wishes of good luck ringing clear across the camp as he was left alone with their leader while the others settled in for bed.

He waited until the sun had set properly and the snoring of the others had begun rumbling around the camp, Twilight’s throaty snorts and Wind’s rumbling ones mixing with Four and Legend’s more soft snuffling ones. Hyrule and Wild lay silent and curled up, each snuggled into one side of the cuddle pile that had formed with Wind in the center, the sailor clinging to Twilight and Legend both in his sleep and dooming them to be smushed in by the other heroes. Sky, at the head of the pile, drooled slightly in his sleep, apparently uncaring that the others were using him as a pillow, and with one hand lost in Twilight’s dark hair. It made him smile as he took them in, pulling himself up to go and ensure they were all tucked in warmly before he turned his attention to the brooding warrior on the edge of their camp.

Time was still fiddling with his ocarina, eyes downcast and almost misty as the older man sat on the edge of camp, and he had to stop for a moment to collect himself before confronting him; Time looked miserable.

“Guilt hitting you yet for yelling at Wind?” He drawled, coming to sit next to the other and carefully arranging his scarf where time could grab it if needed. The man was no longer a child, but even so the blue fabric was a comfort to most of their odd little family, and scoldings or long talks were always made easier when it was available to hide under.

“A bit.”

“If it helps, he knows you didn’t mean it.”

Time slumped in place. “I still said it. Wind looks up to me now, I-” The other cut off with a sigh, tired eyes and weary heart both dimming as he watched.

“Right then, what’s eating you?” At Time’s startled expression he offered a knowing frown. “I helped raise you, Sap, I know when you’re taring yourself up over something and I’d half to be as blind as you to not tell when somethings hurting you. So, what is it?”

Royal blue blinked slowly, a match for his own and so terribly distant as Time turned back to the forest, thumbs trailing over the smooth porcelain of the ocarina. “I’m worried.”

“For?”

“For Malon.” Oh shit. “She wasn’t feeling too good when we left and-” Time’s face twisted up, eye glimmering as the man stared up at the stars, pain twisting his expression and straining his voice as one hand had wound into the prepared scarf. “I’m not there. Talon’s getting on in years and if something happens when we’re gone-” Time’s voice hitched, not quite a sob but broken all the same, and like a trigger was hit Warriors was already pulling the other man into his arms, holding tight as Time’s shoulders shuddered under his grasp. “I’m worried, Pops.” Came the broken whisper. “What if-”

“Shhhh.” Like a million times before his hands were running through short blonde hair. It had been ages since he’d trimmed either of his boys and Time was getting shaggy again, something he was grateful for. Running his hands through the kid’s hair had always helped him calm, and it seemed to still be effective even ow, Time melting further into his embrace as he hummed softly, rocking ever so slightly in place. “Malon’s a strong woman, she’ll be fine. People get sick all the time, Sapling, this isn’t anything to fuss over.”

“She couldn’t get out of bed the other morning.” Time breathed against his chest, the ocarina falling to the ground as both of the man’s hands had wound into the blue scarf instead.

Warriors tried to steady the stutter of his heart as he clutched the other a but tighter. “Is that so?”

“She’s been awful nauseas too.” Time choked out. “Wars, I-”

“Has she had random dizzy spells and weird cravings? Maybe gets sickened at the mere idea of certain foods but also likes eating things that even a pig would turn away from?” Oh, goddesses let this be right.

Time’s blue eye stared up at him curiously. “Y-yeah, how’d-”

The captain choked back a snort. “She’ll be fine, Time. Ladies get that way sometimes. My own beloved was that way for a while too, it passes in time, and there's few ill effects.”

“What ill effects?” Time shifted uneasily, pulling away to stare at him better.

“Exhaustion mostly, some pain, and loss of sleep, but,” He tilted his head with a knowing grin. “It’s well worth it in the end when she’s okay again. You’ll want to talk to her about it next time we get there,” if the bulge of Malon’s stomach didn’t give her away first. “But she’ll be alright.” Time stared at him in disbelief, brows pulling together in a doubtful frown that had him huffing in mock offence. “Wat, you don’t believe me?”

“Battlefield experience as a medic-”

Wars cut Time off with a snort. “Battlefield nothing! I was fighting my loves illness before the war even started. It’s not something that catches, I’ll have you know, and as long as she takes it easy, something I trust Malon knows as well as the next woman, she’ll be fine.” He reached over to tig Time’s ears making the other shy away with a strained laugh, only earning a hair ruffle “Stop fussing, Sapling, your lady love will live just fine.”

Time actually outed at him for a moment, something which quite frankly looked ridiculous on the man’s face and made him bust up laughing as the other flopped against him. Absently, his hands drifted back into Time’s shaggy hair, humming softly as Time continued to lay in silence, eyes staring up at the stars and ears twitching slowly.

“Tomorrow,” He tugged one flickering ear pointedly. “You need to apologize to Wind.”

“Trust me, I intend to.”

“Good.” He grinned, flopping his scarf across the other’s face. “But for now, rest, kiddo, you’re a right grouch when you're tired and I don’t mind pulling double shift for a night.”

“I’m-”

“Not fine, and not staying up. Past your bed-time squirt.” He tugged the ear again, earning a soft growl from his adult kid as Time shifted.

“I’m still in my armor.”

“Then change.”

Time pulled himself up with a huff, shucking his armor and letting Wars help him with the buckles and belts before the both of them settled down again. Tomorrow night, the leader’s metal shell would need cleaning, but for now, he’d let himself out to be seen and held, head nestled in Warriors’ lap as the captain played with his hair.

Time’s breathes evened out to join the cacophony of rumbling snores of the others. Warriors smiled, ruffling his son’s hair fondly and turning his eyes towards the moon.

[vi-kingandlionheart]

I decided to draw my favorite girls from HTTYD for pride month.

I've been shipping Heathstrid for ages and somehow this is the first drawing I've ever made of them... And it's kinda NSFW.

And here's a little drabble inspired by the drawing. It's modern AU:

Astrid didn't always like Heather, not as much as she liked her now. When they'd first met, they even as much as dislike each other. Now, they'd been best friends for two whole years. Sleepovers were just one of the many activities they enjoyed together. But now, as Astrid saw Heather take her blouse off, something in her head and body drew her towards her friend. She couldn't phantom the thought of not liking Heather. She had always been the most talented out of the two, the prettiest, the nicest. Astrid knew it wasn't right, but oftentimes she compared herself to Heather. She had seen the black haired girl take her clothes off countless times, she'd seen her on her underwear and in her pajamas, but there was something about Heathers recently unbraided hair, and the way her undergarments seemed to match, that made Astrid feel like her best friend was the most beautiful creature in the world.

It was known that Heather had rejected many boys that aimed for her affection. The co-captain of the volleyball team was popular, and the guys in their school had often tried to take her on dates. It always poked Astrid's curiosity how she never seemed interested in any of them. Heather just never explained such a simple fact... That she was a lesbian. The blonde never figured it out on her own, and as far as they were concerned, it wouldn't have any sort of effect on their friendship, so why ask. It wasn't until that one sleepover that Heather gathered hwr courage and, as she slipped her blouse off, she casually admitted her deepest secret.

"Hey, Astrid, can I tell ya something?" the taller one asked.

The blonde's attention switched from Heather's body to her eyes. "Yeah?"

"I'm gay or whatever." she said, as casually as she could. Inside her there was a storm of anxious thoughts and disastrous scenarios, but on the outside, she was just a chill girl taking off her jean shorts.

"Cool" Astrid managed to say. "How did'ya find out?"

Heather looked up from the pile of clothes in the floor, and locked eyes with her friend.

"Well, I've never been into guys, but one time I saw an Instagram post... It's a little embarrassing" she begun, pushing a strand of hair behind her ear before continuing, "it was Ruffnut by the swimming pool and... She looked kinda hot?"

Astrid giggled a little, knowing exactly which post Heather was talking about.

"Ruffnut is hot" was all the blonde managed to say, kicking off her skirt so that both friends were equally undressed.

"Yeah, so, afterwards I just grew curious so I did some investigation work..." Heather said, sitting down in Astrid's bed. Her pajamas were folded inside her backpack, but she didn't feel like putting them on just yet.

"What kinda investigation?" Astrid asked, sitting beside Heather.

"You know... Pictures and videos?" Heather admitted.

"Huh" Astrid took her phone from the nightstand "So you watched porn?"

The black haired girl nodded, quietly blushing. Astrid made a quick google search and after a few minutes of silence, she nodded both to herself and to her friend.

"I think I'm bisexual" Astrid finally said, but the way she said it made Heather think she had only thought about it then.

"Did you just discover that right now?" She said, looking her friend in the eye.

Astrid didn't or couldn't answer the question. After her quick search, hee neurotransmitters had done funky stuff on her, and the proximity of Heather's uncovered body wasn't helping to soothe the warmth down her belly. Her blue eyes locked on Heather's green ones, and, not for the first time, she noticed just how pretty her friend was. Except this time, she wasn't envious of such beauty, she was attracted to it.

"Heath, can I kiss you?" Astrid said, running a shy hand across her black hair.

Heather barely managed to nod before jamming her mouth against Astrid's. Both were wearing the same chapstick, but somehow their lips tasted differently to the other. Heather grabbed Astrid's waist with one hand, as the other gently cupper her face. Meanwhile, the blonde girl threw her arms over Heather's shoulders and embraced her head, gently stroking her hair. A fee seconds passed before they pulled away.

"I'm pretty sure now: I'm bisexual" Astrid said, shyly looking at her friend.

[shaysaidwhat]

becoming her

So it's been quite a while since I posted the first part of this series? Series? Is that what I should call it? Something feels off about the word series but we will figure that out later. The purpose of this post is to share some realizations I've made and to lay out the foundation for our next steps.

Our next steps will be to make a vision board, my vision board is online but to have a board you can touch and feel is completely up to you. I just like to have the ability to edit the board easily as I please. If you would like to take a look at mine you can find it here. I hope you can find some inspiration.

Since the last post there have been quite a few things that have put a damper on my mental and emotional health. Thankfully, I am victorious and I'm doing great right now but, I would like to share a few things I've come to realize.

To begin, sometime in the beginning of July I went to a pranic healer. It was an amazing experience, a lot of things changed for me energetically that day. Pranic healing is simply a healing and cleansing of your natural energy. This specific pranic healer was also a medium of some sort, so she gave me a lot of insight into myself. I would like to share the journal entry I made that day in hopes that maybe someone can relate. If you can, just know you're not alone.

-- July 10th, 2022 --

I've always been a quiet, timid person and I've only changed that recently. Speaking up is relatively new to me. I will admit that hearing my throat chakra was almost nonexistent was very scary and disheartening. It poses questions of "have I been hearing myself? Have I allowed myself to be heard?" Most importantly, "Have I allowed myself to be seen?" All of these questions, tie into other things that were mentioned during my session. I've just begun speaking up, speaking my mind. I've only ever been comfortable being my true self around me. Around other people, I've been thrown into these little boxes of who they think I am and I continue to go along with it. I often find myself thinking, "Do I respond like this?" or "I should laugh now right? Everyone else is laughing." or "I should agree with them, yes nod your head." It's almost as if I've become too self aware. So, where do i go from here? How do I show my true self to other people? I guess I would begin by lowering the shield around my heart. Once again, how do you break down a wall that took decades to build? Do you tear it down brick by brick? Or do you chip at it until it finally gives in? Am I guarding myself or hindering my growth? Or both? Heartbreak is inevitable. We can make the choice to run away or embrace it and take it as a lesson. Allow yourself to receive the love you crave. The love you deserve. It doesn't have to make sense, it just needs to be. You just need to be.

After this journal entry I decided to drop my friends with benefits which did not turn out well for me. I'm still very thankful that I did it in the end. Since this entry I can't say I've changed drastically. I sometimes have the same thoughts and I sometimes have the same habits. I can say though, that little by little things are changing. Choosing myself instead of a toxic relationship was a powerful act of self love. I've been choosing myself a lot more recently. I've been doing and saying things I've always wanted. The key to this I've learned is to have no expectations. Do it because you want to, not to get a certain outcome from someone or something.

My most recent example would be finally texting a guy I've had a crush on for a while. We used to be friends, we aren't anymore but I still liked him all this time. I finally texted him. I'm not sure what I was planning on saying or getting from this but I'm proud of myself. It took me two days to press send and when I finally did I almost had a heart attack. Nonetheless, I did it. I'm proud. At first I was constantly waiting, just waiting for a reply but as time passes I'm just okay. If he doesn't respond I'll be okay. If he does, I'll probably panic again but I'll still be okay.

So I encourage you to do something you've been wanting to do. Say something you wanted to say. Try not to expect much. As humans, its natural to expect others to do what we would but that simply isn't the case. Let others be. Let yourself be. And let me know how it all goes, I would love to hear your experiences.

With love,

Shay

P.S. I hope you're ready for the next part, I hope you'll learn something new about yourself. <3