wheatsprig

[wheatsprig]

༘⋆｡ where it hurts starters.

caretaker.

i'll  stay  until  you  fall  asleep.

you're  not  a  burden.  not  to  me.

you  don't  have  to  act  tough  with  me.

let  me  help.

if  you  need  to  cry,  i'll  look  the  other  way.

you  don't  have  to  talk.

let  me  handle  it,  just  for  a  minute.

rest,  i'll  watch  over  you.

i  don't  care  if  you  think  you're  fine.  i'm  staying.

deep  breaths.

just  lean  on  me.

you're  safe  now,  okay?  just  breathe.

i  know  it  hurts.  i'll  sit  here  as  long  as  it  takes.

i'm  not  leaving  until  i  know  you're  okay.

you  don't  need  to  hide.

let  me  take  care  of  you  this  time.

shh.  i'm  right  here.

you  don't  have  to  put  on  a  smile  for  me.

i  don't  think  less  of  you.

i'll  be  here  when  you  wake  up.

you're  allowed  to  lean  on  me.  that's  what  i'm  here  for.

you  don't  have  to  be  okay.

scoot  over,  i'm  not  letting  you  sleep  alone.

your  hair's  a  mess.  let  me  brush  it.

don't  apologize.

cared  for.

i'm  tired,  that's  all.

please  don't  go.

i  don't  know  what  i  need.

you  didn't  need  to  come.

you  shouldn't  have  to  see  me  like  this.

i  hate  feeling  like  this.

i  was  trying  to  push  through.  i  think  i  made  it  worse.

this  is  so  embarrassing.

can  you  just...  stay  a  little  longer?

i  didn't  think  anyone  would  notice...

i'm  not  safe  in  my  own  head  right  now.

why  are  you  being  so  gentle  with  me?

i  don't  want  you  to  fix  me.

today's  just...  one  of  the  harder  days.

i  didn't  know  i  needed  to  hear  that.

can  you  stay?  after  i  fall  asleep?

sorry.  i  didn't  mean  to  flinch.

i  don't  always  know  what's  going  to  help.

this  is  the  nicest  anyone’s  been  to  me  all  week.

i'm  sorry.  i  know  i'm  a  lot.

i  don't  even  know  why  i'm  crying...

i  think  i'm  broken.

you  didn't  have  to  do  all  this  for  me.

i  don't  want  to  be  a  burden.

i  didn't  think  anyone  would  stay.

[wheatsprig]

It made him a little uneasy the way she stared at his hands as they moved anxiously, wondering why it was so fascinating to the girl and if it really was that obvious. Had others noticed? Or was this girl just very observant? "Is it... really that interesting?" He asked her, forcing his hands to still, despite the strong urge to keep them moving. "It keeps me distracted. Gives me something to focus on other than the thoughts in my head, but even if those, uh, certain thoughts weren't there, it's become a habit." He said, glancing down at his hands once more that had started moving again without him realizing it.

But when she called it healthy, it made him think. Was it? "Yeah, I guess so..." He shrugged. "All I'm doing is moving my hands.." Her interest in this was a little amusing, he had to admit, and it posed the question: what did she do when she was anxious? Though before he could ask that, she was apologizing for what had happened to him, even though she didn't know anything. He appreciated her sympathy and it showed in the small smile he offered her. "Thanks, but I'll be alright. Already am." For the most part, but he wasn't going to get into it.

Instead, he held out his hand. "I'm Jet. It's nice to meet you, too, Jin." A pause. "Don't worry, they're safe to shake, I promise." He teased her, referring to his hands.

🌿-- @coffeemusings continued from HERE .

🌿-- Jin's eyes quietly fixed on his hands , watching how they shifted and morphed . Not in a bad way , or a judgemental way , but in a way of sheer { { c u r i o s i t y } } . It worried her , a bit , to see him so stressed . She wondered what it was that was plaguing his mind so much . She wasn't going to pry . It wasn't her place to dive that { { d e e p } } when she wasn't certain if he'd want to talk about it in the first place .

So , Jin clasped her hands in front of her as she looked across the table at him . She smiled , it was gentle and pure . ❝ If it helps you , then that's all that matters . Everyone has things that they do when they're stressed , or when they are feeling anxious . Sometimes , the best thing that you can do is move . ❞

She looked from his hands to her own , thinking about her own methods to calm her worried thoughts and { { e n d l e s s } } anxieties about the world . ❝ I think i like your method for how you handle those sorts of things . It seems . . . Healthy . I'm glad that you've found something that helps you , but , for what it's worth . . . I'm sorry that you feel like you have to do that at all . ❞ She lifted her jasmine green eyes up to his earthy brown ones , ❝ I'm Jin , by the way . It's nice to meet you . ❞

[wheatsprig]

"Could've fooled me." Jet scoffed in response to Katara's words about Mai not hating him. It wasn't directed at Katara, though, and he made sure to make that known with the way he hugged onto her a little tighter. "Kind of wish she did if it meant her not saying anything to me at all in the first place." He chuckled, though there was no humor in it, no amusement. "I think it's best I just stay away from there, Katara. Even if it isn't her beach and she has no say in who is allowed and who isn't, I'd rather avoid causing anymore trouble. I didn't think it would be this serious, but if it is to her, I'll stay out of it." Because he really didn't want another situation like this and if his presence on the beach would only cause issues, then he'd rather stay away altogether.

But if there was some way to work it out, well, he'd prefer that. But he didn't exactly want to be the one that approached first, although he wasn't sure if Mai would do so either, so that would just leave them at an impasse. For now, however, he didn't want to see her. Not yet. He was still too angry and hurt and he didn't want another argument to come from it, one that he may not be able to walk away from.

Maybe in a few days, if things hadn't resolved, then maybe he would be the one to take that first step. But for now, he was content in being with Katara like this, wrapped in her arms and wrapping her in his in return. No one could calm Jet the way Katara did and sometimes just thinking of her, when she wasn't near, helped. But thankfully, she was, and he didn't want to let go of her. Not just yet. She was safety. She was home.

But when she pulled back and guided him down so his eyes were level with hers, she let him. His brown eyes gazed into her ocean blues and he felt his shoulders fall. Her words meant everything to her, everything, and it showed in the way he melted in her hands. But his eyes watered again before closing, taking in a deep breath. "I... I saw them, Katara. I saw my parents," he muttered, keeping his breath held. "When she said that to me, I saw their faces and there was a part of me that felt guilty for staying, for not defending them, that it was wrong of me not to stay and fight, but I know that's just me. That's me being scared that they'd be disappointed in me." He finally let out that breath. He knew better, though. And Katara being proud of him was also a reminder and it made him smile.

"Brave, huh?" He chuckled. "What else?" There was that charming smile of his, digging for more praise, more compliments to feed his ego, but only as a joke, of course. Another deep breath in... and out. "Maybe... I'll talk to her. I'm not innocent in what happened," he could admit that, it wasn't hard. "Just not right now... later." And then he melted in her hands again, sighing happily.

Jet could feel himself calming down the second Katara returned his embrace. All anger, all hurt, starting to disappear. Had that been said to him several months ago, he would've lashed out. It likely would've turned physical, but he was trying not to be that guy anymore. He was trying to control his anger and not let his hate control his actions and so this time, he walked away. He kept himself in check, ended the conversation and left. Of course there was more he could have said, more he wanted to say, but it wasn't worth it. She wasn't worth it. From the look in her eyes, and from how quiet she went, she knew what she had said was wrong, or so he thought. Hoped.

Of course, Jet wasn't completely innocent. They were going at each other, trying to come out on top, get the last word in, but then it went too far.

"It's... fine." Sort of. He didn't really know, but he also didn't really know Mai. Only to... be careful around her. "I know I annoyed her, Katara, but she..." he scoffed. "She said I couldn't come to the beach Toph made and I don't know why! I don't know why she hates me. I'd barely even talked to her until then." Maybe she had heard about what he did back then, but who was she to judge? "Is she... always really like that?" Did she always say cruel things like that? Jet understood that she had a different sense of humor, but that wasn't funny at all. Maybe she just said it in the heat of the moment, but still... it was wrong and the thought of his home burning down, and losing his parents, played in his mind and he clung to Katara. "I walked away, Katara.." He told her, sighing. "I walked away."

[wheatsprig]

Jet (ATLA) Headcanon - Nightmares

One major thing about Jet, is that he suffers from nightmares after his time at Lake Laogai. And as a result, insomnia, claustrophobia and even nyctophobia. Because after all, it wasn't just brainwashing he was put through during his time there. It was literal torture. Physical, mental and emotional. He was kept underground. Many times inside of a small, dark room and so now, he can't stand to be in small spaces, nor in completely dark rooms. When he tries to sleep, or at night in general, he always has a small light of some sort, but it's rare that he has a peaceful sleep anyway. Even though he's been freed from it all, he still has nightmares about his time there, and even night terrors where he wakes up screaming and in a cold sweat. Thus why he also prefers to sleep alone, even though he wants to have someone near him for comfort reasons, but he doesn't want anyone to know just howscarred he is from the torture he endured at Lake Laogai. He wants to open up about what happened to him down there, and there are times he comes close to doing so, but at the same time, he's afraid to relive it and he doesn't want anyone to think him weak for how scarred it's left him. How much it changed him, even though he's doing his best to put it all behind him, to heal from all that happened to him, though it's going to take some time. And he will never fully recover. He was also left with physical scars from said torture, which are mostly kept hidden, and also has a large scar on his chest from the battle with Long Feng that nearly took his life. All of it was life changing for him and made him look at life differently, grateful that he survived it and was given another chance to do better. Thus trying to make amends and help rebuild the broken world.

[wheatsprig]

"They always say that time changes things, or that time heals all wounds, but the truth is?

You have to change them yourself. You have to help yourself heal."

Independent and selective Jet from Avatar: The Last Airbender. Heavily headcanon based post-canon for obvious reason. Penned by Summer (she/her, 30+) Rules | Verses | Headcanons | Memes On a lifelong adventure with: @droplct (Katara), @honorforged (Zuko), @bloodofthefates (Mai)

[wheatsprig]

The question about dragons that went unanswered wasn't lost on Jet. Either Zuko wasn't sure, himself, or he wanted to keep Jet guessing and though part of it was skepticism, the freedom fighter was also curious. Thus this onslaught of questions, even if they seemed like a joke. But there was so much Jet didn't know, so much he wanted to know and wanted to learn, including about the Fire Nation, about the Firebenders. Once upon a time, he wanted to know to help him bring them down, but now, it was a genuine curiosity and, well, he wanted to know more about his friends.

Were they friends? Sometimes it felt that way. With a bit of rivalry mixed in, but truth be told, he did respect the Fire Lord. And he was grateful for all that he did to help bring balance to the world... even if at first he was trying to do the opposite. But the past was the past and here they were now, in the present.

He remained silent, but his brow quirked, waiting for Zuko to explain, to answer his question. And when he did, Jet laughed. It was the way he delivered it without so much as a smile, his face, and tone, so serious. "Ah, so that explains why most of the guys around here are shirtless." He snorted, only joking. He hadn't actually seen that for himself. "My favorite thing? Aside from, you know, taking off my shirt, too," he smirked. "slipping my feet into the river or the lake. Was the best way to cool off where I lived, that and sitting up in the trees when the breeze hit." He smiled as the memories filled his mind and sighed.

"Okay, but what about sunburns? Can firebenders get sunburnt?"

“Chi. Internal flame. Right. Got it.” Or did he? He wasn’t a bender, so he didn’t really understand how all of that worked, but he was trying to learn. As a kid, he used to be envious of benders - with the exception of Firebenders for obvious reasons - but as he grew older, that envy left him. He learned his own ways of fighting and defending himself, and he’s stood his own against numerous benders. Zuko, included. Although, to be fair, he didn’t use any of his fire bending during their first fight. Much to Jet’s annoyance at the time. But honestly? If they ever did fight spar, Jet was sure he could take him.

“Wait. An actual dragon?” He questioned. “There’s no way.” Which he pretty much confirmed when he said that his uncle learned from a dragon. But still, a real dragon? Weren’t they extinct? Haven’t they been extinct for a really long time? He wasn’t sure he believed that, but all the other stuff? Sure. Until he mentioned the boiling of tea, making Jet rolls his eyes. “Didn’t seem to singe your vocal cords, though.” He said, feigning disappointment at that fact. “I hope that’s not how you guys warm tea at the shop.” He shuddered at that thought, but he knew that wasn’t the case. Obviously. Still, it was gross to think about.

Another pause. Then. “How do you Firebenders cool off on a hot day? Like in the Summer. You’re always hot 24/7, aren’t you?”

[wheatsprig]

I'll work on the promo later. I tried doing something and ended up hating it. I have something in mind, but just trying to figure out how to make it work. I want it to be good and @droplct's encouragement is certainly helping! All credit goes to them for the theme. I'm not good at coding or graphics and because of them I have this beautiful theme which I cannot thank them enough for. I literally cried over it and feel undeserving cause I am a potato xD But I'm so happy and will do my best to keep this blog alive!

[wheatsprig]

Promos are hard. WHY must I be horrible at everything related to graphics and coding? LMAO. I can make gifs. That's about it. UGH.

[wheatsprig]

One. Two. Three. Four...

Fifty eight, fifty nine... shit.

"Lost count again." He muttered to himself with a grin as he gazed up at the starlit sky above, stretched out upon the bench on the deck of the ship. He'd never seen so many stars at once before, even knowing there were thousands upon thousands of stars, but to see them so clearly? It was incredible. Mesmerizing, even. It was impossible to see them like this in the city what with the pollution of light from the hundreds of buildings and though the ship of dreams was all lit up, it wasn't enough to block out the breathtaking view above him. Or around. Even if it was just pitch black all around them.

He lifted his hand, index pointer out, and began to trace the stars above, tracing the already existing constellations while also creating his own. As though he were drawing on one of the many blank pages in his sketch book. If only he could draw the starlit sky, but he knew he wouldn't do it justice. Nothing could. God, he'd never tire of this view. He was already so sure of that and this alone made the boy want to take up permanent residence on this ship, just so he could gaze upon the night sky like this every night. He'd never felt more at peace than in this moment and he was content at the thought of falling asleep right here. It wouldn't be the first time he slept under the stars, nor would it be the last.

However, fate seemed to have other plans for him.

The sound of hurried footsteps pulled Jet from his trance and when the footsteps reached him, so did the sound of a woman's cry. Confused, he sat up on the bench and watched as the woman raced by, the end of her dress trailing behind her... it was a wonder she didn't trip over it. But just where was she running? There was nowhere left to go, nearing the end of the ship. Unless... shit.

He didn't hesitate. Jet climbed off of the bench and followed the frantic woman towards the back of the ship, but when she stopped, so did he. He didn't want to alarm her, didn't want to startle her, but as he watched from a distance, he wondered if she'd keep going... if she'd reach the rails of the ship or if she'd turn back around and... nope. She kept going. Concern filled the boy's eyes as he started to follow again and his heart broke upon seeing her climb over the rail. She was trying to escape. Not the ship, but... perhaps her life. He could hear her crying from where he stood, he could hear the desperation in her voice, and he could see the way she peered down into the frigid waters below. Any decent person would hurry over, grab them and pulled them back over, but that wasn't Jet. He was decent, but also smart. Running over would only scare the woman and likely cause her to let go and that was the last thing he wanted.

So, slowly, he moved closer and once he was only a few feet behind her, he made his presence known. His voice soft, calm. Even if on the inside he wasn't, but for this woman, he needed to be.

"Don't do it." Jet gently pleaded, holding his hand out towards her. "That's not-- look, just grab my hand, okay? I'll pull you back over. Come on.." He urged as he continued to step closer, but in slow and careful movements as to not tempt or scare her into jumping.

Please take my hand.

The ship was massive. Words were nothing compared to seeing it in person. Inside and out.

The hallways, though not wide, were long and housed several rooms. Rooms that up to four people and were spacious enough, but there was no privacy whatsoever due to them having two bunks on each side. Of course they were probably nothing like Upper Class, but Jet, quite honestly, didn't care. He felt lucky just getting to be here! Getting to be part of a momentous, and likely once (and first) in a lifetime, experience. He was happy just being on this grand ship - being able to walk the halls and feel the ocean breeze on his face. The air in his lungs was all he needed to be happy, but this truly made him feel alive. He couldn't remember the last time he felt so exhilarated.

After fighting Bee for the top bunk - which he lost so kindly gave up - the two unpacked their belongings - which really wasn't much - set off to explore the grand ship together. Meeting and greeting people along the way, from young children to the elderly. Jet greeted each and every person he passed by, and that greeted him. A couple of women smiled and blushed in response, some children giggled and waved, and most men greeted him in return. Though, as they continued to ascend the ship, the greetings were not returned in kind, if at all. Some looked away while others refused to even acknowledge him and it was obvious as to why.

But it bothered him none. Not even one bit. Because he was on the ship of dreams with his best friend heading home - he was soaring - and there was nothing that could bring him down.

Upon reaching the outer deck, the two hurried their way to the very front, even making a race out of it which, this time, Jet won. They laughed and shoved each other, but Jet took the first step up on the railing and held onto the rope to maintain his balance. Especially when he looked over the edge and down at the ice cold water below them and gods, it was beautiful. There was nothing but blue sky and blue water all around them and he couldn't help but stand up straight, hold out his arms and scream for the entire ship, the entire world, to hear.

"I'M KING OF THE WORLD!!!" Never had he screamed so loud, but the man was full of energy, full of life, and he wasn't going to waste a second of it! Bee laughed and joined in the whooping, which went on for a good few minutes before they were both out of breath.

"Never... doing that again..." Bee panted, hands on her hips as she leaned against the railing trying to catch her breath.

"Ha! I'll be out here again doing it tomorrow!" He beamed and honestly, Bee believed him. He wouldn't passed Jet to do it every. single. day. "Come on, let's check out the other side!" It didn't take long for Jet to catch his breath and he was already hurrying off down the ship, leaving a still panting Bee following.

The next several minutes was spent taking in all the sights of the ship from the outside. Peeking in windows, making comments about how this room was first class, and that one, and that one, and coming up with life stories for any and every rich folk they saw walking about. Bee even made a comment about wanting to experience even just an hour of being first class, of that luxurious lifestyle, but Jet? Nah. He didn't care for it. He had the air in his lungs, a best friend and a loving family he was heading home to and that was all he needed!

They continued along and eventually decided to finally sit down for a little while, which Bee, especially, was thankful for. Jet teased her about not being able to kick up, which she returned with a harmless threat of throwing him overboard. It elicited a laugh from his lips, shaking his head as he then pulled out his sketch book, flipping through the pages until he came across an empty one.

He then looked around, as though searching for his next inspiration, although it was all around him, really. But for his first sketch on the Titanic, he needed it to be special. It couldn't be just anything or anyone. But as always, he'd know as soon as he saw it, or them. He turned his head when he heard the joyous laughter of a child -- a young girl held up high by her father, looking down at the dolphins swimming alongside the ship.

Then his head turned when he heard a door nearby open and shut. A man and woman, hand in hand, looking happy as can be making their way towards the stern. He then looked next to him, finding a sleeping Bee, and he chuckled to himself.

But that's when he felt it. Something within telling him to look up and as soon as he did, his eyes caught sight of her.

The screaming he did earlier hadn't left him breathless, but she... she did.

He couldn't look away. It was like he was under some sort of spell and he had the urge to scale the side of the ship - the adrenaline from earlier making him believe he was capable of such a thing - and ask for her name. She looked utterly ethereal standing there under the warm sun and if Jet believed in such a thing - which maybe he did - he'd believe her to be an angel. He'd never seen anyone so breathtakingly beautiful. She--

was looking at him.

His heart skipped a beat. And then another. And another.

But he remained. He was somehow still able to breathe... likely because she made him want to keep breathing. His ocean blues gazed up at her and he dared to offer her a smile. His hand shifting, as though about to wave, to greet her, and desperately hoping that she didn't look away, didn't shine him on...

"Forget it, mate." Came a male voice, snapping Jet from his daze. "This ship would sooner grow wings and take off into the sky than you stand anywhere near her." The man grinned, his words not meant to be malicious in anyway, only playful... although brutally honest. "'Sides, a girl like that?" The man looked up at her. "Likely taken by a man twice her age with ten times as much money."

And as though this stranger had summoned him - damn him - out came an older man, his hand landing on the small of her back and lips by her ear, taking her away seconds after. But to her dismay, it looked like...

"See?" The man chuckled, shaking his head.

"Yeah..." Jet sighed, admittedly a little irritated with the stranger, but he wasn't exactly wrong, either.

"Sorry. I shouldn't have interrupted." His apology seemed genuine and Jet nodded. "Name's Tommy." He held out his hand.

"Jet. Nice to meet you."

"You, as well. And...?" He nodded to the girl next to him.

Bee had woken up at some point, though Jet wasn't sure when. But given the way she was looking at him - brow quirked and with a knowing grin - she'd seen him gazing at the woman above. "This is Bee. Also known as Smeller Bee." He smirked, which earned him a kick to his side. "OW!"

Tommy laughed. "Bee, then. Good to meet you both." He shook her hand. "So, where is it you two are from?"

While the two of them fell into conversation, Jet was looking up where the woman had been standing only seconds ago. As though waiting, hoping, that she'd come back outside, stand in that exact spot and lock eyes with him again. But he knew better. He'd likely never see her again...

But still he smiled. He smiled as he looked down at the blank sheet on his lap because now... now he had inspiration. He had his muse.

[wheatsprig]

Test.

"This is just a test. Do not be alarmed." And he was quite sure that he would pass the test.