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tsukishimas-shortcake · 3 years

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Relationship Headcanons

↦ Character(s): Hakkai Shiba x fem!reader

↦ Rating/Warning: No rating though there are some light mentions of abuse (if you have read the manga you are aware of what I am talking about, I’m not going very deep into it though it literally just mentions it), mentions of anxiety attacks (no detail though), fluff, not proof read

↦ Word count: 1.8k (longer than planned, sections are bolded)

↦ Your Momo’s Receipt: Hello~ I’m post yet another TR headcanon and this was requested by the lovely @strawbub I hope this doesn’t disappoint, it did get longer than planned but I enjoyed writing it. I'll prob do a part two that's more of a scenario based on your first date or something since I didn't go into it here. Please note: for those of you who don’t know my blog is currently under construction, meaning I will not be updating my masterlist for the time being.

So how did you guys meet, well mostly because of Yuzuha,

One day in like elementary you’re walking home and you see this super pretty middle school girl just like yelling at this small group of guys

The guys end up running off just because they don’t wanna deal with her or the attention she's drawn to them

Behind her was a boy, taller than her but obviously younger. You didn’t assume they knew eachother though.

The boy and yuzuha began walking in opposite directions because one was going home while the other was going to pick up something like groceries

You’re so entranced by how she stood up to them yet she’s a girl who was far smaller and you end up catching up to her, almost stepping on her heels

You end up absent mindedly following her into the grocery store and eventually she just freezes, turns, and stare directly at you

Your eyes widen since you must’ve been staring and she just goes “may I ask why you’re following me?” And you explain how cool she was earlier. She invites you over for dinner (esp since her older brother won’t be home) and figured it’d be good for Hakkai to meet someone his age

You end up going over but Hakkai didn’t come down to eat so you never actually got to meet him, though from then on you would see Yuzuha every so often, visit every other weekend or so

But no matter how often you came over the next few months, you never once met hakkai,

That was until you both reached the end of your middle school education and we’re about to begin high school

You had gone over because you were going to borrow an old work book from Yuzuha, and when you go to knock on the door the door opens before your closed fist could hit it, instead hitting a firm chest

You blush and quickly apologize but the person in front of you doesn’t move at all, doesn’t say anything and almost looks like they drifted into space with their dead stare

You assume this is yuzuha’s older brother because you’ve also never met him and you immediately turn to walk away but Yuzuha calls over hakkai’s shoulder

“Y/N-Chan! You just got here where are you going?” This was def not yuzuha’s older brother. There’s no way she’d be that happy with him around; oh my god. Realization hit, the guy who you hit (though it was more of a tap) was hakkai.

The hakkai you had only caught a glimpse of in yuzuha’s photos, never talked to or actually seen in person despite going to the same school and living in the same neighborhood

He must hate you. That’s why he avoids you. That’s def why - is what you think

Yuzuha drags hakkai back inside and invites you in; you sit down with them in the living room and watch hakkai visibly relax now that he’s inside his house, his own space, with a pillow behind him and a blanket covering his lower half, he almost curls up into it as he continues to avoid your stare

“Hi hakkai…Kun? Im L/N Y/N” you say and you see his face dead pan once again

Yuzuha can be heard laughing from the kitchen as she comes back in.

She leans over and begins explaining that hakkai literally just freezes with any interaction between him and girls who aren’t in his family

You nod, thinking maybe it’s an anxiety thing? Which is the case with you, but only because he’s been watching you since you’ve come over (not in a creepy way) wanting to and working the courage up to talk to you

The 5th or so time you came over after that encounter he was inches away from introducing himself before the house phone rang causing everyone to kind of “wake up” in a sense

Every time since then he gets closer and closer but isn’t able to say anything; he even realizes he has a crush on you.

The way you sit when you do homework and how cute you look when you’re focused.

How your forehead scrunches up when you’re trying to figure something out and you end up just sitting back with a small huff followed by yuzuha’s signature laughter.

It’s also a huge thing that you get along with Yuzuha.

So enough with first meeting time for the confession.

He ends up confessing accidentally. He didn’t know you were coming over to begin with so he was flustered out of his mind. And how was he supposed to know you hadn’t actually fallen asleep and you could hear him over the tv

The tv was more white noise than anything and the day was hot since it was the middle of summer causing the window to be open and the sound of soft wind and small birds to drift in; this was the hot that makes you tired so you were all sprawled out of just sitting in a daze

So while resting your head on the table you’re dozing in and out but then you hear hakkai begin to speak, something he never really did around you

Now did you and hakkai text? Yes. Did it take him an hour to reply because his brain would explode when you replied to him? Yes. But was it a start to communication? Also a yes.

You hear him say your name quietly before he moved closer, you can feel his gaze on your features

“I like you” is all he says. Simple and sweet. But you sit there in shock, trying not to blush so he’ll have no idea you heard him but he can tell because your forehead scrunches

You heard him and are focused on if you should reply or not. And he knows that.

You open your eyes and just look up at him, he’s closer than expected. His hand close to yours on the floor and he reaches over and grabs it lightly. Hoping you’ll also return the gesture by holding his hand instead of leaving your hand limp inside his.

And you do, thank goodness, and Hakkai almost mentally can’t handle it.

Once you start dating it’s more so just hanging out at his house or yours; however he talks a bit more and you text a lot more. He’s gotten better at replying. It usually takes him like 15 minutes now

He’s kinda stressed about your relationship but not due to anything you or him did

He’s stressed because of the mentality his older brother gave him

Is he even allowed to be this happy?

He finally has someone thats small enough and naive enough that he can protect you; compared to constantly being protected it’s a sudden, strong, yet good change for him

He’s touch s t a r v e d

Yes Yuzuha shows affection; but he stopped accepting her hugs when he was around 8 just because he physically wasn’t able to handle it due to his bruises and such

But with you, even with his bruises and all you take care of him. Able to coax him into using medicines and toning down the physical violence (that he can control himself)

He also finds it super soothing when you lightly brush over his scars (especially those that his brother gave him), it helps him believe that scars are only physical and can fade with help

One thing that stresses him out the most is trying to hide you from his brother. Any time you leave something at the house its easy to pass it off as yuzuha's but when it comes to things like photos he has with you, he can't hang them up, show them off, or have them as his phone Lock Screen, etc. because he just really doesn't want his brother to know and target you since he'll then know that you're his weakness (aside from yuzuha as well)

Sometimes won't explain why he can't hang out and has legit pushed you out of his house before at the last minute notice of his brother coming home

Will always make sure you get home safe though, usually by having Yuzuha go with you since then she can just say you're a friend from school

Your parents love him, though they were a bit hesitant it became a "you always have a place to stay" because they learned about their family situation from you and yuzuha. So expect him to spend the night when he's too scared to deal with his brother. Same with yuzuha. (yes I know this isn't yuzuha head canons but its hard to write for him without mentioning her when they're so close)

We're talking three person sleep overs. Yuzuha and you of course share the bed and Hakkai takes some time to even set foot in your room much less sleep on a mattress that's on the floor

He has a small heart attack every time he comes into your room because he's overwhelmed with everything, he's never been so comfortable and it makes him feel restless. Like he's never and I mean n e v e r been less stressed and slept better than when he does so in your room

The smell, the colors, just being surrounded by you is something that completely changes his mood

Once showed up after he fought with his brother, tears in his eyes and clothes a bit tattered and you just pulled him to your room, and sat down with him.

You laid on your bed with him laying down onto of you, head on your chest as you rubbed his head and only said a few words "its not your fault"

He ends up crying so hard he falls asleep and gets dehydrated and you have to make him drink a bunch of water when he finally wakes up.

NSFW

super fucking careful w you

almost annoyingly so, but you're understanding

He knows that he might be taking things frustratingly slow but he knows that since you understand and know his history that you can help him get through it

Your first time you think you'll have to call it off because he's shaking so bad

"baby... are you sure it won't hurt you?" he keeps asking.

pretty sure that's the longest its ever taken him to finish because he was so anxious

despite being so slow and hesitant, late he isn't too scared to get a bit rougher

but im not talking anything crazy im talking like he's willing to pull your hair a bit or nip a bit harder at your neck.

Please never ask him to do anything like degrade you or some type of harsh physical rough shit, he can't

like literally im 99% sure that if you ask him to choke you or something he will pass out because of the anxiety attack he would have at even the thought.

in short with nsfw though he is sweet boy. He's a switch through and through. Loves when you take care of everything because then he doesn't have to be scared of hurting you.

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gillywulf · 4 years

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Soft and Slow, Watch the Minutes Go

AO3

Summary:

The bird, the fish, and the place where they live.

Clarke Griffin, international pop star extraordinaire and her very soft girlfriend Lexa carve out a piece of the world just for themselves.

~~~

The stars were an old comfort.

It was easy to gaze at them over the dusty roads as they rose just above the tree line. It was easy to get lost in the magnitude and implication of their mere existence and simply block out everything on earth that was just terrible.

Mostly, Lexa liked to use them to imagine the good. Clarke’s smell and warmth always came easier to her when she looked through the massive skylight in their new apartment. She could practically feel her body weight pressed against her like she wasn’t on the other side of the country.

The front door opened and proved that, thankfully, she wasn’t.

“Babe?” Warmth flooded Lexa’s chest and she grinned.

“Bedroom,” she called, not shifting from her position. She closed her eyes and listened for Clarke’s movements. The twin thumps of her sneakers hitting the floor, the soft patting of her steps traversing the halls, the swift intake of breath as she launched herself into the spot beside Lexa.

“Hey,” Clarke murmured as she tucked herself along her girlfriend’s body.

“Welcome home. How was shopping?” Lexa shifted her arm so that Clarke could lay her head over it and pulled her closer.

“Riveting.”

“Oh yeah? I knew I missed out.”

“Absolutely. Nothing better than the glamorous adventure of grocery shopping,” she paused to kiss Lexa’s cheek as she laughed. “They were out of the peach flavor of that yogurt you like, though. I got another flavor for you try and if you don’t like it, I think I will.”

Lexa’s mind flashed back to sitting on top of her truck, her eyes glued to the whirling dust above the canopy that lined the road. Anya’s encouragement and later warning about timing and it all seemed ridiculous and so long ago. How did she almost let this slip away?

“You’re the best.”

The bar quieted the second the door closed behind them. The street was still wet from the earlier rains, the scent overtaking the alcohol and vomit from overzealous patrons earlier in the night. Lexa patted down her pockets to ensure she still had her keys, wallet, and phone before turning her attention to Clarke.

“Clarke, can you check- oh, no, babe, your shoes,” she groaned. Clarke had removed her heels about an hour ago and now they lay in the gutter as she swayed tipsily down the sidewalk towards their apartment.

“They were free, no big,” Clarke replied with a wave of her hand. Lexa huffed and scooped them up, then jogged to catch up.

“Wait, wait, that’s not the point,” she tugged Clarke’s hand and then stood in front of her, draping the hand over her own shoulder, “there’s all kinds of shit in the street, climb on. There’s no need to hurt yourself.” There was a long moment of silence as Clarke seemed to register what she’d said, just long enough to make Lexa self-conscious. Was that weird? Oh no, that was weird. Clarke was going to break up with her-

Another hand found a grip on her other shoulder and suddenly all of the superstar’s weight was leaned against her back. Lexa breathed a sigh of relief and tucked her hands under the knees at her hips. A gentle humming vibrated against her cheek as they set off. She was composing.

“I’m writing my next album about you, you know,” Clarke admitted quietly into her ear a few minutes later.

“Yeah?” Lexa asked. She couldn’t have stopped the disbelief from leaking out if she’d tried. All these years of knowing her and Clarke still surprised her. Still found ways to show just how much Lexa meant to her and it baffled her.

“Yeah. I’ve got a few songs written already. I think they’re really good,” Clarke melted further into Lexa’s back with each step and the warmth of her almost made the alcohol in Lexa’s system spread that much faster.

“Can I hear one?” she asked.

“Oh yeah, absolutely. I was going to play one for you tomorrow when I was a little less drunk, but I will sing for you now. Soft skin's soft as, all of these beautiful lives and beautiful thighs. They always kept me up at night, but I can't change my appetite, 'cause your pussy is a wonderland and I could be a better man-”

Lexa laughed, her whole body shaking. “I love it. Number one hit on the radio, calling it now.”

“I’m going to have Alanis Morissette do the chorus,” Clarke announced.

“I’m sure she will be delighted to sing about my vagina.”

“I know I will be.”

Lexa sighed as she approached her front door. Her new job was good, but just because it was more desk work and overseeing that her last job, didn’t make it any less exhausting. Talking to people left her tired on a good day, whatever the situation. She slid her key in to the lock and froze. Through the wood came a sweet melody from the piano in their living room. A soft, lilting thing that accompanied the gentle tone of Clarke’s voice. She twisted the knob slowly so as not to alert her girlfriend.

“... your cheeks says that you bleed like me and the 808 beat sends your heart to your feet. Left my shoes in the street so you'd carry me through a breakdown.” The lyrics trailed off into humming as the melody meandered through a part she hadn’t written lyrics for yet.

Clarke was sat at the piano, her hair piled into a messy bun and the rest of her wrapped in her coziest hoodie. A notebook, loose papers, a pen and her phone were scattered over the top of the black wood and she reached for the pen to scribble in the notebook when she paused her playing. Lexa leaned in the doorway to watch. Her exhaustion was immediately gone.

The song picked up from where she’d left off with more humming. Lexa wasn’t often privy to Clarke’s songwriting process. She kept things private and close to her chest until she had a finished product. Patience was a virtue Lexa was still learning. Midway through the next play-through, Clarke’s eyes met hers and - with a brief smile - she continued on. They didn’t speak until she had gone through two more times, adding lyrics with each play.

“You were quiet,” Clarke said as her fingers continued to move over the keys.

“I don’t get to see you play very often and it was very pretty. It would’ve been a crime to interrupt,” Lexa pushed off the wall and slid in beside Clarke. “I don’t tell you often enough how much you astound me.” The song cut off abruptly. Lexa looked up to find blue eyes boring in to her.

“I’ve been asked to debut a new song at the Grammy’s. Will you go with me?” Her voice was soft and vulnerable and despite what Lexa felt about crowds, there was no world where she would deny Clarke.

“Yeah, of course.” Clarke kissed her soundly before she’d finished.

Later that night, her arms pulled Lexa close, like she was trying to absorb her. “I am amazed by you every day,” she whispered into the skin of her shoulder. Lexa hugged Clarke’s arms tighter around her.

“Well, as an adult, I have to work tomorrow. I’m going to head out before I let you pay for any more of my drinks,” Anya pulled her coat over her arms and patted her pockets to check for her belongings.

“You mean you’ll start waxing poetic about Raven once you’re drunk enough,” Clarke teased.

“Hey, don’t put words in my mouth. Get home safe, you two. Good night.” The couple watched as Anya disappeared around the corner and followed suit not long after, pulling on jackets and double checking for their belongings. When they hit the street, Lexa felt Clarke reach out and try to lace their fingers. Her hand remained stiff.

“Hey,” Clarke tugged them to a slow stop, “are you okay?” She frowned when Lexa looked anywhere but her. “Talk to me. Please,” she pleaded softly, running her thumb over the skin in her grasp. For a moment Lexa tried to find the words, to piece together something that wasn’t entirely emotion and that wouldn’t cause undue pain, but she shook her head and turned back towards their apartment.

“When we get home. I need to think before I speak.” Clarke’s lips tightened, but she nodded and stayed beside Lexa the entire way. The walk allowed the words to settle with each step. She wasn’t mad at Clarke- couldn’t be mad at her. It was irrational and her girlfriend had proved time and time again that what she felt for Lexa was real and there was no getting rid of her.

She was endlessly grateful for the quiet, for the chance to organize herself and the affection swelling in her chest helped ease away some of the frustration with herself. Lexa remained silent until the front door was locked and their coats were hung up in the hall closet. Then, at length, she turned to face Clarke.

“You are very successful and you’ve worked very hard for that. I couldn’t be more proud of you and the effort you put in every day. I want to start with that,” she finally made eye contact and Clarke nodded to encourage her to continue. “That being said, I don’t want you to pay for every bill willy-nilly like it’s nothing. When you wave away my offer to pay for something I feel like I’m not contributing anything to us,” Lexa explained. Her shoulders were tense and almost up by her ears by the time she finished. She watched Clarke’s heart immediately break on her face.

“Oh, baby, no. That’s not- I never meant- I’m so sorry, come here.” She held out her arms and folded Lexa into herself. “I didn’t mean to do that.”

“I know you don’t need me, but I’m frustrated any time I’m reminded of it,” Lexa breathed into Clarke’s neck. She felt the full body laugh and the hands tightened around her.

“No one needs anyone, but by god do I want you.” Tears began to form in Lexa’s eyes without her consent. Trust her to start crying in the middle of their argument. “Hey,” she felt Clarke pull back enough to see her face, but kept her eyes closed. She didn’t want her to see how red they were. “Don’t move, I’ll be right back.”

Her arms were suddenly empty and her eyes flew open to catch Clarke dart across the room to the expensive stereo system she’d moved in with. She pushed a few buttons and came back to Lexa, settling her arms around her neck as a slow song filled the room. Lexa tried to ignore the way her hands so automatically fell to her hips.

“Do you remember prom? We danced more with each other than our dates,” Clarke laughed. Lexa remembered. Clarke had gone with Finn and she’d gone with Costia, a girl she knew had been crushing on her the whole year, in a vain attempt to get Clarke off her mind. They’d spent maybe fifteen minutes with their respective dates before finding one another like magnets.

“I can’t believe we didn’t know then.”

“Excuse you, I certainly knew. I was just worried you didn’t. Turns out I was right,” Clarke countered. Lexa hummed.

“Let me rephrase; I should have known.”

“Yes, but I’ll forgive you as long as you know now.”

The new suit was incredibly comfortable. It was custom cut and designed just for her to match Clarke’s own enchanting dress. The label had insisted on it and Clarke had worked with her to find something she’d like that wasn’t too loud, but didn’t look a wash next to Clarke. Lexa privately believed everything looked awash beside Clarke, but who was asking?

They had walked the carpet with flashing lights and rising panic. Clarke’s hand firmly clasping hers was the only thing keeping her grounded and present. And it was hardly a hardship when the press asked her to stand away for individual photos of the singer. Looking at Clarke was her favorite thing, especially when she was as dressed up as she was.

She leaned back in her assigned chair. Clarke had been pulled a few minutes before to prepare for her performance and Lexa was beginning to get antsy alone. All at once, the lights came back up and a host walked on stage.

“And now, three-time Grammy nominee with her new single, Clarke Griffin,” he gestured to the center stage and Clarke’s figure was lit with a spotlight. She’d changed clothes again and had her oldest guitar slug over her shoulder. Lexa remembered her playing it at the school wide talent shows that she always seemed to sweep. She began playing before the applause died down.

“Your eyes, so crystal green, sour apple baby, but you taste so sweet,” Lexa felt her face redden immediately. Clarke hadn’t been joking when she said she’d written about her extensively. And so obviously. She couldn’t help but laugh quietly.

Twenty minutes later Clarke found her way back to her seat with a nervous grin. “What did you think?” she asked, her pinky pressing to Lexa’s hand. Lexa laughed again and took Clarke’s hand in her own.

“I love you, but if there is actually a song about my vagina on the album sung by Alanis Morissette, I will scream,” she replied. The quiet admission in the crowded theater wasn’t lost. Clarke’s eyes shown with nearly-there tears as she pulled Lexa’s hand to her lips.

“I love you too, but it’s staying.”

Clarke burst through the door and Lexa nearly dropped the dish she was holding.

“It’s done,” Clarke announced, ripping off her heavy coat as she crossed the apartment, jabbing her finger into the buttons of the stereo system. Lexa blinked, bewildered.

“What’s done?” She set down the dish carefully. There was no need for more property damage than Clarke’s excitement would cause. She watched her girlfriend shove a before unseen disc into the player and whirl around, arms wide and a grin stretching across her face.

“My new album.” She pulled the blanket from their sofa and laid it out over the floor. As soon as it was flat, she marched over to Lexa, pecked her cheek, then tugged her down to the blanket with her.

“I get to hear?” Lexa asked, making herself comfortable.

“I said you could when it’s done. Now without further adieu, may I present; Clarke Griffin’s Untitled Third Album.” Clarke pressed the play button and after a few moments of silence, sound filtered through the speakers.

It was always a surreal experience listening to Clarke’s new music. She put so much of herself into every track that Lexa was always left feeling like she’d learned something new about the girl she’d known most of her life. And she wasn’t stupid; she knew songwriting was very personal for a lot of people - Clarke included - and to be let in like this was a show of trust unlike anything else.

Lexa smiled and found Clarke’s hand as she listened.

“Can you guess where I am right now?” Clarke asked from thousands of miles away. Lexa chewed her lip and tried to recall the schedule tacked to the fridge. She would get up and look, but she was comfortable in bed and Clarke would surely call that cheating.

“I want to say Florida.” Her answer was met with a laugh.

“Which stop in Florida?”

“Tallahassee?”

“You know sometimes I think you memorize that thing, but no, that wasn’t what I meant, guess again,” Clarke demanded. Lexa hummed and made a show of trying to really put her brain into it, but she was so exhausted by work that day that she couldn’t get beyond ‘not in bed with me’ and decided to groan like she was stumped.

“I couldn’t even begin to track the life of an international pop star. Where are you?”

“On the roof of the bus.” Lexa’s eyes - which had slid closed over the course of the conversation - snapped open.

“Oh yeah?” She forced the nerves and panic out of her voice.

“Mhmm. Found a step ladder and went up the hatch at the back. Gus is standing just below like he’ll be able to ninja catch me as I start falling,” the singer laughed.

“You never know with him. Can I ask what you’re doing up there?”

“I was missing you, so I wanted to see the stars.” Lexa’s world stopped and narrowed down to one thought; I will marry this woman. There was no other choice. After all the years of pining and missed opportunities culminating into the life they had built together, anything else would be a disservice to themselves. It wouldn’t be soon - she could handle a little bit of waiting - but it was going to happen. The revelation knocked the wind out of her and she sat up in bed, then, struck by the image of Clarke under the stars, moved to their bedroom window and pushed it open.

“What a coincidence, me too.”

#clexa #the 1oo #fanfiction #mine

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i-am-the-hero-alfred-jones · 5 years

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Ban’s Death Sentence

((Seven Deadly Sins/Nanatsu no taizai fanfiction! This mostly takes place in the past, after the sins got famous, but before they got REALLY famous, i.e. the kingdom’s heard of them, but don’t know a lot of info. about them. The flashbacks are segmented by the spaces between text, basically any time there’s an empty line, it’s a new time or place. . . I hope that makes sense. Sorry if it doesn’t, tumblr wouldn’t let me insert a line. I hope you enjoy! Please like and reblog if you do!))

“So you saw everything while you were dead?” Ban asked, glancing at his lover from his seat at the bar.

The blonde blushed shyly and fiddled with her pint. “Well, not everything.” Elaine confessed, “But I tried to see all I could, it took me a while to figure out how it worked, how to view you and this world. Most of the early stuff with the sins I missed.”

“Oh, did you see when Ban faked his own death?” Meliodas asked, curiously, cleaning a pint mug.

“WHAT?!”

Ban choked on his drink.

“You faked your own death?!” Elaine demanded.

“Uhhh. . . . “ was the albino’s intelligent answer.

“Why would you do that?!” she pressed.

“It’s kind of a long story. . .” Ban muttered, embarrassed.

“I think I’ve got the time!” Elaine said, still bewildered by this turn of events.

“It’s King’s fault, really. . .” Ban grumbled.

“WHAT???!!!!!”

“So long, guys! I’m off to celebrate Valentine’s Day with the girl of my dreams!” the Captain of the Seven Deadly Sins cheered as he set his bags in a carriage.

His teammates rolled their eyes.

“Try to stay out of trouble while I’m gone!” the blonde grinned brightly.

“Relax, Cap’n.” Ban said, “Go enjoy your vacation. You’re only gonna be gone for a week, how much trouble could we possibly get into?”

“Dearly beloved, we gather here to mourn the death of Ban the fox sin of greed. A wonderful warrior and friend. Now, the ceremony will continue in the next room.”

The black-clothes mob followed the priest out. . . all but one.

The fairy king glared at the albino ‘body’ in the coffin.

“I know you’re not really dead, you asshole.”

“Yeah, no shit.” Ban sat up, casually resting his arm on the edge of the coffin.

“So why are you doing this?!” King demanded.

“I don’t know if the Cap’n wants my immortality publicized yet.” Ban said, shrugging, “It’s not super well known right now.”

“Hundreds of people are mourning you!” King pointed out, angrily.

“Well, what am I supposed to do?!” Ban countered, “Tell the truth?”

“YES!!!!”

“King?”

Ban threw himself back in the coffin rapidly as the priest poked his head back into the room.

“Yes?” King asked, innocently.

“What should we do with the body?” the priest asked, approaching the ginger, “We were thinking cremation”

Red eyes shot open in fear.

“NO!” King exclaimed, panicked.

Ban gave a sigh of relief. King glanced to the ‘body’ and suddenly got an idea. He feigned sadness.

“No. . . we should bury him.”

Ban’s eyes shot open again.

“I see. . . we’ll wait until your Captain returns-”

“NO!”

It took everything in Ban not to shoot up and smack the fairy upside his head.

“The Captain couldn’t bare to see his friend in such a state. He can visit the grave when he returns.” King was practically grinning.

“. . . Very well . . . “ the priest replied, unnerved by the smile, “. . .We’ll bury him tonight-”

“Why not now?!” King suggested, cheerfully, “I’ll help!”

Ban, eyes still closed, heard the very distinct sound of a coffin lid being put into place before he opened them again.

“. . . I am so fucked. . .” he whispered.

“I’m home!” the knight called, entering her house. She smiled as the familiar bird flew to her side.

“Liz!” a familiar happy voice beckoned her to the kitchen.

“I have a letter for you.” she held said letter out with a smile.

“Oh? From who?” Meliodas took the letter, pressing a kiss to Liz’s lips as he did.

“The King.” Liz warily glanced to the stove as her lover opened the letter and began reading. It looked like Meliodas had been making some sort of stew. But knowing his cooking skills. . . Liz spared a glance to the blonde and immediately poured the stew out the window.

“What’s the letter say?” she asked, curiously, beginning to cook a new stew.

“Ban’s dead.” Meliodas replied, confused.

Liz gasped, putting a hand to her heart and stopping in her efforts of making an edible meal for the two. “. . . I’m so sorry.” she wrapped Meliodas in a hug. The blonde immediately buried his face in his lover’s breasts. Liz ran a hand through his hair.

“Ban can’t be dead.” Meliodas said, voice muffled.

“I know death can be hard to accept. . .” Liz began.

Meliodas popped his head out of her chest and moved to squeezing the breasts instead. “Ban’s immortal.” he informed her.

Liz froze. “. . . What?” she pushed him away, having only let him grope her to make him feel better.

“He drank from the fountain of youth, he can’t die. That’s why he’s called Undead Ban.” the Captain continued.

Liz stared at him in shock “W-what did they do with the body?” she asked in horror.

Meliodas glanced back towards the letter. “It says they buried him.” he replied.

Liz stared at the blonde, “You’ve got to get back to town.”

“Are we really just going to leave him there?! Buried alive?!” Escanor asked, worriedly.

“Well, it’s not like he can die.” Gowther pointed out.

“I didn’t think you had this sort of thing in you, King.” Merlin said, smirking.

King glared at his mug of beer, “He deserves it.”

“Oh, so you’re the one who buried Ban.”

The team froze as they heard the voice of their Captain. He wasn’t called the sin of wrath for nothing.

“So why’d you do it, King?” Meliodas had his usual smile.

“He made hundred of people mourn him!” King exclaimed, “We held a funeral for him! There were children there!”

Meliodas sighed, “Well, it wouldn’t be the first time he’s made children cry. . .”

King’s glare at his mug only increased.

“. . . You know we have to dig him up, right?” Meliodas pointed out.

“I’m not helping.” King said, stubbornly.

The Captain leaned against the bar, “You know, I bet Diance would be real impressed if she saw you dig up a six foot deep grave~” Meliodas pointed out.

King lit up, “Well, what are we waiting for?!” he asked, eagerly.

The small group traversed outside of the palace. Unsurprisingly most of the sins were not willing to spend the next several hours digging up a grave. However, Meliodas had managed to persuade (read: manipulate) Escanor, King, and Gowther to join the grave robbing party. It was a merry morning and Meliodas whistled as he walked through the palace courtyard, shovel over his shoulder.

“Sir, Meliodas! Sir Meliodas!” three tiny voices called, prompting the blonde to turn around.

The Captain grinned, “Hey, little Gil!” he greeted, cheerfully.

“What are you doing?” Howzer asked, curiously.

“We’re going grave robbing.” Gowther in formed the children.

“Cool!” Howzer cheered, excitedly, “What’s grave robbing?!”

“It means we’re digging up a grave.” King replied, bitterly.

Gilthunder teared up, “I don’t wanna see a dead body!”

“Relax, he’s not dead.” Meliodas assured.

“So they buried him alive?!” Griamore exclaimed, fearfully.

“It’s fine. He’s immortal. You wanna come?” Meliodas offered.

The kids looked at each other, “Sure!”

Howzer, Gilthunder, and Griamore were hard at work digging up the grave of the fox sin of greed. Meliodas stopped and glanced at the other sins “I thought you guys were gonna help dig.”

“Diane’s not here.” King pointed out, lazing on Chastifol.

“I got bored.” Gowther added, continuing to read his book.

“I went to get refreshments.” Escanor announced, holding out a tray with a pitcher of water and several cups.

“Thanks, Escanor!” Meliodas smacked away King’s hand, “Water is for working people.”

Escanor snuck the fairy a cup anyways when the Captain wasn’t paying attention.

“I hit something!” Howzer exclaimed, excitedly.

“Alright!” Meliodas cheered.

The group tossed their shovels away and used their hands to uncover the rest.

“Escanor, help me.” Meliodas instructed, standing at one end of the coffin, while the sin of pride stood at the other. They lifted the coffin lid and the group stared down at the albino. He lay still, eyes closed, blood still stained on his clothes.

Gilthunder burst into tears, startling the group. “You said we wouldn’t see a dead body!” eh boy sobbed, angrily hitting Meliodas’s chest, though his punches did nothing.

“Eh?” the body in the coffin shifted and Ban sat on his elbows. He yawned.

“IT’S A ZOMBIE!!!!!” Griamore wailed, crying with Gilthunder.

“Cool!” Howzer stepped forward eagerly and poked the thieves cheek.

“What are you talking about?” Ban asked, confused and bleary.

“He’s not dead.” Gowther informed the children.

Gilthunder sniffled “H-he’s not?”

“Ban is immortal. He cannot die.”

“. . . Oh. . .”

Ban yawned as he stood, stretching. “’bout time you dug me up, Cap’n.”

Meliodas shrugged, “I was busy with Liz. Hey, where’d King go?”

“He left a while ago. He said something about being tired and that he didn’t want to deal with Ban until tomorrow.” Gowther still hadn’t looked up from his book.

“Bastard. . .” he albino muttered, stepping out of the grave.

“And that’s the story of how Ban faked his own death!” Meliodas finished, cheerfully.

“That’s not what I would call it.” Ban replied.

“Oh? And what would you call it?” Meliodas asked.

“The story of how King buried me alive.”

“Hey, guys! We’re back with groceries!” Diane exclaimed as she skipped into the bar, king of the fairies at her heels.

“YOU LET MY LOVER GET BURIED ALIVE?!!!!”

King dropped the groceries where he stood and flew away as fast as he could. Ban laughed as Elaine flew after him, enraged.

“This is why Elaine’s better than Elizabeth.”

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imsadstuff · 5 years

Text

What to do for dinner

Taehyung x Reader (also Jimin being a fairy and Jungkook being a little shit)

Fluff with a little angst. Slight mention of mature themes.

app. 1900 words

“What should we do for dinner?” Tae asked as you buckled. Both of your jobs are very demanding so you guys decided to always eat breakfast and dinner together. So far you guys haven’t cooked one meal.

“Definitely not pizza, we had it last night. Also no chinese we had it day before yesterday. How about we pick up some fried chicken.” He asked kissing your cheek. He never forgets a goodbye and hello kiss.

“Uh..no fried chicken. We had it this Monday. How about sushi?”

“I had sushi for lunch. We ordered from this new place and it was so fresh, you have to try it. Also on a unrelated topic we are out of cereal.” You went through a food ordering app thinking about what to eat. Everything just nauseated you.

“We’ll just pick some cereal on our way. Tae I’m feeling nausea seeing all this food. I might be sick. We should order some Bibimbap. No, even that is making my nausea come back.” You shut off the phone before you threw up on it.

“Honey are you okay. We should also pick up some medicine for your nausea.” He got a hold of your hands gave you a worried look.

“I haven’t been feeling the way lately. I threw up last night after dinner. Also today during lunch every time I looked at my food i felt like throwing up a little. I think I should-”

“Honey by any chance are you late?” He slowed down the car and came at a halt.

“Late where? I was on time for the morning meeting-”

“Your period. By any chance are you late?” This struck like a lightning. You were so busy with work that you forgot you were two weeks late.

“Oh my god you’re pregnant. Oh my god, wow. I have to call-”

“Tae you are not calling anyone till we confirm this. We need to confirm this, oh my god Tae I’m pregnant. I’m not ready for this, a child? I can hardly manage my job, how will i manage a job. And I’ll have to take some injection, promise me Tae that you will not allow a needle near me. I’m not ready-”

“Honey, calm down okay. We’re still not sure. Let’s not spiral before we are sure okay.” He kissed you a few times but you couldn’t stop yourself from spiraling. Pregnant? A baby? The both of you could hardly keep a plant alive, how are you going to do a baby.

“I’m going to drive us to a pharmacy and we’ll grab some tests okay. Don’t worry, I love you.” He pulled his shaky hands on the steering and drove as fast as he could.

“Oh my god Peaches you guys are pregnant. I’m so happy.” Jimin pulled you into a hug as soon as you reached your apartment.

“I so can not imagine you guys as parents. I-” you broke the hug and hit Jungkook as hard as you could.

“Jungkook don’t set her off. She is hungry and pregnant she will kill you.” Tae spoke from behind you.

“When, how, why are you guys here.?” you walked inside the house and stumbled a little removing your heels.

“Hey take it easy okay.” Tae held you by the waist taking your handbag from your hands.

“We are here because you boyfriend summoned us. I wonder what this child-”

“Jeon shut up. Are you trying to get yourself killed. Peaches. Why do you go and pee on the stick and we wait out.” Jimin pushed you into the bathroom.

“Pee on the stick, that is the groc-” You walked back to Jungkook while Jimin and Taehyung pushed you inside the washroom.

“JK I come out and you’re dead meat.” You shouted before slamming the door.

The ride home from the pharmacy was a quiet ride. You were basically fidgeting and Taehyung drove as fast as he could. You removed the box and read this instructions. They were pretty easy other than the fact that you had to wait for complete two minutes for the results.

You tried the first one and placed it upside down. What if it’s positive. Tae and you just moved in together, you guys are not ready for a child.

“Honey did you try?” a quiet Tae spoke from the other side and you opened the door.

“Yeah, we have to give it two minutes.” he pulled you into a hug and you could feel his heart beats. He is so not ready for this, what if he leaves you. You stayed like that for a little while, what if the test result was positive. Why is Jungkook recording this with his phone.

“Hey it’s almost time you should check it.” Tae whispered and you untangled himself from him.

“Honey no matter what the result is I still love you okay.”

You have never been this nervous. You could feel the nausea coming back.

“Positive. The result is positive.” you almost couldn’t believe this.

“These things usually take more that two tries for a definite answer. Why don’t you try a second one.” Jimin massages your shoulders and you saw colour leave Tae’s face.

The second one was negative and you could breathe a little. You were still not sure so you searched for the third kit. While waiting for the results you contemplated about calling your mom. What if you were actually pregnant, your christian mother would not be happy.

“Peaches are you done Tae is having a little panic attack out here.” You got up to open the door and everyone piles up in the washroom again.

You sat down, thinking about how your life is going to change. You wanted to cry, your tears were almost there.

“Honey, whatever the result is I still love you and we’re together in this.” Tae sat down beside you holding your hand. You could feel how cold his hands were.

“Can someone check the test. Jungkook check it.” Jimin walked in with a glass of water and handed it to you.

“There is no way in hell I’m-” Jungkook shut up when you looked up at him and picked up the stick. God, please let it be negative.

“This does not say anything. It has a strip here, what does it mean. What does-”

“How many strips?”

“Only one.” JK passed the test to you. Only one strip. Negative. Not pregnant. You could feel the tears streaming down, you were relieved but a little sad. Tae took the test from your hands and pulled you in his lap.

“Hey, Hey, no crying. You’re not pregnant. We’re not pregnant. This is good news.” He wiped your tears and kissed you forehead a few times.

“We’ll give you guys a moment.” Jimin pulled JK out with him and closed the door behind him.

You just hugged him and sat like that for a while. All the scenarios you imagines in the past few minutes. You were almost a little upset about not being pregnant.

“I’m relieved but i’m also a little sad” Tae finally spoke and you pulled apart.

“Me too. I know it’s a little early for us to have kids but I like the idea of a family with you. It does not scare me as much as I thought.” kissed him and you could almost feel him smile in the kiss.

“I love you.-”

“Guys, what is your plan for dinner?” Jungkook opened the door wide open before Tae could finish.

“Jungkook you are trying to get yourself killed aren’t” you got up and Jimin pipped in.

“How do you guys live. You have no kinds of grocery in the house, not even cereal?”

“We just ran out of cereal today and we don’t cook much at home so no groceries.” You made a mental note to schedule an appointment with your gynac and pick some cereal tomorrow.

“You guys always eat out or order take out. How are you not sick of it.” what Jungkook said did make you realise something. Maybe the food was making you sick.

“You guys have more take out menus than spoons in your kitchen. You guys should start to learn how to cook.” Jimin plopped down on the sofa as you snuggled close to Tae.

“How come we never cook? “ Tae asked and you were joining dots about how all the food was making you sick.

“Because the last time you tried to wake her up with a breakfast there was a fire in your kitchen.” Jungkook was enjoying wasn’t he.

“You should have kissed you girlfriend goodbye when you came here, that mouth of yours is going to get you killed” You walked to the kitchen and Jungkook flinched when you walked by him.

“It wasn’t the sex that made you sick, maybe it was the take out food,” Jungkook spoke as you searched for ramen cups.

“Jungkook you are in thin ice. Tae we have no food in this house, we really need to do that adult thing called cooking.”

“Yeah I’m thinking that too. Maybe we can take classes.” Tae suggested and you agreed.

“That will be the best thing to do before we set our house on fire.”

“I have an even better idea, how about we take a few days off, get a villa in Maldives or Bali and hire a instructor there? That way we can make a vacation out of it.” Tae spoke and you wondered how his mind works.

“Kim Taehyung looks at looks at something and thinks, ‘Okay i want this, but how can i make it more expensive’ “ Jungkook wasn’t wrong.

“I totally love the idea but my boss will fire me if I take one more vacation.” let’s just say you guys vacation a lot.

“Jungkook there is nothing wrong with me planning a vacation with my girlfriend. We don’t get a lot off time from our jobs and vacations are the only time we get to spend-”

“One more vacation and she’ll get knocked up for real.” You threw a pillow at Jungkook. He was really pressing the wrong nerves today.

“And your girlfriend is not going to get knocked up because we are going to kill you.” Tae threw another pillow at him. Why do you have full size pillows on your couch?

“Maybe he’s so snappy because he hasn’t gotten any action lately?” you threw another pillow and Jungkook dodged this time.

“For your information we were in the middle-” Thank god Jungkook was cut off by the door bell.

“Who is it now?” Tae threw another pillow and he hit Jungkook hard this time. You highfives your boyfriend and Jimin got the door.

“I ordered some groceries while you guys were being stupid. Now I’m going to make something something quick while you two love birds go and get washed up. Jungkook i need help in the kitchen.” Jimin ordered and everyone got to work.

“And help me a little and hire yourself a cook, I’ll send you guys a few options and hire one. Wait, I’ll just hire one for you guys.” Jimin spoke pulling Jungkook with him.

“Jimin you are a fairy sent for us. You are the best.” Tae hugged you from behind looking at his Jimin trying to utilise Jungkook.

“Anything for you and peaches. Also please no funny business and get washed up. Quick.”

“Jimin one quick question, why do you call her Peaches.” Jungkook asked a question he wasn’t ready for.

“Because her butt looks like a peach.” Jimin nonchalantly stated and you had to restrain Tae from running and hitting their fairy angel. You don’t need kids yet, you have Jungkook and Jimin for now.

#bts #bts fluff #writing #bts drabble #excerpt from a book i'll never write #bts x reader #writeblr #bts jimin #jungkook #kim taehyung #bts taehyung #taehyung fluff #taehyung one shot #bts jungkook #jungkook fluff #taehyung x reader

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discogs · 6 years

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model of youth: the argument for shivers as a timeless classic

( outdated, has since been rewritten, please don’t read this - it is very bad. )

A timeless classic, as defined by someone who has no business defining it, is a song which can be sung over and over, recreated and expanded upon countless times, covered relentlessly, occasionally even rewritten, and never loose it’s charm. A song that sticks in the consciousness of the listener for days, weeks, months, even years after. A song which, when it comes on ages after your previous hearing of it, still shoots a bullet against your heart and fills your veins with an excitement similar to the first hearing.

Be it on a jukebox in a desolate diner at midnight, or a genius DJ spins it coincidentally while you’re at a retro night. This song is vicarious, it exists within all listeners without them even realising it. These songs become the anthems of many people’s youths, the rallying cry of the peaks of hundreds of lives, and on many an unfortunate circumstance they can also become reminders of the most miserable of moments and heartbreaks. Timeless classics follow you throughout your entire life and, generally speaking, they get twenty four seven radio play.

You find yourself mumbling along to songs like ‘Hotel California’ in the grocery line on an average Tuesday afternoon, and you think to yourself; “not this shit again.” And once more on the car ride home, and then again from your obnoxious neighbour some time in the middle of the night. What I’m saying is, these tracks are inescapable.

Yet one of the remaining mysteries of these songs, is what truly makes them ? What arrangement of chords, what series of notes, which mixture of syllables construct such an ageless song ? Must you be a relative of Christ ? Or a martyr ? Or a starving artist ? Or a Kerouac-like, perpetual escapist, constantly down-on-their-luck sporadic potential lunatic raving on the side of the road ? Or do must you be simply a fragile sixteen year old, on the edge of the rest of your life, glancing over a crowd of your peers with a shield of cynicism over your judgemental eye ?

There’s a connotation to the underdog superstar case that implies you rise against the muck and reach the heights of The Eagles and Queen in the array of singles known by millions. You scrape off your shabby exterior for a new, cover of Rolling Stone magazine look.

The closest thing to this phenomena I can think of is Nirvana's 1991 ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit,’ which effectively ruined the careers of hundreds of up and coming (and significantly better) acts, but nonetheless gave voice to America’s newfound league of self professed rejects. This track, the main hallmark of grunge, gave rise to an influx of copycats and remained as such forever. This song must play on every alternative radio station in the world at least three times a day, and it never leaves. À la the underground rises to the pop. Naturally, this is the way of not only bands like Nirvana and Queen, who have produced numerous hits, but also the way of many one hit wonders. Mainly hailing from the 1980s, bands like A Flock of Seagulls, Dexys Midnight Runners, and The Vapors find themselves being known only by one song. But these are songs they collect royalties on for ages to come. These one hit wonders still benefit, our narcotic expression of heartbreak and sarcasm, does not.

Unless you are an avid consumer of “obscure” of music or lived through it yourself, our subject is more than likely unknown to you. But I’m here to make the case for it, the case that it belongs not just in the ranks of these timeless classics, but far above them in a personal luminescent garland hung up by the edges of the stars which surround it. It is today we discuss Rowland S. Howard’s seminal and deathless 1976 masterpiece ‘Shivers.’

There are many songs worth boasting about and there are many songs that I have heard that have taken me aback growing up, having been raised on the likes of Bauhaus and the Damned I found myself in quite a stir of eclectic individuals. As a child I idolised Dave Vanian for his looks, Peter Murphy for his voice and theatrics, fell head over heels for Stiv Bators (though at the time I had no idea who he was), and by the age of ten was certain I’d heard it all. An arrogant thought to hold, I know, but we all think these things at some point in time in our lives.

I had only known of Nick Cave as a figure who I had been described to me as simultaneously on top of the world and beneath it as well. Although intrigued by the notion of living a dual life, I had no interest in delving into his career. At the time I was too transfixed by Jarvis Cocker to care for much else and was in a state of rejection towards anything that was considered to be “gothic rock” and had recognised “Release the Bats” as the anthem of the Batcave era. Needless to say, being raised by an original new waver and a death rocker, I didn’t care.

I wish I could describe to you an idyllic scenario, perhaps one in which I happened past a cracked window blasting the song, or a miraculous vinyl find, but my discovery of Rowland S. Howard was fairly typical. I had been lying in my father’s bed, staring up at the off grey ceiling and ignoring his musical choice until the distinct sound of a piano had caught my attention. Due to this instrument being an unusual occurrence in my father’s selection, I immediately ripped out my headphones to listen.

Now I must make an important distinction here. It was not the voice of Nick Cave that drew me in, nor was it really the instrumentation of the track, but the first lyric. “I’ve been contemplating suicide / But it really doesn’t suit my style.” I had propped myself up on my elbows, a smile spreading across my lips, and peered over my father’s shoulder at the computer screen displaying a pale man of puppet-like features forcing out lyrics he didn’t seem to gather. It was evident from the get go that this song was not nearly as emotional as it was being portrayed, and for this I adored it. I’d had enough of love songs, I practically adamantly rejected love songs with my every move. So this beautiful expression of sarcasm was right up my alley.

I had jumped to my feet, now standing directly behind my father who knowingly smiled up at me. My question of “Who did this?” was not answered adequately, as he responded simply with “Nick Cave.” I had taken another look at the singer, who looked like a Nick, and then took note of the name. “Boys Next Door, Shivers.”

This lyric stayed with me for weeks, eating me up like a parasite. It was all I needed to hear, and in such a ballroom manner as well. When I close my eyes and look past the iconic music video, I always envision a darkened high school gym during prom, couples awkwardly embracing each other for a slow dance they’ll regret immediately after. I was out for blood with this one, and made it my main directive to know about every aspect of it.

As I had assumed, the song was written by the guitar who was carrying the track (I say guitar as Howard and his Jaguar may as well be one being), the pale bird-like figure who was only shown briefly. With just a few searches, I’d come across the original recording of the song with Howard on vocals by the Young Charlatans.

Upon first listen I couldn’t wipe the smirk off of my face. This was the delivery I had been searching for, a voice with a vaguely quivering edge to it to accentuate the obvious derisiveness of the lyrics. I adored it, and furthermore I adored the brittle looking boy who sung it. This would lead to finding my first true inspiration in Rowland, but that is a tale for another rant.

What strikes me so much about ‘Shivers’ is its malleability. This is evident in the contrast between the original Young Charlatans version and the more popular Boys Next Door version. Though Howard would later confess to having never exactly perfected the track the way he desired, to a loving fan like myself, it is more than immaculate, especially the original which stays more true to its initial intent.

Rowland asserts his outlook with just enough versatility that at first glance one could assume the sentiments written to be genuine, but he sings much how he speaks in this version with a sense of sarcasm which gives the version more character. In Cave’s version, he belts the lyrics out in a heart wrenching manner which implies nothing short of pure devastation. But it is this difference in interpretation with highlights the reason this song is everlasting.

In order for a song to reach a large portion of people’s hearts, it needs to voice a passion powerful enough to mean something but vague enough to be seen through any man’s eyes. These kinds of songs are difficult to make to stand the test of time. Many fall on one end of the spectrum or the other, either too specific therefore dating it or too vague therefore rendering it void.

Shivers, however, rests itself perfectly in the in between. It hits the sweet spot, to put it simply. Though it may not have been Rowland’s intention to create something which could be made into anything other than what it is, one must admit that art is nothing without subjectivity. The beauty of this song is that it can fit you, it can fit me, it can fit your neighbor, in any way possible. It is endless in its outreach to others. As perhaps Warhol would argue, it is perfect in it’s ability to be recreated. So many of the songs you think of as classics have been covered innumerably, despite their interpreted worth or quality, and yet still stand as an individual piece separate from not only the entirety of the artist’s discography - but from the rest of the musical realm itself.

Shivers does this impeccably. It is everything you want it to be, all whilst remaining so much more. And though to many it may be seen as hard to swallow, it settles inside you despite an initial shock. Shivers glides through perception with ease, aided by many beautiful voices which has carried it throughout the years, and was born exquisite.

- LM

#lyrical analysis #mmmm kinda technically #one day i'll rewrite this for a major magazine

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chocolate-brownies · 5 years

Text

This 5-Minute Meditation for Parents Will Save Your Sanity

This 5-Minute Meditation for Parents Will Save Your Sanity:

Here’s how one woman bridges the sacred world of meditation with the reality of motherhood.

Want to find a little calm when your kids are bringing the crazy?This meditation for parents is proof that it is possible to carve out quiet, sacred moments, even on the most crazy-making days.

Meditation and parenthood: this may appear to be an oxymoron, as the words conjure up images that seem contradictory—the serene meditator enjoying the silence in their quiet mind, versus a frazzled, unkempt mother or father surrounded by chaos. But many years working in war zones has taught me something new: the power of meditative moments. Short, conscious moments of calm, infused throughout the day, can be your most useful tool against the confusion and disorder of parenting.

See also 5 Kid-Friendly Animal Poses to Introduce Children to Yoga

“I Learned to Meditate in a War Zone”

One morning in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the air still ripe with the echoes of last night’s bullets, I sat at the foot of my hotel room bed and practiced listening meditation. It was all I could think to do to slow my terrified, rapid heartbeat. I quieted my mind, closed my eyes, and opened my ears.

At first, I only heard the sound of military-grade vehicles and sirens. Then, beneath, the wail of a baby, the beat of African drums pulsing through transistor radio static, and a woman laughing—reminders of humanity’s common desire for peace, a fresh moment to connect to something bigger and more sane than war. My heart slowed; I opened to the day ahead, whatever would come.

For me, motherhood has been a bit like working in a war zone. Not to diminish what living through war is like, but the constant vigilance, the drain on the adrenal system, the sustained lack of sleep, and the loss of regular bathing and meals, all felt very familiar with my firstborn. And, as such, some of the meditation practices I had adapted to my life as a human rights activist became applicable.

See also Mindful Parenting: 4 Yoga Poses to Quell Kids’ Separation Anxiety

This 5-Minute Meditation Can Save Your Sanity

Here’s a practice I call “Taking a Lap”: Both kids are screaming now, because it’s a cruel fact that when one child starts screeching, like macaws, the other will inevitably chime in. In the cacophony, it’s hard to distinguish one’s needs from the other’s, and, to be honest, I don’t really care. I’ve reached my edge. Every parent has one. This is the crucial moment I take my lap.

Whether they need to be in the car or not, I strap the kids into their five-point harnesses, roll up the windows, close the car doors, and exhale, knowing they are safe and immobilized. I drop into my listening mind. Taking a deep breath, I look to the sky and push all of my frustration out in one loud sigh. Then, placing my attention on my feet, I walk slowly, heel to toe, around the car. To an outsider, it may appear as though I’m simply taking the long way around to the driver’s seat, but in my mind I am a wandering ascetic, and to my nervous system each step is a healing balm.

Heel to toe … heel to toe … I listen.

At first, I hear the sounds of other cars in the parking lot, groceries being hauled into power-lifted cargo doors. Then, underneath, a teenager crying at the coffee shop next door, her heartache palpable in each sob. And there, way in the background, the birds singing loudly, while the air itself makes music through the trees, just as it always has; another fresh moment to reconnect.

No matter which shrieks come pouring through the door, whether laughter or tears, I know that it’s workable. In one three-minute, conscious lap around the car, that edge, so solid only moments before, softens. I am a warrior newly readied for battle.

See also 5 Ways to Ground Yourself and Prepare to Teach Kids’ Yoga

I married a man who was hit by his father for misbehaving. My own grandfather hit my dad and his brothers from pent-up frustration and anger. In fact, four out of five Americans believe it is “sometimes appropriate” to spank children. Part of the problem is that violence is learned and it is cyclical: Our children literally navigate the world by watching our every move, and that’s a lot of pressure. Add in sleep deprivation, financial stress, and a pace of life that could make Olympic athletes tire, and it’s not hard to see how we can fall into behaviors that allow our microaggressions to take center stage.

My antidote lies in practicing meditative moments.

“What were you looking for, Mommy?” my three-year-old asks after watching me stare at the asphalt as I slowly crept around the car.

“My sanity,” I reply.

“Oh. Did you find it?” she asks, hopefully.

“Yes I did,” I can honestly say. “It was somewhere between the back bumper and the rear right tire.”

And this is how I’ve come to bridge the sacred world of meditation with the profane reality of motherhood; by carving out short moments of “big mind,” I can better handle life’s “small mind” moments. Instead of recreating the painful patterns of our pasts, we have the unique opportunity to spin a different tale for our grandchildren.

See also This Is the Guide to Yoga and Meditation We Wish We Had Growing Up

The other day, my now six-year-old daughter wandered into the forest, heel to toe … heel to toe. She said she was “looking for her calm.” I knew then, if nothing else, that my often desperate, sometimes ridiculous-looking moments of street-side walking meditation had provided her with the invisible tool my own mother gifted me decades before, a tool that’s saved me from coming unhinged time and again.

When it comes to meditation and motherhood, my only advice is to create your own meditative moments and practice them regularly, so when you come up against your edgier places you will know exactly what to do with them.

Excerpted from The Unexpected Power of Mindfulness and Meditationwith permission from Dover Publications.

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cedarrrun · 5 years

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Here’s how one woman bridges the sacred world of meditation with the reality of motherhood.

Want to find a little calm when your kids are bringing the crazy?This meditation for parents is proof that it is possible to carve out quiet, sacred moments, even on the most crazy-making days.

See also 5 Kid-Friendly Animal Poses to Introduce Children to Yoga

“I Learned to Meditate in a War Zone”

See also Mindful Parenting: 4 Yoga Poses to Quell Kids’ Separation Anxiety

This 5-Minute Meditation Can Save Your Sanity

Heel to toe . . . heel to toe . . . I listen.

See also 5 Ways to Ground Yourself and Prepare to Teach Kids’ Yoga

My antidote lies in practicing meditative moments.

“What were you looking for, Mommy?” my three-year-old asks after watching me stare at the asphalt as I slowly crept around the car.

“My sanity,” I reply.

“Oh. Did you find it?” she asks, hopefully.

“Yes I did,” I can honestly say. “It was somewhere between the back bumper and the rear right tire.”

See also This Is the Guide to Yoga and Meditation We Wish We Had Growing Up

The other day, my now six-year-old daughter wandered into the forest, heel to toe . . . heel to toe. She said she was “looking for her calm.” I knew then, if nothing else, that my often desperate, sometimes ridiculous-looking moments of street-side walking meditation had provided her with the invisible tool my own mother gifted me decades before, a tool that’s saved me from coming unhinged time and again.

Excerpted from The Unexpected Power of Mindfulness and Meditation with permission from Dover Publications.

#sleep sounds #sleep music #white noise app #nature sounds #relaxing sounds #rain sounds for sleeping

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krisiunicornio · 5 years

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Here’s how one woman bridges the sacred world of meditation with the reality of motherhood.

Want to find a little calm when your kids are bringing the crazy?This meditation for parents is proof that it is possible to carve out quiet, sacred moments, even on the most crazy-making days.

See also 5 Kid-Friendly Animal Poses to Introduce Children to Yoga

“I Learned to Meditate in a War Zone”

See also Mindful Parenting: 4 Yoga Poses to Quell Kids’ Separation Anxiety

This 5-Minute Meditation Can Save Your Sanity

Heel to toe . . . heel to toe . . . I listen.

See also 5 Ways to Ground Yourself and Prepare to Teach Kids’ Yoga

My antidote lies in practicing meditative moments.

“What were you looking for, Mommy?” my three-year-old asks after watching me stare at the asphalt as I slowly crept around the car.

“My sanity,” I reply.

“Oh. Did you find it?” she asks, hopefully.

“Yes I did,” I can honestly say. “It was somewhere between the back bumper and the rear right tire.”

See also This Is the Guide to Yoga and Meditation We Wish We Had Growing Up

Excerpted from The Unexpected Power of Mindfulness and Meditation with permission from Dover Publications.

#sleep sounds #sleep music #white noise app #nature sounds #relaxing sounds #rain sounds for sleeping

0 notes

remedialmassage · 5 years

Text

This 5-Minute Meditation for Parents Will Save Your Sanity

Here’s how one woman bridges the sacred world of meditation with the reality of motherhood.

Want to find a little calm when your kids are bringing the crazy?This meditation for parents is proof that it is possible to carve out quiet, sacred moments, even on the most crazy-making days.

See also 5 Kid-Friendly Animal Poses to Introduce Children to Yoga

“I Learned to Meditate in a War Zone”

See also Mindful Parenting: 4 Yoga Poses to Quell Kids’ Separation Anxiety

This 5-Minute Meditation Can Save Your Sanity

Heel to toe . . . heel to toe . . . I listen.

See also 5 Ways to Ground Yourself and Prepare to Teach Kids’ Yoga

My antidote lies in practicing meditative moments.

“What were you looking for, Mommy?” my three-year-old asks after watching me stare at the asphalt as I slowly crept around the car.

“My sanity,” I reply.

“Oh. Did you find it?” she asks, hopefully.

“Yes I did,” I can honestly say. “It was somewhere between the back bumper and the rear right tire.”

See also This Is the Guide to Yoga and Meditation We Wish We Had Growing Up

Excerpted from The Unexpected Power of Mindfulness and Meditation with permission from Dover Publications.

from Yoga Journal http://bit.ly/2R7Lu7S

#Yoga Journal

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amyddaniels · 5 years

Text

This 5-Minute Meditation for Parents Will Save Your Sanity

Here’s how one woman bridges the sacred world of meditation with the reality of motherhood.

Want to find a little calm when your kids are bringing the crazy?This meditation for parents is proof that it is possible to carve out quiet, sacred moments, even on the most crazy-making days.

See also 5 Kid-Friendly Animal Poses to Introduce Children to Yoga

“I Learned to Meditate in a War Zone”

See also Mindful Parenting: 4 Yoga Poses to Quell Kids’ Separation Anxiety

This 5-Minute Meditation Can Save Your Sanity

Heel to toe . . . heel to toe . . . I listen.

See also 5 Ways to Ground Yourself and Prepare to Teach Kids’ Yoga

My antidote lies in practicing meditative moments.

“What were you looking for, Mommy?” my three-year-old asks after watching me stare at the asphalt as I slowly crept around the car.

“My sanity,” I reply.

“Oh. Did you find it?” she asks, hopefully.

“Yes I did,” I can honestly say. “It was somewhere between the back bumper and the rear right tire.”

See also This Is the Guide to Yoga and Meditation We Wish We Had Growing Up

Excerpted from The Unexpected Power of Mindfulness and Meditation with permission from Dover Publications.

0 notes