#it's fine when i'm rich but when i'm not rich

[notmoreflippingelves]

Actually going insane over the implications of Jason asking Dick to be the Robin to his Batman in Battle for the Cowl.

Like I initially took it at the purely surface-level of Jason wanting a partner in the general sense. Which made sense, it's a huge responsibility and a lonely one so an assistant/sidekick/partner seems a no-brainer if you can get one.

But then I really thought about it, because Jason is not asking Dick to be his partner in the general sense; he's not even asking Dick to be his Nightwing. He's asking Dick to be his Robin.

And they both know exactly what Jason means: "Be the light to my darkness. Be the smile to my scowl. Be the hope to my fear. "

He's saying "Be 'Robin'; be the embodiment of Love and Justice and Goodness. Be the exceptional person that you have always been. Be the slightly-less exceptional person that I was when I wore your colors. Be the person that I was in the process of becoming and might have been (or might still be), if only Joker hadn't clipped my wings."

He's saying "I am prepared to become vengeance, become the Night. And I will go further than Bruce ever dared to, because it is what is needed. I will be the necessary evil. But you don't have to be. If Batman is Gotham's curse, Robin has always been its blessing. I will be the brutal punishment to our world, and I am asking you to be its incandescent gift."

He's saying, "Be for me, what we were for Him. Be my anchor, my comfort, my hope. Remind me what it's all for, why it's all worth it. And remind yourself as well."

He's saying "Be 'Robin' again--for both of our sakes."

#dick grayson #jason todd #battle for the cowl #jaydick #dickjay #kinda but also not kinda #batman #dcu #'we can rule together as just it always should've been with you as my guiding light and conscience' #is that not in essence; a sort of marriage proposal ? #well no but it's not NOT one either if you catch my drift #i should note that i haven't actually read bftc yet and i know it's considered controversial/bad #and considered ooc for pretty much everyone #so i am not even sure if I will like it #but i am still planning on reading it for the jaydick crumbs #and b/c i am using it and knightfall as the primary inspo for my krisnix au #apparently jason does ask tim to be his robin first and that's interesting as well #but honestly a little less powerful/interesting to me at least since jaytim just doesn't interest me as much as jaydick #and honestly i've looked at the panels and it seems a little more genuine when jason asks dick idk #more like 'last chance; i'll let you live if you join me' for tim vs. 'join me because this feels right' for dick #and honestly even with clumsy execution; just the narrative and emotional richness of this scene is still making me absolutely feral #this arc could be complete trash in any and every other way but if it gives me THEMES; i will forgive anything #it's the former english major occupational hazard #*apollo justice voice *: I'M FINE #(narrator voice: she was not in fact fine)

[tonkatsubowl]

OKAY OKAY KISTEN PLEASE I NEED SOMEONE TO HEAR ME OUT ON THIS

SO I SAW YOUR REWUESTS AND I DESPERATELY NEED TO REQUEST AVENTURINE CONTENT SO

aventurine X reader where they kiss and he hides it with his fedora LIKE YKWIM??? it could be like in a casino after he won a match or smth AAAA I'm feral for this man

Don't forget to drink water, eat and get enough sleep darling (๑⁠¯⁠◡⁠¯⁠๑⁠)

it was you and aventurine's date night.

the man was always occupied with his ipc business and work, but the moment aventurine surprised you with a date, you were enthusiastic! you quickly got ready, and you always donned upon a fancy dress or whatever you may preferred. you knew that aventurine always took you out to high-end, expensive places, so you always dressed for the occasion.

after several minutes of getting ready, aventurine decided to take you out to the casino located in penacony. the casino already had a built-in restaurant and some bars here and there, so you were ready for anything that your lover surprised you with.

the first part of the casino date was peaceful. he took you around and the both of you played a few games, won some credits here and there before he decided to take you to the finest restaurant inside of the casino.

you ordered an expensive plate of lobster after aventurine encouraged you to order something expensive. after all, the gambler had an unlimited amount of credits to spend on you. you were absolutely spoiled, and you always tried your best to order something expensive...but you were so used to purchasing and ordering something that was the least expensive.

the two of you sat together in harmony, eating, laughing together and sharing several glasses of wine...until a strange man in an expensive suit approached you both.

"you're aventurine?" the man spoke, and around his arms were interlocked by pleased women who laughed in unison. a rich man, possibly a gambler.

"the one and only, my friend," aventurine said, lifting his wine and giving the stranger a nod, "are you here to dine with us as well on this fine night?"

"oh, no, thank you. but i've heard rumors that you were unbeatable when it came to a game of chess, cards...or whatnot in this casino." he said, lifting his own sunglasses, "how about i challenge you to that?"

aventurine's already-apparent smile widens as he casts a glance to your direction before lowing his sunglasses a bit. "why, of course. how much credits are you willing to bet?"

"'bout five billion."

"deal."

you blinked.

five billion!? that was so much. did aventurine have that much? well, of course he did! he was one of the most wealthiest people out there. you blinked, before getting up from your seat before going towards your lover, "five billion?" you say with concern.

"awh," aventurine cooed, wrapping an arm around your waist as he continued to drink a glass of wine as he remained seated, "are you worried that i'll lose? i'm rather offended." he mused, chuckling.

"i mean... not really, but, that's so much!"

"ahaha," aventurine shook his head, "mere pocket change, really. let's hurry on and eat. i've a guest to attend to, my dear."

moments later, the two of you arrived at the designated location where the other gambler agreed to meet. the table was designed and made for poker games, with the casino affiliate in the middle. you had no idea how poker worked, or any of these gambling games worked, but all you knew was that you wanted aventurine to win.

as the two sat, you noticed that there was a crowd that emerged from the middle of nowhere. they began to mutter and murmur a few things about aventurine, and you remained close by his side.

"is that aventurine?"

"i hear he's undefeatable in the casinos..."

"do you think he'll lose?"

"is he single? who's that next to him?"

aventurine never wore off his smirk as he began to play the game of poker. the game was intense as the two were head-to-head. his competitor was smiling the entire time, but you can see that were was a drop of sweat traveling from his forehead and down to his cheek. the man was stressing, alright. and aventurine's frame remained relaxed as he kicked his legs up to the table.

"cash in." aventurine says, and the crowd behind him begins to murmur more. some cheered, some belittled him. but you didn't care- all what mattered was that aventurine won fair and squared.

both gamblers got up, shook each other's hands, and the other left, remaining you and aventurine (with the crowd of course).

"of course, i deserve my victory kiss," aventurine coos towards you. you blink in confusion, unable to respond quickly enough before the man quickly reels you in for a kiss. he lifts his fedora over to conceal the kiss, shutting down any rumors of him being single in front of everyone.

your face turns red as you reciprocate the kiss, feeling his arms wrap around your waist to pull you in. "you taste like fine wine," he murmurs with a chuckle as he pulls away a little bit, "delicious."

"n-not in front of everyone!" you stammered, covering your face a bit.

"oh, come on now, (y/n). this is a good opportunity to show the world that you're mine, you know."

your flush had only darkened as the man reeled you in for another kiss once more.

oh, you were going to kick his ass later (in bed).

#honkai star rail #hsr #hsr x reader #hsr aventurine #honkai star rail aventurine

[mi-dori]

The Milf Magnet: Rich Lady CEO

Prompt of Series: You've recently finished high school and now you wanted to further your studies at a college that was a few cities away. You moved into a new neighbourhood and was met with all kinds of unexpected encounter

Prompt of Fic: Your Midterms are approaching and since you've transferred, you've made alot of friends from rich to poor. One of your friends, Stelle invited you to study at her house and there you ran into her Mom whom you've had a couple of encounters with and some how you ended up in her bed at the end of the day.

Warnings: G!P Reader, Mentions of Cunnilingus, Character taking control, uses of blindfolds, ropes, creampies, Character being obsessed with you

Featuring: Stelle, March, Blade.

KAFKA X READER

Three weeks have passed since your encounter with a redhead someone. She hasn't left your mind since and surely you wanted more but how can you face her? Was it fear? Maybe it wasn't. Maybe it was just the fact that you'd get too flustered just by seeing her face; remembering how fucked out it looked that night. You've received multiple calls and texts from her, but you couldn't bring yourself to answer them and besides, you have your midterms approaching which will work as the perfect excuse for not replying back to her.

"I really can't grasp accounts," March sighed dejectedly, her hands held tightly by Stelle. Out of all the friends you've made, March and Stelle were two of the closest ones and they've been there for you since you met them. You've had a few encounters with Stelle's mom, mostly because she had relations with the school board and because she's a CEO. The interactions with her were longer than expected because everytime she visits the school, you were assigned to her for the day, offering your assistance whenever she needed and acting as a tour guide for her. Something about her made you feel slightly flustered and small. Her intimidating gaze never failed to make you shrink and her captivating smile was one you could never deny.

"Do you wanna come over to my place? The three of us could study together." Stelle suggested. March smiled and so did you. Stelle's place was enormous and comfortable and compared to the house you're renting, it's much more convenient as well.

Stelle's driver- Blade, came to pick you up. If Blade was here, that means Stelle's mom was home. A slightly uneasy feeling started to stir up within you. "You okay there? You look a little pale," March placed her hand on your head. You shook your head no before smiling.

"I'm fine March." Stelle looked at you in a way that made you think she didn't believe you before she went to her car and soon followed you and March. The drive to Stelle's house was peaceful. Small conversations were exchanged back and forth between you three and soon after, you arrived at her large house. Blade opened the door and led you three into the house where the maids were running about doing work. He continued leading you until you stopped at a big door that was labelled "Office".

"This is your mom's office?!" March exclaimed. Stelle nodded enthusiastically, a proud smile beaming her face. With a deep breath, you walked into her office was Blade went in first and informed Kafka of your arrival.

As you entered, you started to feel uneasy and flustered. Kafka was wearing a white Button up shirt with the first three buttons undone. Her glasses was on the bridge of her nose and her hair was tied loosely in a pony tail. "Mom! I'm home. I've brought some friends to study with." Kafka took her attention off the screen and looked at her daughter with a smile. She took off her glasses and got up.

"Welcome home Stelle and her little friends. I'm a bit occupied at the moment so please make yourself comfortable." She hugged Stelle, then March and lastly you.

"My~ you've grown a bit since the last time y/n~" when she hugged you, you felt her run her hands all over your back making goose bumps raise on your skin.

"T-thank you miss K-kafka.."

"Oh dear, I told you to drop the 'ms'. You're making me feel older than I already am," she chuckled as she let you go. You took a good look around her office, admiring the art works she had mounted on her walls.

"You kids head on downstairs. I'll finish up some work and then I'll come down to help you all study okay."

With her last statement, you all made your way downstairs. The maids placed snacks and drinks in the study area and you took a seat on the comfortable couch. "Now this is the life!" March exclaimed as she relaxed in the couch. "Having maids do everything for you while you get to relax is amazing!" Stelle chuckled at her girlfriend's enthusiasm.

The three of you began studying and an hour later, Kafka came down and helped you guys. She explained all the concepts the three of you didn't understand and made sure to break in down into smaller details. All that studying made you kinda sleepy so you excused yourself and headed to the bathroom.

Splashing some cold water on your face didn't help you one bit and as you were about to exit, Kafka walked in with a loose robe. "Are you alright deary?" She asked, a bit of teasing in her voice.

"I-I'm fine m-Kafka... I'm just kinda sleepy is all."

"Sleepy eh?" She walked inside the bathroom and looked the door before corning you up against the wall.

"I got something to keep you awake for a good amount of time~"

A/n:

Hehehe cliffhanger 😈

Don't worry, there will be a part 2 with the actual smut.

#honkai star rail kafka #kafka x reader #hsr kafka #honkai star rail kafka x reader #hsr kafka x reader #hsr #hsr x reader #kafka x reader smut

[xpastelsweetsx]

Okay wait also ignore the fanfic I'm writing about Tim's parent's being not great but like- TIm loves his parents? Not LovED- LOVES!! Y'all wanna talk about the recent issue of Batman where he's going to save Bruce (again) and before getting Bruce he takes one final chance to see his mom again?? TIM LOVES HIS PARENTS!!

Tim's parent's weren't abusive, they weren't neglectful, I think they just didn't know how to have a kid. Were they perfect parents? NO! But GOD DAMNIT THEY TRIED! And time LOVES THEM! and they LOVED TIM! "Oh but Jack didn't want Tim to be Robin! Jack pointed a gun at Batman" YEAH!! WOULDN'T YOU?? You find out your billionaire next door neighbor is sending your kid out to find KILLER CLOWNS AND CROCODILES, PUTTING YOUR UNDERAGE SON IN BOOTY SHORTS AND ELF BOOTS TO GO FIGHT CRIME, AND YOU'RE NOT THE LEAST BIT CONCERNED??

Listen, they weren't perfect, but as someone with a busy mom, as someone who's had to go to boarding school, as someone who's had rocky relationships with their parents they've come back from, who's seen it with other boarding school (actually) rich kid friends, it's possible.

Tim Loved his parents, Tim loves his parents, Tim loves Bruce but Tim misses his dad, his mom, Dana. If you want to write fics where they're abusive? Fine, have at it, write what you want it's fan FICTION! But when you look at canon? What you have to know before writing anything? Tim loves his parents, he still does.

#sorry I was reading the current batman run #And Tim literally went to GO SEE JANET?!?! #HELLO?!?! #As much as I write fic abt it I do actively acknowledge that Tims parent's DID LOVE HIM #tim drake #jack drake #janet drake #batman #dcu #dc comics #comics #bruce wayne #batfam

[zqcky01]

OMG OMG TYSM FOR THE HEADCANONS BEING USED 😭

I js have one itsy lil request, can we get one more with two of these?

Fem!reader who loves to follow Skipp, (father figure fr <3) always trying to do good but also not get caught when bad

Stone who follows fem!reader like a lost puppy, (🥺) loving following them around as watching as they screw up things or trip, ect ect..

Fem!reader who always gets flustered by flirts, but can flirt (mostly when drunk "drunk words, sober thoughts" fr 😭

Stone who loves to flirt, he can and DOES get all flustered when fem!reader tries to hug him and compliment him (NOT NSFW!!)

(I RLLY THINK UR GON GO FOR THE LAST TWO 💀)

-👻🐏 anon (? :D)

Flirty Words

Stone x Fem!Reader

a/n: HI 👻🐏!!! you’re actually super right about me doing the last two 💀 LMAO GUESS YOU’LL HAVE TO READ AND FIND OUT WHICH I PICKED

❁ ≖≖✿❁ ≖≖✿❁ ≖≖✿❁ ≖≖ ❁

❁ ≖≖✿❁ ≖≖✿❁ ≖≖✿❁ ≖≖ ❁

"Hey, pretty girl." Stone said as he shoved his hand into his vest, pulled out his bottle full of alcohol, and took a sip of it. You shivered to hear his voice, and your stomach turned. "Hi..." You muttered, blushing as you crossed your arms over your chest. "What are you doing?" Stone asked as he placed his bottle back into his vest and looked over your shoulder. "Just-- fixing Vinnie's shoes because she ripped them..." You muttered, feeling your body getting hot. "Oh…cool." Stone said as he flopped down next to you, tilting his head to the side. He ran his fingers through his hair. Your gaze wandered over to him before your eyes looked back at the shoe in your hands. Stone smirked. "What's wrong? Are you getting sick, pretty girl?" Stone asked as his smirk widened. He raised his hand to your forehead. "Or is it because you're getting all flustered by me?"

You felt your heart pounded. "Stop it...you know what you're doing..." You grumbled, feeling small as you pushed his hand away from your forehead. "Awh, why?" Stone said as he leaned closer to you. "Of course, I know what I'm doing." He said as he cocked his head to the side. He sat up straight.

"Have fun fixing the shoe, love." Stone groaned as he stood up and stretched his back. "Where are you going?" You asked, staring up at him, your eyebrows furrowed. "Pickpocketing, it's my turn." He rolled his eyes. You perked up. "Can I come?" You asked as you placed Vinnie's shoe down. "I thought you were fixing Vinnie's shoe?" Stone asked, raising his eyebrow. "It can wait." You said, tilting your head to the side as you smiled. Stone's face softens seeing your smile. "I mean...fine. Just follow me." Stone said before they both walked out of the slums.

❁ ≖≖✿❁ ≖≖✿❁ ≖≖✿❁ ≖≖ ❁

You and Stone reached into different people's pockets and stole their wallets. Glazing the rich people's wrists and slipping their jewelry and watches off. "Hey! You little shits, giving me back my wallet and my wife's watch!" A rich man yelled at Stone and you. Both of you jumped before the two of you ran down the street and were chased by the rich man. You pulled Stone into an alleyway, the two of you hiding in the shadows. You wrapped your arms around Stone, pressing yourself against him so you wouldn't be seen.

Stone's back was against the wall as he stared at the entrance of the alleyway. He felt his face becoming flushed, his face changing to a red color. He gulped as he felt his heart pounding. Stone feared that you could hear and feel his heartbeat. Which you did. "Stone, you're heartbeat-" "Hush." He muttered as he covered your mouth. The darkness helps cover his flustered face from you, thank god.

"Ugh! Those little scraps...stealing everything!" The rich groaned as he looked around, before walking down the street. You and Stone watched the entrance, before letting out a sigh of relief. "Thank goodness we didn't get caught." You said as you stared up at him. "Yeah..." He said, looking down at you.

"..."

"Want to make out?" "STONE!" "I'm kidding!...kinda."

#x you #ramshackle x you #stone x reader ramshackle #ramshackle x reader #oneshot #fluff #stone x reader #silly #x reader #ramshackle stone #stone ramshackle #ramshackle

[spacesodaa]

Xiao x Reader - Let Me Help You

Characters: Xiao, Reader, Verr Goldet

Summary: You come across him on the top balcony at the Wangshu inn as he's returning from fighting god knows what.

Word Count: 3,229

Warnings: mentions of blood (not too graphic, but there's a lot of blood loss), angst, hurt/comfort, fluff

A/N: This is first person pov, but the reader is gender neutral. Xiao might be a bit ooc. Also posted on Ao3

The sun has started to set and the guests at wangshu inn are heading to their rooms one after the other.

I sigh as I look up at the darkening sky, the plate of almond tofu still in my hands.

Why do I keep coming here?

He avoids me anyway.

I feel so stupid right now.

I leave the plate on a nearby table as tears prickle my eyes.

Why did I have to catch feelings for him? For someone who doesn't care about me.

I bite my lower lip hard, trying my hardest not to let the tears spill.

It's time to go.

I'm about to turn away from the balcony when a flash of dark teal and a gust of wind disrupt the silence and stillness of the top balcony.

I feel a knot in my throat start forming as he raises his head to look at me.

Words escape me before I can bite them down.

"You're hurt!" I gasp.

He has a quite large gash on his side that's still bleeding.

He looks really pale and drained, using his polearm to help sustain his weight.

"I'm fine" he bites back.

"But you're still bleeding!" I protest, taking a few steps closer.

"I said I'm fine" he replies, irritation clear in his voice, while trying to walk away from me.

His knees buckle and he drops down, still holding on his weapon for support.

Hesitantly, I move over and reach to help him stand.

"I'm fine! Go away!" he shouts. A series of small bursts of wind fly around him and suddenly I feel a sharp pain on my arm.

There's a cut on my left arm.

I let out a pained yelp, pressing my other hand to the wound to stop the bleeding.

He looks horrified for a moment.

He's about to say something, but I cut him off.

"You're right, I crossed a line" I wanted to say it firmly, but my voice shakes so much.

I back away.

I'm so stupid.

I shouldn't have come.

I can vaguely hear him telling me to wait as I rush down the stairs clutching my arm.

I run out the door, along the dirt path.

The silk flowers are just blurs of red and pink in my field of vision, stained by tears.

I'm suddenly forced to stop dead in my tracks, Xiao appears in front of me in a cloud of teal mist, still struggling to stand.

"Wait-"

"What? What is it now?!" I almost choke on my words.

"I'm sorry..." he says, there's no bite in his voice anymore.

"For what?" I furiously wipe away the tears from my face "I crossed your boundaries. I'm just a stupid and desperate mortal, you clearly have no interest in me and yet I keep showing up" I don't dare look at him.

There's a bitter taste in my mouth I can't seem to gulp down, like I can't seem to stop shaking.

Through my blurred sight I see a gloved hand reach for my injured arm.

I don't have the strength in me to pull away.

He grabs my arm by the wrist, ever so gently turning it to examine the wound.

I move my other hand slowly, the cut isn't deep and the bleeding has already stopped.

"I hurt you" he whispers, barely audible, almost as he struggles to believe he actually did.

"It's- It's fine...it was my fault anyway" I reply.

"No it's not fine"

"Rich coming from you" there's way more venom in my voice than I wanted to.

Rationally I can't fault him for not wanting me around to help, but it hurts so bad.

He cringes ever so slightly.

"I know" he brushes his gloved thumb on my wrist in small circles "I...didn't want you to see me...like this"

"I thought you didn't want to see me in general" I scoff under my breath.

"You're wrong" he replies, he staggers a bit suddenly "fuck...I lost too much blood..." he's slowly inching forward, struggling to keep his balance.

His polearm is slipping from his grip.

"Xiao?!" I manage to catch him before he faceplants on the gravel.

He's gone totally limp, his breath is really shallow.

I swallow the knot in my throat as I feel the color drain from my face.

I somehow manage to pick him up and start running back towards the in.

He's way lighter than I though he would be.

It's almost scary how small and frail he feels in my arms.

His head is tucked under my chin as I run up the stairs as fast as I possibly can, my lungs protesting from the exertion.

I can feel his burning skin on my neck.

"Verr! Help!" I shout as I'm about to reach the last floor.

The woman pokes her head from the top of the stairs and lets out a horrified yelp as soon as she catches sight of me.

"Let's bring him in a room! I'll go call someone to heal him!" she motions me to follow her.

We barge into an empty room and she helps me put Xiao on the bed before running out.

I somehow manage to wrangle his shirt off of him.

The wound looks pretty deep and doesn't have a very reassuring color.

Did it get infected?

His torso is covered in bruises, his arms are full of scratches.

God knows what he went up against this time.

Verr and a man come running back in and I'm uncerimoniously shoved away.

I almost fall, but I bite my tongue and go sit in a corner, now's not the time to protest.

It takes a while but the healer manages to deal with most of the wounds, stopping the bleeding.

After he finishes dressing the gash he starts to put away his stuff.

"The wound was infected. I did my best to tend to it, but the fever is still there. As for the blood loss a few days of bedrest should do" he says and then bids his farewell before exiting the room.

I release a breath I didn't know I was holding.

"I almost had a heart attack when I saw you two on the stairs" Verr Goldet says, breaking the silence, while she gently covers Xiao with a soft blanket.

"Tell me about it. He didn't even want me to get near" I huff lightly checking my injured arm.

"You're hurt too?! Why didn't you say anything while the healer was here?" she notices my cut and looks at me worried.

"It's fine it's already stopped bleeding. I just need to go wash my arm...and my clothes" I'm covered in blood from before when I carried Xiao up the stairs.

"Go, I'll keep watch. Do you need a spare change of clothes?" Verr offers.

"I...yes please. I'll be back when I'm done...Can I stay the night?" I ask...thinking about going home and leaving Xiao here like this fills me with a sense of dread, even though he wouldn't be alone.

"Of course, you look pretty shaken, I wouldn't want to send you back to liyue harbor like this at night"

"Thank you"

My body moves on its own as Verr hands me down a pair of cotton pants and shirt that resemble pijamas and leads me to another empty room.

I nod along while she talks a bit before she leaves me in the room alone.

As I pull off my bloodstained tunic I can't help but think about what Xiao told me.

'you're wrong' I so desperately want to squander that small sliver of hope.

I'm terrified at the idea that he said that just to shut me up and not because he truly thought that I was wrong.

Always avoids me and keeps the distance, but tells me I'm wrong when I say he doesn't care.

Talk about mixed signals.

Completely clouded by my thoughts I don't realize I've been in the bath for god knows how long.

I don't even remember the moment I put my clothes to soak in the sink.

I hear someone knock at the door.

"Everything okay? You've been gone for two hours" it's Verr that has come to check up on me.

"Yes" I answer, raising my voice so she can hear me.

"Are you sure? Is there something you want to talk about? Get it off your chest? You seemed really out of it before and I'm a bit worried" she replies back.

It makes my heart ache, I made her worry.

I frown, but get out of the tub.

All my fingers are pruned up.

"Come in" I say.

I quickly dry off and pull on the spare clothes she gave me.

When I exit the bathroom Verr is sitting on the bed.

I vigurously rub my hair with a towel, trying to get most of the water out so I don't drip it everywhere.

I sit beside her, pondering on what to say.

"I know you worry about Xiao a lot, this has to do with him right?" she breaks the silence first.

I sigh.

"Yes. I...have feelings for him...but I'm pretty sure it's very much one-sided" I explain "or at least I was, until he chased after me before I brought him back"

"He chased after you? What happened?"

"I saw him right when he came back on the balcony. I wanted to help him since he was barely able to stand, but he lashed out. And that's how I got this" I raise my arm "I don't think he did it on purpose though, he looked horrified when he realized. I ran out before he could say anything to me"

"So he came after you? And then what happened?"

"He said he was sorry. I said it was my fault because I crossed his boundaries and I still think that. I may or may not have told him more or less about my feelings for him and that I thought he didn't want to see me at all. All he said was 'you're wrong' before he was out cold" I finish my recount, looking at the wooden floor.

"Ah I see. I don't think he doesn't care about you. I know for a fact the tofu you bring his is gone real fast and he always asks me if you dropped by. He thinks he's sneaky about it too" she chuckles a bit at the last part.

"Glad that at least he likes it, he never told me that in person" I reply, playing with the edge of my shirt.

"And wasn't there a time you called him for help?"

"Yeah, was surrounded by a big number of hilichurls that time, but I always thought he came because of his duty to liyue"

"That might be only half of it. He was talking to me when you called for him I believe. His expression was flat, but all color drained from his face and he was gone in an instant"

"This is so confusing. Tells me one thing shows me another" I rub my face.

"You might be able to get something out of him when he recovers" Verr offers.

"I hope so"

"I need to go back to my desk, there's still some paperwork that need to be done. You can go check on him if you want" she says, getting up from the bed.

"Thanks for the talk Verr, I'll keep watch" we both exit the room and go our separate ways.

I slowly slip into the room where Xiao is, trying my best to not make the door squeak.

He's still unconscious as expected.

Someone, probably Verr, put a small cloth on his forehead, in an attempt to bring down his temperature I assume.

I pad closer, I left my shoes into my room so the floor feels kinda weird under my feet.

I slowly and gently pick off the small cloth and dip it in the water again to make it colder.

I wring it of the excess liquid and wipe one hand dry on my pants.

With the dry hand I gently place a hand on his forehead, brushing away his unruly bangs, his temperature seems to have gone down a bit.

Keeping the hair back I place the cloth back where it was before I take a sit on the chair next to the bed.

He's still pretty pale, but he looks much more peaceful now.

I'm woken up by a strangled scream, jumping up from the chair now startled into an alert state.

It's the dead of night, probably 4 am judging by the position of the moon peeking at the window.

Its light shines weakly on a hunched figure on the bed, face twisted in what looks like pain.

"Xiao!" I call out his name, but get no response.

His breathing is ragged, eyes wide, body shaking most likely from both pain and whatever is that pulled him out of his unconsious state.

I step closer to the bed, my hand hovering mid air as I hesitate.

I decide against touching him for now, not wanting to repeat what happened earlier.

I gently sit next to his thighs and make sure I'm in his line of sight.

"Xiao, it's okay now. We're at the inn" I say softly.

Arms fly up at my sides and I'm pulled into a hug as I gasp, caught off guard.

His holds tightens a bit, shivers shake his whole body, as he hides his face in the crook of my neck.

His hands look for purchase on my back, grabbing fistfuls of the cotton t shirt.

This now very much looks like a panic attack and I have no idea of what to do.

How do I even comfort him through this?

I gulp down my fears and hesitations and gently smooth down his hair with a hand.

He doesn't recoil one bit, I can't control the sigh of relief that leaves my lips as I keep petting his hair.

"You're with me now, whatever it was that has you in this state is not here. You're safe" I whisper, rubbing circles between his shoulderblades.

Slowly but surely, the shaking grows to a stop, his muscles visibly relaxing.

I never got to be this close to him.

I feel so selfish knowing a part of me is enjoying the fact that he's so close when he's clearly shaken and distressed.

But even after he seems to have calmed down significantly he doesn't let go, his arms still firmly clasped against my waist.

I'm not entirely sure he's fully aware that it's me.

Maybe he thinks I'm someone else and that's why he's holding so tight.

All the times I was brushed off or avoided sting in contrast with this very moment of utter vulnerability and waekness I'm presented with.

Would he really show this to me?

The feeling of him thinking I'm someone else grows stronger the more I mull over it, the silence of the room almost suffocating me in my doubts.

"I'm sorry" I jolt at the sudden sound of his voice, kicked out of my self destructive thoughts.

"For...what?" I reply, barely above a whisper.

"I hurt you, you didn't deserve that" he still doesn't look at me, but now I know he's aware it's me he's holding onto for dear life.

"You mean the arm? It's fine, I'm fine look!" I scramble to show him the healing cut.

He doesn't lift his head from my shoulder and I drop the arm, a knot forming in my throat.

"Not just that. I kept running away from you when this is what I wanted to do for so long" heat creeps up my face "but I'm terrified I could hurt you worse than any healer could ever heal, lose you to the very same demons I fight every day. You deserve someone better than me, someone who's not a monster...yet...I yearn for your presence like I never did for anyone else"

"I..." I don't know what to say, words feel stuck in my throat.

"It's okay, you don't have to say anything, you probably don't feel the same"

"What? You think...I don't want you?"

"I'd be surprised anybody would"

"Do you think everything I tried to do for you was done in pity? Or with some second thought in mind? I like you!" I blurt out "I did all of those things because I care about you and I have feelings for you! I want you" I feel the weight on my shoulder growing smaller, my face is burning.

He finally looks at me with this awestruck expression.

His eyes gloss over for a moment.

"You do?" I nod vigorously, not trusting my words.

"I'm glad" even though it's dark, I can see the faint blush dusting on his cheeks.

I hesitantly raise my hands to cup his face, expecting to be refused since this is the most physical touch I've ever been able to give him.

To my surprise he leans in my touch, closing his eyes and sighing softly.

His face feels so soft and warm against my palms.

"I know this might be too much...can I...kiss you?" his eyes snap open, shimmery, blush deepening at my request.

But I'm not given an answer yet as his hands leave my shirt to grip my shoulders.

He pulls me closer until our faces are millimeters apart.

"Please do" and our lips touch for the first time.

His kiss is soft, but hesitant, almost as if...

We part, still a breath away.

My heart is hammering in my chest, I feel hazy.

I struggle to believe we just kissed.

"Was that...your first kiss?" he nods slowly.

"Was it bad?" he asks, his expression slightly changing to worry.

"Not at all. I'm happy I was your first kiss" he lets out a soft sigh, sounding relieved.

Calloused fingers reach to stroke my cheekbone and the soft skin under my eye.

"You should rest, we can talk more about this in the morning" I offer, leaning slightly into his touch.

"What about you? Have you gotten any sleep?"

"I little bit here and there, but I kept waking up every twenty minutes or so" in response I'm pulled down to lay on the bed, partly on top of Xiao.

"Stay" he almost pleads, pressing a hand on hy back to keep me there.

"But...am I not hurting you like this? Are you comfortable with this?" I ask, panicked, raising my head to get a better look at him.

"The wound doesn't hurt much anymore and I am comfortable. I might need to get used to this though...I've never been involved with someone" I sigh, laying my head back down, forehead against his neck.

"It's fine, we'll go at whatever pace is best for us. No need to worry about it" my eyes are growing heavier and heavier.

Xiao is so warm and I feel safe.

All the tiredness of the day is finally crashing down on me and I can't stop it.

He laces our fingers together with his free hand, resting them on his chest.

I hear him whisper goodnight before I fall into the depths of sleep, content.

#xiao genshin impact #xiao x reader #genshin impact x reader #genshin impact imagines #genshin angst #genshin oneshots

[icewindandboringhorror]

I got these shoes from someone recently but thought they were way too plain looking, so I set out on a quest to customize them with some sharpies and charms and miscellaneous ribbon I had in my craft drawers. Mostly sky themed (clouds, rainbows, rain, stars, etc.) because that's my favorite aesthetic, but I had to include some cat imagery as well, of course lol.

#also honestly had NO IDEA that real converse have that star logo on the INSIDE not the outer part??? why the hell would you want it on the #inner portion where nobody can see it?? my entire life I always would have sworn it was on the outer facing portion.. #I think these would be perfect IF they were just slightly taller (top part higher above ankles instead of just weird hard material digging #right into your ankle whenever you walk) and if they were actual good platforms. they're so short. It's good that 'chunky' shoes are gettin #more popular as they've always been my favorite Look ever since I had these shoes with roller skates that pop out of thebottom (not heelys. #but like. before those. it was two whole entire roller skate wheels like a normal pair of roller skates) and the bottoms were so tall and #clunky and it made my feet look giant (because it had.. entire wheels in the bottom pockets lol). so #I've alwatys been into the aesthetic but . still I find a lot of the 'brands jumping on trend' are too short of platforms #OR they're plafrorms with a raised back/heel/wedge which to me is not aesthetically good and also makes them exceptionally uncomfortable to #wear compared to just plain completely flat chunky platform bottoms. ANYWAY.. if these shoes had a 3 or 4 inch platform I think they'd be #cooler. however for what they are it's still fine! and I like them more now that they actually have some sort of anything to them and #aren't just plain white. The weird thing is that the material it's made out of (maybe some sort of leather or something) absorbs sharpie? #the color changes over time. You draw a mark and then leave it for a few days and it either fades into being barely there or has changed #colors. so I had to go back in and redo parts. ALSO the shoe chains are so funny because I did NOT have the right tools for them #I don't have the stuff to make bracelets or open and close the little rings. they're held onto the shoe with just safety pins and the actua #little rung things that hold the charms on half of them are like broken or the metal is just jam smushed together bent and warped hhbjhjhb #I actually like the back a lot where there's the irridecent star thing hot glued on there. it's cool and shiny. and the clouds #are sparkly on the main parts of the shoe though I'm not sure how well it shows up in pictures #ANYWAY... shoegs..... If I were rich this is one of the things I would definitely custom order from craftsman #why would I spend like thousands of dollars on plain ass shoes that are just expensive because they're a Luxury Brand when I could literall #like pay people to create me custom shoes to my exact specifications?? I could have like 5 inch flat platform boots with fur andclouds #and cat shaped holes in the bottom with LEDs in them with pom pom and charms and etc. etc. etc. Like as gaudy and excessively over #decorated as I want lol.. AND they could have skates in the bottom somehow!! ghjgbhjb #this on top of all the custom wizard costumes and period clothing I would order.. Like i LOVE customizing things. I love everything in my l #life being as particualr as possible and cultivating every experience I have to meticulously meet my own specific criteria as much #as is possible. If I had the money to I would never buy something from a store again. EVERYTHING I owned from furniture to clothing #would be either made by me - or mostly - comissioned from craftsmen. custom tiles for my floors. custom bed. custom table. #even like. custom toilet. custom sinks. etc. etc. ouGGH... but yeah.. anyway... shoes..

[widowshill]

aldo cipullo for cartier + hadestown.

aldo cipullo, love bracelet, photographed by gary bernstein / hadestown, "chant II" / cartier love bracelet advertisement, 1970 / hadestown, "chant II" / cartier "nail" and "love" illustration for women’s wear daily / hadestown, "epic III" / cartier "nail" bracelet, a. cipullo, 1971

#i'm just compiling this for personal reference (our late 60's early 70's rich people hadestown-adjacent au) but. whatever #maybe people find it interesting ! #➤ roger collins & victoria winters & burke devlin. ┊ to know how it ends‚ and still begin to sing it again. #compilation tag #a kiss may be grand/but it won't pay the rental [...] diamond's are a girl's best friend #hey little songbird/you got something fine/you'd shine like a diamond down in the mine [...] he'll write you a poem when the power is out #.... #there may come a time / when a hard-boiled employer / thinks you're awful nice / but get that ice or else no dice #that's a different edit but i am thinking about it

[expatesque]

Real random question but, how would you manage income disparity in a relationship? I’m from a working class household, family struggled most of my life, went to Cam, fell in love with a boy whose family are titled, went to private school, million pound homes etc, and I can’t shake the feeling of feeling inferior.

This is the best problem. I'm sorry, I don't mean to minimize, it is a real issue, it's just such a great issue.

So: No one can make you feel inferior without your consent (Eleanor Roosevelt). This is a very ~therapy~ sounding answer but I do think it's the real one: why do you feel inferior for succeeding against harder circumstances vs someone who had a much easier time of it? Is someone (or ones) making you feel inferior or is this a purely you thing? In what ways exactly are you inferior? What do you think you're lacking or not up to par in and, if they're important enough to you, can you change those things?

Because of course, there will be superficial things like what clothes you're wearing and certain table manner nuances and probably a social cue or two that you won't pick up on, but the vast majority of that can be learned or bought. And with your degree, you can go off and earn enough money to pay for the things to fit in. Whatever else you're missing, start reading vogue and world of interiors and any of the less sexy conde nast publications and you can pick it up. And ask your boy of course, he can fill you in when needed.

But if someone in his family is making you feel inferior, that's a you and your boyfriend problem that you need to talk out. Because this disparity is something the two of you should be navigating together, it's not purely a you issue and you will definitely need his support if the issue is coming from within his house. And I want you to be honest with yourself (and him) about whether he's doing anything to make you feel that way -- intentional or not, it's important to nip this in the bud before it festers and rots.

I know class is complicated and highly contentious here in the UK but you've jumped the system by going to Cambridge, now go do something fabulous for a career and you're sorted. Go enjoy the houses and the holidays and remember that generosity is a two way street - by graciously accepting gifts, you're being polite and respectful to your hosts. Be kind and grateful, always show up with a hostess gift (homemade or thoughtful is definitely best in this case, flowers are always a good backup), and enjoy yourself. He loves you, you love him, this problem is completely overcome-able as long as you get out of your own head. You've got this babe.

#s dispenses wisdom #relationship stuff #something that I'm not sure ive articulated well but im trying to convey is that... it is uncomfortable when people are uncomfortable #with your wealth #so it would probably help your relationship with his family to accept that theyre rich and enjoy the benefits of that #vs being uncomfortable and on edge in their presence #there's a fine balance though between being comfortable and being... imprudent? like taking advantage sort of #and you need to walk that carefully #hence the hostess gifts (good olive oil homemade cookies farmer's market kimchi unusual jam a lavender bundle etc etc) #does that make sense?

[astromechs]

the experience of having literal five blorbos rotating in your head on a salad spinner at warp speed is truly a wild experience

#caitlin.txt #this is what happens when i get new gotg content in the middle of a succession breakdown in a still-ongoing andor-induced sw breakdown #i'm fine this is fine my brain is fine i'm fine #and yes ftr this is the jyn erso cassian andor gamora rich rider kendall roy special

[threadsun]

Honestly? I support however you feel most comfortable writing the inserts. Blank slate, OC, Self Insert, etc. Everyone has their prefs and in the end, whatever motivates you most is important. I love reading pretty much everything you write, and look forward to each post.

Awwww thanks, I appreciate it!!! I definitely think there's a solid place for blank slate readers, I just get annoyed by the idea that a blank slate reader is more inclusive. Because they're just... not. But for people who like their reader to be more passive or to roll with the punches, it's wonderful! It has its purposes and fulfils them very well!

Self-inserts are wonderful too, I love seeing peoples' self-inserts and OCs :3c At all times I'm begging people to introduce me to their characters!!

But yeah, for my personal style of writing I prefer having a solid Personality on my reader. And that tends to require a Reason they're like that, which requires a Backstory and at that point it might as well be a reader-as-oc story. Also it gives me the chance to include identities of mine that are often explicitly excluded from blank slate reader stories, like being intersex or Jewish

#tyrian-bizkits #sunshine #asks #18+ only #every time a reader in a supposedly all-inclusive x reader story walks without a mobility aide or reads and writes with ease etc. #I'm immediately pulled out of it because it's not intended to be a character but now it's definitely not me #which is fine!!!! I don't mind that at all I enjoy x reader stories like that all the time #it's just when people are on their high horses about it being inclusive when it blatantly isn't that it rubs me the wrong way #also if I had a penny for every time a blank slate reader mentioned christmas or easter or jesus I'd be as rich as people think all Jews ar #anyway blank slate reader is good as long as you're not pretending it's because it's more inclusive somehow

[helenhuntingdon]

Thinking about how The Newsreader S2 will start apparently in July 1987, after The Newsreader S1 finished in April 1986, and a year of things will have happened???

Sorry I dislike time jumps so it’ll be like, of course Helen and Dale as newsreaders are successful (look at them) but it’ll be a shame to not see a year of all the characters’ changes and relationships. What has happened with Dale and his confusion, has he just focused on his work? Did Helen’s dad die? Have Noelene and Rob been dating? What’s happened with Tim and Dale? Why is Geoff still alive?

Too many questions. I hope they’ll find a way to answer them all of course, it’s a great show so I believe they’d pull it off and have done this for a reason. I just dislike when we miss out on significant things in the lies of characters I love. I guess the things that are left out will be filled by fic!

#the newsreader #don't usually tag my random newsreader thoughts #anyone else got thoughts on this tho? #maybe they'll do flashbacks if there's anything important #to not see anything significant and just see it talked about will annoy me personally lol #ofc dale will be in a gay bar so not still entirely suppressing though but stillllll #will it be like hello 1 year later he's fine in a gay bar now lmao #or 1 year later he's suppressed himself but now will unsuppress again #yeah I hate time jumps if I didn't say lmfao #watching the trailer is that helen dancing with that rich looking guy #when do I get a release date I'm suffering lol

[duelistkingdom]

negl blocking people and unfollowing people on this webbed site for putting the most vapid, derivative posts is so fun. literally i never see them again.

#literally if ur take boils down to ''don't you know POOR people exist'' i just think it's not a good take #like if ur obsessed with finding ''poor fakers'' like... i just do not think that is a real thing to be concerned about #i simply do not #i think that use of services means that MORE money gets funneled into them #and typically the idea of ''poor fakers'' means that resources get drained ie: food stamps #literally the whole reason fox news and their ilk want to drain the money from food stamps is the obsession with the idea of people who - #- do not need it are using it #which like. you are doing their job for them when you say shit like ''you can't spend money on a stupid checkmark on tumblr dot hell'' #and think that like. makes them rich. #literally how dare you do something funny #how dare you spend money on that #idk like i'm near broke #but i do wanna have fun #it's like. fine if someone buys a checkmark. esp since they might be broke too #y'all literally cannot be trusted to decide who's rich and who's poor #you start eating each other

[running-in-the-dark]

Just had a really uncomfortable conversation with our landlord & his wife - basically he was angry at us for drilling 'so many' holes in the walls (we really, really haven't drilled many holes in the walls. though we did build a shelf a few days ago, that could have sounded like that I guess?) and that it's getting very annoying that we've been moving in for four months now (it's been three months, and the vast majority of that time we didn't do anything, especially not anything loud. the only thing that's happened in like the last month is that we brought home and set up that shelf, and the holes we drilled today).

And it's just.. so confusing. Because we always ask them when we do something that could be loud/bother them, and they always say it's completely fine and everything. I just quickly wanted to get the drilling done today because I had to borrow my brother's drill for it, so we didn't ask this time.

And mainly it's confusing because they've told us SO MANY TIMES that they can't hear us at all, that we never bother them and that they're so happy to have such nice and quiet tenants. Like?? Okay??? How does that make sense. Last week we're great and sooo quiet and today we've suddenly been super loud for "four months".

So anyway after they left and I almost had a panic attack I realised I didn't take my anxiety medication this morning. Now it makes sense at least.

#I have not felt like this in months #it's so scary #my brain immediately went to 'they hate us and they're kicking us out and I have to kill myself now because I can't handle this' #and seriously like. there were SO MANY random holes in literally every wall of this apartment that WE fixed when we moved in #so the few that we made really don't fucking matter like come on now #I don't know I'm really feeling bad #almost like I have a fever #I took my meds when I realised but I don't know if it was too late #I guess that's my day and possibly week ruined then #I was JUST starting to feel good. like things were finally almost done. I was so happy #hanging up those small shelves was the last thing basically #and now it's all just ruined and I wish I could go somewhere else and not be here ever again #great!!! #why can't I just have rich and nice parents that have a house that I can live in 😭 I'm not strong enough to live like this #why is renting an apartment just literally actually hell #I want to d.i.e. #okay I've vented I hope it'll be fine now. it doesn't feel like it will but. it better be #I'm just gonna go rewatch abbott elementary and cry now #personal

[cidnangarlond]

need 2 not get involved in the disk horse about marilyn monroe's dress (it shouldn't even be controversial to say kim k shouldn't have worn it in the first place but the internet is what it is) before my film history special interest shit comes out

#like in life everything abt her was controlled by the studios every actor and actress was that was in their studio contracts in that era #that studios could control your name your image how you looked everything about you you basically signed your life away #there is not much that is solely HERS like she was an activist she fought for SO MUCH and deserves to be recognized for all that #but instead she's remembered as the sexy blonde bombshell in the white dress with the grate and happy birthday mr president #which is what the dress WAS FOR. IT WAS MADE. *FOR HER.* SHE HAD TO BE *SEWN INTO IT* #and it WAS hers until kim k decided she was entitled to a little jaunt in it and now look what happened the dress is fucked #and we continue to ruin marilyn's legacy. of things that she proudly owned that were hers in her own right #you don't see rich people wearing the dresses from gone with the wind. or the gilda dress. or grace kelly's wardrobe in rear window #NO ONE wears those. it's not even TALKED about it's not even an IDEA. but when it comes to marilyn it's fine. why 🤨 #screams. okay I'm done goodbye 👍🏻