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kaustubh-wankhede · 4 months

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Bhutan's Traditional Arts and Crafts: A Window into the Kingdom's Creativity

Nestled in the heart of the Eastern Himalayas, the Kingdom of Bhutan is renowned not only for its breathtaking landscapes, including the iconic Dochula Pass in Bhutan, and Gross National Happiness but also for its rich cultural heritage. At the core of Bhutanese culture are traditional arts and crafts, which serve as a vibrant expression of the kingdom's unique identity. These age-old practices, along with the thrill of paragliding in Bhutan, have been passed down through generations, providing a fascinating glimpse into Bhutan's creativity and cultural resilience.

Preservation of Cultural Heritage:

Bhutan has made a concerted effort to preserve its cultural heritage, and traditional arts and crafts play a pivotal role in this endeavour. The Bhutanese government, recognizing the significance of these crafts, has actively supported initiatives to ensure their continuity. From weaving to wood carving, these skills are considered essential elements of Bhutanese identity.

Textiles and Weaving:

Bhutanese textiles are celebrated for their intricate patterns, vibrant colors, and symbolic meanings. The art of weaving has been a central part of Bhutanese culture for centuries, with patterns often reflecting the region or community of the weaver. Bhutanese women, in particular, are known for their skill in producing exquisite handwoven textiles, such as the iconic kira (women's dress) and gho (men's robe).

The Bhutanese weaving tradition extends beyond personal attire. It is deeply ingrained in religious ceremonies, with elaborate ceremonial textiles used in religious institutions and festivals. The significance of textiles in Bhutanese culture is not just aesthetic; it is a language that communicates stories, values, and spiritual beliefs.

Thagzo: The Art of Bhutanese Painting:

The traditional art of painting in Bhutan, known as Thagzo, is another integral part of the country's cultural fabric. Bhutanese paintings are characterized by their vibrant colours, intricate details, and spiritual themes. These paintings often depict religious deities, mythological stories, and celestial realms, serving both religious and aesthetic purposes.

Thangkas, a form of scroll painting, are highly valued in Bhutanese culture. These intricate artworks are often displayed in monasteries and temples, serving as both religious tools and objects of contemplation. Thangkas are created with meticulous attention to detail, requiring years of training to master the techniques involved.

Wood Carving and Sculpture:

Wood carving is a traditional craft that has been practiced in Bhutan for centuries. Intricately carved wooden structures, such as altars, religious artifacts, and traditional Bhutanese homes, showcase the skill and craftsmanship of Bhutanese woodworkers. The motifs used in wood carving often carry symbolic meanings, connecting the artistic expression with the cultural and spiritual beliefs of the people.

Sculpture also plays a significant role in Bhutanese art. The production of statues, often depicting Buddhist deities and religious figures, is a revered tradition. These sculptures, made from various materials such as wood, bronze, and clay, serve both religious and aesthetic purposes, contributing to the visual splendor of Bhutanese monasteries and homes.

Preserving the Future:

While traditional arts and crafts in Bhutan have deep roots, there is an ongoing effort to adapt these traditions to the contemporary world. Bhutanese artisans and craftsmen are finding ways to fuse tradition with modernity, ensuring the survival and relevance of these crafts in a rapidly changing world.

Government-supported initiatives, educational programs, and cultural festivals play a crucial role in promoting and preserving Bhutan's traditional arts and crafts. Additionally, the global appreciation for handmade and culturally rich products has created new opportunities for Bhutanese artisans to showcase their skills on the international stage.

Conclusion:

Bhutan's traditional arts and crafts provide a captivating insight into the kingdom's creativity, cultural richness, and spiritual depth. The commitment to preserving these traditions not only strengthens Bhutanese identity but also contributes to the global appreciation of traditional craftsmanship. As Bhutan navigates the challenges of the modern world, the traditional arts and crafts continue to be a beacon, reflecting the kingdom's unwavering commitment to its cultural heritage.

#Bhutan #Eastern Himalayas #landscapes #Dochula Pass #Gross National Happiness #cultural heritage #traditional arts and crafts #unique identity #age-old practices #Bhutan's creativity #cultural resilience #paragliding in Bhutan.

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dailybhutan · 5 months

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7 Benefits of Cordyceps: Harnessing the Power of Traditional Medicine | Dailybhutan

Discover the age-old secrets of Cordyceps, prized in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and herbalism. Uncover the multitude of health benefits linked to this remarkable fungus. Explore the natural wonders of Cordyceps and its potential to enhance your well-being

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xtruss · 9 months

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The U-Bend of Life! Why, Beyond Middle Age, People Get Happier As They Get Older

— December 16th 2010 | Wednesday 16th August 2023 | Christmas Specials | Age and happiness

ASK people how they feel about getting older, and they will probably reply in the same vein as Maurice Chevalier: “Old age isn't so bad when you consider the alternative.” Stiffening joints, weakening muscles, fading eyesight and the clouding of memory, coupled with the modern world's careless contempt for the old, seem a fearful prospect—better than death, perhaps, but not much. Yet mankind is wrong to dread ageing. Life is not a long slow decline from sunlit uplands towards the valley of death. It is, rather, a U-bend.

When people start out on adult life, they are, on average, pretty cheerful. Things go downhill from youth to middle age until they reach a nadir commonly known as the mid-life crisis. So far, so familiar. The surprising part happens after that. Although as people move towards old age they lose things they treasure—vitality, mental sharpness and looks—they also gain what people spend their lives pursuing: happiness.

This curious finding has emerged from a new branch of economics that seeks a more satisfactory measure than money of human well-being. Conventional economics uses money as a proxy for utility—the dismal way in which the discipline talks about happiness. But some economists, unconvinced that there is a direct relationship between money and well-being, have decided to go to the nub of the matter and measure happiness itself.

These ideas have penetrated the policy arena, starting in Bhutan, where the concept of Gross National Happiness shapes the planning process. All new policies have to have a GNH assessment, similar to the environmental-impact assessment common in other countries. In 2008 France's president, Nicolas Sarkozy, asked two Nobel-prize-winning economists, Amartya Sen and Joseph Stiglitz, to come up with a broader measure of national contentedness than GDP. Then last month, in a touchy-feely gesture not typical of Britain, David Cameron announced that the British government would start collecting figures on well-being.

There are already a lot of data on the subject collected by, for instance, America's General Social Survey, Eurobarometer and Gallup. Surveys ask two main sorts of question. One concerns people's assessment of their lives, and the other how they feel at any particular time. The first goes along the lines of: thinking about your life as a whole, how do you feel? The second is something like: yesterday, did you feel happy/contented/angry/anxious? The first sort of question is said to measure global well-being, and the second hedonic or emotional well-being. They do not always elicit the same response: having children, for instance, tends to make people feel better about their life as a whole, but also increases the chance that they felt angry or anxious yesterday.

Statisticians trawl through the vast quantities of data these surveys produce rather as miners panning for gold. They are trying to find the answer to the perennial question: what makes people happy?

Four main factors, it seems: gender, personality, external circumstances and age. Women, by and large, are slightly happier than men. But they are also more susceptible to depression: a fifth to a quarter of women experience depression at some point in their lives, compared with around a tenth of men. Which suggests either that women are more likely to experience more extreme emotions, or that a few women are more miserable than men, while most are more cheerful.

Two personality traits shine through the complexity of economists' regression analyses: neuroticism and extroversion. Neurotic people—those who are prone to guilt, anger and anxiety—tend to be unhappy. This is more than a tautological observation about people's mood when asked about their feelings by pollsters or economists. Studies following people over many years have shown that neuroticism is a stable personality trait and a good predictor of levels of happiness. Neurotic people are not just prone to negative feelings: they also tend to have low emotional intelligence, which makes them bad at forming or managing relationships, and that in turn makes them unhappy.

Whereas neuroticism tends to make for gloomy types, extroversion does the opposite. Those who like working in teams and who relish parties tend to be happier than those who shut their office doors in the daytime and hole up at home in the evenings. This personality trait may help explain some cross-cultural differences: a study comparing similar groups of British, Chinese and Japanese people found that the British were, on average, both more extrovert and happier than the Chinese and Japanese.

Then there is the role of circumstance. All sorts of things in people's lives, such as relationships, education, income and health, shape the way they feel. Being married gives people a considerable uplift, but not as big as the gloom that springs from being unemployed. In America, being black used to be associated with lower levels of happiness—though the most recent figures suggest that being black or Hispanic is nowadays associated with greater happiness. People with children in the house are less happy than those without. More educated people are happier, but that effect disappears once income is controlled for. Education, in other words, seems to make people happy because it makes them richer. And richer people are happier than poor ones—though just how much is a source of argument.

The View From Winter

Lastly, there is age. Ask a bunch of 30-year-olds and another of 70-year-olds (as Peter Ubel, of the Sanford School of Public Policy at Duke University, did with two colleagues, Heather Lacey and Dylan Smith, in 2006) which group they think is likely to be happier, and both lots point to the 30-year-olds. Ask them to rate their own well-being, and the 70-year-olds are the happier bunch. The academics quoted lyrics written by Pete Townshend of The Who when he was 20: “Things they do look awful cold / Hope I die before I get old”. They pointed out that Mr Townshend, having passed his 60th birthday, was writing a blog that glowed with good humour.

Mr Townshend may have thought of himself as a youthful radical, but this view is ancient and conventional. The “seven ages of man”—the dominant image of the life-course in the 16th and 17th centuries—was almost invariably conceived as a rise in stature and contentedness to middle age, followed by a sharp decline towards the grave. Inverting the rise and fall is a recent idea. “A few of us noticed the U-bend in the early 1990s,” says Andrew Oswald, professor of economics at Warwick Business School. “We ran a conference about it, but nobody came.”

Since then, interest in the U-bend has been growing. Its effect on happiness is significant—about half as much, from the nadir of middle age to the elderly peak, as that of unemployment. It appears all over the world. David Blanchflower, professor of economics at Dartmouth College, and Mr Oswald looked at the figures for 72 countries. The nadir varies among countries—Ukrainians, at the top of the range, are at their most miserable at 62, and Swiss, at the bottom, at 35—but in the great majority of countries people are at their unhappiest in their 40s and early 50s. The global average is 46.

The U-bend shows up in studies not just of global well-being but also of hedonic or emotional well-being. One paper, published this year by Arthur Stone, Joseph Schwartz and Joan Broderick of Stony Brook University, and Angus Deaton of Princeton, breaks well-being down into positive and negative feelings and looks at how the experience of those emotions varies through life. Enjoyment and happiness dip in middle age, then pick up; stress rises during the early 20s, then falls sharply; worry peaks in middle age, and falls sharply thereafter; anger declines throughout life; sadness rises slightly in middle age, and falls thereafter.

Turn the question upside down, and the pattern still appears. When the British Labour Force Survey asks people whether they are depressed, the U-bend becomes an arc, peaking at 46.

Happier, No Matter What

There is always a possibility that variations are the result not of changes during the life-course, but of differences between cohorts. A 70-year-old European may feel different to a 30-year-old not because he is older, but because he grew up during the second world war and was thus formed by different experiences. But the accumulation of data undermines the idea of a cohort effect. Americans and Zimbabweans have not been formed by similar experiences, yet the U-bend appears in both their countries. And if a cohort effect were responsible, the U-bend would not show up consistently in 40 years' worth of data.

Another possible explanation is that unhappy people die early. It is hard to establish whether that is true or not; but, given that death in middle age is fairly rare, it would explain only a little of the phenomenon. Perhaps the U-bend is merely an expression of the effect of external circumstances. After all, common factors affect people at different stages of the life-cycle. People in their 40s, for instance, often have teenage children. Could the misery of the middle-aged be the consequence of sharing space with angry adolescents? And older people tend to be richer. Could their relative contentment be the result of their piles of cash?

The answer, it turns out, is no: control for cash, employment status and children, and the U-bend is still there. So the growing happiness that follows middle-aged misery must be the result not of external circumstances but of internal changes.

People, studies show, behave differently at different ages. Older people have fewer rows and come up with better solutions to conflict. They are better at controlling their emotions, better at accepting misfortune and less prone to anger. In one study, for instance, subjects were asked to listen to recordings of people supposedly saying disparaging things about them. Older and younger people were similarly saddened, but older people less angry and less inclined to pass judgment, taking the view, as one put it, that “you can't please all the people all the time.”

There are various theories as to why this might be so. Laura Carstensen, professor of psychology at Stanford University, talks of “the uniquely human ability to recognise our own mortality and monitor our own time horizons”. Because the old know they are closer to death, she argues, they grow better at living for the present. They come to focus on things that matter now—such as feelings—and less on long-term goals. “When young people look at older people, they think how terrifying it must be to be nearing the end of your life. But older people know what matters most.” For instance, she says, “young people will go to cocktail parties because they might meet somebody who will be useful to them in the future, even though nobody I know actually likes going to cocktail parties.”

Death of Ambition, Birth of Acceptance

There are other possible explanations. Maybe the sight of contemporaries keeling over infuses survivors with a determination to make the most of their remaining years. Maybe people come to accept their strengths and weaknesses, give up hoping to become chief executive or have a picture shown in the Royal Academy, and learn to be satisfied as assistant branch manager, with their watercolour on display at the church fete. “Being an old maid”, says one of the characters in a story by Edna Ferber, an (unmarried) American novelist, was “like death by drowning—a really delightful sensation when you ceased struggling.” Perhaps acceptance of ageing itself is a source of relief. “How pleasant is the day”, observed William James, an American philosopher, “when we give up striving to be young—or slender.”

Whatever the causes of the U-bend, it has consequences beyond the emotional. Happiness doesn't just make people happy—it also makes them healthier. John Weinman, professor of psychiatry at King's College London, monitored the stress levels of a group of volunteers and then inflicted small wounds on them. The wounds of the least stressed healed twice as fast as those of the most stressed. At Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Sheldon Cohen infected people with cold and flu viruses. He found that happier types were less likely to catch the virus, and showed fewer symptoms of illness when they did. So although old people tend to be less healthy than younger ones, their cheerfulness may help counteract their crumbliness.

Happier people are more productive, too. Mr Oswald and two colleagues, Eugenio Proto and Daniel Sgroi, cheered up a bunch of volunteers by showing them a funny film, then set them mental tests and compared their performance to groups that had seen a neutral film, or no film at all. The ones who had seen the funny film performed 12% better. This leads to two conclusions. First, if you are going to volunteer for a study, choose the economists' experiment rather than the psychologists' or psychiatrists'. Second, the cheerfulness of the old should help counteract their loss of productivity through declining cognitive skills—a point worth remembering as the world works out how to deal with an ageing workforce.

The ageing of the rich world is normally seen as a burden on the economy and a problem to be solved. The U-bend argues for a more positive view of the matter. The greyer the world gets, the brighter it becomes—a prospect which should be especially encouraging to Economist readers (average age 47).

— This article appeared in the Christmas Specials section of the print edition under the headline "The U-Bend of Life"

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bluegoobay · 1 year

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Bhutan | May 2011

#bhutan #gross national happiness #kingdom of bhutan #monastery #buddhism #dzongka #gho #punakha #monks #monk series #prayer wheel #documenting life

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guest-posting07 · 1 year

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Bhutan's Gross National Happiness: The Secret to a Fulfilling Life

Are you tired of chasing after happiness? Do you feel like something is missing in your life despite all your accomplishments? Perhaps it's time to take a page out of Bhutan's book and focus on Gross National Happiness (GNH). Unlike other countries that prioritize economic growth, GNH places the well-being and happiness of its citizens as the ultimate goal. It may sound too good to be true, but Bhutan has proven that this approach can lead to a fulfilling life for its people. In this blog post, we'll explore how Bhutan achieved such success with GNH and how you can apply their lessons in your own life. Get ready to discover the secret to a truly happy and meaningful existence!

What is Gross National Happiness?

Gross National Happiness (GNH) is a term coined by the fourth king of Bhutan, Jigme Singye Wangchuck in 1972. It was created as an alternative to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and other economic indicators that prioritize material wealth over people's well-being. Unlike GDP, which measures only economic activity and monetary transactions within a country's borders, GNH takes into account non-material aspects of life such as health, education, cultural diversity, environmental sustainability and good governance. These are considered necessary for achieving happiness and well-being. GNH also recognizes that happiness is subjective and can vary from person to person. Therefore it emphasizes individual values and preferences rather than imposing a single standard on everyone. Bhutan has integrated GNH principles into its national policies since its inception in 1972. Today it serves as a guiding philosophy for the country's development plans while prioritizing sustainable socio-economic growth with equitable distribution of benefits across society. While there are criticisms about the feasibility of measuring GNH or applying it beyond Bhutan's unique social context, many believe that focusing on holistic well-being instead of solely economic growth could lead to more fulfilling lives for individuals everywhere.

Bhutan's Approach to Gross National Happiness

Bhutan's approach to Gross National Happiness (GNH) is unique and refreshing. Unlike other countries that measure progress based on economic growth, Bhutan believes in measuring success through the happiness of its people. GNH takes into account four pillars: sustainable and equitable socio-economic development, preservation and promotion of culture, conservation of environment, and good governance. The government has implemented policies that prioritize the well-being of its citizens over GDP growth. For instance, they have banned plastic bags in an effort to preserve the environment, provided free healthcare for all citizens, and invested heavily in education. Bhutan also promotes spiritual development as a way to achieve happiness. The country values meditation practices such as mindfulness and compassion which help individuals attain inner peace; this reflects on their overall well-being. Moreover, Bhutanese society places great emphasis on community-based living which strengthens social connections among people leading to greater contentment with life. Bhutan’s approach towards GNH provides an alternative model for countries seeking a more holistic view of human prosperity beyond material possessions. Visit Bhutan to experience for yourself how this approach can lead to a fulfilling life!

The Secrets to Bhutan's Success

Bhutan's success in achieving Gross National Happiness is based on a multi-faceted approach that encompasses social, economic, and environmental factors. One of the secrets to Bhutan's success is their focus on sustainable development policies that prioritize conservation of natural resources over rapid economic growth. Bhutan has also placed great emphasis on cultural preservation, with efforts to promote traditional arts and crafts as well as national dress. This helps maintain a strong sense of community and identity among the Bhutanese people. Another key factor in Bhutan's success is their commitment to good governance through democratic institutions. The country has implemented measures such as anti-corruption laws and transparency policies to ensure accountability at all levels of government. Additionally, Bhutan's emphasis on education and healthcare has played a significant role in improving quality of life for its citizens. Free education from primary school up until higher secondary school level ensures that all children have access to learning opportunities regardless of socioeconomic status. Buddhism remains an integral aspect of Bhutanese society with values such as compassion and mindfulness being promoted throughout daily life. This spiritual grounding provides a foundation for personal happiness which ultimately contributes towards the country’s overall fulfillment index score.Visit Bhutan to see for yourself how this unique approach to GNH can lead to a happier life. It’s clear that Bhutan’s holistic approach towards development has been instrumental in promoting happiness amongst its citizens while preserving its unique culture and environment.

How You Can Apply the Lessons of Bhutan's Gross National Happiness in Your Own Life

Bhutan's Gross National Happiness philosophy can serve as an inspiration for anyone who wants to live a more fulfilling life. Here are some of the lessons we can learn from Bhutan and how we can apply them in our own lives: 1. Cultivate Gratitude: Instead of focusing on what we lack, take time each day to appreciate what we do have. Practicing gratitude has been scientifically proven to increase happiness levels. 2. Connect with Nature: Spending time outdoors is essential for our physical and mental health. Whether it's taking a walk in the park or hiking in the mountains, being surrounded by nature helps us relax and reduces stress. 3. Prioritize Relationships: In Bhutan, community is emphasized over individualism. We too can benefit from strengthening our relationships with family, friends, and colleagues. 4. Find Purpose: Having a sense of purpose gives meaning to our lives beyond just pursuing material success or pleasure-seeking activities. Identify your passions and values to find your true calling. 5. Practice Mindfulness: Being present in the moment allows us to fully experience life without getting caught up in worries about the past or future. By incorporating these principles into our daily routines, we can lead happier and more fulfilling lives – just like the people of Bhutan!

Conclusion

In today's world, where people are constantly searching for their inner peace and fulfillment, Bhutan's Gross National Happiness offers an alternative approach. By shifting the focus from economic growth to overall wellbeing of citizens, Bhutan has managed to maintain a unique balance that is worth emulating. The secrets behind the success of Bhutan's Gross National Happiness include a strong emphasis on community values, preservation of cultural heritage and environmental conservation. These principles have been incorporated into every aspect of life in Bhutan - from education to governance. By adopting some of these principles in our own lives, we too can experience greater happiness and fulfillment. We can place more importance on building meaningful relationships with others, preserving our own cultural traditions and taking care of our environment. Ultimately, the secret to a fulfilling life lies within ourselves - by prioritizing what truly makes us happy rather than blindly chasing after superficial goals. Let us take inspiration from Bhutan's Gross National Happiness and strive towards creating a better world for all!

#travel #traveling #tourisim #visitbhutan #bhutan #himalayas #Gross National Happiness #Nature

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egophiliac · 10 months

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...okay, one more, because Epel's white rabbit outfit is SENDING me. everyone in this event looks like a decadent little pastry and I want to eat them all.

(credit: lace stock)

#art #twisted wonderland #twisted wonderland spoilers #white rabbit festival #for the record i left off some of the bows #canonically he is even fancier #deuce might be the ssr but epel is the frilly little cupcake #genuinely have not been this excited for an event in a while #and that's not a knock on other events i am just SO excited for froufrou bunny frocks #chances are good they're just going to walk around for three hours and talk about. like. the gross national income or whatever #but as long as they do it while dressed like cakes i am happy #sorry if this looks bad photoshop decided to explode and corrupt my files and i lost over an hour of work on it #so i refuse to look at it any more #posting purely to spite photoshop at this point

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orcelito · 1 year

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Nasty tiramisu cream Goop

Easily one of the worst textures I've ever had the misfortune of interacting with

#speculation nation #just sitting here with a feeling of general unwellness bc my stomach did Not like that #the tiramisu cream went bad but in such a weird way #stringy. goopy. malleable but not. *stringy*.#it didnt smell the worst. more a scent of underlying Wrongness #it was so fucking gross. i am Really not happy rn.

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sanktpolypenbourg · 10 months

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"So we were just looking over that first draft you got us for our new national anthem - thanks again for accepting the job, btw - and we just wanna say, we got a question, about a certain passage... Ah, there it is... Adressing The Enemies Of The Nation... We shall rip out all your hair... Cut off your nose and ears... Scoop out your eyeballs... Sew your mouth shut... Chisel away your chin... Your whole heads will be all smooth and featureless... And then we'll laugh and just leave you like that..."

-"You like it? I got inspired by the "Marseilleise", but I felt it was lacking something"

#gross #national anthem #happy 14th of july #july 14th

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steddie-there · 1 year

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Steve is bitchy. It's a known fact. He's a reformed mean girl and bitch is like a second language to him. Whether it's scathing commentary about Family Video customers almost before they're out the door,

"So apparently it's national hit on someone young enough to be your granddaughter day, who knew we had such a gross holiday?"

snarky conversations with the kids,

"Well, whaddya know, Dustin, would you look at this?" "What? "It's the coke you said wasn't in the fridge! Isn't it amazing how it just magically appeared?" "Oh, shut up, Steve." "I'm just so completely in awe!"

or calling out the people that still give Eddie nasty looks (and doesn't that make Eddie's heart grow three sizes and threaten to pop out of his chest and burrow into Steve's?),

"You know, Carol, if you keep making that face, it might stick like that. But look on the bright side, at least then the outside would be as hideous as the inside!"

Eddie adores all of it. Loves Steve's mile-wide mean streak. Loves how he can use it to tease the people he loves or decimate the latest idiot he's been forced to deal with.

But Eddie's favorite, the best, the most wonderful, absolutely fantastic moments of Steve's bitchiness? Those happen while he's driving. It doesn't matter what exactly has him riled up about another driver, Steve always has something sarcastic on the tip of his tongue to bitch about them with.

"Do you look as stupid as you drive? Dumbass."

"Jeeze, I never knew the white line was for driving on. What an amazing thing you've discovered!"

"Oh, apparently I missed the memo where 35 mph got changed to 55. Eddie, remind me to check the speed limit sign the next time we drive through here. God, what an impatient asshole."

No matter what it is, it always has Eddie stifling his laughter behind his hand. But this last time - they're at a four-way stop and the car turning across from them definitely went before it was their turn and Steve says, "Hmm, seems someone missed the lesson on taking turns in kindergarten," with that little bitchy tilt to his head - Eddie can't help the guffaw that bursts out of his mouth.

Steve looks at him from the corner of his eye. "What are you giggling about?"

"You. You just - you get so bitchy at the other drivers and, I swear to god, man, it's the funniest shit." He laughs again, says fervently, "Christ, I love you, Stevie."

And then he freezes. Realizes what he said. Takes a deep, horrified breath. It's too soon, they only just started dating, he can't say something like that, he's... He backtracks. "Uh... I mean, uh, I love when you - "

And then freezes again when Steve slides his hand off the steering wheel and onto his thigh, fingers curling around the inside. "So, you love me, huh?"

Eddie chances a glance over at Steve. Despite the teasing tone in his voice, there's something soft around his eyes and the edges of his smile. Something almost... hopeful.

Eddie swallows and decides fuck it. "Yeah, yeah I do," he tells Steve quietly.

Steve makes a quiet sound that goes straight to Eddie's heart. When he peeks over again, Steve is looking back and forth between Eddie and the road and his expression is so open and tender and happy that Eddie doesn't regret for a second what he said, even if it is too soon. "I love you, too, Eds," Steve says and Eddie feels his stomach swoop with butterflies. He puts his hand on Steve's, squeezes it, tangles their fingers together, grins bright at this man he loves so very much.

And if, after that, Steve goes out of his way to play up his bitchiness whenever Eddie is in the car and Eddie never stifles his laughter at it again, well, that's between the two of them, isn't it?

#steddie #stranger things #steve harrington #eddie munson #are steve's bitchy comments while driving entirely based on my own? yes #steve and i are both bitchy drivers #reformed mean girl steve #yes i am incapable of writing anything that doesn't devolve into fluff 😅#also i have been trying to write this since january 27th so i'm not even gonna try to edit it you get what you get #zan fic

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jamieenthusiast · 24 days

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Why are people surprised… "we did NOT discuss being gRoSS AnD- AAAAA" like gdshghj??

nuzi nation where we at I havent drawn them happy in 3 months

#my art #murder drones #murder drones fanart #uzi doorman #uzi fanart #uzi murder drones #serial designation n #n fanart #n murder drones #nuzi #nuzi fanart #biscuitbites #enzi

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woso-dreamzzz · 3 months

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Shy

Aitana Bonmatí x Reader

Summary: You still get shy around your girlfriend

The move was a long time in the making.

You bled North London, making your senior debut at just seventeen for Arsenal. You came straight up through the academy with Leah. You eat, lived and slept Arsenal and yet...

Barcelona was where you found yourself now.

They'd been chasing you for years, trying to get your pen on paper. You'd turned them down every time up until now.

It broke your heart to leave Arsenal but it was for the best.

Barcelona got what they wanted, three years of world class defence from you and you got what you wanted, to finally move in with your girlfriend.

Aitana was perfect. You'd met at a friendly years ago and really hit it off. Five years later and you both knew that the long-distance portion of your love was coming to a close.

There wasn't even a question of who was going to move. You may have bled North London but you were happy to trade rainy England for sunny Spain.

It felt a bit like the honeymoon stage again when you could barely keep your hands off of each other. Just a tiny brush of her hand against yours made you feel all tingly inside and you kept smiling at her like a loon, unable to wipe it off your face.

"You're disgusting," Lucy commented as you sat in the break room, head propped up on your fist as you stared longingly across the room," I've never met anyone more smitten before. You know you live with her, right? It's not too scary to talk to her, I hope."

You looked down bashfully, cheeks aflame.

Lucy had been leading the charge on teasing you about Aitana. You couldn't help that your girlfriend still made you feel like a blushing school girl.

"She's busy. I don't want to interrupt her," You replied, turning away to try and hide your embarrassment."

"Busy," Keira scoffed," She's talking to Mapi and Ingrid. That's hardly busy."

"They're having a conversation. People shouldn't invite themselves into conversations. It's rude."

"So you're just going to pine from afar?" Lucy laughed. She reached forward and pinched your cheek, ruffling your hair when you forcefully pulled away. "God, what are you twelve?"

You had a retort on the tip of your tongue but it died instantly when Aitana turned around.

She smiled at you and waved.

You waved back and looked down bashfully.

Lucy made gagging noises.

"Leave me alone!" You complained," Can't you go and bother someone else?"

"But you make it so easy." She flicked you away with her hand. "Go on then, lover girl. Try not to just stare and dribble down your top."

You flipped her off as you went, ignoring the way Keira was making kissy faces behind your back.

"Hi," You said softly, hyper aware of the red sheen to your cheeks.

"Hi," Aitana said back, patting the spot next to her.

You sat and moved to rest your head on her shoulder while Aitana's hand immediately gripped yours, lacing your fingers together tightly.

"You two are so gross," Mapi said," You're like little kids on their first date."

Unlike with Lucy, you didn't feel confident enough to argue with Mapi. You'd played on the national team with Lucy for years. You knew how to deal with her but, with Aitana's teammates, you felt it was probably better to just stay silent and not make eye contact.

"Just because we still have chemistry doesn't mean it's a personal attack on you," Aitana replied.

Her thumb gently stroked circles on your hand as she spoke and you melted into a pile of goo then and there.

"Me and Ingrid still have chemistry!" Mapi insisted," Just because we're not pushing our PDA on everybody doesn't mean we don't! You're like horny teenagers."

The permanent blush on your face only got deeper and you tried to hide your face in Aitana's shoulder.

"Look at her!" Mapi continued," She's like a pile of mush!"

"I'm still here," You muttered," I can hear you."

"Are you sure?" Mapi teased," I mean, can you really focus on anything apart from Aitana? God, you both make me feel sick. You're disgustingly in love."

"There's nothing wrong with that." Aitana looked proud at the comparison, puffing out her chest in a way that made your cheeks burn brighter. She dropped a kiss to one of them, nice and firm and you slouched a bit lower in your seat when you accidentally caught Mapi's eye.

"I mean, what are you doing to the poor girl?" She laughed," She looks like a tomato!"

"She's just shy," Aitana said," And that's fine! I love her like this."

You pressed a soft kiss to her neck and whispered for her ears only," I love you too."

#woso x reader #aitana bonmati x reader #aitana bonmati #woso community #woso fanfics #woso imagine #woso

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satorisoup · 3 months

Text

ᰔ GLITTER GLUE ft. hajime iwaizumi

ʚ CW : “one sided” crush. confessions. cursing.

ʚ hq valentine’s series mlist ಇ

it’s valentine’s day, or rather, the most dreadful day of existence, if you were to say so yourself.

walking through the halls of school on a normal day was one thing, but now it seems that every corner you turn, you’re rather rudely reminded of your state of loneliness on the soul national holiday of relationships. bouquets of reds and whites, floral smells corroding your nostrils with every inhale, cute plushies holding little hearts, pretty cards with love written in sparkly pink gel pen. all gestures of admiration that are so sweet to any other person, but quite frankly, it’s just making you feel stupid for coming to school today.

you feel even stupider when you’re walking into class, eyes avoiding the gross kissing couples as you make your way to sit down, and you’re faced with exactly why you mourn valentines day so much.

hajime iwaizumi, the third year who sits one desk aside to you in class 5, who just so happens to be the person your heart decided to fall head over heels for. it was an unmistakable crush with the way your cheeks felt hot when he’d stretch in his seat, or the way your heart fluttered when he would make small talk when there was a particularly boring lesson. he’d even occasionally walk with you during lunch period in the midst of conversation or sharing a snack, before his friends would come and steal him away. he was sweet aside from looking intimidating, and it all the more so made you infatuated with him.

you watch him grumble outside of the doorway at one of his friends, a roll of his eyes before he’s striding into the classroom to take his proclaimed seat. you feel disappointed in yourself that you still haven’t been able to work up the courage to ask him out, too much of a coward to ever admit your interest in him. you take a quick glance at his hands, and what you see makes your heart drop even lower.

you catch a short glimpse of a pretty red valentine in his left hand before he’s quickly moving to neatly stuff it into the inner pocket of his jacket.

it looks like someone had beaten you to the chase, and it was only the first class of the day.

throughout the entire period, you notice the off behavior of your classmate as he sits in his seat. iwaizumi seems nervous almost, his leg softly bouncing up and down, and you also take into account that he hasn’t said a single word to you, or even looked at you this entire time. that usually would seem more normal on a regular class day, but today it was a free period, much to everyone’s liking. after dismissal, iwaizumi wasted no time to get up and out of the classroom before you could even ask him if he was alright.

classes today seemed to go by as if minutes were hours, and students had gotten even more enthusiastic as time went by as they all exchanged their thoughtful valentines to their partners. you think you’ve heard enough random “i love you’s” to last you 3 lifetimes in a singular day, but what you were seriously dreading was lunchtime. where everyone would walk around hand in hand through the courtyard, gifts, cards, flowers, big huge teddy bears to little tiny ones, kissing that should probably be saved for behind closed doors, and especially confessions. not wanting to be surrounded by the exact thing you were missing out on, you opted to stay inside for lunch.

the empty classroom you sit in is completely silent, the only sounds you hear coming from outside through the windows, voices of distant squeals and happy laughter. you sigh at your own demise when you decide to finally get up and wander around the halls. paper heart chains and pretty streamers litter the lockers and walls, and even some of your teachers had little decorations as their own way of getting into the spirit. it really was unfortunate that you weren’t able to celebrate today with who you wanted to so badly, as your fate lies in your own thoughts because you were too chicken to ever say it. and now, your crush was starting to act weird, which meant he had probably already accepted a confession, or maybe even confessed himself, to a person he was interested in. you wanted to be angry, you really did, but it wasn’t your place to be mad at him. he wasn’t ever yours to begin with.

as you stroll along and unwontedly admire the atmosphere around you, you hear the uncomfortable squeak of shoes against the wooden flooring, alerting you that you weren’t alone. when you look up from your feet to meet the eyes of the person who had interrupted your thoughts, you can physically feel your stomach sink to your feet.

iwaizumi stands at the end of the hallway, his hands behind his back with that same expression he had during class, even if it was barely noticeable. he looks at you before he straightens up.

“hey.” is all he mutters.

…

“hi.”

he takes a few steps forward to meet you where you had halted before and begins to speak.

“i was looking for you.” he voices.

“oh.. well you found me.”

you aren’t helping much with his attempt to cure the awkwardness around you two, but even so, he continues to talk nonetheless.

“why weren’t you outside for lunch?” he asks you.

“eh, didn’t wanna be around all that lovey dovey stuff. but, um.. why were you looking for me?”

you feel nervous when iwaizumi is silent, his hands now coming out from where they risided, holding that same red valentine from this morning.

“because i wanted to give you this.” he replies.

you notice the tinge of pink on his usual hardened face, looking down to where he held out the card to you.

you carefully grasp the messily accessorized card, studying it as you feel your heartbeat pick up to a faster pace. the red, heart shaped card stock proposed a simple question of ‘be my valentine?’

and as cheesy as it was, your lips pull into a wide grin when you look back at him, his hands tucked into his pockets while he waited for your answer.

“is this a confession, or am i reading the glitter glue wrong?”

“shut up, it was oikawa who dumped all of that shimmer shit on it…” he rumbles, recalling the short memory of his best friend tossing glitter onto his card while scolding him, “iwa, you seriously lack so much pizazz. girls love sparkles and glitter!”

you laugh at the thought of his friend taunting him over his card, and then you’re suddenly blushing at the concept of how iwaizumi had taken his time to make a special valentine, just for you.

“well, i accept your confession, iwa…”, “even if it’s twinkling in ‘shimmer shit’.”

it was iwaizumi’s turn to chuckle when he laces his arm around your shoulders, and he smiles as he walks with you.

“idiot.”

yes, valentines day was usually a dreadful day. but the surprises it holds? those aren’t dreadful at all.

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dailybhutan · 7 months

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15 reasons why Bhutan should be in your travel bucket list post-COVID-19

Explore the enchanting allure of Bhutan as we unveil 15 irresistible reasons why this Himalayan kingdom should be at the top of your travel bucket list in the post-COVID-19 world. From stunning landscapes to vibrant culture, DailyBhutan.com has your ultimate Bhutan travel guide!

#bhutan #traveltobhutan #balanced tourism in bhutan #bhutan tours #Gross National Happiness #kingdom of bhutan #land of the thunder dragon #tours to bhutan

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genshingorlsrevengeance · 2 months

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Can I make a request for an S/O who has a pet that is extremely gruesome and scary, but is very cuddly and protective when interacting with its owner? Like, like the animal was something similar to the Demongorgon or something.

If you can, do it for Sarah, Shenhen, Dehya, Candance and Navia.

(Genshin Impact) Sara, Shenhe, Dehya, Candace, and Navia's S/O with a terrifying pet

I was bouncing between a Tyranid from 40k or a terrifying bug from a user created horror story called Mystery Flesh Pit National Park, but I'll just settle on some non particular bug abomination.

Sara was barely able to hold back from immediately drawing her bow when she walked into S/O's house the first time and saw a massive insect inside.

It nearly stood up to the ceiling as it straightened its back, before relaxing from seeing its owner.

(Sara) "What is that?!"

(S/O) "OH! S-Sorry, I forgot to mention it to you beforehand! This is my pet!"

Sara stared at S/O before her eyes slowly glanced over to the "pet" they kept.

It resembled some kind of centipede with massive antennas, but had arms resembling a...human?!

Sara still kept her battle stance, wearily looking at it before turning to S/O, noticing their relatively happy expression.

(Sara) "...And, this will pose no threat to the people of Inazuma?"

(S/O) "Of course not, he doesn't eat people!"

(Sara) sigh "Thank the Almighty Sho-"

(S/O) "He eats corpses! It's a scavenger bug, not a predator!"

(Sara) "..."

Sara is uneasy around S/O's pet, putting it mildly.

The only place she doesn't allow S/O to cuddle her is at their house.

The one time she allowed them to rest their head on her shoulder, the romantic mood was immediately halted by S/O's pet resting its head on their lap.

Despite how much it unsettled her, she could at least complement its intelligence and loyalty.

When S/O was threatened, it would immediately attack whenever they commanded it to.

It even enjoyed getting pet, though Sara politely declined from doing so herself.

As long as it didn't cause a public disturbance, it was fine to remain.

But Archons help S/O if she gets a report of that...thing threatening a citizen, not even its terrifying and gross legs would skitter away from her wrath.

Shenhe reached for her polearm before realizing the bug was relaxing near S/O.

She had seen all kinds of fantastical sights thanks to her Master, so it didn't really take long for her to adjust.

(Shenhe) "...Is that a pet, S/O?"

(S/O) "Sure is! This little guy has been with me for a long time!"

(Shenhe) "I see. It is good you have a companion."

The bug's head, or at least what she assumed was the head, seemed to lean into S/O's hand as they scratched under the chin.

...Neat.

Shenhe is used to nature, but she had never seen a creature like this before.

But then again, being with S/O taught her all kinds of new things, maybe this was another she should take heed of.

Seeing other people react to the bug, she moves to protect it like she would S/O.

Something that even it recognized, and protected Shenhe like its owner.

The only thing Shenhe dislikes about the bug is how clingy it got whenever she was wanting to spend time with S/O.

Other than that, the bug and Shenhe have a strange silent respect for each other.

(Dehya) "S/O, GET BACK!-"

Dehya suddenly leaps into action when a giant bug-like creature emerged from the sand behind S/O.

Before S/O got in the way, trying (and failing) to keep her arm down.

(S/O) "WAIT, DEHYA! I-It's with me!"

Dehya's expression was something between confusion and anger, quickly looking back at S/O and the bug.

Just as they said, it was just staring at her before turning its attention to its owner.

(Dehya) "Jeez, ya never thought to bring this up to me before?! It looks like it could eat us!"

(S/O) "I-If it makes you feel any better, it's like a vulture! A scavenger eater, only corpses!"

(Dehya) "It really doesn't..."

Dehya is honestly creeped the hell out by S/O's pet.

She's seen a lot of desert fauna, but nothing like what S/O had.

It especially didn't help matters that it liked to hide under the sand until S/O spent time with it.

She especially didn't like that it butted its head in whenever she wanted to hold S/O.

More than one occasion she was ready to tell it off before S/O did so gently, letting it gently comply.

The other mercs are completely freaked out by it, which she doesn't blame them for in the slightest.

But, it did help during their contracts by scaring the hell out of rival clients, other eremites, and animals in general.

Begrudgingly, she let S/O keep it, but then again maybe it's best it remains with them and doesn't wander off in the desert to potentially reproduce.

Candace notices something shifting in the sands near S/O, which she immediately raises her spear to throw at-

Before S/O frantically waved their hands, signaling to her not to attack.

Candace sees the bug emerge from the sand as it gives S/O a lift, riding towards her.

She takes a step back from unease, sizing the bug up and down before turning to S/O.

(Candace) "Have you...tamed this creature?"

(S/O) "K-Kinda? I didn't really tame it per se, more like we became friends!"

Candace did acknowledge it had some kind of intelligence in its eyes, as it responded perfectly to S/O's commands.

Being reassured by S/O that it would not attack the people of Aaru village, or eat the children, she allowed it to stay.

It took a bit for her to get used to it, but she no longer flinches seeing the bug.

It helped that it didn't seem to be naturally part of the desert, since she had never seen anything like it before.

Eventually, it became as much of a guardian of the town as Candace, much to her shock.

When S/O was threatened, the bug leapt from the sands and dragged them under, and the same went for any of the townsfolk.

The only thing she asks is that it sleeps outside, mostly just cause it'd drag sand all over the floor.

(S/O) "HOLY CRAP, GIANT BUG!-"

S/O immediately aims her umbrella-shotgun before S/O stopped her from pulling the trigger.

(S/O) "W-WAIT! NAVIA, IT'S MY PET!"

(Navia) "Your pet?! That thing could eat one of the Clockwork Meka whole!"

She shuddered in terror as it skittered towards S/O, seemingly lax by their mere presence.

This sure as hell wasn't a man's best friend situation, and every cell in her body wanted to shoot it.

But seeing as it was with S/O, she very reluctantly let S/O keep it.

The only thing is that it HAD to stay outside the city and only in S/O's home.

Every single Meka and Guard would be trying to kill it, not that she wouldn't blame them either.

Navia screams in terror everytime she opens the door to find it turn its head towards her.

Why couldn't S/O just have a cat or something...?

Her urge to stomp the bug grows bigger when she moves to hug or kiss S/O, only to watch it approach from seeming jealousy.

#genshin impact imagines #genshin impact x reader #genshin impact headcanons #sara kujou x reader #shenhe x reader #dehya x reader #candace genshin impact x reader #navia x reader #kujou sara #shenhe genshin impact #dehya genshin #candace genshin impact #navia genshin impact

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tragedy-of-commons · 26 days

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killjoy

childe x gn!reader | wc: ~1.6k

You catch your boyfriend setting up the cake.

tags/warnings: bday fun, modern & college au, based off of the American College Experience™ sorry, tooth-rotting fluff, teucer is a national treasure, comedy, possibly ooc, reader has hair

notes: for @staarri's 100 followers & bday event <3 trying to write childe was a nightmare but the wheel of doom has spoken. chosen prompt "cruel summer" :)

It has been one hell of a day.

Pop quizzes in two of your classes (that you are now tanking), getting heckled by that same group of protesters, slamming head-first into a glass panel like a pigeon, and then getting splashed by a puddle via a speeding car.

To give credit where credit is due, you’ve suffered through every incident with class and poise. Despite how you drip with murky street water, the saving grace that is the promise of your warm bed keeps you from inventing new profanities and falling to your knees in the student parking lot.

It’s almost over with, it’s almost over with—

The splintered door of your dorm unit has never looked more welcoming. When your keycard is approved with a click, you heave the barrier between you and uninterrupted sleep wide open. However, what you don’t expect is the little spectacle unfolding in your kitchenette.

Who you belatedly realize is your lovely boyfriend is sticking candles into something - it being quickly shielded from your view as he reacts to your arrival.

“You just had to be early,” he grins, revealing those pearly whites, “Maybe I’ll start calling you ‘Killjoy’.”

“Ajax?” He’s here? Today? But he said— He must notice your sorry state, but he’s wise enough not to mention it. “You really think I’d miss celebrating your birthday in person? Seriously, what kind of partner would I be, just sending you a text? Babe, you gotta start setting some higher standards.”

“Rotten liar,” you mumble, growing smile threatening to split your face in two.

A small flash of copper peeks around the bedroom-adjoining hallway, hyper. Teucer rushes up in front of his brother, the latter ruffling his hair. “Hey, you’re not supposed to be here yet!”

You snort, wondering if anyone else is planning to jump out of the shadows. “My sincerest apologies. I could always leave—”

“No need,” Ajax dismisses the notion with a cavalier wave. “I think we’re all ready, huh Teuce?”

He huffs in agreement, beaming up at you like you hung the moon. “One second!”

Teucer scampers off faster than you can blink, making you bellow a laugh. His energy knows no bounds, necessitating many hours of entertaining his whims. You wouldn’t have it any other way.

“Happy birthday,” Ajax says softly; wistfully.

You stalk over to him, embracing your boyfriend like he might disappear into thin air without a moment’s notice. “If you broke in, I will be calling campus security.” “You’d never turn me in! Also, we just so happen to still be on the guest card from last week.” You part from his warmth so you can kiss him. He tastes of sugar, the bastard.

“Buttercream?” you place, peering over his shoulder. The sight of a round cake on the counter confirms your suspicions, and your heart swells. He would’ve had to bake and decorate it somewhere else, given that ovens are a luxury you do not possess in college hell. You picture him in his too-nice apartment, piping frosting in the familiar loops of your name. “Yes!” Teucer rushes back in (you note that he’s hiding his hands behind his back), while Ajax pokes your nose. “Big brother spent soooo long on it!”

You snicker deviously. “Really?”

“No reason to lie,” your boyfriend pouts, “Though I’m a bit hurt that you’re both trying to embarrass me, after I went to all this trouble..”

Teucer sticks his tongue out in disgust whenever you console Ajax with another kiss, likely wanting you both to hurry up your gross couple stuff so he can show you his gift. It’s presented to you ceremoniously, and you honor the splendor by pretending not to know that it’s definitely one of his toys.

Your acting is award-winning, perfectly ignoring the obvious ridges and appendages of a Transformer. After tearing open the paper, you’re told that his name is Mr. Cyclops and you have to take good care of him - your sworn oath.

(Of course, Mr. Cyclops will mysteriously end up back in Teucer’s bedroom if you can count on your partner in crime to help you out. You and Ajax share a Look that hints at conspiracy.)

Speaking of your boyfriend, you don’t think he is governed by even one modicum of shame. During the Happy Birthday song, he performs with his whole chest, much to your chagrin. You think that Ajax lives the most for other people; even if it shines brightest whenever he teases and flusters. His camaraderie is most genuine when he’s this comfortable - when he knows that the present moment is all he needs to focus on.

When did he start letting his guard down? You find yourself unable to recall among past memories of trudging to the local diner at ungodly hours, cramming for finals at the library, and responsibly talking him down from any antics that would surely get him in trouble.

(Maybe it was when you first held an ice pack over his eye, swollen shut from a punch he shouldn’t have taken just for the thrill of it. Your admonishment must have been jarring, because without any teasing remarks whatsoever, he promised that he’d dial it down. You remember lacing your fingers with his - and promptly threatening to “embalm him with jet fuel” if he ever got hurt again.)

Now your relationship has progressed to the point where spending your first birthday together feels natural. It feels so natural that shitty paper plates stacked high with slices of cake is enough to make you forget that you look like that one damp owl picture. Ajax, as per his boyfriend duties, has to remind you, of course.

“Bad day, huh?”

You rest your chin on your fist, elbow supported by the armrest of your (comically small) couch. In retrospect, the fleeting illusion of a living room probably wasn’t worth it. Squished into a corner by a dozing Teucer and an awake Ajax, you yawn. “The worst, actually.”

“Well, we can’t be having that,” he tips your chin up to meet azure hues, “Maybe my gift will make you feel better.”

You blink. “Gift? You don’t have to, you know. The little guy’s was plenty enough for me.”

Ajax spares a fond glance at his little brother, whose head is resting in his lap, legs thrown over the opposite armrest. “Nonsense! If you’re worried about me having bought out a whole store—”

“Don’t tell me you—”

“—Then you have nothing to fret over, Killjoy,” he laughs. “It’s pretty small.”

You don’t suppress the smile that breaks out on your face. “Okay, I’ll bite.”

“Hopefully not too hard.” He’s so annoying. You want to kiss him stupid.

From what you assume is from his back pocket, he removes a black silk pouch before dropping it into your awaiting hand. He was right about it being small, that’s for sure. Toying with the material of it for a moment, you pull open the bag delicately. Ajax tenses. “So.. whaddya think?”

Inside is a brass key that fits into your palm nicely. Of course you’ll love anything he gives you, but you’re unsure of what this could mean. Is it symbolic? Literal? You thumb over the grooves, unsure of what they could possibly unlock. Your head swims with a fuzzy feeling that you don’t entirely hate.

“What’s it to?”

“Our place.”

It’s perfect. You turn the object this way and that way, swallowing. “Giving me my own copy? You realize that you’re gonna be stuck with me crashing at yours way more often, right?”

Your boyfriend wraps a sturdy arm around your shoulder. “It’s not there for you to crash, it’s there for you to stay. I want you to move in with me.”

The following awed silence from you is clearly taken as something else, because Ajax backpedals in that flippant way that belies the panic he’s actually feeling. You need to tell him that it’s okay; that it’s more than okay.

“Of course you can say no, but the rest of your birthday plans kinda hinge on the possibility that you’ll make me the happiest man in the world and say yes,” he amends.

You pay no heed to his theatrics, because all you really need is him. Gross. “Duh, idiot. As much as it kills me to say this, I’d want nothing more.” Ajax glows. “Because you’re head over heels in love with me?”

“No, because I won’t have to drag my ass to the laundromat anymore.”

The offended sound he lets out is muffled with your mouth against his once more, and the tears that roll down your cheeks are obviously not because you’re ecstatic to be so involved in his life. What a preposterous idea.

His hands cradle your face, a little awkward because of the position, but he’s so warm.

“Killjoy, I have something to confess,” he breathes, pulling back enough so you can see the faint constellation of freckles dotting his features. “You need to start packing immediately, or else the flowers will wilt before you’re able to see them.”

You sigh, happy-sniffling. “Flowers? Is a bouquet perhaps part of these ‘birthday plans’?”

Ajax dries one of his hands stained with your tears off onto his shirt before raking it through Teucer’s curls affectionately. He stirs but does not wake. “Try thirty!”

“Ajax..” The horror in your tone barely disguises the admiration.

“I love you too, Killjoy.”

That night, when you’re both alone in his apartment, tangled in each other’s arms, your overnight bag on the floor - you tell him the same. The few tears he sheds into your hair are also definitely not because you’re finally comfortable enough to say it back. Ridiculous.

taglist: @hanyi-writes, @karagatan02, @bfajax, @aphrodict, @nomazee

#✧ my works #—stellaronhvnters.#childe x reader #genshin impact x reader #genshin childe x reader #genshin x reader #tartaglia x reader #childe tartaglia ajax #childe genshin impact #genshin impact fluff #ajax x reader #genshin impact #zira's lover : event

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darkficsyouneveraskedfor · 2 months

Text

Unmanageable 1

Warnings: non/dubcon, and other dark elements. My username actually says you never asked for any of this.

My warnings are not exhaustive but be aware this is a dark fic and may include potentially triggering topics. Please use your common sense when consuming content. I am not responsible for your decisions.

Character: Pete Brenner

Summary: your manager sets his eye on your (plus!reader)

Part of the Backwoods AU

As usual, I would appreciate any and all feedback. I’m happy to once more go on this adventure with all of you! Thank you in advance for your comments and for reblogging.

A thump jolts you from your work. You glance over lazily, chin cupped in your hand, as the murmur of voices follow. You cluck and reach for your earbuds, popping them in your ears before you can hear the subsequent disturbance.

Your job isn't glorious. Nothing really is in Hammer Ford. You're the line IT tech at the local bank working on ancient PCs which can't handle the national system's updates. Most of your time is spent trying to make a simple process work.

Work is work. You could do much worse than sitting forgotten behind a desk as the bank manager gets his jollies off with the clerk. This decrepit town can't offer much better, in terms of both male counterparts and career prospects.

The wired buds don't really block out the ruckus. You lean on an elbow and clack away at your keyboard. It never lasts very long.

You pluck away as the clock above your door ticks on. You yawn with your eyes open, dropping lower and lower as your eyes glaze over. A knock has your spine straight.

You clear your throat and call out, "yes?"

The door opens. Pete, the manager, fixes his tie as he enters, one tail of his shirt untucked, "hey, uh, I was having some issues with my laptop. I know it's not a work device but... I don't wanna drive all the way to the city."

"Hmm, I can have a look after work," you shrug. It's usually nothing. You typically have people calling on you for support outside your office walls.

"After work..." he repeats, "the wife kinda is expecting me to take her out for dinner, so..."

You repress a sigh. He is the manager. If you fall behind, it will only be his own fault.

"Sure, you need me right now?"

His eye brow tweaks and he drags his fingers around his half-grown goatee, "need you... oh, yeah, should I bring it to you or..."

"What's easier for you, sir?"

He chuckles, "you know, you're the only person who calls me that."

You just stare at him. He's your boss and you'd like to keep it that way. You get up, "here, I'll just come look."

"Thanks, sweetie," he grins as you cross the office, "life saver."

"Mhm," you hum as you near him.

He doesn't move. He just stands, his arm across the doorway and watches you. You look past him and clear your throat.

"Right, right," he steps back and swings his arms down, "the computer."

He retreats and turns away. As he does, you see Marska giving him a flustered look. Gross.

You follow him into his office and waits by the door as you pass. You try not to think of what just happened in there. Thankfully, you're not his type.

You wince as the door clicks shut.

"Oh, you don't have to--"

"Right," he overrides your protest, "I'll just get my laptop."

He goes around his desk and pulls out a sleek macbook. You don't see many of those. He puts it facing you and opens the lid.

"I'll let you poke around," he says as he presses his fingertip to the censor to unlock it, "it's just the damn mousepad."

"Right," you step up and squint at the screen. You lean in touch the pad. It's definitely lagging.

He strides away, pacing on the other side of the desk, hands in his pockets.

"Thing's too fancy for me," he scoffs, "but I like the look of it."

"It's a good machine," you confirm as you go into his drivers, searching for updates.

You feel him watching you but shrug it off. Everyone's a little touchy when you're on their personal device. He stops and bounces on his feet.

The cursor continues to jump around as you scroll and suddenly a window pops open. Safari resumes it's last tab and you quickly hit command W as you see a pending wheel atop a very explicit video. Yikes.

You try to not show the slip up as you go back to searching the drivers, "you got antivirus?"

"Uhhh, I think," he answers as if it isn't essential.

"Hm, doesn't look like it," you mutter, "I'm updating the mouse driver but you need security software."

"Right," he comes around as you click through the system window to update. He stands behind you and watches over your shoulder, "got any recs? I'll get it set up right away."

"Bitdefender's good," you suggest.

"Mm," he leans down, against you, putting his hands on the desk on either side of the laptop, "think you could show me where to find that."

"I can send you a link," you grit out, prickling at his proximity.

"Well," you move your arm back, prodding him with your elbow, soft enough for it to seem accidental, "that should be fine once it updates."

He huffs but backs away. Your neck is stiff with tension. You face him and check your watch.

"I'll get back to it," you say.

"Yeah, thanks, sweetie," he chimes, "sure you don't want a coffee? Take a load off."

"I'm good," you insist, "got a lot to do."

You open the door before he can catch up to you. As you leave, Marska watches over her shoulder from the front desk. You ignore her and quickly hide in your office. Knowing Pete isn't too aware of security procedures, you should do a review of the serves to make sure everything's safe.

#pete brenner #dark pete brenner #dark!pete brenner #pete brenner x reader #drabble #au #backwoods au #series #unmanageable #pain hustlers

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