#stronger than you think

[arioagio]

The Truth!!!!

#bob marley quotes #quotes #positivity #positive quotes #positive #penulismuda #self love #motivasionline #stronger #strong #stronger than you #stronger than ever #stronger than you think #kuat #dewasa #mature #bijaksana #bijak #katakatabijak #katakatamotivasi #beautiful words #encouraging words #the power of words #words of wisdom #words #wordpress #my words #semangat #proses #proses kehidupan

[tinkdbell46]

https://gofund.me/68dccb3a

#i am the storm #go fund me #life #hospital #antibiotics #stronger than you think #almost died #lucky to be alive #singer #musician life

[1introvertedsage]

#Scott Stable #Scott Stable quote #fear #strength #protection #move through fear #stronger than you think #learning #reality #LHA #1introvertedsage #relatable quotes

[cosmamoon]

Explaining what Stronger Than You Think Is To Tumblr

Here's a link to the full playlist if you're interested:

STYT is a Gacha Life series by LunarSun Studious (who, I should note, has been offline for a long time now). It ran from around 2018/2019 until it's special in 2020. There's also a few short/funny videos of it on Lunar's channel. A spin-off series was supposed to be made, but no development has been told due to Lunar's online absence.

The story is basically about the main character, Trinity (girl with with strawberry-blonde hair) becoming a superhero, joining a hero team, and fighting the main antagonist, Vilana.

I won't reveal too much so as to not spoil everything for people who want to watch it for themselves, but I hope people do take interest in watching the series.

I do tend to put STYT under 'I didn't say it was GOOD, I said I LIKE it.' It's got a lot of effort put into it, especially for a Gacha Life Series, but it's writing can be quite flawed. Still, I've enjoyed it for several years now regardless, so I hope I can spread that love- or at least interest-to others!

#Stronger Than You Think #STYT

[fluffyartbl0g]

Holy crap this is like world record breaking pace guys

Speedrun/Time Travel AU masterlist

#speedrun au #one piece #time travel au #op fanart #sabo #monkey d. luffy #portgas d. ace #asl brothers #time travel aus are my favourite trope for any fandom's fanfic #but this especially is why i want it for one piece #because I needed ace to die in canon. luffy NEEDED to get that wake up call and his whole crew NEEDED badly to get stronger #but ace is so much more than just a plot device for luffy... he was a person who was loved by so many people because #he made so many people happy #if luffy and his crew travelled back in time... they wouldn't need to worry anymore about their strength #Ace could live you know.... #He could meet sabo while he was an adult #sabo could meet ACE while he was an adult #ALSO SIDE NOTE BUT SABO ALSO REMEMBERS THE TIME TRAVEL SHENANIGANS!!! but def not as well as any of the strawhats #i think the thing he remembers most is what he felt when he regained his memories in the first timeline #u guys... this comic was so vivid in my mind i HAD to draw it out... like i was planning on doin other time travel au comics before #but like I HAD to draw this because i had such intense ASL feelings #I tried to think if Ace would just start cussing sabo out cause like WHY DID YOU LET US THING U WERE DEAD ; - ;??? WHY DIDNT U CONTACT US?? #but i think ace is really tired... like he's been worrying about luffy... and suddenly his brother starts uncharacteristically start #full out bawling in his arms... and he's really confused right now but both of his brothers are here and they're both crying #so there's really only one thing he can do #anyways i hope u enjoyed the comic #op spoilers #<- oops forgot to add that my b

[abnormaladi]

“Who will fix me now?

Dive in when I'm down?

Save me from myself

Don't let me drown

Who will make me fight?

Drag me out alive?

Save me from myself

Don't let me drown

'Cause you know that I can't do this on my own”

#healing #heart break #Drown #bring me the horizon #healing myself by myself #stronger than you think #depression #mental health

[eff-plays]

You can wizardsplain at a bard, but watch out

#they also have the Finger of the Annoying Bitch #stronger than any counterspell 😔 #everyone talks abt wizards having rivalry with clerics and warlocks and sorcerers #but nobody talks abt how wizards and bards are the 'i went to school and now it's everyonne else's problem' classes #bg3 #bg3 art #baldur's gate 3 #my art #oc: hiraeth #gale of waterdeep #gale dekarios #anyway can you tell which one of these i use references for and which ones i don't #also idk what a consistent art style is i just do whatever i think is funniest at the moment

[woosh-floosh]

(read left to right) I had to make a comic version of this moment form the fanbook because it's such a funny image

Fantranslation is by @wireddd1 on twitter!

#ritsu plays ness because he's a special psychic boy #mob plays donkey kong because he is the buffest character in melee by virtue of being a gorilla and also mob likes monkeys #<- I know gorillas are not monkeys #okay I am looking at the character renders again and captain falcon is pretty buff too but a gorilla would still rip him apart #I am looking up gorilla strength and it says a fully grown silverback is stronger than 20 human adults combined #art #fanart #comics #mob psycho 100 #mp100 #I think if they played ultimate mob would still play donkey kong but ritsu would switch to lucas because he is tortured #I heemed and hawed over whether I should draw a fake game or melee [adjusting for when mob psycho would be published] but I went with melee #because I love smash bros and it's important to draw what you think is important to you #also I could use donkey kong hitboxes as refrence instead of making up my own moveset for 9 panels

[spiritualseeker777]

#trauma #emotional trauma #wisdom #stay strong #spiritual awareness #spiritual awakening #you are doing amazing sweetie #you are doing great #you are stronger than you think #you are strong #keep going

[jakeperalta]

every day we inch closer to the inevitable release of taylor's "all the haters are throwing shade at my relationship but I don't care" music about matty and for that reason I live in fear

#i think she has a pretty warped sense of what is valid criticism and what is just senseless haters #after half a lifetime of criticism for ridiculous things #and i really think that's exactly what she's viewing all this as #like they all want to intrude with their opinions!! but it's just me and you baby!!! our love is stronger than the hate!!!!!! #and the fuck of it all is that because she is my favourite artist i will no doubt love the song on a surface level #whilst also feeling sick to my stomach on a genuine level #talking #taylor swift #ts discourse

[tobi-smp]

you know, with hindsight now what it is I really do think a more literal reading of c!techno's chat would have helped his characterization a Lot

and mind you, this was originally intended to be the case, and very well may have been intended all along even if it wasn't usually emphasized within the lore

and don't get me wrong, I Get why it fell out of favor within the fandom. it coincides with a Very storied ableist trope that demonizes DID and disorders adjacent to it, and Can be spoken about in a way that is essentially indistinguishable from it depending on the word choice.

but the thing is ! not only does it not Have to be an allegory for DID, I straight up don't think it is At All.

because we Know what it's an allegory for. It's His Chat. there's technoblade playing the game, and there's the thousands of people watching with expectations and wants that he's compelled to meet (or, at the very least, pacify through Entertainment).

and this makes much Much more sense when conceived of as Supernatural. be that spirits, gods, demons, or anything that could fill that role. separate entities that, for whatever reason, only techno can sense the presence of and be affected by.

and of course, to an extent this is true for all creators. everyone had an audience that they were meant to entertain and the choices they made were influenced by that fact.

but technoblade came in with a Very distinct set of expectations that heavily impacted the choices he was Expected to make and the kinds of stories that he could tell. he was more or less a living legend in real life just as much as he was in roleplay, and these things were inherently connected.

and it's like !

when c!technoblade says he was peer pressured into killing tubbo at the red festival he Is technically talking about what happened within the roleplay. schlatt was demanding it from him, there's a sort of pressure there. but schlatt was also the dictator they were set to kill, and techno has never had any trouble fighting people he considered a dictator before, and certainly not Schlatt of all people.

but he WAS being peer pressured By His Audience. by thousands of people, most of which were demanding blood Because It Was The Expectation, because it'd be Fun.

out of universe technoblade made the decision he thought would be the most Entertaining, and he was right! consistently he made choices that would let him do the most bombastic Spectacles possible. And It's Great. he's Excellent at pulling dramatics and making a compelling scene that give other people room to work off of. in that sense I'd consider techno an Excellent actor, and I have to imagine that he was fun to work with.

the problem is when you then have to justify it from an in character perspective, grounded in those mushy things like Feelings with characters that can be traumatized and sustain lasting damage, Especially Without acknowledging the out of character incentive.

mind you, it's not Impossible to Create a backstory that could justify it. why a character as consistently powerful and feared as technoblade would feel pressured to kill an ally by someone he not only Can kill but Wanted To Kill. why a character as seemingly secure and in control as technoblade would lash out the way that he does to perceived betrayal, and yet consistently puts no weight onto having killed and permanently scarred an ally that trusted him.

what that'd need is tragedy. a storied history of being hurt and having to survive. building up To an untouchable god from a much much more vulnerable position. Long Lasting trauma that's lead to this deep insecurity and paranoia. and that's Possible and that's Compelling.

but it's just not in the text.

not only did we never learn basically Anything that c!technoblade was up to pre-series, we actually know Less by the end than when we started because of the sbi retconning.

it's a Theoretically Possible interpretation that's technically never Contradicted by canon, but would have to be created by scratch. it's a compelling idea for a fan fic (and one I'd like to read) and it's compelling for a theoretical recontextualization of the character, but it's just not In The Text.

meanwhile, we have the video above.

we have the Objective Fact that technoblade's decision making was often subject to the rule of cool (very Very effectively) to entertain his audience.

and most compellingly, these concepts Don't Need To Be Separate. in fact, in my opinion they're Stronger when you put them together.

because the thing is. it's Difficult to imagine techno as ever being in a vulnerable position. he is just Objectively more powerful than everyone else on the server, both in real life And within the lore. How could he have ever been afraid when he was stronger than anyone and everyone combined? when we saw with our own eyes that techno could face nearly the whole server at once and win.

but he Is a tragic character, at least he's meant to be. and that tragedy makes much Much more sense as something Inward.

technoblade as a character who Needs connection, who Needs stability, who Needs security, who Needs friendship and community and Love. but Lashes Out, Obliterates to the core of the earth, because of something that's not only out of his control but that other people Cannot Understand.

how do you explain to a child that you killed their best friend because a chorus of the undead called for his blood and you (in all the glory that he'd idolized) were unable to do anything but comply? how do you explain to that child that you beat him senseless in a pit as the restless dead jeered and laughed?

That's interesting. That's Compelling.

technoblade is idolized like a god, feared like a force of nature, and in an instant cut himself off from nearly everyone who'd considered him an ally. and that seems to be a pattern, over and over and over again. he's left isolated, and in return he faces retaliation, and in return he's always Waiting for retaliation.

and what do you say to someone who wants to kill you for being a monster? that it's Fine Actually because you only did what you did because you have a curse that compels you to? that the supernatural guided you to destroy their homes and kill their people? (rip jack manifold you will be missed)?

That Doesn't Quite Help Your Case.

technoblade as someone who is beholden to this literal cycle of violence and Loses those things that could ground him, community, stability, People, as a result. who Tries to overcome this very fact (to become a better person, in his own words as per the clip above), but is pulled back into it as a consequence of his own actions.

that's a tragedy !! that Makes Sense. that allows him to be Both this force of nature that other characters have to survive And A Person Who Is Hurt By The Same Conflict.

"I'm a person!" that fear of dehumanization makes So So Much More Sense when you see technoblade as someone who Already fears himself. who fears being a monster, who fears losing control, who has faced isolation again and again and again.

and, importantly, it doesn't have to be anyone else's Fault.

by making the source both Internal and Completely External (something that none of the other characters have any awareness or control over), you can Have techno as a tragic character without demonizing anyone else Or erasing the impact that c!techno had on them.

and in that sense, it Can be an allegory for mental illness, but not in that direct "oooooh how scary he hears voices" kind of way that people fear it looks. but in that sometimes people Will do things that can hurt others while not feeling in control. anger and mania and paranoia, things that you can't always Control and yet that impact that you have on other people still Matters.

and the answer to that is, often, vulnerability and accountability.

I think a lot about technoblade isolating himself so near entirely from the rest of the server, and slowly gathering a support system Back by the end. and I Really Do think that framing of it through this lens is a Very impactful way of breaking it down.

tubbo, tommy, wilbur, ranboo, niki, I think they'd All understand not feeling in control. lashing out, maybe even feeling justified in the moment, but hurting people they care about and furthering their own isolation.

There's Something There, and it's already In The Text. it just needs to be expanded on.

and why not do that ourselves now?

#dream smp #dsmp #technoblade #tommyinnit #tubbo #meta #long post #back on my bullshit #I really do think that his character is just outright Stronger under this framing #and I genuinely think everything post doomsday would've been stronger if he'd leaned into this #that said this is probably messier than some of my other techno analysis #because I've been chewing on it for a few days rather than my usual of rehashing the same idea for two years in a row #but I'm rusty so give me a break #also derivakat voices is a straight up banger and you can all pry it from my cold dead hands

[1introvertedsage]

My fear whispered to me, I am just trying to protect you. I whispered back, I know, but I'm stronger thank you think.

~Scott Stable~

#Scott Stable quotes #fear #quotes #see #strength #protect #growth #what is fear #stronger than you think #relatable #words #introvert #lha #1introvertedsage #reality

[morallyinept]

For anyone who needs to hear this today...

Dieter and I are just weighing in on some of the conversations floating around where people are feeling like they're not wanted here, or who feel like they might want to leave...

You ARE absolutely wanted here.

Whether you're a creator, reader, silent lurker. It doesn't matter if you have 1 follower or 10k. Whether you write one chapter every few weeks, or churn out fics on the daily.

This is a fandom, not a competition.

You. Are. All. Wanted. Here.

Tumblr, for want of a better analogy, is a crap factory of a website. 😝 It's gone down the pan in the last decade massively, and it's the complete opposite of what other social media platforms do, (in terms of likes and algorithims etc... you have to re-blog everything - not like it - here to get any traction) you get out of Tumblr what you put in, effectively.

No-one here is better than anyone else, we're all part of that big Pedro table and continuously squish up to make room for everyone. And if anyone isn't doing that, then they should be the one's to leave, not you.

I get it. I feel it too. I've contemplated leaving several times. Yeah. It's a hard place sometimes to try and make a tiny space of it your own.

☝🏻But remember, even the biggest blogs on here started off with zero followers and had to build their niche from scratch. Rome wasn't built in a day.

It takes time and effort. It might look like it's easy for others, but it really isn't. And I'm in no way a "big blog" in the slightest.

But I stay here doing my own thing, because ultimately, I love writing and creating - it makes me happy, and I love the sense of community here.

I get immense joy out of making my silly banners and posts, and having a giggle with like-minded people when Pedro shaves his beard off (🫠). I ignore the drama and focus on having a positive time here.

But I get that doesn't work for everybody. Sometimes it's hard to tune all the fuzz out, right? It's massively overwhelming some days on here - I feel ya, bub.

The level of talent in this fandom is incredible, but it often leaves you feeling like "where do I begin?" Or "who do I talk to?" And "how do I talk to someone without coming across as weird?" And "how the hell do I re-blog everything and reply to comments and remember to answer DM's and Asks, whilst remembering to update my WIP and see what my fav blogs have posted, and catch up on that fic I like..? 🤯

In short, you can't.

You simply can't do everything.

And you shouldn't try to either as that's when you'll burn out and when things start feeling overwhelming. Then your enjoyment wanes and then that's when you feel like you want to give it all in.

Just breathe.

The best advice I can give (and I'm no expert!) is to curate your own experience here as best as you can.

Eliminate that overwhelming feeling to make your Tumblr time and space enjoyable.

Make it work for you and your needs.

Some easy things you can do that might help:

Update your notifications - I personally filter out the likes, otherwise I find I miss notifs like new followers or comments etc... Tumblr can be glitchy as hell too, so by removing the likes, you can see all the stuff you don't wanna miss. To turn them off, go into your activity (app version) and hit custom, scroll down to custom again and then untick likes:

There's a new option now to subscribe to specific blogs you like and adjust your home feed settings to that. You click on the blogs themselves and add them to get notifications and then they'll appear under Blog Subs on your feed. You can then switch through feeds to just see the blogs you've added, rather than everyone you follow. It's then easy to switch between feeds:

Limit your time here - if it starts to feel overwhelming, take a break! That's your brain telling you that you might need it. We'll all still be here when you come back. Don't compromise your peace of mind or happiness for the sake of scrolling for hours.

If you're a creator and have writer's block etc... again, take that break! Whether it's a day or a week, or a year. Take as long as you need. Those that are worth it will still be here and will wait patiently for you. Don't put unnecessary pressure on yourself. And if anyone does pressure you, block them.

Forget the numbers. I know, I know, it's easier said than done. Of course we want re-blogs and engagement, it's why we're here and putting our work out there. We wouldn't do it if we didn't want that engagement. But don't let the numbers be the main reason why you do it, otherwise your expectation can often be met with a harsh reality when it doesn't go how you think it will. Do it because it makes you happy, first and foremost. There will always be someone who looks forward to what you put out there.

If you want engagement, you need to engage back. This community survives and thrives on sharing. Re-blog everything you like. Re-blogging is the number one must on Tumblr. It's how the site works. Likes are lovely, but it's simply just a book marking feature here, which is essentially useless as your likes get pushed to the bottom of your like pile the more you like things. RE-BLOG EVERYTHING. By re-blogging you can also use tags so you can easily find things again. Liked that Frankie Morales fic you read last week? Re-blog it with the tag 'Frankie Morales' for example, and then you can search your own blog to find everything you've ever tagged with 'Frankie Morales'. You can even schedule re-blogs in advance too. You can't do any of that with likes. You'd have to scroll through every single like you've ever liked to find it again... and ain't no-one got time for that. If you're someone who is asking for engagement, you need to be prepared to give it back. I repeat, RE-BLOG EVERYTHING!

"Yeah, but if I re-blog everything, my aesthetic will be compromised, or my blog will be bulky and I might annoy everyone by appearing on their feed too much..." These are all valid concerns, but you can simply make a side blog specific for re-blogging things if you want. Whatever way you choose to do it, re-blog, re-blog, re-blog!

Be bold and reach out using DM's and ASK's. I don' think there's a single writer or artist out there who doesn't like getting a comment or a message complimenting their work. And we all love to chat about it, and that's an easy way in and to make friends too! It can be daunting, but I assure you if you're polite and kind, people will want to engage back with you. We all have one thing in common here at least - Pedro! 🥰

Sometimes, it can feel like everyone has their own friend groups or cliques and it can be hard to find your own community within a community. Almost everyone I engage with on a daily basis here, new and old users, are some of the nicest, kindest people I've spoken to. You really have nothing to be afraid of. They're just like you - they want to talk and make friends.

These are just some tips that I've found have worked for me on my own Tumblr journey with quelling that overwhelming feeling. And I hope they can help you in some way, especially if you're contemplating being here right now.

You might feel that what you put out there isn't appreciated because it doesn't get the notes or engagement you want, but I promise you, there is always someone who you have touched with your words and work.

Be kind to yourself and know that you really are a valued part of this fandom.

🖤

YOU. ARE. STRONGER. THAN. YOU. THINK. 🖤

Do you. Then do Dieter.

Self-Care With Dieter & Jett

#pedro pascal #pedro pascal fandom #self care with dieter & jett #dieter bravo #you are stronger than you think #do you #then do dieter

[imminent-danger-came]

But you are, my love, the astronaut Flying in the face of science I will gladly stay an afterthought Just bring back some nice reminders Yes! You are, my love, the astronaut Crashing in the name of science Just my luck, they sent your upper half It's a very nice reminder

—Astronaut by Amanda Palmer

#*crying* and can you see the means without the ends #in the random frantic action that we take #the Wukong - MK - Macaque 3 way foil fucking kills me dude #whatever #why didn't he just stop. right here? he was already so much stronger than anyone ever needed to be #*ugly sobbing* #lmk #lego monkie kid #lmk edit #lmk MK #lmk Macaque #lmk SWK #my edits #shadowpeach #yes the last one is about wukong's lack of freedom what of it #also I don't think I need to specify this but I hope no one thinks this is me shipping MK & Wukong lol #cause it's not #Really this is just part of my queer platonic shadowpeach agenda

[beaulesbian]

I was once again thinking about this goofy Luffy moment after his Lucci punch™ and i had to see it frame by frame.

first the force of it throws them both away, and while Lucci is seen on screen tumbling for a long moment, Luffy is just away in a blink of an eye.

and then his funny scene - his legs are like jelly that he tries to get under control,

he stumbles, falls, rolls into a mix of all his limbs and eyes,

and then only the cloud behind him cushions his fall

- which would be interesting if he can subconsciously control that while he tries to regain the control over his movements - that the environment around him still adapts to his awakened Devil Fruit abilities and morphs to help him. Where others would probably fall through that cloud, for Luffy that cloud backs him up like a trampoline.

It's just fascinating!

#still thinking about this new ep? its more likely than you think #monkey d. luffy #monkey d luffy #one piece #one piece spoilers #one piece ep 1100 #luffy #mine #gif:op anime #long post #egghead arc #egghead spoilers #op spoilers #sun god nika #gear 5 #i guess something like that might have been already used in wano but its these new eps that im caught up with so its like. new for me lol #and something i can notice while waiting for a new eps #i wanna know more how much the DF controls luffy and how much he is able to control it.. . *thinking face*. #especially if what im thinking could be some parallels between lucci having worse control over his DF (in the current manga) than he thinks #if it changes his characteristics that much and if that could be used as storytelling point to see that either 1. yeah it could be potentia #danger for luffy too. or 2. luffy is that stronger that he can already control it better by now. even maybe subconsciously #i just love how this anime part aired during that interesting rob lucci manga chapter few weeks ago. like.. so many thoughts

[hyperactively-me]

king!ghost x reader -- introductions

Approaching the kingdom of Kastron was nothing short of intimidating for you. The crowds of people cheering, the buildings, and the castle looming ahead all overwhelmed you. 

It’s late afternoon now. Earlier that morning you had woken up by Ghost shaking you awake roughly. 

“Today’s the day,” he whispers. “We’re leaving soon.”

Last night was when you had your little…argument. That is, if you constitute slapping him across the face as an argument. He hadn’t forgiven you for that. But he didn’t bring it up again. You had only hoped he chose to overlook it. After traveling all day, you had finally reached the kingdom of Kastron. 

The weight of the occasion settled heavily on your shoulders. This wasn’t just any visit – you were here to be his wife, making you a queen; an alliance between your home kingdom and Kastron, a critical step towards ensuring peace and prosperity for both kingdoms. 

As you rode farther into the village, the cheers became deafening. Villagers had come out of their homes and businesses to witness your cavalcade, your arrival to their kingdom: their new queen. The echoing cheers of the gathered citizens seemed to blend into a continuous roar, and the dark flags of Kastron waved in the wind as you passed. 

Despite the beauty and grandeur of the surroundings, your mind was preoccupied with thoughts of your impending new life. Doubts crept in – were you prepared enough? Would your presence hold weight in Kastron? Could you navigate the diplomatic landscape that lay ahead? Yes, you had gone through countless years of training, but that was mostly to be a wife. You had some diplomatic lessons here and there, but they were never in-depth enough for you to be an adequate leader. 

As the entourage came to a halt in front of the castle, you took a deep breath, attempting to steady your nerves. The moment had arrived. Still staring at the grand castle, you hadn’t seen Ghost approach your mare. He clears his throat loudly, motioning for you to take his hand to help you dismount. Taking his hand tentatively in your grasp, he helps you down, granted, he squeezes your hand just a little too hard. 

He drops your hand, beckoning you to follow him up the steps to the entrance. At the top, you were greeted by a procession of Kastron's dignitaries. Each introduction was accompanied by a bow or a curtsy, and despite their polite gestures, the tension in the air was palpable. You knew they were looking at you with apprehension, but you pretended not to notice. 

Ghost turns to you after all the introductions have been made. 

“You will be shown to a room. I will see you at dinner.” 

And with that, he turns and leaves you with a servant. His tone of voice left no room for argument. You could tell he was still displeased with your little stunt from last night. After a servant led you to the guest quarters – a temporary arrangement until you would eventually share chambers with the King – you found yourself never wanting to leave. But, you knew you had to. You didn’t make your first impression amongst the staff of the castle as you being a bratty little girl. No, you had to show them, show him, that you were capable of being a queen.

. . . 

The dinner was mostly silent, with you and Ghost sitting at opposite ends of the table. Surprisingly enough, Ghost still hadn’t removed his balaclava, even to eat. He had rolled the mask up enough just to reveal his mouth. 

“Why do you cover your face?” you question in the silence. 

He looked up at you, seeming to think long and hard about it. 

“It’s a tactic.”

“What kind of tactic?”

He doesn’t answer.

“It’s a symbol of my fortitude, my endurance. Of who I am.”

You put your fork down. 

“And who are you?” 

“You'll have to find that out for yourself,” he said, standing up from the table. 

. . . 

The next day came too soon. The day you would be told of the wedding plans. You twist your engagement ring on your finger, biting your lip with anxiety as you realize the wedding is tomorrow.

A barrage of maids had woken you up, pulling you into different rooms to show you the pre-planned wedding details. You noticed they had chosen your kingdom’s native flowers to be your bouquet. Your heart hurt in your chest seeing them wrapped so prettily in ribbons. 

. . .

That evening, while you were in bed in your nightgown, there was a knock on your door. You swing out of bed, moving to the door. You crack the door slightly, just enough to see who’s outside. It’s Ghost. You hadn’t seen Ghost all day.

“What do you want?” you ask bitterly.

“Just checkin’ on you. Haven’t seen you all day.”

“Hm. Making sure I didn’t ‘run away’ again?” you quip. 

He tenses immediately.

“When are you going to stop with the attitude?” he says abruptly, his voice tinged with exasperation, his hand pushing the door open wide. His hand forcefully pushes the door open wider, and you instinctively try to push it shut, but his resistance is stronger this time. The door slams against the resistance of your palm, and you stumble back, the suddenness of the motion catching you off guard.

“Hey—”

“What are you trying to do here?” he interrupts, his tone both accusatory and probing. He closes the distance between you, and you find yourself pressed back against the wall, the cool surface providing an unwelcome contrast to the heat of the situation.

Your heart races, and you meet his gaze with defiance. “I still can’t believe you’re asking me stupid questions,” you reply, your voice firm. “I’m trying to stand up for myself.” 

His eyes narrow, his frustration palpable. “It feels like you're doing more than that,” he retorts, his words edged with a mix of anger and confusion. “You're pushing me away, shutting me out.”

He places his hands on both sides of your head, caging you in against the wall. Your heart pounds against your chest, the closeness of his presence sending a rush of emotions through you.

You take a shaky breath. “I won't compromise who I am for you.” 

He leans his head down, his face coming closer to yours. Panic wells up within you, and you instinctively turn your head, pressing your cheek against the wall to avoid his gaze. His hand reaches up, fingers grazing your chin to force you to look at him. 

There's a vulnerability in his eyes that you hadn't seen before, a flicker of something beneath the frustration and anger. It's a glimpse into the complexity of his feelings, a crack in the facade that had shielded his true emotions.

“Listen,” he begins, his voice softer now, the anger giving way to a more contemplative tone. “I'm not asking you to compromise who you are. I just want us to find a way to understand each other without it feeling like a goddamn battle.”

He takes a beat. 

“After all, we are about to be husband and wife.” The weight of his statement hangs in the air, the reminder of the impending commitment that you both are going to have to undertake. With that, he backs away from you, his hands balled into fists. 

“You’re just a scared little girl.” 

Your mouth hangs open to retort, but he’s already gone. 

You have to marry the bastard tomorrow.

- - - - -

(masterlist)

#he thinks you're helpless #but honestly you're stronger than he thinks #he just hasn't seen that in you yet #so he'll just have to protect you in the meantime #time will tell #he thinks you're very pretty #simon ghost riley x reader #ghost x reader #simon riley x reader #simon ghost x you #simon ghost x reader #simon riley x you #simon ghost riley x you #simon “ghost” riley x reader #simon “ghost” riley x you #hyperactivelyme