"You Survive This And In Some Terrible Way, Which I Suppose No One Can Ever Describe, You Are Compelled,

"You survive this and in some terrible way, which I suppose no one can ever describe, you are compelled, you are corralled, you are bullwhipped into dealing with whatever it is that hurt you. And what is crucial here is that if it hurt you, that is not what’s important. Everybody’s hurt. What is important, what corrals you, what bullwhips you, what drives you, torments you, is that you must find some way of using this to connect you with everyone else alive. This is all you have to do it with. You must understand that your pain is trivial except insofar as you can use it to connect with other people’s pain; and insofar as you can do that with your pain, you can be released from it, and then hopefully it works the other way around too; insofar as I can tell you what it is to suffer, perhaps I can help you to suffer less."

- James Baldwin, The Artist's Struggle for Integrity

Sara Teasdale, from "May Night" in Rivers to the Sea

Unresolved Sexual Tension starters

"Maybe… maybe there's something between us, but I can't bring myself to say it out loud." "We've been dancing around this for years. What's stopping us from just being honest?" "Attraction? No way, we're just good friends, nothing more." "There's always this tension when we're together. Is it just me feeling it?" "I wish we could just talk about what's really going on between us." "If I didn't know any better, I'd say there's something more than friendship in those glances." "Are we just going to keep pretending that we don't feel anything?" "I've never said this before, but I think I might be in love with you." "Let's not complicate things. We're better off as friends." "You look good tonight. Not that you don't always look good, but, you know…"

[Touch] The sender brushes a strand of hair from the receiver's face, their fingers lingering for a moment. [Avoid] The sender purposefully keeps a bit too much distance, creating an awkward atmosphere between them. [Stare] The sender gazes into the receiver's eyes for a prolonged moment, leaving both unsure how to react. [Hug] The sender initiates a hug, but it lasts just a little longer than a casual embrace would. [Dance] The sender invites the receiver to dance, their bodies moving in a way that hints at more than just friendship. [Compliment] The sender gives the receiver a compliment, their words carrying a deeper, unspoken meaning. [Laugh] The sender laughs at the receiver's jokes a bit too enthusiastically, almost nervously. [Drink] The sender hands the receiver a drink, their fingers brushing as the glass exchanges hands.

i just wanted you to NEED ME.

softer shippy prompts.

soft & simple quotes for all your shippy needs! a lot of these can work as platonic prompts if that’s preferred. feel free to change pronouns, descriptors, and context when needed. combine prompts too if desired ♡

WORDS.

❝ you’re so cute when you blush. ❞ ❝ your hair is so soft … ❞ ❝ you smell really good … ❞ ❝ how is your skin so soft? ❞ ❝ your laugh makes me melt.  it’s super cute. ❞ ❝ god, you are so CUTE, it’s not fair!!! ❞ ❝ i bet you’d look really cute/pretty/handsome in a dress/gown/suit and tie/tuxedo/(article of clothing). ❞ ❝ you’re all i’ll ever need. ❞ ❝ you have such pretty eyes. ❞ ❝ you always know exactly how to make me laugh … ❞ ❝ your dimples are absolutely adorable. ❞ ❝ are those freckles on your cheeks that i see? ❞ ❝ i guess all the love songs i’ve ever sang were about you. ❞ ❝ is it weird that i’ve daydreamed about our wedding? ❞ ❝ the word ‘love’ can’t even scratch the surface of what i feel for you. ❞ ❝ you’re my person.  you’re beyond special to me. ❞ ❝ there are seven billion people on this planet, yet you’re the only one for me. ❞ ❝ there’s no touch that feels like yours. ❞ ❝ every morning i want to wake up hearing your voice, seeing your smile. ❞ ❝ you taught me what love is … and what it means. ❞ ❝ being wrapped in your arms is a truly special feeling. ❞ ❝ the sound of your voice is like heaven to me. ❞ ❝ i truly can’t control my heart when i’m around you. ❞ ❝ just stay here with me … by my side. ❞ ❝ promise you’ll always be here for me … ? ❞ ❝ i love you.  more than anything. ❞

ACTIONS.

send +↻ for the reverse!

[ sing ] — sender sings a love song to receiver [ bath ] — sender draws a bath for receiver [ cry ] — sender lets receiver cry on their shoulder [ tear ] — sender wipes receiver’s tears [ cuddle ] — sender cuddles up to receiver as they’re just waking up [ art ] — sender sketches a picture of receiver [ snap ] — sender snaps a picture of receiver when they’re not looking [ kiss ] — sender kisses along a stretch of receiver’s skin [ clothe ] — sender helps receiver remove an article of their clothing [ embrace ] — sender jumps into receiver’s arms [ carry ] — sender carries receiver to bed [ lift ] — sender playfully picks up receiver from around their waist [ pin ] — sender pins receiver underneath them [ massage ] — sender gently massages receiver [ sit ] — sender sits on receiver’s lap [ lean ] — sender leans against receiver’s shoulder [ scar ] — sender shows receiver one of their scars [ wrap ] — sender wraps their arm around receiver’s waist to pull them close [ pillow ] — sender uses receiver’s lap as a pillow [ goodnight ] — sender kisses receiver goodnight [ hold ] — our muses lace their fingers together [ dance ] — our muses slow dance together [ candle ] — our muses cuddle in a dimly candlelit room [ tub ] — our muses share a hot tub together [ nuzzle ] — our muses touch noses [ laugh ] — our muses laugh together [ bed ] — our muses share a bed

You’d look better with darker hair, Tam

Is this Lucien? Very funny. Thanks for the warning. I’ll be certain to start double checking all of my shampoo bottles from now on — if you touch the blonde; your precious ginger locks are next. How’s green sound?

Perfect. Misery loves company.