innocentpain | GENTLE GESTURES (2021)

(Gentle Gestures)

Sometimes, it's the softer side of affection that means more than anything else. Small things that only matter so much more just because you're slowly falling in love. Perhaps you don't even know it yet. However, that gentle feeling always seem to linger.

There will be a few prompts with some extra suggestions to pick from! Feel free to RNG or pick if you want. You don't have to follow the extra suggestions in the prompts obviously. Just consider it some inspiration in case you can't think of any other ideas!

01. Rain. Offering an umbrella to someone. Sharing an umbrella. Helping someone avoid a deep puddle. Stuck watching the rain together.
02. Flowers. Gardens. Perhaps picking a flower for someone. The meaning of flowers. A gift.
03. Letters. Perhaps it's a long-distance penpal. Sharing notes in class. A small, secret note of inspiration. A mystery message left on a desk.
04. Phones. Texting. Phonecalls. Maybe it's late at night when the message finally shows up. Or maybe you're trying to get the courage to send a message yourself.
05. Walks. Walking home together. A stroll through a park. Along a beach, near the waves. The sights and sounds when you're together.
06. Injured. First-aid. Carrying an injured person on your back. Warm and cool touches. Checking temperature. Staying by your side.
07. Blankets. Sharing blankets in the cold. Napping together. Someone falling asleep on you.
08. Music. Trying to find out whose voice that is. Listening to them play a guitar. Sharing headphones. A song that is dedicated to you.
09. Small touches. Brushing someone's hair out of their face. Hand holding. Sleeve tugs. Leaning against a shoulder. Indirect kisses. Smiles.
10. Chores. Doing taxes. Bills. Cleaning up messes together. Sharing a burden is easier than alone. (Thanks, Marie).
11. Photos. Taking a picture of someone. Selfies. Photobooths. Looking over old photo albums. Memories that can't be forgotten.
12. Winter. Playing in the snow. Watching snow together. Staying near the fireplace. Drinking hot cocoa. Finding warmth.
13. Sky. Watching fireworks. Stargazing. Looking at the clouds, imagining the shapes they make.
14. Food. Sharing snacks together. Remembering their favorites. Meeting at a cafe.
15. ANYTHING ELSE. There are so many things you can consider! Accidental handtouching while picking up scattered papers! Handing a balloon to someone. Stuffed animals. Carrying things together. Train and bus rides! It's the small stuff! It's all great!

This is open to anyone, feel free to share with your friends if you wanna play. Toplevel, tag around, we all secretly want schmoopy goopy.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Lovemuffin, you're so indecisive.

[the waitress snorts but Shine proceeds to order Intensity a double cheeseburger with fries and a shake--a match to his own order]

We'll see if you can stomach it.

I can stomach anything that you can, buttercup.

Even your Eldritch Horror wine.

[Did he start drinking the bottles left behind when Shine left out of nostalgia?

No. Of course not.

That would be silly. Who does that?]

I hate to tell you but that's not wine. It's something we just have at the bars here.

I haven't actually had any since I got back though.

Hmmm? You did mention in your last letter that you were trying to stay sober.

Is that still true?

I haven't drank in forever........its....good...for me....

[You've just triggered his trap card.]

Shiiiiiiiiiiine.

I want to go drinking.

No way! What if my sister finds out???

...Hoh?

Is she the reason why you've given it up?

...and the kids. I don't want to worry them. Silence never really liked my drinking very much anyway.

. . .

They also wouldn't want to deprive yourself of something you enjoy because of them.

Don't say things that make sense just because you want to see your beloved get wiped out.

[food appearing!]

Thanks.

[time to eat BURG]

I'm on vacation! Entertain me!

Fine! But first eat your meal! I'm not wasting money!

. . .

Fine.

[Aggressively eats hamburger.

What a lovely date mom and dad are on.]

[BURGER IS LOVE BURGER IS LIFE

enjoying his fucking burger and fries and shake

dont mind the eldritch customers coming in the diner thats just how it is here]

[At this junction in his Hell!career, eldritch customers do not faze him. That's just how it is sometimes. . .

(Magic is still stupid.)

He offhandedly eats the burger and fries, ignoring the shake completely.]

Doesn't seem like much has changed from your memories.

Did you think something would have?

I dunno.

...

Seems like a raw deal that you suffered in Hell just to get back what you already had.

They didn't even grant you any power to fix the problems in your world.

Useless.

...if I wasn't a coward maybe I could have taken Hell's deal and fixed my sister's eyes.

She'd hate me for it but maybe her hating me for it shouldn't matter.

[Sorry, he's only paying attention to half of that]

You're not a coward.

...I got these eyes and my sister lost her sight. Cuz she spoke up first when we got confronted by the guy who offered them.

I couldn't say a word.

It's my most shameful moment.