So, yeah, hello everyone, I'm Black Jack! (He/Him, Straight, possibly neurodivergent)
This is a sideblog I made to interact with the yumeshipping/self shipping community.
I'm pretty new to this, still finding out what I like and stuff. Hope we can get along.
I'm an adult, I'm 22 years old (will update when needed). I'm ok with minors interacting with my posts or asks, but do refrain from directly interacting with me (DMs and similar) unless I commissioned you something or similar stuff ofc. And keep in mind, not everything I post will be intended for all publics
my masterlist, to check out my other works, is here
notes: what up, happy valentines. this was requested here
anora mikheeva (anora)
giving: acts of service
Anora would never call them acts of service. It sounds transactional and strange, to say she's doing them to service you. And she knows you're not like that. Not like the clients and johns or whatever else they'd be called. She'd say that all she's doing is showing up for you. And she's always doing them before you ask, too. She brings food to your place without announcing it, texts you reminders, waits up even when she's exhausted from work because she knows you're nervous. Anora doesn't let you thank her for these things either. She shakes her head and says "it's fuckin' whatever, you'd do it for me too".
To Ani, love is usefulness without obligation. She knows you'd stick around even if she didn't take out your trash, or take home milk without asking. She likes doing things for you not because she has to, but to choose to. Likes that you don't ask. Don't boss her around like everyone else in her life. Her exes who thought she owed them something, her clients that act like they own her, that she should do exactly as they say. Anora feels free, in a love that is completely her choice.
She’s protective in quiet ways. If someone talks over you, she’ll cut in. If a landlord tries to bullshit you, she’ll clock it immediately and tell you afterward, not wanting you to take that disrespect. Ani doesn’t soften the world, but she’ll stand between you and the worst parts of it. If she notices you’re running late, she’ll already be pulling on her shoes to walk with you, even if it means cutting her own rare sleep short. If your phone screen is cracked, she’ll quietly look up repair places, send you the cheapest option, then pretend she was “just scrolling.”
receiving: touch
This was hard to pin down. Physical touch, but there are caveats.
Like the ending of Anora, Ani would break down if she was kissed gently when she felt she couldn't handle it. Ani needs it, hates that she needs it. Each bit of casual affection (holding hands, leaning into you, falling asleep tangled up) makes her realise how she's never had it. Not really. They were all people who wanted her body. Wanted what she could do for them, the pleasure and thrill she could make them feel.
Considering all she's ever known, it's hard for her to separate intimacy from obligation. Physical touch as a way of receiving love has to be relearned almost from scratch. She's still learning day by day. But you help her. Each time you give her touch that asks nothing of her. And most importantly, every time you move away and give her time to process when she hesitates. You sit with her, holding her hand, not pulling her in for another kiss. Her wellbeing and safety matters more than you getting off. To you, it's the bare minimum, and yet it's more than anyone else has done for her. To remember that her body isn't just something to give, but something to be cherished. If she stiffens, pulls back slightly, or goes quiet, you stop without comment, without frustration, without asking her to explain herself. It tells her that her boundaries don’t inconvenience you. That she’s allowed to change her mind mid-moment and still be wanted.
A hand on her knee that doesn't slide up between her thighs. Fingers that lace against hers. An arm around her waist that doesn't tighten with possessiveness. These moments tell her something radical: she can be loved just for the sake of it. Not for fun.
She opens up. Initiates more often. She's always been comfortable in her body, how she wields attraction like a weapon to get money from suckers. But she becomes comfortable with your body. Trusts it like her own. Knows that it'd never hurt her.
max fox (better things)
giving: words of affirmation
Words of affirmation, but not necessarily in terms of simply praising you. Max defends you in rooms you're not in. It'd be common for you to walk into her room and she's already singing your praises to Paisley about how sweet you are, recounting your last date. You'd notice Max's siblings making jokes and realising that Max has told them all about you. Like Max just can't keep her mouth shut with how happy she is. Secure, maybe for the first time.
Of course, she is very complimentary as well. You can just be chilling, lounging in comfy clothes and she'll blindside you. Gushing about how attractive you are, rattling off the features she likes, little details you don't even notice. Max says it like she's teasing you, but you know she's sincere.
receiving: quality time
She's a sucker for quality time. Being in the same room while she's on her phone goes a long way, not needing to talk or do anything to feel like you're together. There's not many people she feels comfortable sitting in silence with. She's always been a social butterfly, the type of person who'd jump in with a story in case there's tension brewing. She's found the one person she doesn't have to worry about if you secretly hate her. Like her self doubt isn't spiraling for once.
And you stay. Stay and sit with her even when she's being pissy, fuming about another fight with her mom. Her friends would probably let her rant, fuel Max's irritation and let the rage burn for days longer than it has to. But you do what she actually needs, letting her cry it out without judgement.
For Max, attention without pressure = love. She doesn't have to be anything but herself for you to choose to stick around. Considering her dad's nonexistent presence in her life, and her mom's attention having to be juggled with her younger siblings, Max thrills at the fact that your time is solely hers.
(Second would probably be words of affirmation, because Max would love some compliments and assurance.)
amber freeman (scream)
giving: touch
Touch is Amber screaming don't leave without saying it out loud. Our girl is touchstarved, and whenever you're around, her hands are all over you. Not necessarily in a sexual way, just... like she has to know that you know she's obsessed with you. Has to make sure you're aware of her presence. Amber runs her hand along your spine, rubs your back when she's proud of you. (Sorry to bring up R*chie but I'm thinking specifically of when she rubbed his back).
She stares and traces your face sometimes. Fingers brushing against the bridge of your nose, your lips, your chin. Lingering on your jaw before she finally remembers to kiss you silly. It's hard to know what she's thinking when Amber gets in that mood. You don't think she's afraid you'll run, though sometimes she does cling like she is. You asked her once, and she just told you that she was happy you were alive. But these sweet, gentle kind of touches are few and far between. Amber isn't the type to offer love gently - she gives it fiercely and expects the same in return. Biting your lip to make you bleed, leaving hickeys all over your neck and chest, nails digging into your arms, your hips. You need to mirror that intensity to make her feel secure. Whenever you don’t, her affection curdles quickly into suspicion.
Amber hates people who do PDA, rolls her eyes and scoffs at it, but also doesn't give a shit about making out in front of people. In Amber's words, other people who do it are attention-seeking, but when it's you and her, she can't help it. Touch is a marker of possession that she thrives on, needs.
receiving: words of affirmation
Amber has this need to be seen as special, irreplaceable, understood on a level that others don't reach. Giving her compliments, little bits of praise, have her clinging to you with giddiness. She adores the idea of being your favourite person. That you're the one person who "gets it". Anything about how she's different to other people, smarter, more beautiful, cooler, they're words she lives on. Her mind and her love relies on an us-against-them mentality, where it's you and her against the world. Your love and attention being the one thing she needs.
Speaking of that suspicion, the sole way to make her jealousy abate is to affirm her with your words. Telling her she's the best thing you've ever had, your one and only, they make her melt into your arms. Amber needs constant reassurance. Her mind races all the time about it. You with anyone else, your eyes wandering, she hates it she hates it she hates it. She needs to hear that she's wanted now, that you choose her every single day. She worries all the time that she's too much, too intense. To really prove that you see her and accept her, still find her worthy of praise.
Amber is the type who tests you. The type of girlfriend who drops comments to provoke reassurance, like implying you were looking at another girl, or acting mad for no reason. She needs to see you chase, see you willing to correct the imagined slight. It's up to you, because in her mind, love should be enough to drown out doubt.
river (all souls)
giving: gifts
River doesn't have the luxury of much uninterrupted time with you. Juggling all of her responsibilities is already a feat. Mushy words don't come naturally, she knows all too well how they can be barbed with manipulation or expectation. Besides snarky insults, she doesn't think she's good with words.
But what she does do, almost without thinking, is picking up little things for you all the time. At the corner store, it's always Monster for her, candy for Jade, and now? Your favourite chips, little trinkets and chocolates. A drink you mentioned offhandedly. Like it's a reflex to include you. Provide. Like you're already family.
Money is tight, even for these minute indulgences, so these gifts are often pocketed. It doubles the thrill to steal something just because it'd make you smile. She thinks a lot of material things are silly, but loves to see that look on your face. It's like how River is paycheck to paycheck, struggling to make ends meet, but Jade still has all the toys she could ever want. River will never let you go without.
receiving: physical touch
Whether she realises it or not, you can feel how River untense and melt into your arms every time. It's like you're a grounding force, your hands reminding her that she's safe, she's here. No dangers in sight. And if there were? You'd protect her. You'd protect each other.
Words won't do. If someone is too sweet, too complimentary, they want something from her. Big gestures make her suspicious. When she gives you things, River doesn't feel like she deserves gifts in return. Acts of service make her uncomfortable, as if you're implying she can't do things on her own when she's been independent for years.
But if you touch her? You're present, which is a lot more than she can say about anyone else. Your hands give her the warmth she's always needed but been too afraid to ask for. You let her be vulnerable for once, rather than the untouchable single mother she has to be.
River swears she sleeps better when you're cuddling her. After a fight, it's all she wants to do to shut you up and dig her face into your neck. Needs a little less talk and a lot more touch. Everything else, the world, is overwhelming sometimes. You provide her safe space, maybe the first she's ever had. You're the one person she can admit to that she's tired, she's lonely, and she's had enough. Her inner softness comes out when your two hands are on her, keeping her steady.
Howdy y'all I'm sick and tired of the bazillion romantic only OTP templates and no familial ones so here's to us selfshippers who have families and love them so so much ♡
Hope y'all enjoy!
@yume-yearning it ain't much but I hope it helps you with your familial ship yearnings! I know I'm absolutely gon use this when I can-- thank you for bringing my attention to this :D ♡
Minors who age up their s/is to pair romantically with adult characters, adults who do the same with minor characters, TE//RFs, etc etc this ain't for you go away
If you use this template, please tag me my new blog @atheneum-of-ardour ! I'd love to see y'all's family ships with this one 🥰