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Peter Solarz
sheepfilms
Love Begins
let's talk about Bridgerton tea, my ask is open
tumblr dot com
Sweet Seals For You, Always
YOU ARE THE REASON
d e v o n
izzy's playlists!
noise dept.
occasionally subtle
One Nice Bug Per Day
Kaledo Art
cherry valley forever
blake kathryn
oozey mess
DEAR READER
Claire Keane
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@theobsidianempress
Hey y’all I have an announcement! My web app that I’ve been working on, Afro Index, is now live! It’s a visual reference library of Black hairstyles, for artist, animators, writers, and anyone who wants to learn more about them!
Check it out at afroindex.org! 💛✨
A reference library for Black hairstyles with accurate naming, structured filtering, and curated reference images.
Quick Tips for Writing Descriptions
⟢ PICK THREE DETAILS MAXIMUM! your reader doesn't need to know every piece of furniture. Give them the broken clock on the mantle, the smell of cigarettes embedded in the couch, the water stain on the ceiling shaped like Italy. Their brain will fill in the rest. You're not writing an insurance inventory!!!
⟢ Use the senses people forget. Everyone does sight and sound, but what about: the metallic taste of fear, the way humidity makes your clothes stick, the phantom itch of being watched, that gross feeling when you touch something unexpectedly wet. GET WEIRD WITH IT
⟢ MOTION IN YOUR DESCRIPTIONS!! (Please?) don't just tell me the curtains are blue, tell me they're "shuddering in the AC blast" or "hanging limp like they've given up." Static description is a sleep aid. Make things MOVE
⟢ Your narrator's voice should COLOR everything! A depressed character won't describe the sunset as "beautiful mauve and amber streaking across the sky," they'll think "the sun's dying again, doing its whole performance art thing with the clouds"
⟢ Stop with the mirror descriptions! :( "She looked in the mirror and saw her auburn hair and green eyes" NO. Banned. Forbidden. Find literally any other way. Have another character notice. Show through action. Slip details in naturally. The mirror thing is lazy and we all know it
⟢ Similes and metaphors: COMMIT OR DON'T DO IT! "like" is not a get-out-of-jail-free card. "Her anger was like a storm" is BORING. "Her anger rolled in with the methodical inevitability of a hurricane, and he was standing in a trailer park in Florida" now we're TALKING
flirting/suggestive dialogue prompts
"you owe me a kiss"
"keep it, looks better on you anyways"
"admit it, you like fighting with me"
"annoying you is what i'm best at"
"i can tell you want to kiss me right now"
"well, you're trouble, and i'm apparently into that"
"do you even realise what you do to people? to me?"
"are you sure you're not a model? i could swear i've seen your pretty face on some magezine before"
"are you trying to turn me on?"
"i dare you... to kiss me"
"careful, someone might think you actually want me"
"say my name again, it sounds good when you say it like that"
"stop glaring, love, i know you want me"
"i think i deserve a kiss, don't you?"
"what do you think would happen if i kissed you right now?"
"are you checking me out?" - "like a book"
"if you ever need someone to teach you how to make out with someone, i'm always free for you to call"
"don't act innocent, you had me pinned down pretty well last night"
"i've been thinking about you all day, not gonna lie"
"what's your ideal type?" - "you"
"you're quite the troublemaker, sweetheart"
"what a lovely sight to wake up to"
"you look like a dream, love"
"i'm in the mood to tease you today"
"on a scale of one-to-ten, how mad would you be if i kissed you right now?"
"you know you love me"
"who's the most beautiful person you've ever seen?" - "the person who just asked me that question"
"i really like your outfit, too bad it won't leave this room in one piece"
"did anyone ever tell you how hot (colour) makes you look?"
"people keep asking me if you're my boyfriend/girlfriend and i'm loving it"
"you know, wouldn't hurt to give me a try"
"you should totally just lean in and kiss me right now"
"miss me? i know you did"
"if i win this race/competition, i get a kiss. deal?"
laughing with them
❥ barely disguised giggles in an otherwise serious situation
❥ collapsing into each other, falling to the ground, crying tears, gasping for air and begging for mercy
❥ soft laughs while teasing each other
❥ raspy chuckles shortly after waking up
❥ into their skin as hands wander
❥ snorting after being surprised by an inside joke
❥ tired huffs late at night
❥ suggestive grins when caught staring
❥ cracking up over something stupid while drunk
❥ accompanied by shrieking while being tickled
[Prompt Calender: March 19th, National Let's Laugh Day]
Micro-Tensions You Can Add to Any Scene
Sometimes you don’t need a plot twist, you just need a little discomfort.
• Someone pretending they're not running late • A question that doesn't get answered • A phone buzzing that no one acknowledges • Eye contact that lingers too long, or flits away too soon • A compliment that feels loaded • Someone being overly agreeable • A forced laugh • A character checking the time repeatedly • A subtle change in tone halfway through a sentence • Using another character's actual name instead of a nickname • A character standing when everyone else sits • One person doing all the talking • A topic that keeps almost coming up • A physical space feeling too small for the emotions within it
20 ways characters can show sadness without saying it
Habits change: suddenly no energy or motivation to do so.
Rereading old texts from someone that used to be special.
They let their hot drinks go cold beside them.
They apologize for things that aren’t their fault.
They linger after everyone else has already left.
They keep checking the door wishing that anyone will walk through.
They sit in parked cars for a long time before going inside.
Avoiding eye contact; gaze never lingers for long. Staring at the floor, instead of at people.
Rubbing the back of their necks or holding one arm with the other. Closed body language & posture shrinks.
They take deep breaths like they’re steadying themselves.
Hesitation before letting go of a hug.
Movements feel slower than usual.
Trembling fingers and limbs and shaky breath.
Sitting on the shower floor, contemplating.
Voice cracks when they speak & hesitate before responding to simple questions.
Avoidance and deflection when speaking such as “It doesn’t matter now” / “Don’t worry about it” / “I just need some sleep.”
Lingering in doorways instead of entering or lingering at the edge of the group.
Sleeping with noise or lights on to avoid feeling alone. Or as a distraction.
Fixating on small, meaningless tasks to keep busy.
A smile when being spoken to, but it fades when the other person looks away.
Friends to Lovers Dialogue Prompts With Quiet Intimacy
⭒ "You always look for me first when something's funny. I don't think you know you're doing it."
⭒ "I know what your silence sounds like when something's wrong. I've been paying that much attention."
⭒ "You called me first. You always call me first."
⭒ "I memorized your face before I understood why."
⭒ "You make room for me without thinking about it. I think about it all the time."
⭒ "Tell me the thing you haven't told anyone else. I already know it won't change how I see you."
⭒ "I don't know when 'my friend' stopped feeling like enough of a word for you."
⭒ "I kept waiting to feel less. It just kept getting worse."
⭒ "You fit next to me like you were always supposed to be there. I'm done pretending that's nothing."
⭒ "I've been practicing not reaching for your hand. I'm terrible at it."
⭒ "You're the only person I'm not exhausted after. I think that's been trying to tell me something."
⭒ "I stopped wanting to leave at some point. I can't tell you exactly when it happened."
⭒ "You've been my favorite person for so long I forgot it was supposed to feel like more than that."
⭒ "I know exactly how you take your coffee and I've never once asked. That means something."
⭒ "You always reach for me in a crowd. You don't even realize you're doing it."
⭒ "The way you trust me quietly without saying it out loud. That's the thing that got me."
⭒ "I don't know how to go back to just being the person who knows you."
⭒ "I've been here longer than you think. I'm not scared of this."
⭒ "You laugh differently around me. I noticed a long time ago and said nothing."
⭒ "I think I've been in love with you at every version of you. That's a lot of versions."
flirting with lips
biting lip
brushing the other's lower with their thumb
chewing nervously on lips
glancing at their lips repeatedly
kising their knuckles
leaning in for a kiss for their lips to barely brush
marveling at the softness of their lips
mouthing at the side of their neck
nipping at the other's lip
reaching over to wipe sauce or crumbs off their lips
sly smiles and grins
wearing a shade of lipstick the other likes
wiping crumbs from the other’s lower lip after a meal
[Prompt Calender: March 16th, National Lips Appreciation Day]
body language: panic
backing away
begging / babbling incoherently
clenching eyes
cracking knuckles
crossing arms defensively
crying
defensive / aggressive behavior
fidgeting
fight / flight / freeze / fawn response
flinching
heart pounding
hyperventilating
“i can't do this.”
“oh my god!”
pulling hair
racing thoughts
screaming
self soothing motions (rubbing arms, wringing hands, …)
shaking voice
shivering / trembling
sweating
“what the fuck!”
wide eyes, observing everything
[Prompt Calender: March 9th, Panic Day]
physical intimacy
long hugs, melting into each other
comparing hand sizes
burying face in their stomach when laying down
several kisses in quick succession
hugs from behind
huddling up on a cold day
rolling in bed until they are slotted together
tickling
nose / cheek / forehead kisses
stealing their hat and putting it on
forehead to forehead
smothering them with their own body
carrying them around their apartment
head resting on their shoulder
climbing in their lap
checking them out when they change even after years together
holding hands in a stressful moment
slapping their ass in passing
tucking their hair back
casual brushes while passing them
massages
kissing the palm on their hand and then nuzzling into it
playing with the other's fingers
lifting them and setting them on the counter to have better kiss reachability
burying face in the crook of their neck
playing with their hair
spooning
removing their make up and hair products for them after a hard day
jumping in their arms upon reunion
the taller leaning on the shorter's shoulder like an arm rest
Dear Men Writers
Lesser known facts when writing women:
High heeled shoes don’t become flats if you break the heels off.
The posts of earrings aren’t sharp.
Nail polish takes a long time to dry and smudges when wet.
You can’t hold in a period like pee.
Inserting a tampon is not arousing or sexual in any way, ever.
Feel free to add your own.
- Bras leave red marks on the skin under and around boobs and it is a magical experience when taken off.
- Make up can take anywhere from 5 to 25 minutes depending on how skilled you are.
- Taking hair out of a ponytail after wearing it for hours does not make it perfectly straight when it comes down.
- Hair when wet sticks to the skin it no longer flows, idiot.
-When women with long hair kiss, turn around, do anything, their hair falls in the way.
- Stockings are itchy and tear like wet paper bags.
- Pantyhose, tights, leggings, and stockings are each different. - Waxing hurts and leaves red skin for a while afterwards while shaving leaves stubble - Most can’t run in heels unless they have been VERY worn - Insecurity in appearance doesn’t mean “buy me a drink” - EVERYONE HAS DIFFERENT TASTES IN EVERYTHING
-Having large breasts sucks. It sucks beyond belief. If a garment happens to fit your large chest, odds are it won’t fit the rest of you. Underboob sweat is real and terrible. Bending over for extended periods of time will tweak your back out. Running can be painful due to boob turbulence. Bras are hella expensive. Big breasts are not fun.
Putting a tampon in isnt a quick bend-poke-done kinda deal. It involves cubicle yoga, messy hands, numerous curse words as you realise it isnt in correctly and have to take it out and start again with a new one.
Yes to all of this. But also:
If her hair is in an updo, one does not simply remove a hairpin to send her hair cascading down her back. No. If her hair is an updo, it will take at least an hour and an extra set of hands to remove the 137 bobby pins that are holding her hair in place. Furthermore, there’s probably a can’s worth of hairspray in there, intended to withstand category 2 hurricane winds. There’s no cascading happening here - the best you can hope for is a misshapen nest of hair to clump and poof unattractively in the back while it still remains flat against her scalp.
This is one of the funniest posts I’ve seen in a while (especially if you read all the comments), but also really depressing because at 42 I still judge myself as having failed for not matching up to all these mythical stereotypes despite knowing they’re impossible
^^^This though
The odds of a woman having smoothly shaved legs and armpits are directly proportional to the amount of skin her clothing bares and/or the amount of fucks she gives at that particular moment.
GLASSES ARE NOT COSMETIC. If we whip them off, we do not become gorgeous fashion models. We become squinty.
-most women wear bras. Yes, even when they are trying to dress sexy. Because bras make boobs look perkier and rounder, which is something men apparently find sexy, so being a seductress or femme fatale is not an automatic reason for a female character to not be wearing a bra.
-a good bra will hide headlights, or at the very least drastically reduce their noticeability. A women with enough pointy nipple issues will opt for a padded or molded bra to hide them.
-women’s nipples do not automatically become hard pyramids visible through any and all layers of clothing the second they become even slightly aroused. They are not the female equivalent of boners. And even if their nipples do get hard, the bras they are almost certainly wearing (because even a goddamn succubus with big, honkin’ knockers for seducing men is gonna have those painful puppies in some kind of boob sling) should keep those pointy nipples from being visible to every other character in the scene, JIM BUTCHER. YES, EVEN LARA RAITH WOULD WEAR A BRA ONCE IN A GODDAMN WHILE.
if you’re being tied up and tortured in a freezing underground dungeon, then you probably have more important things to pay attention to than how hard somebody’s nipples are, jim butcher
- Wearing a bra that doesn’t fit HURTS. It’s not sexy to wear a bra that’s “two sizes too small”, it’d make your clothes hang oddly and you’d have a weird, uncomfortable “quad-boob” effect and your back would hurt, BEN AARONOVITCH.
Also, after removing a too small bra, there’s gonne be angry red lines on the boobs and ribs and the lady is not going to want them to be touched by anyone for a good long while
-Not all women wear heels. Those things hurt and are hard to balance in. They can also mess up your feet and back pretty bad.
-Lips aren’t just naturally red “as if she’d been drinking wine but they were just like that without makeup cause she’s so perfect,” my dear little Kvothe from ‘Name of the Wind’. Also, girls do not naturally smell like fruit or flowers, it’s either perfume or something she’d been eating recently.
I’ve been appreciating this post but now it’s back very specifically calling out my problematic faves and I don’t think those male authors realize how much it totally takes me out of the story for a moment when they commit these errors. It does nothing useful for the plot and is annoying for half of the audience
Is it weird that I’m female and wasn’t aware of a solid third of these?
I mean, all writes take note. I basically live in man land when it comes to protagonists so I don’t know half these things despite being a woman
(Most) Women do not look at themselves in the mirror and compare their breasts to fruit. Any sort of fruit. Especially melons. Please save us from the melons.
Also we are not aware of our breasts at all times. I do not walk down a flight of stairs and think “oh golly my breasts are bouncing so much right now”. They are as much as natural part of our bodies as arms. Do you constantly think about how your arms are moving? Sure you may be aware of them, but paying full attention? Doubtful.
Also: women working out are almost never sexy. They’re not glowing or glistening or (kill me) *sparkling*. They are red and sweaty and gross just like all the dudebros doing their time with the dumbbells. Stop ogling fictional women at the gym, TOM WOLFE.
I love this post.
I never understood why men feel the need to address all this telltale “feminine” awareness when writing women. Like once in grad school one of my male colleagues wrote from a female character’s POV and was like sure to notice how her feet felt in high heels and all the women’s lifestyle magazines on the coffee table and also that like, her breasts were “heavy” or some shit. I write male characters all the time. Not once have I ever stopped to make sure they notice the weight of their own balls or been hyper aware of their chest hair or some bullshit like that. ????? why????????
Love this. I’ve been cackling to myself for good 20 mins reading all the comments as well but the last reblog had me dying like can you imagine!!
“Chad was late. He had an important meeting to get to and was mad at himself for oversleeping.
He quickly washed and brushed his teeth and then ran downstairs, his balls bouncing playfully in his pants.
Do I have time to make a coffee? he thought. He decided he did so went into the kitchen and switched the kettle on. As he was waiting, he noticed his thick, curly chest hair was poking through the button gaps of his shirt. He giggled to himself and tucked his manly fuzz back in, hoping it wouldn’t happen during the meeting.”
Men, do you see how jarring and stupid this is!?
Additions:
-lingerie isn’t usually super comfortable OR QUICK TO GET INTO. It usually involves a lot of straps, hooks, sliding adjustments, etc. Some people some of the time choose to wear it out under clothing, but this is not the norm (also with the matching bra and underwear. The *only* times I’ve gotten a matching bra and underwear, it was lingerie).
- doubling down on the ‘boobs are not always noticed or on the mind’, but you *definitely* notice them if you’re well endowed, not wearing a bra, and doing some even lightly jarring physical activity (running down the stairs, jumping jacks, etc). You notice and it’s uncomfortable-imagine something the size and shape of a bocce ball implanted in your chest. You get moving around without proper support/restraint and those fuckers BOUNCE. It’s not pleasant. It’s not done on purpose and it’s avoided when possible. Think holding them while running around-it’s better to run slightly awkwardly than to feel yoinked down every step
-periods are uncomfortable beyond the physical pain of cramps. Bloating, back pain, headaches, and more fun symptoms are common for people of cycling age. And that’s all just for the normal, relatively healthy body-endometriosis, PMDD, PCOS, and a whole host of other conditions make your time of the month much more interesting (from a medical perspective) and by interesting we mean worse for you specifically
A woman who has never been pregnant or given birth is not likely to start lactating when aroused. Not saying it never happens, but it’s extremely rare and often a sign of a hormonal disorder, not arousal.
Women can have stretch marks regardless of whether they’ve had children. Men get stretch marks too. It just means you lost or gained a significant amount of weight in a short period of time, or you are more predisposed to stretch marks because of your genes/diet/etc.
You cannot tell whether someone is a virgin by how tight they are down there. Vaginas are elastic and do not need to be loosened up like a butthole does.
Vaginal lubrication is not necessarily a sign of arousal. Sometimes it just happens.
Similarly, hard nipples are not necessarily a sign of arousal. Sometimes it just happens.
Periods can come out of nowhere for some people. They don’t always last exactly seven days, nor do they automatically come on the 28th day. It’s normal for there to be some leeway.
Someone can be late on their period because of stress, or different activity levels that month, or not having enough iron in their diet, or recently being sick. Someone being one singular day late on their period does not automatically mean they’re pregnant.
Bad mood does not automatically mean “period” or “PMS.” Women can just be in a shitty mood because they’re in a shitty mood.
Sleepy Dialogue
✮ “Mh? What's up?” “Nothing, go back to sleep.”
✮ “Where're you goin'?” “I'll be back in a second.” “:(”
✮ “Baby, let's go to bed. It's late.” “You go ahead. I'll be there in a second.” “Ugh.”
✮ “You look dead on your feet. When's the last time you got any rest?” “Um...” “Okay, that was way too long of a pause. Off to bed you go.”
✮ “Can't sleep?” “Mhm...” “'s okay. I got you now.”
✮ “I'm cold.” “Get your ice feet away from my legs!”
✮ “Come on, it's time to get up.” “[incoherent mumbling]” “I made breakfast?” “[peeking out from under the blanket] Waffles?” “(fondly) Of course I made waffles.”
✮ “So that means if we solve the equation for X, we need to... Oh.” “[soft snoring noises]”
✮ “Mh? Wha- what's happening?” “You fell asleep on the couch waiting for me again.” “Your fault for being late...” “[forehead kiss] You're right. My apologies.”
✮ “Don't you look comfy. May I join?” “You're the only thing still missing.”
✮ “Baby. Come to bed.” “Just a second-” “No. Now, or you're sleeping on the couch.” “Alright, alright. I'm coming.”
[Prompt Calender: March 13th, World Sleep Day]
Some cute fluff prompts/scenarios for ur OTP ships !!!
They're at a lake in summer, and one pushes the other in.
Sneaking into a party neither of them were invited to and pretending to be related to everybody there
blanket forts. That's it. Put them in a blanket fort.
'Wait no you can't cry because then I'll cry and-- oh shit you're crying.'
A is talking animatedly about something they REALLY love and B is pretending to listen and they're genuinely trying to, they swear, but how could they concentrate on anything else when A has that light in their eyes?
Alternatively: A is talking animatedly about something they REALLY love and B is sat there taking notes because A's interest is their interest now too.
'You've got terrible morning breath.' 'So do you.' (they're kissing anyway.)
hair washing. most intimate thing ever. softest thing ever. im a sucker for hair washing.
'I hate you.' (jokingly) 'No, you don't!' (softly) 'No, I don't.'
At a wedding, they're dancing together, both of them pretending the ceremony has been thrown for them, not the real bride(s)/groom(s)
LET THEM HAVE A PILLOW FIGHT !!!! GOOD LORD BRING BACK PILLOW FIGHTS !!! BONUS POINTS IF THEY'RE KISSING BY THE END OF IT !!!!
Finding out that their friends all bet on their relationship
A seeing B interact with kids for the first time and just thinking. I'm so done for.
'I think I'm in love with you.' 'Did you mean to say that out loud?' 'Ah. Shit.'
[midday, after a long night/injury, A is just waking up for the first time.] 'Welcome back to the land of the living.' (groaning, barely awake, words almost indecipherable) 'Don't you land of the living me.'
Stealing the blanket !!! in bed !!! on the sofa !!! wherever !!! just tell me !!! which one is the blanket stealer !!!
A tracing the outline of B's face gently with their fingertips at night, believing them to be asleep- they're not, and it takes all the self-restraint B has in them to hide their smile.
Ways to express the vibe of “Oh. Oh.” without writing “Oh. Oh.”
because we all know the line is a classic for good reason but perhaps a bit too cliche
Oh. Oh no, I know what this is.
Well. That’s inconvenient.
Wait, why is…. Oooooh….
Okay, I know what this looks like. But… Oh man, who am I kidding?
Wait… Oh.
“Oh.” A blink. Then, slower, “Oh…”
“Wait…” Fuck.
What? Why would I feel that way when… Oh.
This is going to hurt, isn’t it?
“What the—“ Oh.
Everything aligns just right then. I’ve been a damn idiot.
“Oh my God!” … Oh my god…
Oh. Oh no…
My hands are shaking and suddenly I understand why my throat feels tight and my heart is pounding. I’m an oblivious fool.
Nope, nope. Not happening. … “Fuck.”
Oh. Oh?
Forced Proximity Prompts
there’s only one bed / couch / horse / car…
huddling for warmth (sharing a blanket?)
trapped somewhere (a cell, a cave, an island…)
squeezed against one another in a busy bus / subway
hiding & squeezing into the same hiding spot
squished in the back of the car (or trunk if the car is truly too full)
only one tool, book, or similar, that they have to share
squeezing under an umbrella or a small roof when it rains
forced to share a hotel room / apartment /dorm room
one is scared and latches onto the other’s arm, refusing to let go
“Why are you so goddamn big?” “Bold words for someone whose neck is so in reach for me right now.”
“How much longer you think we’re gonna be stuck here?
“Move!” “You move!”
“Oh, sorry, was that your…” “Yeah, um, no problem. Wait, I’ll try to move…”
“Stop moving so much!”
“This is so awkward.” “Only if you make it awkward.”
“I never realised how small/big/tall/short/… you are.”
“I can’t breathe…” “As someone currently pressed up against your chest, I can hear you breathing just fine.”
Non-spicy ways to show Intimacy
Intimacy isn't always just the spicy stuff! Here's a few ways to show it through your characters in a few, simple ways...
Kissing their S/O's hand, knuckles, wrist...bonus points for eye contact!
Speaking of which...eyes. Glances across the room, prolonged eye contact, staring at each other
Tending to the other's wounds/ injuries
Knowing the other's tiny habits
Reaching out to the other when in pain, trouble, ect
Whispering jokes to each other
Carefully wiping off a stain from their clothes or face
Taking care of each other when sick or hurt
Hand over the heart/ ear over the heart just to hear it beat
Pressing their thumb over the pulse point for the same thing
Tracing scars, tattoos, birth marks, freckles
Giving the other something tiny that means a lot, a picture, a shiny rock, a flower
In fantasy settings, helping the other put on/ take off armor...trusting the other to know where daggers, knives, poisons are hidden
Telling each other secrets/ thoughts they've told nobody before
Tucking back the other's hair
Putting a piece of jewelry on the other or letting them borrow clothes
Keeping each other warm in the cold
In cases with chronic illness, letting the other care for/ know symptoms
Brushing, braiding hair, applying skincare, etc.
Nightmare comfort
Wiping away tears
Proximity- sitting near each other, sticking close, standing beside each other while doing a task such as cooking, laundry, painting...
Sharing a book, sitting close enough to read it together
Scenes to Write When Your Draft Feels Flat
Not epic or climactic. Just... alive.
• A character almost admits they were wrong and then pivots • Two people sitting in a car after an argument, engine off, neither leaving • Someone practicing a speech in the mirror and hating how it sounds • A character lying for someone they resent • An inside joke that no longer feels funny • A public setting where private tension is simmering • Someone seeing their ex unexpectedly and performing indifference • A character giving advice they absolutely do not follow • A confession interrupted by something mundane • A person rereading old messages they shouldn’t • A gift that misses the mark completely • A character realizing they’ve outgrown someone mid-conversation • Someone saying “It’s fine” and meaning “I will remember this forever” • A moment where a character notices they are no longer the favorite • Two people who used to be close struggling to find a topic
If your story feels stuck, it likely needs friction. Not explosions. Just a little pressure.
