MULTIMUSE

WORDS OF AFFIRMATION

i'm very grateful for you.

you're very important to me.

you make me want to be a better person.

you're doing a good job, you know.

i can tell you're trying your hardest.

you constantly impress me.

what's going on? tell me everything.

i'm here to listen to you.

i love you so much.

you know you matter to me, right?

i don't know what i'd do without you.

you were right about everything.

if it matters to you, it matters to me.

i believe in you.

PHYSICAL TOUCH

[ caress ] sender soothes a nervous receiver by stroking their hands up and down receiver's arms

[ absentminded ] sender casually takes receiver's hand in public, laces their fingers, and doesn't let go

[ shoulder ] sender listens to receiver speak and sets a hand on their shoulder while doing so, offering comfort

[ behind ] sender comes up to receiver from behind and wraps their arms around them, hugging them close

[ smack ] sender gives receiver's butt an affectionate smack as they walk past them

[ dinner ] at dinner, sender reaches across the table and takes receiver's hand

[ check ] sender reaches out to touch receiver, expressing concern for them

[ cuddle ] sender and receiver snuggle

RECEIVING GIFTS

i saw this yesterday, and i had to get it for you.

this reminded me of you.

you said you didn't have one... so i figured i'd get it for you.

i hope you like it. i picked it out just for you.

i loved making this for you.

i know you had a rough week, so i hope this makes you feel better.

it's all for you!

[ birthday ] sender brings receiver a present on their birthday

[ just because ] sender surprises receiver with a gift

[ grateful ] sender gets a present from receiver and expresses their utmost gratitude

[ flowers ] sender brings receiver a bouquet of their favorite flowers

[ candy ] sender gifts receiver with their favorite candy

QUALITY TIME

i'm not going anywhere. i want to stay here with you.

why don't we spend some time together?

i'd rather be alone with you.

let's plan a vacation.

feel like taking a walk? the weather's nice.

i just want to be with you.

this weekend is all about us.

can we plan for some alone time?

[ walk ] sender and receiver go for a comfortable evening stroll

[ bake ] sender and receiver bake something together

[ decorate ] sender and receiver attend a painting class together

[ relax ] sender and receiver relax on the beach

[ craft ] sender helps receiver with a project they've been working on

ACTS OF SERVICE

let me get that for you.

i'll take care of it! i've got it!

you go and sit down. i've got this covered.

i've planned our entire trip. you don't have to lift a finger.

everything's all taken care of!

sit back down! i'll clean up!

i know it was stressing you out. that's why i took care of it.

i'll help you with that.

i watered your plants.

[ breakfast ] sender brings receiver breakfast in bed

[ blanket ] sender notices receiver is cold, so they bring them a blanket and drape it over their shoulders

[ jacket ] sender offers receiver their coat

[ soup ] knowing receiver is sick, sender brings them a bowl of hot soup

"I need to know that I have done one right thing with my life."

The Whale (2022), dir. Darren Aronofsky.

❝ why, mister spock . . . you almost make me believe in miracles. ❞

brushing   snow   off   their   shoulders

offering   to   carry   their   bag

humming   a   lullaby   beside   them

making   sure   their   drink   is   just   right

touching   hands   under   the   table

sharing   a   quiet   moment   in   an   elevator

pulling   the   blanket   up   over   them

fixing   a   crooked   button   on   their   shirt

gently   resting   a   hand   on   their   knee

bringing   them   flowers   “just   because”

watching   them   in   the   soft   morning   light

adjusting   their   glasses   for   them

saving   them   the   last   bite

quietly   placing   their   favorite   book   in   their   hands

squeezing   their   arm   in   silent   support

brushing   dust   off   their   shoulder

letting   their   head   rest   on   your   chest

warming   up   a   heating   pad   for   them

kissing   the   top   of   their   head   in   passing

whispering   their   name   like   a   secret

setting   their   phone   to   charge

pouring   their   tea   before   your   own

tucking   a   note   into   their   pocket

drawing   a   small   heart   on   their   wrist

holding   the   back   of   their   neck   gently

pulling   them   away   from   the   cold   wind

leaning   into   each   other   on   a   train

pressing   their   hand   over   your   heartbeat

offering   your   hoodie   on   a   cold   night

packing   a   snack   for   them

gently   rubbing   their   shoulder   while   they   talk

picking   them   wildflowers

saving   a   seat   beside   you   for   them

mouthing   “you   okay?”   across   the   room

standing   behind   them   while   they   cook

helping   with   their   coat   sleeves

asking   if   they’ve   eaten   today

tracing   their   laugh   lines   when   they   smile

turning   their   playlist   into   a   shared   one

leaving   a   mug   of   cocoa   on   their   desk

tying   your   scarf   around   their   neck

brushing   your   thumb   across   their   wrist

sitting   beside   them   during   a   tough   day

helping   them   put   on   a   bracelet

resting   your   head   on   their   lap

carrying   them   when   they   fall   asleep   somewhere   strange

painting   their   nails   for   them

pressing   a   kiss   to   their   wrist

gently   holding   their   chin   to   meet   your   gaze

leaving   your   scent   on   their   pillow

guiding   their   hand   while   drawing

humming   a   song   they   like

quietly   whispering   “i   missed   you”

brushing   a   tear   from   their   lash

hiding   a   gift   for   them   to   find   later

gently   pulling   them   into   your   arms   during   a   bad   dream

braiding   their   hair   without   asking

waiting   up   for   them   to   get   home

offering   your   lap   as   a   pillow

warming   their   hands   with   yours   in   your   pockets

shielding   their   eyes   from   the   sun

holding   their   face   during   a   long   hug

wrapping   your   arms   around   their   waist   while   cooking

softly   squeezing   their   pinky   when   anxious

sharing   a   hoodie   without   asking

resting   your   head   on   their   shoulder   during   a   movie

lightly   stroking   their   hair   while   they   read

offering   to   write   something   for   them

sneaking   a   Polaroid   of   them   smiling

casually   interlocking   fingers   while   walking

wrapping   an   arm   around   them   in   their   sleep

offering   a   tissue   before   they   ask

kissing   their   knuckles   one   by   one

gently   drying   their   hair   with   a   towel

placing   their   hand   over   your   heart

taking   their   photo   when   they’re   distracted

watching   them   laugh   and   smiling   to   yourself

opening   the   car   door   for   them

waiting   to   make   sure   they’re   inside   safely

gently   tugging   on   their   sleeve   to   get   their   attention

letting   them   nap   on   your   chest

setting   an   extra   place   at   the   table

lending   them   your   favorite   book

adjusting   their   jewelry

putting   a   hand   on   their   back   when   guiding   them

whispering   “you’re   okay,   i’ve   got   you”

resting   your   foreheads   together   mid-hug

brushing   rainwater   from   their   hair

slipping   your   hand   into   theirs   in   silence

bringing   a   warm   drink   to   their   bedside

folding   their   laundry   with   a   soft   smile

reaching   out   instinctively   to   steady   them

tracing   the   veins   on   their   wrist   with   your   finger

taking   off   their   shoes   after   a   long   day

straightening   their   tie   gently

offering   to   help   them   undress   when   tired

letting   your   head   fall   on   theirs   in   a   quiet   moment

playfully   hiding   behind   them   when   nervous

buttoning   up   their   cardigan   slowly

Whether it's her voice, her touch, or that she is offering him a liberation that has been fully denied to him; it's none of them, because it's all of it. It's the Widow that reaches through the ice and finds the man who's been completely lost within it.

Blinking slowly, his shoulders soften so faintly it would be unnoticeable to anyone who wasn't trained to see the minute. It isn't enough for the gears to resume turning of their own accord, but his hands can move through the ice, and they're closer than ever to being able to reach those gears.

But it, even spoken as the man who knew her, was too brazen for her to hear.

Her own keeper’s exploit was a seed that planted itself in her memories of punishment, and it germinated at her core a character of obedience. Her touch travels along his arm, distant echoes of a time he’d once recognized.

‘   That road is not for me.   ‘   She says simply.   ‘   Forget it.  ‘   Poisoned water, untraceable deaths, methods she’s used were for destined for her in one land or another. Her hand rises to cup his cheek.

‘   Show me you’re coming back. And I will give up everything. To know that you were back to the happiest days of your life.   ‘

𝐠𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐭 -

01. avoids eye contact or looking at the floor. 02. wringing hands together in silence. 03. fidgeting with the hem of their shirt, unable to stay still. 04. looking at receiver in long silence before looking away. 05. silently leaves a folded note on the table in front of the other. 06. touches the others arm but pulls back out of guilt.

𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫 -

01. slams fist onto a table without saying a word. 02. exhaling sharply through their nose and clenching their jaw. 03. throws an object across the room. 04. crossing their arms tightly, digging fingers into their own skin. 05. pacing the room with heavy steps. 06. glares at the other with a clenched fist.

𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 -

01. gently pushing stray hair behind the others ear. 02. resting their forehead against the others. 03. cups the others face with both hands. 04. pressing a kiss to the others forehead in silence. 05. lingering touches against the others face. 06. wraps their arms around the other from behind and rests their head on the others shoulder.

𝐬𝐚𝐝𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 -

01. wiping their eyes before someone can notice. 02. pressing their face into a pillow to muffle sobs. 03. pulls the other into a desperate hug and wont let go. 04. silently reaching for the others hand, needing comfort. 05. walks into the room with red-rimmed eyes and no words.

𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 -

01. spins the other around without warning in a hug. 02. links arms with the other and tugs them along happily. 03. provides the other with a handmade gift. 04. tackles the other in a sudden and joyful hug. 05. kisses the others cheek unexpectedly and grins.

𝐟𝐞𝐚𝐫 -

01. backing away slowly and looking for exits. 02. hiding behind the other and peeking around. 03. flinches at sudden movement from the other. 04. presses their back against the wall with eyes darting around the room. 05. jumps at a noise and instinctively grabs the others hand.

𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠

01. tucks a blanket gently around the other person's shoulders. 02. applies a bandage with slow and deliberate care. 03. brings them food and water and watches to ensure they eat. 04. runs fingers through their hair in efforts to soothe. 05. rubs soothing circles on the others back while they cry. 06. stays silently by the others side in support without saying a word.

𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠