Hello Its Me

let's pretend i didn't start writing this three months ago... i tried to make this extra long to make up for my hiatus :)

also, happy pride, everyone!

"am i reading this wrong?" said in a low tone, for only the other to hear

"i saw you looking at my lips," said teasingly, to gauge the other's reaction

the fraction of a second where their faces are just close: lips ghosting each other's, taking this moment in, almost waiting for one to give in first

in the middle of a heated conversation

an emotionally charged embrace, pulling away and realizing how close their faces are, and leaning in

one brushing hair out of the other's face, the featherlight touch (or any light touch tbh)

a simple "can i?"/"can i kiss you?" because consent is important!

"can we stop pretending?"

a barely audible, "come here"

one is concerned for the other (physical injury, emotional conflict, etc), and they respond with "you always make sure i'm okay," maybe a "why?" then the air changes

"show me what you want."

one leans in and pauses, to which the other responds with some grounding gesture (a touch/"please"/a slight nod/etc) to communicate their own desire

orrr they lean in, slightly panic, and move back, to which the other pulls them in (lightly) by their arm/coat/collar/cheek/belt loops/etc

"you talk a lot." while the other is mid ramble

"you have no idea how long i've wanted to do this"

the first kiss being messy and impassioned, then the second being softer and more familiar, as though their minds are catching up with reality

"you really can't see it, can you?"

the energy shifting right as one openly glances at the other's lips

(and maybe a laugh, "what?" as the other person does this)

“Oh my god! Do you ever shut up?”

“Just stop talking!”

“What is wrong with you?”

“Leave me alone.”

“Do you ever think about anyone but yourself?”

“I’m so sick of your attitude!”

“Do you think just because I’m quiet I don’t have ears?”

“Oh, shut the fuck up.”

“Are you hearing yourself?”

fixing each other's collar/zipper/tie/etc - getting unexpectedly close, breath catching when they realize (or their light touches burning into the other's skin)

^ also moving someone's hair out of their face/behind their ear

^ or touching someone's necklace/bracelet/watch

eye contact in a crowded room, but not exchanging any words/expressions - just looking at each other, the rest of the world going still.

^a(n unironic) wink in this situation. or an eyebrow raise, lick or bite of lips, or head tilt. there's something in the subtlety of it - like "this is between us"

pulling someone in by their belt loops??? this is so random idk

feeling the other's breath/lips ghosting their neck

any sort of whisper. anywhere. goddamn.

a long pause when someone is speaking, as though they lost their train of thought while looking at the other person

their bodies accidentally pressed together - being stuck in a small space, falling onto one another, or having to sit really close together. the pause when it's realized.

^this but they're hiding

"make me"

"i dare you"

"and if i do?"/"what will i get (if i do)?" "show/tell me what you want"

the pinky reach before holding hands for the first time

slow dancing (the hand placement, eye contact, proximity, MUSIC)

teaching the other something that involves physical contact (like holding their hands while trying to balance on a skateboard, or guiding their hands somewhere)

eye contact, waiting for one to fold

"don't do that to me" (tempting the other)

sharing earbuds - forced proximity, the vulnerability in sharing things that matter to them

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.”

“Being around you makes every day just a little lighter.”

[fondly] “You're such an idiot.”

“Got you, always.”

“I can imagine growing old with you.”

“I could sit here and listen to you forever.”

“Let me take care of you.”

“Nothing makes me happier than being with you.”

“Of course I trust you.”

“Seeing you happy makes me happy.”

“Something about you makes me feel safe.”

“Stay for a bit?”

“Stop making me smile, dork.”

“Why didn't you tell me you were cold? Come here.”

“You mean everything to me.”

“You were in my dreams tonight.”

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

Since the ai accusations are still being thrown around, here's how i personally like to use these GASP ai telltales. 🦄✨

Em Dashes (—)

To emphasize a shift / action / thought.

They're accusing us—actually accusing us—of using AI.

To add drama.

They dismissed our skills as AI—didn't even think twice, the dimwits—and believed they were onto something.

To insert a sudden thought. Surely they wouldn't do that to us—would they?

To interrupt someone's speech. "Hey, please don't say that. I honed my craft through years of blood and tears—" "Shut up, prompter."

To interrupt someone's thoughts / insert a sudden event.

We're going to get those kudos. We're going to get those reblogs—

A chronically online Steve commented, “it sounds like ai, idk.”

Semi Colons ( ; )

To join two closely related independent sentences / connect ideas.

Not only ChatGPT is capable of correct punctuation; who do you think it learned from in the first place?

Ultimate pro tip: use them whenever the fudge you want. You don't owe anyone your creative process. 🌈

We’ve done lip biting to death... Let’s evolve.

Body language is one of the most powerful tools you can use in your writing, especially when it comes to dialogue.

It reveals emotion without needing long explanations, and it gives your characters presence long before they speak.

Here are some physical cues you can use to bring your scenes to life:

Crossed arms / defensive stance → guarded, annoyed, uncertain

Fidgeting with sleeves / tapping fingers → nervous, impatient

Lingering touches / brushing hands → affection, tension, desire

Tightened jaw / clenched fists → anger, restraint, frustration

Averted eyes / looking at the floor → guilt, fear, embarrassment

Stepping back / leaning away → distrust or discomfort

Tilting head / raised eyebrows → curiosity, challenge

Shoulders relaxing / exhaling slowly → relief, vulnerability

When should you rely on body language?

When you want to show an emotion instead of naming it

When dialogue alone feels flat

When you need subtext (what they won’t say out loud)

When two characters feel differently than the words they’re speaking

When you want to make a scene more sensory and grounded

Are they really calm, or is their foot tapping like a warning signal? Are they truly angry, or is it just the way their jaw tightens when they’re hurt? Are they saying “I’m fine,” but refusing to meet anyone’s eyes?

Body language adds layers. It tells the truth when your characters won’t. It can add to the rage bubbling on their lips, letting the reader know when they're just about to blow up.

As I dive into researching signs of fear for my horror WIP, I wanted to share some of the most compelling and visceral reactions I’ve come across. Whether you’re writing a chilling scene or crafting a character’s panic, these 20 signs of fear can help bring tension and realism to your story.

Physical Reactions

Hyperventilating — sucking in air but never feeling like it’s enough

Chest tightens — feels like a weight or hands pressing down

Limbs shaking violently, knees buckling

Complete loss of muscle control — collapsing or unable to stand

Cold sweat soaking through clothes

Heart hammering so hard they feel it in their throat or head

Tunnel vision — the world narrowing down to one terrifying focal point

Ringing in the ears or sudden deafness, like the world drops away

Dizziness / feeling faint / vision blurring

Dry mouth — unable to speak or even scream

Uncontrollable Behavior

Screaming / sobbing / gasping — involuntary vocal outbursts

Panic run — bolting without thinking, tripping over everything

Clawing at their own skin / chest / throat — like trying to escape their body

Begging / pleading out loud even if no one’s there

Repeating words or phrases — “No, no, no” / “This isn’t happening”

Hiding instinctively — diving under tables, closets, or corners

Desperate grabbing — reaching for someone, anything solid

Loss of bladder or bowel control (for extreme terror)

Total mental shutdown — frozen, slack-jawed, staring blankly

When someone is...

Sad

Face/Body:

Avoidant/reduced eye contact

Drooping eyelids

Downcast eyes

Frowning

Raised inner ends of eyebrows

Dropped or furrowed eyebrows

Quivering lip/biting lip

Wrinkled nose

Voice:

Soft pitch

Low lone

Pauses/hesitant speech

Quiet/breathy

Slow speech

Voice cracks/breaking voice

Gestures/Posture:

Slouching/lowered head

Rigid/tense posture

Half formed/slow movement

Fidgeting or clasped hands

Sniffing or heavy swallows

"it's all in the eyes i was once told"

catching the stare of someone across a crowded room

subtle furrowing of eyebrows beyond a blank facade

coldness easing into warmth

a fond mothering gaze

corner of the lip nudged upward

forced glower/glare as they break underneath

batting their lashes, playful

a boisterous laugh

intrigue piercing the stoic

proud smugness at the other's success

lingering glances

a childish joy bursting through

pupils dilate

eyelids shut in a look of peace, calm and trust

look of longing/betrayal

"there was once a time when they were mine"

terseness

features fold into a scowl

an urgent flinching back

coldness returns (as though the warmth had never come)

lips part then purse

invasion of shock

slow stare at the floor

the ripple effect of a swallow

frustrated breath/sigh

bitter laugh in reminiscence

dread tearing through the seams of their composure

look of hatred

"darkness"

mean smirk- teeth bared grimace- scowl

dismissive gaze

gaze of contempt/impatience

threat lowering the voice

sardonic goading grins verging on manic

rolling one's eyes

flicker of irritation in the eyes

stares stubbornly ahead despite distraction

gritted teeth, clenched jaw

fierce biting remarks

even measured complexions betraying no thought

strangling oneself back from violence

utter apathy

murderous silence hanging in the stare

snobbish laughter

Anger is really easy to show in an argument: arguing, yelling, hitting people or things. As tension builts, anger rises, and once the argument is over, your character might still be angry.

Here are some ways you can show how anger builds or lingers.

Clenching fists, jaw or grinding teeth.

Tapping fingers or foot impatiently.

Giving short, clipped answers.

Forced or fake smiles.

Glaring or narrowed eyes. Rolling eyes.

Cold, sarcastic comments disguised as jokes.

Slamming doors or dropping objects.

Withdrawing from conversation or space. Or walking away mid-conversation.

Pacing or restless movement.

Muttering under breath.

Sudden, sharp gestures.

Ignoring someone deliberately.

Excessive cleaning or other nervous habits to distract themselves

Picking fights over trivial things.

Staring silently, making the other person uncomfortable.

Repeating the same point over and over again, or doing the same thing over and over again.

Controlling or micromanaging situations.

Using humor to mask irritation.

Cold touch (like a stiff handshake).