imagine this aou scene but with no need for hand motions. just a look, a glance, maybe the sensation of something crawling up the back of one's neck, and then plunged into part memory, part hallucination. that's maggie's primary powers. she seeks to create an emotion and lets the subconscious fill in what would evoke it - from memories and cultural information. she has her limits, of course, but the more she grows into her power, the less physicality she needs to wield such a gift 💁🏽♀️
@singofus whispered: Ari is crouched down in front of the little girl, smiling warmly at her. It had taken a little while to gain her trust, but they were getting there. "I'm so proud of you today, Maggie. You were a great little baker. A superstar. Do you want to come with me and pick out a cupcake that you can bring to your papa when he gets home in a few minutes?" (Because Maggie needs a lovely mama figure)
⸻ ˗ˏˋ ꒰ 🍑🍒🍄 ꒱ ˎˊ˗ ⸻
her focus drags from the tiny bit of chocolate she can't seem to get off her hand (or is it a freckle?) up to ari as she speaks. the voiced appreciation and shared pride draws a smile, a blush coming to her face. already she's overwhelmed when it comes to receiving positive attention, even as she desperately seeks it every day. to have it handed to her…it's sweeter than the baked goods they just made.
“papa likes chocolate,” she volunteers, setting ground rules for this cupcake hunting scenario, even as she reaches up to take ari's hand so they can venture to the selection process.
› SOFT ROMANCE → receiver to sender.
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
whispering “you make me feel safe”
CHALLENGERS 2024, dir. Luca Guadagnino
› FIRST TOUCH PROMPTS → receiver to sender.
brushing hair behind their ear
hands grazing while reaching for the same object
catching them by the waist
helping them up and not letting go
fixing their collar or necklace
knees bumping under the table
tucking something off their face
draping a coat over their shoulders
pinkies brushing
falling asleep on their shoulder
touching their wrist
hand falling over theirs mid-laugh
fixing their tie or jewelry
whispering with a hand on their knee
lingering touch while passing an object
playful hand to the chest
hands meeting in the dark
wiping away a tear
stopping them by the wrist
buttoning their shirt or jacket
dancing for the first time
hands meeting over a shared item
tending to a wound
shoulder bump turning into leaning
touching their heart
cleaning a cut
brushing hands at an event
tripping into their arms
untying them from restraints
fastening a necklace
shoulders brushing in a crowd
helping with a coat
adjusting their posture
guiding with a hand on the back
brushing something off their shoulder
carrying them
hiding in a tight space
dabbing a cut on the lip
steadying them over a step
holding their hand while dazed
falling into each other
cupping their face
pulling them into a protective hold
holding hands after a nightmare
sharing a coat pocket
removing something from their face
helping unzip a dress
brushing hair off their forehead
touching their cheek while laughing
tracing a faint scar or mark
pressing a palm to their back
resting their chin on their shoulder
reaching out to stop them mid-step
straightening their glasses or hat
helping them into a seat
lifting them over a puddle or obstacle
touching their jaw while talking
fixing a loose button or strap
cleaning something off their lip
giving their hand a reassuring squeeze
resting their hand on the small of their back
brushing snow or dust from their hair
holding their hand during a scary moment
steadying them as they climb or balance
touching their arm to get their attention
pulling them close for a photo
grabbing their hand to run together
placing their hand over theirs
pinning a flower or corsage on their outfit
sliding fingers into theirs during silence
wiping a smudge off their face
catching them as they faint
brushing dirt from their cheek
pulling them into shelter from rain
slipping their hand into a pocket for warmth
leaning against their shoulder while laughing
reaching for them in the dark
resting a head on their lap
catching their face before a fall
holding them upright while tipsy
brushing fingers along their sleeve
guiding their hand while drawing or writing
removing an eyelash from their cheek
helping them zip up a coat
pulling a twig from their hair
offering their hand to dance
cradling their hand during a tense moment
brushing past them in a narrow hallway
clasping their arm to steady them
pressing their forehead to theirs
leaning in to whisper against their ear
holding onto their sleeve
resting a hand on their thigh
smoothing their hair gently
tracing a line across their palm
gently lifting their chin
bumping into them and staying close
catching their hand mid-gesture
brushing crumbs off their lips
squeezing their arm for comfort
Mihály von Zichy (Hungarian, 1827-1906) Romantic encounter, 1864