Imagine ranting to Din while he repairs the Razor Crest.
finally, it’s written! this request has been sat on my list for a while, so to those who requested it, thank you for your patience! requested by: @ackermanbitch and an anon! written by: archie
this is inspired by @yournewwriter‘s gentle prompts: moving you by the waist.
If there was one thing you could do, it was talk.
At first, Din hated it. He hated how you’d walked into the Crest like it was your home when he was only offering you a lift to a nearby system, he’d hated how you’d talked the whole time… and he hated how he’d accidentally grown fond of you.
He became glad to offer you a temporary place by his side when your situation shifted and you needed a residence, but there was no way he was expecting you to stick around for this long and still have so many stories to tell.
Somehow, tuning into your rambles both passed the time and helped him focus. He could fly easily with your words taking up a different space in his brain, and all the hours felt so much shorter, like he’d been travelling the universe beside you. You somehow kept him cheerful and engaged, even in the tough times. You had a natural knack for knowing what kind of story to tell, how to echo and fix his moods with your own experiences, which gave him an outlet for his own emotions.
And that’s how it was right now, his mood utterly foul as he worked on repairing the Crest after a sticky run-in, but his scowl was placed on hold. Or at least, directed to Mr Narvo, your old, snail-esque colleague in that restaurant on Corellia.
“I swear, I hadn’t done a thing wrong. The order was correct, I did everything to match what the stupid customer had asked for, but he really just– You know what?” You wandered by him as you talked, frustrated and pacing as all the irritation from working at that restaurant came right back. “I think he’d decided that it would be a bad day for me already. He slithered in and just knew he was gonna try and get me fired.”
You paused your pacing, facing the beskar-clad warrior as he retracted an arm from inside the ship’s panel.
“-And he just kinda blinked at me. You know that eye thing?” Your hands, which had been flapping around animatedly, lifted to hold invisible spheres above your head. “Like the antennae lean forward and just look at you and squint and- honestly it’s so annoying because I can feel how he’s judging me but like? At least my eyeballs aren’t half a metre above from my head, right?”
“Right,” came Din’s voice as he dipped into a toolbox, proceeding to reach back into the side of his ship and twist some valves. His voice was a dry monotone, but he hadn’t once told you to shut up yet, so that was all you needed to continue your spiel.
“Right! So I just- I don’t mean to be rude, but I kinda do- I couldn’t keep it in, okay?” Din halted your pacing and handed you the metal tool, reaching into the Crest again. “… I told him to go stick his eyeballs in the dishwasher.”
Din paused. He turned to look at you. You were almost sure he’d tell you that it was a low blow, or that it wasn’t worth such a threat, but his modulated voice rose with a question. “And did he?”
“Wh- No, Din. Why would he-“
He shrugged one shoulder, stepping away to rummage in the toolkit once more. “That guy was purposely villainizing you, day after day. The least he could do would be-“
“If the universe was a decent place he’d be blinking bubbles, I know,” you chattered on, wandering once again. “But unfortunately, the universe is horrible, Narvo is still out there terrorising colleagues and-“ You stopped dead, peering down at the helmeted man, busy with his tools. “He got me fired.”
Din stopped his hands, visor raised up at you. Of course you couldn’t see his expression, but you didn’t need to as his disbelief met your ears. “It worked?”
“I know!?” You toyed with the tool, the weight falling from hand to hand, gripping it with each as if to decide which hand would better suit hitting Narvo in the eyeball with it, mouth running a mile a minute all the while. “He went straight to the manager, clearly he’d been building up some bullshit case of all the things I’d apparently done wrong— which I always had a particular reason for, by the way, and they were never even against the rules—”
The irritation still buzzed in your veins, even if it was months ago. What started as your attempt to take Din’s mind off the frustration from a damaged ship had turned into a surprise therapy session that seemed to uproot some sort of inferiority complex, and now you were just airing out your issues without even being aware of Din bustling around you.
“Like, I’m a good worker, you know? I take pride in that because I actually care about what I put into the universe, I strive to make this shitty place better for the people, unlike Narvo. He was just there to feed his own-”
Gentle hands on your waist had you startled, and your gaze shot up to the visor, eyes wide and an unmistakable heat to your cheeks. He’d never touched you like this before.
You couldn’t help leaning into his hold, heart beating like crazy-
A gentle pressure from one hand had you stepping aside, and then it was gone.
He leant past you, reaching into the metal hood of the ship. You’d parked right in front of it without even noticing, far too wrapped up in the fury of your tale.
“Keep going,” he spoke, and you fumbled to find your words again, fiddling with the tool in your hands.
“Wh- What was I saying again?”
A gloved hand reached back to take the tool from your hands. “He was just feeding his ego by preying on you. It’s better to keep away from characters like that.”
Your stride finally came back to you and the story continued in your mind, but the sure flutter in your chest was going at full force. “Right, I learned that by now.”
“You want me to put a hit on him?”
You scoffed. “Din, please. …But if we stop off at Corellia, he’ll shit himself when he sees me with a Mandalorian.”
A soft breath of laughter, so quiet you almost missed it. “Then that’s our next stop.”
Bear with me, but I'm going to explain why I don't find Grogu running around in IG-11 like a suit funny. Droids are not portrayed as feelingless robots in Star Wars.
Multiple droids are shown with immense personality, and their losses given weight. Luke sees R2-D2 get lost under the murky swamp water on Dagoba, and his response is to desperately call out to him worried for his safety, and then runs to him and consoles him when he flies out of it. Poe treats BB8 like one might treat a beloved pet, and is relieved when they are reunited.
It's why people didn't like what happened to C3PO in Rise of Skywalker. C3PO has to do what is essentially a factory reset, and it will erase every bit of information and memories he has stored since his creation. It is a death, he treats it like a death but the other characters do not treat it that way. It's used almost like a joke for them, and people hated it because C3PO is more then a hunk of metal he is an ally, a friend. And what is a metaphorical death wasn't treated seriously.
K2SO sacrificed their own life to give Cassian and Jyn Erso a chance to get the death star plans and escape. His death is also given great weight and the framing of that like a human death and Cassian is devestated to lose him.
IG-11 was the same. Din had watched this droid become a friend, and ally and didn't want him to sacrifice himself. But he did, his death was given the emotional weight of a human charecter and Din and Grogu treat him as such.
So forgive me, for not finding Grogu's antics funny when it's framed that he is now riding in the dead corpse of a charecter that was framed to us as something worthy of love. He is wearing the dead corpse of a friend who died to protect him.
Droids in Star Wars are not just robots. They are things given emotions and emotional story weight. IG-11 isn't an Iron Man Suit and it's not funny to watch Grogu play around in it, because to Grogu, that was someone who was a friend and protected him with his life.
I'm sorry. I don't care if there was humourous moments there, the concept of the scene itself is not cool. You cannot tell us one episode previous that droids are trying to form a life for themselves because they want to be treated as individuals. And the next have a baby ride in the skin of a dead corpse that was a loyal friend who was given an emotional death scene.
The lack of consistency isn't fun, and the complete ignorance of any kind of appropriate tone or sensitivity is insulting.
”getting thicker skin” is great in theory but I think for some people “get better at handling your thin skin” is gonna be way more helpful advice. I have strong emotional reactions to criticism and they might never go away, but i can continue to try and handle each situation maturely and that’s the important part. Sometimes irrational feelings are chronic and living with them is better than trying to beat yourself up into not having them.
@prolix-yuy
This, but also: Stumbles out of google docs with new kinks I'm down to explore.
Stumbles out of google docs covered in blood
✰ ✰ ☾ ✰ ✰
[slow-burn. eventual smut, 18+. MDNI.]
* indicates smut.
↬ ❝ your hands shove hard into his breastplate, fingers immediately aching at the impenetrable hardness of the armor. “just to be clear, I did not do this for you.” you spit coldly, glaring upwards against the glare of the sun. the Mandalorian normally stands more than a foot taller than you, but soon he’s so close that you see yourself in his visor, a menacing finger pointing down the bridge of your nose. at his words, your whole body trembles. "do not put your hands on me." his voice is threatening, deep, low. "ever." ❞
part i - salvation
part ii - gratitude
part iii - ka’ra
part iv - compromise *
part v -
part vi -
part vii -
send ask/message to be a part of the ‘be like me’ taglist.
im literally not exaggerating when i tell you guys this video saved my life
I have two things I'm supposed to hear from tomorrow so fingers, toes, and eyes crossed!!
The Fiddle Concerto album by Mark O'Connor. Using the term "played like a fiddle" in the most literal sense possible, I see.
ur government assigned gender for the day is the first thing u get when u click this link to a randomised wikipedia article. NO REROLLS . i am the trollsteineggje mountain in norway
I know there’s other posts out there but I wanted to make a comprehensive post about being completely inclusive when writing reader inserts. Everyone has their own perspective and ideas so I wanted to share my thoughts and tips that I use myself when I’m writing. Of course I most likely forgot things as well so feel free to add on if you think of something I missed and I’ll add it to the list here!
Quicke note before we get to it: if you spot something on this list that you’ve done before, don’t beat yourself up about it. We all slip up and make mistakes. Just learn from it and keep it in mind for the future! As readers, we understand that it’s near impossible to include every single individual that could possibly read your work, but the point is to be as inclusive as possible with your writing.
Under a cut for length and to make sure you always see the most updated list when you click on it! Reblogs are very much appreciated too, especially if you’re a writer so we can all learn and grow and be better!
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Gender neutral (gn)- no pronouns, no gendered nicknames, no mentions of genitals
Assigned female at birth (afab)- no pronouns, no gendered nicknames, reader usually has a vagina
Assigned male at birth (amab)- no pronouns, no gendered nicknames, reader usually has a penis
Female/fem/f- she/her pronouns, traditionally femme nicknames, reader usually has a vagina
Male/m- he/him pronouns, traditionally masc nicknames, reader usually has a penis
Non-binary (nb)- usually they/them pronouns, reader can have either a vagina or a penis
If you do want to assign your reader character some type of label, please tag it appropriately. Lots of poc writers like to write black, Latine, Asian, etc readers for example. Or other examples are plus size reader, short reader, tall reader, nerdy reader, shy reader, sporty reader, etc.
Don’t be afraid to write a trans character too! Trans characters can have either the opposite genitalia from their birth assignment or the same, everyone is different! There’s a big lack in trans reader representation!
Please note too that just because reader is labeled one way does not necessarily mean they are cisgender. People can be non-binary and use she/her or he/him pronouns. There’s no need to label your reader as cis at all
And please don’t label your readers' sexuality as straight. Bi/pan/demi/queer people can be attracted to a male character but that does not mean they are exclusively into men. It alienates queer readers.
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Please do not use “blush” or “flush” or anything like that! I know that’s one of the top issues when being inclusive with skin tones. Instead, try something like “you felt your skin heat up” or “your palms felt sweaty” or “you felt flustered.” Focus more on the emotions and what reader is feeling or thinking or physically reacting rather than saying reader blushed.
Be careful when describing bruises or injuries. Not all bruises get bright red for example. Instead, try mentioning blood stain, swelling, or just use “discolored” or “beat up” or something like that.
Not everyone’s skin turns red when slapped so just avoid “your skin reddened” altogether.
Not everyone has pink nipples, just skip describing the color altogether
Or pink lips. Again just skip the color description
While all skin is able to get burned, not everyone’s skin turns red/pink from being in the sun. Instead use more feeling descriptors like “your skin felt hot from the sun” or even describing peeling would be ok.
Don’t say that reader looks like an established character.
“Knuckles turned white” doesn’t happen with everyone so just leave it out. Focus more on muscles straining or something instead.
Avoid the phrase “you look white as a ghost” when referring to reader.
If you want to mention makeup, just leave it general and don’t specify colors or shades or anything like that. Not all shades show up the same on all skin tones.
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Not everyone can run their fingers through their hair. Textured/curly hair gets caught or someone may not have hair long enough (or any hair) to run their fingers through.
Instead, try something like “fiddled with your fingers/ear/clothes”
Not everyone has hair long enough to tie up/back so it’s best to just not mention it at all. Your reader can just imagine how they want their hair for the scene.
If you want a more formal look, just “you styled yourself nicely” something like that is enough.
Some people enjoy hair pulling in sex, some don’t. If you want to include it, just make sure to add it in the tags/warnings so readers are aware before they get into it
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Please don’t assume your reader doesn’t speak Spanish! (This is aimed mostly at those who write Latino characters because I see this a lot)
If a character is speaking Spanish, you can either use italics to indicate the language change or provide a translation right there. Avoid adding “you didn’t understand” with that.
Instead you can use something like “you didn’t hear” so your reader can interpret for themselves if it’s because they don’t understand or they simply didn’t hear.
I know it’s tempting but please don’t use google translate to write in another language. It’s fine or a word or a phrase but when it goes into full sentences then it gets a little funky. Try consulting with a native speaker if you can!
When writing in Spanish, please note that n and ñ are not interchangeable!
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Don’t assume your reader is thin or short and the character can easily pick them up or toss them around. If you want to specify a short reader, please tag it.
Also the opposite: done assume reader is taller than a character too!
Limbs generally don’t weigh as much so something like “he hiked you leg over his shoulder” while laying down is more inclusive (I’m short and can pick up limbs from my clients at my day job so trust me your leg itself doesn’t weigh a lot)
Avoid “you got up on your tiptoes to kiss him” because not everyone is short. Instead just say “leaned over/in to kiss” or “angled yourself to kiss” something more generalized
Usually describing a hug/holding reader/cuddling is fine but don’t get overly specific on how much a character is able to wrap their arms around the reader and fit their arms fully around reader. Writing a tight embrace or an engulfing hug should still be fine since it can be a show of emotions.
Wearing a characters clothes. Not everyone can fit their fav’s size and not everyone will “drown in his shirt.”
Again the opposite is true too: not everyone has curves or thick thighs or big breasts or a big ass. Plus size and curvy readers are important to write too since representation is lacking, but just be sure to tag it properly!
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Be careful when describing readers family because that can be hard for some readers. Not everyone has a good relationship with their family. Yes sometimes a backstory is needed for plot and people can pretend for the sake of the story. Just be sure to include in your warnings for the story, especially if it’s either a really good or really bad relationship.
Religion. Just don’t mention it at all.
Around the holidays especially, Christmas fics are very popular but please be aware that not everyone celebrates the same holidays! Be sure to tag and warn for any holidays that they could be celebrating.
Don’t make your reader biologically related to a white character. If you absolutely want to, there’s options like step family, adopted, childhood friends that are closer than family, etc.
Reader’s job is usually something you have more leeway with but just be sure to tag it appropriately. Disabled readers for example can’t always imagine themselves in certain jobs so it’s just something to keep in mind.
When creating a backstory for reader, try to think outside your own experience and make sure it’s not something that poc readers can’t relate to or wouldn’t have had the same experience from.
This one is more aimed at Americans but please remember that not everyone reading lives in the US. Sometimes yes, a setting is necessary, but please be open to the fact that people from all over the world read fics.
There’s really no need to give your reader an age as it can alienate a lot of readers. Sometimes it can be inferred through context but I find that outright giving reader a specific age is very excluding.
If you’re at the point where your reader has a name, it’s no longer a reader insert but an original character. Nicknames or code names are totally fine, but please don’t give reader a name.
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Please include poc when making moodboards for your fics!! I know from personal experience it can be hard to find the right pic you want, but I promise with some digging it’s possible.
Follow models of color pages here on tumblr, there’s unsplash, Pinterest (I know it’s not the best site but I have found a lot of poc pics there) and other sites too. Curate pictures to save for later when you can!
When it comes to art for reader insert fics, please don’t default to a white woman all the time. My personal opinion is that reader should be just a shadowy figure or outline or something vague like that. Or use a few different body types and skin tones.
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These aren't specific to skin tone or anything but rather little things that can help your reader feel more immersed in your story in general. I know some writers have a specific image in mind when writing but these are little things I’ve noticed that can knock the fantasy out for me so I wanted to share some thoughts and pointers. These are lower pressure points and not as big a deal but I did want to include them anyway.
Instead of specifying food or drink, write something like “your favorite (whatever)” or don’t even mention what they make or eat. Just say they made something or they ate something, your readers can fill in for themselves that’s on the plate
If a character buys reader flowers or something, don’t specify the flower. Either leave it vague or use “your favorite flowers”
Instead of a specific outfit, leave it vague or don’t mention at all. Sometimes a certain kind of outfit is required for situations (like a formal event or ball or something), but even then you can use something like “a gown in your favorite color” or “a formal outfit that flattered you well.”
In the case of an AU or a fantasy setting you have more wiggle room with clothing but still try to leave it more vague if possible.
Same with shoes. Not everyone likes/can wear heels so keep that in mind
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To wrap up, please be aware when writing your reader inserts. It’ll get easier with practice the more you consciously do it! And please listen to poc writers/readers when we ask for inclusivity! And support writers of color too! Thank you for reading and taking it all in because I know this was a lot!
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