A very totally incredibly non-delulu list by Writerthreads
arm/shoulder/waist/SMALL OF THE BACK touches
HANDS BRUSHING, BUT TOO NERVOUS TO DO ANYTHING MORE
calling them by their name ("What's your opinion on this, X?") (they way they say their name makes their heart do funny things)
the way their voice goes heavy/breathy
CHIN RESTS ON THEIR SHOULDER
whispering into their ear and the way their breath tickles
non-affectionate nicknames just for them
recognising their laugh and trying to make them laugh just to hear it again
little private smirks/winks, watching their reaction when someone makes a joke
sniffing their hair/recognising their on their shampoo
eye contact so deep they feel like sinking
SMALL PECKS ON THE CORNER OF THEIR MOUTH/CHIN/FOREHEAD
recognising the sound of their footsteps
co-existing in the same space, acknowledging their presence and feeling safe
CARESSING THEIR CHEEK WITH THEIR THUMB
recognising their nervous ticks and comforting them, like putting a hand on their bouncing leg
tracing scars, freckles, moles, lines of their muscle, you name it (SCREAMS)
grinning when they blush
watching with pride as the other does a presentation/leads a mission/takes charge
making up private signals for each other
HAND KISSES
NECK KISSES
playing with their hair/brushing their hair/braiding their hair
Ah, love. That lingering warm, fuzzy feeling in your chest. I love love.
Christmas comic in October? It's more likely than you think.
Also I would die for young Kyle and Simon
I deserve love. I deserve to feel adored. I deserve kind words and sweet gestures. I deserve gentle kisses and warm hugs. I deserve the love he gives to me. We deserve the best of each other.
Having a really long-term hyperfixation that has since faded is terrifying yes but it's also so embarrassing. Hi I used to think about Scrimblo Splungus 25/7. Yeah, for 2 years straight. Nah, I don't think about them anymore except for with a vague sense of melancholy as I recall how they used to make me feel. Anyways this new one, Blimpkins McGee? I'm gonna think about them forever and the cycle will NOT repeat in 2 years. Trust me guys.
Oh my fucking god. The scream that left both my lips. Best fucking character, Elliot ate that shit up, I'm not okay. I need to be spayed. HIS VOICE?! THE SHRUG?! THE SMIRK?!
Nah, I can't even share my thoughts rn cause it will get me locked up.
Activision finally realised who their FINEST character is? MY MAN.
nice thighs dude fuck i'm sorry i meant thighs i mean thighs i fuck dude i'm sorry i meant thighs i mean thighs i mean i'm sorry i'm sorry i mean your thighs YOUR THIGHS
“i wish i could tell you how i really feel.”
“sometimes, the silence says more than words ever could.”
“if only you knew what goes on in my mind when i look at you.”
“i keep my feelings hidden because I’m afraid of what might happen if you knew.”
„every time I see you, my heart aches with things left unsaid.”
“i wonder if you can sense how much you mean to me.”
“there’s so much I want to say, but I can’t find the right words.”
“you have no idea how hard it is to act like everything is normal.”
“every smile, every laugh, it’s all a cover for what I really feel inside.”
“sometimes, i catch myself staring at you, wishing things were different.”
“i wish you could read my mind, so I wouldn’t have to say it out loud.”
“there are a thousand things I want to tell you, but I can’t.”
“if you ever found out, it might ruin everything.”
“every time i’m near you, my heart screams what my lips can’t.”
“i hope one day i’ll have the courage to tell you how i really feel.”
Oh, going on a painting picnic with the person you love.
A man that loves you will:
- Elevate and support your goals
- Encourage your personal growth
- Celebrate your successes
- Stand by you during tough times
- Nurture your confidence and self worth
- Value your opinions and ideas
- Make you feel safe and secure
- Respect your boundaries
- Prioritize your happiness
- Inspire you to be your best self
╰ Facial expressions
These are your micro-signals, like the blinking neon signs of the soul. But they’re small, quick, and often lie harder than words.
Raised eyebrows — This can mean surprise or disbelief, sure. But it can also be a full-on, silent “Are you serious right now?” when someone’s being ridiculous. Or even curiosity when someone’s too emotionally repressed to askthe damn question.
Furrowed brow — That face people make when they’re doing long division in their head or trying to emotionally process a compliment. It’s thinking, yes—but also confusion, deep frustration, or quiet simmering rage.
Smiling — Can be happiness… or total fake-it-till-you-make-it energy. Some smiles are stiff. Some don’t reach the eyes. Show that.
Frowning — Sure, sadness. But also: disappointment, judgment, or the universal “I’m about to say something blunt, brace yourself.”
Lip biting — It’s not just nervousness, it’s pressure. Self-control. Anticipation. It’s the thing people do when they want to say something and decide, at the last second, not to.
╰ Eye movement
The window to the soul? Yeah. But also the window to when someone’s lying, flirting, or deeply trying not to cry in public.
Eye contact — Confidence or challenge. Eye contact can be gentle, curious, sharp like a blade. Sometimes it’s desperate: “Please understand me.”
Avoiding eye contact — Not always guilt. Sometimes it’s protectiveness. Sometimes it’s “I’m afraid if I look at you, you’ll see everything I’m trying to hide.”
Narrowed eyes — Calculating. Suspicious. The look someone gives when their brain’s saying “hmmm...” and it’s not a good hmm.
Wide eyes — Surprise, yes. But also sudden fear. The oh-God-it’s-happening look. Or when someone just found out they’re not as in control as they thought.
Eye roll — Classic. But try using it with tension, like when someone’s annoyed and trying very hard not to lose it in public.
╰ Gestures
This is where characters’ emotions go when their mouths are lying.
Crossing arms — Not just defensive. Sometimes it’s comfort. A self-hug. A barrier when the conversation is getting too personal.
Fidgeting — This is nervous energy with nowhere to go. Watch fingers tapping, rings spinning, sleeves tugged. It says: I’m not okay, but I’m trying not to show it.
Pointing — It’s a stab in the air. Aggressive, usually. But sometimes a desperate plea: Look. Understand this.
Open palms — Vulnerability. Honesty. Or a gesture that says, “I have nothing left to hide.”
Hand on chin — Not just thinking. It’s stalling. It’s delaying. It’s “I’m about to say something that might get me in trouble.”
╰ Posture and movement
These are your vibes. How someone occupies space says everything.
Slumped shoulders — Exhaustion. Defeat. Or someone trying to take up less space because they feel small.
Upright posture — Not always confidence. Sometimes it’s forced. Sometimes it’s a character trying really, really hard to look like they’re fine.
Pacing — Inner chaos externalized. Thinking so loudly it needs movement. Waiting for something. Running from your own thoughts.
Tapping foot — Tension. Irritation. Sometimes a buildup to an explosion.
Leaning in — Intimacy. Interest. Or subtle manipulation. (You matter to me. I’m listening. Let’s get closer.)
╰ Touch
This is intimacy in all its forms, comforting, protective, romantic, or invasive.
Hugging — Doesn’t always mean closeness. Could be a goodbye. Could be an apology they can’t say out loud. Could be awkward as hell.
Handshake — Stiff or crushing or slippery. How someone shakes hands says more than their words do.
Back patting — Casual warmth. Bro culture. Awkward emotional support when someone doesn’t know how to comfort but wants to try.
Clenched fists — Holding something in. Rage, tears, restraint. Fists mean tension that needs somewhere to go.
Hair tuck — Sure, flirtation or nerves. But also a subtle shield. A way to hide. A habit from childhood when someone didn’t want to be seen.
╰ Mirroring:
If two characters start syncing their body language, something is happening. Empathy. Chemistry. Shared grief. If someone shifts their body when the other does? Take notice. Other human bits that say everything without words...
Nodding — Not just yes. Could be an “I hear you,” even if they don’t agree. Could be the “keep going” nod. Could be patronizing if done too slow.
Crossed legs — Chill. Casual. Or closed-off, depending on context. Especially if their arms are crossed too.
Finger tapping — Time is ticking. Brain is pacing. Something’s coming.
Hand to chest — Sincerity, yes. But also shock. Or grounding—a subconscious attempt to stay present when everything feels like too much.
Tilting the head — Curiosity. Playfulness. Or someone listening so hard they forget to hide it.
Temple rub — “I can’t deal.” Could be physical pain. Could be stress. Could be emotional overload in disguise.
Chin stroking — Your classic “I’m judging you politely.” Often used in arguments between characters pretending to be calm.
Hands behind the back — Authority. Control. Or rigid fear masked as control.
Leaning body — This is the body betraying the brain. A tilt toward someone means they care—even if their words are cold.
Nail biting — Classic anxiety. But also habit. Something learned. Sometimes people bite because that’s how they self-soothe.
Squinting — Focusing. Doubting. Suspicion without confrontation.
Shifting weight — Uncomfortable. Unsure. Someone who wants to leave but doesn’t.
Covering the mouth — Guilt. Hesitation. The “should I say this?” moment before something big drops.
Body language is more honest than dialogue. If you really want to show your character’s internal world, don’t just give them lines. Give them a hand that won’t stop shaking. Give them a foot that won’t stop bouncing. Give them a mouth that smiles when their eyes don’t. And if you’re not sure what your character would do in a moment of fear, or love, or heartbreak, try acting it out yourself. Seriously. Get weird. Feel what your body does. Then write that down.