Words for Skin Tone | How to Describe Skin Color

writingwithcolor:

We discussed the issues describing People of Color by means of food in Part I of this guide, which brought rise to even more questions, mostly along the lines of “So, if food’s not an option, what can I use?” Well, I was just getting to that!
This final portion focuses on describing skin tone, with photo and passage examples provided throughout. I hope to cover everything from the use of straight-forward description to the more creatively-inclined, keeping in mind the questions we’ve received on this topic.
Standard Description
Basic Colors
Pictured above: Black, Brown, Beige, White, Pink.
“She had brown skin.”
This is a perfectly fine description that, while not providing the most detail, works well and will never become cliché.
Describing characters’ skin as simply brown or beige works on its own, though it’s not particularly telling just from the range in brown alone.
Complex Colors
These are more rarely used words that actually “mean” their color. Some of these have multiple meanings, so you’ll want to look into those to determine what other associations a word might have.
Pictured above: Umber, Sepia, Ochre, Russet, Terra-cotta, Gold, Tawny, Taupe, Khaki, Fawn.
Complex colors work well alone, though often pair well with a basic color in regards to narrowing down shade/tone.
For example: Golden brown, russet brown, tawny beige…
As some of these are on the “rare” side, sliding in a definition of the word within the sentence itself may help readers who are unfamiliar with the term visualize the color without seeking a dictionary.
“He was tall and slim, his skin a russet, reddish-brown.”
Comparisons to familiar colors or visuals are also helpful:
“His skin was an ochre color, much like the mellow-brown light that bathed the forest.”
Modifiers
Modifiers, often adjectives, make partial changes to a word.The following words are descriptors in reference to skin tone.
Dark - Deep - Rich - Cool
Warm - Medium - Tan
Fair - Light - Pale
Rich Black, Dark brown, Warm beige, Pale pink…
If you’re looking to get more specific than “brown,” modifiers narrow down shade further.
Keep in mind that these modifiers are not exactly colors.
As an already brown-skinned person, I get tan from a lot of sun and resultingly become a darker, deeper brown. I turn a pale, more yellow-brown in the winter.
While best used in combination with a color, I suppose words like “tan” “fair” and “light” do work alone; just note that tan is less likely to be taken for “naturally tan” and much more likely a tanned White person.
Calling someone “dark” as description on its own is offensive to some and also ambiguous. (See: Describing Skin as Dark)
Undertones
Undertones are the colors beneath the skin, seeing as skin isn’t just one even color but has more subdued tones within the dominating palette.
pictured above: warm / earth undertones: yellow, golden, copper, olive, bronze, orange, orange-red, coral | cool / jewel undertones: pink, red, blue, blue-red, rose, magenta, sapphire, silver.
Mentioning the undertones within a character’s skin is an even more precise way to denote skin tone.
As shown, there’s a difference between say, brown skin with warm orange-red undertones (Kelly Rowland) and brown skin with cool, jewel undertones (Rutina Wesley).
“A dazzling smile revealed the bronze glow at her cheeks.”
“He always looked as if he’d ran a mile, a constant tinge of pink under his tawny skin.”
Standard Description Passage
“Farah’s skin, always fawn, had burned and freckled under the summer’s sun. Even at the cusp of autumn, an uneven tan clung to her skin like burrs. So unlike the smooth, red-brown ochre of her mother, which the sun had richened to a blessing.”
-From my story “Where Summer Ends” featured in Strange Little Girls
Here the state of skin also gives insight on character.
Note my use of “fawn” in regards to multiple meaning and association. While fawn is a color, it’s also a small, timid deer, which describes this very traumatized character of mine perfectly.
Though I use standard descriptions of skin tone more in my writing, at the same time I’m no stranger to creative descriptions, and do enjoy the occasional artsy detail of a character.
Creative Description
Whether compared to night-cast rivers or day’s first light…I actually enjoy seeing Characters of Colors dressed in artful detail.
I’ve read loads of descriptions in my day of white characters and their “smooth rose-tinged ivory skin”, while the PoC, if there, are reduced to something from a candy bowl or a Starbucks drink, so to actually read of PoC described in lavish detail can be somewhat of a treat.
Still, be mindful when you get creative with your character descriptions. Too many frills can become purple-prose-like, so do what feels right for your writing when and where.

Not every character or scene warrants a creative description, either. Especially if they’re not even a secondary character.
Using a combination of color descriptions from standard to creative is probably a better method than straight creative. But again, do what’s good for your tale.
Natural Settings - Sky
Pictured above: Harvest Moon -Twilight, Fall/Autumn Leaves, Clay, Desert/Sahara, Sunlight - Sunrise - Sunset - Afterglow - Dawn- Day- Daybreak, Field - Prairie - Wheat, Mountain/Cliff, Beach/Sand/Straw/Hay.
Now before you run off to compare your heroine’s skin to the harvest moon or a cliff side, think about the associations to your words.
When I think cliff, I think of jagged, perilous, rough. I hear sand and picture grainy, yet smooth. Calm. mellow.
So consider your character and what you see fit to compare them to.
Also consider whose perspective you’re describing them from. Someone describing a person they revere or admire may have a more pleasant, loftier description than someone who can’t stand the person.
“Her face was like the fire-gold glow of dawn, lifting my gaze, drawing me in.”
“She had a sandy complexion, smooth and tawny.”
Even creative descriptions tend to draw help from your standard words.
Flowers
Pictured above: Calla lilies, Western Coneflower, Hazel Fay, Hibiscus, Freesia, Rose
It was a bit difficult to find flowers to my liking that didn’t have a 20 character name or wasn’t called something like “chocolate silk” so these are the finalists.
You’ll definitely want to avoid purple-prose here.
Also be aware of flowers that most might’ve never heard of. Roses are easy, as most know the look and coloring(s) of this plant. But Western coneflowers? Calla lilies? Maybe not so much.
“He entered the cottage in a huff, cheeks a blushing brown like the flowers Nana planted right under my window. Hazel Fay she called them, was it?”
Assorted Plants & Nature
Pictured above: Cattails, Seashell, Driftwood, Pinecone, Acorn, Amber
These ones are kinda odd. Perhaps because I’ve never seen these in comparison to skin tone, With the exception of amber.
At least they’re common enough that most may have an idea what you’re talking about at the mention of “pinecone.“
I suggest reading out your sentences aloud to get a better feel of how it’ll sounds.
“Auburn hair swept past pointed ears, set around a face like an acorn both in shape and shade.”
I pictured some tree-dwelling being or person from a fantasy world in this example, which makes the comparison more appropriate.
I don’t suggest using a comparison just “cuz you can” but actually being thoughtful about what you’re comparing your character to and how it applies to your character and/or setting.
Wood
Pictured above: Mahogany, Walnut, Chestnut, Golden Oak, Ash
Wood can be an iffy description for skin tone. Not only due to several of them having “foody” terminology within their names, but again, associations.
Some people would prefer not to compare/be compared to wood at all, so get opinions, try it aloud, and make sure it’s appropriate to the character if you do use it.
“The old warlock’s skin was a deep shade of mahogany, his stare serious and firm as it held mine.”
Metals
Pictured above: Platinum, Copper, Brass, Gold, Bronze
Copper skin, brass-colored skin, golden skin…
I’ve even heard variations of these used before by comparison to an object of the same properties/coloring, such as penny for copper.
These also work well with modifiers.
“The dress of fine white silks popped against the deep bronze of her skin.”
Gemstones - Minerals
Pictured above: Onyx, Obsidian, Sard, Topaz, Carnelian, Smoky Quartz, Rutile, Pyrite, Citrine, Gypsum
These are trickier to use. As with some complex colors, the writer will have to get us to understand what most of these look like.
If you use these, or any more rare description, consider if it actually “fits” the book or scene.
Even if you’re able to get us to picture what “rutile” looks like, why are you using this description as opposed to something else? Have that answer for yourself.
“His skin reminded her of the topaz ring her father wore at his finger, a gleaming stone of brown, mellow facades.”
Physical Description
Physical character description can be more than skin tone.
Show us hair, eyes, noses, mouth, hands…body posture, body shape, skin texture… though not necessarily all of those nor at once.
Describing features also helps indicate race, especially if your character has some traits common within the race they are, such as afro hair to a Black character.
How comprehensive you decide to get is up to you. I wouldn’t overdo it and get specific to every mole and birthmark. Noting defining characteristics is good, though, like slightly spaced front teeth, curls that stay flopping in their face, hands freckled with sunspots…
General Tips
Indicate Race Early: I suggest indicators of race be made at the earliest convenience within the writing, with more hints threaded throughout here and there.
Get Creative On Your Own: Obviously, I couldn’t cover every proper color or comparison in which has been “approved” to use for your characters’ skin color, so it’s up to you to use discretion when seeking other ways and shades to describe skin tone.
Skin Color May Not Be Enough: Describing skin tone isn’t always enough to indicate someone’s ethnicity. As timeless cases with readers equating brown to “dark white” or something, more indicators of race may be needed.
Describe White characters and PoC Alike: You should describe the race and/or skin tone of your white characters just as you do your Characters of Color. If you don’t, you risk implying that White is the default human being and PoC are the “Other”).
PSA: Don’t use “Colored.” Based on some asks we’ve received using this word, I’d like to say that unless you or your character is a racist grandmama from the 1960s, do not call People of Color “colored” please.
Not Sure Where to Start? You really can’t go wrong using basic colors for your skin descriptions. It’s actually what many people prefer and works best for most writing. Personally, I tend to describe my characters using a combo of basic colors + modifiers, with mentions of undertones at times. I do like to veer into more creative descriptions on occasion.
Want some alternatives to “skin” or “skin color”? Try: Appearance, blend, blush, cast, coloring, complexion, flush, glow, hue, overtone, palette, pigmentation, rinse, shade, sheen, spectrum, tinge, tint, tone, undertone, value, wash.
Skin Tone Resources
List of Color Names
The Color Thesaurus
Skin Undertone & Color Matching
Tips and Words on Describing Skin
Photos: Undertones Described (Modifiers included)
Online Thesaurus (try colors, such as “red” & “brown”)
Don’t Call me Pastries: Creative Skin Tones w/ pics I
Writing & Description Guides
WWC Featured Description Posts
WWC Guide: Words to Describe Hair
Writing with Color: Description & Skin Color Tags
7 Offensive Mistakes Well-intentioned Writers Make
I tried to be as comprehensive as possible with this guide, but if you have a question regarding describing skin color that hasn’t been answered within part I or II of this guide, or have more questions after reading this post, feel free to ask!
~ Mod Colette

(via suguluvr-deactivated20230613)

2 weeks ago 162,720 notes

#!!!!!!! #reference #writing #writing tips #description #character description #character building

naespazas:

well he looks at me and I look at him and he looks at me and I look at him

Help, I read that in Weird Al’s voice–

(via touyasdoll)

1 month ago 3,698 notes

#mha #bnha #shouto todoroki #touya todoroki #dabi

sophiaj650:

ilove-evanpeters:
nightingalestakeflight:
queenanon:
cade-the-dino:
tommysparker:
memeingcheetah27:
headcannonsforlife:
fives-cup-of-coffee:
ladyvesuvia:
more-like-reyna:
keenmarvellover:
dealanexmachina:
alsamil:
rauggra:
carryonmywaywardcaptain:
theytrey:
kiiboi-v3:
blackgirlart:
seymonecristina:
jacobmick:
haiku-robot:
someoneintheshadow446:
mrsolodolo24:
drayaintshit:
galvan-in-portland:
luckytaters:
skuubasally:
tumblgang:
codyslipring:
spn-fandom-breathing-heavily:
westbor0baptistchurch:
“But if you forget to reblog Madame Zeroni, you and your family will be cursed for always and eternity.”
not even risking that shit
scrolled past this, re-evaluated my life, then SCROOOLLLED back up and hit the damn reblog button.
She ain’t no games in real life so I take her serious all the time
Anyone with a name that starts with a “Z”, ends with an “i”, and isn’t some kind of Italian pasta, IS SERIOUS
I’m not climbing no mountain with a pig on my back, 🙅🏽🙅🏾🙅🏿 Negative.
Nope. I know better, have your reblog Madame Zeroni.
who the fuck is Madame Zeroni
Look at these stupid children who don’t know who Madame Zeroni is
☝🏾😂
Man lissen if you don’t know you better ask somebody AFTER you hit the reblog button
Idk who she is but I have an exam today so I’ll reblog her
idk who she is but
i have an exam today
so i’ll reblog her

^Haiku^bot^0.4. Sometimes I do stupid things (but I have improved with syllables!). Beep-boop!
Because wise, I am.
Oh fucks no she’s back lmao must reblog. I’m sorry guys
2 million people aren’t wrong
Zeroni sounds like a fancy kind of pasta :’) im so sorry
Ooc/ I love this book and movie so much oh my god
This post was liked when it appeared on my dash, so I know I’ve reblogged, but I’m not about to mess with her!
Also, these poor youths who have no idea 😭
Sorry for being superstitious but hey, this is 2020.
… It’s 2020
If I send her some splooge and onions it should be fine, right?
Nearly 3 million have reblogged this thing. Not taking a risk.
Idk who she is but my life is a fucking nightmare and I’m not taking any chances
i dont get it
omg ves search it up
I refuse for 2021 to be anything like 2020, so I shall put my trust in Madame Zeroni
i like being able to live
life’s bad as it is no thanks
can’t risk it sorry
sorry no risks here
Risk taker? Wrong person
it’s 2021 and this hellscape aint ded yet
paranoid help
Oh hell no! I’m not testing her, not after the years we’ve been having.

Almost middle of 2023 already??? Why not?

(via suguluvr-deactivated20230613)

1 month ago 3,588,290 notes

#Tbh #I'm just reblobbing for the meme more than anything else #madame zeroni

todayontumblr:

Thursday the 20th.
You better believe.
We hope you’ve ironed your black t-shirt, found your favorite beanie, polished your golden chain. Every day for the last god knows how long, your alarm has blared you awake, you’ve prised your sticky eyes open, rolled out of bed, sat there staring into space for around 15 minutes, drawn back the curtains, and checked your Antonio Banderas calendar. And it was always a crushing disappointment, to compound the ordeal of waking up—sometimes, it was the 20th. Sometimes it was Thursday. From time to time it was Wednesday the 19th, or Friday the 21st, but it was never quite the money shot. Only today things are a little different—you will have completed the aforementioned morning routine and checked your calender—only today, It’s Business Time. It's #thursday the 20th. Praise be!
What makes today all the more remarkable is that its coming was foretold in an episode of The Simpsons, no less, that show with the uncanny ability to predict world events long before they actually happen. Smartwatches? The horse meat scandal? The three-eyed fish? The censoring of Michelangelo's David? Lady Gaga’s Superbowl Performance? Facetime? Trump’s election? The pandemic itself??
Admittedly, some of these are a little easier to vouch for than others, but it is indisputable that today’s materialization of Thursday the 20th is more than a little spooky. Don’t believe us? See for yourself. Sometimes, all that can be said is that the universe works in mysterious ways.
However you’re spending your big day, make it count. It’s only #thursday the 20th once in a blue moon, after all, but it always goes down smooth. And for some reason, unbeknownst to us, like a whisper in the breeze, today has got us thinking of another Simpsons coincidence. But perhaps some mysteries are best left unsolved.

2 months ago 1,571 notes

#thursday the 20th #simpsons #bad day #memes #20 #thursday

happyheidi:

ig: nosenekoshiro

(via todayontumblr)

2 months ago 17,398 notes

#bad day #kitteh~

tamikofilmz:

⌗ TAMAKI AMAJIKI — ꒰ 🍮 “cutie patootie” ☆ ꒱
code 𝟽𝟽𝟽 : in which … miko gives you soft tamaki headcanons (⁠ ⁠╹⁠▽⁠╹⁠ ⁠)*
ᶻ z⠀𝘇⠀𐰁 ˎˊ˗ miko’s note ! 𑁯 ᰍ ◌ ive always loved tamaki, so i really worked hard on these. i hope you enjoy them!
﹙★﹚he’s a great listener
﹙★﹚like you could talk to him about anything under the sun, and he will quietly and eagerly listen to you
﹙★﹚one day, you come home from patrol in a really bad mood. tamaki senses it right away and after greeting you, he asks you in the most gentle voice “you wanna tell me what’s wrong?”
﹙★﹚and the way he says it is so inviting, like he’s ready to listen to you, so you just start ranting about your day and how absolutely unbearable it was
﹙★﹚while your venting, he’s playing with your fingers absentmindedly while giving you his full attention, eye contact, nodding, occasionally asking questions, all to show you that he is truly paying attention to you
﹙★﹚his phone could ring, cutting you off in the middle of your rant. he looks at it, while you smile and say “go ahead, it’s probably important.”
﹙★﹚all he does is turn his phone off and say to you, “not as important as you.”
﹙★﹚(⁠ ⁠≧⁠Д⁠≦⁠) (⁠｡⁠・⁠/⁠/⁠ε⁠/⁠/⁠・⁠｡⁠)
﹙★﹚because tamaki is such a great listener, he’s also a great gift giver
﹙★﹚he’ll give you a gift at the most random time and when you ask him how did he know you wanted it, tamaki would smile sheepishly and admit that he had heard you talking about it at one point
﹙★﹚pda isn’t really his thing, he’s too shy
﹙★﹚but when he’s feeling a little bold, he would definitely gently link pinkies with you while walking﹙★﹚flowers. he loves to give you flowers
﹙★﹚sometimes he will eat your favorite flower just to see the pure happiness on your face when it blooms from his palm
﹙★﹚it hurts him, but seeing you happy is enough to eradicate his pain
﹙★﹚the perfect date to tamaki? a picnic in an open grass field or in a butterfly garden
﹙★﹚forehead kisses 24/7
﹙★﹚when you two are alone, he is the clingiest little bean omfg-
﹙★﹚he will not let go of you, and no, you can’t go anywhere
﹙★﹚”tama, I’m just going to get some snacks. It won’t even take that long.”
﹙★﹚”nope, I’m not letting you go. The snacks can wait, I can’t.”
﹙★﹚🤧😫🥺
﹙★﹚his jealousy is quiet. he doesn’t openly express when he’s jealous, he kinda just side eyes whoever’s drooling over you
﹙★﹚if the situation escalates, though ( someone’s being a bit too pervy or flirty for you or tamaki’s liking ) best believe that tamaki’s protecting you in an instant
﹙★﹚tamaki isn’t ready for a fast moving relationship, but he’ll ask you occasionally if you’re okay with the pace that your relationship is moving at
﹙★﹚he genuinely wants to make sure you’re comfortable and doing well
﹙★﹚“you know I love you right bunny? Always and forever.”

ᶻ z⠀𝘇⠀𐰁 ˎˊ˗ miko’s note ! 𑁯 ᰍ ◌ and that’s it! sorry this one is so short, this is my first time writing headcanons. definitely will be writing a part two. thanks for reading!
🥞﹒⪩﹒©️ TAMIKOFILMZ﹒✦﹒♡﹒﹢

2 months ago 170 notes

#mha #bnha #tamaki amajiki #headcanons #THIS IS A LIST OF (MORE) REASONS WHY HE IS MHA BEST BOI #>BU

tamikofilmz:

Umm, hi. I just wanted to say thank you so so so much from liking my post. I really appreciate it! Your account is awesome, btw. Okay that's it, once again, thank you times a billion. Bye! (⁠≧⁠▽⁠≦⁠)

Eeeeeeeeeeeeeee-!! You’re welcome! Your headcanons were so adorable and on-point and aaaaaaaaa- >w<

~~Er, thank you?~~ ^^;;;

2 months ago 1 note

#call and response #tamikofilmz #wheeeeeeeee #idek

logan-galbraith:

j-thealchemist:
Here is a link to the US Restrict Act (commonly known as the TikTok ban) as it is currently written.
Please read the actual bill and share even if you do not live in the United States. The precedents this piece of legislation would set would have far reaching impacts on how the internet is used for everyone in the future.
Text - S.686 - 118th Congress (2023-2024): RESTRICT Act
Text for S.686 - 118th Congress (2023-2024): RESTRICT Act
congress.gov
We’ve got a problem here. I know most people here probably hate tiktok, and for some good reasons, but believe it or not there’s actually a good amount of good on tiktok too.
But this isn’t about banning tiktok. That’s just a cover for this, given power thanks to Meta (Facebook) lobbyists pretty much paying the United States Government.
For the tldr: This act, while saying it’s to insure American’s personal information will be safe from foreign powers, it goes much deeper than that.
It will give the United States Government the power to remove and ban ANY online service they deem “a security risk” while making it so they do not need just cause and do not need to clarify or release a public statement.
It allows them the power to gather American’s data without our knowledge or consent and even force us to submit documentation for anything they wish.
It protects the government from scrutiny on this, and if you try to speak about it and inform people on what it ACTUALLY allows, they can claim it to be false information and charge you.
It prevents you from using a VPN as it’s seen as a breach of information security, thus they can charge you.
Failure to abide by these “guidelines” can lead to a fine up to ONE MILLION DOLLARS and/or 20 YEARS in prison.
And above all it does NOTHING to prevent AMERICAN companies from collecting and selling your data.
And that’s not even everything it does. This isn’t about banning tiktok. It’s about control, taking away our freedom of speech, censorship, and selfish monetary gain. This doesn’t just affect tiktok users. This affects ALL Americans, small businesses, communities, and even those that use American online products, like Tumblr.
The US is turning into a fascist regime, where they are slowly but surely stripping away our rights and freedoms even more than they already have. And it terrifies me.
If you’re not an American, please share this. We already have a hard enough time knowing what goes on with those in other countries. This could make it all the more difficult.
And if you are an American, share this, then contact your state representative and your state senators. Email, phone, even mailing a physical letter for crying out loud. You can search “who is my representative and senators?” on Google, bing, duck-duck-go, or whatever, and it’ll take you to where you can find that out and even how to contact them.
Calmly and professionally tell them that not only do you NOT support the TikTok ban(since that is the cover they are using), but you DO NOT support the Restrict Act.
And let them know that if this bill is to pass, you will be spending all your time and energy supporting their opponents in the PRIMARIES. They do not expect Americans to contact them about this, so not only will they see us going out of our way to contact them, but by saying you’ll be supporting their OPPONENTS, they’ll have to either listen or have to spend thousands of not millions of dollars in campaigning so they don’t lose their nice day paychecks, and to them this is all about money so it’ll hit them where it hurts.
It doesn’t matter what political party you’re on, because BOTH parties in office want this. This is not about sides. This is about the ENTIRE government stripping our rights away so they can keep lining their own pockets.
And while we’re at it? Review bomb anything related to meta it Facebook. Meta started all this because they couldn’t compete with tiktok or buy it, so they paid lobbyists to convince congress to ban tiktok so they didn’t HAVE to compete.
And here’s the kicker… Many people of congress actually bought stock in Meta RIGHT BEFORE this all started. They are LITERALLY trying to manipulate the market for themselves. So let them burn.

(via txmxkis)

2 months ago 28,452 notes

#tw: politics #reference #tiktok ban #???

Tips for Reading with ADHD

iamthecutestofborg:

adhd-asd:
(or without ADHD, if they help regardless)
Physical print:
cover the page with a piece of paper and reveal lines/paragraphs as you read them
use a highlighter to emphasize important/interesting parts
take notes as you go to be physically engaged with the material
Digital media:
copy and paste the text into a doc/word processor
change the font size/style/colour to something more legible
make your own paragraphs and spacing
copy and paste one paragraph at a time to isolate them from the distraction of the rest of the text
install a browser extension like BeeLine Reader or Mercury Reader
zoom in on the page and scroll slowly so you’re revealing lines as you read them
physically cover the screen and reveal lines as you read them
if you do better with physical media, print it out or find a physical copy
Both:
read out loud
pace, move around, or use a fidget while reading
set a timer for 5 minutes and read in small chunks with breaks in between
divide the material into sections and read one section at a time with breaks in between
have another person, audio book, or text-to-speech program read it aloud as you follow along

(via agenderlessnerd)

3 months ago 57,670 notes

#reference #tutorial #adhd #adhd life #study tips #school

freeshavacado:

you can only reblog this today

(via grecianfilipina)

3 months ago 33,228 notes

#parks and rec #ron swanson #april ludgate #march 31

yfneccentric:

~~Notmetryingtospamyouraskboxwrongbunny~~-

-Ahem- Er, I mean-- >∆>;;;;

Umm... Ifit'sokay,canyoupleasedotheSFWalphabetwithMoonbeam-bby? 🥺🥺

theplaguewriter:

Hello my sweet Plagueling! With much delay, for which I am very sorry, here is the SFW alphabet.
I hope you like it <3

Originally posted by dailybnha
Tamaki Amajiki (MHA) - SFW Alphabet

Affection - What do they do to show affection?
Tamaki is very awkward, even within a relationship he needs some time to adjust before he can show affection properly. He likes to little things, and build it up. Brushing his hand against yours, liking pinkies, bringing you some water or asking if you slept okay, it’s subtle at first but if you know where to look you will see it. And eventually he will be bolder and hold your hand, brush a lock of hair behind your ear (if applicable), or tell you look look good. He will also make sure to be in your vicinity, while he doesn’t like PDA much he loves to be generally close to you.

Beauty - What do they admire about their s/o? What do they think is beautiful about them
Physically? He can’t really pick something, or so he thinks when asked right out. However, his eyes often drift to yours, and the little lines at the corners which appear when you laugh. He also likes to make note of how different lights affect your eye color. He really loves your eyes, they are very expressive to him.
Emotionally, he loves how he can rely on you. It’s not as if he is dependent per se, but he needs some security in whichever form since his anxiety makes life pretty hard. Even if you have your own battles, you being there and fighting with him is already enough.

Cuddles - How to they like to hug their s/o?
In public he has his difficulties with hugs, he likes to wrap one arm around your waist and sort of pull you into his side. It’s a half-hug but it’s as much PDA as he can handle. But what counts to Tamaki is to have you at his side.
In private he is a little more bold. He will use both arms, sling them under yours and put his head on your head/shoulder. He wouldn’t ask for it, but he hopes that you wrap your arms around his neck and nuzzle your face into the crook of his neck.

Discrete - What’s their opinion on PDA?
Tamaki is absolutely no fan of PDA, he is just too awkward and shy. He wants to show off this beloved, he’s super happy and proud but the anxiety makes PDA his personal nightmare. The most he can do without imploding is holding hands and the aforementioned half-hug. You may get a small kiss, if you just completed a more difficult mission and he was very worried. It won’t be a makeout session, just a wee peck. For Tamaki standards that is a lot.
When he’s in a more comfortable setting, like you guys are hanging out with common friends, he doesn’t mind holding hands or sitting squished together. He’ll even go as far as you throw his arms around your shoulders and lightly trace patterns on your arm.

Everything - You are my ____. (Ex. World, Life, etc.)
“You are my anchor.” And you really are, even if you think you’re someone who needs a lot of support yourself, for Tamaki your existence in his life is like a lifeline. Especially when he gets super anxious, all he has to do is take your hand and breathe with you, and like a miracle he will be calm within minutes.
You’ve come into his life and suddenly everything made sense, a lot of things were less scary. You have become Tamaki’s safespace, no matter how hard his day was, you are there to anchor him and make him feel like the world is alright.

Family - Do they want a family?
He absolutely does, however, he will be very anxious about everything. Will he be a good Dad, will the pregnancy be without issues, and the birth? Will he be able to provide a good and stable environment for the kid? He has a lot of doubts, but after a lot of talking and preparation he will feel ready. Tamaki will be incredibly supportive, from the very first day of pregnancy all through raising the child. Tamaki will be an amazing Dad, as soon as he holds his kid, it’s like his anxiety melts away. While he’s not a natural immediately, he adapts super fast.

Gifts - What type of gifts to they give their s/o?
At first Tamaki will be unsure about what to give you. He feels like it should always be very thoughtful and maybe even on the expensive side. This doesn’t last long, Mirio talks him out of this mindset. Once he has passed this hurdle, he will be the one to give you little trinkets here and there, like a cute keychain he saw on patrol or that one book you mentioned early in the week. For holidays and anniversaries, he will go a little more out. It depends on what type of special day it is, it could be a necklace or a special edition of a book or game you like. He will vet you for months, trying to find the perfect gift.

Hands - Do they like to hold hands?
He does! As mentioned, it’s one of the only forms of PDA that doesn’t make this shy bean explode. He likes how warm your hand is in his, it’s also an emotional warmth that spreads through his entire body. To Tamaki it’s a sign you’re still right there next to him, and that he doesn’t have to worry (as much) about anything. It also keeps unwanted fans of yours at bay, everyone can see you’re with him.
Since his anxiety sometimes makes his hands sweat, he prefers to not interlace your fingers when in public, it’s uncomfortable for him, he feels insecure about having clammy hands. In private he will interlace though, he’ll be less nervous and to him it feels like nothing can pull the two of you apart.

Injury - What do they do if their s/o gets hurt?
This can go two ways if it is a minor injury, he will be a little worried and make sure to bandage you or put a bandaid on you himself. He is a hero after all, so scratches or a bruise won’t send him into a full panic. He will ask about what happened, but in general he will be pretty much okay in the situation.
However, if you get seriously injured he will go absolutely insane. If you are a hero/villain/civilian and get hurt during an attack, and Tamaki happens to be present, he will go on autopilot and make sure the threat to your safety is eliminated or contained. Only then will he go into panic mode, he won’t be able to control his nerves, and he will insist on staying right by your side. He will try not to cry or blame himself, but depending on the degree of your injuries he will fail.
If he is not present, and you get hurt by a villain or in an accident, he will also go into panic mode and be utterly useless until he is with you and can be sure that you’re safe and being treated properly. It’s most likely he’ll need one of his friends with him to help him get through the panic attack.

Jealousy - Do they get jealous easily? How do they deal with it?
Tamaki will get jealous rather easily, even if it is rooted more in his own insecurity than in any distrust in you or the other person. He simply often thinks that you can do better, that you would maybe thrive more with someone who is less anxious. He would never start a fight because of it, and neither would he accuse you of anything.
You will notice pretty much immediately if he is jealous, because he won’t seek you out to get reassurance. He will avoid you too, a dead giveaway. Be patient, tell him for the umpteenth time that you’re there for him and won’t go. He just needs this, and honestly you knew this was gonna be a thing, so you don’t mind.
He will need a lot of, private, affection for a couple days.

Kisses - Are they a good kisser? What was the first kiss like?
Tamaki is a solid kisser, once you get through the awkward stage of him being super nervous around you. He doesn’t really have experience, at all, so you may have to teach him. He will be very attentive and will learn quickly. So be prepared for a few very blushy and short kisses, that leave him a mess, and for some very sweet and gentle ones that follow. His kisses are always on the gentle side, light and soft, he never adds much pressure.
The first kiss was super sweet and very awkward. He wanted to kiss you, he really did. He’s been hyping himself up for days. When the moment came, he froze up. Both of you a breath width apart, Tamaki has his hand on your hips, you got one hand on the side of his neck, and the other on his chest. The actual kiss was short, only lasting a couple seconds, but the emotions were there and no teeth clashing or the like. The awkwardness came after, when you pulled away and smiled and Tamaki was just standing like Tamaki.exe has stopped working. You laughed it off, patting his cheek and pulling him along to walk for a little.
All in all, a sweet first kiss.

Love - When did they know that they loved you?
Tamaki wasn’t actually looking for love or a relationship, he had trouble enough with platonic interactions and relationships. He fell in love slowly and gradually, the more he met with you, the more he realized how safe and good he feels when he is with you. Before he knew it, he kept thinking about you basically all day, wondering what you were doing and when he would see you again. He didn’t want to admit his feelings at first, when Nejire pointed it out, because of his insecurities, but in the end when you confessed/asked him out, he was overjoyed and stuttered out an affirmative response.

Memory - Do they want to get married? How do they propose? What would the marriage be like?
Since romance wasn’t immediately high on his list, when Tamaki falls in love it’s for real and he wants to think that he will marry you one day, the only thing holding him back is his insecurity. As mentioned above, he does want a family, he may be a bit more traditional in that aspect. It’s the whole idea of having a spouse and kids, that is appealing to him, he would never judge people who are having kids out of wedlock.
It would take a lot of time for him to actually propose. The fear of rejection sits deep, he also isn’t sure how you feel about the timing and all. Once he has decided to actually go through with proposing though, he is more certain of himself. The marriage will be very domestic, shared chores, cuddles on the couch, etc etc. It’s more or less like the relationship you two had before, except whenever he talk about you and he can call you his, you can see that his eyes light up and his smile gets wider.

Nicknames - What do they call their s/o?
Tamaki likes the more common nicknames, he isn’t very experimental. His favorites are bunny, dear and love. To him these count as PDA though and he won’t use them in public, he gets too embarrassed, so he opts to call you by your first name.
However, you may get him to use one if you tease him a little bit. He will let out a “Love please…” or “Bunny…” while blushing furiously.
In private he is less shy and uses all the nicknames he’s comfortable with interchangeably and often.

Orange - What colour reminds them of their s/o?
Whenever he sees a blueish purple he thinks of you.
(Sorry this question is confusing to me, so I won’t elaborate.)

Proposal - How did they propose?
He will vet you, just like with normal presents, what you like in jewelry and such. Tamaki makes sure to find the perfect ring for his perfect lover. He will even take months to get the one he thinks you will love. As for the actual proposal, he will take you on a date of your choice, whatever you want to do, he will be on board. The proposal will be technically planned, but he gets a little nervous and blurts out the question earlier than he wanted to. He’s a blushing mess, hands shaking as he’s looking up at you. His face and smile light up like the starry sky when you say yes, and he swears he has never been happier.
He will be all smiles, and giddy like a schoolboy for the rest of the night…actually for the rest of the month.

Quirk - Some random ability they have that’s beneficial in a relationship.
Tamaki’s quirk. He can fly if he eats chicken, he can replicate plants etc. But let’s focus on the wings for now. Just a nice chicken nugget for lunch and he can take you anywhere you need to be in the evening. It’s quick, it’s easy and it’s free…well the flying is, you might have to pay for the chicken…in normal circumstances. It’s very useful for emergencies too, flying is much quicker than running or driving, so he can be there as soon as possible.

Romance - How romantic are they? What would they do to make their s/o happy? Cliché or rather creative?
Tamaki is actually pretty romantic, he loves to take you out for little dates. He gets inspiration on patrols, it’s where he mostly sees flyers and such and will bring it up to you. He’s down to try most things, but he’s not into extreme sports or anything like it. Prefers calm dates over action packed ones. He’s in the middle of creative and cliché, restaurants or obscure exhibitions, he just wants to spend time with you.
He will do his absolute best to remember everything you like and dislike. Be it a genre of book, a colour combination, it doesn’t matter, Tamaki will do his best to keep it in his mind. He wants to be able to surprise you, or give you new recommendations.
Your happiness is very important to him and he will not shy away from anything to make sure you are as content as you can be. If you want or need something, he will be at your beck and call, as long as it is within his abilities.

Supportive - Are they helping their s/o achieve their goals? Do they believe in them?
Yes. Tamaki is your biggest fan and support. He will always be there to encourage you, and he is 100% honest about it. He would never half assedly say something just to keep you happy. If he has some reservations, he will gently voice them, while making sure you know that technically he is on your side. He idolizes you, he believes there’s nothing you can’t do, a little like he regards Mirio. Except he thinks even higher of you.
He will always be your first customer, your first fan, the first one to spread the word about your achievements. It really doesn’t matter what you set your mind too, he will be there for you.

Time - What are their future plans?
He wants to marry you and eventually have kids, which are plans for further down the line. He sees himself working stabley at a hero agency, you doing your thing and at some point having a kid, who if they want to attend UA as well.
But Tamaki tries to not dream too far into the future, his more immediate plans are to just spend more time with you, and just experience life with you. While he is very anxious, he’d rather worry about what’s happening right now than in a couple years time.

Understanding - How good do they know their partner? Are they empathetic?
He is very understanding, when it comes to you and your worries, anxieties and insecurities he almost forgets his own. He will listen to you for hours while you rant about a certain topic, without judgment and very attentively. When you’re in a state of anxiety or panic, he can even be the one to talk you out of it. After all if someone know what that feels like it is Tamaki Amajiki.
He knows you like the back of his hand. He knows what lotion you like, when you feel snacky, when you’re excited or disappointed. He knows all your likes and dislikes. Tamaki sucks up any information about you like a sponge, it’s second nature to him. You’re beyond interesting to him and the most important person in his life. He wants to support you in every aspect, so to him it makes sense to know all these things.
Tamaki all in all is a very great and sensitive partner, while he needs a lot of reassurance and guidance, he will never hesitate to do the same for you. It’s the basis for a great and long lasting relationship.

Value - How important is the relationship to them? What is it’s worth in comparison to other things in their life?
It’s the most important thing to him, he puts you above everything. You are the love of his life, and losing you is an absolute nightmare to him. He will always be there for you first. That being said, he is still a hero and sometimes he needs to be somewhere because they need help. You’re obviously aware of this, and supportive, so usually it is not an issue when he has to ditch or be late.
You’re above his other relationships too, not that he would intentionally hurt his friends’ feelings just for you. But you’re his first address when he needs advice or anything. He loves his friends and would do anything for them and make sure they are fine. Tamaki is very good at making sure all the people in his life are content with the relationship they have with him.

Wild card - Random fluff headcanon
A little while into your relationship Tamaki starts to adopt your mannerisms. He is absolutely unaware of it. Other people need to point it out, and then he feels a mix of embarrassment and happiness. He adores you, and he sees coping you as not a bad thing at all. It’s very cute to see you both together, finishing each other’s puns or inside jokes.

Xylophone - What song describes their relationship with their s/o?
I don’t know much music, so I’m skipping this letter. I am sorry.

Yearning - How will they cope when they’re missing their partner?
Tamaki’s not doing very well with it, it gets him overthinking quickly. He is capable of being apart from you for a couple days, you are both separate people after all. His missing you and becoming actually moody starts about a week after last seeing you. His mood will drop significantly faster and he’s prone to pout longer. When he’s at home he will use your items, not in a creepy way, more like he will drink his tea out of your favourite mug or use your pillow to sleep on.

Zebra - Do they want a pet?
He’s not opposed to it at all. He doesn’t really have a preference, I don’t see him as a strong dog or cat person. However, it also depends on your profession. He is a hero and often gone for an unpredictable amount of time, or sometimes has to leave spontaneously. So if it’s a pet that is very care intensive, it would be better if you had a job that would allow you more time at home. If you also have a time intensive job, he would suggest a pet that’s a bit more independant. Tamaki wouldn’t want the animal to feel sad or alone, so that would be the only thing that is not negotiable to him.