#best explanation of our fandom ever

[jennelikejennay]

I know this is basically heresy to the Spock fandom. I know a lot of people will disagree, and fics will continue to do things exactly the way they always have. But I must speak my truth.

Spock is not green.

Spock's blood is green but his skin is best described as sallow. Pale with a yellow undertone.

Likewise humans are not honestly all that pink (no matter what Shran says). But we are more pink than Spock is green. We have a pink undertone, but Spock's undertone is yellow.

I've thought it over: the colors of human blood, with and without oxygen; the colors of copper, oxidized and not; the color of the copper-based blood of horseshoe crabs; the optical qualities of human skin. And I offer an explanation.

If you have a lightish skin tone and you flip your forearm over, you'll see blue veins. Which is why you probably grew up thinking unoxygenated blood is blue. It's actually not; it's purple.

What we're seeing is a scattering effect. You know how the sun shines in the atmosphere, and most of the color comes straight through just fine, but the blue covers the whole sky instead of coming straight down with the rest of the sunlight? That's because our atmosphere lets the other colors straight through (the warm white of the sun as seen from Earth) but scatters blue, making it seem like it's coming from everywhere.

Human skin does the same thing to red. While blue comes straight through, as if the skin were transparent, showing clear-edged veins, red is scattered. You won't see your arteries. Instead you see a pink cast that seems to be coming from everywhere.

Importantly, which colors show through and which are scattered has nothing to do with our blood, and everything to do with the optical properties of our skin.

Back to Spock. Oxidized, his blood is grass green. Which is kind of odd when you think about it. Horseshoe crabs have copper-based blood, and it's blue. When it doesn't have oxygen in it, it's pretty much colorless.

And this is the color of oxidized copper. I wouldn't call it grass green. The proper word is verdigris.

So for Spock's blood to be grass green, there's probably something yellow in it. The plasma, or the white blood cells, or whatever.

Unoxygenated, copper is ... well, copper-colored. Orangey-brown. I'm not sure if it's possible for anyone's blood to ever get fully unoxygenated—cells just aren't that efficient. But if we assume Spock's blood is less green and more orange when unoxygenated, we might expect a yellowish-brown, yellow being the only color in both green and copper.

So we just have to assume Spock's skin has optical qualities which allow yellow through more than green or brown. The yellow is scattered, while visible blood vessels (if Spock has any) might be green or brown.

Yes, I'm arguing that Spock blushes yellowish. His ordinary skin tone would darken. You wouldn't have a whole new color showing up.

None of this implies that Spock's mucus membranes (tongue, gums, internal parts of genitals such as a sheathed penis) wouldn't be green. Without the thick, protective Vulcan skin, a lot more would show through.

I'm just saying, Spock looks pale-to-yellow on the show and I'm okay with that. I think science can justify it. (Alternatively, as SPOCKNALIA argues, Vulcan skin is too thick to show much through it, and the yellow tone is Vulcan melanin.)

However, I may still continue to have Spock blush green just for art's sake, and you can too. The only law of fanfic is that your canon is whatever you say it is.

[love-byers]

alright. i'm taking it upon myself to put something to rest.

there is a new mlvn argument on the market, and i have to say, it is the absolute most BACKWARDS, IDIOTIC, WILFULLY IGNORANT take i have ever seen from them. and it is so easily disprovable that i need to make a post about it and put it in the ground early on.

if you've been around since s4 vol1 era, then you've seen the evolution of their arguments surrounding the monologue. first it was "mlvn was love at first sight, because mike said so". they were all posting the clip from s1 ep 1 of mike finding el in the woods, clips from all throughout s1, and saying "this mike was in love with el!!" because mike said so. in the monologue. when bylers pointed out that this claim from mike directly contrasts his behavior in s1, we were called delusional and told we were just coping. i was even told by someone on reddit that mike wasn't acting like he loved her because he was afraid of being made fun of by dustin and lucas, which deserves it's own separate post, but anyways...

after what finn said at the paris con, aka this:

bylers obviously took this as a win, because it very obviously completely dismisses the idea that mike was being truthful in the monologue. because of this, mlvn's argument has shifted. now, they are claiming that what mike said in the monologue, "I knew right then and there in that moment that I loved you." was not a lie, but HYPERBOLE.

here's just a few examples of this.

holy fuck. where do i even start with this...

i guess let me start by saying that i am an english major. i am a creative writing student. english language arts has always been my forte. it's been my best subject my entire life. i was the kid people went to for help in ELA (english language arts). i was the one tutoring my friends. i was the one explaining things to them. in college my friends would line up to get my help with their english work. i edited and revised their essays. i spent close to 10 hours a week in english classes discussing literary devices and analyzing different stories, which i excelled at.

i am not trying to 'flex', i am simply providing context as to why i believe my opinion on this is worth something. mlvns try to say being a writing/film student means nothing in this argument, but it really really fucking does. i, and countless others in the byler fandom, are LITERALLY more educated in this sort of thing than those who did not spend thousands of dollars to study it. sure we may not be renowned writers with masters degrees, but who do you think we learned from?? our professors, who ARE renowned writers with masters degrees. its no different than trusting the opinion of a biology major when talking about biology. of course ELA is more subjective and free, but when you actually study it you find that its more concrete than you'd think. there are definitions, there are guidelines, there are rights and wrongs. of course you do not have to obey those rules, but in the world of publishing and analysis there are things that make sense, and things that don't make sense.

for example. you can totally write a story where a character says "i knew right then and there in that moment that i loved you" and add whatever explanation or nuance that you want. you can write that with the intention of the character being truthful, but maybe exaggerating a bit. whatever you please. you have the creative freedom to do that whether it makes sense or not.

what you cannot do is claim that that phrase is a hyperbole in that context, or any context, because that is OBJECTIVELY wrong. that is incorrect and inarguable. there are phrases that could potentially be debated between those educated in ELA on whether or not it could be considered a hyperbole, but that would requite the phrase to have ambiguous wording. the phrase in question does not check those boxes. it is not ambiguous in any way shape or form. it's not hyperbole. it's not even hyperbolic in any way.

here's a link to an article with 50 different examples of hyperboles. i promise you that our quote in question will not be there, and that nothing on that list will be remotely similar to it.

"I knew right then and there in that moment that I loved you."

i mean you are genuinely a fucking doofus if you're genuinely trying to claim this is a hyperbole. i need you to be so fucking for real. mike is referring back to a specific moment, remember? maybe you don't because i know y'all don't even watch the show, so let me refresh your memory:

"But the truth is, El...I don't know how to live without you. I feel like my life started that day we found you in the woods. You were wearing that yellow Benny's Burgers shirt, and it was so big it almost swallowed you whole. I knew right then and there in that moment that i loved you. And I have loved you every day since."

el even has a flashback to that exact moment in the scene right after he says it, and right before he says "I knew right then and there etc..."

he literally starts it off with "The truth is"

not meant to be taken literally.

would it make sense to say "The truth is, I'm so tired I could sleep for a century." or "The truth is, I'm so hungry I could eat a horse." or "The truth is, I'm dying of laughter."

NO! IT WOULDNT!

mike's monologue was written/approved by the duffers. the same duffers who graduated from a very prestigious film school and created the biggest tv show in the world. they know what a fucking hyperbole is and that you don't preface one with "the truth is". it is genuinely ridiculous to suggest that they let that stay in a scene where a character is supposed to be finally revealing the truth to both another character and the audience.

let's circle back to those screenshots of dumbass mlvns cosplaying as ELA students

"i fell in love with you instantly" vs "i fell in love with you mere days after we met . ur arguing semantics when the point is that they fell for each other really fast"

please tell me, in WHAT fucking world does someone say "I knew right then and there [in the first moment I saw you] that I loved you" when trying to explain that they really fell in love a few days later. and in WHAT UNIVERSE would a WRITER choose to have their character, who is supposed to finally be telling the unfiltered truth, say that. the answer is, there isn't one. that is so fucking backwards and idiotic that i can't believe i'm even having to explain why. the monologue is fabricated. it was written and approved by professional writers and directors. if mike fell in love with el at some later point in s1, or realized it at some later point in s1, then he could've just fucking said that. he could've just told her the moment he fell for her or the moment he realized. they didn't have to make it all twisted and confusing for no reason. he has absolutely no reason to lie or exaggerate (if he is straight and in love with her).

DING A LING A LING A LING!!!!! THATS A BELL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"this feels like taking mikes words too literally"

oh, my apologies for taking his words literally during a fucking CONFESSION OF LOVE that he gave her while she was DYING. sorry for taking a line prefaced by "The truth is" literally. you are totally right and i will never do that again!

"when looking back on it it probably does feel like he loved her from the start"

cute sentiment, but that's literally NOT WHAT HE SAID. for the millionth time (see how i just used a hyperbole in a place where it makes sense? where i didn't preface it by saying it was the unfiltered truth?) he said "I knew right then and there in that moment that I loved you." he is saying he saw el in the woods in the rain in her yellow benny's burgers shirt, and KNEW he loved her. he realized it in that moment. that is what he wants el to believe. he is using specific language to pin point the moment he realized it on that moment. like im so serious when i say that if you try to say anything else you genuinely have worms for brains.

any way you logically look at this, it is crushing for mlvn. even if it was a hyperbole, which it is NOT, why the hell would the writers have him exaggerate his feelings to cater to her when it would be much more meaningful for his ACTUAL feelings to save her life?? why would mike feel like he needed to exaggerate?? and i'm sorry, i dont buy the heat of the moment bs. mike has nearly lost el multiple times because he kept lying to her. they had a bad fight days earlier because mike wouldn't tell her the truth. so he finally gets another chance to tell her the truth, and he EXAGGERATES?? HE TELLS A WHITE LIE??? that would also be crushing for mlvn. but none of that matters, because it's not a hyperbole, it's a lie. a flat out lie.

let be me clear, that does not make mike a bad person. in fact, it actually makes him an incredible, caring, selfless person. (remember the synopsis for s4 ep9? "With selfless hearts and a clash of metal, heroes fight from every corner of the battle field to save Hawkins ---and the world itself.") he lied because he knows he doesn't love el the way she wants and he feels like his actual love for her (which is platonic) would not be enough to save her. he devalues his own feelings because they are not what el wants. this is why he nodded after will said "It's scary to open up like that, to say how you really feel. Especially to people you care about the most. Because...what if they don't like the truth?" he feels like he owes el the love she wants, and he is willing to lie to her if it means saving her life. because he truly does love her and care about her, so much that he will do whatever it takes to not lose her.

and i know a lot of mlvn's devalue literary/media analysis and english/creative writing, and our opinions in general, so in case all that wasn't enough, i also asked mlvn's old friend about this. their friend being AI.

mlvns, everything with a lick of sense, including artificial intelligence, is proving you wrong. you are incorrect. what finn said at the paris con put the nail in your ships coffin and you know it. so please stop embarrassing yourselves on the internet and making dumbass claims like this when you know nothing about the subject. you look stupid.

this rant isnt just coming from a place of byler truther anger, it's english major anger. LEAVE MY SUBJECT ALONE. PLEASE.

[forgettable-au]

In a Deltarune au of THIS au, would the "little brother" in the house trousling bones be Papyrus or Wingdings?

Okay this is an old ask and I was gonna answer with some drawings but ...

I DON'T HAVE A DESIGN FOR WINGDINGS THERE!!!! SO!!! I CAN'T...

Still, I'll try to answer :D

YES, PRECISELY

I DO HAVE A DELTARUNE AU OF THIS AU

And in this AU of my AU, the reason why we don't see Papyrus or hear his name is because it's actually still Wingdings lmao

Turns out he didn't shatter across time and space here

I need to make a design so I can draw some of these ideas but, uh, I'll explain the basics quickly!

So! Wingdings and Sans are still twins, Sans just likes to be annoying and call 'Dings his younger brother (which is something that actually does happen in the main forgettable-au lmao)

They're a bit older (I just generally hc everyone in deltarune is a bit older than their undertale counterparts) and they just moved to hometown from the city! That's were they used to work! Before Wingdings got fired for unnamed reasons! Also, Wingdings is using a fake name "Roman" !

And yeah!

Wingdings and Sans are currently in the middle of a fight? They're not on the best terms, Wingdings didn't want to move to hometown and refuses to get out of the house

Wingdings is not doing great! He has no job, no friends, he just moved out of the city he didn't want to leave, and there's other stuff too!!

Sans isn't doing that great either but he's trying to do okay! He sees hometown as a new opportunity and a he's already making friends with the locals! He's trying to get Wingdings to do that as well, it's not working!

Why would Sans ask Kris to hang out with his brother, a grown man? I DON'T KNOW, BUT LIKE, THAT'S WEIRD EVEN WITH REGULAR PAPYRUS! (I know a lot of people think Paps will be a teenager in deltarune, but idk, that feels weird?? Why would Toby make so many characters older and then Papyrus younger??? It's still a possibility tho... and it would be interesting to see)

You know how in forgettable-au they both still use proper grammar before the incident? That doesn't work here (because Sans in deltarune is clearly using lowercase and I can't just change that), sooooo... they both use constant lowercase!

Or I could just ignore that one theory of uppercase and lowercase and accept it's probably just a stylistic choice....but I won't do that............

And yeah that's basically it! :D

Imagining this au of my au as a thing to happen in game is very funny, because if something like that actually happened I don't think the fandom would ever recover.... just imagine the chaos...

For anyone that might ask this:

Why would the voice at the start of the game react to us naming our character Papyrus if Papyrus isn't in the game?

My explanation for that is: Well, if theories are correct and that voice IS Gaster, he probably knows that we know Papyrus from playing undertale! He's acknowledging that... not the fact that Papyrus is in deltarune...but there might be someone similar we can meet, he knows who we expect

Okay that's it! That's the AU of my AU! I really want to make art for it

But I seriously have no idea how Wingdings would look...

I'm just...very bad at designing regular clothes.....

[captainsophiestark]

Worth The Risk

Jason Todd x Reader

Masterlist - Join My Taglist!

Written for Fictober 2024!

Fandom: DC

Day Twenty-Eight Prompt: "Just say what you want"

Summary: Jason's teammate has been trying to ask him out for a long time now, but he's always ducked the question before it's officially been asked. Now, it seems he's finally ready to talk about why.

Word Count: 1,955

Category: Fluff, little bit of Angst?

Putting work into an AI program without permission is illegal. You do not have my permission. Do not do it.

"I'm telling you, Art, I'm starting to go a little crazy! He'll flirt with me all day long, but the minute I try to turn it into a date or a kiss or even a fucking conversation, he pulls back like he's been shocked!"

I could hear Artemis, one of my best friends, trying to stifle a laugh on the other end of the line. I narrowed my eyes, but didn't call her out on it. I had bigger problems right now, as far as I was concerned.

"Okay, when you say you've tried to turn it into a conversation...?"

"I mean I've gotten as far as 'so, Jason, I've been thinking' before he suddenly has a call coming in from Bruce or an urgent cramp in his leg or a super interesting bird outside the window that he has to go look at right now!"

This time, Artemis didn't bother trying to hold back her laugh. I scowled even though she couldn't see it.

Jason Todd and I had been friends for a while now, working together as vigilantes. We'd hit it off from the first time we met, and our relationship had always been a little flirty. More recently, though, it had felt on the verge of something more. And I wanted that. I liked Jason, a lot, and I wanted to see where we might be able to go, if he was interested too.

Most of the time, it did seem like he was interested. But for whatever reason, he kept pulling a 180 on me and defaulting to more platonic behavior than we'd ever had with each other any time I tried to bring it up. I'd decided to talk to Artemis about it, to see if she could give me any advice or anything, but so far she'd been absolutely no help.

"Alright, Art, I'm glad I've been able to entertain you tonight, but can you please-"

I stopped short at the sound of a knock on my door. I frowned. I hadn't ordered anything, and I wasn't expecting anyone. So who the hell was at my apartment?

"Hey, you still there? You alright?"

I hummed, standing from my seat in the kitchen and heading for the door.

"I'm fine. Somebody just knocked on my door, hold on."

I leaned forward to peer through the peep hole, and to my immense shock, I saw Jason Todd standing on my doormat. After a few moments of stunned silence, I finally managed a few words into the phone.

"Yeah, Art? I think I'm gonna have to call you back."

I hung up without waiting for her reply. I'd owe her an explanation later, but I knew she'd understand. Whatever this was about, it seemed pretty serious. Jason had never once shown up at my civilian residence, despite both knowing each other's identities.

I cleared my throat and stuck my phone in my pocket, trying to get a handle on the nerves that had suddenly exploded in my chest. After a moment, I couldn't stall anymore. I took a deep breath and opened the door to find Jason fidgeting almost as much as I was.

"Hey," I said, giving him a weak smile. "What's... what's up? Everything okay?"

"Yeah. Yeah, everything's fine," Jason said, glancing down and rubbing at the back of his neck. "I just... wanted to talk to you. About something. Didn't want to wait till the next time I saw you on the rooftops, hunting somebody down. I hope that's okay."

"Yeah! Of course, yeah. Come on in."

I took a quick step back from the door, holding it open for Jason and trying not to let him see my nerves. He walked through, but stopped in the entryway between the kitchen and the living room, looking a little lost. All I could do was stare at him for a moment as I shut the door. It was strange to see Jason in the middle of my civilian apartment like this, but it was also the kind of strange I could get used to.

"Here, take a seat," I said, heading to the kitchen and motioning towards one of the stools at the counter. "Can I get you a water or something?"

Jason cleared his throat, moving with me after a moment's delay.

"A water would be great, actually. Thanks."

"Sure thing."

I used the time it took me to get some water from the fridge, with my back turned to Jason, to take a few deep breaths. I was a vigilante, for god's sake, I knew how to keep myself from panicking in stressful situations. I wasn't going to let this impromtu visit unravel me.

I returned to Jason with a water for each of us, then sat down at the stool next to his. I was still a little nervous, but my heart had at least stopped pounding quite so quickly, and my hands weren't shaking when I set down the waters.

"So... you wanna tell me what's up?"

Jason cleared his throat, shifting in his seat before meeting my eyes. I gave him a little smile, and it seemed to help him relax, at least slightly. He smiled back.

"Listen... I really like spending time with you. And working with you and talking to you and... and everything. And Roy has been telling me he's sick of listening to me talk about you, so I'm taking his advice and coming to talk to you."

My heart did a backflip in my chest, but I refused to get too far ahead of myself. Jason still looked grim and stressed out of his mind, like he did when I tried to ask him out, which didn't exactly match the positive topic I was hoping this conversation might have.

"So... what are you saying?" I asked, trying to keep my tone light. "Because it sounds like you're building up to one thing, but your tone and your body language is pointing to something very different. Are you trying to ask me on a date, or trying to tell me you're not interested."

"I'm not not interested," Jason responded quickly. I raised an eyebrow, but he looked more stressed than before.

"Okay... so then, what is it? Just say what you want, Jay."

Jason took a long, deep breath in, closing his eyes for a minute and apparently trying to get in the right headspace. When he finally opened his eyes again and met my gaze, he at least looked marginally calmer.

"I want to ask you out."

"...I feel like there's a but coming."

"...But... I don't know, I just feel like you should be fully informed. I'm not necesserily the most... stable potential partner. I'm still working through a lot of shit from before and after the Lazurus Pit, and I'm a regular letdown to my family. That whole experience... I think it broke something in me. And I've been trying to fix what it broke, but I'm not sure I can. I don't want you agreeing to a date or anything else without knowing exactly what you're getting into."

I frowned, which Jason seemed to take as an expected bad sign. His shoulders slumped a little, and he looked resigned. I shook my head.

"Jason... what the hell are you talking about?" Jason opened his mouth like he intended to speak, but I held up a hand to cut him off. "That was mostly a rhetorical question. Believe it or not, I've gotten to know you pretty well in the time we've spent together, working side by side in life and death situations and passing days upon days with each other. And frankly? I like you. A lot. If you hadn't sent up the signals for a hard no everytime I tried, I would've asked you out a long time ago."

Jason sighed. "I still feel like you don't know what you're getting into. I don't want to go down this road and have you end up regretting it and hating me."

"Okay," I said, letting out a sigh of my own. "First of all, let's clear something up. Not once have you disappointed me or let me down, not in all the time we've known each other and worked together, even though you've had plenty of opportunities. And Jay, I didn't know you as Robin. I don't know the old you that you're so intent on comparing yourself to. But the guy sitting in front of me right now? He refuses to see it, but he's a wonderful person and friend, and anyone would be lucky to date him."

Jason flushed and looked down at his lap, but I didn't stop.

"Second, if I ever hear Batman or another one of your family members calling you a disappointment, it's game over for them. I'm punching them in the mouth like they deserve, and that's the end of that."

Jason snorted, briefly picking his head up to give me a look. I grinned back at him.

"And third..." I let the smile fall from my face, adopting a serious expression instead as I gently reached out to take one of Jason's hands. To my delight, he let me. "Third, nobody knows how things're gonna go when they go on a date with somebody. There's no real predicting that, there's no garuntees that we'll be perfectly matched and instantly work out and never have trouble forever and ever. But I know you're a good person, and I love spending time with you, and I trust you with my life, and my heart likes to do a gymnastics routine whenever you're in the same room as me. So if you feel similarly about me, and you want to give it a shot...?"

Jason sighed, chewing on his lip for a moment as he stared at me. Finally, he nodded.

"Yeah. Yeah, I really do."

"Good. Then that's that, Jay. There's no garuntees of anything, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't try. The only way to really lose is to let fear keep us from taking a shot at happiness, right?"

Jason shook his head, but he was smiling all the same as he took my other hand in his, too.

"I guess you do make a pretty convincing argument. But seriously, are you sure you want to do this? It... feels like it could lead to a lot of complications."

"Jason, I'm sure." I laughed. "Honestly, I have been for a long time now. Are you sure?"

I saw Jason take another bracing breath. Then he straightened, shoulders back, and gave me a genuine smile.

"Yeah. I'm sure."

"Great! Then what do you say we turn tonight into our first official date? I was just about to make dinner, and I've got some good movies we can pick from."

Jason's smile grew, taking on a little bit of an edge.

"That sounds perfect to me. As long as you promise to let me take you out for our second date. Somewhere nice."

"Believe it or not, that's not going to take too much convincing."

The two of us shared a smile again, and I gave Jason's hands a squeeze before standing and heading for the kitchen. He joined me, and when I stood at the counter to lay things out, Jason only hesitated for a second before coming up behind me to wrap his hands around my waist. He leaned in to place a soft kiss on my temple, and I leaned back, a smile on my face.

This time, my heart didn't do a backflip. Instead it radiated warmth through my chest and into the rest of my body. I knew we were at the beginning of our road, and there were no garuntees about what might be at the end of it. Still. I couldn't help having a good feeling.

****************

Everything Taglist: @rosecentury @kmc1989 @samreich @misshale21

DC Taglist: @gaychaosgremlin @v1ckycheesue @lavender-dinos @g0atmansbridge182

[maple-the-awesome]

The Chain Meets You, His Partner || 2/3

Part 1 || Part 3

Pairing: Hyrule, Sky, Wind x GN! Reader

Requested by @temporarilyablog: i see requests are open still so im coming to you with a thought i had recently:how about a Link from the Chain interacting with the reader, another Link's s/o from their original adventures, when *their* Link isn't around. i can see some teasing another Link with the reader that they've only known through little stories here and here, or others grilling the reader relentlessly because another Link was so shy about their relationship and partner, and wants to know how that Link is like around someone he allows himself to relax.its kinda like when the Chain met Malon for the first time and interacted with her for stories about old man Timeand as always stay awesome, i love your writing!

Zelda Masterlist 💙Fandom Masterlist

Concerningly delighted or eerily eager - the Chain can’t quite agree on which descriptor best described their teammate the best once he realized they had all landed in his Hyrule. Bubbling with excitement ever since while maintaining a pace some of the other boys have to jog after, Link doesn’t waste breath saying where he’s leading them, although that giddy smile upon his face - as much as he tries to hide it - is plenty for the wiser heroes to get the hint…

Hyrule's time is 'rough around the edges', to put it easily, not that it can't be expected considering all the stories he's rather casually told the others about regarding both his world and adventures. Even the Kingdom's Castle - usually a centerpiece to the land - is beaten down and, in most aspects, less...impressive compared to what most of the heroes are accustomed to seeing, although for a simple traveler like Hyrule, it still holds quite a bit of significance.

"I just want to speak to the Sovereign before we move on - to let them know why I've been away," He rambles his explanation to the Chain, his outward emotions suddenly undergoing yet another change. His once untroubled smile becomes wary, his hands unstill as he fidgets with his sleeves. That prior excitement he had held when first suggesting they even go to the Castle has now turned into what the other heroes misjudge to be poorly hidden nerves, "I don't want them to be left assuming I'm dead in a ditch somewhere."

"Makes sense," Warrior nods, keeping a careful eye on Hyrule's behavior. Being a captain in charge of so many, he can spot a shift in confidence from a mile away, "You have been gone for a while."

"We're not going to be - I don't know - arrested on the spot or anything, right?" Legend asks, his focus more on the guards who maintain obvious glaring suspicions towards the group despite allowing them inside once confirming their famed hero's identity. 

"Why would we be arrested?"

"You mentioned how much of a hardass your Sovereign can be," The Vet clarifies with a casual shrug, "And a paranoid one, too, if these guards leave anything to the imagination. Leaders like that don't usually need much reason to throw someone in a dungeon. Nine random heroes showing up while claiming to be from different timelines, all chasing some shadow lizard through magic portals? We'll sound insane."

Hyrule frowns and maybe even takes some offense to Legend's observations which is why his rebuttal is so swift, "They -...They aren't like that! The previous King died suddenly. They were forced to take on the throne without much notice and at a young age, too! After everything Ganon put this kingdom through - Of course they're going to be paranoid, but they're reasonable and fair. There's nothing to worry about. Besides, we don't have to mention the exact reasoning for our meeting. I just...I would just like to see them while I can…"

The red on Hyrule's cheeks would've no doubt been noticed if not for the Chain's collective attention being stolen elsewhere, focused upon a pair of large doors that open into the Castle's throne room. Inside, a series of guards line the walls and at the opposite end sits the very subject of their conversation.

Your expression is stern and cold as you sit upon your claim dressed in expensive, colorful garments fitting for a proper monarch of your time. The golden crown upon your head shimmers in torch light, yet its glow is quickly outshined by your eyes which go wide with delight once you recognize your hero amongst this crowd of ragtag travelers. 

"Link…!" In an instant, you rise, your smile as grand as your divine beauty. Whether you gracefully walk or float down the stairs, there would be no visual difference. What is true is that you meet Hyrule at the bottom of those four measly steps, welcoming him with a strong embrace he's eager to return.

"...Your Majesty..." He doesn't realize just how quiet his voice is, whispered beside your ear as he forgets about the world while in your arms again. Oh, how he's missed this feeling!

The Chain is left in awe - No, it would be more accurate to say they're completely dumbfounded. Hyrule has always spoken favorably about the Royal Family of his time, tying especially pleasant compliments to the kingdom’s head. As stern as he admits you can appear, only good things have been attached to your name from your wise leadership to the love you hold towards your people, however not once - not a single murmur or breath - had ever dared mention your very apparent fondness for each other which certainly goes beyond the ordinary relationship of a monarch and their realm’s savior.

Even after your embrace, it's obvious that you hold nothing except the greatest of affections towards your hero. You look at him as if he's the sun that gives your kingdom life; the courage that keeps you going despite such challenging times. Hyrule's, of course, no better when it comes to you. It's not until now that his friend's realize they're previous mistake in assuming he was afraid to see you. No, that wasn't fear before, it was shyness. The thought of you had him feeling both delighted and sheepish. Now that he's here, though, his grin is uncontrollable. 

"Your Majesty, I'd like to meet the friends I've been traveling with -"

"- A Sovereign?! You're dating the freaking Sovereign and you didn't think to mention that small detail earlier?!" Legend suddenly shouts, demolishing the silence that had befallen the Chain.

He can’t help it! He feels utterly scammed! Hyrule had told everyone a great deal about his kingdom’s Sovereign, yet had only confessed to his predecessor during a late night heart-to-heart that he holds deep feelings towards a mysterious someone back home; someone he fears telling of his secret endearment. Not once - Not a single damn time - had he so much as let on that they’re the same person!

Legend isn’t sure what strikes his nerves more: the fact that Hyrule would be dumb enough not to add the important context that it’s royalty he’s in love with or that he’s dense enough to somehow believe you don’t love him back despite it being clear you’re totally whipped for him! Is he blind? Completely and utterly dull in the brain?!

Poor Hyrule's whole face explodes in red after Legend's outburst, and his condition is made no better when the others add in their own comments to this already awkward situation.

"Now it makes sense why you wanted to come here so badly," Wild nods in understanding, having previously been confused as to why Hyrule would care to go out of his way to let the royal family know of his whereabouts if he had no ties to them.

"To think our humble traveler could land a monarch. I mean, good for you and all," Warrior crosses his arms with a smirk, hoping to mask his slight jealousy.

The Traveler is left stammering for a response, finding himself suddenly overwhelmed.

"‘Dating’? Well, this is certainly news to me," You frown with a hand placed delicately above your heart. Turning to your hero, you can only look betrayed, "Link, I would've hoped you'd tell me. I could've cleared more of my schedule to be with you in that case."

"E-EH?!"

"And all those suitors the advisors have been arranging - I’ll have to tell them to abandon their efforts! Excellent, seeing as I didn’t truly care for their match-making attempts,” You huff, not giving Hyrule anytime to explain himself as you get right to business, waving your maid over to make a note, “But that should free up a considerable amount of my time…Will you and your friends be staying long? I can have the kitchen staff whip up a nice feast for later if you do.”

“Um -”

“- Can we?! My feet are aching!” Wind whines, practically deflating on the spot. The only thing holding him up is Warrior who scowls at his poor manners and forces him to stand upright.

Time is quick to step in front of the group and bow, hoping you dismiss their lack of grace, “If you don’t mind, Your Majesty. We wouldn’t want to trouble you.”

“Not at all. It isn't often that we receive guests. I’ll have word sent to the kitchen right away. In the meantime, Lady Impa here can show you to a room where you may rest,” You finish writing on the paper she holds, allowing her to take both the paper and quill before once again giving your full attention to the travelers, “I have a meeting with the Zora Queen in precisely ten minutes, but following that the rest of my afternoon should be clear.”

You then face Hyrule, smirking at his flustered state, “Once that meeting is over, my time is yours, Link, if you wish to fill me in on your recent endeavors. I must say, I’m particularly interested in learning just how long we’ve supposedly been dating for.”

“...R - Right…Of course…” The poor boy squeaks, unable to process many thoughts beyond the feeling of his face overheating when you press a quick kiss to his cheek before leaving the room with your guards. Even the weight of Legend’s arm over his shoulder is barely enough to break him from his trance when the past hero leans in with a smug whisper:

“You’re welcome, buddy.”

From the moment he first stepped through that last portal, Sky has been radiating with pure glee. Anyone could understand why. He’s finally returned to Skyloft, a place he’s been missing so dearly ever since the start of this adventure months ago. Of course, home isn’t the only thing he’s been dying to be apart from.

Most of the other Links have long taken notice to Sky’s heartache which has been poorly hidden behind dreary melodies played on his harp and heaps of carved projects to distract from lonesome silence; somebody’s been on his mind, their absences from his life slowly driving him insane despite his efforts to remain focused.

That said, it’s no wonder that Sky is excited to be home again, moving at a hasty pace some assumed he’d be incapable of. Even the jolly greetings and curious questions from locals don’t slow him down much, his steps swift in bringing him to the doorstep of a brightly colored home no different from the many others that surround it, but it’s still special for what it holds inside.

There’s a short internal debate to be seen on Sky’s face - one where he hesitates to open the door because wouldn’t that be rude to simply invite himself into someone else’s house unannounced? Then again, it’s not like proper manners have ever stopped him before, and they won’t start today. He decides to impatiently let himself in. Forgiveness can be sought after later.

Every ache of his travel-worn body and each gloomy thought surrounding his collective adventures melt away like magic by the mere sight of you. You must’ve just been about to leave - that or you recently arrived home, because you’re still in your knight’s uniform, caught mid-adjusting your belt when you look up at the man standing in your doorway.

Surprised for sure, yet it’s also a welcomed feeling when you rush to meet your lover half-way. There’s no words for the amount of joy you feel in holding him tight, possibly even shedding a few tears as he decorates your face in dozens of butterfly kisses, one for each second he’s thought of you while apart.

It takes some time and a loud clearing of someone’s throat for the Hero of Sky to remember his companions who all wait awkwardly around the doorway. Even when snapped out of his trance, he’s still grinning ear-to-ear like a lovestruck fool, his arm unmoving from where it remains wrapped around your waist as he introduces you.

Needless to say, it’s nice to finally be able to put a face to the name sighed so often. You’re sociable and polite, yet if that sword upon your back is any indication, you must be a strong fighter to have secured yourself a position amongst the knights of Skyloft.

To the Chain’s luck, it turns out you had just arrived home which grants them plenty of time to bend your ear. They have lots of questions, their curiosity only being natural since your place on the timeline is so different from their own. They ask about your life in the clouds, job as a knight, and most importantly, your relationship with Sky who’s thrilled to expand upon such a wonderful topic himself by sharing his own honored memories.

“‘seems our Skylofian here is truly whipped,” Twilight chuckles at the end of Sky’s latest story, although truthfully he’s starting to have trouble hiding his boredom. 

At this point, Sky’s been rambling about his affections towards you for well over an hour, sparing no detail from your first meeting as children to practically each and every date you’ve shared since becoming more than friends. As happy as the boys are for him - truly, they are - they do have their limits for how much lovey-dovey they can take in one day. Legend in particular looks like he’s seconds away from banging his head against the table.

“I am~” Sky exhales lovingly while staring at you with hearts in his eyes. You find his attention endearing and give his hand a squeeze as it sits intertwined with yours on your lap.

“So, when’s the wedding?” Time queries, half-teasing and half-genuine.

“Oh, I don’t know…” You scratch the back of your head bashfully, but when your attention falls back to Sky, you find him still staring at you, this time with a pout no different from a baby remlit’s. Rolling your eyes, you lean into him with a dramatized sigh, “He’d have to ask me first, but I’m hoping being around you eight will give him the courage to do so soon. We’re only getting older, after all.”

“Why drag your feet? You’re clearly in love.”

“You’ve got a willin’ partner right here. No need to hesitate.”

“You know, we’ve passed a few merchants who sell rings during our journey.”

“Yeah, cheaply made ones. If you want something fancy, Castle Town is the place to go.”

“Not too fancy. A simple yet well-thought out gesture can go a long way.”

“A strong protection spell wouldn’t hurt, though.”

“I know a Gerudo who handcrafts the most beautiful jewelry. If we end up in my Hyrule, I could introduce you.”

“Oh, or Tetra’s crew has a TON of jewelry! Maybe you can find a nice ring in their stash?”

Sky laughs awkwardly as the other heroes suddenly bombard him with their ‘helpful’ suggestions, chattering away as they begin putting together the pieces for a proper proposal. When he glances your way, you’re not-so-subtly hiding your amused smile behind your hand, clearly looking forward to whatever plan they end up holding him to later. Hopefully, you won’t have to wait long to find out.

Wind’s destination isn’t too far from the last portal opened which is good because the others have a hard time keeping up with the younger boy who effortlessly dashes across the deep sand-covered beach, heading directly to one of the few huts on this small island they’ve found themselves on.

He doesn’t wait for his companions to catch up. He might not have even noticed they fell behind. His focus is primarily on reaching home, practically overboiling with excitement at the prospect of seeing his family again. It’s always a relief for his dear grandmother to see him safe, shedding many tears as she hugs her grandson with a grip unthought of for a little old woman. 

Wind’s grandmother has a list of questions she asks at the speed of light which must not be unusual seeing as he answers each just as skillfully, telling her where he’s been, who he’s been with, and confirming that yes, he’s well fed. Of course, it’s only natural that the same questions are also asked of each and every hero who steps through her front door, after all, curiosity is second only to her naturally nurturing spirit. Who cares how old some of them are? No matter the age, they’re no different than her grandson in her eyes!

A sudden shrill of jubilation scares the group half to death mere milliseconds before a small girl comes racing through the front door, leaping into her older brother’s arms with similar cries about how much she’s missed him. She’s followed by another adult who’s much calmer in their approach, yet nevertheless gleefully smiling as they eagerly accept their turn in hugging the teen while welcoming him home.

You attend to Wind tenderly, quickly pulling away from the hug to check over his face and account for any new scars. Your hand then lingers on his cheek as you sigh at his smiled reassurances, looking down upon him with an amount of love and care not too far off from how his own grandmother had.

It’s only after ensuring his well-being that you address his traveling companions. You’re barely fazed by the large group when you introduce yourself, having become accustomed to Wind’s strange ability to make friends with almost anyone during his adventures. They seem to be a bunch of respectable young men, anyway, judging on their politeness, and as you tell them, friends of Wind’s are always welcomed.

After introductions - which are short seeing as most in this room share the same name - Wind’s grandmother suggests a tour be given to your visitors. Being such a small community on a more lonesome edge of the map, newcomers are rare, so Wind and Aryall immediately leap at the chance to show their new friends around the island that they love. Who would you be to deny their adorable puppy-dog eyes?

Realistically, there isn’t that much to see aside from a few landmarks, interesting locals, and a population of chubby pigs, however if there’s any benefit to being surrounded by an ocean, it’s that there’s lots of good places to swim and seeing as most of the Links are long overdue for some quality time spent as normal teenagers, they’re happy for the break. 

Most of the boys partake in jumping from the rocks to see who can create the biggest splash, although Legend and Sky favor staying on land to help Aryall build a sandcastle for her seagull friends. You, meanwhile, relax in the sun, keeping a careful eye on all activities which has simply become second nature to you at this point. While Wind may be a fourteen-year-old who has sailed across the entire ocean, you don’t think you’ll ever stop worrying for his safety.

“Those kids seem rather fond of you.”

You glance up to the oldest Link of the group - you believe you heard the other’s refer to him as ‘Time’ - as he invites himself to sit next to you in the sand. Despite several pleas for the other boys, he had turned down their attempts at getting him in the water. Maybe for the best, since they’re now starting to toss each other off the rocks.

“I would hope so. I’ve known them both since before they could walk.”

“I take it you’re their guardian?”

Humming at his observation, you turn back to watch the younger kids and teens, “...People on our island have always kept an eye out for each other, but…Well, when Link and Aryall’s parents passed, I guess you could say I felt extra inclined to help. 

“I don’t have any family of my own here and there’s only so much their poor grandma can do at her age. Unfortunately, keeping up with two lively kids can be a struggle for her, so I’ve done what I can to remove some of that stress from her shoulders. With no kids of my own, I have the time and quite frankly, I enjoy the opportunity to feel…-”

“- To feel like a parent?”

“...Yeah…” You frown, pulling your knees to your chest with a sigh, “Of course, I don’t go around calling myself that. I wouldn’t want to overstep any boundaries, you know? Especially not for Link. Aryall - She was so young when they lost their parents, so I think it’s always been easier for her to see me as fitting the role, but Link…He was five. He still remembers them, so I doubt he’ll ever exactly see me as any kind of replacement.” 

“I wouldn’t say that,” Time objects kindly, following your gaze out to where Wind fights to wiggle himself out of Warrior’s grip. Seconds before he can be pushed off the rock, Wild and Twilight come up behind the two, shoving Warrior overboard just as Wind slips away, “I suppose I can’t speak directly for him, but I can say he refers to you as his parent quite frequently around us.”

“...Does he?” You blink in surprise. Wind’s never said anything in particular that would make you think he sees you in that light, but now that you think about it, when you first met Tetra, she referred to you as Wind’s parent, too. Did she say it out of mistaken observation like you assumed then or because Wind told her?

“From the sounds of it, you’ve made quite the impact on his life, one he admires greatly.”

You once again look back to the group, catching Wind’s eyes. He perks up, immediately waving as he shouts for you ‘Watch this!’ before running and leaping into the water with a giant cannonball and nearly on top of Warrior’s head much to the older boy’s annoyance. Once resurfacing, he searches for your attention and beams when he finds your proud smile reflecting back at him.

You’re thankful that he becomes distracted by the other boys jumping in, because as soon as he looks away, you can feel yourself becoming teary eyed. Perhaps you’ve been overthinking things this entire time. You were so focused on giving him space and not forcing a relationship that you failed to pick up on the little signs that he’s already accepted you. Wind has always been close to you, never shying away from hugs after his adventures while always seeking both your attention and approval; something he only does with his family.

[evertomorrowart]

Best of YouTube 2023

Yes, I did spend the first week and change of January on this. I wish I could have had it done for New Years, but too many people came out with incredible work in December, so waiting turned out for the best.

What these creators do are a huge influence on my life, I would honestly have difficulty doing what I do without them. That isn't to say that my favorites of the year are *only* on this image--It was almost impossible to narrow down my favorites. Many creators I wanted to include couldn't fit on a single page, and too many of them made more than one video I wished I could draw too!

But, to all of you, thank you for what you do. You're an inspiration.

For those who don't know, further is an explanation.

At the bottom center is an artistic masterpiece by Defunctland: "Journey to EPCOT Center: A Symphonic History." Over the last several years, Defunctland has risen from delightfully-entertaining commentary on decommissioned theme park attractions to occasionally dropping profound statements on the creation of art itself. "Journey to EPCOT Center: A Symphonic History" is worth treating like the cinematic experience it is: No second screen, you sit your ass down in front of a TV, set down the phone, and then you *watch it.* Any Disney, theme park, or independent film fan needs to pay attention to this one.

Bottom left is Caelan Conrad with their piece "Drop the T - The Deadly Consequences of Gay Respectability Politics." While I do think they've done more visually or artistically-daring pieces before, "Drop the T" is one of the most important videos released on YouTube in today's current climate of hate. We as queer folk (and our allies) need to understand how integral every identity of the queer experience has been since the start of the Civil Rights movement (and before!). While we are not identical, we *are* inseparable, and we deserve having our real history easily accessible.

TERFs and other conservative mouthpieces need not reply. Your opinions are trash. 😘

I cannot stop watching and rewatching this video by @patricia-taxxon, "On the Ethics of Boinking Animal People." It's not just a defense of furry fandom and its eccentricities, it's a thoughtful and passionate analysis of what the artform achieves that purely human representation can't. Patricia goes outside of her usual essay format to directly speak to the viewer about the elements that define furry media (the most succinct definition I've ever heard) and just how *human* an act loving animal cartoons really is.

As an artist who can draw furry characters, but never really got into erotic furry art, this video is a treasure. Why did I choose to have her drawn as a Ghibli character, hanging out with one of the tanukis from "Pom Poko?" Guess you'll have to watch, bruh.

Philosophy Tube continuously puts out videos that I would put on this list--I'm not even sure that "A Man Plagiarised my Work: Women, Money, and the Nation" is the best work she released in 2023. However, this video got many conversations going between myself and my partner, and the twist on the tail end of the video shocked us both to such a degree that I had no choice.

At the very tail end of the year, Big Joel released "Fear of Death." On his Little Joel channel, he described it as the singularly best video he's ever done, and I'm inclined to agree. However, for this illustration, I ended up repeatedly going back to a mini-series he did earlier in the year: "Three Stories at the End of the World." All three videos are deeply moving and haunting, and I was brought to tears by "We Must Destroy What the Bomb Cannot." While it may be relatively-common knowledge that the original Gojira (Godzilla) film is horror grappling with the devastation America's rush to atomic dominance inflicted on Japan, Big Joel still manages to bring new words to the discussion. Please watch all three of the videos, but if, for some reason, you must have only one, let it be "We Must Destroy What the Bomb Cannot."

Y'all. Let me confess something. I hate football. I hate watching it, I associate seeing it from the stadiums with some of my worst childhood experiences, I despise collegiate and professional football (as institutions that destroy bodies and offer up children at the feet of its alter as a pillar of American culture)--

I. L o a t h e. Football.

But.

F.D. Signifier could get me to watch an entire hour-plus essay on why I should at least give a passing care. AND HE DID IT. I might think "F*ck the Police," the two-parter on Black conservatism, or his essay on Black men's connection to anime might be "better" videos, but this writer did the impossible and held my limited attention span towards football long enough to make a sincere case for NFL players--and reminds us that millionaires can *in fact* be workers. That alone is testament to his skill.

Sit down and watch "The REAL Reason NFL Running Backs Aren't Getting Paid." Any good anti-capitalist owes it to themselves.

CJ the X continuously puts out stunning, emotional videos, and can do it with the most seemingly-inconsequential starting points. A 30 second song? An incestuous commercial? Five minutes of Tangled? Sure, why not. Go destroy yourself emotionally by watching them. I'm serious. Do it.

Their video Stranger Things and the Meaning of Life manages to to remind us all why the way we react to media does, in fact, matter. Yes, even nostalgia-driven, mass-media schlock. Yes, how we interact with media matters, what it says about us matters, and we all deserve to seek out the whys.

Folding Ideas has spent the last few years articulating exactly why so much of our modern world feels broken, and because of that his voice continuously lives rent-free in my brain. While the tricks that scam artists and grifters use to try to swindle us are never new, the advancement of technology changes the aesthetics of their performances. Portions of Folding Ideas' explanations might seem dry when going into detail of how stocks work in This is Financial Advice, but every bit of it is necessary to peel back the layers of techno-babble and jargon and make sense of the results of "Meme Stocks."

Jessie Gender puts out nothing but bangers, her absolute unit of a video about Star Wars might be my new favorite thing ever, but none of her work hit so profoundly in 2023 than the two-parter "The Myth of 'Male Socialization'" and "The Trauma of Masculinity." There's so much about modern life that isolates and traumatizes us, and so much of it is just shrugged off as "normal." We owe it to ourselves to see the world in more vivid a color palette than we're initially given.

Panels drawn after Kate Beaton and "Ducks: Two Years in the Oil Sands."

"This is Not a Video Essay" is one of the most intense and beautiful pieces of art I've ever put into my eyeballs. Why do we create? What drives us to connect?

I don't even know what else to say about the Leftist Cooks' work, it repeatedly transcends the medium and platform. Watch every single one of their videos, but especially this one.

The likelihood you are terminally online and yet haven't heard of Hbomberguy's yearly forrays into destroying the careers of awful people is pretty slim. Just because it has millions of views doesn't mean that Hbomberguy's "Plagiarism and You(Tube)" isn't worth the hype. Too long? Shut up, it has chapters and YouTube holds your place, anyway. You think a deep dive into a handful of creators is only meaningless drama? Well, you're wrong, you wrong-opinion-haver. Plagiarism is an *everyone* problem because of the actual harm it creates--the history it erases, the labor it devalues, the art it marginalizes--which you would know if you watched "Plagiarism and You(Tube)".

Watch. The damn. Video.

In fact, watch all of them!

Thanks for reading this if you did.

[104cadetlauren]

Did Levi lost his will to live after Erwin died?

Fandom is a space for creative freedom—where we can explore, celebrate, and even romanticize our favorite characters in ways that resonate with us. That’s part of the beauty of being in a fandom. We’re free to ship whoever with whoever. But what’s disheartening is the toxicity that comes from fans who insist their ship is the only canon one, especially in the Attack on Titan (AoT) universe. The truth is, unless Hajime Isayama explicitly confirms it, every ship is speculative—and that's okay. What isn't okay is deducing a character's whole convictions and personality just to justify their ships.

I’ve supported Levi Ackerman ever since his debut in Season 1—long before I became a Levihan shipper (yes, I’m a newer recruit in that camp, this happened after watching the Anime thrice and reading the manga). And if you’re curious why Levi is my favorite character, I have a long-ass explanation for that elsewhere. But here, I want to focus on how some Eruri shippers portray him—and why that portrayal often oversimplifies his character to the point of doing him a disservice (something I can't accept. I'm a Levi fangirl waaaay before I became a Levihan devotee).

There’s this persistent claim that Levi "lost his will to live" after Erwin died, or that his only remaining purpose was to fulfill his "vow" to kill Zeke. These statements flatten Levi’s entire identity into that of a robotic, grief-stricken killer whose life began and ended with Erwin. That’s not only reductive, it’s wrong. Levi is one of the most layered characters in AoT, and to reduce him to being “Erwin’s weapon” ignores everything else he represents and fights for.

Let’s unpack that.

During the Return to Shiganshina (RtS) arc, Levi delivers one of his most iconic lines: “Give up on your dream and die.” This wasn’t blind loyalty to Erwin. It was Levi seeing that Erwin had become consumed—not by his duty to humanity, but by his personal obsession to prove his father’s theory. That obsession, left unchecked, was risking everything the Scouts had fought for. Erwin, once the hope of the Survey Corps, had become a slave to a goal that would have no meaning beyond its fulfillment. What would he have done after reaching the basement? Levi recognized this. He saw that hope for the future no longer rested with Erwin—it lived in Armin, Hange, Eren, and the next generation.

That’s why, during the infamous ‘serum bowl’, Levi hesitated. Twice. If he truly couldn’t live without Erwin, if his whole existence hinged on him, he would have injected him immediately. But he didn’t. He made a choice based on what was best for humanity, not just for himself or for Erwin’s sake. That’s not betrayal. That’s growth, maturity, leadership, and most of all—vision.

The so-called "vow" to kill the Beast Titan wasn't some obsessive oath made out of grief or romantic fixation. It was Levi's way of honoring the massive cost of the suicide charge—the death of the commander of the Scouts and a battalion of new recruits. Not being able to take down Zeke would have rendered their sacrifice meaningless. The "cart scene vow" was about justice, not obsession. Levi saw himself as the only one capable of ensuring that their deaths wouldn’t be in vain and that is a very important promise for Levi. A solemn promise that’s why he uses the word vow when remembering his promise to Erwin because he knows that he will do it, he will give justice to his fallen comrades, but it must be done when the time is right.

Even later, when given the opportunity to kill Zeke, Levi didn’t. Why? Because he respected the chain of command—Hange’s leadership, Eren’s plans, and the greater mission of Paradis. If Levi were driven solely by revenge or Erwin’s ghost, he would’ve taken Zeke out the first chance he got. But he didn't. He chose duty over vengeance, showing once again that Levi is not a mindless weapon of grief—he's a soldier of conviction.

I am a Levihan worshipper but I COULD NEVER FATHOM TO CLAIM that he lost his will to live when Hange died (inspite of the three panels showing the decline of his mental state?) No. That would be a disservice to everything Levi has fought for. Even after all he endured, he kept going—giving his all, staying mission-focused, continuing to believe in the dream of freedom for humanity. His strength doesn’t come from one person; it comes from his values, his belief in hope, and his loyalty to those who carry that light in their eyes.

Levi’s only true flaw, if you ask me, is that he trusted too much—putting his faith in people who either died or betrayed him. How many scenes did people say they will take care of something and when Levi let them, they died? But that’s also what made him admirable. He followed Erwin not just out of loyalty, but because Erwin gave him a vision, a purpose. Levi, who once lived in the Underground, used his strength for petty survival. Erwin gave him the means to use that strength for something bigger than himself. But that doesn't mean Levi lived for Erwin. It means he lived for the ideals Erwin once represented—and later, that others like Armin, Hange, and Eren carried forward.

So yes, ship Levi with whoever you want—I sure do. But don’t reduce him to a mere extension of someone else's character arc. Don’t use your ship to undermine the complexity of his decisions or the integrity of his journey. Levi Ackerman is not just “Erwin’s,” “Hange’s,” or “Eren’s.” His loyalty was never blind. It was earned, and always rooted in one thing: humanity’s survival and freedom.

PS: I watched the AoT anime thrice and read the Manga so I know what I am talking about (I hope. Hihi)

[fangatic]

a last note on the ai-fic bullshit

a couple days ago, a person i had never spoken to before shared my call-out post on x with the earnest intention of spreading awareness of the issue. she was attacked and harrassed so harshly by the same group of people who have been dragging my friends and i through the mud that she ended up having to deactivate.

this group of perpetrators then did their very best to turn this whole conversation on its head by accusing the poster of being anti-solavellan, of sharing the post with malicious intentions of dividing the fandom and tearing down amateur writers, and grouping her and i/my friends as antis and what not.

my thoughts on that development aren't any that i can express with any diplomacy or maturity whatsoever, but @drakonmo herself did a wonderful job at gracefully carving out the very important conversation we, as fans, need to have within our communities. whether you observed or participated in the conversation surrounding the silence and the song and the following shitstorm, i strongly urge you to read her post (here) (on x).

tldr/to those who might be in a rush, let me pull out some highlights:

by deleting the evidence and refusing to acknowledge the public claims were ever made, these people who despise me and wanted to foment discourse could succeed, armed with the trust and respect of loyal followers.

suddenly, the entire wall of text of explanations, of signs, of concerns were reduced to nothing but one portion of the whole. people began to attack OP and me and write threads, posts, etc, saying we were insulting all creators everywhere and we were - singlehandedly - the reason people didn't share their artwork.

clearly, these people argued, this insult and injury to all writers everywhere was a sign of these posts being a hate campaign. suddenly people could completely ignore the fact that the OP is a HUGE shipper, and i have been the world's most vocal proponent of shipping the particular character with anyone and/ or everyone.

i saw some people ask questions - what's happening, what's the drama, what's the situation? and they believed blindly the first things said to them without even trying to seek the truth or sources for themselves - and i truly mean this was an issue on both sides, for both people who ultimately agreed with me and people who did not.

the people that deliberately misrepresented what was being said, who nitpicked so that they could justify choosing "us versus them" - i ask that you consider, if you can and you would like to, to internalize and reflect how you may be susceptible to situations like this happening OFFLINE.

if ONLINE FANDOM misinformation can rouse such a level of discourse, hatred, fear, and anger over a fanfiction or ship ...what are the implications for REAL LIFE?

are you possibly reading a headline and believing it without reading the full article?

are your political and personal opinions swayed heavily by your peers, rather than being shaped by information and political education?

are you well informed and checking for bias from your chosen news sources?

do you exist in an echo chamber that has actively harmed your ability to understand other perspectives and worsened your capacity for allyship?

we best fight FASCISM when we recognize how we approach the people and issues around us, no matter how small. supporting artistic integrity in your fandom is a low rung on the ladder, but your approach to a sense of community and how news, conflict, and opinions form and spread IS vital.

thank you for reading, and thank you to those who have stuck by me (and by mo) despite the backlash it might have caused you. this has been insane and i look forward to never discussing that fucking fic again, but that doesn't mean we get to turn our heads on how this all turned to shit in the first place.

as a self-proclaimed safe space often characterised by escapism, we owe it to one another to make sure this community is as safe as can be and remains one where we care for one another despite which fictional characters we think should kiss.

[kokonoiis]

BONTEN Members Profile and Facts :

BONTEN is a Japanese boy group formed by TR Entertainment known for hardly ever appearing in music videos or promotions. The group consists of 8 Members: Mikey, Sanzu, Kakucho, Mocchi, Takeomi, Ran, Rindou, and Koko.

Group Name Explanation : Bonten ( 梵天 ) is the Japanese name of the Hindu creator god Brahma.

BONTEN Official Fandom Name : Tennies BONTEN Official SNS :

Official Website: bonten. com/artists X ( Twitter ): official.bonten Instagram: bontenfficial Facebook: official.bonten Youtube: BONTEN.

BONTEN Member Profiles :

MIKEY :

Stage Name: Mikey ( マイキー ) Birth Name: Manjiro Sano ( 佐野 万次郎 ) Position: Leader, Main Vocalist Birthday: August 20, 1990 Zodiac Sign: Leo Chinese Zodiac Sign: Horse Height: 162 cm ( 5’4” ) Weight: 56 kg ( 123 lbs ) Blood Type: B Nationality: Japanese

Mikey Facts : - Mikey's favorite foods are dorayaki, omurice, and taiyaki - he dislikes spicy food - the person he respects or admires is himself - there is no one that Mikey dislikes or fears - Mikey was rated number 1 from Top 3 Worst Boyfriends

Show more Mikey fun facts

SANZU :

Stage Name: Sanzu ( 三途 ) Birth Name:  Akashi Haruchiyo ( 明司 春千夜 ) Position: Main dancer, visual, vocalist Birthday:  July 3, 1990 Zodiac Sign:  Cancer Chinese Zodiac Sign: Horse Height: 172 cm ( 5'8'' ) Weight: 55 kg ( 121 lbs ) Blood Type:  AB Nationality: Japanese

Sanzu Facts : - Sanzu has a very popular YouTube Channel shared with his sister, Senju Kawaragi ( Akashi Siblings ) - He dislikes spicy food, as it makes him sweat - The person he respects or admires is Mikey - The people he dislikes or fears are smothering people - Sanzu is ranked first in the Most Needy Significant Other Poll and number 2 in the question ' Who is the worst lover ? '

Show more Sanzu fun facts

KAKUCHO :

Stage Name: Kakucho ( 鶴蝶 ) Birth Name: Kakucho Position: Main Vocalist Birthday: October 2, 1987 Zodiac Sign: Libra Chinese Zodiac Sign: Rabbit Height: 179 cm ( 5'10'' ) Weight: 63 kg ( 139 lbs ) Blood Type: O Nationality: Japanese

Kakucho Facts : - Kakucho loves training - The person he respects or admires is Tenjiku's leader, Izana Kurokawa - There is no one he dislikes or fears - he ranked number 1 from the question ' Who is the best lover ? ' - He released a song with Izana Kurokawa named " Our Kingdom "

Show more Kakucho fun facts

MOCCHI :

Stage Name: Mocchi ( モッチー ) Birth Name: Mochizuki Kanji ( 望月 完爾 ) Position: Rapper, sub vocalist Birthday: March 9, 1988 Zodiac Sign: Pisces Chinese Zodiac Sign: Dragon Height: 192 cm ( 6'4'' ) Weight: 94 kg ( 207 lbs ) Blood Type: B Nationality: Japanese

Mocchi Facts : - Mocchi likes corn - His special skill is arm wrestling - The person eh respects or admires is Tenjiku's leader, Izana Kurakawa - The person he dislikes is Tenjiku member Shion Madarame - Mocchi once ate 50 jumbo dumplings for a contest

Show more Mocchi fun facts

TAKEOMI :

Stage Name: Takeomi Birth Name: Akashi Takeomi ( 明司 武臣 ) Position: Rapper, oldest Birthday: March 10, 1981 Zodiac Sign: Pisces Chinese Zodiac Sign: Rooster  Height: 183 cm ( 6'0'' ) Weight: 72 kg ( 159 lbs ) Blood Type: B Nationality: Japanese

Takeomi Facts : - Takeomi dislikes anything that takes a significant amount of effort from him - other members say his special skill is taking advantage of other people - His dream is to become a multimillionaire - Takeomi likes to say he's the father figure of the group, but the others say he's not very fatherly - He dislikes anyone who looks down on him

Show more Takeomi fun facts

RAN :

Stage Name: Ran Birth Name: Haitani Ran ( 灰谷 蘭 ) Position: Main Rapper, center Birthday: May 26, 1987 Zodiac Sign: Gemini Chinese Zodiac Sign: Rabbit Height: 183 cm ( 6'0'' ) Weight: 70 kg ( 154 lbs ) Blood Type: A Nationality: Japanese

Ran Facts : - Ran likes Yves Saint Laurent and Mont Blanc - he takes great care of his hair and regularly goes to beauty salons in Harajuku to get it done - Ran tends to get very close to people when they talk to him; everyone thinks he's being flirtatious or trying to intimidate, but in reality Ran does this because he is nearsighted - the person he respects or admires is Kakucho - the people he dislikes are Toman members Tetta Kisaki and Shuji Hanma

Show more Ran fun facts

RINDOU :

Stage Name: Rindou Birth Name: Haitani Rindou ( 灰谷 竜胆 ) Position: Vocalist, rapper, center Birthday: October 20, 1988 Zodiac Sign: Libra Chinese Zodiac Sign: Dragon Height: 172 cm ( 5'8'' ) Weight: 65 kg ( 143 lbs ) Blood Type: B Nationality: Japanese

Rindou Facts : - Rindou likes DJing and muscle training - he enjoys drinking alcohol at several times throughout the day - the person he respects or admires is Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira - the person he dislikes or fears is Ran Haitani - Rindou ranked number 2 from the question ' Who is the best lover ? '

Show more Rindou fun facts

KOKO :

Stage Name: Koko ( ココ ) Birth Name: Kokonoi Hajime ( 九井 一 ) Position: Vocalist, visual, maknae Birthday: April 1, 1990 Zodiac Sign: Aries Chinese Zodiac Sign: Horse Height: 174 cm ( 5'9'' ) Weight: 60 kg ( 132 lbs ) Blood Type: A Nationality: Japanese

Koko Facts : - Koko's special skill is standing behind others and being a big eater - his hobby is fortune telling with playing cards and swimming - he has bad eyesight and does not like to play ballgames or drive - Koko pokes his tongue out whenever he's feeling especially confident in himself - he ranked number 3 from the question ' Who is the best lover ? '

Show more Koko fun facts

Who is your BONTEN bias? ✔ Mikey      9,792 votes Sanzu      4,356 votes Kakucho      3,298 votes Mocchi      3,012 votes Takeomi      2,346 votesRan      8,986 votes Rindou      7,873 votes ✔ Koko      5,002 votes

NO ART IS MINE !! bonten idol art by @ kaya_iris on twt !!

[ilikekidsshows]

ML writers really said "This is our protagonist, Marinette. She's incredibly insecure and the show is about how she makes it other people's problem. You're obligated to love her btw."

---

I have been wondering about this. Like, what writers would purposefully make their protagonist so obviously the villain of her own life, the cause of so many of her hardships, while clearly not intending to have her be criticized for that? It makes you feel like the writers must be so incompetent that they can’t see that’s what they’re doing, except we have moments in episodes that admit Marinette is in the wrong, even as she gets vindicated and validated in everything she’s done anyway.

I've expanded on my thoughts on what could be going in the creative process, and it ties into that idea of what Miraculous is, which has three main points: 1) Marinette must learn a lesson 2) Marinette must always be sympathized with and 3) Miraculous is an episodic show. Basically, first the writers will have Marinette do whatever they need her to do to trigger a sequence of events that can be used to create a “lesson”. Then the writers will bend over backwards so that Marinette gets the most sympathy out of everyone involved. Then the writers pretend it never happened.

The previous points of this sequence have been discussed before, but the last one is a new expansion on how this all works in practice. I think the viewers are genuinely supposed to forget about Marinette’s transgressions after each episode where she does something messed up, where she supposedly “atoned” for her mistakes. Repeatedly, the problem the critical side of the fandom has with Marinette’s writing is that she keeps making the same mistakes, she never learns despite the show’s core point being the learning of lessons, so it just feels like Marinette apologises to get out of trouble, not because she’s actually sorry and intends to change her ways. However, she always is genuinely remorseful, which means that the writers do intend for Marinette to learn her lesson every time.

So, why does Marinette keep making the same mistakes? Some people have defended this with the idea that, in real life, changing bad habits isn’t easy and people backslide constantly. However, that’s not what’s going on. Marinette keeps doing the same things but worse as the show escalates its stakes. Marinette isn’t just failing to learn her lesson about honesty or being reasonable or whatnot, she’s actively growing more and more deceitful and petty as the show goes on. Basically, I think Marinette’s mistakes are meant to not actually have a continuity. I think, every time Marinette lies about a stupid thing she didn’t need to lie about, we’re supposed to treat that as the first time it happens. It’s easier to forgive someone who makes a single mistake, instead of someone making a pattern of deceitful and hurtful behavior. This is why no one is bringing up how Ladybug treated Cat Noir in season four after the fact despite her doing similar things again, keeping him in the dark again, in season five. That story’s over, and so now it didn’t happen. Marinette constantly lying and going over people’s heads shouldn’t reflect on who Marinette is as a person, because we're supposed to think she doesn’t constantly do it, even though she does. It’s an insane contradiction.

I remember watching South Park as a teen. In every episode, Kenny would die, but he would be back with no explanation in the next one. Marinette’s lying, mistakes of leadership, yelling at people undeservedly and ignoring other people’s problems for her petty concerns are all just Kenny dying. It’s negative continuity. Every time Marinette does it again, the previous times it happened didn’t. Every time Marinette “makes a mistake”, it’s the first time she’s ever made that mistake. That’s why she’s already “the best her she can be” despite never learning her lesson. She does learn her lesson, every single time, which is why we’re meant to forgive her and accept her clearly genuine promise to change, even when she never keeps that promise.

Miraculous only has continuity when the writers decide it does. Then all the information you need is in the episodes. The rest of the time the things that happen in episodes don’t matter. It’s all just nonsense to keep kids quiet.

This show is a fucking mess.

[lemotmo]

99.9% sure T is coming back and people are dooming because lfjr was filming on the same block and there’s a helipad on the rooftop he posted BUT I don’t think it’s necessarily a bad thing… I know nobody wants to deal with that insufferable part of the fandom but I could see them bringing him back for closure and Buck (once again) trying to misplace his feelings for Eddie onto T until T finally makes him realize it was never about him at all. It’s ALWAYS been Eddie. As much as I don’t want to see that man again I think it would make for dramatic TV lol and it would put the nail into the coffin for BT forever! Also I remember Tim saying in an interview after 8x07 I think that T is in Buck’s romantic past for sure but he may intersect with T in this universe again… so I’m almost positive this lfjr appearance is not a reconciliation and rather just another way for a plot device to do what they do best and move the plot :)

Okay, my inbox is flooding with L and T messages right now, so I want to address this now, before it explodes completely.

I'm addressing this using this ask by a very clever anon. Why? Well Nonny?! I think you make an excellent point!

Let's look at this logically, without any emotions involved. The problem with T right now is that all of our experiences with this character and actor are clouded with negative emotions.

Why? Well... you all know why right?

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

So let's get rid of all of these emotions for a moment. And let's look at this from a pure narrative point of view.

Say T does come back. So what?

Can he stop Buddie at this point? No. That ship has loooong sailed and to be honest... there was never a contest to begin with. Eddie has always been more important to Buck than T ever was. It's obvious from the last episodes that Buck is very close to figuring out his feelings for Eddie. So T is no threat whatsoever.

So why would he be there? Well, logically speaking it would be an interesting choice for T to run into Buck and mention something about Eddie, cue Buck starting to question what exactly it is he feels for Eddie.

Way back when, right after 7x04, L did an interview where he talked about T being some kind of a stepping stone for Buck to realise he really wanted Eddie. Around that time Oliver did an interview saying that he really wanted T and Buck to stay in contact and that T could be some kind of wise queer person who kind of helps him figure things out.

What if this is what we are seeing right now?

If T is back-- and I'm using a big IF here, because I'm still not so sure whether or not he will be-- he could be there to be a catalyst into both Buck and Eddie figuring out what they feel for each other.

He could be a 'stepping stone' aka a 'plot device' to get the main ship together.

I'm just saying--

If he is back it is not for a round 2 of BT. That obviously didn't work out very well for either of them. So the only logical explanation is that he is there to push the Buddie narrative along like a good plot device does.

Honestly, I'd rather not see the man back either, but the reason for that isn't that he could threaten Buddie. It never was about that. There was no competition there to begin with.

I don't want to see him back because I really dislike the way some of his more ardent stans have treated me and the rest of this fandom from the moment he kissed Buck. I'm simply tired of dealing with these people.

So let's stop spiraling over this please. If (big IF here) T is back, he is there for a purpose. I can guarantee you that that purpose? It's Buddie-related.

[falling-star-cygnus]

AND IT'S HERE❗

writing for the DBD fandom has gotta be one of my favorite things rn, y'all write... so many comments and worded reblogs... i love it so much -> and rest assured, i've finished the show before writing this TTwTT

post: here ao3 fic: here @mountainsoftreatos >W•

Summary: Given the dead boy's chronically horrifying existences, it makes sense that they would space out from time to time. Mentally check out to recoup.

Luckily, they never let the other stray too far alternatively: i wanted to write them holding hands

"Honestly, Charles, I did not spend the first decade of our friendship breaking this harmful habit of yours just so you could start it up again the second things go south."

"This is a bit farther than south, though, innit?"

Edwin sighs.

This silly boy..

"I still would prefer it if you didn't bash your head into every available surface.."

It had taken the older ghost the damn near entirety of the nineties to get him to stop. And several sore knuckles. But that was what it took to get his best friend to cease this nasty habit of his, so he supposed he couldn't complain.

Too much, anyway.

Ah- maybe further explanations were in order..

See, Charles- at least back then- would often throw his head back or forward whenever his frustration mounted too high. Into whatever solid object was closest.

Even Edwin himself, though very lightly, on occasion.

It was horribly worrying, even if a ghost couldn't retain long term blunt force traumas. They could still feel pain. [and could they ever, ugh.]

So, like every problem, he found a solution.

If he couldn't stop Charles from beating himself brainless, then he would just soften the blow.

Nearly ten years Edwin spent slipping his hand between whatever surface Charles tried bludgeoning himself on. He missed a few times, admittedly, but eventually it became second nature.

Until...

Edwin wrung his hand out with a wince and aggrieved sigh. That was harder than usual.. he must be particularly upset today.

The older ghost wasn't wearing his gloves, for once, so the impact had been a tad rougher than it'd normally be. Head against hand against brick... wasn't pleasant in any case.

It certainly wouldn't be pleasant if his friend were to hit it with the force he'd intended.

As it was, just as the older ghost had started wondering at the softness of Charles' curls, his poor hand had been grabbed. Or rather- ..gently seized?

"Edwin-! Edwin, I am so sorry, mate. I didn't- I didn't mean.."

And.. well... he looked distraught.

Charles didn't make another attempt after that.

Until right now.

Now the two find themselves in frustratingly familiar circumstances, though thankfully against a much softer material than brick.

They're at Crystal's temporary abode, just outside her door, while she waits downstairs for them. To count cats. As grateful as he is for their help finding them, it's terribly frustrating to need it in the first place.

"Now I'm glad I opted to stay behind when you said you needed a tick."

"You just didn't want to wait with Crystal."

...well..

He's not wrong.

But it's still vaguely irritating that this boy can read him so well and yet hide so much from him at the same time.

Maybe they were byproducts of each other, maybe Charles only learned so much about Edwin's tells so that he could hide these jagged parts of himself.

Like he didn't know they would be handled just as gently as the rest of him.

Honestly.

"Are you going to keep your head in my hand all day?" he asks instead, refusing to remove the barrier between his friend and soft plaster, "I don't mind, if that's what you need, but Crystal doesn't strike me as the type to have an abundance of patience."

Or any.

Charles hides away for a moment longer, before butting his head [oh so very carefully] against Edwin's palm again. When he pulls away, he's wearing a large sunny grin.

How had Edwin not realized how painfully fake it was sooner?

"Right, sorry about that," his best friend says, scooping up his 'bag-of-tricks' from the floor and heading for the stairs, "Let's get going then, yeah?"

"...you can stay behind if you need to, Charles-"

"And let you wander around with Crystal by yourself? You two'd level the town!"

The older ghost can feel the beginnings of frustration bubble up within his chest.

This silly boy.

[+-+-+]

Crystal would kick herself if she could.

All the harping she did on Edwin, and she didn't even notice anything was amiss herself. Not until..

Charles had been leading their little trio, because of course he was, as they scoured this stupid dead end town for cats. Everything had seemed fine.

She didn't even notice he had lagged behind them.

"Hey, Charles," Crystal started, straightening up from where she was looking under a park bench, "What was that thing you s-"

Her words die flat.

"Charles..?"

He's just... standing there. A little more than three feet behind the two, with his doleful brown eyes glazy and lost. Like they had been in that fucking house.

Distantly, she can hear the nerd scrabbling over to them but she ignores it to wave her hand in front of Charles' face.

"Are you g- hey!?"

Edwin forces her wrist down with an almost mournful look at his supposed best friend.

"That.. won't help," he says, resigned and tired in a way only a ghost could sound.

And also what the fuck did that mean?

"Is he okay?" Crystal all but demands, "Edwin, what the hell is going on?"

"This just happens sometimes, alright! To the both of us."

He inhales deeply- which.. well, that's somewhat concerning. Considering he's the one always going on about things ghosts don't need to do.

"I have found that its best," wow, she's glad he doesn't have bones in his jaw anymore- they'd be dust, "to let it run its course."

That doesn't seem right.

They should be helping him! Not just- standing around 'letting it run its course.' How is that going to do anything but give Charles more time to shove his feelings down?

To hide?

It hits Crystal that Edwin implied it happened to him to. And he's surprisingly open about his feelings. Well. To Charles anyway.

It... made sense, now that she mirrored his breath and thought about it.

Alright then.

She reaches out for her favorite of the dead boy detectives [still a stupid name], keeping her movements slow.

"So-" oh my god, when did this nerd get so tactile, "Okay, you have got to stop grabbing me."

"Then stop reaching for him," Edwin snaps at her, and he's noticeably harsher when he lowers her hand again, "Charles will be fine."

Crystal doesn't point out how it sounds like he's trying to convince himself, instead of her. She can't, really, because the scene that unfurls in front of her feels private.

Sacred, almost.

Edwin so, so, so gently takes Charles hand in his.

Lowers his voice to a near whisper, as if trying to coax out a beat dog from hiding.

That... metaphor feels too apt a comparison, actually. Even for her.

"Charles... how far are you?"

His hand squeezes almost too carefully to be seen, and his other comes up to hover somewhere near his poor partner's cheek. Not touching, though. Not yet.

"Can you hear me? Charles?"

Saying his name didn't seem to help her any, but now- when it's Edwin- the haze relents just a bit.

"Mate...?"

Crystal never wants to hear that tone again.

It's painful, in a physical sense deep in her chest, to hear that chipper voice so weak. Scared. In a way Charles should never have to feel.

Edwin swallows and brushes his thumb over the apple of the other ghost's cheek. [she ignores the hot swell of jealousy under her collar]

"Okay.. alright then, come on. Let's go for a walk."

He looks over to the psychic then, with a pinch in his brows. Questioning.

Crystal can't find it in her to be selfish.

So she shoos them off, mouthing the word 'go.'

And pretends it doesn't taste like ash when they walk away, hand in hand, like lovers long old.

She's the one he told about his dad first.

[sgiandubh]

Alice is blocking people on IG.

Dear Blocking Anon,

I normally could not care less about how she is managing her IG account, but I feel many red lines have been crossed within this entire ahem.. episode.

People claiming to have access to her DMs to fans and no qualms discussing them at length. Unethical, anyone? Bizarre? I have many thoughts and questions, but I will focus instead on what I think could be a plausible explanation for this Cosmic Mess, version 2.0.

We now know he contacted her in DM and followed her IG account on June 13 2024. One more time, I hate to quote myself, but since I posted a LOT (never again, for the sake of this shitshow), may I remind you this tiny detail, perhaps you missed it:

In fact, I should send you back to the big wrap-up post about yesterday's shenanigans, where I theorize the sock account is a well-known troll of this fandom. Who did it before and will do it again.

Also, may I remind you this other tiny detail:

Karina Elle is a common contact. It does ring all sorts of bells, Anon, as to the transactional nature of this new rapport.

Last, but not least, a short trip to my own Archive, Anon:

On June 12th, I posted the stills from TS's concert, Anon. It is my logical and constitutional right to believe S's June 13th expedition to that particular DM inbox was a knee jerk reaction to that. Especially when some bitches took pains to immediately post this on IG, tagging everybody:

What did I reveal, Anon? Something I believe to have been organic couple behavior, in a VIP tent, at a public event (concert), in the darkness.

What was the rebuke, Anon? Something I believe to have been a totally lame and transactional choreography, in a VIP tent, at a public event (tennis tournament), in broad daylight.

It is impossible not to notice the symmetry, here.

So, he 'slid into her DMs', she got all excited, talked to those fans, told them she was invited to LHR by him and then she apparently inexplicably went ballistic and 'hurtful' to them, further down those DMs timeline. Timeline which, according to Marple, is 20 to 26 June. The only reason for that sudden change of behavior would be a conversation with S, who probably thought those fans were shippers. He should know by now NO SHIPPER ever harassed the entourage as consistently and intensely as the Best of Fans did. I think mistakes were made on our side too, but not recently and not by me or anyone I know of. Evidence is the fans who were 'hurt' went to complain to Marple, not me or Bat or anyone else in here, for that matter.

Something happened between June 20 and 26, transforming those two individuals' IG interaction from banter to contract. A trip to London, all expenses paid. Detailed indications on what to wear (YELLOW!) and how to behave. Illogical bursts of affection from her, while he looked disconnected for most of the time, or at least most of the time we were privy to.

Organic, my foot, Anon. And now she's blocking people, you tell me?

She is such a sweet summer child and if this will end well, I am Ingrid Bergman, Anon.

[captainsophiestark]

After An Eternity

Finn Mikaelson x Reader

Masterlist - Join My Taglist!

Written for my personal fic writing challenge for 2024, Sophie's Year of Fic! Featuring a new fic being posted every Friday, all year long :)

Fandom: The Vampire Diaries/The Originals

Summary: Finn's oldflame is the only person who might be able to convince him to stray from Team Esther while in a new body in New Orleans.

Word Count: 1,916

Category: Angst, Fluff

Putting work into an AI program without permission is illegal. You do not have my permission. Do not do it.

"I won't do it! We're monsters, do you hear me? Monsters!"

I flinched at the sound of an unfamiliar voice shouting from the adjoining room in the Mikaelson compound. Finn Mikaelson, my former best friend and the love of my life, was apparently alive in another man's body in New Orleans, wreaking havoc on the lives of his siblings and doing his mother's bidding.

A lot had changed since the last time I'd seen him.

"You see what I mean?" asked Rebekah, who stood next to me. "He won't listen to reason. He's been absolutely ridiculous since Sage- Um. Well, since Sage... died."

I pursed my lips and let out a long sigh through my nose. I had some truly ancient history with the Mikaelsons, and for the past 1,000 years or so I'd been doing my best to avoid, ignore, and forget it. I'd been having pretty good success, too, until Rebekah had managed to hunt me down for help with Finn. And no matter how much I didn't want to get involved, I also couldn't say no.

I'd first met the Mikaelsons ages ago, when we'd all still been human. We'd lived in the same village, and I'd grown up with all of them. Finn and I were born within months of each other, so we'd been especially close, and it had been common knowledge that Finn and I were going to get married within the year.

And then Esther had turned them all into vampires.

None of them had exactly been happy about it, especially as nature exacted its toll beyond anything Esther had imagined. Finn ran off before I'd even realized what had happened, scattering to the winds to try to cope with his new reality. A few of the other Mikaelsons had stuck around a bit longer, and I tracked them down as soon as Finn vanished to get an explanation of everything that had happened.

Once I understood everything, I begged them to change me. Finn was the love of my life, and the other Mikaelson siblings were the only real family I'd ever known. Klaus refused, and although I nearly managed to sway Elijah, he eventually refused me too, neither of them willing to bring me into the eternity they'd just been forced to share.

It took longer than I would've wanted, but eventually, I managed to find Rebekah. She was by far the most devastated about her new life as a vampire, which was why I hadn't bothered to approach her until she was my last chance. But she was also desparate for a lifeline, especially if it came in the form of a sister. Despite her reservations, I managed to convince her to turn me. She helped me through the transition in secret, keeping me alive while somehow also keeping her brothers in the dark, and then she helped point me in the right direction to find Finn. She promised not to tell anyone anything until after I'd found him, and we made plans to meet back up after I'd reunited with the love of my life.

It took me over a year to find him. I ended up returning to Rebekah more than once during that time, until finally, I managed to find the man I loved in one of the larger European towns, following a hunch and a vague description from someone who saw someone matching my love's description.

I'd planned the moment of our reunion so many times in my head, but when I finally found him walking down the street, he was hand in hand with another woman, laughing and smiling at her like he used to with me.

My heart shattered on the spot, and I barely had the presence of mind to hide myself from his sight before I shut down. Looking at them had ripped my chest open and tore out everything important, and I'd run away before they'd been able to spot me. I'd gone briefly back to Rebekah, but her brothers refused to stop causing dangerous drama, and she could never stay away from them for too long. I'd decided to disappear and leave all of it behind me at almost the same time Nik shoved Finn into a coffin, and I learned that Finn had turned the woman he'd been with the last time I'd seen him.

I spent the next 900 years putting Finn and the rest of his family behind me. I'd traveled the world, spent time with incredible, wonderful people, and used the extra time and power being a vampire afforded me to protect people who needed it and do my best to do good in the world. Losing Finn still hurt, and knowing we were two of the only people who'd been alive as long as we'd been sat as a constant reminder of everything in the very back of my mind. But on the whole, I'd been able to put that to the side and focus on enjoying my eternity, as much as possible.

Until a few days ago, when Rebekah had managed to track me down.

To her credit, she'd come to find me without spilling the secret of my existance to her brothers. She'd caught me up on the highlights of the time we'd spent apart, and on everything that had happened with Finn in the past few years. And because I still loved him, despite all the time apart and the hurt of losing him to someone else, I'd agreed to come to New Orleans with Rebekah with barely a second thought.

"You said you found a way to get him back into his body, right?" I asked, making sure to keep my voice low as I spoke to Rebekah. I did my best to drown out the shouting of Finn and his brothers in the next room. "How is that even possible?"

Rebekah just shrugged. "Witches."

I sighed, taking a moment to consider my options. Finn needed my help. He was still important enough to me that I wanted to give it. But once I walked through that door, Klaus, Elijah, and Kol would all know I was still alive. Any chance I had at continuing to fly under the radar and live peacefully would be gone.

I'd gotten to spend ten lifetimes exactly the way I wanted to. It was time for me to face the things that had been lurking in the back of my mind for 1,000 years.

"Alright," I finally said. "Alright, let's do this."

Rebekah nodded, then stared at me as I didn't move. She raised an eyebrow, and that was enough to finally get me to huff and take the last few steps into the dining room without letting myself second-guess.

The four Mikaelson boys were mid-argument, but they all froze when I walked ino the room.

I'd marched in here without a plan of what I wanted to say, and all four boys were apparently too stunned to speak. Luckily for all of us, Rebekah swept in to save the day.

"Thank god! I was wondering what it would take to finally get some peace and quiet out of the four of you!"

I couldn't help laughing. Although Rebekah and I hadn't seen each other regularly, I still considered her a friend, and had for the past thousand years.

"You're alive?" Nik demanded, finally finding his voice at the same time Finn found his, gently and quietly whispering my name.

My eyes snapped to Finn's, ignoring Nik completely. He didn't look like himself, but he didn't need to for me to recognize the same heart I'd always known.

"Hi Finn," I breathed, letting the smallest of smiles creep onto my face. "I... I missed you."

He breathed my name again, quickly closing the distance between us to take my hands. I noticed the other four Mikaelsons sharing looks with each other over Finn's shoulder, but I ignored them.

"Have you... where have you been? How is this possible that you're here?" asked Finn. I gave him a soft smile.

"Rebekah turned me about a year after your mother turned the rest of you. You disappeared from the village right after, and it took me a long time to find Rebekah, and than an even longer time trying to find you..."

"But you found me?" he asked, still wide-eyed and completely breathless. "Why didn't you tell me you had turned?"

I shrugged, a rueful smile pulling onto my face.

"You were with someone else."

Finn frowned in concentration, and I could see him flipping back through his memories. When he found the one of Sage, he froze, his hands gripping mine tighter.

"I... I'm sorry," he breathed. "I didn't know. I thought... I didn't want to be a vampire. I still don't. I didn't want to pass that curse on to you. I thought you'd be better off with... without me."

I gave Finn a sadder version of my earlier smile.

"Immortality can definitely be a curse, Finn. But it can also be a blessing. It just seriously depends on how you spend that immortality, and who you spend it with. I'm happy with my choices, but... I wish I could've spent it with you, too."

Finn just shook his head at me, apparently still considering, so I continued. Rebekah had tracked me across the Earth for a specific reason, after all.

"Finn... I know you think we're monsters. And I get it, honestly, I do. But please listen to me when I say... there is so much more to this life than whatever drama your brothers get into on the regular. Or your mother, for that matter."

The other Mikaelsons had more or less given us space until now, but I heard a distinct snort from Nik at my words. I ignored him, holding Finn's hands tigheter and pulling him a little closer since I knew what I was saying might make him want to pull away. Finn just shook his head.

"I... I don't know what to say."

"That's okay. I don't either, really. But... maybe you could go back to your own body? Not to admit defeat or go along with your brothers or anything, but more so I can talk to you as yourself. I've waited a thousand years, after all. Why don't you say we get the hell out of here and talk? We can come back, if you want to, or you can. But we also don't have to."

Nik started to say something again, but this time, Elijah silenced him. I kept my eyes locked on Finn's, and after a moment, he slowly nodded.

"I... I think I could do that. For a short time, at least. I owe you that much, after... after everything."

I squeezed his hands again and gave him a small smile. I could see the other Mikaelsons celebrating behind me, but Finn and I ignored them, except to make plans to get him back in his own body. I knew our brief reunion was no garuntee that he'd change his mind about being a vampire, or about taking Esther's side. But for some reason, I couldn't help having a good feeling about things.

After a thousand years on this Earth, so many lifetimes lived, different people loved, and Finn's literal death, we'd somehow found each other again. No matter the odds or the obstacles in our way, I couldn't help feeling like we'd finally cleared the last real hurdle. It felt like we'd endured enough to make this incredibly late fresh start work, in a way that could actually last.

****************

Everything Taglist: @rosecentury @kmc1989 @space-helen @misshale21

TVD/TO Taglist: @elenavampire21

[jokeroutsubs]

🧊JokerOutSubs Iceberg Explained

Layer by layer

Explanations below the cut 👇

First layer:

Three kaksi ananas lonkero: 

This is a fun anecdote told by Jan during our Tampere interview. They wanted to order three ananas (‘pineapple’) lonkero in Finland and… well, watch the video at 7:44 to find out :)

Noteworthy: 

This is how Jan (again!) described his friendship with Nace when asked about the Damon Baker photoshoot during our London interview. Check it out here at 46:42 if you missed it!

‘JokerOutSubs: No one translates it better.’: 

Another reference to our London interview with the boys. This is something that Bojan said about JokerOutSubs. We loved it so much, we added it as an intro to our original content, and a tagline on all our platforms! See it here at 0:08!

Second layer:

‘We have a certain type of door locks.’: 

Another fun anecdote from our Tampere interview, this time from Jure! Did you know that Finland and Slovenia had such different door locks? We sure didn’t! Learn more about it here at 4:33!

JOS Stožice live: 

On the 6th of October, several of our members went to Joker Out at Stožice, and live streamed the gig for over 1000 people! You can find both parts of the livestream here and here

‘Ofcourse the best interview was done by joker.out.subs’ and ‘always a pleasure chatting with joker.out.subs: 

These are some lovely messages that Joker Out shared through their IG stories after two of our interviews.

Hvala, fantje. Radi vas mamo <3

Third layer:

Italyboo: 

This was an award that we gave to the winner of our ‘How Italian ARE YOU?’ game during our Padova interview. Watch the game and find out who the lucky winner is here at 13:10!

Kiki the PR genius: 

This funny tale from the Padova interview here at 3:15 is about Kiki, their ‘beloved technician’ (Bojan’s words, not ours). It’s thanks to him that the whole JO fandom had a meltdown over the lyrics to Šta bih ja before we even heard the song live in Helsinki! Thank you, Kiki, you mastermind. 

Carpe Diem and Welcome to the Backstage translations:

Possibly the greatest pride for us at JokerOutSubs was being allowed to add subtitles to Joker Out’s Carpe Diem and Welcome to the Backstage series. Thank you boys and THANK YOU MARK for your trust. 

Translating Cvetličarna: 

Did you know how JokerOutSubs started? What the first big video ever translated was? It was this, the concert in Cvetličarna. If you want to know some lore, make sure not to miss our chat with Anja, who founded JokerOutSubs, and who came up with the idea of translating in the first place!

Cedevita:

You haven’t really tasted Slovenia if you hadn’t had a sip of Cedevita, a fruit-flavoured instant fizzy drink, packed with vitamins. (Cedevita pls sponsor us). This drink is actually Croatian, but it’s so popular in Slovenia it’s a staple in every household. It was part of the ‘package from home’ we gave to Joker Out during our London interview - you can see the snacks we gifted them here at 3:18. One of our members was served a very generous portion by Jure!

Fourth layer:

‘Deeeeej mi vse.’:

This is referencing the original lyrics to Umazane misli, explained to us by Bojan himself in our London interview at 30:42. One of our members also sang this version in Milano during Umazane misli karaoke!

Damon Baker mentioned you in his story:

The moment that gave JOS members a heart attack. The wonderful Damon Baker shared our short interview with Kris on his Instagram story to 1.2 million people! We love you Damon! 

'Your nipples are shining so much man.’:

One of the most cursed translations we have ever done - Bojan slow dancing with a mannequin during the London era.

April fools:

On April 1st 2024, we decided to have a little fun with the fanbase and post some fake articles on our Tumblr. Kris and Jure even shared their articles on their stories! You can check them out here:

Bojan moving to Finland

Kris joining K3

Jure’s drumstick crisis

Jan and Nace’s new cat

Lightswitches:

Kris told us in our Tampere interview that one of his biggest culture shocks in Finland was that it’s always hard to find the lightswitch. You can watch it here at 4:19.

Fifth layer:

Pięćdziesięciogroszówka w klubie:

Jan told us in Finland that he liked long words, so we came to our second Joker Out interview in Poland prepared! This means '50 cents (in the club).' Watch the boys try to pronounce it here at 12:54

Translating made up words:

Joker Out enjoy making up words, which we then have to translate! That means we need to make up our own words in lots of different languages. We have hundreds of examples of this, but our favourite is probably sparklative - and here it is in different languages! 

Danish - Glitretivende (based on glitrende, ‘sparkling’, the adjective henrivende, ‘good looking/charming’ and the adverb rivende, which is an amplifying expression meaning something like ‘completely’)

Dutch - Sprankelijk (based on sprankelend, ‘sparkly’ and the suffix -elijk)

Finnish - Kimalleltava (based on kimaltava, ‘sparkling’)

French - Brilliantesque (based on brilliant, ‘sparkly’, and the suffix -esque)

German - Glitzernig (based on Glitzern, ‘to sparkle’ and the suffix -ig)

Hungarian -Csillogoló (based on csillogó, ‘sparkling’)

Italian - Scintalloso (based on scintillare, ‘to sparkle/shine’, the suffix -oso and an -a instead of on -i in the second syllable. The correct word for ‘sparkling’ is scintillante or brillante)

Japanese - かやがいてる, kayagaiteru (based on かがやいてる (輝いてる)/kagayaiteru, ‘sparkling/shining’)

Macedonian - Cветникаво, svetnikavo (based on светка/svetka, which means ‘sparkle’ and the suffix -никаво/-nikavo)

Polish - Iskrzające (based on iskrzące, 'sparkling')

Serbian/Croatian- Šljokičazmično (based on šljokičasto, ‘glittery/sequined’)

Slovenian- Bleščečitno (based on bleščeče, 'sparkly', and the suffix -no/-tno which serves a similar purpose as the suffix -ive/-tive in English)

Spanish - Brillantivo (based on brillante, ‘sparkling’)

Swedish - Glittererande (based on glittrande, ‘sparkling’)

Turkish - Fışıltılı (based on ışıltılı, ‘sparkling’)

Stožice project:

The fan project at Stožice, in which everyone held coloured hearts to their phone lights and held up signs with a message, was actually organised by JokerOutSubs members! We hope you liked it boys! 

NACE DEJ MI TIČA:

Another slightly odd translation from the London era. This means, ‘Nace, give me your cock’, and was said by Bojan! We made sure to check thoroughly before posting this out to the fanbase!

Uno reverse card:

One of our favourite moments from the See You Soon tour was seeing the entire band sing Umazane misli, as Bojan was tricked with UNO reverse cards by our founder, Anja! You can watch the whole thing here

Gate trga:

In a Val 202 interview in August 2023, Bojan decided to use a piece of Slovene slang, ‘gate trga’, which literally means ‘ripping underwear’, to describe what Martin is up to these days. Cue confusion in all our non-Slovene teams!!! This is a prime example of how difficult slang is to translate, and has become a go to comment for our members when the boys use slang words: “It's another ‘gate trga’ moment!” We translated it as ‘kicking ass’, and you can read the original article here

Sixth layer: 

‘NO’: 

One of our favourite memes to come from our original content - Bojan holding the ‘no’ paddle in Padova looking extremely indignant at the idea of sweatpants in public being a fashion crime. We call him Nojan and we love it! Check out our Padova interview games at 13:10

Only BoMartin hug video:

A fan favourite moment from Stožice was the hug Bojan and Martin shared after he appeared onstage for Kot srce ki kri poganja. It was an incredibly sweet moment, that was captured by the JOS livestream but cut out of the official Stožice documentary! Now it only exists in our saved livestream on Instagram! 

‘You are and are amazing’: 

These were Bojan’s sweet words at the end of our interview in Tampere. It’s at 15:12.

‘Was some AI included?’:

The day of our first interview with Joker Out was also the release date of SSOL. For the occasion, we translated the song in 15 languages! Kris asked if we had done the translations using some AI - but we would NEVER at JokerOutSubs! You can check it out here from 0:31.

RTVSLO notice:

While in Helsinki during the See You Soon tour, one of our members recorded the first playout of Šta bih ja and Bluza and sent the videos straight to our discord server for translation, and they were posted up for everyone to enjoy overnight. We were so happy to see Joker Out themselves mentioned this in their press release about the songs, including the one to RTVSLO!! 

Bojan’s fish hat:

Just some fun JokerOutSubs lore, but the now famous Women want me, fish fear me hat was gifted to Bojan by one of our members during the soundcheck in Milano! He posted a picture right after receiving it. We love to see!

Seventh layer:

‘You don’t love me??’:

In our London interview, we asked Jan and Nace why they chose to do their Damon Baker shoot together, and Jan quite beautifully explained Damon’s vision of a portrayal of non romantic intimacy. Bojan then had to make a joke. You can watch the moment here at 46:43.

Bunda:

We love a good mistranslation here at JokerOutSubs, and many British fans were left confused when the boys posted that Kiki had lost his ‘bunda’ (coat), as it has a very different meaning in the UK! We discussed it in our fan interviews in London for episode 2 of Queue and A! Check it out here at 11:12!

Stolen Joker Rangers meme:

On March 9th, we posted the trailer to our new translation, which was a collaboration with the radio RadioAKTIVNO. For the trailer we used a moment in the interview where the boys talked about which Power Ranger they would be. Of course, we had to make an edit worth of Joker Out!

The very next day, Joker Out posted a picture of themselves as Power Rangers to promote their gig in Kraków. 

A funny coincidence? Maybe. Of course, we had to remark on it!

Demoni karaoke:

During their gig in Helsinki in September, one of our Finnish members sang a Demoni karaoke! You can watch the video from 7:50 here. Way to go!

JokerOutSubs’ biggest fan Nace and second biggest fan Häärijä: 

We can count many important milestones during our first year of life, but nothing beats the moment Häärijä, and later Nace, started following us! Thank you for acknowledging our work!

As a result, we joke that they are our biggest fans. But is it really a joke?? 🤔

Umazane misli in Japanese:

Another amazing karaoke done by one of our amazing members, this time it was Umazane misli in Japanese during the gig in Ljubljana last December. How cool is that?? We posted a video of that on our IG with Japanese subtitles.

Eighth layer:

Wet towel removal and wonky flag tying: 

Our members who interviewed the boys in Padova gave the room a spruce up before recording, including the removal of a pile of wet towels and tying up a very wonky JokerOutSubs flag. We had to credit Anja for this hugely important piece of work, so we snuck some silly credits in at the end of the interview! 

Do solzice: 

When we read a message to the boys at the end of our London interview to explain the impact they’ve had on Slovenian fans, we were all quite emotional! Bojan later posted the message with the caption ‘Tole je bilo pa do solzice’ - ‘This one was a tear jerker’. For us too, Bojan! You can watch the moment here at 56:37.

'Che c***o! (in serbo)': 

We were super happy to see the band post about all the translations we did for the Carpe Diem series, but our Italian team had a giggle that THIS was the screenshot they chose to highlight the new Italian subtitles - this translates to ‘What the fuck? (in Serbian)’.

Furious native English speakers: 

Our native English review is a hugely important part of our process, partly because there’s some things that are consistently mistranslated. Here’s a few that have become iconic within JokerOutSubs for the sheer number of corrections. 

Neki - it’s not ‘some’, it’s 'some kind of'

Dejmo en aplavz - not ‘give an applause’, it’s ’give a ROUND of applause’ 

po eni strani - not ‘on one hand’ but ‘on THE one hand’!

JOS Twitch stream: 

Only the OG’s will know! In the earliest days of JokerOutSubs, we actually streamed a few shows on twitch, where our team was working as fast as possible to live translate in the chat for all the international fans who were watching! The devil works hard but JOS works harder!!

We hope you’ve enjoyed seeing a sneak peek at some of our history, lore, favourite moments and behind the scenes here at JokerOutSubs in honour of our anniversary! Here’s to many more years of translating for you wonderful Baby Boos!

[ekkotimesthree]

Davekat Week Day 7: Fluff

@davekatweek

my last and late entry for davekat week!! it’s been a blast but now my thumbs hurt so bad… totally worth it tho :33

Summary: Okay, so maybe you should’ve mentioned you have a kid already. That’s totally on you, but in your defense, no one ever sticks around when they realize you’re a single dad. Who would wanna spend their early 20’s taking care of somebody else’s kid? And sure, he’s technically your little brother, but most people ghost before they even get the full explanation. Maybe that’s for the best though, you’d rather eat glass than resort to trauma dumping via Tinder DMs for a stranger’s approval and some mediocre sloppy toppy. (Or, an AU where Dave is taking care of Dirk, and Karkat meets him for the first time)

Rating: General Audiences

Archive Warning: No Archive Warnings Apply

Category: M/M

Fandom: Homestuck

Relationships: Dave Strider/Karkat Vantas and Dirk's Bro | Alpha Dave Strider & Dirk Strider

Characters: Dirk's Bro | Alpha Dave Strider, Karkat Vantas, & Dirk Strider

Additional Tags: Tooth-Rotting Fluff, Date Night, Dave’s Taking Care of Dirk, Single Dad Dave, Child Dirk, Earth C (Homestuck), Alternate Universe - No Sburb/Sgrub Sessions, Getting Together, Domestic Fluff, Davekat Week 2024 (Homestuck)