#challenge: ships of 2020

[aerialflight]

i'm writing a gilmore girls fic that involves paris geller from our pandemic year 2020 going back to 2001, around the time jess first comes in to town. very slow burn between jess/paris. i have around 10k words of snippets all over my doc and an outline and i'm slowly becoming re-obsessed with gilmore girls again. what the fuck is up with this fandom that i keep going back to like an on-and-off again boyfriend??? anyway, i have no idea if i'll ever post this and i've been going back and forth on this for what feels like forever. if this sounds at all interesting, let me know.

[bizarrescribblez]

I got hit with the Stan feelings today after going to the Halloween store and I had to stop going through my ship tag cuz I was FR about to 🥲 IM SUCH A SENSITIVE PERSON I SWEAR I just missed it sm but I like miss that era/time frame when it came out and just RAHHGH idk I’m just being emotional over it is all..

[mcytblraufest]

MCYTBLR AU Fest 2025: Battleship — General Rules and FAQ

TIMELINE (all times EST): 

May 1: Freeform tag nominations open at 0:00.

May 17: Discord opens at 0:00, Relationship tag nomination starts.

May 19: Freeform tag nominations close at 23:59.

May 24: Signups open at 0:00.

May 28: Relationship tag nominations closes at 23:59.

May 30: Signups close at 23:59.

May 31-June 1: Mods make teams. As soon as teams are complete: gameplay starts.

Aufest creation is expected to run for three weeks after gameplay starts, and will have a two week anonymous reading period after gameplay comes to an end. You can expect the discord to be closing down approximately one week into July.

ABOUT:

MCYTBLR AU Fest 2025: Battleship is a MCYT creation event inspired by the multi-fandom event Battleship where teams of artists, writers, podficcers and web weavers work together to clear game boards faster than the other teams. Each team's board will be made up of squares marked with tags, and a square will be cleared when enough works containing that tag have been posted by that team. Clear your team's board and find traps and treasure, beat word count bosses, and post works faster than the other teams!

AU Fest Battleship is based on the multifandom Battleship Exchange, originally created in 2020 by Soulstoned and Red Ranger, inspired by a community challenge in the Trick or Treat exchange. Without the generous use of the multifandom spreadsheets created by current Battleship mod Firebird, AU Fest Battleship would not be possible.

EXPECTATION: 

Artists can claim any tag clearly represented in their work, to a maximum of 100 tags per work.

Writers can claim any tag clearly represented in their work, with one tag per 100 words posted, a minimum of 300 words per work and a maximum of 100 tags claimed per work. (For example, a 3,200 word work could claim 32 tags, as long as each tag is clearly represented in the work.)

Podficcers can claim any tag clearly represented in the world they're podficcing, with one tag per 100 words of source material, a minimum of 300 words per work and a maximum of 100 tags claimed per work. (For example, a 700 word original source material could claim 7 tags, as long as each tag is clearly represented in the original work). Podficced works must have author permission.

Web weavers can claim any tag clearly represented in the work, with one tag per element of the weave, to a maximum of 100 tags per work, and a minimum of three elements per web weave. All elements must be clearly credited.

RULES:

You must be a member of the discord, for team communication.

Because of Tumblr, Ao3 and Discord TOS, you must be 13 to participate. You must be 18 to participate in an 18plus team.

Respect your fellow participants, even when you disagree on fandom matters

You agree to cooperate with your teammates to the best of your ability, even if you disagree about game tactics. Mods will discord jail people for extended arguing and asshole behaviour will get you kicked from the event.

All works must be mcyt-themed and set in an au— no canon-compliance.

The collection will be opened when at least one team has won the event and every participant has at least one gift.

All works must be complete and created for Aufest 2025.

All works must be gifted to a fellow participant in the event, respecting their DNWs and adhering to their requested ships and tags.

Dark or triggering topics or themes must be tagged for.

No AI-Generated content.

Don't be an asshole.

LINKS:

Discord: Here Ao3 relationship tags [here] Ao3 freeform tags [All Ages here] [18 Plus here] Ao3 Collection: [All Ages here] [18 Plus here] Overflow Prompt Collection: [All Ages here] [18 Plus here] Signup tutorial: Here

FAQ:

What is MCYTBLR AU Fest? MCYTBLR AU Fest 2025: Battleship is a collaborative gifting event where creators come together in teams to create fan works centred on MCYT and set in an alternate universe from canon.

How does it work? 

Nominations and Signups: The event starts with a ship nomination week, where participants nominate ship tags that they want to be available for the event. Mods release a list of event tags covering different aus, themes, or tropes that will be used in gameplay. Once signup opens participant sign up on Ao3 in either the 18-plus or the all-ages collection, using the ship tags nominated earlier, indicating which ships would make a good gift for them, and which event tags they opt into for each ship. For each request you can also fill out a DNW to list things that you do not want as part of a gift to you.

Gameplay: Mods will divide participants into separate teams, and each team will be issued a 10*10 bingo-style board with tags in each square. Participants mark "hits" by posting a work featuring that tag, and once a square is "hit" a certain number of times, mods will reveal if that square contained treasure or a trap. Teams will race to find all the traps on their board and move on to the next round.

Each posted work must be gifted to another participant, respecting their requested ships and Do Not Want, and featuring at least one tag that the person requested. Works should also feature one or more tags from your team’s board to accumulate “hits.” Gifts can be given to your own team members or members of the opposing team.

The rounds go 1) tag board, 2) word count boss, 3) a different tag board, 4) word count boss, 5) final round with every tag in play. Aufest gameplay is over when at least one team has cleared the final tag board, and every participant has at least one gift.

Reading Weeks: All the works are revealed once gameplay is over, and then we take two weeks to read and comment on everyone's works!

What type of MCYT is included? We welcome creations based on any SMP, whether or not they have a canon tag on Ao3. Mianite, DSMP, QSMP, Hermitcraft, 3rd Life, Lifesteal, Witchcraft SMP— it’s all welcome. Crossovers are also welcome.

Can I join if my Art is a Game/Fan Song/Bookbind? While we love seeing different types of art, for this round of aufest participation is restricted to the four types of creation mentioned above— art, fic, podfic, web weave— because of the difficulty of calculating points and processing works quickly during gameplay.

Is shipping allowed? Yes. Because there is no broad fandom-wide consensus about how Creator boundaries are to be enforced in specific cases (whether it's okay to write beeduo as /r or /p is an obvious one, or whether it’s permitted to ship Joel Smallishbeans) or between specific fandoms (Lifesteal approach to shipping and boundaries is different from HBG is different from DSMP), the mods will not be policing any specific understanding of boundaries across the event. The event's motivating ethos is Don't Like Don't Read, in that participants will be able to indicate through tags in signups if they are interested in a given relationship being interpreted as romantic or platonic, and what subject matter they're interested in, and this must be respected when gifts are given. NSFW will have to be opted into and is only able to be opted into if you are part of the 18plus collection.

Is NSFW allowed? Yes. NSFW works are allowed, but must be opted into, both in the signup and by being part of the 18-Plus collection. No one under 18 is permitted to join the 18-plus collection. For the comfort of the greatest number of participants, and to conform with Tumblr TOS, anything with the tags Underage Sex or Adult/Minor Relationship will not be permitted to be part of the event. 

How are Minors defined for the purposes of those warnings? We are primarily using the age within the work— so if the fic itself would require the tags. With recent server epilogues setting a "canon age" has become increasingly difficult across servers, and this is further complicated because of the fandom's tendency to both age up or age down their characters. It is no longer tenable to make a list of characters who are always minors (and by extension, those who are not), when we are taking about aus that frequently modify their ages anyways. As such, we are asking people to make sure that the work they create has all necessary characters being of-age in the work. In cases of ambiguity the mods will be interpreting with an attempt at good faith, but note that clear attempt to circumvent the content rules will fall under the "do not be an asshole" provision and could also result in a ban.

Note: the exception to this rule is if the streamer themselves is currently confirmed to be a minor. Even in an au, adult/minor relationships or Underage Sex would not be permitted in that case.

Are major archive warnings (noncon/graphic depictions of violence/MCD) allowed? Aside from content rules about underage, major archive warnings are allowed. Depictions of real life horrors such as genocide and slavery are not-uncommon motifs in MCYT fics, and the mod team is not interested in legislating which types of horrors, griefs or abuses are inherently worse than others and are therefore off-limits. Because holding writing to a quality standard or saying only survivors can write atrocities is unworkable from a moderation standpoint, the three mentioned major archive warnings (MCD, Graphic Depictions of Violence, Noncon), are permitted to be included.

However, Major Archive Warnings must be explicitly opted into during signups, and delivering un-asked for major archive warnings is grounds for a ban from the event. The major archive warning rape/non-con is only able to be opted into as part of the 18-plus collection.

What is a DNW? Participants will have the opportunity to fill out a DNW, which stands for Do Not Want. This is anything that has the potential to ruin a gift for you, and is where you opt out of content that would trigger, squick, or just render the gift unreadable for you. DNWs must be phrased politely, (so no "No foster aus because they suck and you suck if you like them"), and they must be reasonable, (so no "no blood/injury" if you also opted into graphic depictions of violence, and no attempting to box someone into a specific gift beyond what is depicted in the art, so no "dnw anything that isn't a modern au where scar is a theatre teacher and grian is a biology teacher and they live in a city named hermitopia and grian has a situationship with mumbo and scarian has a rivalry at a coffee shop for the half-price muffins and jellie has psychic powers she's manipulating the muffin market with"), and they must be specific and clear, (so no “no triggering content"). However, they can be as petty (disliking 1st person) or as broad-reaching (no modern aus, no specific ships not opted into, no crossovers with specific servers or fics) as you like. Deliberately breaking someone's DNW is grounds for a ban from the exchange. 

Is Dark/Violent content allowed? As long as it is something that the person has not DNWed, yes. For many of us, the source material that originally drew us to the fandom includes major character death, torture, murder-for-hire, death games, public executions, child death and more. The fanfiction that arose from the source material follows in that trend. We will allow dark content to be part of the event, but it must be tagged for. 

We also ask that participants use best judgement in delivering commonly triggering topics un-asked for. We reserve the right to ban people at mod's discretion for delivering unrequested triggering content, under the "do not be an asshole" rule.

Moreover, if your fic is rated E for any reason, (including violence or gore) it can only be delivered if you are on an 18-plus team, gifted to another 18-plus team member.

How can I get involved? You can participate in this event as a:

Author

Artist

Web Weaver

Podficcer

Mod

Can I participate as a pinch hitter? This event doesn't require pinch hitters in the normal way, because there are no assignments— everyone picks who they want to gift to, as many times as they want. However, the event doesn't end until everyone has a gift, so at the end of the event a list of everyone who doesn't have a gift yet will be posted, and it will be possible for anyone to make a gift for those people at that time. However, in the normal run of an exchange before 14% and 20% of an exchange is pinch-hit, with anywhere from a month to a day to make the gift, and in multifandom battleship the giftless list that gets released is closer to 2% to 3% of the event, with all gifts due ASAP. There are far fewer gifts due in this way, and the format and schedule is quite different. If you are planning to wait to pick up an assignment in this way, you should know that it doesn't work like traditional pinch hitting. If you know you want to participate in the event, you would do better to join a team (you can still pick your own assignment in a manner similar to pinch-hitting), or treat as a non-team-member during the event by picking from the giftless list.

Can I join as a Mod? This event is going to need a lot of modding, as the back end is intensive. We will need mods both to help moderate the discord and keep things collaborative and convivial, and we will need mods to do ao3 backend and spreadsheet work (the spreadsheets are extensive). Mod applications will go up in April. Because of the possibility of handling 18-plus material, all mods will need to be 18 or older.

You said spreadsheets? The spreadsheeting for this event is chiefly thanks to the ingenious Firebird, mod of the original battleship, who did things with spreadsheets we did not know were possible. This event would not work without her coding.

When do I have to join the discord? You have the option to join the discord as soon as it opens on May 17, and we ask that you join before signups close on May 30th.

How does team assignment/claims work? After you fill out your Ao3 signup, you will will out a google form that will ask you some questions that will allow us to balance teams (so that we don't have all the podficcers on one team, for example, or all the faster writers on a different team). Mods will balance the teams based on the google form. If you do not fill out the google form, you will be assigned a team at random.

I'm a slow writer, can I still be involved? Slow writers are an invaluable asset to any team, and are definitely still welcome. As long as you think you can get at least one work finished during the three weeks of the creation period, please, join us!

It sounds like you make works based on tags, but I'm a slow writer and I'm afraid my team is going to clear my board before I finish my work. Can I still help my team? Half the event tags will be on the first board and half on the second, so as soon as you see the first board, you'll know which ones will be on the second, and then you can aim for a work that hits tags from both boards. Let's say the first board is revealed and it has "storms" but not "rain". You start writing a work where rain storms are prominent. Possibilities:

you finish the work during the first board, and hit the "storms" tag.

you finish it during the first boss, and your wordcount goes to defeating the boss.

you finish it during the second board, and hit the "rain" tag.

you finish it during the second boss, and your wordcount goes to defeating the boss.

you finish it during the final board and both rain and storms are in play, and you hit both tags.

you finish it after the game ends and the recipient gets a treat.

The fic I'm writing is turning into a multi-chapter. Do I have to have it all written before I post? Mods will only process tags on works that have been marked as "complete", so yes, you do have to have it all written before you post. Remember, you can claim a maximum of 100 tags per work, so aiming for 10k there or thereabouts will allow you to be maximally efficient.

Can I post a comic? Comics are a great way to hit some more unusual tags! Comic away! However, substantially repeating material in an attempt to boost word count or length is not permitted, so comic panels copied with only minor variations may not be accepted.

What does AU mean in this context? AU stands for Alternate Universe and in this case means anything that would make the work not able to be tagged as canon compliant. Alternate endings, role reversals, complete setting or plot swaps, and crossovers all count. As this is a fest specifically to celebrate AUs, we ask that the AU be a significant and celebrated part of the work, not something that could be skipped if you aren’t paying attention. 

Can I look at the tags before creation period starts? The tag list will be released during nominations week, so everyone can get a look at it and consider which tags work best for their blorbos. We will be asking for community submissions in early May, so you might even get to help build the tag list yourself.

Can I create multiple fics? The spirit of battleship is all about creating multiple works, but we still want everyone to have a chance to contribute. Participants are capped at seven works per tag board or 50k per word count boss, to allow their other team members to contribute.

Can I use AI to help me with my piece? You must create your work yourself, as that is the spirit of the event. Works may not be wholly or partially created by generative text or art programs (so-called "AI") such as chatGPT or OpenArt.ai. Works may not be wholly or partially duplicated from other works, and may not contain substantial repeated material included in an effort to boost word count (such as paragraphs or comics panels that are copied with minor variations).

What if I need to drop out? We know that life is no respecter of event deadlines, so there's no hard feelings if something happens. However, if you are fully going to be unable to contribute for the rest of the event, please contact the mods, because boards may need to be re-balanced if your team is down a member.

I have a question not answered here? Send us an ask on tumblr, contact @antimony-medusa on tumblr or discord!

[roublardise]

Hello sapphicnatural cule!! after some vibe checking, I thought we ought to celebrate Femslash February together ✨

This time, I'm proposing an event centered around fanfics, in order to celebrate all that's been written so far.

Instead of settling on one common reading challenge, I suggest we each pick our own reading challenge. That way, we'll all have our own goal and reading list, depending on our individual tastes in fics and how much we'd like to step out of our comfort zone. To add more fun and some group activities, the event will kick off by sharing rec lists (≠ from the reading lists), and end up with taking inspiration from one (or more) of these fanfics to create!!

TLDR: #Sapphicnaturalreads is an event in three parts, taking place through the month of February:

week one - REC-ING

we post rec lists of femslash fics

writers are welcome to share their own works

we set up our own reading challenge & to-read list

weeks two & three - READING

WE READ!!

we live-read, we post quick reviews after finishing each fic, we discuss, we expand, we dig up old fanarts, ...

we don't forget to comment on ao3

week four - CREATING

we take inspiration from one (or more) fics we've read! you can go wherever your heart takes you:

make an edit about a fic you've read

draw a ship from a fic you've read

make an amv for a ship you've read

write a poem about a theme present in a fic you've read

write a one-shot about a fic you've discovered

...

I will try to rb everyone's lists and posts but can't assure I'll get them all. So please tag your posts with #SapphicnaturalReads so we can all find them and find each others! 💕

.

To help get started, here's some examples of challenges:

reading a fic a day

reading fics of a same pairing (a ship you've never read about / your favorite / ...)

reading fics with a tagged trope you like (sharing a bed / fake dating / enemies to lovers / ...)

reading ficlets of less than 1k

or longer fics, of more than 10k

reading fics from the so-called golden era (let's say, pre-2016)

or on the contrary, focusing on fics posted post-2020

only reading rarepairs

handpicking specific fics you've been wanting to read for a long time - their time is now!

...

You can find femslash fics in the different ao3 collections: Sapphicnatural - Sapphicnatural Rare Pairs - Sapphicnatural One Hit Wonders - Sapphicnatural Poly Ships - Sapphicnatural Solo Works

or in the #fic tag of @sapphicnaturalrights for some tumblr-onlies made during the Sapphicnatural Weeks

my asks & dms are opened for any question!

✨📚 SEE YOU SOON 📚✨

[devine-fem]

i am BEGGING you to make that jondami ship guide. not because i need anything to make me ship them more than i already do but because they deserve to have their good moments highlighted

Jondami/Damijon shipping guide.

A collective guide to any cute moment between Jon and Damian in DC comics or motion pictures. Any moment that could make a reader like them more as a ship will be put all here in one Tumblr post.

• Superman (2016) Issues #10-#11

This is the first time they meet each other and they immediately knock heads. Jon’s lighter than life personality clashes with Damian’s cold personality and they don’t seem to get along but you can tell there’s something growing behind the eye rolling and tongue clicking… a friendship?

• Superman (2016) Issue #20, #21, #25, #26 (mentioned), and #43.

• Super Sons (2017)

This is the first of the Super Sons series, the series is really short but gold nonetheless. No Super Sons comic that I don’t like but this one is my favorite. They still are knocking heads and refuse to call each other partners but they grow and learn to be heroes together.

• Adventures of the Super Sons (2018)

They slowly start to get used to each other and this comic shows that Damian isn’t just straight up mean but is starting to somewhat ‘like’ Jon.

• Challenge of the Super Sons (2020)

The last main Super Sons comics. This one is fine but I love the others so much. These comics are essential to know Jon and Damian period, it’s the main comics of each others story and in a way they are important to each others development.

• Batman and Superman: Battle of the Super Sons (2022)

Now after all that reading treat yourself to a movie because Jon and Damian got their own movie. This is what started Jon and Damian for a lot of people and this is probably where a lot of you are from. This movie is great and fun. They made Damian wayyy nicer than in the comics and their friendship easier.

• DC Rebirth Holiday Special (2016)

Please find and read this. It’s so cute. I love it so much.

• Dark Nights: Metal issue #3 (2017 -2018)

They make a rock band in the beginning, its so cute.

• DCeased (2019)

• DCeased: The Unkillables (2020)

• DCeased: Hope at World’s End (2020)

• DCeased: Dead Planet (2020)

• DCeased: War of the Undead Gods (2022)

This is such a good series, and story in general please read it. DC peaked with this one and its so angsty. I don’t care what comphet was happening, Jon was there for Damian like no one else. I think Damian ends up with Cassie which is weird to me because Damian has never shown interest in anyone before but I excuse it since it’s not really gonna happen again since they were in a relationship just for the story to be more high stakes and sad. Jon and Damian’s relationship was at the forefront and for comic book readers DCeased made people see the potential in Jondami.

• DC’s Terror Through Time (2022)

This is so cute, please read this. It’s a halloween special and they switch uniforms <3!!

• DC Saved by the Belle Reve (2022)

They help a nonbinary person navigate school and it’s so damn cute.

• The age up incident.

(Disclaimer: You can pretend this never happens and I wouldn’t blame you for doing that.) A writer named Brain Micheal Bendis comes into the writers room for DC and ages up Jon in short. The story is that Superman goes missing (He travels to War World and gets stuck there) and Jor-El comes back to meet Jon and he takes him on a trip to explore space, then they get trapped in a wormhole, Jon gets stuck on Earth-3 and has to fight Ultraman. He’s stuck in a volcano for five or six years and becomes seventeen (we think) when he comes back. This was sad to me because it took away all the potential interactions for Jon and our ability to see him grow up, it was rushed and purposely so. Jon takes up the title of Superman somehow and starts to date some guy named “Jay Nakamura.”

• Superman: Son of Kal-El (2021) Issues: #1, #6, #14, and #15.

He does get a boyfriend here and I think it’s amazing the fact he simply gets a boyfriend but no one really likes his bf so… and the are real reasons why Jay as a character is problematic BUT if you just don't want to see him with someone else than every time you see a pink haired twink, quickly skip.

• Adventures of Superman: Jon Kent

• Super Sons (2017) Special

This is them reuniting after the age up and it shows how Damian reacts to it. I can’t actually find this and if anyone can please let me know where it is. I can only find bits and pieces of it scattered across the internet. All you need to know is that he doesn’t like the age up anymore than us since he says “I miss my friend.” which is really sad to me because the age up ultimately really hurts what people like about their dynamic as well as tarnish Jon’s character almost completely.

UPDATE: found it, it got attached to

• Dark Crisis (2022) till Issue #5

This is fine, after issue four Jon and Damian are not there anymore and if you read half the story just for jon and damian you might as well finish it.

• Green Lantern: Blackstars (2019) issue #2

They hug here. You’re welcome.

• Action Comics (2016) issue #1030

This is the best thing to come from the age up. This is so cute of them.

• Teen Titans (2016) Issue #43, #45, and #46

i didnt really like this, im not gonna lie but it has some damian and jon interaction worth noting with jon being protective over damian.

• Flash (2016) Issue #797

jon defending damian. this is such a cute moment for them. jon talks damian up and says how hes the strongest person he knows and how hes misunderstood.

• Legion of Super Heroes (2019) Issue #2 & #3

dont read this. its rlly bad but this is full of jon being the number one damian apologist, quality jondsmi moments over quantity. worth mentioning • Trinity Special: World’s Finest literally them raising a child together but their ages are a bit wonkey, i still dont personally know what age either of them are supposed to be there...

DC MEETS HANNA-BARBERA - Super Sons x Dynomutt

I’d say they aren’t exactly written right, well over all they are but their personalities are more relaxed and they care about each other a lot and will go out of their way to make sure the other is okay and protect them from danger, make them laugh etc, theres nothing wrong with this, its really cute but you can tell its not the typical jon and damian writers is all. I like it.

• Dark Crisis: The Dark Academy (2023)

• Wonder Woman (2016) Issue #800

- Fandom

Artist that draw Jon and Damian:

(I don’t know any of these accounts intimately so if they’re problematic in any way than I am sorry in advance)

Sheiya Vlad

Pechaghtlecha

Corinthianrm0

Hobiiiebrown

spider-jaysart

arunneronthird

Twitter

Hokke

Gozer

@_1209E

YouTube

Justice Lords Animation

Japanese Animation

Super Sons Meme Animation

- Fanfics

Trust fall by Ididloveyou_once

Those Who Wait by InsaneTrollLogic

moving in stereo by TheResurrectionist

Reasons to Not Fall in Love by nanami

Growing Pains

These are fics I read and liked, I don’t have much. I don’t read a lot of Jondami fan fiction so I insist that you recommend your own fanfiction in the comments. (Don’t hate me for the self promo)

- Music (A silly lil playlist I made for them)

END

[nunan-neomuyeppeoseo]

Hihii I just wanted to ask how your doing and I wanted to drop a request in here !!

Top! Jeonghan x bttm! Male reader

[ ] I'm down bad for jeonghan it's not even funny anymore.

[ ] Ok so get this the reader and jeonghan are childhood bestfriends and they debut in svt together (already cute ik) so jeonghan is so madly inlove with the reader and spoils him endlessly and the reader can literally do anything and jeonghan would still look at him with the most adoration in his eyes the world has seen . And during Nana tour (you can watch it for free on dramacool) the fans literally see them all cuddly with eachother (they are normally too but it was even more ) and then fans like make cute posts about them and stuff (I forgot to add that they are in a relationship)

𝗁𝗂𝗂𝗂, 𝖨'𝗆 𝖽𝗈𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝗉𝗋𝖾𝗍𝗍𝗒 𝗐𝖾𝗅𝗅 𝗂𝗆 𝗁𝗈𝗉𝖾 𝗒𝗈𝗎𝗋 𝗀𝗈𝗈𝖽 𝖺𝗌 𝗐𝖾𝗅𝗅! 𝖨'𝗅𝗅 𝖺𝖽𝗆𝗂𝗍 𝖨'𝗆 𝖺𝗅𝗌𝗈 𝗏𝖾𝗋𝗒 𝖽𝗈𝗐𝗇 𝖻𝖺𝖽 𝖿𝗈𝗋 𝗃𝖾𝗈𝗇𝗀𝗁𝖺𝗇, 𝖨 𝗅𝗈𝗏𝖾 𝗒𝗈𝗎𝗋 𝗂𝖽𝖾𝖺 𝗌𝗈 𝗆𝗎𝖼𝗁 𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝖨'𝗅𝗅 𝖻𝖾 𝗌𝗎𝗋𝖾 𝗍𝗈 𝖼𝗁𝖾𝖼𝗄 𝗈𝗎𝗍 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝖼𝗈𝗇𝖼𝖾𝗋𝗍 𝗐𝗁𝖾𝗇 𝖨 𝗁𝖺𝗏𝖾 𝗍𝗂𝗆𝖾!!

𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 ── 𝗒𝗈𝗈𝗇 𝗃𝖾𝗈𝗇𝗀𝗁𝖺𝗇

𝖾𝗏𝖾𝗋 𝗌𝗂𝗇𝖼𝖾 𝗍𝗁𝖾𝗂𝗋 𝖿𝗂𝗋𝗌𝗍 𝗆𝖾𝖾𝗍𝗂𝗇𝗀, 𝗃𝖾𝗈𝗇𝗀𝗁𝖺𝗇 𝗐𝖺𝗌 𝖼𝗈𝗆𝗉𝗅𝖾𝗍𝖾𝗅𝗒 𝖾𝗇𝗋𝖺𝗉𝗍𝗎𝗋𝖾𝖽 𝖻𝗒 𝗆!𝗋𝖾𝖺𝖽𝖾𝗋, 𝖿𝗋𝗈𝗆 𝗁𝗂𝗌 𝗉𝖾𝗋𝗌𝗈𝗇𝖺𝗅𝗂𝗍𝗒 𝗍𝗈 𝗁𝗂𝗌 𝗅𝗈𝗈𝗄𝗌. 𝗃𝖾𝗈𝗇𝗀𝗁𝖺𝗇 𝗐𝖺𝗌 𝖼𝗈𝗆𝗉𝗅𝖾𝗍𝖾𝗅𝗒 𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝗎𝗍𝗍𝖾𝗋𝗅𝗒 𝗂𝗇 𝗅𝗈𝗏𝖾 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴

○▹ 𝗂𝖽𝗈𝗅 𝗃𝖾𝗈𝗇𝗀𝗁𝖺𝗇 𝗑 𝖺𝖽𝖽𝖾𝖽 𝗆𝖾𝗆𝖻𝖾𝗋 𝗆!𝗋𝖾𝖺𝖽𝖾𝗋 (𝖿𝗍. 𝗋𝖾𝗌𝗍 𝗈𝖿 𝗌𝖾𝗏𝖾𝗇𝗍𝖾𝖾𝗇) 𝘄𝗰. 𝟧𝟢𝟩 𝘄. 𝗌𝗅𝗂𝗀𝗁𝗍𝗅𝗒 𝗒𝗈𝗎𝗇𝗀𝖾𝗋 𝗋𝖾𝖺𝖽𝖾𝗋 (𝟣𝟫𝟫𝟪 𝗅𝗂𝗇𝖾𝗋), 𝗃𝖾𝗈𝗇𝗀𝗁𝖺𝗇 𝖻𝖾𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝖽𝗈𝗍𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝗌𝗆𝗂𝗍𝗍𝖾𝗇, 𝗀𝖺𝗒

Since the very beginning, Jeonghan had been struck by the beauty of the m!n. Despite the three-year age gap and the fact that m!n was male, Jeonghan couldn't help but feel captivated by his presence. To Jeonghan, m!n was one of the most mesmerizing individuals he had ever come across.

In 2013, Jeonghan joined Pledis at the young age of 17. Over the years, he had experienced fleeting crushes and even been in previous relationships. However, everything changed when m!n entered the picture in early 2014. Jeonghan realized that his feelings for m!n were much deeper than a simple crush. He found himself completely captivated by m!n, whether it was his radiant personality or his talents as an idol. It was as if m!n had ensnared Jeonghan's heart like a net, refusing to let go. Jeonghan didn't mind at all - he was happily captivated by this irresistible pull.

Later in their careers, after years of friendship and working together, Jeonghan finally mustered the courage to confess his feelings to m!n in early 2020. This confession coincided with the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, adding an extra layer of uncertainty. Fortunately, m!n reciprocated his feelings, solidifying a new chapter in their relationship amidst the challenging circumstances. Their relationship only seemed to blossom to conscious touching to Jeonghan’ s bold displays of affection on and off camera, and although the couple never explicitly told fans their had their inklings especially when October 2023 rolled round along with their ‘NANA Tour’.

With the freedom of being a relationship within a group, Jeonghan didn’t have to worry about the headlines of his ‘out of character’ behaviour: especially with the fact he participated in skin ship with a lot of the younger members, however what did catch both fans and non fans attention was his actions towards the third youngest member. Sticking to him like glue, never letting m!n move to far away from him even if it was a few metres.

Jeonghan knew that his transformed self would inevitably attract a great deal of notice, but he had reached a point where he was unconcerned. He had finally found happiness, even though the relationship had to be kept under wraps. He was deeply in love, and for him, that was the most important thing.

Following the tour, fans were still pondering the topic of ‘Jeonghan & m!n’ compilation videos, along with ‘evidence’ proving their relationship. With clips spanning from that disastrous green room.             

Jeonghan's adoring gaze toward m!n was as if he believed m!n hung the moon, while m!n's look at Jeonghan conveyed a sense of finding his soulmate. This mutual admiration and connection between the two filled the fans' hearts with joy and contentment, two of the members finding solace in each other even if that means Jeonghan lets the younger of the two get away with anything causing even more fights in GOSE episodes, both the fans and the other members could live with little meaningless disagreements if it meant something much more meaningful would grow and flourish.

[pointyhatspointyears]

Then & Now: OCs & Gposing

Tagged by @sparrowsong-7 @l3ylines & @lynxden (thank you <3)

This'll be long and all over the place because I took a very different direction with gposing this years and it's been very uh educational. Learned to use posing tools less than a year ago and it's really given our characters more life and made a world of difference. Old embarrassing screenshots incoming.. (but the point here is to show ~Growth~ and I hope it motivates you to keep improving too. and push through all the bugs and that existential ennui hit when your game crashes before youve taken a single screenshot ;-;)

-

Random sentimental observations first, going through old folders..

My gurl aged. But the older she got the happier we both were. We discovered ✨boundaries✨ together.

Her fem elezen Era of 2013-2014 had a bit of both Gabriel & Theneras in her. Nerdy elf and grumpy elf were always there. Never realized. (also apparently we've always had that annoying light/shadow shimmer effect and it's not just a post DT lighting thing)

Apparently I've been wearing the same outfit since 2018. Sometimes you just put on a hat and your character says Yup. That's me. Forever. You'll just have to find a way to squeeze under. (sorry for +6 years of clipping, sweetie, but it was your gift and I'm never taking it off)

Gabriel and @pocketyoukai's Yuusei were besties since 2016 before they were RP characters. and he'll always be a loving doting dad retainer to her sister.

2020- Goose & Amalthea were girlfriends before we realized they were girlfriends. The ship sailed itself.

2018: discovered GIF making. Tried to put it to good use..

…but I just kept making shitposts. which didn't last long thankfully.

..And I'm glad it was short-lived, because when I focused more on telling stories through gposing, especially this past year, it's like my brain got rewired to view this world differently, through the eyes of a little sprout again. If I was going to use screenshots only and no words, I had to take shots/gifs of different things to set my scene and experiment with angles I wouldn't otherwise have considered (and fail 50% of the time and try something else. timing is so tricky😭)

..not to mention, when you're thirsty and need to work around censorship you also get creative with angles and visual subtext

It's 10x more fun and rewarding, albeit challenging especially if you don't want to use any crime tools. But doable. And just as fun and rewarding. And I want to do more of this (and fail and keep experimenting) next year and see you tell more of your stories your way too. and be inspired by and fall in love with your characters.

..I was very much 100% vanilla, as in not even shaders, until early 2020. And started using posing tools about a year ago. When you say "your characters have more character!" (you know who you are) I know exactly what you mean now and that makes me very emotional ;-; it really wasn't the case until less than a year ago. a lil criminal activity goes a long way.

Also vanilla kisses were so hard to gpose and turned out so funny. Note to self never to /puckerup for kisses. ever. But we did our best and learned a lot. A ton more kissing next year for sure.

-

A little late so not sure who hasn't done this yet. Tagging my new favorite gpose storyteller @quiethealer , @squidzure (you've shown us Rhea's glow-up but where is Birdie's glow-up!), partner in storytelling & crime @pocketyoukai & @pumpkinmagekupo

and if you're seeing this and are happy with the growth you've done lately... doeet. Show me your embarrassing shots and the shots you're most proud of this year.

[tides-that-bind-us]

Tokitae & Kiska

Reading about the history of these two orcas was a lot to take in, and they're not the only two who went through these experiences. The story of Tokitae absolutely broke me.

Trying to summarize it without somehow lessening the importance is also a challenge. I don't want to make this into some kind of depressive spiral, but I also feel its important to share, you know?

The picture itself was to show how small and dirty their tanks were, though they didn't live near each other (Kiska in Canada, and Tokitae was in Miami) the pattern was pretty much the same, wasnt it?

Kiska

Kiska was captured in 1979 in the North Atlantic Ocean when she was about three years old. She was sold to Marineland in Canada, alongside another killer whale named Keiko who was later sold to an aquarium in Mexico (wild fact: that is the same Keiko who starred in Free Willy)

She was kept for breeding purposes and had five calves in total, all who died too soon. Marineland made a deal with Seaworld, to borrow one of their orca males as a breeding partner for Kiska. But he was too young at the time and so the park owners decided it would be a chance for the two to bond first. Things were taking too long and Seaworld wanted their orca back, and Marineland refused. The issue was taken to court and Sea World won, and their orca was flown back to their park. It would be the last killer whale Kiska would ever see. From 2011 up to her death in 2023 she remained completely isolated in her tank. She was nicknamed the World's Loneliest Orca ;__;

In 2019, the Canadian Parliament passed the Ending the Captivity of Whales and Dolphins Act which made Kiska the last orca in captivity in Canada. Besides banning future attempts of putting cetaceans in captivity, the act also prohibits animals still in captivity to be used for entertainment or breeding purposes.

A man named Phil Demers, also called the Walrus Whisperer, brought attention to the conditions Kiska lived in. Videos of her swimming in circles, floating aimlessly, and even bashing her head against the tank walls went viral. Kiska's situation sparked a lot of conversation about the treatment of killer whales in captivity. Orcas are extremely intelligent and emotionally complex animals who live in social groups and this turned a spotlight on the cruelty of the industry and a call to figure out more humane solutions.

Unfortunately help didn't come fast enough for Kiska, and she passed away from a bacterial infection in March 2023. The biggest issue was coming up with ways to provide sanctuaries for whales and dolphins still in captivity. Groups like the Whale Sanctuary Project are working to model a seaside sanctuary in Nova Scotia for orcas and other cetaceans who can't go back into the wild. Sea Life Trust in Iceland has created the first beluga sanctuary with with Whale and Dolphin Conservation, and their first residents (named Little White and Little Grey) arrived back in spring of 2020.

Tokitae

She had a similar story like Kiska. She was a southern pacific killer whale who was captured in the 70's when she was only three or four, then she was shipped to a seaquarium in Miami. There she was penned with a male orca named Hugo who was caught a couple of years earlier. For a time they were kept separated in fear they wouldn't get along. But Hugo was also a pacific resident and when they were heard calling to each other they were put together.

Over the years she was trained and performed with Hugo. Tokitae's name was changed to Lolita, according to he owners they "didn't want people to know where she came from." She also became pregnant several times but Tokitae never delivered a live calf.

In 1980 Hugo died from a brain aneurysm and despite that, Tokitae was pushed to perform. It was said she would look for Hugo but the owners brushed it off saying she got over the loss. Since then the seaquarium had her paired off with several tank companions including a pilot whale, a risso's dolphin, a short beaked common dolphin and several pacific white sided dolphins.

In 2019 the Luumi Nation called for Tokitae's release. They gave her the name Sk'aliCh'elh-tenaut which meant that she is a member of Sk’aliCh’elh, the resident family of orcas who call the Salish Sea home. And two Luumi women invoked the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) which calls for the protection and return of Native American human remains, funerary objects, sacred objects, and objects of cultural patrimony.

The Luumi Nation consider killer whales to be their kin, therefore Tokitae belonged with them and in her natal waters in the Salish Sea. Several members of the Luumi Nation made comparisons of Tokitae's situation to that of native children being stolen and indoctrinated. It was their duty to bring her back.

The Miami Seaquarium came under legal fire in 2021. A 17 page report was released by the USDA about the conditions Tokitake and other cetacean residents were living under. Such as ignoring the vet's advice in letting Toki rest, instead the trainers continued to make her perform high energy behaviors which ended up causing Tokitae to injure her jaw. Both she and the dolphins were fed rotting fish. And Toki developed eye injuries due to the highly chlorinated water in the tank.

In 2022, The Dolphin Company took full ownership of the Miami Seaquarium, and Tokitae was retired and taken off display, mainly to help her recover from the jaw injury she sustained earlier. Then in 2023, the seaquarium partnered with an organization called Friends of Tokitae to return her to the Salish Sea. With the guidance of the Luumi Nation the plan was to build a sea pen which would take 18 to 24 months. Tokitae would be safe, but never be wild again, as the main concern was acclimatizing her and the dangers of exposing any infections or diseases she carried to the already endangered pacific resident orcas.

But like Kiska, Tokitae passed away in her tank in August of 2023 due to old age and other chronic illnesses she had. She spent over fifty years in captivity. Her ashes were given to the Luumi Nation and they were taken to a sacred spot and spread in a traditional water ceremony in September.

It was said the southern resident killer whales came together in a super pod the day Tokitae died.

[nikonladyz4]

JK and JM decision to enlist together.

​​⁠JK and JM felt it was in their best interest to serve together. This speaks to the bond they have, whatever their relationship is or is not. They both knew that tattoos could limit life choices for them, yet they still chose to ink themselves. During the live, it was Jimin who spoke about wanting to join the Special Forces. JK seemed to mumble something too. The unit they were speaking of is the ROK Special Forces unit that reports directly to the President similar to the US Army Green Berets or Navy Seals. Both JM and JK have the physical abilities, martial arts skills, MMA skills, etc to do this level of training. Tattoos ARE ALLOWED in this unit. The issue is it requires a 4 year commitment and serving potentially around the world. This unit is for a career soldier. The Unit V is enlisting with is Special Operations/Military Police. This unit only requires an 18 month commitment and yes, does not allow visible tattoos. Remember all members have tattoos.

Jimin and JK had to apply months ago for this companion program. It was a three stage process that took several months for approval. They most likely knew for years they were going to enlist together. Jungkook got his first tattoo in Sept 2019. All members had planned to enlist in the military in 2020, before COVID killed those plans. JK had to know when he got his very visible tattoo what the limitations were regarding the military, yet he chose to move forward. Even back then, he could not serve for 4 years. He and JM had most likely decided back then they were going to do the companion program. In 2019/2020, they were perceived to be much closer back during that time, than they are in 2022/2023. Yet, we now know how close they really were/are this year, in spite of limited public outings.

They both had the opportunity to apply to a multitude of units that would accept their tattoos, individually. However, they were limited in the units that accept the companion program. This should tell the naysayers that Jimin and Jungkook have a tight bond. They gave up other units that would have been a lot more comfortable and safer (locating land mines) if they had enlisted separately. We may never know the true reason for the joint enlistment, but obviously they are close friends who love and depend on each other. This has nothing to do with shipping, but simply the bond between them. They are looking out for each other verses meeting individual goals or challenges.

[sgiandubh]

Onlies at large

Sometimes (often, even), I can't sleep. And when I can't sleep, I get easily bored, if not focused on something. And there was nothing of particular import on Netflix or Amazon Prime, yesterday night. Aaand, as I don't have access to my bookshelves back home, I went looking for a light something to read myself to the Land of Nod.

I am, since forever, a solid reader of non-fiction. Memoirs, diaries are a special interest, too. So I just wanted to see if there were any nice memoirs of people who went to Scotland in search of a new life/love/whatever, Under The Tuscan Sun -style. Everand/Scribd is a decent starting point for the such, at 2 AM.

There weren't and I wonder why. But as I was browsing around, lo and behold, I found a tiny, self-published memoir by a certain Ninya (not her real name, of course): Scotland with a Stranger (2020).

Great literature it is not. It is naive and the narrative line sounded really, really meh to me: a 43 year old Alabama depressed divorcee finds healing and a renewed purpose for life, while traveling to Scotland with an improbable companion.

So, I skimmed and skimmed and skimmed (FFS, when is she going to PACK, this one?). Then, I found this and no, I am not sorry AT ALL for the length (passages are bolded by me).

Thank you Baby Jesus, she finally made it to her EDI flight:

'(...) I noticed a little emblem on the shirts of many of the women on this flight. It looked like mountains and said Peaker. All the women were laughing and chatting and carrying on like they had known each other forever.

“Is this your first trip to Scotland?” I tried to make small talk with the lady next to me.

“Heavens, no! It’s my sixth.”

“Wow,” I said. “It’s such a big world, but you keep coming back here?”

“Yes, it’s just incredibly beautiful. I never get tired of it. There is no other place as magical on earth.” She smiled wistfully. “I’m actually coming for a gala.”

“A gala?” I parroted back to her. I thought galas were reserved for Barbie movies. In my social circle, no one I knew ever attended a gala.

“Yes! It’s called My Peak Challenge.” She leaned in closer, excited to share. “Have you read the Outlander series?”

“Funny you ask that because I just downloaded the first book.” It seemed like required reading when you went to Scotland. I loved to read and had nothing but time due to my social media fast, so it was sitting unopened on my iPad.

“Well, the character of Jamie is played by Sam Heughan, and he is the founder of My Peak Challenge. It’s not just a club; it’s a movement, and every year they have a gala in Edinburgh. People come from all over the world for this event.”

The germaphobe next to me chimed in. “This is my first year, but he has truly changed my life. I’ve lost twenty-two pounds.” I was impressed, having weighed nearly two hundred myself at one point. Losing sixty of it was one of the biggest accomplishments of my life.

“Losing weight is so hard,” I commiserated with her. “How did you do it?”

“The boring way, eating right and exercising.” She laughed, and I laughed with her because I knew too well it was the only way that worked long-term.

She continued on. “My Peak Challenge is a training and nutrition program where we support and challenge each other, but it’s not just that because Sam has raised nearly two million dollars for charities all over the world. He’s just incredible.” She was practically swooning and literally fanning herself. I wasn’t sure if it was because he was hot, or because she was.

That nutrition program must include the Sam Heughan is a God Kool-aid.

“This conference includes a meet and greet and a gala and a special workout that Sam leads. He’s just an amazing human being,” she gushed. She clearly was in love with Sam Heughan.

“I have been chosen to introduce him,” the sweet older lady to my left said. “So, I’ve got the next eight hours to figure out the words to say to introduce the man who has completely changed my life.”

“Yes!” She went on. “It’s an incredible organization. He’s really affecting change on a global level.” (sic!)

Great. I am stuck between two evangelists at a Sam Heughan-is-the-greatest-human-in-the-world presentation.

“We have a Facebook group, and everyone is just so awesome and supportive. It really is a family.”

“And how much does it cost to be in this family?” I asked skeptically.

“It wasn’t much,” she defended, quickly changing the topic. “Nearly every penny is donated to charity. He is changing lives,” she stressed so incredibly seriously I had to cover my mouth to stifle a giggle.

Is this a cult? It sounds like a cult. I am trapped on an airplane for the next eight hours with the Sam Heughan cult.

Luckily for me, headphones exist. It was an overnight flight, which meant I could close my eyes and pretend to sleep, and there were movies to be seen.' (Ninya - Scotland with a Stranger: A Memoir, Chapter Thirteen).

For some reason, I doubt Ninya ever opened that OL first tome, on her IPad or elsewhere. But the point of my post is not to poke fun at SRH, MPC and all the gracious Peakers who read and often comment on this humble blog (@ladyjane-lj, @rosfrank immediately come to mind and I am sure they are not the only ones).

The reason I quoted this passage at almost full length, despite the paltry writing skills and abysmal grammar/spelling on display (Sweet Baby Jesus, please make people see the real difference between affect and effect, thank you and amen) is that we are dealing here with a unique perspective on a sizeable chunk of this fandom. You see, Ninya has no damn agenda to promote, in OL terms. She is not a shipper, but she is not an Anti, either. She couldn't care less if S+C=❤️, or if Tait rhymes with Fate (it rhymes with Bait, if you ask me). She doesn't know anything about OL, its cast, its Best Fans Ever, you and me and her.

And this is precisely why her perspective is so damn interesting. She is a mere passer-by, who failed to be grabbed in by the OTT Only Mommie gushing and who saw possessiveness and objectification disguised as love. She saw the most problematic, hypocrite and unimportant side of this whole experience and this whole fandom. And it's terrible and I am really sorry she did.

Maybe someone else than us reads this. For once, I wish they did, for it is an unadulterated, faraway echo of Real Life and the Real World. Selling that Toy Boi image is WRONG, *** and PR and TPTB. It's counterproductive and a total turnoff to real people who can't be arsed to even look for the Balmaclellan Adonis on Google, just because this fan substack is really, really embarrassing.

Of course, they blindly buy the booze, religiously sign in year after year to just about everything he sells around. Of course they show up every single time and pitch their tents on the rude city pavement in front of God Knows Which liquor store in Whoville, America. But they also show up with baked lasagna, pinch his ass (Madame Tussaud's, anyone?) and geriatrically swoon front row, cackling and giggling and catcalling like they were 12. It's also because of these women that OL lost its fabulous innocence and authenticity and it's because of these women we do have the Global Merry-Go-Round Seasonal Shitshow that keeps all of us (sickly, I am the first to admit it) engaged here.

Finally, this is also why I am closely following all the business side of this ahem, universe. It's the road less traveled by and of course, probably the most rewarding.

Shoot me, the very moment I turn into Neilie. Let it be clearly known beforehand. And no, please do not resuscitate. I'd be too ashamed.

[waitmyturtles]

THE MORNING AFTER: ONLY FRIENDS, EPISODE 12 -- WHEN ONLY FRIENDS GOT 2GETHER-ED

TRIGGER WARNING: EVERYONE'S UP FOR CRITICISM HERE, JOJO AND TEAM, FORCEBOOK, FIRSTKHAO, ALL OF THEM. Read at your peril.

Well. Big deep breaths. I spent a lot of time on a show that had been marketed as not-a-BL, that ended as a BL. As a mom with not that much time to spend on watching and writing on dramas that were marketed incorrectly, I am feeling some kinda way (fucking pissed off).

So many people had amazing takes yesterday, on both sides of the aisle, regarding how the show ended (pro-ending here, anti-ending here, here, here, here, here, and here, and my dear friends @neuroticbookworm and @lurkingshan did heavy lifting on reblogs yesterday, so stroll on over to their blogs for more).

I want to set up a constellation of points to touch upon before I get into the meat of this post.

1) I referred quite a bit to my review of Theory of Love throughout my watch of Only Friends. In that review, I meditate on how the majority of the general global public judges sex, and casual sex, and people who have sex and/or casual sex. Generally speaking -- even in countries that makes as progressive art on sex and sexuality as Thailand and the United States -- that's a rule of thumb that I can rely on. Sex is judged by the majority of the global public.

2) I hate to say it. I cannot believe this happened. But I was right about monogamy being an ultimate theme in Only Friends. Not just a theme, fam. A theme by which people judged others for having open, casual, and consensual sex. Queer sex. Queer sex that is so very often had outside of the constraints of a monogamous relationship.

There was a reason why that holiday party was populated by couples, except for Boston, and Boston had to grovel to them in apology for their friendship. In Only Friends: monogamy wins, and casual queer sex loses.

3) Unfortunately, in part though an analysis of Cheum inside of last week that I accidentally started (ha), I see that points 1 and 2 come together to have created a fabric and framework of judgement that Only Friends ended on.

The last paragraph in this excellent post by @benkaaoi notes that the assumption by a large portion of the OF fandom that the creative choices that were made to end this series were designed to save the sanctity -- economic and otherwise -- of the shipped pairs of ForceBook and FirstKhao. This rings true to me.

Most of the BL shows that I've watched this year are older shows, through my Old GMMTV Challenge, in which I've been studying the changes over time that GMMTV and other Thai networks, have made towards their editorial choices, attitudes, and risks in producing BLs. I included Only Friends on this syllabus to note the show's impact as a kind of zeitgeist measure of how much heat and literary controversy GMMTV could take in airing increasingly progressive queer media -- even though Only Friends wasn't originally intended to be a BL.

To the theory that Only Friends needed to save the ships... and to another theory that the ships needed to be saved in the most moralistically judgmental way that I could have ever imagined (I was actually blown away by how heavy-handed this messaging was) -- I look to the ending of 2gether.

The majority general reaction to the ending of 2gether from within the existing BL fandom in 2020, was one of guffawed incredulousness. BrightWin/SarawatTine did not kiss in the first season of 2gether. It took Aof Noppharnach to come in to make Still 2gether to indicate that these two young men may have been at least vaguely sexual with each other throughout the course of their fictional relationship.

Yet, 2gether was a massive success. Many theorize it was because 2gether was the first big BL to air during the start of the COVID pandemic, and new BL fans had time to be at home and watch shows. But I posit in my 2gether/Still 2gether review that 2gether was also successful PRECISELY BECAUSE IT LACKED SEX (and by sex here, I mean plain old kissin').

As I stated earlier: sex is judged by the majority of the global public. With BrightWin NOT kissing, new fans who may have been implicitly and/or explicitly turned off by physical depictions of queer love could glom comfortably onto 2gether, and watch a BL without the "threat" of physical depictions of two men expressing their love to each other.

Subsequently, BrightWin gained massive social media followings, 2gether made GMMTV buckets of money, and GMMTV went -- well, hot diggity.

Many of us had impressions of Only Friends as...something else than it ended up being. Early on, Jojo Tichakorn, for instance, cited an early non-GMMTV, non-BL show, Gay OK Bangkok, that he and Aof Noppharnach worked on in 2016 and 2017, as being referential to Only Friends. Gay OK Bangkok centered on a group of queer friends, mostly cisgender men with Jennie Panhan in the mix, as they lived their lives and dated away in Bangkok.

I'll tell ya, GOKB didn't end the way Only Friends did, and I'll get into that more in a bit. I believe @benkaaoi, @lurkingshan, and others are absolutely right that the ultimate moralization on casual sex that this show depicted -- and how Only Friends punished Boston for his casual sex -- was an economic decision designed to reflect on the sanctity of monogamy that shipped couples like ForceBook and FirstKhao can sell back to their fans, fans that may have actually flocked to GMMTV shows from 2gether, and that demand a fantasy of devoted monogamy from both fictional characters and professional actors who are actually only just doing fan service to earn their livings. GMMTV has known for a long time how to make money, and money the network doth has made from Only Friends, and from shipping their ships around the world to service the growing fandom.

Casual sex in fiction, casual sex that breaks up the ships.... fucks that economic shit all up.

GMMTV has taught us our lesson, a lesson that we had already learned from the no-kissing rule of 2gether. Loose lips shall not sink ships at this network. And I think we lost a chance for a big and progressively artistic zeitgeist that GMMTV could have taken risks on, if it had the courage to risk depicting something truly novel.

I want to note quickly another framework that I dug into while I was watching this show. I sent a flare to @lurkingshan before I started watching the episode that I was going to, in part, watch this last episode from my personal Asian lens. I wanted to ask myself, as I was watching this disaster -- is there anything happening here that strikes my heart with fear and doom as an Asian?

Indeed, yes. I didn't expect it, but there was a dialogue on individualism vs. collectivism.

Boston. My dear, sweet Boston. Boston, named after a city so very distant from Bangkok.

Boston was punished by his group of friends because he didn't adhere to the rules of the group. His individualistic actions and preferences -- his preferences to "roll alone," as Nick stated, would not work in the frameworks of either monogamy with Nick and/or the group dynamics of the hostel crew.

The link I linked above is an amazing answer to an inquiry I posed to dear @absolutebl last year about how Asian social collectivist paradigms are depicted in BLs. In that question-and-answer dialogue, I asked ABL Sensei about the motif of queer revelations in BLs, and how seemingly straight characters respond in kind to being approached with a proposition to a queer dalliance and/or relationship. Generally speaking, the Asian collectivist mindset is to at least attempt to respond in kind to those kinds of propositions, as one's behavioral habits are designed to be responsive to others instinctually, as opposed to only servicing oneself. To only service oneself is not only seen as selfish, but also as disturbing to the general flow of public existence among one's societies. To respond in kind means that you will not cause potentially disturbing angst to another individual or group. (Collectivism explains why Asian countries performed much better with mask mandates during the pandemic than we in the States did.)

So -- Boston filming Ray, Boston sleeping with Top, created waves in the friend group. He was so severely punished for it.

And the show iterates, and repeats, Nick's preference that Boston move forward alone in Boston's life, because of Boston's tendencies to make decisions that suit himself. As an Asian-American, I mutter to myself: god forbid.

Nick will not commit to Boston -- and yet, will also condemn Boston for making his own decisions outside of the specter of a monogamy that does not exist between Nick and Boston, and that Boston will still get judged for, as referenced in the Sand/Nick conversation depicted above.

In other words: if Boston makes a decision for himself? That's punishable. Because it might hurt someone else's feelings -- a someone else that actually hasn't committed to Boston, and/or allowed Boston to commit himself to.

This group caught Boston in a moralistic and collectivist catch-22, the likes of which I just would have never expected from Jojo and team, even if the creative team faced the economic pressures of the GMMTV bigwigs. I'm sorry to state that I am beyond disappointed in this condemnation of individualism, sending Boston alone, judged, and friendless, off to New York City to live in, what, the immoral boundaries of Chelsea? Homey, get a fucking SWEET-ASS PAD, and FUCK THESE LOSERS, leave 'em BEHIND in your cloud of airplane gas emissions. See you at the La Quinta rooftop bar on 32nd Street, friendo.

Only Friends could have ended so much better. And I understand that in the Only Friends novel, published AFTER the script was finished, that it did end somewhat better for Boston (cc @jinitak, reporting from Thailand, thank you for this heads-up about the novel!).

So. Any-fucking-way. Do y'all know how Gay OK Bangkok ended?

Of many lovely endings for the various GOKB characters, an older main character, Aof, was dating a much younger character, Big. (CC to @neuroticbookworm for our quick convo on this last night.)

Aof was sex-averse. Big wanted lots of sex. Big slept with a lot of people. He loved Aof. Aof couldn't handle Big having sex with other people, and they broke up. It was a lovingly handled break-up, written just gorgeously by Aof Noppharnach.

After their break-up, I thought Big would disappear from the show. Instead. Instead! Nong Big, the little brother to the core group of queer friends that centered GOKB, was welcomed back with open arms. Arm, Pom, Sathang (played by an effervescent Jennie Panhan), and others toasted to Big, telling him he would always be family, no matter if him and his ex, Aof, had broken up. In the queer circles of friends that I'm a part of, exes are not as commonly excommunicated as they are in straight circles.

Only Friends could have been this. Something, a little something, like this.

Instead, Only Friends punished a friend for acting outside of the rules of their group.

Boston was punished because.... because Only Friends had to end up being a BL. For the sake of the moolah, for the sake of collectivism, for the sake of the shippers who'll buy tickets around the world to see ForceBook and FirstKhao perform fan service on stage.

I just didn't think that the show would be so brutal, on so many levels, in the end, to people who want to have casual sex. I don't think any of us expected this. But, it's over, it's done, and the piece has been said -- GMMTV said, no casual sex today, and here's how we actually feel about it.

I'll see you over on Gagaoolala for Playboyy. Deuces, OF.

(It was an absolute pleasure writing meta with the Ephemerality Squad -- onto the next one! @lurkingshan @neuroticbookworm @ranchthoughts @twig-tea @slayerkitty @thatgirl4815 @distant-screaming @clara-maybe-ontheroad)

[voidvannie]

𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐃 𝐋𝐀𝐔𝐍𝐂𝐇

｡ ｡ ｡ ｡ 🕊️🤍 𝐰𝐞𝐥𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬

𝐛𝐞𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭 𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭

𝐢𝐧 𝐰𝐡𝐢𝐜𝐡 ｡ ｡ ｡ ｡ isabelle and jamie hard launch their relationship.

ੈ✩ ━ ❪ feel free to send an any request of things you want to see in this series, or if you just want to share some thoughts about what your read! i would love that! ❫

May 24, 2020

@/belle.hughes

liked by zendaya, jackhughes

belle.hughes swipe for a surprise!💞

happy 2 years, jamie! thank you for two wonderful, bliss filled years of just you and me. thank you for being my partner in crime for every adventure that we’ve been on together so far. but most important, thank you for loving me despite the many challenges and obstacles that have gotten in the way. i love you, forever and always, jamie!🤍😘

ps. special thank you to z for introducing us to each other and being an amazing third wheel when needed. forever grateful for you! love you, z!

tagged @/jamie.drysdale

view all 648,384 comments

username holy shit! i called that the the 2 of them were together!

username she just put out a new yt video where she tells her brothers, and I love their reactions!

jackhughes happy 2 years, sissy and jamie! love you both!

⤷ belle.hughes we love you, jack!

username HOW DID THEY KEEP THIS A SECRET?!😲

lhughes_06 happy birthday, sissy! super sad we're not in the same state to celebrate as usual! and happy 2 years!

⤷ belle.hughes thank you, moosey!

_quinnhughes happy 2 years, belle and jamie! and happy birthday, b! i love you to the moon and back!🌛🩶

⤷ belle.hughes thank you, bubba! love you to the moon and back!🌛🩶

trevorzegras happy birthday, izzie! ps. i call maid of honor at the wedding!

⤷ _quinnhughes dude, that isn't how that works ⤷ trevorzegras that's how it's going to work. ⤷ belle.hughes @/_quinnhughes i made a pinky promise with him

elblue6 happy birthday, baby girl! your dad and i love you so much!

⤷ belle.hughes thank you, mama!

May 24, 2020

@/jamie.drysdale

liked by treverzegras, belle.hughes

jamie.drysdale to my pretty girl, the love of my life, my angel, my sunshine, thank you for two years of laughter, love, pure bliss and your continuous support. thank you for all of the adventures, the secret getaways, the late-night talks and the morning cuddles, for being my number one cheerleader at games and for loving me no matter the distance that our jobs put between us.

also, happy birthday, pretty girl. can't wait to spend another 365 days around the sun loving you! forever & always, baby! i love you, belle!🤍

tagged: @/belle.hughes

view all comments

trevorzegras at least someone gave me the credit for this new ship!🙄🖕

⤷jamie.drsydale i’ll thank you when we hit a year @/trevorzegras

username treat our girl right, jamie

⤷jamie.drysdale always

eblue6 happy anniversary! thank you for keeping a smile on our gorgeous girls face, jamie! you’ll forever be my favorite boyfriend!

⤷ jamie.drysdale thank you for giving me such a wonderful person to make smile

belle.hughes jamie, stopp!😫 happy two years, handsome. wouldn’t want to be doing life with anyone other than with you! forever & always, jamie!🤍

[she-karev]

Maya meets Andrew DeLuca (Maya x Carina Sweet Imagine)

Previous Part Here

Age Rating: 12+

Chapters: Three of Three

Fandom: Station 19

Ship: Maya Bishop x Carina DeLuca

Canon Episode: Season 4 Episode 3

AN: Here’s the final chapter guys! Let me know what you think and like and reblog.

Summary: Maya and Andrew talk and get along to Carina’s joy.

Words: 885

April 6th, 2020

Maya sips her coffee sitting in the middle of the table with Carina at one end and her brother, Andrew at the other as they enjoy their breakfast. The conversation shifted to Andrew’s first day at work.

“Wait so you didn’t correct them when they thought you were an attending? I’m not judging I’m just…no I’m judging just a little bit.” Maya says honestly causing Caring to laugh, “Don’t be mad, I tell people what their doing wrong for a living.”

Andrew chuckles amused, “I don’t blame you. None of them actually called me an attending when I came from the scene. I told them it was my first day and they took it and ran with it. I was busy with the traumas, and it probably didn’t help that I stalled college for four years and looked older than the rest of my class.”

“It didn’t help no.” Maya eats a piece of the French toast that causes her to moan at the deliciousness, “Okay that is better than sex.”

Carina scoffs at that with a smile, “That sounds like a challenge.”

Andrew chuckles lightly at how predictable his sister, “And now I lost my appetite.”

Carina rolls her eyes and tells Maya, “Pay no attention to him, he’s skittles when it comes to sex because he isn’t having any.”

Maya chuckles and corrects her, “It’s skittish, skittles is candy.”

“And my sister’s insult turned around on her, this is a good morning so far.” He says with a grin sipping his coffee and continues to talk to Maya, “So a female fire captain that is very impressive I’m sure your coworkers love you over there.”

Maya groans, “Not at first but then they eventually saw my leadership skills after a few bumps and a bear in the road.”

“She told me about that too, she said it was at the pit where she first saw you. She was with a patient, and you were carrying a nose you ran with from the woods at the time. I gotta say it sounds really badass.” Andrew says impressed.

Maya smiles at that compliment, “Well thank you, it was pretty badass. I also helped contain a bomb inside a hospital and delivered a baby during a blizzard but I’m not bragging.”

Carina grins, “It sounds like you are, and I was the one who helped you deliver that baby, without me calling you you would have dropped that little girl on her head.” Andrew laughs at that with Maya smiling knowing it’s true.

“I don’t do well with babies, not all of us have to deliver them from vaginas. Firefighters are usually trained to put out fires and break down doors with axes but that part I leave to you guys.” Maya points out.

“I guess it’s not a requirement for the Olympics either?” Andrew asks jokingly.

“No.” Maya says, “And if it was, I would probably be dead last which would be a first in my life.”

“I would win the gold.” Carina boasts causing her brother and girlfriend to laugh.

Maya’s phone beeps causing her to groan, “I gotta go my shift starts, I’m so sorry.”

Andrew shakes his head, “Don’t worry go save lives.”

“You too, it was really nice to meet you.”

Andrew grins, “It was really nice meeting you too. I can see why you’re the longest relationship my sister has ever had but it wouldn’t take much time to exceed the standard she set before you.”

Carina grins amused, “Again please ignore him.” Carina stands up as Maya approaches her and they kiss, “Be safe Bella.”

“You too.” Maya steps back and looks at the siblings with a grin, “I’ll see you both later?”

Andrew nods with a smile, “Absolutely, I would love to hear more about this baby in a blizzard and bomb in a hospital story.”

Maya chuckles, “I have plenty more stories to tell and hopefully more time to share them.” Maya leaves with an I love you to Carina who says it as well. The door closes as Maya leaves and the DeLuca’s are left in the apartment where Carina looks at her brother with an anxious look while he finishes his breakfast calmly.

“Well…?” Carina asks, causing him to look up.

“Well, what?”

Carina gives a ‘really?’ look at her idiot brother, “Did you like her?”

“Oh…she was okay.” Andrew says dismissively causing Carina to smack him with the dish towel over him teasing her. He chuckles and speaks seriously, “I like her, I really do she has my approval not that you need it but still. She is perfection as you said.”

“I know.” Carina states with a smile and does a little happy dance, her brother chuckles, “I’m really glad you two met.”

Andrew smiles, “Me too. I’m really happy for you.”

“Thank you, that means a lot to me…and you’ll be happy too Andrea.” He looks up surprised she’s turning this on him, “Just give it time.”

He sighs but nods gratefully, “Thanks…Do you have anymore of that toast?”

Carina chuckles at her brother’s hungry attitude but heads to the kitchen to serve him another slice happy the two most important people of her life finally met and love each other almost as much as she loves them.

[gregorovitch-adler]

AO3 Wrapped (Writers' Edition).

Thanks for tagging me, @lisbeth-kk and @gaylilsherlock!

1. Biggest surprise while writing this year?

That I developed a genuine hyperfixation over an OT3 (Sherlock x John x Mariana). Enough that I wrote several fics (including a smutty one) about it.

I'm not even that big of a shipper in most fandoms (I tend to be a non-shipper generally), but even when I do start shipping something, it usually just involves 2 characters at a time.

Especially with the case of John Watson and Sherlock Holmes.

A year ago, I never would have imagined shipping either of them with anyone else apart from each other (because I'm generally not a multi-shipper).

It changed this year because the friendship among these three in the canon of the podcast Sherlock & co is just that good.

It was a very pleasant surprise to me. :))

Expanding my usual writing style from writing about strictly monogamous relationships (and that too usually just about Johnlock) to including a third character - and thus a polyam relationship in my fic writing - was a little challenging though.

A very interesting challenge, of course. ;)

2. How many WIP's do you have in your docs for next year?

Just one case fic right now. It's definitely going to increase.

3. Your favorite character to write this year?

Gustavo Fring from Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul!

I know I didn't write a lot of fics about him this year, I'm just featuring him during this December fluff (fluffcember) prompts challenge, but still.

He'll always be my favourite antagonist.

If you've watched these two shows, you'll realise he's not even a villain. All significant characters (especially Walter White) have various degrees of villainy under their belts.

Something about him being such a no-nonsense kinda guy on the surface, never saying a word beyond what's necessary in the source material (especially in Breaking Bad), but all of that just being a façade to cover up his human side (i.e., his feelings for Max, his determination to avenge Max's death, his genuine respect for his employees at Los Pollos Hermanos and everything else) is extremely interesting and delightful to me.

In Tumblr-speak, I want to place Gustavo Fring under my microscope. 🤭

And then there's John Watson, of course. He's my all time favourite. But this year, I just felt the need to write about Gustavo Fring too a bit more.

Also, Irene Adler is my wife. ☺ I loved writing Mollrene ficlets in December this year.

Here's to featuring her in my stories even more.

4. The character that gave you the most trouble writing this year?

I can't think of anyone in particular at the moment, but I did find capturing John's voice in The Veiled Lodger (my first ever Sherlock & co fanfic) a bit challenging in the beginning. Because I was only getting started with my Sherlock & co fic writing journey, and I wanted everything to be perfect.

5. What's one pairing you want to explore next year?

Gus/Max.

I'll continue to write about Sherlock x John x Mariana (and even about just Holmes/Watson), too, obviously, but yeah.

I used to be a bit hesitant about this pairing before, even though I've always loved Gus ever since I first watched Breaking Bad (in 2020).

That's because we don't see Max in canon at all, save for that one (1) flashback scene which lasts for just 5 minutes (and Max dies brutally in that one...)

So, featuring Max in a fic at all would just mean writing an OC from scratch at this point. And making an OC feel like a fleshed out character makes me feel a little nervous sometimes.

But I broke all that hesitation this year, and I hope I continue to do that next year too!

6. Did you receive any gifts this year?

Yes! I received 3 beautiful art pieces (including the one in my header image) from my friend as gifts. It was lovely. 🥰 @jamielovesjam

7. Did you do any collaborative works this year?

I did! @nowiamcoveredinyou and I wrote this fic based on ACD canon this year. We had fun.

8. What do you listen to while writing?

Nothing much, to be honest. I prefer a quiet environment.

9. Favorite line/passage you wrote this year?

Hard to choose, but if I have to, then here you go:

Sherlock stepped forward and took John’s hands in his own.

“Watson, I’ve said this before, and I’ll repeat it now: fear is a sickness. Fear is seemingly ordinary but insidious enough to eventually put one in the shackles of one’s own imagination. Never let it get to you. I can very well face Moriarty alone. He did ask to meet me, anyway. So, this is my battle. I’ll fight it.” Sherlock visibly swallowed. “Please, go now. The lady will never find a doctor as good as you.”

From my Sherlock & co fic Dilemma. It's a modern day re-write of that one scene from The Final Problem (where Watson cannot decide whether to help the old lady or to go with Holmes to meet Moriarty with him).

I wrote it just after the Part- 1 of The Shoscombe Old Place (Sherlock & co) had aired on Spotify and YouTube (and on other platforms).

Moriarty's name had been (not so) casually dropped for the first time in the podcast when John was going through all the shoutouts.

We still don't know where they'll go with that... 👀

Enough with my rambling.

Tags: @helloliriels , @nowiamcoveredinyou , and anyone else who sees this! (No pressure).

[shelfis]

Take on the ship dynamic I spent too much time obsessing over.

Disclaimer: if you still like Persiensanne and see no questions in it, the post might be not for you. (To be fair, nobody’s opinion should be taken seriously at all)

balanced polygamy is turning into a harem

(that gender change WOULD be progressive if done by ✨choice✨ This reproductive-centric bull about “if you like a boy you will become a girl” is… What if Nasiens wanted to stay a male? Why is it important what your love interest is? Especially if Percival told DIRECTLY he doesn’t mind either way. Does Tioreh just made an example and you can actually be whoever your love wants you to be? Why Nasiens asks what Percival would prefer at all if it doesn’t matter. Just to know if they have a chance? I suppose. Anyway, not a fan of Girl-Boy-Girl. Gay ship evened everything sooo good before. And Ann felt like our girl who is okay with it to be a thing and was a part of this cocoon of love and acceptance.)

balance ship turned into girly rivalry. Chill one, for now.

Especially after bonus chapter where Ann’s mom encourages her to win. At what? It is human feeling not trophy hunting just for a sake of the win. The final ruin for me will be Ann challenging Nasiens for a sword duel. Which, luckily, is not happening.

“If my rival dies on me I’d lose all my motivation.”

I get that it is just word of encouragement, but why does it sounds like if it is not a competition there won’t be motivation to love. Please call it GRIEF. Just grief. Not everything is a run. I need a talk with your mom.

this to be resolved as once was resolved cringy Diane’s crush on Meliodas. Even that had more power.

I sincerely want to like Ann. Looking at the past relationship tendencies, she might go for her ambitions as a knight and find another manchild *looking at Bourse* (because Percival changed, and I’m struggling to find any passion there, help Dora to find chemistry).

If it is between two girlies I’m choosing, it would be a herbologist child of a ship I worship since 2020.

Putting them into one “Oscar Best Actress” category is kinda cruel to Ann herself because of this. People do tends to play favourites.

In conclusion, it is saaad for me. And I see that people still like dynamic between Nasiens and Ann. It is good! Hold onto that. Maybe it will transition to me at some point.

[swagcoolcat]

What was Be More Quarantine?

A dive into a piece of Be More Chill Tumblr History, from a participant in the experience.

(This is going to be a long post, so for the sake of those that have no interest in reading it, I’ll be putting a read more in.)

Alright guys, strap in, because this one is a doozy. Picture it. It’s the spring of 2020. Quarantine is in full effect, and everyone is slowly losing their collective minds at this point, so, a tumblr user by the name of @bmc-gift-exchange decided to do something about it! Now, the owner of this account had run a couple of events before this one, including big bangs, but I personally had never heard of something like this before, so it was all new to me. The only thing I’d ever participated in was their gift exchange, which is a lot more simple than… whatever this was.

(Do not ask me who the owner was. I don’t remember. I know the account that Be More Quarantine was ran from but nothing else.)

So, it’s 2020, and there’s a new challenge going around for BMC fans called Be More Quarantine, where basically, you were challenged to write a short story (500 word minimum) based on picture prompts for points. The amount of words you wrote determined how many points you got, as well as how many of the pictures you referenced in your fanfic. Simple right?

Well, in theory, yes. But there were a couple of problems. First off, they had us writing multiple times a week. (I scrolled through to see, and at the end the dates were April 10th, 13th and 15th). If I remember correctly on weekends we were also expected to write double the length because we had an extra day to write.

This alone was a recipe for burnout, at least for me. I think I participated in three, maybe four weeks before I completely stopped writing. I ignored the discord and just felt really awful for a while. I ended up coming back toward the end, and I only felt worse because of it. I just wanted to get it all over with. The challenge wasn’t fun for me anymore.

Now the other thing that made things a little weird at best were the items. I don’t remember all of the items, but I do remember that some of them were overpowered. This is one of the aspects I remember the least, so I’m not going to dwell on this topic for too long, but the items were essentially to make the points more interesting. There were items to give you more points or take away points from other players, and I believe there was even an item that could cancel out a person’s entire fic of your choosing, so if you know someone has a tendency to write long fics, you could cancel out their fic and they would get zero points.

Reading this, I’m sure you can understand how this could become hostile very quickly.

To make matters more interesting, there were teams as well. Originally there were four teams, (Jeremy, Michael, Christine, Brooke), but team Brooke got taken out because there weren’t enough people signing up. I was on team Michael, at least for most of the challenge I was. There was another aspect where team members could choose to trade one member on their team for someone on another team. I don’t remember if you needed an item or not, but due to my giving up, I ended up being traded to team Jeremy. (I think at the end I may have been traded back but I’m not sure).

Now, following this experience, a chunk of us lingered in the server and just talked about bmc for a while, which turned to us discussing how weird some bmc fans were about George Salazar’s Michael being Filipino. We kept this discussion going in a new server where we were just kind of salty.

It turned to people complaining about some boyf riends fans being really weird about the ship and/or Christine. Which turned to people complaining about boyf riends having as many fics as it does compared to other ships, and how sometimes it’s hard to find other ships to read about because they’ll be tagged when they aren’t the main focus. Which turned to people complaining about how boyf riends was bad and overrated.

This turned me off of the server pretty quickly, as a boyf riends fan myself, it felt very icky and it left me with a bad taste in my mouth. Similarly, there were definitely some vocal expensive headphones fans in this mix, which indefinitely turned me off of the ship.

From what I’ve heard from a friend that also experienced Be More Quarantine, in the salty BMC server there was also some anti-neopronoun stuff going on.

Now, to be clear, this happened five years ago. Whatever happened in this server happened between a bunch of (for the most part) young teenagers. I’ve grown up a lot since 2020, and I’m sure most of these people have too, so I don’t hold anything against anyone involved.

There were positive aspects of the experience too. I improved at writing a little bit through the experience, and it helped me connect with the fandom a little bit. I also wouldn’t have met my good friend @junietuesday if it weren’t for the experience.

However, despite the positive, it isn’t an experience I look back on fondly.

If anyone else that experienced Be More Quarantine wants to add their experiences or correct any mistakes I may have put in here, please feel free.