bairdthereader

[bairdthereader]

I HAVE A BOYFRIEND!!!! (and he's amazing ❤️)

[bairdthereader]

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A post shared by Alice Oseman 🎨✨ (@aliceosemanart)

How do I get to be part of this snow day? ❄️☃️❄️

[bairdthereader]

Julio, I can relate to your energy. Take that deep breath before plunging into the fray. Gird yourself.

Merry Christmas to one and all. 🎄

[bairdthereader]

We both are

N: That didn't make any sense. / C: It did! You're allowed to be a mess sometimes.

02 x 06 | 03 x 07

[bairdthereader]

There's one in every friend group (and we love them).

Bonus--Confused Nick is confused:

[bairdthereader]

Heartstopper Mini Arc: Julio Spring

From an excessive use of the phrase hanky-panky in conjunction with the phrase none before marriage . . .

. . . to quietly supporting Charlie's quest for a boyfriend sleepover . . .

. . . and shaking hands with Nick before said sleepover, knowing full well that hanky-panky will most definitely occur.

Julio, what progress you've made 😏

BONUS:

[bairdthereader]

There are so many moments in season three that hit hard, or resonate so deeply, or that break my heart just a little. But somehow, this tiny, huge moment is the one that pulled the emotional rug out from under me. Ugly tears were cried.

The hope in Charlie's eyes.

The journey begins. 💕

[bairdthereader]

Gourmand Tao Xu

2 x 4 | 3 x 1

[bairdthereader]

When older sister magic goes rogue

[bairdthereader]

and have you ever felt for anything such wild love--

do you think there is anywhere, in any language

a world billowing enough / for the pleasure that fills you

as the sun / reaches out,

as it warms you / as you stand there

Excerpted from "The Sun" by Mary Oliver

[bairdthereader]

Well, this is pretty much perfect 💕

[bairdthereader]

Heartstopper Mini Arc: Charlie and Tara

From Charlie's resentment and reluctance and Tara's confusion . . .

. . . to heartfelt, reassuring conversation that helps them understand each other (and themselves) better.

Two people who care so, so deeply about their friends were bound to become friends themselves. 💕

[bairdthereader]

Nick Nelson's Reluctant Yeah

It's well established that Charlie uses a blanket "it's fine" during many interactions in order to downplay troubling moments, mollify and comfort others, or conceal inner turmoil.

Nick, on the other hand, does the reluctant "yeah."

---

To confirm something he doesn't like, even if he's the one saying it.

To get a negative interaction to stop.

To try to convince himself (or Charlie) of something he doesn't believe.

To appease the crowd, even when he doesn't want to.

To make someone else happy, even if it's detrimental to him.

To agree, despite no real inner resolution.

To reassure, even when he's not okay.

To disguise his real stressors (and avoid stressing others).

To mask his regret.

Nick is a people pleaser, and this is how he does it when, deep down, he doesn't feel comfortable or in total agreement with the situation. Thankfully, we see a little less of this in S2 than S1. Let's hope for even less in S3. You can do it Nick!

Bonus: Nick's Genuine Yeah (most often present in Charlie's vicinity)

These are better 💕

[bairdthereader]

Oh, this season is going to be a maelstrom.

[bairdthereader]

I'm excited for the kids to get their GCSE results, but this is the real story here.

I am so ready for some S3 Nathan and Youssef 💕

[bairdthereader]

Heartstopper Mini Arc: The Concert

From Charlie's disbelief and Nick's confusion . . .

. . . to Nick understanding where Charlie's coming from, and Charlie learning that Nick does, in fact, want to support and be with him.

Bonus Super Mini Arc: Nick's FACE

From this:

To this:

[bairdthereader]

Does this elicit a full-body shudder of disgust for anyone else? Charlie doesn't even know Ben's name yet.

GUH. No touchy!

---

Let's cleanse, shall we?

That's better.

BONUS a couple of small, caring, careful touches:

DOUBLE BONUS because it's a much better way to sit on a drum stool with your crush: