#'i'm sorry joy boy' while the ship is being destroyed

[kitsunefyuu]

One question, do you see the appeal between AFO and All Might ship? because I can see it as a tragic story or the typical fic of marrying the enemy and pointing a knife in his back every night without daring to kill him because you don't want to kill him like in the beginning.

Also another form of anguish would be that AFO in the past had dated Toshinori while Nana was alive but went behind her back, the final fight with Nana and AFO arrives and Toshinori watches in horror as the person he loves is the one who seeks to destroy him and taking the OFA and AFO laughs and hints at their relationship without really saying it making him believe that it was always going to end this way (even though deep down he has some kind of romantic feeling for Toshinori). Everything continues its course with the canon, All Might goes to the US, they fight again and he thinks he kills him, years later he finds out that he is alive and not only that but that AFO is also DFO and that the boy he loves like a his own son, he shares blood not only with his old love but also with Nana, which makes everything worse.

Sorry for this fever dream.

I like it only as a pure hateship. Like no romantic undertone, all the homoerotism is the desire to destroy each other. Teeth digging into flesh and breaking flesh. Clawing at skin and AFO gaining such pure sadistic joy in seeing Toshinori's very world being destroyed.

This man has shown a LOT of glee and excitement in fucking up All Might. Like I can see him dating Toshinori, but purely to fuck him up. Also do you like grooming? Because I'll tell ya if he got that chance you BETTER BELIEVE HE WOULD DO IT. Like excuse me he wants to destroy him for many many reasons.

So basically all that, but in the psychotic way of AFO as only a desire to watch him suffer because he's so fun. He wants to corrupt All Might and destroy his sanity because this guy ACTS SO PURE.

You want to be a hero? A symbol of Peace? That's so laughable! Please tell me more!

....Basically, I ship it. Give me it as a pure hate ship and I'm sold.

[chenziee]

Watching the climax of the Fishman Island arc hits different after chapter 1044

[goji-pilled]

Okay @princekirijo you want an essay? Well here it is now, or as I like to call it Felix's "Asumari is great and this fandom has no fucking taste" rambling and infodump. Congrats fellas, thanks to Prince you ALL get an asumari essay. But before that I'll try to give you a rundown of Mari and Asuka. 

(I'm also so sorry for putting this long ass post on everyone's dashboard)

(Spoiler warning for Evangelion 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time!!)

Alright on one hand we have Mari Illustrious Makinami. Her whole deal? She's a walking ray of sunshine, literally lol. Unlike any other character in the Evangelion franchise she doesn't suffer from her trauma, she's quite literally the only healthy and functioning human being, she's just slightly leaning towards "batshit crazy" with the stunts she pulls 🤷‍♂️. Other than that she just loves living, she loves being with people, she keeps moving forward, stays positive and decides to live life to it's fullest even after she experiences loss and multiple apocalyptic events (Second Impact, Third Impact, etc.) and she really just embodies the joy of living. That's all there is to her, or at least all we know.

On the other hand, we have Asuka Langley Shikinami who is... well it's hard to explain what she is to be honest. She's part-German and part-Japanese and part of a line of clones specifically made with the purpose to pilot an Evangelion and later on be used as a sacrifice to trigger another Impact (ITS COMPLICATED I KNOW-) Asuka is, unlike Mari, very much suffering from her trauma. She doesn't have her parents and has a very deep seated belief that she's completely alone, which she says doesn't matter as long as she can pilot the Eva. She also very much wants to fight and kill angels all by herself, and it's seriously messing with her when she can't achieve that.

Now we get to the more interesting parts (hopefully this so far wasn't too confusing, then again it's Eva and even I can't fully wrap my head around it all LMAO)

In the second Rebuild movie (Evangelion 2.0 You can (not) advance) we get introduced to both of them, Mari's introduction scene (in the original English dub) has her pilot an Eva and singing about how she'll take the world on by herself, while in the third movie's (Evangelion 3.0 You can (not) redo) opening scene she's piloting the Eva again but this time it's together with Asuka (in her own Unit 02 though) and during that Mari sings about how wonderful it is not to be alone. It's nothing big yet, but it's a really cute detail me thinks,,, you know what else I love about them? They bicker and they banter and it's genuinely so fun to listen to shskdhsuwj

(For a quick catch up: During the end of 2.0 Shinji (the protagonist) triggers another apocalyptic event, the Near Third Impact, and was only stopped due to Kaworu (the guy in my pfp) stepping in. Also between 1.0/2.0 and 3.0/3.0+1.0 are about 14 years (without Shinji bc he's like comatose) where A LOT happens AND we learn in 3.0 that Eva pilots don't age physically bc of "The curse of the Eva"... honestly Eva is wild lmao)

Okay okay I'll get back to it!

So one thing that happens is that Asuka during 2.0 develops a crush on Shinji (girl why-), unfortunately things take a turn for the worse. Asuka had volunteered to be the testpilot for a new Eva (Unit 03), she seemed happy at the time and it was a really sweet build up with the "I can smile, I didn't know I could still do that."-line. And then? Then it turns out the Ninth Angel had infected Unit 03 (Angels are basically the Kaijus they fight using Evas btw). The thing goes on a loose and Shinji is forced to fight it (With Asuka inside mind you), he refuses and his father uses an autopilot to destroy Unit 03. And boy did it destroy the angel, well it and it crushed Asuka between its jaws (you can actually hear her scream btw haha pain :)).

Asuka survived though, but the whole incident cost her her humanity and she ended up becoming an angel herself/she took the place of the Ninth. But despite that, there's one person who keeps believing in Asuka's humanity, who fiercely believes Asuka is still a human and tells her as much.

Yep, that one person is Mari and she keeps holding onto that belief until the very end when Asuka uses her last resort, which is using the power of an angel (Doing so was a guaranteed death sentence btw). Mari's own words (in the German dub) were, "Princess, you're giving up being human…" AND IT MAKES ME SO EMO GOD FUCK

While I'm at it, Mari and Asuka are a fucking killer combo as a team. They rely on each other for support in combat, listen to the other's orders and advice. Especially in Asuka's case it's kind of a big deal that she so openly relies and counts on Mari's support. Like these two trust each other with their damn lifes!!! Holy shit!!

Guess what though, they also have nicknames for eachother. Mari always calls Asuka "Princess" or "(Your) Highness" while Asuka calles Mari "Four-eyes" / "Four-eyed chrony (idk how you spell that tbh RIP" Even better though, in the German dub Asuka calls Mari "Brillerella" as in a combination of "Brille" (German for glasses) and "Cinderella",,,,Cinderella and her Prince,,,Brillerella and her Princess,,, man, that was a gay fucking move of the translation team. Spoiler: I owe them my life.

Funfact: There's exactly two times throughout the Rebuild movies where Mari uses Asuka's actual name. These two times being when she watches Asuka "die" and be used as a sacrifice for Gendo's selfish plan and when later on she begs Shinji, "So please the Princess… Asuka needs your help!" And the best part? That wasn't even the first time she did that. The mentioned line came from 3.0+1.0, but she did that too in 3.0 with the, "At least save the Princess!" line (although her tone was much more...pissed, like she was really angry lol)

Remember the crush Asuka had on Shinji? Well due to the Unit 03 incident a whole lot of other shit got mixed into that and her feelings for him in general became really bitter (understandably so). Now Mari being who she is sometimes teases Asuka about said old crush but she really does want Asuka to get closure and sort that mess out. 

As an example for the teasing, in 3.0 there's a scene that goes like this (please imagine Mari with a literal :3 face while saying that):

"Unit! Are you back in the game?"

"I'm on it, your Highness. But first things first, how was our little puppy (Shinji)? Did he sit like a good little boy?"

"He's exactly the same! Same stupid face talking mayhem!"

"That goofy face of his, that's what you wanted to see? Riiiiight?"

"Shut up! I went there to bat him one!... And I feel better!"

There's also a very short bonus manga that was released in Japan for Thrice Upon a Time's release that has Mari trying to convince Asuka to come with her on the mission to get Shinji, given everything that follows, it's just another thing to prove my point. And the final bit relating to that is this:

"Feeling better now?"

"Yeah, I do feel better."

That's the exchange Asuka and Mari have after they talked to Shinji, it's nothing special but I think it's really sweet and this time Asuka actually sounded like she was feeling better instead of when she was screaming after she nearly broke pretty thick glass with her fist (If she had hit someone with that much force she definitely would've broken something omggg #violentimpulsesgang)

To get back on track though: I already mentioned it but during the second half of 3.0+1.0 Asuka "dies" (and honestly that entire scene is worth its own in-depth post because its just one huge parallel to The End of Evangelion), the point is: You can tell that the loss of Asuka honestly hits Mari hard. Not only because of how Mari screams Asuka's name but also because of her expressions. They're pained, like really fucking pained and Mari even apologizes to her that she has to fall back due to the fact that she's injured AND because eveything is going wrong.

After the events of Evangelion 3.0 these two got seperated from eachother, Mari was with WILLE (the organization both of them are with) and on board of Wunder (the ship WILLE basically operates from) while Asuka was in a Village full of (Near) Third Impact Survivors. When they do meet again it went like this:

Asuka, barely back, comes to the door and calls, "I'm back." And within seconds of Asuka stepping into their room after the door opens Mari already runs towards her, arms wide open and she says, "Welcome back, your Highness! Good job. I missed you so much!" And she says that while she literally nuzzles into Asuka,,,like,,,what the fuck gay people real!!! 

Best part? Asuka clearly has enough strength to push Mari completely away if she were uncomfortable, but she doesn't. Asuka merely wanted enough space to look at the room (because Mari managed to horde even more books lol) and play her game. During their entire renunion Mari keeps hugging her, and part of me thinks that perhaps deep down Asuka actually enjoys the feeling of physical affection.

Before we get to the last point though, let me say that Asuka and Mari have scenes in 3.0+1.0 that parallel Shinji and Kaworu's from 3.0. (Fyi Kaworu loves Shinji (yeah, like that, and 3.0 was basically them being gay as fuck for an hour) so like...do I even need to explain? 

And then of course there's also this, the "Take care of yourself, Princess…" line. That is the last time Mari talks to Asuka and as much as that line alone already is so much, it's Mari's expression in particular that kills me. Because this? This soft, almost bittersweet expression she has, as she basically says goodbye? Because she knows Asuka will finally be happy and safe? It just makes me feel so much actually. Man.

In the end it's a fact that Mari loved Asuka, wether that is interpreted as platonic or romantic by someone is up to them. But it is a fact that Asuka was loved enough that someone wanted to hug her, was happy to see her, to praise her, was hurt by her loss, wanted her to be safe, that someone told her "Take care of yourself…" Asuka was really and honestly so loved that someone would tell her, "I missed you."

But Asuka? Asuka was too hurt, too wrapped up in her own head to actually see how loved she was by Mari (and other people) that she genuinely believed she's completely alone and always will be alone.

It makes the "Take care of yourself" line hit even harder to me, because it's not only Mari's goodbye, but it's a goodbye during the one time Asuka allowed herself to be vulnerable and admit what she really wanted.

And honestly? All of this? Its makes me feel so many things and I just love them  so much man.

[everybodyknows-everybodydies]

I forget sometimes how much I love Corday and then you post and I'm just like **heart eyes** do you have any fic recommendations or any in the works yourself?

BOY DO I

first let me preface by saying 1) I ALSO am constantly heart eyes over Elizabeth, just as, like, my default state of being, and so I hope that my incessant loveposting is a source of joy!! and 2) these are all at least a little shippy in one way or another, sorry not sorry I just love seeing her deal with complicated emotions and being forced to confront her own unwillingness to engage on a deep personal level hflskdjfkd

ONWARD!!

no list of fic recs would be complete without me plugging @bwayfan25‘s work. her two big AUs, “unexpected circumstances” and “Matriarchs,” are largely Susan/Kerry-centric, but her Elizabeth is excellent: she’s soft and angry and stubborn in all the right ways. “Matriarchs” in particular gives her some really (painful) great moments during Mark’s tumor arc that made me PHYSICALLY experience pain. she also has a collection of oneshots set in the UC AU, “A Forest of Trees,” which also has some excellent Elizabeth moments: here is my favorite, in which Greeneday babysit for Susan and Kerry and Elizabeth is like “yeah it’s totally appropriate to teach a 4yo child how to suture” because she is a Mess and also the Love Of My Life.

perennial favorites also include anything by EBStarr (whose ship focus is Cordano), but in particular That Space in Your Heart, which sadly suffers from some formatting errors because it’s from like 2003 ff.net and I can’t imagine formatting was very easy at the time but is ABSOLUTELY worth it, and Lucky Me, which is technically a oneshot but spans a great deal of time and WOUNDS me with how precisely the author nails Elizabeth’s characterization (at one point she’s described as “permanently poised for flight” and I’m like. GOSH. just DESTROY ME!!!!!!).

“Oh What Webs We Weaver” is unfinished and probably doomed to remain that way given it is ALSO an early-2000s , but sometimes those are the best KINDS of fics because I crave unresolved tension. the writing style is pretty blunt in a charmingly inelegant kind of way, which might put some people off, but I find the characterization so fulfilling. at one point Elizabeth straight up is like “[REDACTED] may have a gun but I have THESE HANDS” and Romano has to be like “Lizzie do not ATTACK THE PERSON POINTING A GUN AT US” which sounds. very dramatic. but it is a fic I come back to repeatedly because it makes me laugh and even at its wildest moments I am just, constantly saturated in love.

I also do have some STUFF in the works myself but have this weird problem where if I post stories while I am still working on them I tend to... never finish them, and so I'm trying to finish things before sharing them!! but at some point... does a very cool set of finger guns to show how cool I am!!

[jikookisrealerthanmylife]

Sorry for the coming long rant. I'm gay, a Jikook supporter and a realist. Jimin has always showered Jungkook with love and he seems to still try to do so, try to show much he loves Jungkook. Sometimes, like the jumpin into Jungkook's arms thing, seems like it's just Jimin being playful since he did the same with Taehyung once. On camera, Jungkook responses and expressions used to show natural easy joy and amusement. Nothing forced or nervous or annoyed. But now with Jimin it's always annoyance, coldness and rudeness. With Taehyung like you have noted, it is plastic, forced, and lack any expressiveness. He acts like Jimin is a bother and an insect. Even if they are just friends or co-workers, it's awful and demeaning. I don't think they had a downfall because I think Jimin wouldn't still show so much affection and playfulness towards someone who shows him he feels like that in other times. He has too much pride and dignity and he removes himself from relationships and situations when he's not wanted or appreciated. His good faith in people, giving them love and support is big but it's not endless. Unless his love for Jungkook made him blind and naive. Jungkook changed with Jimin right around the time he became concerned about his image and style, and trying to project a manly, tough and stoic image more than usual. And his attitude changed, it's like he woke up one day and he felt he was better and bigger than Jimin and BTS and he acts on it. Saying he was disappointed his bridge did not make it. No love for Jimin's bridge, which is okay but other members were lovely about it and Jimin always shows love for Jungkook's songs every single time. I think that people at Hybe have gotten to him, and made it about his image and career. This might be too delusional and out there but I think important people at Hybe have always disliked Jimin and tried to dim his light. Like the dance choreographer and whoever Jimin said was against him being in BTS. I think it has something to do with how open Jimin has been about who he is, him not being a typical masculine dude like they wanted and most importantly his sexuality. Even if they don't know for sure there are signs. I think they begrudge Jimin his success and fans love and never expected it to happen. I often get the feeling he is treated by them as a pretty emptyheaded object and not an artist or something more. I think they'll go to the extent of giving him less and less lines and screen time and no dance centre time even if he is the main dancer. I think people at hybe would like other members more and especially Jungkook who is seen as the full package and vocal about his ambitiouns. Do you see how if he is in a relationship with Jimin or is too close to him it could be a problem with people at Hybe? They would want to destroy that or at least not hightlight it. Especially if they aren't even the biggest most popular money-making ship, comprised of two easily straight-passing men who aren't in a real gay relationship and who fit the masculity and manly image standards of their culture. I think they have been trying for years and they finally got into Jungkook and influenced him. I can see the homophobes and bigots in Hybe would much rather hype this ship and would rather Jungkook and Taehyun interacted together than with the member they seem to legitimately hate.

Omg an intellectual!!!

Thanks for this ask anon. Everything you mentioned, except the disgusted look when jimin jumped , is exactly what I've been assuming too. You're so right about the homophobic part too. I once remember bang pd gave a red heels to one of the former group member they had and encouraged him when he wanted to be a drag queen . There was no wierd editing done with jikook those times too. But now after management reforms , like you said they want the cashcows be serviced well+ also not look so gay and mushy together+ showcase toxic masculinity as personality trait . It's a hell now

All the while we also got WHO with lauv, and blackswan legendary art so it makes me think the content and their artistic ventures are managed by different departments

Jungkook has always strived to come out the baby image he has in army's minds since we all practically saw him grow up. His eyes also makes him look like a kid. So he started building body but he remained a baby faced big bodied baby and then came the tattoo+long hair image phase. Jungkook owns a foundation and perfume collection but since it's not so 'manly' that company just changed his image . And moreover ,Jungkook behaves like a obedient dreamy giggly playful so-not-manly when jimin's alpha/hyung instincts takeover and bighit doesn't want to damage his Badboy image .

Maybe that's the reason he comes off rude oncam . Poor boy.

That jimin jumping into his arms - well I think they didn't have mics on them so we couldn't hear they usual low voices but from what I see jungkook hummed after catching him, jimin asked sthg and he nodded slightly with a very tiny smile. Idk if I'm making sense.

We have entered the part of their era where it's all about their solo career now. It's gonna be brutal . No more flowers and breeze family drama. Like what happened in BE.

Thanks for the long ask and happy gay life insightful anon