#but also that he can see Light and is making Light aware of aspects of himself he'd rather not be

[sylustra]

Sylus saying "...don't run" to MC when they're finally being openly honest about their desire for one another and their trust and shared spaces.

[multifandomlandfill]

Watching the death note musical and man, I just want to give Light some tea and terrible unlicenced therapy.

[sy-on-boy]

Damianya turning point

I'm sure this is fairly obvious but I adore Damianya so I'm still going to write this. Damianya has subtly shifted over the years so has my fanon interpretations of them. I think they've became less one-sided and the bus hijacking was when Anya started to see Damian differently (ie. in a better light).

Anya has always reacted in accordance to whether Damian is being mean or nice. (Eg. She only went for Plan B after Damian saved her from the dodgeball despite initially disliking him to the point of not bothering with Plan B.) So when Damian takes the initiative to apologise, Anya instantly beams and sincerely tells Damian he was "super cool". She even calls him a hero (heroes like her dad and Bondman). I think this is genuine on Anya's part because when Damian did his big self sacrificing moment, he had no idea the bomb was fake. He saw all of that danger with none of Anya's knowledge and decided to go for it.

Anya likes being the protector more than the protected (ch 105.5). She is very proactive in trying to save her parents and her classmates. While her parents and the adults are obliged to look after her, Damian is... not. Arguably, his higher social status would make him more "worthy to be protected" than a commoner kid. But while Anya puts on a brave front, she gets scared and anxious like any other kid, seen as when the adrenaline rush fades and she cries into Yor's arms.

Damian, as a fellow child, is not obliged to stand up for Anya. He said he would make the perfect hostage, and while what he said makes sense, Anya can read his mind. The catalyst for Damian to make a move was seeing Anya "look scared" (misinterpretation of Anya being overwhelmed by other's thoughts). And I think hearing Damian's panicked thoughts afterwards made Anya appreciate him more, because he wasn't fearless. He stood up for her while being acutely aware of the risks and being terrified himself. He was a "hero" who 1) wasn't obliged to protect her 2) lacked the information Anya had 3) was just a kid like her. Anya now sees the similarities between herself and Damian (will protect people they care about) while feeling touched by his determination. She's always protecting people so it feels nice to be protected. (And not just in silly situations like dodgeball matches.)

Note that Anya only called Damian a hero after his apology, but not before he called them friends. Anya might be reminded of Strix afterwards, but before that, it was all genuine. Damian acknowledged his mistakes and said something nice, so Anya was also willing to say something nice (and be honest).

There is also the aspect about Damian's family. I think Anya has always understood, even if just subconsciously, that she and Damian are similar because they want to impress their fathers. Now that Anya has met Melinda (and Demetrius), she comes to the conclusion that Damian's family is weird. Someone who wants the same things as her (a loving, caring family) is less fortunate than her. I think this is why Anya directly reassured Damian that his mom loves him + why we got that close up of Damian saying "your family seems nice". Now that she sees more similarities between herself and Damian (and feels better about him), she wants to be kind to him.

Then it seems like Damian and Anya are returning to their bickering status quo. Interestingly, Damian apologies in both the post hijacking chapter and the crunchy cakes chapter. Granted, for the latter he was apologising to Henderson, but I think Anya could tell Damian really wanted to give her the cakes. She happily agrees that they're even and that they can be good friends.

And then, of course, the famous school party chapters.

It is SO important to me that Loid literally thought Anya could dance with whoever she likes. He had a logical train of thought Anya could follow. "So long there isn't any major rift" -> Damian and Anya's friendship improved after the hijacking, and while they still bicker, it's not anything major. Loid points out the Desmonds wouldn't consider Anya and Damian deserves to make his own choice. After Loid "set Anya free", Anya looks at Damian (reading his mind? Judging the situation?) and decides she wants to dance with him. This is a decision she made of her own accord. Throughout the story, Anya obediently followed Loid's requests for Plan B, but when she is permitted (and requested) to "not go for Plan B" and can choose whoever she wants, she still goes for Damian.

Then Anya fought tooth and nail to be Damian's dance partner. It didn't matter that she looked undignified or tore her dress. She just really, really wanted to win. And she shocked even Loid. She won this part without any interference from Loid or reading minds. Anya's just that determined.

And then we have the second most insane panel of this chapter.

No sparkles! No mind reading sparkles! She knows! Because of course she does! While the other girls see it as an opportunity to swoon over Damian, Anya gets straight to the point. She didn't do it with fanfare, didn't do it with a smug "heh". She just said what she knows. Because she knows Damian.

Tying in with what she knows about Damian's family, Damian's words seem like a confession. He's already admitted to her that he's not close with his parents (bus hijacking chapter), and he's now openly envious of a commoner's family. Then he tries to walk it back but Anya knows the truth.

So she also tells him a truth. A truth that she keeps hidden from her own family, but will tell the boy she calls a hero.

Anya openly values Damian as more than an asset to Plan B and no longer grudgingly puts up with him. Sure, he's still a jerk sometimes, but Anya's also seen his nicer/ more vulnerable sides. If Damian is nice to her, she will be nice to him. If he tells her a secret, she'll also tell him a secret. They are similar kids with similar motivations. And Damian is important/special enough that Anya told him her most well guarded secret (which can be dangerous!! Given he's the son of the "evil superboss"!!).

I don't Anya likes Damian in the way he likes her (ie. not puppy love), but she definitely cares about him and almost has a soft spot for him? Like when she truly wanted to dance with him. And she told him that his mom loves him AFTER Damian said something mean (while reading his true thoughts).

While Damian frustrates Anya and she says she doesn't like him (for good reasons lmao he's still annoying), she is willing to be kind and vulnerable. She sees through Damian's snark and arrogance. Almost like she wants to encourage the softer side of Damian to come out instead of his prickly defensive side.

This is subtly different from the fanon in the initial Damianya boom of spring/summer 2022, in which it was jealous/pining/tsundere Damian x smug/annoyed/oblivious Anya. They aren't just bickering push-and-pull frenemies with romcom potential, they're kids with a real connection and they're willing to be soft in front of each other while toughening up around everyone else (eg. Damian instantly calming down in the cake chapter when the other kids left). Anya has always been special to Damian, but now Damian is also special to Anya even without Strix. And he will likely continue to be special. <3

[randomness-is-my-order]

i think one of the most wonderful traits of wei wuxian is how socially competent he is, which is why it always annoys me if he is mischaracterized as someone who is unaware about how those around him feel, just because of the way his relationship with lan wangji pans out in the books. the dynamic between them was extremely multifaceted and what seemed obvious to us was very rightfully NOT obvious to wei wuxian and he hardly had time to sort those feelings out, given the kind of harrowing ordeals he was going through. but that aside–the way wei wuxian’s “social competence” manifests isn’t just social courage–in that, the risk of embarassment or self-consciousness doesn’t stop his self expression–or just his general forwardness and social butterfly tendencies but also–and imo, most importantly–his perceptiveness and astute reading of people around him which comes from a deep understanding of the human social element, at the individual and the societal level.

he has full awareness of how his station is looked down upon in the cultivation world and so while others in his situation may bend or break–wei wuxian cleverly toes the line between the two until taking a stance becomes necessary. he deeply understands the ugly dynamics running within the jiang family and clan and acts accordingly–be it his prompt efforts to placate jiang cheng or his conscious silence when madame yu is in a mood or even his acceptance of the whipping in lieu of restoring stability for the clan. despite his personal biases against jin zixuan, he can recognise his bravery. even his scandalous move to begin undressing in the cave shows that he knows exactly what would make lan wangji tick.

hell, i’d say even his initial thought about how the resentment of the dead can be redirected towards a target shows his striking comprehension of how emotions work in general. what’s more, he’s able to recognise the machinations nie huaisang had employed and he was also aware of the bigger picture associated with how fickle and easily swayed mob mentality was when everyone took part in bashing jin guangyao when certain truths came to light. when he was first brought back to life, he quickly and correctly deduced what kind of life mo xuanyu must have led and how he could act in order to easily humiliate the mo family. he empathised with jin ling and yet realised how he was brought up left something to be desired and so, tried to inculcate some of his own highly regarded values to him.

the deft manner in which he handled the juniors speaks for itself–a good teacher will always have good communication skills and wei wuxian went above and beyond just “good”. his people skills on nighthunts are extremely helpful–his ability to make tongues loose simply by charming people is highlighted more than once. just off the top of my head–him politely appealing to jin guangshan about the wen remnants and apologising for “intruding”, him readily handing in his sword at the indoctrination camps, him suggesting to jiang cheng that he should leave the clan once he was at the burial mounds–all of this (and much much more) demonstrates wei wuxian’s competence at guaging complex social dynamics, which is why, when he goes against the current and stands firm, it is a deliberate, well thought out decision, one made after considering the risks and repercussions, and that makes wei wuxian’s stance at the end that much more powerful. he is not stumbling his way through life, is not unheeding of his social status, is not a “mad genius with poor social skills”. hell, i would say wei wuxian’s ability to see straight through people is more impressive than even his insane intellect and to reduce that aspect of him feels like a disservice to his character. because when it comes down to it, the fact of the matter is that the murky social world through wei wuxian’s lens is actually astonishingly clear.

[respectthepetty]

Secret Relationships Colors

There is a lot of black in this show since everyone is holding onto secrets, so when the posters for this show were initially released, I questioned why they were PowerPuff Girls' colors, but as the show's twists and turns have been revealed, it all started to make pefect sense.

Blue - Seong Hyeon

Seong Hyeon is a loyal and intelligent man which are key traits of a Blue Boy.

The first time he rescued Daon, he was wearing blue, and he was brought to the team because he was a superstar in his previous department.

He is honest about his feelings and constantly makes sure that Daon knows how he feels even if he isn't physically there.

However, Blue Boys are prone to sadness as well, but they tend to bounce back with a little push from the right people.

And what's strange is Su Hyeon could've been a Blue Boy too, especially because their romanized names look so similar.

So just like Seong Hyeon, Su Hyeon could've been just as loyal to Daon in his blue.

But there is always something lingering around him, something boiling underneath the surface, something festering just beneath his casual exterior.

And when it's finally unleashed, it becomes a vicious monster.

Green - Su Hyeon

Green Guys, when at their best, are chill and peaceful, but at their worst, they are easily prone to jealously, they are envious, and they are rotten to the core.

Su Hyeon can act the part of a chill guy, but the moment he is provoked, the beast inside comes out just like when he was at the dinner and saw the man who assaulted Daon.

Or like when he dragged Daon inside his apartment and told him to never look at Seong Hyeon like that again.

And although I believed Su Hyeon didn't turn green until the night of the assault when he used the green bottle to attack the man in the green room, it actually started before then.

The gift Daon got Su Hyeon was green, so he must have known some small aspect of Su Hyeon's true color, right?

And he also had Su Hyeon in his phone under a green-colored contact card.

Which is ironic since Su Hyeon also has someone in his phone who lights up his screen in a decaying green color.

After all, he learned how to turn into a green monster from his father.

But the real monster in this story is the sneaky devil Su Hyeon made a deal with all those years ago.

Pink - Jaemin

Pink People are normally compassionate and friendly, but when they don't get their way, they can become overemotional and childish.

Much like Su Hyeon, Jaemin hides his true color well, but it's always been there, slowly suffocating him around his neck every time he felt his grip on Daon slipping.

And just like Su Hyeon, Daon was aware in some small way of Jaemin's true color because not only did Jaemin offer him pink coffee cups when they met in the first episode and pink plates to eat off of at his apartment, but just like Su Hyeon, Daon wanted to gift Jaemin the perfect color-coded gift.

The worst part of all of this is Jaemin really does love Daon, but pink is simply a tint of red, and we all know what Red Rascals are capable of when they lose control.

And perhaps Jaemin knows he has already lost because no matter how tight-lipped Daon may be, he always gives away who has his heart through his color, and I'm not referring to the color-coded gifts.

Daon

Daon wore a green jacket when he liked Su Hyeon, and Su Hyeon now wants to give him his ring. Daon has lived in an apartment with a pink exterior since he has become closer to Jaemin over the past seven years, and Jaemin gives him a scarf to wear. But now there is a new (blue) boy in town who wipes Daon's face with a blue cloth and reminds Daon of himself.

And not only did that Blue Boy color-coordinate outfits with Daon for work, but he came prepared to love Daon.

In all the exact ways he needs.

So let's see if Daon gives his Blue Boy the perfect color-coded gift or will this love allow Daon to finally embrace his own color instead of conforming to what everyone else wants (which I think is yellow since Jaemin has a yellow pillow, Daon was lit by yellow when Su Hyeon rescued him, and he has warm lighting when wearing blue plus countless other instances!).

But either way, I'll be delighted.

[davinawritings]

Ghost Boyfriend NSFW Alphabet

A = Aftercare (what they’re like after sex):

Ghost Boyfriend is all about aftercare. He cleans you up as soon as you finish and is very gentle. He’ll run you a bath with candles and scented bubble bath. He massages all your sore muscles, leaving kisses all along your skin. He makes sure that you know he is there even if you can’t see him.

B = Body part (their favorite body part of theirs and also their partner’s):

His favorite body part on himself is his fingers. He loves touching and caressing your body. He loves the pleasure his fingers can bring you.

His favorite part of you is your face. He loves seeing your expressions more than anything. He smiles every time he watches you smile. More than anything, ghost boyfriend loves watching your expression as he makes you cum. Each time pleasure overtakes your beautiful face, he cums right along with you from the sight alone.

C = Cum (anything to do with cum, basically):

Ghost boyfriend loves to cum on your chest. There’s just something he loves so much about seeing you covered in his cum. He will literally beg and plead to be able to cover your body in his cum. 

D = Dirty secret (pretty self-explanatory, a dirty secret of theirs):

Ghost boyfriend definitely perved on you for months before making you aware of his presence, and honestly, he still sometimes hides himself from you just so he can observe you peacefully. His favorite time to watch you is when you are showering. 

E = Experience (how experienced are they? Do they know what they’re doing?):

Honestly, he was someone experienced as a human, but you are the first person he has fucked as a ghost. There’s a bit of a learning curve, but you both get the hang of things pretty quickly.

F = Favorite position (this goes without saying):

Missionary with one of your legs around his hip and the other resting on his shoulder. Ghost boyfriend loves being able to see your tits and your face as he fucks you.

G = Goofy (are they more serious in the moment? Are they humorous? etc.):

For the most part, he is serious. 

H = Hair (how well groomed are they? Does the carpet match the drapes? etc.)

When he shows himself to you, you can see that he is not a very hairy man. There is some hair, but he is pretty natural, with not a massive amount of grooming (especially depending on the era he died in). 

I = Intimacy (how are they during the moment? The romantic aspect):

He can be very romantic. He knows he is not like most boyfriends, and he sometimes feels a little inadequate in that sense, so he always tries to be very loving and romantic with you.

J = Jack off (masturbation headcanon):

He loves jerking off when he watches you. Before you started dating, it was a staple of his routine because you would get him so hard. It’s definitely gone down because now he has you in his arms, but he still does it.

K = Kink (one or more of their kinks):

Mutual masturbation. He loves watching you play with yourself just for him. He could sit there for hours just lazily stroking his cock and watching you pleasure yourself. When he gets really into it, he will tell you what to do. When you should slow down and speed up. He loves watching you edge yourself as he does the same with his fist. 

L = Location (favorite places to do the do):

He prefers the bed. It’s the most comfortable and feels the most intimate to him. On special occasions, he likes setting the mood with candles and dim lighting. He wants you to always feel loved and cherished.

M = Motivation (what turns them on, gets them going):

Pretty much everything about you turns him on, but especially when you are naked and wet. Whenever he sees you in the shower or bath, all he wants to do is caress your skin and bury himself inside your tight heat.

N = No (something they wouldn’t do, turn-offs):

Degradation. He always wants you to feel cherished, so degradation just isn’t for him.

O = Oral (preference in giving or receiving, skill, etc.):

He loves giving, but he loves receiving slightly more. He enjoys watching you struggle to take all of him in your mouth. Seeing your eyes water as they look up at him always has him ready to cum.

P = Pace (are they fast and rough? slow and sensual? etc.):

He is much more of a slow and sensual kind of man. He will occasionally go fast, but it’s not his preference. 

Q = Quickie (their opinions on quickies, how often, etc.):

He is okay with quickies. As long as he gets to be inside of you, he is a happy ghost. 

R = Risk (are they game to experiment? Do they take risks? etc.)

He is okay with taking risks as long as they don’t hurt you and you are comfortable.

S = Stamina (how many rounds can they go for? How long do they last?)

He doesn’t last very long, but he is consistently half-hard when you are around, so he can go many rounds in a day.

T = Toys (do they own toys? Do they use them? on a partner or themselves?):

He doesn’t really use a lot of toys when you have sex. The only exception is with the mutual masturbation. He does enjoy watching you use the toys during those times. 

U = Unfair (how much they like to tease):

Ghost Boyfriend is not much of a tease. He will occasionally, but he typically just wants to make you feel good and is all about your pleasure.

V = Volume (how loud they are, what sounds they make, etc.)

He is a loud ghost. He is moaning and groaning in your ear as he fucks you. Sometimes, he will even let a stray whimper escape, though he vehemently denies it after the fact. 

W = Wild card (a random headcanon for the character):

He definitely waits right by the door for you to get home from work like a little puppy. He gets extremely bored in the house when you aren’t there, so he is always so excited when you finally come home for the day.

X = X-ray (let’s see what’s going on under those clothes):

Ghost boyfriend is pretty average girth wise but he is long. Every time he bottoms out in you, you feel like he is rearranging your insides. It also has a slight upward curve that always makes you see stars.

Y = Yearning (how high is their sex drive?):

High… very high. He really can go at any time of the day. If you allowed him, he would spend all day inside you. 

Z = Zzz (how quickly they fall asleep afterward):

He doesn’t really have to sleep, but he enjoys resting with you in his arms and daydreaming about your lives together while you rest.

[heartswithinreach]

LaDS with an autistic MC

a/n: another one i’m writing for me. but i tried to touch on different symptoms so others can feel included 😊

Xavier

He’s been asked if he’s on the spectrum more than once so he’s aware of what autism is but not much else.

That quickly changes when Xavier finds out you’re autistic. He does as much research as he can, both through books and online articles, and then subtly does his own study with you.

If he’s on his phone, you can bet he’s noting your preferences (food, texture, smells) and your interests for future reference.

Pleasantly surprised by how you start to change as you become more comfortable around him. He’s very glad to be allowed into your inner world.

Xavier never wants you to feel like a burden or you’re broken somehow. You are simply you. And he wouldn’t change a thing about his beloved partner.

Zayne

Autistic!MC 🤝 Autistic!Zayne

Zayne was diagnosed before you but didn’t pay it much attention until you got the same diagnosis in your teenage years. He added autism to his studies for medical school, learning how to care for you and himself at the same time.

When you come back into his life, he surprises you by remembering all the strategies and signals you made to support each other when you were young.

Masking has always been difficult for him. Hiding aspects of himself exhausts him so he makes sure you know you never, ever have to pretend with him. You can be yourself around him.

Zayne is in no rush when it comes to how your relationship evolves. You can both take your time in figuring this out and he’ll always be there.

Rafayel

“Yeah, I knew you were a weirdo from the day we met.”

Rude! But if you were worried telling him would change how Rafayel sees you, you have nothing to worry about. He’s loved you for so long, it’s just something new about you he gets to discover.

He loves how radiant your smile is when you talk about your interests. He could listen to you for hours, just basking in your light.

Rafayel also loves the opportunity to play hero.

“What’s wrong, cutie? You’re anxious and wanna leave early? Eh, this party was boring, anyway. Come on, I’ll get you something sweet on the way home. Don’t worry about offending anyone, I’ll take care of everything — you just breathe, okay?”

Sylus

With how rocky the beginning of your relationship was, it’s not unreasonable to think he would get frustrated with you the same way he did when you couldn’t resonate with him.

But no. Sylus is actually your most fierce and loyal advocate and very protective of your peace of mind.

He takes care of potential issues before you can even think of them and is slowly turning his home into a place of comfort for you — while keeping his aesthetic, of course.

Sylus happily allows you to cling to him in public, taking pride in how you go to him for protection. And if you have to go somewhere alone, you’ll hear Mephisto’s cry following you.

Never touches you without warning and always stops at the first sign of discomfort. Anyone who doesn’t do the same is swiftly handled by Luke and Kieran.

[applestorms]

L can be such a possessive character at times. he always strikes me as the type of person who is deeply aware of everything that he owns, both in a more literal sense and metaphorically-- like, he knows what money he has and how to use it, what resources are readily available to him and what he has to be sneakier to utilize, the habits and tendencies and emotional states of individuals and world governments both. the DN musical really puts an emphasis on the more computer-y aspects of how his brain functions, which isn't as obvious in the manga/anime but i think still works well as a way to follow his thinking. it's kinda what near does too: everything is a factor to them, every tiny detail a new opening to optimize for the best results, every person and location and object a part of a puzzle waiting to be solved. and as a part of that, L is deeply aware of every and any little thing he may or may not have control over, and exactly to what degree.

his habit of stealing titles as depicted in the LABB murders novel is such a good example of this. ryuzaki, eraldo coil, deneuve. he eats people alive and then takes their names for himself like some kind of fucked up fae or trickster god, creating new masks and personas to hide behind from the remains of the people he's devoured. i have to wonder if he would've used the title of KIRA for himself had he won-- i can hardly imagine what kind of power such a title could hold if held in his hands. of course, he could've just used the defeat of KIRA as a way to build up the L title even further, offering up the body of a dead god like perseus showing off the head of medusa. but L is so emotionally attached to the kira case, i struggle to see him allowing it to fade from existence so thoroughly as near does, even if it is only kept close on a private level...

this is part of why i think it genuinely makes a lot of sense that L's ultimate win state would include capturing light to some degree. even if the memory of KIRA somehow manages to fully disappear from the public consciousness, there is no fucking way L is letting light yagami out of his grasp. honestly, the moment that L truly loses this game is not when he starts investigating misa while still under rem's watch, not when light gets back his memories, not even when he dies, but the moment when he allows light to be freed from the handcuffs. the moment when he allows the other members of the task force to turn off the cameras and keep him from watching light and misa talk in the lobby. the moment when he gives up, lets light yagami go outside of L's personal sphere of control, is the moment when L starts the clock ticking down to the end of his own life.

this is one of the key ways in which i see light as a true equal and parallel to L, as after L's death he, intentionally or no, continues the same tradition and takes L's title for himself, twisting the two sides together into the L-KIRA amalgamation. only, the L title functions a little bit differently than every other persona or title that we see in the series-- because L's true name is L. that's all that he is. on a literal, legal, and emotional level, i don't think that L is anything more than L. he is the world's greatest detective, he's an incredible, weirdo super genius, but he does not afford himself much more than that, barely allows himself personhood or humanity outside of his work. light was the one to ultimately defeat L because he did not just put a stain on his character (as BB attempted), did not just kill him, but stole his very identity and took it for himself.

one of the biggest contradictions of L's character that i think you must accept should you attempt to portray him accurately is that he is both deeply detached from humanity while also having all of his work and effort and life be focused around saving it. it's one of the ways in which he is an exact opposite to light-- where light relies on humanity for external validation, to be Seen, while also looking down on it as dumb and immoral and spineless, L is so separated from it that he barely exists as a person, all the while dedicating almost every action he takes to helping it. remember: for all the emotional turmoil that wammy's house and the legacy of L may put on the kids living there, ultimately it's entire existence is nothing more than L's logical solution to his potential demise. if he dies, the world goes down with him, all of the cases that are yet to happen and he is yet to solve being left in the air. he has the foresight to set up a fail safe, but not to consider the emotional implications of what being that fail safe might feel like, how high the price of your own humanity is if you are not already alienated from it, the inability to have your own name on your gravestone-- though perhaps some of the blame also falls on watari's shoulders in this case, philanthropic old bastard that he is.

imo, playing his game really got it right in presenting L and light as one and the same, synonyms on either side of the mirror. in every action they take they are both so selfishly selfless, playing the game for themselves and their own pleasure but plastering the needs and will of humanity on top of it. L isn't invested in saving humanity for the sake of humanity-- he just likes the thrill of having the stakes raised so high. hard to shit on ryuk for wanting entertainment when the humans he finds are just the same as him.

[merbear25]

What are akainu, aokiji, and Kizarus turn ons/turn offs?

Hey! I took a minute to consider what to include and decided against NSFW, so I hope you like it anyway! 💜💜

CW: SFW, gn!reader, headcanons

Innocent turn-ons/offs (Akainu, Aokiji, Kizaru)

Akainu

Turn-ons

Being a hard, studious worker would earn his respect but an extra flare of grace would have his eyes lingering a bit too long.

Respect towards your ethics and abilities would need to come before any romantic feelings blossomed. After this, he’d become more aware of subtle changes on the day to day: facial expressions, increase/decrease in talking, and punctuality.

Speaking of punctuality, he’d admire someone who could stick to a regime. This basic level of respect towards your work and him went a long way.

I have the strongest feeling that being extremely hygienic would be a major turn-on for him. This wouldn’t be limited to personal but keeping a clean workspace and home would also be important to him—orderly and pristine.

The scent of lavender and linen on your clothes and/or shampoo would be a guilty pleasure of his whenever you were near. Temptation pulled at him, but he resisted getting closer; that was until your relationship was established.

Turn-offs

There was nothing particularly wrong with having a strong or even abrasive personality, but when it became disruptive that was when it would put a rift between the both of you.

Having any kind of dirt on your clothes would be a major turn-off. If you’d just come back from a fight, you’d better tidy up before meeting with him.

An absence of professionalism wouldn’t be appreciated in the slightest. As a partner, he’d expect nothing but the best from you.

There would be no room for laziness or constant complaining in a romantic interest because he’d admire someone who pushed through the hardships with their head held high.

Aokiji

Turn-ons

When you brushed your hair behind your ear, the motion caught his attention. 

His eyes flickered over to you whenever you played with a random lock of your hair while deep in thought.

Being a dreamer would be something he’d be attracted to. There was something about the light in your eyes when you spoke of the future that made his heart race.

Bedhead and a sleepy appearance: you were adorable when you looked like a bit of a mess.

A soothing voice that didn’t usually reach a yell or scream would practically lull him to sleep (if he ever had an issue with that).

Someone who stuck to their morals and goals would earn his respect. This wouldn’t mean that they would need to perfectly align with his own, but instead mean they should remain firm in their core beliefs.

Cinnamon and apples would be his favorite scent that would quickly remind him of you. Of course the perfume, lotions, shampoo, and bodywash helped, but simply being reminded of your warm and comforting presence was the biggest draw.

An air of mystery would pique his interest, wanting to know what you may be hiding and being the one to uncover it.

Turn-offs

Having a flimsy sense of self. If you can be persuaded easily, that wouldn’t be attractive to him because there would be no base for trust.

Someone who was constantly on the go and never being able to appreciate down time would most likely cause some issues in a potential relationship.

No sense of humor. Though he wasn’t one to crack a lot of jokes, not being able to see the lighter side of life would eventually wear on him.

Being overwhelmingly pessimistic would not mix well with his personality. This wasn’t to say that having bad days or generally hard periods would be an issue, but when it spread to every and all aspects of life on even your normal or happy days that’d be when he lost interest.

Kizaru

Turn-ons

A sense of style, perhaps high-end more than anything else, would make you appear dazzling, a diamond in the rough.

Optimism that didn’t cloud your better judgement would be admirable. Having a mostly sunny personality would mix well with his character. This could mean your typical full grin but could also be the emotion you exuded in your quieter moments. Many give off an aura or air to themselves, so being around someone whose aura was overall pleasant would be a breath of fresh air.

Maturity would be a massive thing for him. Something about the way you could handle yourself even when tensions were high got to him in the best way possible.

Smelling of citrus and honey would remind him of the warmer months and have him dreaming of those less chaotic times again. The scents were warm, inviting and lively much like you, leaving him wanting to spend more time around you in the end.

If you were a good baker, he’d adore that. Knowing that the house would smell of tasty treats when he came home kept him smiling on more difficult days.

Turn-offs

Having absolutely no skills whatsoever. Skills was a term that covered many spheres, so not having at least one or two wouldn’t fare well for you with him.

Taking things to heart too often. The ability to let things roll off your shoulders like water off a duck’s back would be preferred, though he wasn’t unreasonable that some things would affect you more than others. That being said, being in a fragile emotional state constantly would be too much for him.

Not letting him compliment you at all. This didn’t include shyness, but instead would mean a love interest not enjoying him flattering them on their outfit, hair, personality, abilities, etc. He may not be excessive with compliments, but this would leave him feeling rejected if he didn’t get any kind of positive reaction.

[urspiritualnurse]

•Pick a pile reading. (Left to right)

"What does intimacy mean to you?"

Pile 1.

In this pile, I got cards that insinuated some sort of distortion in lust.

In every being, there is the engraved need of balance and neutrality, for that to come alive, there is in all of us, a container.

For whatever topic and traits we hold within, it is all carefully poured into that thing's specific container.

And here I see the container of lust being full of cracks...

I see in the past even more so than today, you could have been very indulgent in the matters of pleasure.

It's as though a dam had been opened, and that spill of river danced all across your once drought filled lands.

You know I sense a sort of previous lack, maybe in the past you couldn't have access to consented adult intimacy, like relationships, or people who confessed to you or people who accepted your confessions....

Being a late bloomer myself I often had this intense urges to go overboard.....as to make up for all the lost years....noone truly expressing their desire for me made me feel like I was a gremlin living on a hill.

And I think, you and I are kinda similar on that aspects.

But hey.....I just want you to become more eased......you are tiring yourself out.

Is intimacy something that is only to prove your credibility as a desirable person?

Is intimacy only a form of indulgence that amounts to no honorable thoughtfulness ?

We are not teenagers anymore.....if you are still...then you are not a little kid anymore..... people not courting you or you lacking options before doesn't mean overworking your genitals later.

I'm all free and open to empowering sexuality.

And all of its expressions, it's not about shaming sex or worshipping purity.

There is a time and place for everything.....and you know it yourself when you are crossing your own boundaries.......

I see many risky encounters, reckless indulgence that led to either the other party coming for your throat or you ending up.....tied to them through a conceived child.

The more...more...more whispers coming from you....it's not malicious or pathetic.

It is....an unsatisfied youth.. who deserved just like all the others.....experiences full of youthful reciprocation, fun and romance, and many more.

I see an example coming to my mind.

A man who finally forged the key to a door that was closed his entire youth.

The door leading to a sea full of women, and that once rejected man, recklessly pursuing what he once couldn't.

To be in an energy of a player is fun and games, comical even if it was coming from an immature, childish, and pure flaw in character, but yours....came from lack....rejection and feelings of unwantedness.

I relate to this too.

I can't tell you enough...how pointlessly I went on dates because when I was a teenager, I lived my life like a caveman.

So as to make up for it, I went here and there and that and this....

And in all of it....I felt miserable......

Desperation in me that my awareness brought to light.....made me feel so ashamed, pathetic even.

But.....I can't blame myself for that.

Everybody wants to be loved.

And that is proved to us through many subcategories of interactions, being liked by your friends, being wanted by your opposite sex, and when these two don't get fullfiled the first time, it grows into a more extreme form like, wanting to be popular, graduating from your virgin years, harvesting body counts etc.

And I also see another huge aspect that played a major role in all of the distorted acts of lust.

Touch starvation...lack of physical touch.

And I'm really sorry if this message triggers out a bad memory....but I have to write what comes to me...

Being someone who grew up in an environment where physical beating was normalized I can understand your troubles....

I even joked about my upbringing until I turned 20.....I couldn't grasp how wrong it was.....

I think....you lacked gentle touches and all physical contacts you had ever gotten were violent, painful......bitter....

So intimacy became to you a thrilling change of senses.....

Your body that was used to feeling pain through another's hand, when for the first time got pleasure instead......you were hooked......

It's like a man so used to salt had a taste of sugar.

You are enamored by the newness, hooked by your curiosity and dragged by your need for more of it.....

It's not malicious....it really isn't.....

This shows how much you need kindness and gentleness in your life.

You are no longer in drought, your time had come and you have transformed to someone who can get through that closed door.

But when you get in through it, please be mindful.

When you read this...I want you to grow some self empathy and self discipline.

Don't go into another extreme by belittling yourself or sulking.

Be gentle, and approach pleasure as not the cure to your once striken wound but a delight being alive brings.

And I firmly believe we shape our emotions and desires.

This lust of yours, think of it as a child capable of so much, deservable of good and kind, raise it well. Don't give up on it and let it ruin itself...

Pushing someone to do bad and not stopping someone from doing bad both are......choices.

Make sure you teach your little lust well.

Pile 2.

In this pile, I got the message "quest."

The game of push and pull, pursuing and preying, obtaining, chewing and then spitting it back out.

When in this world, there is nothing that can reach your numb flesh except the naked rubbing of another, when there is no form of flattery that can ease up your swollen heart, except the sweet whispers from a lust-dazed companion.

When no form of grain quenches your hunger, except....except....

This is what happens.

A mindless habit of indulging in the one thrill you allow yourself to drown in.

Let me be straight up with you, it is not that this world lacks what you yearn for,

It is just that you have grasped only a handful of what this world can provide and have stuck your head and heart in it, on a loop.

There is more than crashing your flesh against someone for 2 or 3 times and then going cold on them after.

There is more than being ignited by mighty passion when you land your eyes on the next thing you desire.....until you find it....boring your senses again.

How many times has it been, count it...that you have silenced your conscience when the previous desire of yours, that you so eagerly pursued before, starts pursuing you.......bringing out a side of you that they didn't see in the first meeting....

They probably had said, "you......who are you?.....bring back the you from before...." "what happened to you, did something possessed you? Are you sick?"

Or maybe even gone and called you a fraud.......

It's the same old, same old right?

I feel like this pile is very intelligent and prideful.

But that's what makes them more susceptible to a parasitic self loathe lurking behind that open pride, and from there ruin their image and self.

And when any bystander ever approaches them with concerns, their blatant pride blinds them from ever catching the parasite of self loathe in them.

"What do you mean I'm sad? What do you mean I'm lonely? What do you mean I'm insecure? Have you heard my internal monologs it is full of indulgence and grandiose speeches that would easily be diagnosed as narcissistic. "

Sometimes we are not as easy to perceive.....we think we know how and why....we do what we do.

It's like there is something lurking in between your flesh and bones......indulging in your ruins, being so sneaky and swift, hiding behind your blatant self pride.....

Just once, when you see your pride standing infront of you, walk past it and look behind it's back........there is a damn loathing latching onto it.

I hear, "onto the next, onto the next."

I think you are a naturally adventurous person who likes the thrills and chills of life but it's like the open expression of that side has been blocked so now it has find its way to flow through your sexual side, in not so good ways.

I see an image of multiple open mouthed pipes, with one having it's head blocked.

And that restrained water that couldn't pass through the closed pipe, found it's way to flow through another.

People are not islands for you to venture on, their genitals are not treasure boxes you can gather as a souvenirs.

Each time you meet someone I see you subconsciously counting, people usually count money, you count people.

I see you being very dedicated for few weeks.....or months.....in the beginning...truly....and being so affectionate and charming.......with an intention to acquire their affection not just want or desire, no.....being liked by them was not enough, you wanted them to love you.

And just when they do, you subconsciously say, "gotcha!"

And then take their affection and throw it in your love collection box, where you keep count of how many had fallen for you.

I...get the feeling you grew up very lonely.

Affection isn't something we can count or collect but you do, as if in the past people gave affection to you through things you could count and gather, dolls, toys, clothes, trains, books, foods, sweets....

And now......you do the same.

You want affection, you do.

Surprised ? You too are not invincible enough to ever deny the need of love and companionship.

Hey......I was a bit harsh, I'm sorry.

But I truly want you to settle down, I know not everyone has this in their mind or heart, but I truly feel at ease when I picture you, finally with something or someone with whom you don't mind being the one collected or kept.....

I know life has taken a toll on you, and in every chapters of your life you have showcased great strength and determination.

But......you know, what your biggest form of courage in this life will be?

When you allow yourself to be the one kept........when that day comes.......all heaven will know that you......finally have done the brave thing......

Don't make yourself so lonely, you are not a product and people are not profits.

I could be so angry with you and spout out morale topics.

But you yourself think of yourself as a "thing" I can't get upset at you for thinking that of another.

You are a person, not a immortal sculpture.

You are a human, not a one click, picture pasted on a wall.

It will take more than one shutter of a lens to ever grasp your dimensions that's how deep you are.

Such complex individual you are, you have no idea how many people will adore your nature, just take a chance, bet your life on it.

Think of it as the one stock, when invested in, will bring forth such intense benefits that will blow your morbid self isolating cage away.

You are so beautiful, and a dear child of someone.

And so are other people.....

Be careful, please.

Don't break another's heart because you can only bring forth a sensation in yours, through their shattered self.

There are many ways to bring life into yourself, if you just.......try to look the other direction for once.

[sflow-er]

"I think we who 'fit the norms' have a responsibility to understand those who live their lives differently. We need to know how to listen." Axel Åhman, Efter nio, 2020

One of the great things about discovering KAJ is that I have also fallen a tiny bit in love with Axel Åhman outside of the group. I mean, I haven't even had the chance to read his books yet, but the kinds of things I've seen him discuss in his writer and journalist role have already really endeared him to me.

It started with his documentary show Utanför boxen. Most specifically, episode 4, in which Axel talked to a nonbinary ace person, a sexologist, and two poly people (one of whom may have also been bi) about allonormativity, amatonormativity, and gender normativity. Even if those terms weren't used in the episode itself.

It's hard to even explain how happy it made me to see asexuality discussed in such an affirmative way on Finnish TV. Axel had even deduced on his own that the estimate of 1% of the world's population being ace was probably an understatement, which the sexologist and ace person confirmed for him. As someone who only discovered my aceness in my thirties, I really appreciated that being covered.

But perhaps even more than the ace side of things, I loved how Axel genuinely seemed to listen to his guests and wanted to learn from them.

"I'm starting to see how privileged I actually am as a straight man. Nobody questions me. Life is an open motorway before me. All I need to do is drive on; I won't be stopped at any red lights. Eri for example has to explain themself in several respects, basically every day. It's strong [of them] to be up to having that discussion every time."

This lesson on privilege clearly wasn't one Axel just learned for the show and forgot. He also repeated it in interviews conducted after his first book came out, such as the Efter nio clip linked at the top of this post and an interview with his alma mater's student paper.

Speaking of his first book, it's a short story collection with masculinity as the overarching theme. It's titled Klein; a dialectal variant of the word klen (meaning frail, weak, feeble or delicate), used to disparage men who don't conform to normative masculinity.

The interview in the student paper is by far not the only one where Axel has talked about how strict social norms weigh people down and how it should be okay for a man to be kle(i)n, but these snippets from said interview are still pretty illustrative.

In his stories, he examines behaviours connected to masculinity. Competition, rivalry and lifting oneself up by putting others down are some of the things Åhman highlights as problematic. [--] Åhman thinks there are definitely problematic sides to masculinity, and that a certain culture of machismo is still alive today.

"I think confidence has a lot to do with being a man. We are taught that we are allowed to take space, and nobody questions us when we do. We men are allowed to be more visible and audible." Åhman says he wasn't particularly good at playing instruments or singing when he first got on stage, but he still had the nerve to get up there and perform. He believes the bar is higher for girls to make it on to the stage than it is for boys. "It's stupid to raise a child into a specific gender role. I hope increased awareness can help solve that problem in the future."

When asked what he thinks of the phrase 'Boys will be boys', he says he finds it incredibly problematic. Boys are more seldom held accountable for their actions, and society makes excuses for them.

This thread of highlighting problematic aspects of masculinity doesn't end with Axel's book authorship, either. It even extends to the workplace comedy series Halln, which he wrote with Joel Rönn (and in which Jakob from KAJ starred alongside Joel).

The two guys vying for power at the company are both sexist in their own ways. Joel's character (Mikael) acts very overtly and anciently sexist, often treats graphic designer Emilia like his personal assistant, has even put up a "girl calendar" in the break room.

Next to Mikael, Jakob's character (Jona) seems like a very sweet and modern man, which he in many ways is! Yet he still doesn't listen to Emilia after asking her impressions on what could be improved at the company. He latches on to her mention of a ping pong table because he used to be a ping pong champion, but he completely disregards her wishes. When a romance develops between them, he decides that they will move together to his father's villa in Spain - and when she asks what she's supposed to do there, he says she can just chill by the pool until he comes home from work (!).

"Let me ask you this: where do you see yourself in five years?" "I don't know." "Exactly. You don't know. Do you know where I see you?" "Well?" "In Spain, with me."

There is simply no way Axel didn't have a hand in writing Jona like this. I can't wait to see what happens and whether the character experiences any growth if the show gets a second season.

And although I said at the start that this would be about Axel in other roles, I do have to end this appreciation post on a KAJ note. Namely, I watched an interview today that I hadn't seen before, where the host asked Axel, what message would KAJ stand for if they had to get political?

Axel answered that they already sort of did that with Gambämark. They started writing it in 2017, when a musical about a conservative village that walls itself off from the world felt very topical and political. They wanted to advocate for a more open [inclusive] society and "letting all the flowers bloom", so to speak.

To the question "are you feminists?", he replied, "Yes, I think so. We think so, even as we are three men and sometimes wonder if we would have got the same opportunities if we were three women."

[lovemomhatepolice]

drew starkey nswf alphabet (part 1) (minors DNI!)

navigation taglist requests

A = Aftercare (what they’re like after sex) Drew is very caring. You can never complain about lack of attention or proper care. He even forgets himself sometimes so long as you are well taken care of. Fortunately, you are able to balance the middle ground so that both of you are maximally satisfied and cared for. After sex, he is even more cuddly. He is constantly following you, never leaving your side B = Body part (their favorite body part of theirs and also their partner’s) I don't know if he has favorite body parts, both with you and with himself. Drew is really a person who admires the whole body. He realizes that he's damn handsome and well-groomed, so he likes himself in general. With you, he has the same. He likes, loves your body as a whole. Okay but how do you connect during sex in this one place. GOD!!! C = Cum (anything to do with cum, basically) He's a fan of ending up inside you. If you just let him, of course, he seizes the opportunity every time. It probably connects with his breeding kink, but you have no problem with it. You even quite like it... D = Dirty secret (pretty self explanatory, a dirty secret of theirs) Everyone is familiar with this popular tweet about spitting in the mouth. And everyone is well aware that it was certainly memorable for this man. Surely he won't let go of talking about it, and maybe he'll wait to talk about it himself? E = Experience (how experienced are they? do they know what they’re doing?) Well he is experienced, although he hasn't had many girlfriends or side hook-ups in his life. He knows perfectly well what he is doing, how he should move, what to touch. A good knight with good weapons. It can work wonders with your body, even without much care (although he still tries hard) F = Favorite position (this goes without saying) A fan of the classic missionary! It could be simple, but no, the missionary gives him plenty of options. He can change his angle in you, kiss you wherever he wants, he can perfectly see the place where you connect. Well, he has to pamper his pillow princess and he doesn't mind it at all G = Goofy (are they more serious in the moment? are they humorous? etc.)

Drew laughs a lot, oh, hearing his throaty laugh during sex is something else. it often happens to him, but you don’t protest. You also have moments of silliness, and your whole act becomes a place of silly text. However, more often he happens to be serious, grown man behave like this, right? (kidding aside this man will do anything to make you laugh. Well unless you happen to be crying from arousal)

H = Hair (how well groomed are they? does the carpet match the drapes? etc.) Little hair on top = little hair on the bottom. He likes to keep everything well trimmed. Even his hands happen to shave, so what's the surprise that he's shaved in his intimate areas. I think with you, he would also expect you to have it neat so he could dive in there without a problem I = Intimacy (how are they during the moment? the romantic aspect) He can really be affectionate during sex. If you feel that way, that's how he will be. He loves to give emotion into it, not to show that it's carnal pleasure alone. He likes to tell you all sorts of compliments, to show that he cares, that it feels good. If you want rose petals, you'll have rose petals J = Jack off (masturbation headcanon) Oh, he doesn't have to worry about that. You're both aroused at the same time, and if you're not, let's not lie to each other - one word and you're already on your knees. And if you're not next to each other? He keeps it inside and waits until you meet, then your act has even more power K = Kink (one or more of their kinks) Breeding. The beautiful man is now over thirty, and a light has gone on in his head about starting a family. And when you showed up, he can't stand it all the more without a vision of you with a belly full of his baby L = Location (favorite places to do the do) Wherever you want. Drew is quite submissive about it. The bed, the countertop, the wall, the shower. Wherever you want, really. And he'll run after you like a stray puppy. But sex in the tub, oh, just a word, and he's already there. Ready and compact for action. Bubbles, warm water, steam rising in the bathroom, oh god M = Motivation (what turns them on, gets them going) You in his too-big-for-you T-shirts with nothing underneath, oh god, this man is already on his knees for you. Or the sight of your hips moving to the beat of the music, especially close to his crotch, oh, it's too much for him

A/N: part two BUZZ CUT DREW I'M CRYING

please do not copy and translate my works! in case of any issues related to this - I invite you to discuss privately :)

[i62gamma]

The contrast between comic Robert Reynolds versus the MCU’s Bob Reynolds very interesting. In the comics you have a married man with schizophrenia, agoraphobia and generalized anxiety disorder who gained his powers on accident while trying self medicate his schizophrenia via getting high. In the movies you have a bipolar guy who went abroad in search of drugs (presumably for the same reason as his comic counterpart) only to be tricked into a study where he’s administered a serum that led to him miraculously gaining powers.

In both instances, with Robert’s powers comes an amplification / personification of his mental illness. However, Sentry/the Void represent different things between the comics and MCU.

In the comics, Sentry is everything people want to see from Robert. A savior, a golden boy and a perfectly well adjusted individual with no illness in sight. His wife even refers to Sentry as Robert’s lingerie. On the flip side, the Void is everything no one wants to see from Robert, his mental illness, his flaws and his problems. Both together make Robert Reynolds who he is, a mentally ill man with the power to either save or destroy the world. A man who has 3 sides to him, and only 1 side people want to see and accept: Sentry.

MCU Bob Reynolds, on the other hand, is a metaphor for bipolar, at least in my eyes as someone who also has bipolar. He has episodes of highs and lows, in his own words and according to his files he experiences delusions of grandeur and depression. Apply those to Sentry and the Void and you get Sentry as a representation of mania and the Void as major depression. Both sides of Bob, Sentry and the Void, are portrayals of mental illness. They just happen to be on one end of the extreme. Once again the power to either save or destroy the world is entrusted to Bob, who’s stuck between his own two worlds and extremes.

The two metaphors explore different aspects of mental illness. Robert is faced with hiding and silently battling a major aspect of himself, the Void, in the comics. In the movies Bob finds himself between two distinct states of mind, one where he is above everyone else and one where he is rock bottom. In both cases he also has a history of drug abuse which led to him developing his powers in the first place.

My personal thoughts on the two metaphors is that I prefer the comic one (I was personally moved by it more), but I was pleasantly surprised while watching the movie because I never expected Bob to be depicted as (possibly) having bipolar since I have bipolar myself. My best friend even texted me that Bob reminded her of me because the way he describes his illness is exactly how I describe mine. I hope in future appearances his character is delved into more because Sentry is such an interesting character to me. Unfortunately his writing isn’t always the best, but in his original two runs his character truly spoke to me and I implore everyone to read them.

Specifically I want more discussion around Bob’s drug abuse and self medicating for mental illness, like he did in the comics. I saw a family member of mine become dependent on drugs for the longest time before receiving her bipolar diagnosis, and more awareness needs to be shed on how many drug abuse issues stem from self medication. Similarly, I also hope they include Bob’s mental disorders from the comics such as schizophrenia and agoraphobia. I know some people enjoy the lack of specification on what disorder Bob has but I personally believe you can still relate to him even if he has a different disorder than you. I also think it’s a good opportunity to once again shed light on things like schizophrenia and agoraphobia.

[vigilskeep]

when you first start the cousland origin, you can have some conversations with arl howe, teyrn cousland, and duncan that shed some interesting light on the political situation in ferelden. it’s definitely the origin where you get the most context on the rebellion and on cailan and his father. while howe isn’t exactly the most trustworthy of sources, he is also one of the most openly critical of cailan that we have access to, which i think is worthy of interest

howe remembers maric with what the toolset describes as “genuine fondness”: “your father hasn’t spoken of our time with him? that man took care of his friends. as they say, he was large as life and twice as tall!” i think we should pay particular attention to that man took care of his friends.

what howe’s talking about is a really important aspect of kingship, where you win the consent and enthusiasm of the nobility for your rule by offering rewards like wealth, land, and prestige to the loyal. kingship is always less stable than it’s portrayed, and this is one of the ways that kings must essentially sell to the nobility that answering to them is worth their time, which would be especially important in ferelden given everything we know about its culture. fereldans believe someone only has power when it is given by the loyalty of those below them, who have the right to freely rescind that loyalty. the dao codex says that “the sight of [fereldan kings] asking for—and working to win—the support of ‘lesser’ men is a source of constant wonder to foreign ambassadors.”

i suspect howe is remembering a maric fresh from the victories of the rebellion, who was able to reward those who had followed him with the spoils of those victories. at the end of the stolen throne, we see that in the final days of the rebellion, maric was killing those who had betrayed his mother to the orlesians even when they arrived under truce to meet him on holy ground. in dao, we see no lingering orlesian nobility except for those who married in and continue to be met with marked hostility. i think we can safely surmise that maric elected to make no conciliatory measures and give everything to those who had followed him; with the orlesians on the run and his people out for blood, he was in a strong enough position to do so, and it certainly served to win the fond memories of men like howe.

by contrast, howe goes on to say, “it’s too bad cailan isn’t half that.” the toolset notes establish very clearly that it’s the same issue, elaborating on howe’s thoughts: “bitter turn, i don’t get as much from the current king”, and “disdainful, i have no use for him, he does me no favours”. this isn’t a minor character detail, if howe’s last words when killed by the player are anything to go by. “maker spit on you... i deserved... more...” whatever it is that howe feels he should have been given, by the crown or anyone else, it characterises his actions and his defining treachery.

it’s in these same conversations that we see another side of this demonstrated. there are two points where howe can openly criticise the king, and bryce immediately admonishes him for both. one even has the toolset note: “speaks sharply, as a lord to a lesser man, not a friend to an equal”. it definitely comes across that way; the way he tells howe “that’s enough” is not far off the voice he uses when the player, his child, displeases him. bryce can’t tolerate any criticism of cailan, as the couslands in dao are ardent supporters of the king. to venture some hc, i suspect that this is not merely royalist fervour, and that howe’s resentment for having been given less is matched by bryce’s awareness of the precariousness of having more.

over the centuries, the theirins have consolidated their power and eradicated almost all the teyrns (the noble rank that is second only to the king). with the only other lingering teyrn being loghain, who is essentially part and parcel of the royal family, the couslands stand alone as the only real rivals to theirin power within ferelden. there are rumours that bryce was once considered for king instead of the theirins; he too could have decided to believe he “deserved more”. but unlike howe, and perhaps understandably given his strong position and happy growing family, he is satisfied with what he has. he will not take the risk of even the slightest challenge being made within his hall

(i expect that bryce’s satisfaction with the current situation further spurred howe’s dissatisfaction to its heights, given the complicated cousland-howe history and the fact that he was expected to accept a friend he had fought beside as a superior for the rest of his life.)

i don’t think howe’s judgement on cailan is likely to be without basis. we don’t hear about any victories the young king has to his name, from which he could have passed around spoils. (to be fair, cailan had harder luck than maric in this regard. a king who raises a successful rebellion gets to bring glory and prestige to everyone who follows him, whereas a king trying to rebuild after that rebellion mostly gets to bring, uh, taxes probably. especially on wealthy centres of trade like howe’s amaranthine, one might assume.) cailan also takes a far more diplomatic approach to the question of orlais, which perhaps predictably did not win over many nobles of howe’s generation. it makes sense that cailan’s strongest supporters would instead be men like bryce who hope for things to simply continue, peacefully, as they are. perhaps in another world where cailan had won the battle of ostagar, he might have earned wider respect. (you could actually argue on this basis that there’s more sense and purpose to cailan’s glory-seeking than he usually gets credit for.) but howe already acts before ostagar, which can only demonstrate his certainty in cailan’s failings at this point: his belief that even if cailan could win, he would not be stable enough to pursue justice for the couslands

[anxious-witch]

I think the reason why there are so many amazing ships in Dead Boy Detectives is because the show manages to show different versions of love/lust/devotion through different relationships all characters have.

Like, love triangles have been doing the whole "a girl has to choose between two guys who each being out a different side of her" for over a decade in popular media, some more, some less successfully. But the pitfall they often fall into is that those differences seem very shallow and often ignore the other aspect of the main person who have to choose between the love interests.

Dead Boy Detectives makes sure to not do that.

When we look at how Charles is with Crystal vs how he is with Edwin, we can clearly see the difference. In the beginning of his and Crystal's dynamic, he is flirtier and puts more if a bravado, but he pretty quickly opens up to her. Because he sees that she very quickly sees past his facade he puts up with his constant happy-go-lucky persona. Only when he starts opening up to her and showing his emotions does their relationship progress. Because after David, Crystal needs someone who can be emotionally vulnerable with her and in turn, Charles offers her the same, and offers her a safe space.

In contrast, we see that Charles is more at ease around Edwin. They know each other deeply, and are also woven into each other at this point. It's easy, like breathing. One thing it doesn't do is challenge either of them from the status quo they have built over the years. But there is a sense of ease there, and such devotion. There is no question about what they would do for each other because the answer is everything.

That said, while they both bring out different sides of Charles, those sides of him feel intricately linked to one another! Which is why Crystal coming into the pictures begins changing Charles' relationship with Edwin as well! It brings to light things they have ignored. And in turn, Charles' clear and unwavering devotion and loyalty to Edwin prompts Crystal to learn it herself. To quote Jenny in ep 8, "you were about to leave and never see these boys again, but now you are going to save them"? And yes, she does exactly that.

This even has influence on Edwin and Crystal's rs directly, which I can't recall ever seeing in a love triangle before, at least not in a positive sense. But it's so clear that Charles loves both of them that the other learns to love them too, and they realize their own similarities through it, too!

As for Edwin and his many love interests, well. I know there has been a lot of debate, especially around Cat King vs Charles dyankics with Edwin, but the thing is-you are comparing apples ajd oranges here.

The Cat King is enamored, fascinated by Edwin, and yeah above all, attracted to him. This dynamic serves to challenge both of their characters' beliefs and shake up the power dynamics between them. Whenever you like the Cat King or not Edwin clearly reciprocates the attraction part, at the very least.

Charles loves Edwin and is devoted to him and Edwin to him turn, as discussed above. What is difficult about their relationship is that it became stagnant due to lack of communication, which is why they needed other relationships to shake up that dynamic.

But to address the most prominent comparison I saw, which is the Cat King saying he'll wait for Edwin vs Charles going to Hell to save him.

Both are types of devotion, is the thing. A profession of love, if you will. To this day, we consider Penelope a faithful, loving and devoted wife for waiting for Odyssey for 20 years. Cat King saying he'd wait for Edwin isn't any small confession, given he is aware it could take decades, if not more.

Don't get me wrong, Charles going to literal Hell to save Edwin and succeeding where Orpheus and Eurydice failed is an enormous success and a way to show you love someone. I am not minimalizing that at all.

I am just saying that, for who these characters are and given their rs with Edwin, they did exactly what they were supposed to. They expressed in which ways Edwin had influenced them and what they can offer him if that dynamic becomes romantic.

Cat King represents experience, patience. As an immortal he has all the time in the world to wait for Edwin to return from hell, because he believes Edwin is strong enough to return on his own.

Charles represents love that breaks all obstacles in their way. He goes to save Edwin because he believes Edwin deserves to be helped in the way he helps others. He deserves to be saved.

My point is, there is no better of worse way of loving someone. The character in the love triangle choose the person that better alignes with who they are and who they wish to be as a person. So yes, you are absolutely allowed to say "I think this character would choose person a because it alignes better with their character development" but comparing the two as one being superior is kinda pointless imo? Exploring different dynamic of a character is the goal here, right? Either through canon or fanon.

...I was gonna talk about Crystal/Niko and Edwin/Monty too but this post got away from me to uhh. Might do another one if anyone is interested but in their way! I adore the way DBDA explores different sides of characters while still making them feel like a fully rounded person and doesn't shy away from letting one rs influence other rs character has.

[gooner127]

el hombre que yo amo - mark lee

word count- 796

summary- el hombre que yo amo (the man that i love) mark lee just a little glimpse into your love for mark and relationship with him!!

w- idol!mark, implied relationship, some cussing deep love for mark, fluuuuuffffff sweeeeeet (hopefully) nice fluff, also let’s ignore how it mentions him creating the album even though he already released it shhhh, the sections are timeskips???!!?! song inspo is a spanish song but fic is written in english (just saying to not cause confusion!!)

authors note- i wanted to try out writing a little something!!! i love this song and i love mark😛 a little small and simple first time writing on tumblr since i usually make fake texts but please enjoy!!

el hombre que yo amo

the man that i love, mark. you can’t help but admire mark as he sits there working on his music. he puts so much thought and care into the song that the sparkle in his eye he gets when he realizes a new lyric to add or the beat turns out better than he imagined. you can’t help but feel that same love for him in every way possible, he’s such a dedicated person full of love it’s admirable. you look at him lovingly caring and adoring every aspect of him as a person, as a boyfriend, as a friend anything and everything.

hes at his desk as he types away lyrics deletes lyrics going back and fourth, even asking for your opinion. “baby come here for a second” you hear the words leave marks lips so you look up at him set your phone down and walk up to where he’s sitting. “hm?” you reply as you stand behind him. “which one sounds better? together with the pieces? or together with your fragments?”

you slightly rub your chin then look at the side then back down at mark. “i don’t know both sound good.” you swear you can see mark ever so slightly pout from your words. “i don’t want good, i want perfect..like you.”

sabe que lo amo

the early morning lights peaking in through the window curtains arise you from your well rested sleep. you turn your head and notice mark peacefully sleeping, shirtless, laying on his stomach, face smushed against the pillow, hair tousled, with his mouth slightly open. you let out a light chuckle at sight.

you run your fingers up and down his bare back. despite mark being a deep sleeper that awakens him and he picks up his head up turning to look over at you with hooded barely open eyes. “did i wake you? i’m sorry.” mark shakes his head turning his position to laying on his back and mumbles a “ ‘s okay” you smile and run your fingers through his hair spawning a smile to his face.

“howd you sleep?” mark opens one eye and looks at you “good. cause i was next to you.” you lean in and leave a loving kiss on his cheek. “you’re too sweet. i love you you know that right?” mark open the other eye and nods “well aware of that already.” you shake your head “are you mocking me?” mark pulls you by the arm and lays your head against his chest leaving a kiss on your temple. “what? me? never baby.”

me toma en sus brazos y lo olvido todo

work was shit today. your manager got you in trouble for some bullshit that doesn’t make sense. you had to deal with more shitty customers than usual, literally some little kid asking you why you looked tired that it was funny to them was your final straw. two seconds away from crashing out you take your break and get to the employee bathroom as fast as possible and just tears upon tears fall out from being overwhelmed.

walking into mark and yours shared apartment was the best part of your whole day today, you let out a small sigh and you take off your shoes drop your bags and everything to the floor. upon thoughts of where mark could be you heard his voice from the kitchen “i’m in the kitchen baby”

you use whatever strength you have left to walk into the kitchen and seeing mark who was taking out a failed attempt of cookies out of the oven. he sets them down on the table and looks up at you with a smile. till he notices the look on your face. “hey hey woah what’s wrong? bad day at work?” mark quickly takes off the oven mitts and scurries right in front of you staring with concern.

“the worst fucking day ever.” you manage to spit out. mark frowns at your words and quickly pulls you into his arms wrapping his arms around your neck and inhaling the scent of your shampoo. “i’m here tell me what’s wrong. or don’t if you want to get your mind off it. are you hungry? we can order in and while we wait i can run you a bath so you’re more relaxed. anything you want sweetheart.”

you nod and can almost cry from how loved he makes you feel with his pure words the way he’s willing to do anything to cheer you up, the way he holds you in his arms makes you forget everything. hearing his voice and being in his arms heals you, making you feel loved, makes you forget of everything bad and only think of the two of you in the moment. mark is the man you love and you couldn’t ask for anyone else.

el hombre que yo amo- the man that i love

sabe que lo amo- knows that i love him

me toma en sus brazos y lo olvidó todo- he takes me into his arms and i forget everything