#hoping hl fandom is not dead here

[bynetime]

"За ваше здоровье!"

___

Wanted to post an old hl alyx fanart inspired by Russell asking Alyx to bring back some vodka from the distillery. Photographing this drawing was such a pain since I made it small for no reason at all 😭. Final edits were made digitally though! Barney was meant to be here as well but I was exhausted shading in the background…just imagine him doing something upstairs.

[indiaalphawhiskey]

tbh this may be my last straw, i've supported both H & L since the xfactor (vet larrie) but idk how much empathy i have left, i just feel dead inside constantly from the stunts and their choices, we thought L would have a break and be single and he chooses to stunt around with someone, as a queer fan they're both constantly just damaging my mental health, i've done my time and fought the fight and it's time to say goodbye to both of them, i just can't do this anymore i've got nothing left in me, i'm empty

I’ve said before that everyone has their own red lines, and the magnitude by which each stunt/choice affects each person is different and entirely individual.

I’m really sorry you feel so hurt by this one and that you’ve reached your red lines with them. I know how difficult it is to make the decision to let go or even just step back, but at the end of the day, your mental health is the most important thing.

If you need to walk away entirely, do so. Fandom will always be here if you feel like coming back. And if you can’t walk away (because I know the draws of the highest highs make that hard), I hope at the very least you can pull back enough to assess which parts of HL’s art/personas still give you joy and interact only with those — it’s what I’ve chosen to do.

I’ve found that being so entrenched in fandom, particularly, has dampened my joy around them both. I’ve found I feel most connected to them when I shut off the discourse and stop taking responsibility for how other people see them. Fandom conversations and discourse are taxing, to the point where it seems we’ve gotten lost in the weeds and forgotten what pulled us in in the first place, and it did me a world of good to shut off that part of this experience.

My boundaries are clearer to me now: I know they’re both good people who want to make art and have long careers in the industry, and they’re doing as much as good people can within a disappointing reality. I know they’re queer, together, and closeted. I know the decisions they make are and always will be colored by the limitations of their closet and their need to protect themselves and their relationship in a homophobic industry. Nothing else is up for discussion.

Best of luck, dear. 💜 Anything that costs you your peace is too expensive.

[noneuclideanwhimsy]

20 and 25 for Azian!

20. Which other character is the ideal best friend for this character, the amount of screentime they share doesn't matter?

OH GINA AND COLETTE FOR SURE I have headcanons about them just hanging out at Black Mesa, I also like to think Gina and Azian knew each other at university and later introduced one-another to their respective spouses! I love their dynamic of Gina being the one level-headed person while Colette is impulsive and energetic to the point of coming off as aggressive at times while Azzi seems rational at first but will then proceed to do bizarre, seemingly unhinged things with absolutely no explanation or any need for it, but then if someone gets on their bad side you find out that all three are absolutely not to be messed with… they would be a great friend group.

25. What was your first impression of this character? How about now?

I have a confession to make here. I, like many HL fans, was not really aware of Azian’s existence for my first few months in the fandom. I was vaguely aware of the whole ‘Alyx has a dead mom’ thing but never really paid it much notice (probably because ‘at least one dead parent’ is such a common trope) and I have select parts of the fandom to thank for bringing my attention to how sad the treatment of Azian Vance in canon was, casually killed offscreen in the vague past just to give Eli and Alyx even more trauma than they already have. Despite not really having much to her canon at all, Azzi has really grown on me, to the point where my headcanons about her are some of the few headcanons of mine that I’d happily write into canon given the chance. Sequel!Azian is like… this funky alien world explorer has survived so much, just like the rest of her family, but she shares their constant hope, even in the depths of the Multiverse. She taught her daughter to stay hopeful and just a little bit silly, and I think that’s very admirable.

[bigjimbopickens]

hi sorry to bother you i know this is like a dead issue now but i was a massive fan of kevin before the hogwarts legacy shit, i’m a trans guy and i stopped watching him because of it. i really miss his content though, his channel is pretty much all the games i like and my sense of humour, but i feel so conflicted about wanting to go back to his content. i was just curious what your thought process was around rejoining the cult? i know it’s kinda weird to ask now since it’s been like 6 months since it happened but i feel really weird about it.

also like. no pressure to answer i don’t know if this is crossing a line or anything sorry

It’s okay don’t worry :) enough time has passed, to me at least. Tbh this is the first I’ve heard about this in a while lol.

It’s okay to feel conflicted. I don’t speak for everyone here but everyone I talk to regularly has forgiven him but won’t forget that this happened.

I do believe he learned from this, he hasn’t done anything HP related since then, besides for a few ps1 Hagrid cameos (which is fine, ps1 Hagrid has been a channel meme for a while). I just hope this doesn’t age poorly.

What started getting me back was a bit after the apology post I noticed that other YouTubers were doubling down on their decisions or just not saying anything, including ones I used to respect. Even though I wished Kevin did more than just a Reddit post, I’m glad he didn’t stay silent and admitted he fucked up. His intention wasn’t malicious, unlike a lot of other creators, which is why I was more forgiving with him compared to others. Though I still lost a lot of respect which was regained over time.

Oddly enough what got me to really respect him again was his video on those American Superpastors and Megachurches. Having grown up in one (though in Canada, they exist here but aren’t as big) it was very healing. He couldn’t say it because he didn’t want to get sued, but he was very heavily implying that he believes it’s all a huge scam and they’re exploiting people. But he’s right, I’ve witnessed it myself. Never would’ve expected him to make a video like that and be so bold with it. I’m glad Europeans see what goes on here and think “what the fuck?!” Great video definitely recommend.

Other than that, mainly just enough time passed where I no longer feel that way. I missed the sense of community which is why I rejoined the fandom but it’s not my main one anymore. I mostly do my own thing these days. It was awesome going to Vancoufur as Werewolf Jim and meeting CMK fans there too, I could’ve sworn I was the only British Columbian in the entire fandom. Though I don’t fully trust the fandom still, mainly people I don’t recognize. But not anyone here, Tumblr isn’t really the site for those people.

Not much else has really changed in his content, just no more HP videos in general (as of July 22, 2023) and the fast-paced editing has mostly stopped. He now only uploads on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays now + any 2nd channel content, song covers or streams. The community has changed a lot though. The Reddit protests caused the subreddit to shut down so it’s gone, so there’s now no longer one big gathering spot besides Discord, which is the one side of the community I’m not in.

It’s really your choice if you wanna start watching again, anonymous user. Do whatever makes you happy :)

Since this is related, I haven’t heard a thing about HL since February. It really was just a mid game that was only popular because it was controversial. Transphobes really spent a lot of money on this, they’re the real losers. I know single player games get less players overtime but a lot of them still get talked about, replayed or are still relevant. Idk just my thoughts. If you really want a magic game with custom spells, play Oblivion’s Mages Guild questline or modded Skyrim.

Also sorry if I got back to this so late. I haven’t had a stable connection for a while until now. I’ve been away, escaping wildfires. Average Canadian summer activities.

[hazzabeeforlou]

11 questions

Yes I did this a bit ago but @helloamhere (thank you, ily, have fun bussing around Europe, did that once, had to follow apple maps to know where to get off ‘cause I speak ZERO German...) tagged me and I’m an anxious mess waiting for medical news today so WHY NOT! 

Rules: answer 11 questions then pose 11 of your own. 

1. What do you think fanfic does better than published fiction (if anything?) 

Okay obvious answer and not very high brow, but SMUT. You will not see me perusing the gay aisles of Barnes and Noble romance novels :) For various reasons :) 

2. What do you think it does worse

I think (maybe it’s just this fandom) overall it’s quite a bit more sanitary than novels, both in morality and subject matter. I hate to think what the purity police would say about some of the books I’ve read... especially the old ones? But then I usually come here looking for fluff and happiness too so perhaps that’s just the major draw of fanfic, idk. 

3. What’s something another fandom has or does that you wish your fandom had or did?

To be honest I’m not well versed in other fandoms, but I’m going to go with I wish this fandom didn’t have constant infighting. Seriously in all my born days I have never seen a group of people claim such a similar goal and yet devour each other so viciously. Hence I usually avoid anything incredibly explosive or triggering here; I deal with and confront radical people (religious extremists, right wing extremists) in my everyday life and I cannot bring myself to turn my escapism into that same vortex of endless arguing, though I appreciate and support those who fight the fight. I often have very sharp opinions and fall to one side or the other of the fault line, but I draw a personal boundary at a point. 

4. Do you consider yourself a “fandom” type of person in general, or committed to only one, and if so, tell me more about what this means to you.

I have been a HUGE fandom person my entire life, though this is the first time I’ve ever been in a community for it. Star Wars and Narnia consumed most of my adolescence, along with Lord of the Rings. I briefly dabbled in Dr. Who and Merlin (as one does) but because I didn't read HP until nearly the end of college, I kindof missed out on that one. Basically anything geeky or fantasy driven I have always loved, and I can’t really explain how I ended up here? But this is the only fandom I’m active in socially. The power of HL I guess... 

5. I’m trying to get through writing a first draft right now and it’s a slog. How do you stay motivated for long projects, writing or otherwise? 

Ah. A call out question! Like any good Aries, I love starting new things! And then letting them to languish unfinished. I have, however, trained in classical music, and thus I’ve programmed myself to just keep doing the thing because pieces take months and months and months to perfect and if you can’t stick with a project, you go nowhere. I also operate on a reward system, as in writing is the reward for practicing, then when I’m sick of words I go back to music, and so the turn tables. I have learned to ignore (I’m great at ostrich-ing) the crushing self doubt of creativity and just bulldoze ahead and do the thing, which results in very messy first drafts and often bad habits in my musical technique and a tendency to overplay, which wastes energy, but rehearsals wait for no one. I also thrive on last minute deadlines! 

6. Tell me about what you read as a kid. Favorite book? Or if you weren’t into reading then, favorite TV show, etc? 

I HAVE SO MANY. Narnia was my first love. I also adored George MacDonald (At The Back of the North Wind is a fucking masterpiece). My mom hardly let me read Redwall (see: hints of magic) but when she caved I devoured all of those. Anne of Green Gables. American Girl stuff (lots of it, yes Josefina and Kaya were my faves). I read far too many Star Wars expanded universe novels (New Jedi Order  shaped me as a person, esp Traitor). I remember reading all the Eragon series, though these were dubiously approved... and I read various classics, as one is supposed to. In high school I printed out the entire Beowulf in Old English, got a CD of a dude reading it, and proceeded to memorize the first several lines. I can still recite Anglo Saxon but I have no clue what it means (see: I’m a good mimic). Everything non-Christian-magic-related I read during or after college, sigh. 

7. Have your tastes changed?

This sounds bad but not really. I rarely read non fiction, oops. Biographies are a slog for me. I dislike historical fiction and I don’t have a good reason for that. I do love a good mystery, but usually not in book form (audio or visual Agatha Christie is my mana). I do adore socio-policial books, though (The Better Angels of our Nature a good example) or books doing a deep dive into a historical topic. These days I enjoy a good satire more than much else, and since I started on Terry Pratchett in 2016 I haven’t looked back. 

8. I’ll steal your question above--tell me about a fic that changed you, or became a “touchstone” fic that you go back to!!

I didn’t read fics period when I entered the fandom, and stubbornly maintained that for a while, but the fic that changed my mind was (Take Me Home) Country Roads by @a-writerwrites (Awriterwrites). I read it during a drive through the very parts of the USA it’s set in, and I couldn’t put it down, spotty internet be damned. From there @horsegirlharry birthed me into the gay 1D world, though I can’t for the life of me remember which of hers I first read! (Does it matter? They’re all so beautiful...) 

9. Tell me about a WIP, if applicable. How’s it going?? It sounds great. 

I’m plodding along on The Garden, it’s going well, but urgency isn’t a priority. It’s going to be one of those things that I finish and then go in and make matter because right now my ideas are half formed and I know I’ll eventually know where I’m going but it’s a case of blind trust in instinct at this point! 

10. What’s your favorite place to read and sitting position?

Like a true gay I cannot sit normally in a chair, coupled with my pain issues means I’m usually draped over the back of something with a cushy lumbar support, massive pillow, or propped sideways lying down. I love reading outside, but have a tendency to attract bugs, also I’m very light sensitive so my eyes hate the sun, especially if I’m reading from a screen. 

11. Do you feel like fic reading and writing is social for you? E.g. do you share with friends (in or outside of fandom), or are you a lone wolf seeking out your fics in the dead of night??

I LOVE the social aspect of fic reading and writing within fandom! I have shared PITS with only two real life friends though; I am very tight lipped about the fact that I write fic. People are cruel and musicians are judgmental arseholes and if I prefer to spend my days dreaming up love stories for my OTP instead of pouring over scores, that’s my fucking business. 

Alright, 11 from me (I wanted to include artists too so!!): 

1. Are you a start small-work larger type creator, or map everything out then attend to detail?

2. What style of art/writing has most influenced your creative choices? (Genre, time period, muse)

3. How long have you been writing/arting? Is this something you knew you’d do your whole life?

4. What is your favorite thing about creating for your fandom? (reception, excitement, newness, etc.) 

5. Have you met any recent creative goals that you’re really proud of? 

6. What is your creative baby; what work do you want stamped on your proverbial gravestone as I MADE THIS (or have you made it yet?)

7. Do outside forces (politics, culture, hegemonies) play into your creations? Do you intentionally or subconsciously subvert norms or explore ideas?

8. Your creative mind is a garden. Describe what kind it would be and what it would contain (i.e. rock garden, palace garden, wildflowers, rose... etc.) 

9. Do you believe that creative art has power and if so, how do you hope yours impacts others? 

10. I’m double stealing this question: what’s a fic or fan art that changed your life or was a touchstone for you?

11. If you could pick any hero of yours to read/look at your creations, who would it be and why?

TOTALLY only if you want to, but @13ways-of-looking @twopoppies @alienfuckeronmain @prettytruthsandlies @pattern-pals @newleafover @disgruntledkittenface @lesbianiconharrystyles @lululawrence

[atruththatyoudeny]

MONTHLY READS | October 2018

Happy 1D Fanworks Appreciation Day! Thank you so much for all the hard work you put into your stories and the courage to share them with us! I am so grateful for all the amazing authors in this fandom. Here are the fics I read this month, as always, Top 5 + 16 (!!) more under the cut (to not clog up your dash) 

The Road Less Travelled

by freetheankles | Lumberjack Louis | angst | slow burn | slow build | hurt/comfort | mutual pining | banter | minor character death | 98k Louis was a lumberjack happy to be living his life alone in what could qualify as Middle Of Nowhere, Canada. Every morning, he went out into the woods, cut his logs, then came home at dusk to a scalding hot shower and a good book by the fireplace. Rinse and Repeat. He had a good life, quiet and peaceful; simple. Not a secluded one as Niall annoyingly claimed. Louis certainly didn't need some chatty trespasser dropping into his life, his forest, his home. Invading his space, his circle of friends, touching his stuff, asking questions about his husband. His late husband. A trespasser who wasn’t supposed to crawl under his skin, occupy his thoughts, and steal his heart from where Louis had locked it safely away, only to put it right back on Louis’ sleeve — where it once laid. No, Louis definitely didn’t need Harry.

I Wanna Be More Than Friends

by 2tiedships2 | a/b/o | accidental bonding | friends to lovers | fluff | childhood friends | 20k He hadn't meant to scent Harry. They were best friends and that was it. Scenting best friends wasn't exactly socially acceptable. "Lou," Harry whispered. Louis jumped at his name and sat up straighter to provide a bit of distance between himself and Harry. "You can't scent me, Lou," Harry stated. Which of course Louis couldn't scent him. They were best friends. "I mean," Harry continued. "I wouldn't mind exactly, but if I can't scent you, I don't think you should scent me." "What do you mean you can't scent me? I mean, I get it because we're best friends but..." "I mean I can't smell you, Louis. I fucking can't smell you. I can't smell anything, okay?" Or the one where Harry’s an alpha with no sense of smell, Louis’ an omega who isn’t allowed to scent his best friend, and that’s all they’ll ever be. Obviously.

We'll Never Fall Apart

by GMTYUniverse for 1D Pet Fest | post break-up | pre-make up | exes to lovers | famous/ not famous | angst | fluff | 20k Harry’s hand seems to tremble a bit as he takes the pen from Louis. Louis pretends he doesn’t notice. It’s not his right anymore to notice, he thinks to himself. Or maybe it is – as friends. He’s not sure what being just friends entails, if he’s being entirely honest. He’s a bit confused where they’ve drawn the line, or will be drawing the line. It's just - it’s not really clear where they stand at the moment. Despite all the paperwork surrounding Oliver, there's so much left unsaid. Then again, maybe everything already has been said and Louis is just scrambling for reasons to keep holding on. or the one where Louis and Harry's relationship falls apart after 7 years, but the rescue dog they raised together doesn’t understand the joint-custody agreement they’ve hashed out.

Stars are guiding me back

by coffeelouis | Bachelor AU | post break-up | 78k Directing the first ever season of The Bachelor with a bisexual star is a huge career move for Louis. After throwing himself into his career, he finally has the opportunity to prove himself as a director with a unique vision. For Harry, being cast as the first ever Bi Bachelor means finally putting his ex-boyfriend behind him and starting anew. He's taking a chance on finding love and determined to do it right this time. They didn't exactly think this through. [or, the BACHELOR AU where Louis directs his ex-boyfriend Harry in his season as America's first bi bachelor.]

Dirty secret

by iilarryii | Mulan AU | a/b/o | enemies to friends to lovers | war | mpreg | character death | 122k "Dad, you can't go!" Louis yells to his father as he watches him pull out his sword. "Louis, you know that I have to. It's the pack leaders orders," Dan says calmly. "I need you to promise me that you'll take care of the family if I die." "So what? You'll just give up?" "Of course not. I am just willing to die for my family's safety." "So am I." The Zoely pack is attacked by rogue alphas and the pack leader orders all alphas over the age of eighteen to protect their pack. Dan Deakin is one of the strongest alphas in the pack, but there is one problem. He has a wife and six kids to feed and look after. Louis is the oldest child and the one who wants to protect their family. Or a Mulan AU where Louis is an omega who takes his father's place in the war.

To change how you see and what you believe

by jaerie for HL Mpreg Fic Exchange 2018 | mpreg | unplanned pregnancy | I didn't know I was pregnant AU | friends to lovers | graphic description of birth | 12k Harry and Louis are best friends who just happen to fall into bed with each other sometimes, it's not a big deal. After a drunken night of discussing their kinks, they wake up naked together. They don't remember what happened, but they've done it before and they'll probably do it again, but five months later, a surprise changes everything.

Baby We Could Be Enough

by lovelarry10 for HL Mpreg Fic Exchange 2018 | mpreg | mutual pining | angst | natural birth | 74k Harry Styles has always wanted a family, but his boyfriend doesn’t. When an unexpected pregnancy leaves Harry feeling alone and terrified, he feels he has no choice but to give up his baby. He finds a family with the adoptive parents, and maybe something more. ~ Louis Tomlinson and his wife, Jess, have been trying for a baby for years. Their hasty marriage after they first got pregnant has only led to a series of miscarriages that have put a strain on their already precarious relationship. When they meet a young man desperate for a home and someone to raise his child, Louis realizes that he may have been moving in the wrong direction all along.

He Saw His Own Eyes

by SadaVeniren for HL Mpreg Fic Exchange 2018 | mpreg | doctor/patient | angst | friends to lovers | 16k Dear Child, By the time you read this I’ll be dead. Here’s how I think it’s gonna to happen. Your mum - whoever they are and I’m sure they’ll be a smashing person - will read this letter, realize I quoted a very old and niche video, and teleport to my exact location and strangle me. I know sense of humor is not genetic but if it was I hope you’d get mine. I hope you don’t get my nose - it’s pretty big, and if you get my height I hope your mum evened it out with some grace and coordination so you didn’t spend puberty impersonating Bambi on ice. I’ve finally grown into it but it took awhile and I once almost fell into a bonfire because of it. Maybe I’ll tell you about it when we meet up! Please know that if you decide to reach out to me I will be receptive, so don’t let that cause you any anxiety. I hope that your life has been good so far. I’m sure your mum (and dad or other mum or other parenting figure) loved you with everything they are. Yours, Dad P.S. Then two cops will read this letter and shoot each other. AKA Louis conceives a child from an anonymous donor and Harry’s the midwife.

Shut your mind off (and let your heart hear me)

by BeHappily for HL Mpreg Fic Exchange 2018 | mpreg | ballet | kid fic | friends with benefits | 13k Harry wants Louis for a while, Louis wants Harry forever, but emotions and a little human get in their way. Or, an AU where Louis is a single father to cute twins, Harry is a ballet dancer who doesn't want any relationship, and they foolishly become friends with benefits, but maybe it wasn't so bad after all.

A Perfect Reason

by Chelsea Frew for HL Mpreg Fic Exchange 2018 | mpreg | royalty | fluff | famous/not famous | natural birth| 29k During a visit to a charity he'd like to support, Prince Louis--next in line to the throne of the United Kingdom--meets Harry, the man of his dreams. Trouble is, Louis is not out, and the law says his heirs can only be born of a woman. Louis is determined not to let that stop his pursuit of Harry. His determination doubles when Harry accidentally becomes pregnant. He and Harry will have their little family--and change the monarchy while they're at it.

Does it Look Devious or Something?

by haztobegood for 1000 Feelings For Which There Are No Names | sex toy store | homophobia | 4k When someone complains about Louis’ new business, he must defend his sex toy shop to the city council. Written for Prompt #231: The amazement at how much hot air people manage to produce.

Beneath the sound of hope

by YesIsAWorld | sexual confusion | high school | 1990s | 6k After Louis Tomlinson leaves the set of the Smashing Pumpkins’ “1979” music video, it’s not the band or the experience that he can’t stop thinking about—it’s the curly-haired boy he met while filming. Determined to track that same boy down, he sets off on a short journey and ends up figuring out some truths about himself along the way.

Better Late Than Never

by reddhede | establishes relationship | mpreg | past abuse | break up | unplanned pregnancy | angst | 72k After an unstable and abusive childhood, Louis finally has the life he'd always dreamed of - a good flat, a good job, and the best boyfriend. But one little plastic stick turns that life upside down.

Navždy

by nikogda | vampires | established relationship | 7k Louis took his hand and walked him over to the up escalator and felt him squeeze it tightly as he stepped on. And that is how it went, up and down as Louis watched Harry from the seats by the puzzles near Starbucks. He could see Harry as he went up the escalator and down, only to repeat about twenty more times. Louis sighed, because he loves Harry of course he does. So he would put up with this and the amusement that wore off a while ago. Yet for Harry, this newness was still very exciting to him. Louis couldn’t wait to show him Netflix. Wondered if Harry had seen a television. He stood up as Harry neared the floor and walked over to him. “Babe, do you know what a television is?” Louis questioned, reaching for Harry’s hand to keep him from going towards the up escalator. “I’m not a complete idiot, Lou.” Louis could see the glint of Harry’s fangs as he smiled, his hand covering his mouth quickly. “Have you ever watched one?” He tugged Harry to the exit. “No,” Harry said quietly. Or, Harry finally rejoins a world where everything has changed but the most important thing is exactly the same.

I love your demons (like devils can)

by ariadne_odair for One Direction Big Bang: Round 3 | Girl Direction | homophobia | internalised homophobia | angst | 60k "I am right here," she says loudly, and she can almost hear the crack when Louis' head whips around to stare at her. "Why?" Louis asks, and Harry feels her insides shrivel up and die. Harry didn’t plan to join the football team. She didn’t plan to sleep with the captain of the football team. She definitely didn’t plan to sleep with the closeted captain of the football team, who promptly acted as if nothing happened and left Harry a pathetic, pining mess.

Sea Salt and Chocolate

by cupcakeL | strangers to lovers | friends to lovers | coffee shops & cafés | cheating | fluff | 10k “How can I help you?” He looked at the customer and wow, Harry was pretty sure this guy had the bluest eyes he had ever seen. When the guy opened his mouth Harry could almost feel the venom in his voice. “Do you have some kind of truffle that passive aggressively says ‘fuck you’?” Or Harry owns a confectionary/café and Louis is an aspiring musician who needs to break up with his boyfriend via truffles.

We'll Paint the Town

by kotabear24 for Larry Abroad Fic Challenge | Say Yes to the Dress AU | Kleinfeld's | famous/not famous | 4k For the Larry abroad prompt: Kleinfeld's, New York. This is a Say Yes to the Dress fic. In which Louis can't flirt, Lottie does all the work, Harry just wants to get her in a damn dress, and Niall is an aggressive affirmer. It ends well for everyone.

Knot Safe For Work

by jaerie | sex shop | knotting | sex toys | wizards | werewolf | magic | spells & enchantments | potions | 5k The world is magical, Louis is a wizard, Harry is a Were, there are spells for lube and supernatural kinks are definitely a thing.

The Things You Hide

by LiveLaughLoveLarry for HL Summer Exchange 2015 | spies Á secret agents | angst | undercover missions | 27k Louis has been an MI6 agent for four years. Now he wants out. Unfortunately, his superiors have other ideas. Their solution: a 'mission' in the Greek Islands, one that's more vacation than actual work. Harry is an avid photographer who shows him around the area. He's open and carefree and everything that Louis wishes he could be. Along the way they fall in love, and maybe Louis learns a little about love, a little about lies, and a whole lot the meaning of home.

Say It First

by Rearviewdreamer | Butterfly Effect AU | time travel | high school | pining | uni | angst | infidelity | domestic fluff | adoption | happy ending | 25k When it comes to Louis, Harry feels like he has spent a lifetime getting it wrong, but on a chance night together where time mostly seems to be on his side, he gets the opportunity to try it all again. And again, and again, and again in an attempt to finally get it right before it's too late.

Take Our Bodies Higher

by littlelouishiccups  | phone sex | dirty talk | Daddy kink | Dom/sub | 21k Harry wasn’t often caught off guard at his job anymore. He called different men Sir, Master, or Daddy for work almost every week, but he’d never been told he was a good boy in a voice quite like that. In which Harry is a phone sex operator and Louis dials a wrong number.

[findmyrupertfriend]

Yoo hoo :) Been getting on w. life post HL, & only occasionally paying a visit to tumblr... but... just did, & obviously saw CD comment about PQ. (And the reaction) Geez! Way to piss off and push away further a fandom whose anger (etc) had (I expect) finally started to mellow. (Speaking for self... but I expect there would be many others at a similar place) FFS!! 😣🤢🤢🤢🤢 (1)

(2) We KNOW he’s unequivocally dead… but isn’t it about time she (and of course AFG) said something to acknowledge the amazing contribution RF made to homeland? Seriously, I feel like writing these clowns the frigging script and sending to them! the guy MADE the show over the last few years! How about a little respect for RF please! Honestly, between AFG and CD…. I’m just smh 🤦‍♂️ What idiots!

You, my friend, get a group answer…

Cynthia: BWG! So happy you’re back in whatever capacity! How’s life down under? You’ve nailed the mystery. We know a ton about what happened but the incompetent PR continues to be utterly mystifying. 

Sydney: You’re absofuckinglutely correct! They killed a beloved, fan favorite twice, made it ambiguous both times, and then basically said, “fuck you” to Quinn, Rupert and all of us. But, the good news is Rupert is moving on to better things and taking us with him. I’m hoping you’ll come along for the ride. It’s great to hear from you!

Laura: Howdy! Nice to meet you, and thanks for writing in to our blog. I saw your comments on my post here, and let me just say - I’m with you! SWEAR AWAY! 

Frangi: Hey, happy to see you around. How are you? We missed you!

[heartlandians]

First it was Michelle Morgan slowly disappearing from episodes of Heartland, then it’s Graham Wardle disappearing at an even faster rate from Heartland, now it’s one of the longtime fans and blogger that helped maintain our interest in Heartland that’s left us. Is Heartland a sinking ship?

Every year since season 8 it seems more and more fans (and actors) are becoming frustrated and angry at the unimaginative and repetitive storylines. I hope if there is a new season of Heartland the producers and writers will sit down and really look at the mess they’ve created and try and find some way to fix it. Every year it seems things get worse not better. Heartland still has a lot of life in it but not if they keep going down this path of self-destruction.     Submitted by: Lacey ________________________________

Yeah, I’ve seen a lot of regulars disappear from here and on other platforms, it seems like things really are shifting. I get it, absolutely, but it still makes me sad - not so much for the sake of the show, because I understand that people will react to what they are given and they should be free to do so (it’s kind of like a “you reap what you sow” response to the show makers), but mostly because there are really great people here in the fandom, and I’ve enjoyed getting to know them/speculating with them/sharing stories etc. Now it’s all kind of faded away and it’s not the same anymore.

Another thing that makes me sad is the fact that giving feedback is a one way street, often a dead end, which is one of the reasons why I stopped doing reviews (other being that they would be too critical these days and it’s really heavy to write something like that (and I don’t believe in being fake positive just to please people), especially because I don’t see it leading anywhere - I don’t want to just make myself angry, I find no joy in that). 

I was reading some article about some popular show yesterday on twitter (I can’t remember what it was anymore, not a show I personally watch, but a show I know anyway because it’s known), and it was one of the writers/producers(?) telling how they love the engagement of the fans and how the fans have such interesting theories and ideas because it’s a two-way love story when it comes to the show - the writers love the characters just as much as the fans, so it’s like a collective “fangirling” when it comes to making the show; throwing around ideas and making it the best it can be. It sounded amazing to me and I think it was a win-win in every way, something that’ll drive both the writers/producers and the fans on. 

To me, personally, I would see that as an ideal situation when it comes to something creative. I didn’t see it the writers giving all the power to the fans, because at the end of the day it’s the writers who decide to write what they write and what the direction will be, but I could definitely see how encouraging that is to the fans to see that they are actually being heard, even if their theories/ideas might not even lead to anywhere. But just the fact that they are heard is a big deal. Maybe the outline was made by the writers, but they would add these little things in that they’ll know the fans are going to love, while still making it seamless and not just pure fan-service. (see: “No one being close to dying for once” vs “suddenly we have Caleb and Ty walking around without shirts for no reason whatsover”).

From what I read, it didn’t have this “If you don’t like it, don’t watch it” approach that HL seems to have (these days). That doesn’t give space to any conversation - which to me, I feel, is the basis of the interaction between a show and its fans. I feel like we aren’t allowed to have opinions/criticism about the show, which to me feels off-putting, at least. I know the direction of the writing is in the hands of the writers, I get that, but I’ve seen people being shot down whenever they have disagreed with something the show is doing with its characters/story lines, even being ridiculed for expressing their feelings. It doesn’t feel welcoming, so I can’t blame for people leaving. In fact, I would encourage anyone to do that if they feel bad about the show/the fandom because no one deserves to be treated like that when, at the end of the day, the fans are the reason why the show has even gone on for this long. A lot of good shows have died young, but if there’s a strong fanbase behind the project, things are possible. Not everyone will have same opinions, but listening to the feedback shouldn’t be selective; we are all fans here, not just a group to boost someone’s ego when needed.

It’s odd that we are “lead to believe” that the reason why the fandom is slowly “dying” is because so many people must have just suddenly changed instead of us, fans, knowing what the problem is. I’ve had a lot of people come up to me, both privately and publicly, and telling what they think the issues of the show are, yet it’s all reduced to “you’ve just changed, move on”. Why would anyone else know what’s going on insides fans’ heads other than the fans themselves?