#if every side of a love triangle isn't this obsessed with each other then I don't want it

[fairyroses]

I’m sorry... it wasn’t me. Are you sure?

SMALLVILLE — 1.15 / 2.04 / 4.17  ↳ dark!Clexana ‘expressing certain desires’ to each other 👀

[miyakuli]

Triangle Strategy

My obsession since a month. I finished all the routes and played so many hours, I'm finally ready to present it to you and I hope my review will pique your interest and that you'll join me in this then xD (because I LOVE IT TOO MUCH).

Triangle Strategy is a tactical rpg that also flirts with the narrative genre, in which you juggle between fights, cut scenes and choice phases that will influence the fate of Lord Serenor and the future of the continent of Norzelia. Let's say it right away, I devoured the game; I haven't enjoyed a tactical game this much since Fire Emblem 3H! The game has a lot going for it, both in terms of gameplay and narrative, but there are a few disappointing points that could have been better executed by Square Enix.

❤ The story is excellent, very well written and very engaging. The geopolitical conflict is coherent, and we don't just see everything through the eyes of the MC, there are also side moments to follow the plot from other points of view. It's easy to see that the game isn't at all Manichean; each character has their own vision of the continent's prosperity, and as a result, nobody really embodies evil or good. There's a real maturity of writing here, making TS not at all predictable or cliché. ❤ This feeling is reinforced by the choice system, since in wartime, no choice is fair to all, and concessions have to be made. This makes it almost heartbreaking to decide. The game offers us 2 forms of choice. First, dialogue choices to reinforce your character's convictions, revolving around 3 main themes: Morality, Liberty, and Utility. Then, scenario choices that will influence your game, based on a debate with your group; in fact, the convictions you've strengthened will help you win debates. It's an essential part of the story, and adds a lot of spice, if I may say so, as well as replayability (4 endings, including a "true end"). ❤ Let's talk about combat. The tactical aspect is fairly basic and easy to learn. On the other hand, it offers real diversity in terms of combinations. Each recruit has their own combat specialities (2 archers will not have the same attack and defense characteristics, and will have very different skills too). As a result, you really get caught up in studying the field, weather and enemies to come up with the best possible strategy. What's more, the game offers a fair amount of challenge in certain battles, so you'll sometimes have to start them all over again, which really pushes you to persevere and find the best possible combinations; it was extremely addictive for me. ❤ In terms of artistic direction, the 2d-hd pixel art is really beautiful, with superb lighting effects and depth of field. ❤ For the audio, the game is already fully dubbed (Japanese or English), which greatly strengthens our attachment to the characters and our immersion in the story. I played it in Japanese and recognized some big names in dubbing, so it really is a top-quality cast. Now I'd like to turn to the thing that most amazed me about this game: the music. Composed by Akira Senju, whose music for FMA Brotherhood I already greatly admire, he created here an absolutely incredible soundtrack! All the themes are memorable and effectively accompany the atmosphere of every moment in the game. I can say without hesitation that this soundtrack has immediately become one of my must-haves <3

+/- The group's main characters are very likeable and pretty well developed over the course of the game. It's a pity that this is not the case for the other units in our group. Their recruitment is done in a very expeditious way (the characters are accessible as soon as you've increased your convictions enough) based on a short scene like, "Hi, I've come to fight by your side". And then you unlock 2 extra stages if you raise their stats enough, and that's it…at least in Fire Emblem, the appearance of secondary units was done through combat, which allowed us to learn and test their skills, it was much more useful. +/- NG+ is really cool if you want to keep playing and unlock new characters or scenarios. On the other hand, why doesn't the option just appear in the menu, it's pretty confusing to launch (because yes, I relaunched another day and had forgotten about the little explanatory window, but come on!).

✖ Some combat animations are quite slow, and you can't really get past them even when speeding up. ✖ The exploration phases are not very interesting (only 2 phases have a real impact on the scenario, otherwise it's just to recover items). ✖ The game's OST is neither sold on Steam, nor accessible on Spotify or anything else, I want to tear my hair out in frustration. PLEASE SQUARE ENIX, LET ME OWN THIS MUSIC!!!! (;;)

As you can see, after 80 hours of play, Triangle Strategy is for me an excellent game in its genre, thanks to its narrative and strategic qualities, and I can say that I felt a great sadness to have finished it x') However, I'd recommend it to those who like to read, because yes, the dialogues are rich and abundant, and I think that might put off a lot of people expecting more combat and less blah-blah.

As far as I'm concerned, it's this balance between narrative and combat that gives this game its charm and strength, and which I'm sure will convince other lovers of the genre. I'm convinced of it.

➡ My Steam page

[momotonescreaming]

Thank you for writiting so much Stomarol, they’re my newest obsession. I wish we had gotten more than one season with them as speaking characters :( Carol is so beautiful and so is Steve and Tommy is so obsessed with both of them it’s just perfect.

They’re the best love triangle because they all actually love each other and I truly believe that Tommy and Carol hated Nancy because she took Steve away from them

Could you imagine what would’ve happened if Tommy saw what Billy did to Steve and Stomarol were still together? Idk how bringing Steve into the Upside Down stuff would work if he wasn’t dating Nancy, I just think it’s an interesting concept. Or maybe Steve finds Dustin actually looking for his cat in the woods and then meets up with the Party and Max and that’s how the fight with Billy happens if there’s no Upside Down? And Tommy and Carol are busy with their parentsthat day, or they got into a fight with Steve so he’s going to apologize to them like he was to Nancy, so they aren’t with him. Like if Tommy was mad at Jonathan after the fight in season 1, I think he would go feral at Billy especially since Steve was knocked unconscious

I just crave more Stomarol and I’m so close to writing my own version, but I’m just scared it would suck because it would be the first fanfic I’ve ever written

Idk if this makes any sense, I just needed to let you know how much I love your fics!!

Nonny! You're so welcome! I'm so happy you like them!! I am picking you up and giving you a big hug 💜

Tommy and Carol are the iconic side characters. Petition to get rid of characters like Keith and Murray, and to replace them with Tommy and Carol. Reunite the Mean Girl Trio.

Definitely give writing them a go!! I am always for encouraging more writers. Especially for rare pairs like this, and side characters too. There's so much more wiggle room to figure things out! No heavily established fanon to hold you back. Every writer is scared they think their work sucks, even well established ones. I know just saying 'Don't be scared' isn't going to do much, but please don't hold yourself back! I believe in you!!! 💜💜💜 Even writing and not sharing it is good! Write for you! Practice! Find a squad of friends you can share your work with! The best part of writing, of fandom, is connection! Even if you don't have anyone to share with, you have me! Tag me! I'll for sure read it!

Rest under a cut because this got long 😅

Tommy and Carol mutually agreed that it wasn't cheating if it was with Steve. He was their mutually agreed exception and they were so close to getting Steve to agree to have a threesome with them. And then they'd slowly envelop them into their dynamic, and create the ultimate throuple. Only that Nancy chick had to get in the way and Steve fell in love with her. Hard agree that they hated her because she got in the way of their Steve. He was theirs first. And when the rumours went around about her cheating on him, them getting into a big fight, her breaking his heart and then immediately getting with that loner Jon? They'd hate her even more. She's the reason they're not close to Steve anymore. She ruined everything. I don't think canon them would think too hard about their behaviour, and how Steve wanted them to be less of an asshole. They're 16. All 16 year olds are assholes.

But this is fandom and I say stomarol throuple 💜

If stomarol were together when Billy fought with Steve, they'd kill him. They'd ruin his life. They'd get him sent to fucking prison. Carol 100% has the ability to spread nasty rumours that take over the whole school and ruin someone's reputation. Billy would never get any friends, any girls, ever again. Especially if the stomarol trio were still together, because they'd rule that school. Ultimate popular kids. I can also see Tommy straight up reporting Billy for assault. He almost killed Steve! They could have lost him! I don't Steve would be very happy if they went against him to do so, but I don't see Tommy caring? Steve got a severe concussion. He got brain damage. Rotting in jail is the least that asshole Billy deserves.

I've had so many thoughts about stomarol getting involved in the Upside Down in an au where Steve doesn't date Nancy, throuple all the way. And I can't quite decide on an answer?

Because without Steve inviting Nancy to his place to the party, she wouldn't have invited Barb, and she wouldn't have been taken. But then does that mean Nancy doesn't get involved with the Upside Down? Or does she get involved another way?

Or does Steve invite her as a cover? Because he knows she's interested in him. He's hot, he's good at flirting. He knows what a person who likes him looks like. Because Tommy and Carol are publicly dating. Have been since middle school. Steve however? It's the 80s and he's a teen boy who hangs around his best friends a lot. He's touchy and soft and loves them. So he goes on a series of first dates with random girls. He flirts, he kisses them, but he doesn't sleep with them. Doesn't date them long term. Something to cover him so people don't get suspicious.

Does Barb still disappear? Does one of the trio disappear?

I know I like the idea of Tommy and Carol getting involved with the Upside Down, along with Steve. Mostly because those three cannot keep a secret from each other. Not for the big things. The reason they work long term is because they communicate. They have to.

Tommy, Carol, and Steve all being cool bitchy mentors to the young teens is so good. They think they're so cool.

I have this image in my head, of the three of them sitting on the kerb after the fight with the demogorgon. Steve still with his bruised face, bat in hand. Curled together, not caring who sees. They could have died. Monsters are real. And it's just bought them closer. Steve's started revealing his soft underbelly more, he doesn't want to be an asshole. Miserable. They almost died! and because Tommy & Carol love Steve more than keeping themselves safe with their bitchy armour, they all start to soften. Be less mean.

And the Jonathan of it all! @findafight mentioned in the STWG that Jon was still in the woods taking his pervy pictures. Only instead of Steve and Nancy of course - it was Tommy and Carol he caught a photo of. Carol with her top off, them touching. And because no one else except stomarol knows what Steve's bedroom looks like, they don't suspect a thing. They don't suspect that Steve was just out of view of the window, watching them.

And it makes Steve fucking mad. And scared. And on edge. Because they could have been caught! Literally any other option except Tommy & Carol would have been the end of them! If it was Steve and Carol, they would have been labelled dirty cheaters. If it was Tommy and Steve they'd have been outed. And it was all three of them it would have been the end. Their threesome exposed, and they'd have to be so careful not to reveal that it was more than a one time thing.

Steve still smashes the camera. They rip up the photos. And I think they'd still fight Jon in the alleyway. There isn't the 'Nancy The Slut Wheeler' of it all, of course, but they'd rile him up. Begging for a fight.

And yeah 😂 that got slightly out of hand lmao. I just love them! They're so fun to think about! Especially in a world where they last. They make it work.

[offbeatcappuccino]

wherever you are ~ my man is cupid review?!

I first stumbled across "My Man is Cupid" (MMIC) by accident on Amazon Prime and after watching the first few episodes, I was convinced that this show had set itself up for failure because it appeared to bite more than it could chew. However, nearly two months later, I stand corrected and I have to say no other show has kept me at the edge of my seat like MMIC.

The protagonist of MMIC is Cheon Sang Hyuk, a fairy who shoots arrows and sparks an attraction between two individuals. He lives with three other fairies with the same powers including Cheon Dong Pal, Cheon Dong Chil, and Cheon Dong Koo. The quartet of fairies live under the masquerade of twenty and thirty something adult men (with the exception of Dong Chil, who sometimes turns into a dog) as punishment for a mistake Sang Hyuk made 500 years ago. He falls in love with a woman, interferes with fate, and burns his own wings in the process. When Dong attempted to shoot him with an arrow in order to save him, he misses and their wings transformed from light feather to heavy metal. Since the incident, the fairies have been diligently shooting their arrows and setting humans up and going through several phases of metamorphosis in the hope that they can restore their wings.

It is in the months preceding his last metamorphosis that Sang Hyuk comes across Oh Baek Ryeon, a 28 year old veternarian, who has never had the chance to fall in love. Baek Ryeon's love life is beset with misfortunes as every man she has tried to date throughout her live is met with a near fatal injury. In a chance meeting with a tarot reader, Baek Ryeon discovers that she has sinned in her past life and in order to repent for her sins, she must climb to the top of Inwangsan Mountain and pray for 1000 times until she can meet her soulmate, something which she dutifully complies to. Baek Ryeon and Sang Hyuk meet for the first time at a small restaurant when the inebriated Baek Ryeon mistakenly calls him "honey" and the restaurant owner forces Sang Hyuk to settle her bill and take her home. They run into each other several times after the incident and they can't stand each other. However, after Sang Hyuk saves her life from a stalker and is shockingly uninjured, Baek Ryeon (miss delulu) falls instantly for Sang Hyuk, who she affectionately calls "Superman-ssi." This sets into motion the "looks one-sided but is actually mutual romantic relationship" between both characters.

Playing in the background of Baek Ryeon and Sang Hyuk's love story is the kidnapping of Go Eun Seo, a middle aged woman, who goes missing during one of the snowiest nights of the year. Coincidentally, before her disappearance, she was last with Baek Ryeon as both women, who were complete strangers to each other, are urged by the restaurant owner to share makgeolli and jeon. Leading the investigation is homicide detective Seo Jae Hae. What connects him to the main characters is not only the murder case, but also the fact that he becomes the guardian of one of the dogs that Baek Ryeon saves and treats at her clinic. He is also romantically attracted to Baek Ryeon, resulting in a love triangle between the three individuals.

My Man is Cupid is an incredibly complex story with multiple genre threads intricately woven into the storyline. It is romantic comedy, fantasy, mystery, thriller, star crossed lovers, and reincarnation galore. It's surprising how its audacity uplifts the story rather than burdens. Its also a show that isn't scared of being seriously wacky. Characters dream about their past lives and hypnosis is treated as a legitimate way to procure crime scene evidence. The second lead becomes obsessed with unveiling the main lead's identity- even at one point in the show positing a theory that he may be an alien, though he is the lead investigator of a pressing and ongoing murder case that is desperate to be solved. If things weren't crazy enough, the last episode is a cherry on top to the absurd. Everything about this show is an oxymoron, but at the end of the day its chaos and incoherence is what makes it logical, perfect, and entertaining.

Similar to its cousin " Moon In The Day", MMIC hinges on what I call the "obscured flashback", where the flashback is intentionally revealed in bits and pieces to often mislead the viewer. This tactic alongside the hypnosis is what I believe allowed the writers to seamlessly integrate the different genres in the plot and prevented the story from over-exending itself into the serial killer storyline and failing to address the fantasy elements.

MMIC wasn't the show that I was excitedly waiting for every week, but it was the one that pleasantly surprised me when I watched it in five minute stretches during my twelve hour night shifts. Like many of the shows that have come out this winter, MMIC is not a philosophical treatise laden with symbolism on the meaning of life or love. At its best, its jumpscares mixed with how whimsical and silly a person can become when they are in love. Its an optimistic reminder that at the end of the day, we all have that one person, who we are destined to be with even when the circumstances seem impossible. Finally, for all of us "delulus", its a heartfelt tale endorsing our chaotic existence on this planet.

Give My Man is Cupid a try. I don't think you'll regret it.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

[booksandwords]

Ice Drag Queen Wedding by Tami Veldura

Series: Queenships, #1.5 Read time: 1 Day Rating: 4/5 Stars

The quote: Anyone from Tsui would claim they were daughters of the stars, severing their history with Earth in order to find enlightenment, but Artio’s people knew that a person was built by what came before them, and a history only gave them all strength. It didn’t hold anyone back. — Hendrix Kelly

Warnings: None of note.

Oh man, I have one thing to say... Hendrix's outfits are clothing p*rn and I can't even with it. I just went all grabby hands over it. Those outfits were the best things in this whole story.

Ice Drag Queen Wedding tells the story of Hendrix Kelly and Kane Carter. It's an arranged marriage, enemies to lovers plot using forced proximity well. The arranged marriage is I believe managed better than most plotlines like that I've read for a while. Hendrix consented and had a hand in the negotiation of his own marriage, Kane had the option to and just didn't. Hendrix is of the lower class (in theory at least) but has ended up with quite a generous marriage contract. Both of the had to agree to the marriage but someone was a bit busy otherwise. Both of them seem to come from matriarchal lines, I am totally here for that (*insert Welsh flag here*). The story is set around a competition, loyal crews and a holiday. I like it as a story setting. I'm not going to go into this much more for the plot and characters.

Just a couple of quotes I liked.

“He’s with his squad running simulations of us already,” she said, shaking her head. “He’s been simulating Shale for a week.” The games had only started four days ago. Hendrix laughed. “That’s because he knows we’re the only competition he has. Isobel looked over her nose at him. “More like he’s as obsessed with you as you are with him.” Hendrix put a hand to his chest in mock-outrage. “I’ll have you know that my social standing is far superior.” — Isobel is Hendrix's second in command. I really like her, the rest of their crew on Shale and Keane's crew on Basalt. This conversation shows how well the two crews and especially the captains and their seconds know each other. It's only later that Hendrix's true social standing is explained, he really isn't what he appears or presents himself as. (Isobel and Hendrix)

 It was all for show. An elegant package wrapped around his body in order to please the eye and entertain. A present he didn’t need to unwrap to enjoy. There was no practical purpose for any of it and Hendrix’s sheer joy in curating every look always seemed to give Kane a stress-tic that made his eye twitch. — Omg the outfit Hendrix is wearing here had me almost want to worship at his feet. I'm sorry he really does look like a vengeful angel. But Hendrix knows exactly how to push Kane's buttons. It's the idea of a present to himself that strikes me. (Hendrix)  

“Smart pilots fly in formation with each other, like this,” Kane moved Olivier’s hands so his ships flew side by side. “Or like this,” He added his own hand as third ship, making a triangle. “Everyone flies in the same direction so we always know we won’t run into each other.” — This is such a stunning moment to me. Olivier is seven and Kane's relative. It's a demonstration of learning and a change in priorities. I'm totally here for it. (Kane)

His eyelashes glittered with frost. His skin, dusted with silver glitter. His makeup subtle underneath, but a crown of white paint across his brow gave him the look of a queen. An ice queen, about to marry his husband. — The only way this could have been better was to change husband to something else royal. Though that would be Kane talking overly highly of himself. Also, it's a lovely sentiment and suits Hendrix to a t. (Kane)

Ice Drag Queen Wedding is set in Tami Veldura's Queenships universe, the only other book in the series to date is Perihelion published in 2015. It feels like a long time to go without writing in a series. That said while this verse seems to have very good and intelligent but dense lore that really would need to be in a novel to be properly explained and understood. Essentially it's too dense for a novella. I'm trying to figure out if the story is written with the expectation that you have read the prior book or not. It just throws information at the reader, a scifi lore that isn't unique but certainly isn't common and a bit of a web of characters.

The blurb of Ice Drag Queen Wedding is so misleading. "They're stranded on an icy moon with only one tent between them. They can't stand each other. And they're getting married in two days. [...] Hendrix and Kane's rivalry has always been heated, but stranded on the moon together, it just might ignite. There's only one bed and baby, it's getting cold outside!" (I've taken out the section on the squads which doesn't tell you much really.) That only one-bed section? One chapter halfway through the book. It's an explosive demonstration of bottled-up feelings starting from a desperate need to share body heat after someone does something spectacularly stupid. While I don't dislike what we get it isn't exactly what I expected and if I was picky about my tropes I might be more than a little disappointed.

I got this free during a single day amazon sale and I'm glad I didn't pay for it. It's not horrendous and it certainly had promise in the plot but it just doesn't manage to stick the landing. Oh, and there were some flaws in the editing. Spelling mistakes, incorrect names and maybe wrong words, just clumsy editing.

[ryantavey]

Oh boy, where do I even begin with this love triangle? Let's start with the dark knight himself, Batman. He's the brooding, caped crusader of Gotham City, always lurking in the shadows and ready to pounce on any criminal foolish enough to cross his path. But behind that tough exterior lies a heart that's been shattered one too many times by the loss of his parents. He's determined to bring justice to the city, but he's also got a bit of a soft spot for a certain psychiatrist-turned-villain...

That's right, Harley Quinn. She's the bubbly, blonde bombshell who just can't resist the Joker's charm, no matter how many times he's tried to kill her. She's got a twisted sense of humor and a penchant for causing chaos, but deep down, she just wants to be loved. And who better to give her that love than Batman himself?

But alas, the Joker isn't about to let his precious Harley slip away that easily. He's the clown prince of crime, always laughing maniacally and causing trouble wherever he goes. He's got a sick obsession with Batman, constantly trying to one-up him and prove that he's the real hero of Gotham. And when he sees Harley flirting with the bat, well, let's just say things can get pretty ugly.

So there you have it, folks. A love triangle for the ages: Batman, Harley Quinn, and the Joker. Who will come out on top? Who knows. But one thing's for sure: there's plenty of jealousy and drama to go around.

Oh, the drama! The jealousy! The heartbreak! It's like a soap opera, but with more capes and gadgets.

Batman, of course, is torn. He knows he shouldn't have feelings for Harley - she's a villain, after all - but he can't help himself. She's got a certain spark that he just can't resist. And every time he sees her flirting with the Joker, a twinge of jealousy stirs in his heart.

Meanwhile, Harley is loving all the attention. She's got two of Gotham's most eligible bachelors fighting over her, and she's playing them both like a fiddle. She flirts shamelessly with Batman, but always comes running back to the Joker when she needs a fix of danger and excitement.

And the Joker? Well, he's just loving the chaos. He knows he's got Batman's attention, and he's relishing in the chance to mess with his head. He'll do anything to keep Harley by his side - even if it means playing mind games with both her and Batman.

It's a twisted, dysfunctional love triangle, to be sure. But somehow, these three just can't stay away from each other. Maybe it's the thrill of the chase, or the danger that comes with being near their nemesis. Or maybe, just maybe, there's a spark of something real underneath all the snark and sarcasm.

Who knows what the future holds for these three? One thing's for sure: Gotham City will never be the same.

As the love triangle between Batman, Harley, and the Joker continued, tensions reached an all-time high. Batman was becoming increasingly obsessed with Harley, much to the Joker's chagrin. And Harley, well, she was just enjoying the ride, playing both sides against each other with glee.

The Joker, ever the master manipulator, decided to up the ante. He knew that Batman was vulnerable to his obsessive tendencies, so he concocted a plan to test just how far he would go for Harley's affection.

He kidnapped her, of course. Tied her up, put her in a precarious situation, and waited for Batman to come running. And of course, he did. He always did.

What followed was a brutal battle, with Batman and the Joker facing off for the millionth time. But this time, there was something different in the air. Harley was the prize, and both men were fighting tooth and nail to win her over.

In the end, it was Harley who had the last laugh. She managed to escape from both Batman and the Joker, leaving them both bewildered and brokenhearted.

But even as she skipped away, laughing maniacally, she knew that this love triangle was far from over. Gotham City was her playground, and Batman and the Joker were just her toys. And she was going to keep playing with them until the bitter end.

The aftermath of Harley's death was unlike anything Gotham City had ever seen. Batman was consumed with grief and guilt, haunted by the memory of the woman he could never have. The Joker, meanwhile, was reveling in his victory, taunting Batman at every turn.

But as time went on, something began to change in Gotham. Crime rates started to drop, and the city seemed to be on the road to recovery. Batman was still patrolling the streets, but he was more focused and determined than ever before.

And then, out of nowhere, a new villain appeared on the scene. She called herself the Harlequin, and she bore a striking resemblance to the late Harley Quinn. She had the same bubbly personality, the same twisted sense of humor, and even the same signature red and black outfit.

Batman was suspicious, of course. He couldn't help but wonder if the Harlequin was somehow connected to Harley's death. But as he dug deeper, he realized that there was something different about her. Something that set her apart from Harley, and from any other villain he had faced before.

The Harlequin was not driven by hatred or revenge, like the Joker. She was not consumed by grief or guilt, like Batman. She was something new, something unexpected.

And as the love triangle between Batman, the Joker, and Harley Quinn faded into memory, a new chapter in the history of Gotham City began. A chapter that was filled with hope, with possibility, and with the promise of a brighter future.

[sanjarka]

listen, i get where people are coming from when they say that the hunger games movies focused way too much on the romance but at the same time what romance? do you mean the ,,love triangle"? or adding that kiss between katniss and gale in catching fire? are you team peeta or team gale? who is hotter - josh or liam? because the actual romance doesn't exist.

what about he gives me a smile with just the right touch of shyness that unexpected warmth rushes through me? for a moment i feel foolishly happy? there's a whole world locked away inside of him? how don't his eyelashes get tangled up when he blinks? he plays with my hair while i make a flower crown? his voice is like the morphine they give me? in a minute i can see his smile and hear his laugh? i wonder if those kisses would feel like the ones from the beach, the ones i hadn't let myself think about until this moment? did you really hear him screaming? don't let him take you away from me? let me go - i can't? none of this is shown or implied.

no, this isn't a romance book and there are a lot of other extremely important scenes that the movies don't focus enough on (for example: the death of her father and how important that relationship was and still is so important to her? how much she misses him? how she never had the time to grieve him?) but the romance that does happen between the main characters is a big part of the plot - it moves the story, it creates conflict. the main story depends on it. this isn't just a story of war, it's also a story about the life of its protagonist and it's only natural to want her to find joy and peace. and no, not everyone has to like it, love it, be obsessed with it (i don't care about that, nor is it a realistic thing to expect or the focus of this post), but can we just stop pretending like it doesn't exist? like it's a bad thing to enjoy it. that you are exactly like the capitol because of that. that even katniss herself doesn't care about it and is somehow above that - she's a confused, traumatized child who doesn't have time to prioritize her own feelings and emotions. at 17, she should be able to think about that beach kiss for every second of every day and not feel the need to hide it because she's afraid of expecting too much, or wanting too much, or needing too much.

the movies left a lot of damage, not because they focused on the romance, but because instead of filming what was already on paper they went ahead and glamorized it, deleted it or changed it. they deleted the fact that seam people are poc. they aged up the cast. dehumanized kato, clove... didn't show how ugly the capitol really is. how haymich lost everything because he didn't want to be their piece in the games. how finnick was sold from the age of 14. how johanna isn't just angry and mad but damaged and broken. how gale isn't a war criminal but a teenager who got lost in trying to see what is right to do in a war. how war changes people and how, in the end, it usually loses its right side if it ever had it. how you can still be damaged and worth something. that the real revolution isn't in the fight but in helping those around you, by giving them bread on a rainy day or singing them a song when they are dying in your arms. that peeta lost his leg, his sense of self and his entire family. that both him and katniss had traumas prior to the games. that they truly loved each other and were each other's hope. that it would've happened anyway. that it's only him. that their love is a lot of things but never practical or just for comfort. 

the romance that the movies presented was shallow and superficial. the tragedy in their love story isn't gale, or that it only happened because it was forced, or because of their shared trauma. instead it was snow and the capitol. they weren't allowed privacy and to move at their own pace. they were used and manipulated with, hijacked. the tragedy of their love story was that it was tainted. that they weren't allowed to think about it as just theirs.

and then after everything they were still the only ones who could have healed one another. after all of that, they still somehow grew back together. the movies forgot to say that it was absolutely everything to both of them. that they are fully equal in that love.

so no, the problem with the movies isn't too much romance.

[ichinoue]

Hmm NAH, I disagree with that last anon on some points. The first boy and girl introduced ARE always the first/and almost obsessively shipped, and they just so happen to be ones that bicker- mostly because the girl is the tsundere character archetype. Plus, the whole shipped because they bicker means that IR isn't even special- not one bit, because Ichigo bickers with A LOT of other characters- and what do ya know? He gets shipped with THEM too. Like Uryu, Grimmjow, and Renji.

Yeah, the "bickering couples" thing doesn't fit with Ichigo because he tends to bicker with everyone anyway lmao. It's much more interesting that Orihime is one of the only people he doesn't do that with, which makes their dynamic so much more unique and calls into question why he softens when he's around her.

So I think it just depends on the series, because there's always going to be different characterization/archetypes/narrative themes/etc.

My whole thing is that I think the Bleach fandom in general had a really warped sense of the set-up of the ships. Like, they saw it as a sort of love triangle, pitting Orihime and Rukia against each other to see who would "win" Ichigo's love, because, in their minds, Rukia was the obvious choice, so it was fun to dog on Orihime because of that, to laugh at how badly she failed in comparison, to treat her feelings for him as a joke or a waste of time. To portray Orihime as the obsessive ditz who relentlessly chases after Ichigo but doesn't stand a chance because he's already madly in love with Rukia. Literally, so many of their posts/essays I've come across over the years argued that very point: that Orihime and her feelings for Ichigo only existed in order to fail, to further prove how amazing IR was. It was more satisfying for them to envision Orihime as the big-breasted whore who chased after Ichigo and tried so desperately and pathetically to win his love while he only had eyes for Goddess Rukia--and of course, Orihime would be so bitter and despise Rukia as a result!!!

...But that's so backwards from what's actually canon?? lmao like, Orihime never made it a goal to get Ichigo to like her back, she never once thought to herself "I'm going to marry him one day/if I do this maybe he'll ask me out"--No. She didn't care about "winning" him for herself, all she cared about was that he was happy and safe. That's why she cries when he cries, feels pain when he feels pain, and then the pain stops when she knows he's not in pain anymore. Even in her own love confession, she doesn't wish for a lifetime where she is Ichigo's wife/where Ichigo will love her back (because she doesn't want to force her feelings onto him)--she simply wants (or knows) that she would love him in every lifetime, regardless of whether he returned the feelings or not, because she loves being in love with him! And even still, she keeps her feelings to herself, and never expects anything from him in return, nor pressures him to reciprocate.

And even when she acknowledges how important Rukia is to Ichigo, and even when she admits to being jealous--she still doesn't resent Rukia for it. She turns her feelings inward and blames herself, instead. She never takes it out on Rukia. On the contrary, she still cares about Rukia so much, still becomes closer friends with her just a short time later after confessing those feelings to Rangiku. And after Orihime goes through her low point of the arrancar/HM arc and develops into a stronger, more resilient character, that jealousy is never spoken of again, because she realized she had no reason to feel that way in the first place.

Meanwhile, Rukia is so supportive of Orihime. She's so supportive of Ichigo and Orihime as a couple--drags Ichigo to her side for him to make the vow to protect her, and then sighs and watches adoringly as Ichigo and Orihime share a cute moment after the Aizen battle.

There is no love triangle. No Rukia vs. Orihime. No bad blood, or vying to win Ichigo's heart. Just people within a nakama group who all care deeply about each other.

I've gotten WAY off topic here, but basically, the tldr is that I think people had a really distorted view of Bleach, and assigned certain tropes where they just didn't belong or fit with the actual story or relationships/characterization.

[iamburdened]

Reader’s Masterlist #6

Not my stories. Just my favorites from other writers. All credits and support to the original artists.

IMPORTANT: like and REBLOG all the fanfics you read to support the writers, please.

If you liked the fanfic, tell the writer. They will be in cloud nine with your compliment! Show support!

* = NSFW

Link to all my masterlist (+Din, + Marcus, Ben Solo/Kylo Ren, Draco Malfoy, Loki, Shawn Mendes, Tom Holland, Peter Parker, Angus McGyver, Newt Scamander, George Weasley)

DIN DJARIN X READER     (THE MANDALORIAN)

Your gentle touch   @certifiedskywalker

Summary: Dyn is forgetting his old ways but, with clear eyes, he finds something he didn’t know that he was missing out on.

Hopes and dreams    @certifiedskywalker

Summary: She’s literally a pure angel and they’re in love with each other. She holds the baby and he says mama and inside his helmet he’s thinking about marrying her.

Dating Din Djarin would include    @certifiedskywalker

Summary: what the title says, baby

NSFW Alphabet *    @no-droids

Summary: ya know

Touch it softly    @dindjarindiaries

Summary: When you invite Din to play with your hair, you both get a little more than lost in the moment. (iamburdened's note: it's so cute you will die)

Everything I wanted   @dindjarindiaries

Summary: You’re trapped inside a Din x Omera love triangle, struggling to get to your lover who’s entranced with your new host. (iamburdened's note: we all have read some angst shit with Omera, so I assure you this is worthy your time and the pain it will make you feel)

Masterlist    @dindjarindiaries

Summary: this is paradise, bitches. Jump in head first!

The War    @thisisthe-wayson

Summary: Din, baby Yoda and reader in a snow ball fight? Sign me the hell up!

The Ghost    @evendeadlmthehero

Summary: you are a blind assassin who was sent to capture a 50 year old target. You then become the target’s number one guardian, protecting him from bounty hunters like The Mandalorian himself. (iamburdened's note: you HAVE to read this, I don't even care! This is the most badass reader I've ever read.)

And he is one with me    @softpedropascal

Summary: soft shortie one about the face reveal we all love.

Hold me while you wait   @ohwaitimthewriter

Summary: Din is in love, Din is the best, blind!reader, first kiss. Have I convinced you to read it yet?

Masterlist   @ohwaitimthewriter

Summary: absolutely amazing!

The Artist    @no-droids-allowed​

Summary: Din is after a bounty, a force sensitive artist. When he finds her, surprise! All her painting are his face. Turns out they are soulmates!

Untitled omega!Din x alpha!reader *  @mikeisthricedeceased​

Summary: this is a part 2, BUT this is where the spicy stuff is so I am recommending it. Come on, it's omega Din Djarin. You want to see what happens. 

Gone and fallen in love   @propertyofdindjarin​

Summary: Din being a cute dad, accidental confession.... if I tell you I think about this from time to time will I convince you to read it? So cute!

Cyar'ika and brown eyes *  @thedevilwearsbeskar​

Summary: din’s always had a nickname for you - and thanks to your new friend miggs mayfeld, the mandalorian now has one too.

Everything I need   @thedevilwearsbeskar​

Summary: din has to rethink his life plans how that you’re by side - not that he’s complaining.

Mine   @thefanbasewhore​

Summary: Din says goodbye to reader and Grogu but once they are reunited Din has mixed feels about the situation, jealous of Luke.

Mine part 2 *   @thefanbasewhore​

Summary: Din shows you who you belong to just to discover something life changing.

Masterlist    @absurdthirst​

Summary: I recommend everything here.

More Din Djarin recommendations here

Get used to this gif because it's one of the only 5 we have of Marcus and all fics use it!

MARCUS PIKE X READER     (THE MENTALIST)

Just say yes *   @heatherbel​

Summary: LISTEN UP! This is a MUST READ! I am pretty confident that the internet was invented jut so ART like this could be shared to poor humanity. I wish I could read it for the first time every damn day! No, it's not a proposal fic, the title has other meaning (super cool also). How to summarize it? Marcus goes on a vacation on Italy months after the Lisbon disaster and he finds you. Go read it!

Say you want me * @heatherbel

Summary: it’s the second part of the piece of art above. Another masterpiece worthy of your time and obsession. I want to die after reading something so good. Sweet Lord! (Dear, author, you own my heart)

Dreams *   @absurdthirst​

Summary: this is the classic "I had a sex dream about you and now I am awkward" BUT the way it's done makes it perfect. God, I think about this one more often than I should.

Apples & lattes *    @forever-rogue​

Summary: 7k words of pure fluff with agent Pike. First meeting, first dates... oh, to live a cute life with Marcus....

Missing Piece    @aerynwrites​

Summary:  baby talk with our favorite FBI agent. 

A love in bloom   @opheliaelysia​

Summary: The flowers mean ‘good morning’, and so much more.

What's in a name?   @ficsilike-reblogged​

Summary: The five times Marcus Pike tries to learn your name and the one time he actually does. (iaburâened's note: so cute and amazing how they progressed and Marcus nickname for her???? Just kill me already!)

Apple Pie and Chai   @artemiseamoon​

Summary: it's smolders and it is precious. Marcus being insecure and getting validation is what we need in this fandom. 

A good thing   @mellowswriting​

Summary: cute pregnancy reveal.

Masterlist    @dindjarindiaries​

Summary: I recommend absolutely everything here. 

Little things Marcus loves    @dindjarindiaries​

Summary: things you do that Marcus loves. AKA Marcus getting the love he fucking deserves.

Gold    @uselessbiwrites​

Summary: Your favorite mornings were always the ones where Marcus woke up first. (iamburdened's note: artist!Marcus! I repeat! Artist!Marcus!) 

Heaven   @mellowswriting​

Summary: dad!Marcus, happy!Marcus, getting what he deserves!Marcus. 

We'll always have Paris   @fromthedeskoftheraven​

Summary: sap moments with the cliche romance thing king. 

Like magic   @mellowswriting​

Summary: Marcus being showered in love (ha, did you get it?) just how he fucking deserves!

Ring *   @say-al0e​

Summary: Marcus Pike really enjoys being married. One of his favorite things? Seeing the ring on your finger. But what he doesn’t seem to realize is that you’re just as happy to see the ring on his finger. (AKA literally just smut that involves fingering and rings.) (iamburdened's note: this is the most canon kink for him, isn't it?)

Masterlist    @absurdthirst​

Summary: yes, again!

The portrait of love   @writings-of-a-hufflepuff​

Summary: When Marcus takes to you a work gala for the first time, he just expects a nice night chatting with colleagues and being proud to have his partner on his arm. He’s in truth a little bit worried that you’ll get bored hearing him talk about the latest art recoveries, truthfully, there’s nothing you enjoy more than listening to Marcus talk passionately about something.

As time goes by *    @absurdthirst​

Summary: After Teresa, Marcus is hesitant to jump back into the dating world, so you propose a friends with benefits situation that works, until it doesn’t. (my note: 7k of Marcus Pike. Paradise)

More Marcus Pike recommendations here

[disaster-j]

Hi, I'm completely new to BL shows, just started Not Me and I love it!! So I wanted to ask what your favorite BL shows are, to get deeper into the genre, maybe some featuring Gun? He really stands out, I like him a lot. Thank you!!

Hiii! I made a BL rec list for my more obscure faves recently but as always tumblr hates me and is pretending it doesn't exist so I'm making a new one :))) since you're new here I'll just include all of my top faves atm, in no particular order-

(Note that this is just the shows I personally really loved and isn't meant to be an objective ranking. If your faves aren't on here don't take it personally.)

1. Theory of Love - Thai BL

It's my all time favourite BL and I think it will always occupy the top spot on the list for me. This was the show that made me fall in love with romance as a genre. It's such a well executed story that really explores love in it's many forms and was back then one of the first times I watched a romance and felt that I understood exactly why the main characters loved each other so much. A lot of people have differing opinions on this show but for me it's almost perfect. It's also an OffGun bl so if you're craving Gun's acting this will satisfy that for sure. They're both great in this.

2. A Tale of a Thousand Stars - Thai BL

Another great romance imo. Not an OffGun show but the main leads had incredible chemistry. The story was a bit clichéd at times but in a way that was very enjoyable. I liked the slow burn build up of their relationship and the heavier moments really added some much needed depth to the whole narrative. Watching this show as it aired was a great experience and Tian will forever be one of my all time favourite thai characters.

3. 3 Will Be Free - not a BL but a must watch

This was one of the first thai shows I ever watched and it will forever be one of my faves. The story is about three people from very different worlds ending up on the run from the mafia together and ending up falling in love. No shitty triangles tho, ot3 all the way! Mild, my favourite thai actress, is so iconic in this and it's Jennie's best role for sure. Everything about this show was amazing, iconic, never been done before, best thing ever!!!

4. Bad Buddy - Thai BL

Now this one is a bit... idk if you look at my posts on the show near the end it'll seem like I don't care for it. The ending wasn't what I'd hoped for. It felt disingenuous and unsatisfactory to me. Other people loved it tho so it's definitely about personal opinion. I really loved this show in a this can do no wrong sort of way up until half-way through until some things happened that made me lose some of that obsession. Still, it's a really cute romeo juliet style romcom and there's a wlw side ship that I would die for so I will definitely recommend trying it out! Just be prepared for a couple things to not make sense...

5. To My Star - Korean BL

Short and sweet story about a celebrity falling in love with his chef roommate. Loved every second of this. It was so adorable. Not much to say here except that s2 comes out soon so definitely watch it before that!

6. Cherry Magic - Japanese BL

The story of Adachi who wakes up on his 30th birthday to discover his virginity had landed him mind reading powers which reveal his perfect co-worker's secret crush on him. This show is super sweet and wholesome and funny. Absolutely delightful in every single way I cannot recommend this enough. There's also canon aroace rep! Can you believe!?!? It's amazing.

7. Dark Blue Kiss - Thai BL

This one is hella divisive. People either love the main ship or hate em. I'm sure you can guess where my allegiances lie... For me, PeteKao both represented some very real struggles of being in a long-term closeted relationship. I felt that their story was relatable, realistic despite the dramatisation, and one that was important to be told. People often misrepresent this show as a petty jealousy plot when it's really about dealing with your own insecurities over a secret relationship (for Pete) and learning to overcome your internalised homophobia and fear of being rejected by your loved ones (for Kao). So yeah, I'm definitely recommend it but I won't guarantee that you'll like it.

8. Light On Me - Korean BL

Love triangle done very right. I absolutely love this show. It was so simple and grounded and also cute and fluffy. All of the romantic and platonic relationships explored in the show were top-notch and it really had me so completely invested in every single character and their relationships. Overall, very good watch must recommend.

9. Puppy Honey - Thai Show w/ OffGun

Now while this isn't actually a BL show a lot of people still count it as one simply because it was OffGun's first show together. Puppy Honey is a short, 2 season show about a pair of best friends who all fall in love in the backdrop of their club. Emma and Rome are freshers while Porsche and Pick are their super seniors (that's the concept). While both ships are cute and fun in s1 I do recommend skipping the straights in s2 for optimal viewing experience bc their storyline is both boring and completely inconsequential to the rest of the plot. Still, PickRome were OffGun's first ship and it's always got a place in the fandom's hearts because of that.

10. Colour Rush - Korean BL

I really, really loved this one when it aired. It's such an interesting take on the colour based soulbonds concept. S1 was amazing. The storyline, cinematography and chemistry were all amazing. But then a lot of things changed in s2 and I've been too scared to watch it so... I highly recommend watching s1 but won't speak on s2 yet...

I have A Lot more but I'll stop at ten for now bc it's 4 am and I really should sleep. But do check out my currently watching (link in my bio) for what I'm watching rn along with Not Me bc most of those shows are amazing too!

[mintchochipkookie]

2 and 17 for the fandom asks, please! 💖💖

Hi Angel! Hope you're having a great day! 💖

2. what fandoms were you a part of that you aren’t any longer? The first one that comes to mind is Supernatural, but you know that already haha It's weird because it was literally my life for a few years. Like, I was obsessed. I started off on Tumblr as a Supernatural blog and it was there for me at a very difficult point in my life. Plus I ended up getting an incredible now-irl friend out of it (HI @youscootasshat2 ily). The show will always have a special place in my heart, I'm not gonna be like 'omg that's so cringe ew', it had its time in my life. But the shipping stuff and the way Sam (aka the best boy) got sidelined was just too much for me. The show was about 2 brothers who loved each other to death and when the show stopped being about that, it lost its spark (imo).

To a smaller extent, I guess you could say Sherlock and The Mortal Instruments, but that's mostly because I kinda forced myself to like them at the time. Sherlock because of the SuperWhoLock stuff even though I never really enjoyed it, and TMI cuz I think I was just looking for more dystopian/fantasy books and I was majorly in my YA phase then. (I don't mind TMI, it just isn't a standout to me.) But as far as actually leaving a fandom...yeah, mostly just Supernatural.

17. are there any tropes you wished were used less often? Oh god I wish the love triangle trope would just get run over by a freight train. The only time I haven't completely despised the trope was in Sense8 where they solved it with a polyamorous relationship, absolute legendary behaviour. I also have been thinking recently about the obsession we seem to have with like...bloodlines? I mean things like wanting every important thing in a universe to be related to a few families and stuff??? Example: in The Last Jedi we were told that Rey is a "nobody" aka not from a prestigious family. And I LOVED that, I was so excited about that. And then The Rise of Skywalker happened and yeah...... Then there's the flip side. I think I saw a post talking about how in some post canon material, Ozai isn't really Zuko's biological father and that's the "real" reason Ozai mistreated him????? I don't even know WHERE to begin with how much I fucking hate that and what a shitty message/storyline that is. Absolute garbage.

Send me a fandom ask!