#new ship because their dynamic reminds me of some things

[the-shy-wolf]

It always starts with porch talk and sharing a cigarette

[theminecraftbee]

so a thing this fandom does that remains FASCINATING to me, as a function of the fact a lot of this fandom is people's first fandom or only current fandom, is just... assume a lot of things it does is a scourge that this fandom has invented or doesn't exist outside of it? or like, is uniquely bad here? and i won't deny that sometimes mcyt fandom is a bit more intense by virtue of numbers, but like...

duo names: confusing fandom-injokes to describe duos and groups tend to be an anime fandom thing specifically for many historical reasons, but they're not uncommon. hey quick--if you haven't been in KHR fandom, can you guess what 1827 is? no? i'll give you a hint: that's actually a ship name. or, ygo fans, tell me the difference between puppyshipping, prideshipping, violetshipping, and rivalshipping. my hint is that they're all kaiba ships and two of them are actually the same ship. good luck!

reducing characters to a specific trait: have you read fic in another fandom before? i would recommend you go do so and come back to me. my example here is "sasuke likes tomatoes", for the record.

common au fanon that's confusing to outsiders: my deep cut here is "when i got into certain tv fandoms i was baffled by the existence of sentinel/guide fics", which is a slightly older tv fandom thing so many of you probably don't know what i'm on about. but trust me: in certain fandoms it's ubiquitous and unless you've watched a completely different tv show you're gonna have to entirely pick it up from reading fic. oh hey, hybrid aus and watcher!grian, nice to see your relative here,

fanon being treated as canon: did you know there's this whole bnha character, naomasa, who is treated as canonically having a lie detector quirk? did you know that, best i can tell, that's not in canon anywhere, it just got echoed through fanon enough that everyone treated it as canon? 'fanon trait becomes so ubiquitous everyone assumes it has to be there' is not a new thing. also, batfamily fans, i have been lead to understand the tim and coffee thing is also this.

characters being treated badly to make a different dynamic look better: the fact we have the term 'character bashing' tells you all you need to know, here. if anything my one complaint on this front isn't even that it's happening--it's that i wish bashing and/or "not [character] friendly" was tagged a little more frequently, haha.

characters being reduced to their family dynamics: tale as old as time. "even the family dynamic thing" yes even that. just because this fandom tended to be particularly ship-adverse in the past didn't mean it didn't do basically the same behaviors as any fandom with shipping did with those dynamics, just gen. and other gen fandoms also do that. yes, down to the "and shipping reduces them to a ship, unlike my gen dynamic, which is very in-character; why can't people just be friends?" thing. some of you have to have been marvel fans right.

characters being reduced to their ships: some of you have to have been marvel fans right.

The Discourse: yeah this is an "actively running show" fandom thing, but also a hiatus fandom thing. ask a homestuck about vriskourse sometime. as much as i hate to say it, it probably made doomsday discourse look cute.

and those are just like... some things i've seen people complain about on my dash recently. idk it just hit me there are probably fans in mcyt fandoms who are assuming that some things (like hybrid aus or duo names) are the kind of things that only happen here, so i thought i'd offer some examples of other places they happen! i also have even more examples if you'd like.

to be clear: this isn't shaming anyone for complaining about any of these things. lord knows i go complain to my friends about it all the time, just the other day i was complaining in the category of 'they keep bashing my guy'. it's more of just... a gentle reminder that maybe we're big, maybe we're loud, maybe we have problems... but these problems aren't always unique.

so uh. we're all suffering together i guess...?

[hana-no-seiiki]

But like the ship trope where PERSON A looks like a childish brat on the outside but is actually the stable, mature one in the relationship

while PERSON B is the opposite wherein they’re super stoic, cool-headed but is actually super petty and aggressive at times.

tw/cw: soft yandere themes, seggs but not explicit

😤🫸🏽🫷🏽

That but with Villain and/or Vigilante! Reader and Yandere! Damian.

I’ve seen this a lot in Damian Wayne works so credits go to those amazing writers that inspired me to have my own take on this!! A lot of this is just a rehash/amalgamation of what people have already written but with some of my input and thoughts…lots and lots of thoughts.

Anyways, you seem like the type of person to ruin another’s life for the sake of it. Just your wicked whims. You’re notorious for stealing massive amounts of properties or (in case of Vigilante) beat if not kill people who you deem unredeemable.

MINORS/AGELESS BLOGS DONT GO BEYOND THIS POINT

VER I : I’m thinking second gen Catwoman/Batman + CatNoir/Ladybug (both the OG anime concept and the series) dynamic, just gn reader.

You’re always clinging unto to Robin/New Batman. Saying sweet nothings and flirting with him, if not full on making out/having sex with the vigilante. You like the dude, really. But your heart remains with Damian Wayne. Robin/Batman just really reminded you of him sometimes.

Hatefucking. Hatefucking happens a lot. Robin/Batman loves pinning you to the walls/floors of alleyways before you two get down and dirty.

Whereas, people (namely his fellow vigilantes) think he’s done with you, but he’s probably the biggest [Villain Name] fanboy out there.

He knows basically everything about you except your true identity. Which is somehow completely inaccessible to him.

Little does he know that it was actually his own doing, locking your civilian self’s private information as a favor between friends.

But because of this he misunderstands and thinks you’re even more of a genius or something because you managed to outwit him!! You!! Are!! So!! Damn!! Amazing!!

Damian acts cold with everybody. He’s a brooding guy. He doesn’t express much. Only about 1% of what he’s feeling actually gets put into action and/or words.

So the fact that he insists on taking on missions where he has to face you, assists you if you aren’t harming anyone, or actually indulges in your flirtation is a big thing.

So it’s safe to say when he found out you liked someone else other than him, that you were just using him to get yourself to feel better about not having said dude he gets petty.

You two used to have this pact, to never interfere with each other’s civilian lives and to respect your secret identities (of which he’s tried to breach remotely several times). But all that goes up in flames as he stalks you after a heist. Following you home.

He finds out about your secret identity, your ‘unrequited’ love for him, and you two begin dating. But you’re still oblivious about his other identity.

Damian kinda has a kink for it ngl. Like he’ll charm you as Robin/Batman even as you tell him you’re already dating someone else.

Like it’s so adorable how you keep resisting him, telling him how much you love his civilian counterpart.

But then he still proceeds to fuck your brains out as a Vigilante.

Man didn’t know he was into roleplaying until this moment. Like he’ll murmur stuff like “You say you love him, but nothing beats this. I’ve already carved a place inside you, Beloved. A place shaped in my image.”

Or “Where did your ‘undying love’ go, hm? Nowhere. You’re right back with me. Complete undone within moments of my touch.”

Things go a little awry though when you, ever the mature/communicative one in the relationship attempt to break up because Robin/Batman is leaving you confused as to how you truly feel. In addition to you not want to cuck your beautiful (soon to be ex) boyfriend any longer.

VER II: Is more on Vigilante x Vigilante. Similar to the one above except your relationship is a lot more professional and less hate-fuckey. You know of each other’s civilian/vigilante selves.

You’ve always admired Damian. Despite being quite close in age, you always saw him as a younger brother if not like a son almost. Witnessing him grow up and mature alongside you.

But your doting nature always came off a tad bit romantic. Flirtatious even. You tended to be a playful person after all. Hell you even call him Babe or Baby like that’s totally normal for you to call friends that.

A lot of your friends and colleagues always laugh at Damian’s expense whenever you arrive to come nag and/or flirt with him. It’s honestly hilarious. Judging from his murderous aura, people always thought that he wanted you 6 feet under.

The truth of the matter was that his glares and thoughts of murder were all directed to everyone else but you.

Damian never felt so at home and at peace with anyone or anything but his pets in life.

He’d be damned if anything happens to you.

Still, it frustrates him. He knows that you only see him as sibling almost. That you’d die for him but never date him. That despite your honeyed words he’s probably neck deep in the friendzone.

And so to the absolute surprise of everybody, he starts flirting back.

e.g. murdering those who slighted you and/or gazed upon your visage for too long, delivering their remains to your doorstep, amongst a bouquet flowers of course, and the occasional chocolates

You eventually fall in love back, though you ask him to tone it down on the violence.

- might edit more soon, but for now adios!!!

[sporesgalaxy]

PLS.. share thoughts on zoro n sanji relationship........ i dont ship them but they are so. SOOOOO.

THEY MAKE ME CRAZZYYYYY. and honestly the way their dynamic make me insane doesnt even HAVE to be read as romantic. But i feel so much crazier when i see them shipped and its not even capitalizing on all the shit theyve got going on.

So anyways here's my Zoro and Sanji retrospective I spent several hours on I guess. As if it's my fault.

▪︎

When Zoro and Sanji meet, Sanji has given up on his dream to see the All-Blue in favor of supporting Zeff.

Zoro is still throwing himself at his dream to be the greatest swordsman with all his might, and nearly dies to Mihawk for it.

Initially, from Sanji's outside perspective, it seems like a waste of precious life.

Zoro promising never to disappoint Luffy when he's on death's door clearly makes Sanji reconsider, though.

•••

The next time Sanji and Zoro really interact after Zoro's defeat is when they go after Nami at Arlong Park.

And the first thing Sanji learns about Zoro is.......that he's willing to hit girls!

To Sanji, Zoro seems like he's willing to turn on someone-- and worse, willing to hurt a girl-- just because he's angry for an apparent betrayal that no one has any concrete proof of yet. What a jerk! Surely that earned him the dig Sanji makes about his loss to Mihawk.

Unbeknownst to Sanji, however, Zoro has already bet his life on Nami's friendship being genuine by almost drowning himself.

Zoro doesn't want to bother explaining this to some stupid new guy who's willing to side with a stranger purely on the basis of her gender. Clearly, Sanji doesn't understand ANYTHING about this crew, and should just stay out of things.

And so their initial mutual dislike is born!!!

They tend to bicker a lot after this, but I think the next time Sanji brings up Mihawk is in Alabasta.

Once again, Sanji is hitting below the belt because he's convinced Zoro's done something nigh-unforgivable: doubting Luffy. It's a reminder that their rivalry at this point is still built on genuinely misjudging each others' character.

Now at this point I've run out of my 100 daily shounen jump chapters so I can't find for you the PRECISE moment thet are mutually like "yeah ok fine you're a DECENT guy I GUESS" in Alabasta but I think it's the clock tower maybe? The point is that the whole crew has to work together VERY HARD to defeat Crocodile and it shows Sanji and Zoro that they can count on each other to support the crew, at least.

Their improved relationship is apparent in one of my fave downtime scenes so far: Sky Island jungle dinner :)

I...don't think we've seen Sanji ask for help cooking before this point?? Much less from Zoro. So I fucking love that. And Zoro goes along with it, even though he complains!!!!! It shows perfectly how they now trust each other to help take care of the crew.

Another one if my fave examples of them counting on each other in a kind of funny way is when they're fighting Zombie Oars.

Zoro pushes Sanji's buttons on purpose to get him to go along with it, and it works. But it also shows that Zoro was counting on him to give him a boost! The middle panel could even imply Zoro jumped before Sanji agreed to anything, which really proves how much they're willing to couny on each other now.

Which of course brings us to the conclusion of Thriller Bark and a WILD curveball in their relationship: thes self-sacrificial x2 combo.

What Sanji does here floored me. At this point not only does he trust Zoro as a part of the crew, but he considers Zoro a more irreplacable member of the crew than himself.

And Zoro refuses to let him.

Now, we know from his initial fight with Mihawk that Zoro being willing to kill himself doesn't mean he considers his life unimportant. Zoro and Luffy are both unafraid of death, because they have to be willing to die to even have a ghost of a chance of achieving their dreams.

That's why Zoro chooses to take on Luffy's pain and why he is able to survive it.

Zoro's sacrifice obviously means a lot to Sanji. When Zoro refuses to acknowledge his sacrifice, Sanji goes along with that and covers for him.

And of course he understands. The pain Sanji mentions here that Zoro is trying to spare Luffy from is the exact same pain that lead Sanji to give up on his dream of finding the All-Blue in favor of trying to repay his life debt to Zeff. Sanji wouldn't wish the guilt he feels for Zeff's leg on anybody.

Sanji shows a lot of concern for Zoro after this point up until the time skip!! He calls Zoro a hero to Brook, and tries to help Zoro deal with his excess injuries without drawing attention to them. Zoro is of course surly about it, because he's frustrated by his own limits. He got a taste of what Luffy goes through and it just made him more desperate to become strong enough to lighten Luffy's load.

I find their sort-of reset after the timeskip hilarious.

Sanji was already feeling deeply insecure when he got sent to the island of question your gender and sexuality-- things Sanji clearly considers very important to his identity. Since he can't bear to question himself, he relies on reacting combatively to things that challenge his masculinity. Kicking them, mostly. I'm sure he picked that up from Zeff.

Meanwhile, Zoro is THE most traditionally Masculine member of the crew besides Sanji by a long shot (Franky is in 3rd place as a self-professed freak with blue hair and pronouns who refuses to wear pants). Zoro is buffer than Sanji. And seemingly more stoic than Sanji. And Zoro has cool scars and uses three swords and his muscles are bigger and half the time he's not even wearing a shirt.

This masculinity contest between them was present before the timeskip too, but it's really the only good explanation for the extremeness of Sanji's sour attitude the moment he lays eyes on post-timeskip Zoro and remarks, aloud, "He's back. Like I really care..." after how much appreciation Sanji showed for Zoro's sacrifice before the timeskip.

Sanji WOULD be annoyed at his crewmate's seemingly effortless, unshakeable masculinity after two years of doggedly avoiding non-consensual crossdressing and constantly fighting for his life to outrun gay thoughts.

Zoro's side of things so far post-timeskip seems a bit less wound-up than Sanji. Zoro never takes an insult sitting down, and also just enjoys making snide remarks, so if Sanji's going to argue with him there's no reason for Zoro not to argue back.

This is why I am a gay Zoro truther, even if that gayness has nothing to do with anyone on the crew. Because its fucking hilarious if Sanji is one-sidedly trying to out-hetero-masculinity a literal gay man.

[canonicallyobserving911]

Buck & Eddie: Eddie was M.I.A. and Buck was too.

The video above includes the scenes from S6 where Buck and Eddie were either missing or weren't mentioned even though they should have been.

During Season 6, Eddie was M.I.A. (missing in action) from several scenes even though he should have been present and Buck was either not mentioned or he was missing too even though he should have been present.

While I was watching 6x4 when it originally aired, I noticed Buck wasn’t on a call while the rest of the team was at work and as 6A progressed, it became a pattern.  For the duration of 6A and well into 6B, Buck’s or Eddie’s absences became even more noticeable and they were so prevalent that they were JARRING AND GLARINGLY OBVIOUS.  By the end of 6A, viewers were wondering what happened.  The showrunner (KR) said in an interview that they were trying new pairings which was fine but hindsight is usually 20/20 and when I started analyzing the scenes that didn’t include one of them, it kind of seemed like she may have been telling a half truth.  I mentioned how storylines and pairings were affected in a post I did in November 2022 but now I believe their absences or the lack of mentioning the other one was INTENTIONAL.

Buck and/or Eddie not being present bothered me and I wanted to know why but I didn’t research it until recently because of the way season 6 ended.  With the way TM (the OG showrunner) has been releasing and rereleasing photos of Buddie and Bathena for the last few weeks, I believed their absences in season 6 became too glaring for me to continue ignoring them.  For Buck and Eddie to be drastically removed from each other’s lives had to be on purpose and IMO, it was done so the audience would realize how them not being with each other didn’t make sense.  Let’s be real, regardless as to whether a viewer ships Buck and Eddie as a romantic couple, their presence in each other’s lives and the Buckley-Diaz family’s dynamic has become a staple on the show and when they’re not included, people notice.  Everyone knows how close they are so for them to be separated and viewers along with journalists writing about it was perplexing to say the least.

Before I delve into this, please understand these are MY OBSERVATIONS AND INTERPRETATIONS of the things I noticed during season 6, therefore, it’s ok if someone doesn’t agree.  Everyone interprets media differently so it’s ok for two differences of an opinion to coexist without someone trying to force their thoughts onto the other person.

Now back to our regularly scheduled programming.

I believe it all started with the scene below when Eddie asked, “Buck!  Where the hell you going?” because their absences started right after it and they continued through the early part of 6B.

In 6x4, Buck was off work while Bobby, Chimney and Eddie were all at work but there was no explanation given as to why Buck was off.  Everyone knows Buck loves being at the firehouse especially since he filed a lawsuit to get back to the team after the ladder truck explosion (whether he was right or wrong in filing the lawsuit will not be discussed here.  It happened more than four years ago and I’ve moved on from it).  He wasn’t sick so it’s not like he used a sick day but maybe he used a personal day or he used some PTO time but either way, the audience wasn’t told why he wasn’t with the 118.

He went to Hen’s house to discuss Connor's request for him to be his sperm donor but since she was on leave, no explanation was needed for why she wasn’t at work.  Reminder, Buck wasn’t on leave so he could have gone to her house to talk to her after their shift ended but he didn’t.  His absence was noticeable especially since at the beginning of the episode, he was sitting at the other end of the table alone and away from the group while Eddie, Chimney and Hen talked about Eddie disciplining Chris for skipping his science club meetings.

In 6x5, Eddie took Hoover the dog to Buck’s loft but the audience didn't see it.  It was the only handoff that wasn't shown in CANON but the question is, why?  What was the issue with the audience seeing Eddie give Buck the dog ?  The only thing that makes narrative sense is they wanted viewers to not see it so they would notice.  Interesting!

In 6x7, Eddie didn't mention Buck at all when he told Felisa about Chris being lost in the Tsunami but once again the question is why?  Everyone who watched 3x1-3x3 knows Eddie took Chris to visit "His Buck" that day and Eddie showed Hen and Chimney a selfie of Buck and Chris while they were on a call. In the photo, Buck and Chris were at breakfast earlier eating pancakes.  Also, after the first wave hit, we know Buck saved Chris and they got separated so Eddie’s scene with Felisa was another glaringly obvious one where Buck wasn’t mentioned and it had to have been done for a reason.  Reminder, Eddie told Felisa “My wife died… and six months later my son was on the pier when the Tsunami hit.”  Well, Chris wasn’t there alone so 👀.

In 6x8, Buck was missing when Eddie and Chris were getting ready for Chris' first school dance. Carla was there but it was kind of off putting and it seemed like she shouldn’t have been the one Eddie was talking to the same way she shouldn’t have been talking to him in 5x10 when he was preparing to leave the 118.  If they didn’t want Buck there, then it could have easily been a father and son moment between Eddie and Chris especially since she didn't do anything but say she thought it was Chris' first crush after they went into the kitchen.  It was only one of the two episodes she was in for the entire season, so what gives?

Later in the episode, Eddie ended up telling Buck and the 118 about it anyway and based on Buck’s reaction, it's likely Chris had already told Buck about his crush (post linked here).

In 6x10, Eddie was present and at the firehouse while Buck and Chimney cleaned the fire engine and the ladder truck.  He was on the floor throwing a baseball with Hen.

But Eddie was missing from the call when a lightning strike hit the car and the woman gave birth but reminder, the scene happened after he was AT THE FIREHOUSE with everyone else.   It's possible he could have been man behind but the point is he was missing.  Also, why was he missing?  Buck helped Bobby with the baby and Bobby had to call Hen and Chimney over for assistance which means Eddie’s help as a medic was needed for all three victims but it was kind of like the show wanted him to be absent so the viewers would notice and we did.

In 6x11, Eddie was only in Buck’s coma dream at the beginning when Daniel told him the next time he goes up a ladder, he should have someone to have his back and Buck said he did.  Other than that initial interaction, Eddie WASN'T there and his absence was glaringly obvious.

In 6x13, Eddie was M.I.A. twice. The first time was after a call that he went to with Buck and Hen.  It was the one where the couple misplaced a "toy".

Chimney wasn't on the call with them but when they were leaving work and Buck was calling all the women he slept with to see if he satisfied them (which was 🙄 I don’t even have words), Eddie wasn't there but Chimney was.  But the question once again is why? Could it be the show was making a point since Buck had just had a conversation with a victim’s husband about an article he read that stated 80% of women aren’t satisfied by their partners (related post about Buck’s woodworking skills linked here)?

In 6x13, Eddie wasn’t at the loft while Buck and Chris were baking cookies and it appears to be a call back to 5x3 when AF was caring for Chris during the blackout (related post linked here).  Reminder, AF left a mess in Eddie’s kitchen but Buck’s kitchen was clean and organized while him and Chris were baking cookies for Chris’ whole class.  They even talked about cooking the steaks Buck and Eddie won while they played poker for dinner.

What was the reason for all of this?

Initially I, like many others was pissed at the lack of Buck and Eddie, Buck, Eddie and Chris and Buckley-Diaz Family scenes in 6A.  I’m still annoyed by it but like I mentioned above, hindsight is 20/20 so it’s possible the show was trying to get the audience to realize how important they are in each other’s lives by omitting them from specific and important scenes.

Did they do a good job of illustrating it?  NO!

They could have done it differently like a lot of other things but the season ended messily and by then it was too late to change it.

The point of this post is whenever Buck and Eddie are absent, it's noticeable and it can't be denied.  KR said they were mixing up the dynamics (related post linked here) but that can't be it because in 6x9 Hen ended up talking to her best friend Chimney about the way she was feeling about Denny wanting to meet Nathaniel after Eddie and Buck dropped off their four-way call, so she wasn't telling the whole truth.

Could their absences be a coincidence? No. Why?

Because in 6x7 Athena said she didn't believe in them and in 5x17 Karen said once is a mistake, two times is a coincidence and three times is a pattern.  Well, their absences happened more than three times so Buck and Eddie missing in action from each other's lives was a pattern in season 6 and it seems to have been done on purpose.

It appears the omittances of Buck and Eddie from specific scenes in season 6 was in preparation for season 7 but the question is, will anything come of them?  Who knows except for the showrunner (TM), the writers, producers and the actors and actresses so we shall see.

[whoopsitswincest]

For me, the thing i love about wincest is the love.

like,,--

Okay. So. Back when i was young and naive and new to tumblr/fandoms, i was so confused about the concept of shipping just for hot, smutty sexual dynamics vs shipping for romantic/loving reasons. I remember exploring posts about Game of Thrones on tumblr and stumbling across the Ramsay Bolton/Theon Greyjoy ship (for the blissfully unaware, in canon the former brutally tortures the latter in cold blood). I was at a complete loss for how anyone could ship those two, because all I saw in their interactions was sociopathic cruelty and miserable trauma. I didn't realize that the BDSM vibes were sexy for some people. It was the first time in my life (I was like 22 lol) that I realized that you could ship characters just because you think the sex would be hot as fuck. And I get that. But for me, I've never been able to ship someone unless I can see the love in canon.

So. Bringing it back to our beloved brothers. At first I thought wincest was just one of those sexy ships, not romantic ships. Because both characters are tall and jacked and hot and badass and violent. And I used to be an anti because I was like "but they're brothers?? Ew??" But THEN you actually WATCH the show (or in my case, rewatch) and you see the way they interact with each other. They love each other so much. Like LOVE love. They will do anything for each other. They will die for each other, kill for each other and go to the ends of the earth for each other. Nothing matters more than each other.

I was talking to my wife about the crazy shit these brothers are willing to do for each other and she goes, "i mean, that's how i feel about you." And i'm like YES! EXACTLY! I have a younger brother. My wife has two older brothers. But neither of us feel about our brothers the way we feel about each other. She is my great love. She is my forever. She is my everything. And Dean and Sam's relationship looks way more like my relationship with my wife than my relationship with my brother.

Yes, they can be codependent and possessive and toxic. Yes, they've been through some fucked up shit and they've DONE some fucked up shit (to EACH OTHER) and yeah that could make for some really hot sex. But for me, the appeal of wincest is the deep, abiding care and devotion they have for each other. The LOVE!! It makes me crazy.

A caveat:

I also love the dynamic between sam and dean just as canon gencest or platonic soulmates (that's for another post, lol). And there's something to be said about society's prioritization of romantic/sexual relationships over all other and the lack of representation of healthy platonic relationships in media (especially among men).

But i'm allosexual and alloromantic. So for me, my love for my wife is very romantic and includes an important sexual aspect. So because Dean and Sam remind me of me and my wife, of course i'm gonna project a sexual relationship onto that.

[hoodharlow]

Oasis

AN: I was writing Jack and Miriam fucking in the studio, but then I was like "what if I make it kinda enemies to lovers. Gif from @harlowgifs <3

Requested? My coochie

Warnings: smut, jealous!Jack if you squint

Word Count: 3.2k words

“How can you hate him? He’s literally the sweetest guy ever.” Violeta’s best friend/ stylist/ assistant, Cleo,went on and on.

“You say that because you haven’t been stuck with him for over twelve hours at the studio.” Violeta rolled her eyes, pushing herself up from the ground. 

She was picking outfits for the press tour of the Gloria Trevi biopic she was cast in, and she was playing the iconic artist. The press tour started in a few weeks, but Violeta wanted everything ready so she could focus on finishing up her sophomore album. She was nervous, her first album basically skyrocketed her career. Just last year she won both categories she was nominated for at the Grammys, best new artist and best latin pop album. It was validating because, according to her fans, she was snubbed the Latin Grammys. There was a lot of anticipation and pressure for her. Which was why her team and Jack’s teams thought they would make a good collaboration. 

Their fans began shipping them when they were seen together at this year’s Met Gala red carpet, waiting for their turn to walk up the stairs. Her fans loved how Jack managed to make her laugh because Violeta was known for her resting bitch face and it was rare for her fans to get candids of her smiling. 

They agreed and their mutual friend Nickie Jon was helping them produce it. What Jack and Violeta didn’t expect was they would end up disagreeing on everything. It was Violeta’s song for her upcoming sophomore album, but Jack took it over and kept changing things. It caused arguments between them that Nickie texted them both to either find a new producer or they hash out their shit because he was tired of getting stuck in the middle of them. Now Jack was showing up to her condo so they could hash it out because they both wanted Nickie to work with them.  

“If I was stuck twelve hours in a room with Jack Harlow, I wouldn’t leave until every surface is painted white.” Cleo said.

“You’re gross.” Violeta grimaced. 

She went to her walk-in closet and picked a black mini dress from Mirror Palais with flower trims along the straps and the neckline. She paired the look with Doc Marten mary janes and some white ankle socks for a preppy look. She came back out and began doing her makeup. She was doing a subtle look with some concealer, light contour and a simple eyeliner look. 

“If you can’t stand him, why are you getting all dolled up?” Cleo asked.

“I’m not getting dolled up, I don’t want to look dead. I got home like four hours ago and slept for two hours.” she explained. 

The night before she went to some label party and then hit up the after party with some of their friends, Nikie, and some other people. Nickie drove her home when it ended. Violeta knew Nickie for a few years. He was one of the first producers she worked with when she got signed to Atlantic Records. They had an older brother and younger sister dynamic, and it annoyed (and grossed out) when people thought they were an item. 

“I’m going to leave you so you can finish getting ready for your lil date.” Cleo smiled sweetly. 

“It’s not a date; he hates me, remember.” Violeta reminded her. 

“Vee, I’m just saying. There has to be more to it than him suddenly hating you. Maybe he’s just jealous.”

“Oh what?” she furrowed her eyebrows in confusion.

Cleo shrugged and took all the leftover clothes, shoes, and accessories they didn’t use for the outfit planning. 

Violeta finished getting ready half an hour after her best friend left and began cleaning up. She went downstairs and found Rocky, her three year old boxer-pitbull rescue, laid out in the balcony overlooking the gate. It reminded her of the times she would visit her dad’s pueblo and see the dogs on the roof guarding their houses. She whistled him and he got up from the spot, following her outside so he could do his business. Violeta was picking up his business when she saw Jack’s car pull up to the gate through the slits. 

Rocky sensed him and began growling at Jack. He was about to press the intercom when Rocky barked at him. 

“Let me get a leash.” Violeta called from the other side of the garage. 

She patted Rocky’s side, motioning him to follow her. He obliged and went inside. Violeta wrestled on his harness and clicked on his leash. They made their way back down to the gate. She opened the door and stepped out with Rocky. 

“Sit.” she told the three year old puppy. He sat next to her and eyed Jack, who was carrying a drink tray and a bag of food. She waved him over. 

“He doesn’t bite, right?” Jack asked hesitantly.

“Only if I say so.” she said nonchalantly. She giggled when she saw Jack get almost translucent. “I’m kidding. He’s trained and very friendly. You just showed up when he was doing his business.”

“Oh.” he said in a quiet voice, taking a few steps forward. 

“Rocky, this is my friend Jack. He knows Tio Nickie and he’s going to help me make a song.” she explained to the puppy. She reached for Jack’s hand and brought it to him. 

Rocky sniffed his hand and got excited. He yipped and nuzzled his face into his hand. Jack gave him a few scratches and just like that they were besties. 

The three of them went inside the gate. Jack watched as Violeta locked her gate and put in a code. He followed her up the stairs getting a great view of her ass under her short dress. 

“Welcome to my crib, or whatever people would say on MTV.” she gestured unenthusiastically. 

Rocky had gone back to his spot out on the balcony, leaving them standing in the entryway. 

“I, uh, got you a drink. Nickie said you like the matcha latte with strawberries, so I brought you one.” Jack said, pulling up her drink from the drink tray. 

“Oh, thanks.” she said. “So, uh, let’s go work on the song.” 

She led him to the basement, which was just another room next to the garage since the rest of the rooms were on top of the garage. She converted it into a home studio. It had everything any artist could possibly need. 

Jack looked around reading all her plaques, posters and her awards. He knew of Violeta, and heard a few of her English songs, but he didn't know she was as popular as she is. 

“You play?” He asked, nodding his head at the piano. 

“Obviously, why else would it be here?” she snapped at him. 

Jack frowned. “What the fuck is your problem? I asked a fucking question and you get all defensive.” 

“So I’m not supposed to defend myself when some dude questions my work ethic?” Violeta frowned. 

“I'm not questioning shit!” He said defensively. He passed his hand over his curls in frustration. “You’re such a piece of work. I don’t even know why I agreed to this shit.”

“Oh fuck you–” 

“In your dreams.” Jack snapped.

“Why would I dream about having disappointing sex?” She retorted.

Jack walked up to her, backing her into the wall and leaned down in her ear. “The only disappointing thing about having sex with me is that I would ruin dick for you. After me no one would ever compare and you’re going to spend the rest of your life hoping someone can try to satisfy you.” His hand slowly inched up the outside of her thigh, making Violeta swallow audibly. “Bet your pussy is dripping for me.” 

“It's drier than the desert in Sonora.” She said. 

It wasn’t. If Jack moved his hand in between her thighs, he’d find a waterfall. “Mhm,” he nodded, taking a step back. He sat on a chair and opened his backpack and pulled out his notes. “So last night I was thinking about cleaning up the bass you had and– what?” 

He stopped talking when he saw Violeta look at him angrier than ever. 

“You can’t tease someone like that and then go about your day.” She scowled. 

Jack set his notebook down on the soundboard and smirked. “So you admit it, I made you wet.” 

“What– No! That’s not what I meant. I…” Violeta rambled on. 

“Then what did you mean?” He asked, tilting his head inquisitively.

He leaned back in the chair, spreading his legs ever so slightly. He had not right to be doing that to her. Not when she's supposed to no be attracted to him. Truthfully she’d been wanting to fuck him since the Met Gala and she’d been sexually frustrated because she hoped to see him at the after party, but he never showed. Nickie later told her that Jack was a homebody and only went to the Met because he had just released his album and needed the promo. 

“You still haven’t answered my question: what did you mean?” He said, casually. 

“Nothing, let’s get back to work.” Violeta waved him off.

Jack didn’t say anything else. He watched her as she stood in front of the soundboard, typing away on her computer. She pulled up their song and fixed the buttons so they were in at the song's settings. 

“Okay, so I was thinking we add more bass to it.” Violeta said, playing a snippet. 

Jack shook his head. “It has the right amount, you just have to make it tighter.” He got up and pressed his chest on her back as he fixed up the beat. When he finished he played it back. It sounded perfect. “Like I said–” 

Violeta cut him off, pulling him to a kiss. The kiss was messy. The urgency between them increased as lust quickly took over as their kiss intensified. He held her in place with his hips. She pulled him closer by his shirt, wanting more of him. She moaned in his mouth when she felt his fingertips brush her panties. 

Jack nipped and sucked down her neck to find her sweet spot. He barely caught her strangled moan when he nipped the spot between her jaw and neck. He repeated his actions, earning a louder moan from her. He pulled away and pushed her down on the soundboard. Jack peeled off her thong, tossing it behind him. He got down on his knees and pulled Violeta closer to her. He placed her legs on his shoulders. 

“Every desert has an oasis and I think I found mine.” He told her. 

Without breaking eye contact he spit on her entrance and dug in. He devoured her like he'd been in the desert for an eternity and she was the only who could satisfy his hunger and thirst. Violeta gripped his curls, keeping his head in place as she lifted her hips.  

After a while Jack sat up and pushed her legs to her chest, so she was more exposed to him. With one hand, he pulled down the top part of her dress, exposing her breasts. He roughly squeezed them as he continued to eat her out. His nose pressed on her clit, making her a moaning mess. Minutes passed when he finally slid his middle and ring finger in her. With his fingers still fucking her at an agonizing slow pace, he sat Violeta up and brought her mouth to his. Jack's beard was dampened by her arousal, a few drops fell onto her neck, rolling down to her chest. 

“I'm close…shit—Jack!” She whimpered and reached down to his wrist.

She tightly gripped the edge of the counter as she came. Once her high faded, Jack let go and let her lean into him. He slipped his fingers out of her and licked them clean, moaning at how delicious she tasted. 

“Face the sound board.” Jack said and Violeta complied.

She got down and turned around facing the glass wall infront of them. There was a faint reflection and Violeta watched him take off his shirt and pushed down his pants. She looked over her shoulder and saw him stroking his length. 

Violeta's jaw nearly dropped at the size of his cock. She heard the crinkling of a condom wrapped then she felt his breath on her shoulders when he approached, standing behind her. His hand gently pushed her down onto the table and her cheek pressed against the cool wood. 

“Ready?” He asked her. 

“Yes.” she nodded eagerly, making him chuckle. 

Jack slid into her and Violeta let out a  pornographic moan. He smirked, grabbing at her hands to pin them behind her back for balance as slowly fucked her. Within minutes, she wanted to tap out, he was more than she could handle, but at the same she couldn’t get enough of him. Jack let go of her hands and his hands gripped her waist as he slowly rocked into her. As the minutes passed, his thrusts got rougher, and Violeta couldn’t hold back. She begged Jack to keep fucking her at that slow and rough pace she never knew existed. 

She pushed back rougher to meet his thrusts. He gripped her hips with one hand while the other went back down to her clit. Jack worked his fingers roughly as he pushed his hips into Violeta. He buried his face in her neck, kissing her sweet spot. Her quiet praises filled the room, egging him on. She quietly whimpered his name, lazily meeting his thrusts before her orgasm took over. 

“Who’s the only guy who can fuck you like this?” Jack asked. He leaned over, pressing his chest against her back.

“You.” She said breathlessly. 

“What’s my name?” He asked in a possessive tone.

“Jack.” Violeta whimpered.

“No one else gets to fuck you like this.” He egged her on. 

“No one else.” she agreed. 

“Not Nickie.” Jack grunted. “Just me.”

“Only you Jack.”

Those three words were enough to send Jack over the edge. He moaned out her name. His thrusts got sloppy and finally he pulled out, resting his hands on either side of Violeta's body on the table as he leaned forward, hunching over and catching his breath. After few minutes he pulled off the condom, tossing it in a trash bin, and put on his clothes once more. 

He opened his notebook and continued, “So I as I was saying…”

*** Three Months Later ***

At midnight, or nine pm Pacific time, Violeta’s sophomore album, Oasis, comes out. She only released two singles off the album: a random ballad and her song with Jack. Their song became an instant hit, debuting at number one and it remained at number one for six weeks. They were currently nominated for a few VMAs for their song and collab. For all her successes, her team is hosting an album release party/listening party in LA for her and the other artists she worked with on her album. 

Violeta was dressed to the nines in an ice blue halter mini dress with feathers all over. She wore silver strappy heels that wrapped around all the way her thighs. She was the only one that color. She jokingly told her manager that she wanted everyone else in black or white when they were planning her party. Her manager made it happen for her, and everyone who wasn't in black or white, was turned away. 

She spotted Jack at table with his friends and Nickie. After they hooked up, they never spoke about it. He acted like nothing happened and when they were in public he made it clear they were only friends. She wouldn't have cared; she's a professional and knew how to act, but what gotnher was that he was right. He ruined sex for her no one lived up to him. 

“Are you going to stop eye fucking him anr finally to fuck you again?” Cleo asked Violeta. 

“I wasn’t eye fucking him.” Violeta said, fluffing out the feathers in her dress. 

“It's okay to admit you have a think for him.” Her best friend reassured her.

“But I don't.” she denied. 

“Keep telling yourself that.” 

Before she could say anything Violeta’s manager grabbed her wrist and pulled to away.

“Okay, ten seconds.” Violeta’s manager yelled in a mic to get everyone’s attention. 

She gathered everyone around to the dance floor. She counted off until and it was finally 9pm. Her manager went on to make a speech about how proud of Violeta she was and how grateful she was of watching grow into the artist she is. She signaled the DJ to play the album. 

Violeta’s eyes Jack’s eyes from across the dance floor. She lifted her champagne flute at him as his voice echoed the room. 

“‘Who’s the only guy who can fuck you like this?”’

‘“You.”

‘“What’s my name?”’ 

It cut to the actual song before she actually said his name. She smirked and danced along with Cleo and her other friends. By song three she was tired and went to her VIP section to get a water. Tired of her heels, she sat on one of the couches. 

“Way to start your album with a climax.” Jack said, sitting next to her. He playfully nudged his shoulder agisnt hers. “Congrats by the way. Drama let me listen to it a few days ago and it’s fucking good. Did I understand 65% of what you were singing? No, but I fucked with it.” 

“Thanks, I really appreciate it and thank you for being a part of it. ”

“What AI program did you use to get my voice?” he asked curiously.

Violeta felt her whole body get hot. She g giggled nervously. “Apparently we recorded ourselves that one time and this producer suggested embed it the song.” 

Jack hummed in response. The pair sat in silence watching everyone else dance and vibe to Violeta’s album. Itnwas only the two of them in the VIP area.

“Why did you mention Nickie when you were fucking me?” She found herself asking Jack.

“I was jealous because every time we’re at the studio I try to talk to you, you ignore me and only talk to Nickie.” he said, scratching the back of his neck.

“I didn’t ignore you.” she crossed her arms. 

“Yes, you did. I try to contribute something, but you were too focused on Nickie to notice. If you two are a thing, my bad for bending you over that night.” he shrugged. 

“Ew! Nickie is the brother I never had.” she pretended to gag. “He’s the last person I’d fuck.”

“Now I’m embarrassed for thinking that.”

“Was it also why you were a dick to me in the beginning?” Violeta asked him.

“As immature and pathetic as it sounds, yes. Not to toot my own horn, but in our friend group I’m the guy who gets the girls' attention first then the guys. I guess I got jealous that he knew you and you were comfortable around him.” he met her gaze. “I’m sorry for being rude to you and constantly picking fights with you. I’m well aware that shit was stupid.”

“Apology accepted.” she smiled softly. 

“I can apologize in a few different ways.” Jack smirked. 

Violeta gasped, feigning innocence. “Buy me dinner first. I’m a classy woman.”

“You used a recording of us fucking in your song, but if you want me to ask you out that’s you had to say.”

Taglist: @cherryxcreme @heavyhitterheaux ​ @carma-fanficaddict ​ @youngharleezyxo @youngharleezy ​ @babyharleezy ​ @that-90s-girllll ​ @alinaharlow @harlowcomehome @nattinatalia @webinurcloset @gassyandsassy1 @jackharloww @awhore4moree @noescapricho-essentimiento @a-moment-captured @neon-lights-and-glitter @purecinnamonextract

[fruitwaterz]

JFabe/AbeFK: The Ultimate Queerbaiting (short essay n rant)

(Clone High Season 3 spoilers,,, beware!!!)

Hey everyone it's fruit/juno/nova aka MTVyaoi BACK with another banger essay

So if you guys didn't know already (but I'm pretty sure everyone in the Clone High community does), season three of Clone High, also known as season 2 of the Clone High reboot just premiered yesterday. Thanks to a mutual handing me over their Max account, I was able to watch the episodes in one day, and it's safe to say that it was WAY more better than season 2, despite its ups and downs.

Of course, the reboot boosted some ships into popularity, such as JoanFK (rip), Kahlopatra (rip), Tophabe, but one ship that never really came around to being popular was Jfabe, the relationship between JFK and Abe in the Clone High series.

In the very last episode of season 2, many speculated that JFK and Abe would somehow possibly get together in season 3 (while others just,,, thought they would remain friends). I made an analysis about JFK himself, and in the end, I included a bit of some Jfabe speculation. And during the time the reboot had ended, Jfabe shippers and Tophabe shippers were technically at war. But in the very end, no one was really happy, I would say.

With the new season out, and especially episode 3…yeah, there are some things that need to be discussed. Because let me tell you, I am actually. so mad

Many of the Jfabe shippers collected context clues, hints, and everything that could've hinted at the two becoming canon, only for those to be contradicted really quickly when it came to the Mary episode and the finale. Hell, when the trailer came out, most of us feared the idea of Abe not getting with JFK (actually, this would be most Abe shippers worst nightmare) and getting with someone who we never even knew.

Before I actually do get into the Mary episode, however, I wanted to bring up my favorite episode out of the series, and that is Bible Humpers: A Much Needed Praycation.

Season 3 Episode 3:

Bible Humpers introduces a subplot in which JFK gets tired of partying and having a concerning amount of sex with girls, reminders that…this is during his 17th birthday (from what I could remember), and that's sort of why he was feeling like that. From there on, he decides to become catholic and join The Prayer Pals club, hosted by Lady Godiva, a new character. However, Abe is upset about this because he believed that JFK would change so much that he would eventually forget about Abe. Abe was planning a 6th month Boy-nniversary for the two, and due to JFK being too busy with his newfound hobby, Abe steps in to stop things.

Now, this episode is agreeably, one out of the three Jfabe episodes to exist, the others being Clone Alone and Litter Kills: Literally (The reason why I count Clone Alone as a Jfabe episode, is mainly because of the scene where JFK and Abe become friends…a duo of bros that'll remain friends for the rest of their lives, more on that later, though).

Something about the episode was suspiciously fruity, with Abe being worried about JFK, giving him a new wristband to match his, pulling him really close, offering to let him take his virginity, and even went out of his way to bake a giant cake for him. Hell, at the very end of the episode, he leaves a box with the purity ring in it on JFK's doorstep, and we could even see JFK's soft smile when he read his note.

(Also pspspsp we could see two doves in the sky all while Abe is walking to JFK's house. Two doves represent love.)

(thanks to my mutual)

Next, the Mary episode. In the middle of the episode, JFK offers to have sex with Abe, even taking his shirt off and still asking Abe if he wants to go through with it. Stuff like this was mentioned in the beginning of episode 1. Not gonna go into the sex too much, because they're just teenagers.

It seems that the dynamic between these two are quite literally back and forth, they could be friends, and they could go back to arguing. Abe wants to make JFK happy, JFK cares for Abe, but either gets too riled up or feels like Abe’s ruining things for him.

So with all of this build up and hints, Jfabe was surely gonna become canon one way or another, right?

Well…I wouldn't exactly say that. Because during the finale, Abe suddenly catches feelings for Joan again, and JFK randomly ends up with Harriet, despite the fact that they both established that they didn't feel much for each other! And this was back in season 2 episode 6, where they both kiss again in a classroom, but come to the realization that they actually don't like each other at all. I like the idea of JFK x Harriet, but it just happened way too fast, and I really wish I could ignore that.

Which brings me to my argument: we were queerbaited.

(And if random jfabe dislikers come and tell me that it was bound to happen, I'm gonna lose my mind.)

We are sitting here, begging for some sort of MLM relationship. We've already had Kahlopatra, which is a same-sex female relationship (Good day for sapphics, I love that ship to bits and was disappointed in the fact that they broke up). So it wouldn't have hurt to at least have two of the main male characters date each other. But oh, yeah, let's have them being suspiciously fruity to each other as humor and nothing but humor, because in the end, it was basically just watered down to that.

It even makes me confused in a way, because what was the point of “Duo of bros who'll remain friends for the rest of our lives?” What was the reason? Did they hint at something, only to throw this away at the very last minute? Seriously, we could see background male characters get into relationships, yet not have two of the main characters get together. It's odd, yet not surprising.

Clone High has this tendency of making up random relationships, Harriet x Toussaint, Joan x Confucius (which I like however, don't come for me), Mary x Abe, just fuck all. And now, it's JFK x Harriet. Yet, it seems as if it would hurt them to make a hinted at relationship…canon. It confuses me. Are they gonna make them date in season 4? Are we even gonna get a season 4? Because the show has to get renewed in order for that to happen.

I am not mad at the writers for not making them canon because of the ship dynamic itself, I'm angry because there were so many hints, so much build up only for them to go nowhere with this. Because personally, I think it would've made the show a bit more interesting. To have two of the main male characters date. That's all I asked for, and we got nothing out of it.

You could say I'm seething over a cartoon, but I don't care!!! Cartoon or not, the ship is really important to me and most Jfabe shippers, so seeing their relationship go nowhere and the two randomly getting into M/F relationships sort of hurts. And I'm saying that as someone who isn't even a veteran Jfabe shipper, I shipped them days after season 2 ended. Both the original JFK and Abraham Lincoln (theoretically) were bisexual, so it just makes me even more puzzled.

I'm not exactly making this essay to cancel Clone High just for a silly ship, this is really just a healthy way to take out my sadness and disappointment. A vent essay, if you will. And it really is just what happened, so many interactions that could be taken as romantic, only for them not to get with each other.

Honestly, if the show writers didn't intend to queerbait us, I can only ask…“How?”

Anyway that's the end of my short essay about me screaming and crying about a ship between two white boys, subscribe and hit that notification button for more screaming and crying about a ship between two white boys. fruit signing out

[kiwinatorwaffles]

I found This is About a Stuffed Bird bc of you and its one of my favorite fics ever. Do you by chance have more suggestions?

hermitcraft/mcyt fic recs? :0 let's go!!

i get a lot of my fic recs from other friends since i don't really go out and search on my own all too much for this fandom. but there are lots of great works out here! i will be listing out some of my favorites :3 mostly hc but a couple general mcyt ones that i think are an excellent read no matter what. all of the fics i'm listing will be genfic without ships!

also i just realized a lot of my bookmarks are grian-centric which is funny i guess because i am admittedly quite picky about content of my other favorites and grian just tends to have the most content in the fanbase. hope that'll be alright

(i hope some of my friends and mutuals don't mind me tagging them for their works)

hermitcraft longfics:

the last days of the free angel of carrows by @theminecraftbee - loved stuffed bird? here's another great longfic by second! this one is about joe and cleo in an urban fantasy mystery setting. again, second writes our beloved hermits into an captivating au!

leaping and hopping on a moonshadow by @lunarblazes - a fantasy au by luna my beloved! pearl suddenly gains magical powers and goes on a quest to find her long-lost friend grian who might know what's happening to her. she meets a lot of familiar faces along the way!

Recall by @redwinterroses - hey, i was the artist for this one! :D mumbo goes missing, so grian and scar search for him. they find that grumbot has been up to some... things along the way. the fic isn't finished but i think the chapters red put out is worth a read if you don't mind leaving off on a cliffhanger because it really is super interesting

dramaturgy by wormcity - a universe where gem and pearl join in a season 7 that was never finished. mumbo became the mayor, but the turf war went so very wrong afterwards. admittedly i have not finished reading this yet because ummm short on time xD but it's super interesting with a lot of layers of drama(turgy hahaha)!

hermitcraft short fics/oneshots:

for trying. by @autistic-evil-xisuma - a stuffed bird universe oneshot of x and xisuma during their lab days. great if you want to be sad over the doomed brothers again :D

the wheels on the bus by sparxwrites - a hilarious post-s8 oneshot about grian being a little shit towards the watchers. one of the first fics i've read from this fandom and i still love it

a body is an object by ruffboi - grian is a mimic, and pearl's arrival in s8 shakes him up. she hasn't seen him in a while and is quite upset to learn that the grian she knew died a long time ago. a great read for familial connections and conflict of friendships!

Goatman and the Rift by TheDepressedCanary - doc's eldritch powers start acting up when the rift appears. what shenanigans will ensue?

other mcyt fics/crossovers:

late at night, when the stars don't look quite right by @lunarblazes - an excellent empires s1 and hermitcraft crossover longfic, where grian lands into the server and is discovered by pearl! very great worldbuilding and relationships, i especially love the dynamic between gri and pearl and pearl and gem :D

every new discovery is just a reminder by amaranthinecanicular - grian begins pulling alternate versions of the hermits from the life series into the server. he does save a lot of them, but at what cost? it does end on a cliffhanger but this is genuinely one of the most captivating oneshots i've ever read... argghhh

The Fair and the Brave and the Good by @slashmagpie - an afterlife smp longfic centered around the shelby, scott, and sausage. i have never watched afterlife smp before in my LIFE and this is still one of my favorite pieces of literature ever. the characters and worldbuilding is impeccable and perfect if you like something dark with themes of hope and renewal.

Two Can Keep a Secret (If One of Them is Red) by anonymous secretmcblog - a 3L oneshot! ren suspects grian has stockholm syndrome with his pact to stay with scar, but his expectations are wrong. a truly excellent read and one of them first fics i've read! i still go back to reread it from time to time

dog at the door by fluffy_papaya & iamsolarflare - a longfic where doc and ren take a trip on a van on their way to s8. ren, however, is not quite himself, and doc has to learn to befriend the red king.

devil town is colder in the summertime by @bananasofthorns - a oneshot from a 100hsmp/life series d&d au! team BEST ventures into a cursed evil fucked up forest. uh oh.

Interview with the Aftermath by @ranchersrevenge (wanderlasts) - the last life contestants are invited for an interview. the responses vary greatly.

stars, smoke, and stolen car keys by wormcity - a 100hsmp modern au oneshot where grian, scar, and joel go on a hike. it doesn't go quite as they expected.

the beehive state by amaranthinecanicular - a dsmp oneshot after wilbur moves to utah. tommy visits him, and the two reconnect. i have to say i stopped following dsmp a long time ago but this fic made me BAWL. i don't even think you need to know any of the characters that well to really enjoy just how amazing the writing itself is

Can't Go Back (This Time) by @duckmumbo (musicaltvbooks) - soup group goes end raiding and accientally finds themselves in afterlife smp. nothing goes wrong, surely! also admittedly i havent finished reading this either but roy i swear i will. this is a great read nevertheless and the soup group dynamic is impeccable!

TommyInnit's unbeatable method of avoiding sudden death by eneliii - on the train of dsmp fics, this is the superhero au longfic that inspired my own hc superhero au, vdhau. it's a lot of funny shenanigans with tommy and his friends. the fic does take a dark turn at the end, but that can be skipped entirely (as said by eneli herself) if you just want the wholesome aspects.

if you don't mind a little self promo, here are some of my fics!

it takes two to play (the game of mutual secrecy) - the aforementioned hermitcraft hero au. this installment is centered around xisuma and evil x as brothers resolving their issues through hero work and solving the mystery of welsknight's disappearance :D there are other works that are set in the same universe if you're interested for more!

how to form the ultimate besties dynamic: an unreliable tutorial by hypnotizd - a oneshot! hypno is a warlock who goes treasure hunting under the sea. he meets a guardian who later becomes his unlikely friend.

smoke and mirrors, the hunt perseveres - grian's arrival in empires s2 unwittingly brings the watchers' suspicions with him. cue jimmy freaking out and a lot of shenanigans.

ballad of etho’s lab - my newest installment! a oneshot about etho's storied life as the redstone god.

i'm also currently working on the sequel to the game of mutual secrecy and a new (well not exactly new since i made concept art for it) au called private detective gem tasey! these will likely be released sometime late january or february. have fun with these fic recs! i haven't been reading as much lately but i hope ill be able to find more if anyone else asks in the future. cheers!

edit: the fics are out! here they are!

hiding in plain sight (the meaning of trust) - sequel to the hermitcraft hero au! it follows an escaped lab rat trying to acquaint themselves with human society while avoiding suspicion and making friends with familiar faces from tgms ;D

private detective gem tasey: a rotten mystery in london - a hermitcraft detective au where gem gets hired for a case that spirals completely into drama and politics!

[just-antithings]

can I rant a bit ? Feel free to ignore it if it's not something that alignes with the blog

Has anyone else noticed this new thing where Antis are really obsessed with canon ?

I feel like shipping for fun isn't allowed anymore it has to be canonicaly accurate or you'll get dms of people reminding you that it isn't accurate to canon it doesn't even have to be a ship with taboo themes or anything it just has to be fanon

I absolutely hate the new wave of this character is *some random sexual orientation* you can't ship them with this other character

Maybe I'm old but it's the same thing homophobic people in fandom used back then to justify bullying people for shipping gay ships

This character is straight you can't ship them with this same sex character

What antis are saying (I don't know if they are intentionally doing it or not) is that now that we have represention we don't need to ship non canon ships anymore witch is stupid people ship for fun not for representation and 90 percent of the media is straight so we aren't allowed to ship anything anymore (my picky self could never I need variety)

It's kinda stupid but I just want to ship radiodust without Antis dming me "gentle reminder that Alastor is aroace so you shouldn't ship him with anyone or sexualize him and that your taking represention from aro ace people by doing so"

Like I'm aroace but I mostly write romantic dynamics because I like them , when I tell them this they accuse me for lying , and hey I don't care about them I block all of the time it could be death threats for gods sake but it's annoying as a mosquito bite

I just want two dudes to kiss leave me alone antis

I have particler beef with asexual antis most of them are just plain anti sex and give asexuals a bad name and this is coming from someone who hates sex , me not wanting to fuck is a me problem people being horny on the in appropriate places is their problem as long as I'm out of it I'm fine

how can they spout the same thing as conservatives and still think they are the good guys is beyond me

Antis are really stupid

.

[powdermelonkeg]

Out of curiosity, why Gale/Taliesin? I'd have thought you'd match Astarion with Taliesin and maybe Lucien or Remiel with Gale. Not to say I dislike the ship, I can see the potential, but I'm curious where it came from.

Funny answer:

"I have a cat, a library, and a weakness for a good glass of wine. And if the mood takes me, I'm known to try my hand at poetry."

Divines, ask him to dinner before you make a proposal, Gale! Have some decorum!

Serious answer:

So, I do get the impulse to match like with like. Astarion and Taliesin have a LOT in common; roguelike qualities and smooth, self-assured charm, an affinity for knife tricks, sass and drama, some good vanity. Same with Gale and Lucien (can't say anything for Remiel, haven't had a chance to do a proper playthrough with her yet).

But camaraderie and shared personality traits don't necessarily mean they'd compliment each other in a romantic sense.

Let's start with Lucien. He's the youngest of the group, younger even than Wyll (iirc, Joseph said he was 21? He might be a couple years older, but regardless, Wyll is 24). Bubbly, bright, full of enthusiasm and scholarly wit, with a penchant for jokes and a drive for exploration.

Can Lucien talk Gale out of blowing himself up for Mystra?

Would he, Mr. I'm-going-to-ride-a-daedric-horse, my-new-best-friend-is-a-murderous-automaton, discourage Professor Hubris from claiming the Crown of Karsus?

I think Lucien would be concerned for Gale. I think he would know the right option. But I don't think he has the finesse to navigate the tangled weave (heh) that makes up Gale. Lucien is naive, he's sweet, he's willing to accommodate, to the point that I don't think he could tell Gale "no" when it mattered most.

Would they get along? Absolutely! Lucien could teach Gale how to handle magicka, Gale could teach Lucien how to conduct the Weave. Both of them could have lengthy philosophical debates that go over everyone else's heads. Gale would have enough caution to temper Lucien's dwemerology enthusiasm, Lucien would encourage all kinds of discovery into Tamriel's wonders. But I see that manifesting as a mentor-apprentice sort of relationship. Still very close, but having them depend on each other in the way Gale approaches romance would be...self-destructive, I think.

Taliesin and Astarion are a similar, if slightly more dark-tinted, deal. Tally's just gotten out of an organization of horrible, horrible people, whose actions in which he was complicit. He's trying to be better. Astarion has just left a situation of literal slavery to one of the most awful people on the Sword Coast. He's enjoying the chance to be worse. We know how Astarion feels and his opinions on things; he likes hurting people, he's very self-centered, he has a lot to work on himself across his entire character arc as he comes into his freedom.

Personally, I think they'd make each other worse.

That's not to say that I can't see it happening. I could, definitely. It would take a good chunk of meeting in the middle, tiptoeing around each other's baskets that they're struggling to unpack, Tally's aversion to vampires, Astarion's casual cruelty as he lashes out. My personal opinion is that any getting involved would be via Astarion's seduce-and-fling strategy so he gets that foot in the door for Tally's sympathy, and Tally not ever taking it further because Astarion reminds him too much of his fellow justiciars and never assumed it to be more than transactional.

If they DID somehow make it to the endgame, assuming they did everything right, I can see it all falling apart at Cazador.

Tally would probably object to Astarion becoming the Ascendant. Everything in Astarion's life points to ascension being a dangerous thing--if not for continuing Cazador's reign of terror, in subjecting mortals to his will and viewing them all as beneath him, because Astarion's cruel streak would get all the power to fuel every whim it draws up. That kind of dynamic, on a romantic plane especially, is SCARY. If he fails to persuade him but still refuses to help, Astarion leaves him: "I hope you die screaming."

But say Tally DID let him become Ascendant. Whoever the man he fell in love with before ascending is dead. Astarion is a wholly different person with that much power. And he wants to make you his spawn. I can't see Tally willingly becoming a vampire, and I DEFINITELY can't see him becoming a vampire without free will. His whole deal with leaving the Thalmor is getting his autonomy back and being able to make his own decisions. So they leave each other.

I see Tally/Astarion ending in abject tragedy either way. An entertaining story, definitely, but one that brings out the worst in both parties until its inevitable spiral, if it even takes off the ground.

Hence, why Wyll is with Astarion in my plans. He'd bring out the good in Astarion, Astarion would crack the self-sacrificing shell Wyll has. They'd compensate for each other's flaws and compliment each other's strengths. I could write an entire essay about their potential dynamic, not to mention all the flirty lines between them in-game.

Would Tally and Astarion be friends? Absolutely. They share gossip and snark around the campfire. Would Tally help Astarion absolutely gut Cazador? Would Astarion offer to carve out Tally's dad's throat? Definitely. The two are inseparable, and would kill anyone who dared raise a finger against the other. They'd mull over their shared plights of terrible overlords and being used and abused. They'd push each other's buttons and be petty together until it was time to buckle down and win a fight, then celebrate after. But a romance would require so much compromise on one side or the other that I think they both risk falling to pieces over it. There's much more room for differences in lifestyle if you're not planning to spend your life with someone and pour the whole of your heart out to them.

Now, the crux of the question: Gale/Taliesin.

The way Gale shows love is in unwavering devotion. However, he never expects it in return; he's prepared to make his case many times over when he first asks you for an artifact, and half-expects you to throw him away when he reveals the bomb in his chest.

Taliesin is willing to follow his rescuer to the ends of Nirn if you save him. Even into dwemer ruins that terrify him, even if you (to his knowledge) go as mad as Septimus when you read the Elder Scroll, he's prepared to look out for you. Even when it's your destiny to fight the end of the world and be surrounded by death as you do it, with a high probability that he'd be a casualty.

Gale's fatal flaw is his hubris. Tally would have no problems telling him "no" when the Crown came into play, or any other similar power for that matter.

If you talk to Taliesin about his past, he mentions that at one point, his father made him resent many aspects of himself, "even [his] own body."

Gale is willing to marry a MIND FLAYER if they're the person he's come to love. Completely seriously! He loves them! He doesn't even flinch, he even pays them mind flayer-specific compliments in the epilogue and means it with his whole heart!

Would Tally be willing to hang out with the walking apocalypse? Would he be able to talk down detonating the orb, and beg Gale to choose him over the Absolute's demise? Would he be able to tell Gale that going for the Crown of Karsus is a bad idea? Would he be willing to put his enchanting skills to use to buy Gale a few more days of life? Would he like Gale for the man he is over the magic he commands?

Would Gale be able to commit himself to Tally, regardless of how different Altmer are from Eladrin? Would he appreciate every part of Tally, no matter how he differs from conventional Altmer standards? Would he be willing to stand between Tally and his dad, and do it without shattering the rest of Tally's family (as murder threats would)? Would he appreciate Tally for the mer he is, the mer he's TRYING to be, as Tally leaves the Thalmor behind?

They both share a taste in books, both educational and spicy. They both like cooking, and Gale would be willing to cook up vegetarian meals in a snap. They both have a curiosity for culture and knowledge they have yet to encounter. They both love cats and a good bottle of wine.

The clone spell would let Gale match Tally's lifespan.

Tally would love and pay perfect respects to Tara (as everyone SHOULD).

Misty Step could be a solution to crossing bodies of water, and Ice Spike could be an upgrade to Ray of Frost.

Imagine, after several tendays of roughing it, a perfect illusion of a fancy date on a warm shoreline under the stars.

Imagine the two of them reading together by a warm hearth while it pours outside, wearing silk robes and sipping Alto Wine.

I think they'd bring out the best in each other, they'd enjoy each other's company and each other's idea of relaxation, and they'd share enough interests that they'd be happy to trade back and forth.

Also I think Gale's mother would absolutely love him. She HAS to meet him. And spoil him. He'd join her and Tara for tea and gossip, I guarantee it.

[alkhale]

Ahhhh I’m so happy you’re back with all the memos tidbits!!! That little snippet of kid and his crew and the latest where he was literally thinking of throwing her into a crate and stealing her onto his ship really really realllyy makes me wonder what would happen is Hoku actually did join his crew (aka hokunapped) hahah. Been in love with their dynamic since the chapter they met hehe

Hoku would be an absolute menace on Kid's crew

His crew would actually begin to question whether or not it was a good decision to let their captain force her onto their ship

Would claim she's only working temp on his ship because she had strangely rationalized that this was a good way to get Luffy to give up on her/she could just ditch this crew whenever and go die peacefully in a hut somewhere after following the news of the Straw Hat's journey

Is constantly questioning/not listening to his authority, she never takes it to the point of being blatantly mean, but just kinda ignores his orders/does whatever she wants

Hoku makes sure to get work done for the crew to earn her keep, helping out with ship chores, figuring out who's the cleanliest and making sure things don't look too gross with all these grease monkeys hanging around (she's not that neat either)

pops up in strange places around the ship, gets along with random crew members, even offers to help ink tattoos for them from time to time once she really warms up to them

she's become a bit fond of these weird, punk rock pirates

is always fighting with Kid, it's either two-sided shouting matches or one-sided curses and shouts from Kid while she picks at her ear and ignores him

unironically ends up causing him to be both a more destructive and less destructive pirate, he causes less human bodily harm but ends up destroying more houses or towns from his fights with Hoku (she always tries to rebuild homes for anyone)

it's a running joke to see how long they can go at sea before Kid gets angry at her, he seems to get livid at the very sight of her just lounging on her back on top of some barrels, but his crew reminds him its his fault for wanting her

Hoku likes messing with Kid but she actually starts to warm up, very, very little to him. She kind of finds him more amusing than anything else, fun to mess with, likes that he's so bullheadedly passionate about his dreams but just hates how angry he always is

"I think he just needs to get laid," Hoku finally joked once to Killer, causing the first mate to pause completely in the middle of his meal. There's a few things Killer could say to that, but he decides it's wiser not to get involved with anything in that regard

Killer just isn't sure how to tell her that sometimes Kid's "anger" isn't quite "anger"...

Hoku and Kid spar often, mostly because it's a fight turned physical but Kid genuinely thrives when it comes to fighting with Hoku

one sparring match in particular ends up a bit...

"You're always runnin' around like a rat," Kid accused, kicking up a storm of sand as he lunged for Hoku. She leapt out of his reach, dodging his metal extended claws. "Afraid of getting caught, doll?"

"You're always grabbing," Hoku snapped back. She lowered herself briefly to the sand, swinging her foot out and catching Kid in his side. He grabbed quickly for her ankle, but Hoku swung her foot up and sprung back on her hands, just out of his grasp. "Always tryin' to hug me."

"Shut it!" Kid snarled. The shore line lapped right at their side, encroaching closer onto the sandy slope. A salty breeze tousled Hoku's hair out of her face, baring her completely to him. "One of these days you're gonna be cryin' because of this."

Hoku laughed, a loose, breezy sound that grated against his ears. Kid felt his pulse thundering louder in his ears. Hoku leapt nimbly closer, he knew this tactic well by now, her way of getting ready to try to finish him off. Her fingers reached for her sword. "Whatever you say, brat—"

Kid moved differently this time, lunging forward, arms raised. Hoku balked for a second in surprise, eyes wide at his frontal assault. Kid still had hulk and mass over her, the entirety of him slamming her down into the ground with a ghost of her breath rushing past his ear.

Hoku reacted quickly, scrambling with him in the sand as grains flew across the both of them. Kid wrestled with her, trying to force either both her wrists into one of his or pin her legs down—whichever he could manage first—a knee slammed into his ribcage, a foot managed to extend and catch the side of his head—damn she's flexible.

Hoku's hand grabbed at his hair, pulling roughly. Kid snarled, blood pumping at the sensation while Hoku glared fiercely beneath him. Something thrummed, a little louder in his ears, and before Kid could force her down Hoku was suddenly heaving with all her might—legs locked tightly around his waist. Kid felt himself go sideways before he could fight back, forced with a rough palm down onto his back and facing upwards as Hoku straddled him.

Her hair fanned out wildly around her face. Sweat dripped a bit from her chin from their brief and rough struggle. Hoku glared down at him, daring him to fight back. Her lips pulled into a little bit of a snarl, the faint glint of that sharp canine catching light. Kid's hand shot up automatically, gripping her waist, the other grasping her thigh—his entire hand could almost cover the expanse of her thigh, he realized suddenly, like a screw clattering to the ground in the back of his head. He could feel the heat of her skin through her rough pants, the taut muscle and still slightly plush flesh at his fingertips, dents pressing under his grip.

Her hip fit even easier into his hand, one firm grip. His eyes flickered up briefly to her face, still twisted into a daring look of triumph above him—the faint heave of her chest, the rise and fall, rise and fall—

A drop of sweat rolled down the column of her neck. Kid felt something heavy pull into his gut.

God, he should kill this woman.

More screws clattered to the ground in his mind, a ruckus of noise, each one a shattering image of Hoku laughing annoyingly amidst his crew, shoving Wire as she almost fell over her barrel. An image of her snoozing uselessly in the sun, glowing from its warmth, sprawled out with ease across the deck. Her hair catching the first rays of light as she peeked over the crow's nest from the watch the night before. Her eyes meeting his across a bar, crinkled at the corners in teasing annoyance—

He needed to wreck this woman.

Her fingers wrapped around her brush. The slow or quick turn of her hand across paper. The colors that spilled out beneath her fingertips. Her happy, grudging huffs of awe at his work. The soft, audible sound of her in his private workshop, gaze lowered to whatever project laid before her.

He needed to—

Her eyes, flickering to meet his gaze, reflecting his visage entirely.

Hoku suddenly went ramrod straight above Kid. She paused, her once firm grip of his chest and head faltering. Kid blinked, annoyed to have been dragged from his thoughts as he looked back up at Hoku—

Kid blinked, once, twice, going almost slack in disbelief at the sight before him.

Hoku's cheeks had flushed, a dark, flustered red. She looked stunned, stupified almost as though she was trying to comprehend and register the situation at hand herself. Kid watched, almost mesmerized by the way that blush seemed to creep from the back of her neck as well—did her whole body flush like that? How far did it go?

Why the hell was she blushing in the first place—

(Something hard pressed flush against the inside of Hoku's thigh, a size she did not need to consider, situated right beneath the weight of her pressing originally hard down against Kid to keep him pinned—)

Kid went carefully still in realization. His grip on Hoku instantly went slack.

(Her weight fit snug against him. A shudder threatened to run down the back of his neck. Shamelessly he imagined for a second her back against the sand, her hair sprawled out amidst it. Her eyes, round and wide filled with his visage, her cheeks flushed, his lips following it down her neck. Something hot pooling in his gut flushed upwards, right to his fingertips as they flexed, suddenly itching to hold—)

Hoku was off Kid in a flash, jumping to her feet as her hands flew up into the air as though she were under arrest. Kid scrambled up onto his elbows, jaw working—

"Hey, uh, sorry about that," Hoku said first before Kid could even think of what ought to come out of his mouth. He blinked dumbly at her. "It's—that's a totally normal thing to happen, so don't worry about it, yeah? No worries, bud. Uh—I'll um, go? See ya back on the ship!"

Hoku darted away, running off the sand before he could even grab for her ankle or hold her back. Kid sat there amidst the sand, heat pulsing against his skin, a very real, very personal problem tenting upwards against his—

Kid let out something like a slew of curses, shouting angrily at nothing and everything—

Killer was perplexed for only about five minutes later that evening when Kid returned, some time after Hoku, more angry and grumpy but strangely subdued around her in a way he was not before, and then Killer sorta figured it out

-basically Hoku on Kid's crew is 3/5 her giving him an aneurysm and 2/5s something else

[seireitonin]

Hey, hru? Can you make some Tobyxnina hc/dynamics. I started shipping it because of u because I like the ship. Glad!:3

Sure! I love my rare pair but ig it’s getting more traction and I’m so happy!! :3 (idk if I had anything to do w that but I’m happy regardless. Also I hc Nina as black so :3 these are gonna be written in that in mind also these are all so fluffy)

Toby x Nina headcannons❤️

Scemo girlfriend. Grungy midwestern emo boyfriend

They hang out in the forest away from everyone

Mainly because some of the other creeps are like “you guys are a very strange couple”

Nina embraces the weirdness of their relationship

It was unexpected and came out of nowhere and no one could’ve saw it coming

While Toby hates the comments about it

If they love each other why does it matter?

They are though

I mean Nina’s whole thing was liking Jeff

What changed?

After growing up and maturing Nina released she never even liked or loved Jeff

She was just obsessed with him

Leading to a very unhealthy “relationship”

(Jeff just kept her around because she did what he said)

But Nina and Toby were different

Through spending time together they had to build this unlikely relationship

Toby found her really annoying and Nina thought he was so gloomy

But after spending more time together Toby’s mood would lighten around her

He needed someone like her

She was so so happy and bubbly and gentle and sweet

Toby had only known rough, callous and uncaring all his life

So being around her felt peaceful

And it still does

Nina spent so long trying to impress Jeff

So her being able to make Toby happy by just being herself makes her cry with happiness sometimes

He loves HER

Not what she can do for him

Toby enjoys her holding her hand, not telling her what to do

Nina enjoys playing with his hair, not hitting him or pushing him around

They like each other :)

Since Nina is a scemo queen, Toby likes to watch her get ready

The teasing of her hair, putting on all those belts, the dark eyeshadow and eyeliner the dark brown concealer on her lips to blend in with her skin

He thinks it’s over the top and looks ridiculous

And he loves it

Because it’s on her

“Why do you still dress like it’s 2007?”

“Cuz it’s fun! :3!”

“Is it, now?”

“Mhm! You should try it!”

“Don’t think so”

“Ah my gloomy Toby”

“Not gloomy. Just not me”

“But we listen to emo music together though!”

“Doesn’t mean I have to dress like it”

“I’m gonna make you do it one day”

“Sure you are”

Nina loves watching him practice hatchet throwing

When he hits a tree right in the middle she’ll cheer

“Yay Toby!”

He smiles a bit at her as to say thank you

He still has trouble with the whole emotions thing

He won’t say he loves Nina with his words but his actions

Getting her a new studded belt, more hairspray new eyeliner and anything that reminds him of her

Blast emo music in the car together and headbang

Toby is midwestern emo and Nina is MySpace emo

Although Toby also really likes nu metal, and other alternative music too

Nina often steals Toby’s hoodies and sweaters and will wear them to sleep, especially when he’s away on a mission

They’re mainly brown, black, dark blue all neutral colors because Toby’s plain like that

They smell like him and it makes her so happy

“Nina-what did I tell you about taking my stuff?”

*nina knocked tf out*

“Ugh you’re lucky you’re beautiful. You’re getting makeup all over my hoodie”

Nina wants to straighten Toby’s hair and give him emo hair and a fringe sooo bad

Like really bad

He grew is hair out for her to do it, he didn’t care about his hair anyway

He’ll let her do what she wants and she did just that

She gave him emo hair but it looked professionally done it’s so clean

Toby’s honestly impressed

Nina thinks he looks so hot with emo hair especially when he wears plain black shirts or shirts with bands he likes on them

Literally the emo bf she’s always wanted

Toby hates being called emo buuuut he kinda is

She’s now trying to get Toby to let her dye his hair pink and black to match hers

That’s where Toby drew the line

Nina and Toby got matching piercings though!

Now they both have canine bites, septums, eyebrow piercings and a bunch of ear piercings

Why not? He can’t feel it

They’ll touch tongues through the open wounds in their faces

Nina will stick her tongue out through her smile and Toby will touch her tongue with his through his face gash hole thingy

Nina makes Toby candi bracelets and Toby puts them on his hatchets

Toby will take Nina shopping with money he stole and saved up from victims

Goes with her every time because he doesn’t want her to get harassed

Super protective of her, just like he is with all the women he loves

No one can make fun of Nina’s fashion except for him

Nina definitely sings rap songs like sexy red and Meg the stallion to him as a joke

Toby just tolerates it

“Stop me and you’re racist, Toby!”

*head in his hands* “I’m not stopping you”

Toby is still, blunt, rude, obnoxious and cynical but tries to tone it down around Nina

He knows she’s sensitive to people talking to her like that, especially her partners

Nina will sometimes decorate Toby’s scars with glitter

He’s covered in them

All he does is roll his eyes and let her

He wasn’t doing anything with them anyway

Even though Toby is 29 and Nina’s 27 they feel like happy teenagers with each other

This is what their lives should’ve been together if the world was kinder to them

Just 2 people in love, hanging out listening to music, together, shopping together, going out to eat together

Nina being scemo is healing her inner child

Toby loving her true authentic self is healing her inner child

Toby tries to do the same by wearing more comfortable sweaters and trying to break the habit of picking at his skin

Nina loving him despite all his problems is healing his inner child

This is how life should be

No abuse, no suffering

Just them being in love and chilling

[brujahinaskirt]

This is barely coherent as a meta post but I have to get it out because aaaaaah (!!!!) I love, i REALLY LOVE, how much Arthur loves Abigail.

Jack too, of course, but I don't want to lump them together for the sake of this post. I specifically love the non-romantic but deeply true love dynamic between Arthur and Abigail.

[yet another longwinded gush-essay under the cut...]

It's just so rare to see a relationship like this in media, especially games! They love each other without embitterment, without either of them secretly wanting to pursue the other, and without any tacit expectation of repayment (or hope of romantic feelings developing one day).

I don't dislike Arthur x Abigail as a ship in theory so much as I just love the nonsexual, no-debts, no-expectations unconditional family love and loyalty between them WAY more. Even Arthur's diary entry about how he regrets being too caught up on Mary to do the culturally/historically "right" thing and marry Abigail (especially now, after Jack is born/John runs off...) is, to me, transparently more about how much Arthur personally adores Abby & Jack and the hope they represent, and how much he wants to see someone do right by them, than it is about Arthur having some kind of hypothetical secret crush on Abigail.

All their interactions are so devoid of sexual desire or romantic longing! Hell, they're often annoyed with each other, the sort of teasing & snappy attitude that comes from knowing someone so well and being assured that a pissy day won't fray the relationship. I love the familiarity of that alone, but there's also just so much sweetness and genuineness in how Abigail asks Arthur if he's okay, in how she smiles when he comes to say hi to her and Jack, and in how openly she allows herself to sound really sad around him. There's so much care and selfless love in how she encourages him to pursue Mary (to follow his heart, like her) despite what the other women at camp say, and despite knowing that Arthur successfully fulfilling his dream of a life with Mary would assuredly end (or at least massively reduce) his ability to economically provide for Abigail & Jack and to be there for them physically.

aaaah!!!! There's so much obvious and unrestrained warmth and affection in how Arthur says "Hello Abigail." There's so much openly petty sulking when Abigail loses at dominoes to Arthur and equally petty bragging when she wins!! There's so much benevolent planning on her part to arrange for Arthur and Jack to spend time together just the two of them (even though Arthur makes an incredibly weak and see-throughable effort to sulk at her re: being nudged aside by John's return). And yet she takes so much care to continue incorporating Arthur into their weird wounded little family even after John's return. There's no hesitation in Arthur's frequent checking on Abigail & Jack (and making sure John isn't mistreating them) and helping her raise him (though critically, NOT as a father replacement, but as Uncle Arthur). And there's no hesitation when Abigail comforts Jack by reminding him that she and Uncle Arthur are always there for him, even if his father isn't.

AAAAAAH!! There's so much trust and concern between them, ending with Abigail's signature choice to trust Arthur by giving him the key, essentially choosing to trust him more than she trusted John, the man she's in love with. There's so much genuine fear in Arthur's eyes and reluctance to break her heart by giving her the news of John's apparent death/capture, even though he knows he has to do it, and there's so much unspoken understanding between them when he gestures to help her off the horse--and in her acceptance, as if she knows he needs to try to comfort her physically because he can't find the words to comfort her. (And yet, he does! He instinctively knows EXACTLY what Abigail needs to hear, a surehearted confirmation that John DID love her, something that Arthur himself has long doubted and worried over, but that he clearly sees Abigail needs to get through that awful moment without collapsing. He knew her deep-set fear, that John died without ever really loving her and it it was all for nothing, and provided her with the faith she needed to keep moving.)

Though Abigail loves John, no question, she doesn't yet trust John in RDR2. But Arthur? Arthur is the one she trusts. Abigail knows Arthur will never run out on her, and Abigail welcomes Arthur in as family (again, critically, as Uncle Arthur, not as a John Replacement) in a way he badly wanted & needed to experience but likely never would.

Rockstar could so easily have made Arthur into John's bitter, crusty, desire-driven rival for Abigail's romantic attention. That was assuredly perhaps the easier/more obvious/lower-hanging-fruit writing decision. But they deliberately made the choice to avoid desire as a component of their attachment to each other, they just leaned into the family devotion. Screw you Dutch, this is the REAL faith in rdr2, and that's goddamn beautiful.

aaaah i can't get over it

[blacklegsanjiii]

More random ships with our beautiful queen Sora -> Hancock x Sora, Makino x Sora, Corazon x Sora

Hancock and Sora propaly has a age gap like Mihawk x Boa, but hear me out: I hc that Sora had Reiju when she was between 19-22, so makes her having the 1234ji with 22-25, and when Sanji and her are saved by a eighteen Boa, she would have 30-33, more pra less the same age as Mihawk (and also, the DYNAMIC!)

Makino x Sora? Perfect. Sora ran away from Germa with Sanji and stop at Dawn to hide, Sanji finds the ASL+Makino while he is stealing some food and they go help him and his mother (bc Makino is worried about the boy). So both womens just start to live near in case Sora needs help and thry fall in love <3

Corazon x Sora? Pair of sweet blondes who LOVES their children. Sora run away with Sanji and finds Cora (who is with Law) decides to help them and end up falling in love with her. Later on he almost dies bc of Doflamingo but survives and lives with his wife in a small island.

GOD DAMMIT THESE ARE LIT AF!!!!!!!

Okay so Hancock x Sora. They are saved and brought to lesbian island. Sora has gotta be teasing Boa like Mihawk does but she makes good on her promises and absolutely flusters Boa. Boa absolutely claims Sanji as her baby as well again and they're a happy little family. Boa using her royal status to spoil them but this is the SASSIEST family. If Boa is still swooning for Luffy, Sora HAS to be looking at her wife with the most unimpressed look. When Boa comes back and whines to her wife their kid is dating Luffy and Sora has to remind her that age gaps can be weird and the way she was doing it was making it weird. Boa looks at her with confusion and Sora explains that Boa flirted with her first. They are absolutely those lesbians that uhaul'd and then got married, and grew old together, they are THE dykes of the pirating world. They have to have the best sex life too tbh.

Makino x Sora. Could you also imagine if this when Shanks is there? Like Luffy and Makino find this Sanji stealing food and then finds Sora after the second or third time. Shanks somehow hasn't lost his arm yet but absolutely plays THE WORST wingman to those women. Sora is somehow the biggest help to Luffy after he eats the devil fruit and then Shanks loses his arm and leaves. Makino and Sora are doing their best to mother these kids but then Luffy disappears and comes back with more??? In the interim the women have gotten together. Sabo knows the queen of Germa when he sees her because he's been to several Reveries but Sora tells him it's a secret or they will all die. She's not even joking and then pats Sabo on the head. When ASL see her kiss Makino for the first time they ask Sanji about it and he's like 'idk, she's better than my dad' which Ace says Makino is better than his dad too.

Sora x Corazon. This man and his lead poisoned son find Sora and Sanji, her sick and dying as well and Sanji starved and matted. Fuck it, they could all band together and survive. Right? Right. They're traveling and Law is getting sicker and Sora is plateaued in her illness so that's probably a good thing. Cora is carrying both of them as Sanji follows as fast as his little legs will carry him. They bond over the kids and the kids bond over death. Listen, their fucked up, all of them. They save Law and Corazon from Doflamingo and death. Sora manages to stop the bleeding and asks where the boys are. So when he is propped and set to live and hidden somewhere she goes and finds the boys. They settle on an island until the boys set off, even if they don't think Sanji is quite old enough to be a pirate. It's fine, Law keeps Sanji on ship duties only until he's like fifteen and now he's Law's left hand. Cora and Sora(fuck i love that) display their sons proudly and the kids hang new photos their parents send them regularly. Cora is usually holding his much smaller wife with a cigarette in his mouth while on fire and Sora smiling widely while dumping water on her husband's flaming coat.

[punchitmrsulu]

Hi I'm new to the walking dead for the Rick and michonne show! I want to watch where should I start? Can I ask who is Jessie and why was he miserable? It just seems like such a fun fandom there's so much lore I kinda want to know everything. How far back should I go to get the full story from the actors and everything? I kind of live for the kind of stuff lol. But it's OK if it's a lot to explain. I thought about just spending a few days digging through the tag as far back as I could go. This show and all the gifsets and all the fun everyone is having kinda has me obsessed a little bit. But should I watch the whole series? It's eleven seasons lol.

I'll explain it all to you, no problem! I'll just warn you there will be a few spoilers though, ok? It's kinda hard to explain without them, so if you don't want spoilers, don't read on.

Listen, Rick and Michonne aside (who are awesome, amazing, perfect) The Walking Dead is a REALLY good show all around. It's honestly got some of the best writing I've ever seen on TV. So, if you like TV shows and you're looking for a good one, I'd advise you to watch it all from the beginning. It is indeed a lot but it's gonna go by so fast, because it's so good, you won't even feel it. Seriously, all of the characters, the dynamics between them, the bonds they all forge, the development of the characters, the relationships, the narrative, the found family aspect of it, it's all chef's kiss. And Rick and Michonne is like the cherry on top. It's like, in case you thought we couldn't make things even better, here's the best couple of all time for you, enjoy.

Now, focusing on just Rick and Michonne, I'd still advise you to watch it from the beginning so that you can FULLY appreciate it when they finally get together. Cause we have Rick's relationship with Lori (his dead wife) in the beginning of the show, which was just not good at all, she never had his back, so when he finally meets Michonne and she becomes his partner in every way, even before they fall in love, it's just got a different flavor when it finally happens, you know? Cause everything he has with Michonne is the complete opposite of what he had with Lori, and it's glorious, and you can see why they were made for each other and are soulmates, so unless you see that relationship first, it's not gonna have the same impact in my humble opinion.

As for Jessie, and Andy being miserable about Rick's storyline with her on the panels, Jessie is a character (the most generic character you can possibly think of) that shows up closer to the end of season 5, before Rick and Michonne get together, and she's on the show for 14 episodes. Rick is kind of having a bit of a breakdown at this point and he develops a little thing for her but nothing really happens between them. They only share one very chaste kiss, which is shown from a distance. You see, Jessie's kind of a stand-in for his dead wife at this point in his storyline. Her fragility kinda reminds him of her, her husband is abusive and so she's someone he can save like he couldn't save his wife. She's like a second chance for him to save his dead wife, that was her whole purpose.

But the whole thing is just very forced and stupid and nobody wanted it, everybody was already shipping Richonne then for a long time, so it made NO sense. And at the time, the marketing for the show was really pushing this whole Jessie thing, so Andy's miserable on all the panels where that storyline is brought up because he had always wanted Rick and Michonne together, even his mom wanted it, both he and Danai (the actress who plays Michonne) have both said they were always playing romance when it came to Rick and Michonne, and it's very clear from the writing that that's where things were headed, so again, this Jessie person made NO sense. So, on the panels, whenever the Jessie storyline was brought up, Andy would usually keep his head down, hiding behind his hat and wouldn't say anything, wouldn't express anything, only the actress playing Jessie talked. He really just wanted to forget that storyline was a thing at all, it was bad enough he had to play it.

But thankfully, like I said, nothing really happens between them, she's in it for just a few episodes and then Michonne becomes his entire world.

Now, if you only want to watch starting from the point where Rick and Michonne meet, that's right at the end of 3x06. And if you only want to watch from when they get together, that's 6x10. It's still gonna be awesome and amazing, but like I explained, you might not get the FULL experience.

It is indeed many seasons but the first one is only 6 episodes long and from then on, each season is about 13-16 episodes long.

I hope I was able to make things clear for you and if you have any other questions, just ask, I'll be more than happy to answer!