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girls-are-weird · 10 months

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YR fanfic pet peeves (and corrections): latin america edition

so. i was originally going to post this in january as a kind of "new year, new opportunity to learn about simon's hispanic heritage" kind of a thing, but life got busy, and then my computer died and i lost my original list, so i've had to reconstruct this from memory as best as i could. there may be some stuff missing, so perhaps i'll just keep adding to this post as missing/new points come to mind.

disclaimer 1: if you've included any of the points made here on any fanfic of yours, please don't take this as a call-out. this isn't intended to shame anyone, but rather as an educational opportunity. it's very rare that a latin american nationality that is not mexican or colombian or puerto rican is showcased in an international show, especially outside of the US, and it's given me such joy to have all of you lovely folks make the effort to be open to and research and understand the idiosyncrasies of simon's (and omar's) heritage because the rest of latin america tends to go overlooked in most other fandoms. so i don't intend to scold anyone with this. we can't all know everything about every other culture-- lord knows i don't know everything about sweden, but i want to be respectful to the country and its people and that is why i heavily research anything i don't know and ask people who do know when my research doesn't quite cover it and am open to corrections when even that falls short. i expect most of you come to write about simon's family background in good faith and also want to be respectful to his family's culture, and so i thought i might make things a bit easier for you all by putting the most common errors/misunderstandings i've seen in one handy post. but once again, it's not a call-out, i don't get offended by these things, and i'm in no way implying, if you've done any of these things in fic or in life, that you are a bad person. i understand people make mistakes when they don't know things.

disclaimer 2: i am not venezuelan myself. i was born and raised in the same general region of latin america, though, and i have venezuelan friends and have worked with venezuelan people and have visited venezuela. generally speaking, i feel their culture is very similar to mine (though our spanish is much closer to spanglish than theirs is, haha xD) and feel a deep kinship with them. but of course, i'm no native, and if you're venezuelan and catch anything here that you feel is incorrect, feel free to point it out and i'll add a correction in your name.

warning: this is very long. christ almighty. DX if you can't make it to the end, tl;dr-- feel free to ask if you have any questions or if anything isn't clear. my ask box/messages are always open.

1- "mijo." this is the only one that legit has caused me to click out of several fics/chapters, at least in the beginning, but i've learned to grin and bear it by now. it's not so much that it's wrong, per se, but rather it's more of a location issue. "mijo" is, to my ears, very much a mexican (or, if you stretch it, northern triangle) slang. it IS used sparingly in other countries, but rarely used unironically. instead, if you hear the term used in the caribbean region of latin america (which my country is part of, as is a large part of venezuela), it's almost always used… let's say sarcastically. for example, if your grown-ass adult friend is being a dumbass and doing something reckless, you might call out "oiga, mijo, se va a romper el cuello" ("hey, mijo, you're going to break your neck"). basically, it's a way of calling someone immature like a child. it doesn't have to be ENTIRELY unaffectionate (kinda like the way someone might call their significant other "idiot" or "dummy" but mean it endearingly. in fact, in colombia it's way more common for spouses to call each other "mijo/a" than it is for them to call their children that), but you can also use it with complete strangers-- like if someone cuts sharply into your lane while you're driving, you might yell at them "oiga, mijo, a donde le enseñaron a manejar, en un potrero?!" ("hey, mijo, where did you learn how to drive, in a horse paddock?!"). but even in these sarcastic/neggy cases, it's rare. and EVEN RARER to hear a mother call her children "mijo" or "mija" in this region. it's just not a thing. so when i read it in fanfic, it immediately takes me out of the story because it's so weird to me that linda would sound mexican-- it's a very distinctive accent, which carmen gloria 1000000% does not have. (plus, "mijo" in spanish is a type of birdseed. so it gave me a chuckle the first few times i read it in a fic because i always have that brief second of confusion where i go "why is linda calling simon birdseed?" before it clicks. xD i'm a dork.) it's much more likely that linda would just say "hijo" or "mi hijo," instead.

1b- the way you decide on whether to use "hijo" or "mi hijo" is important because "mi hijo" can sound overly formal in the modern context especially, much like it would in english. in fact, you can use the english version of it, "son" vs "my son" to guide you on which of the two to use. like for example, if linda were to say directly to simon "i love you, my son," she would sound oddly old-timey and anachronistic, so you would just use "son" ("hijo") in that case. whereas if she's talking about simon with someone else, for example saying "i told my son to be here on time," you'd be perfectly okay to use "mi hijo" in that sentence in spanish. it's very transferable in that case.

2- speaking of non-transferable, though, you can't use "cariño" in all instances you would use "sweetheart" or "sweetie." it really depends on the grammatical construction, and it can be tricky to get it right, but it depends on whether you're using it as a direct address or as an object. for example, if you're using it in place of someone's name-- say, a mother telling her child "te quiero, cariño" ("i love you, sweetheart/sweetie") is perfectly fine, because in that case, she could also say "te quiero, hijo" ("i love you, son") or "te quiero, simon" ("i love you, simon"). but if, say, simon says to wille "you're my sweetheart," you would not use "cariño" there; you'd go instead with some syrupy way to say "boyfriend," like "eres mi novio" or "eres mi enamorado" or even "eres mi amor," and if sara tells felice "you're a sweetheart," that would also not involve "cariño" at all. in addition, "cariño" is also very rarely used in plural; if linda is using a term of endearment for both her kids, or for a group of teens her kids' age, she would use a different term of endearment altogether: "hola, mis amores" ("hi, my loves"), "hola, bebés" ("hi, babies") or "hola, mis tesoros" ("hi, my treasures") among some examples. one exception is when you say "cariños míos" ("my sweethearts"), but very rarely the plural by itself. in fact, "cariño" is often slang for gift or present, especially in the diminutive-- for example, if you go to someone's celebratory party for some occassion (birthdays, graduations, baby showers, heck even christmas), you might hand them a small gift and go "te traje un cariñito" ("i brought you a small present"), and if it's more than one gift, or you're bringing gifts for several people, then you'd say "unos cariños" or "unos cariñitos" in the plural.

3- simon's skin is tan, not tanned. this… doesn't personally bug me as much because it's more of an english grammar issue, but i know people who might actually feel very offended if you get this one wrong with respect to them. "tan" is a color; a light shade of brown. "tanned" implies the original color of your skin has darkened with the sun. now, i'm sure simon can tan (lucky goat, says she whose skin burns even while indoors), but about 95% of the time "tanned" is used in YR fanfiction, it's used as a descriptor of the color of simon's skin as we see it on the show. that would imply his skin used to be lighter at some indeterminate before-time and has been darkened by the sun. this is incorrect; that is the natural color of simon's skin. so stick to "tan skin" instead (not tan PERSON, mind you. his SKIN is tan, he is not). and i would gently suggest that if you take away any single thing from this post, make it ESPECIALLY this point, as someone more sensitive than me might interpret this error as some kind of retroactive whitewashing. and i don't want anyone here to get in trouble for simply not knowing.

4- pabellón criollo is one dish, yes, but it's four different FOODS. it's not something a newbie would be able to make off of a recipe (i don't know how to make it and i've been eating it all my life), and it's not something that's likely to be taught in just one day. also, if you're bringing it to a dinner or a potluck, you're bringing four separate food containers, not just one.

4b- also, venezuelan food, for the most part, is not particularly spicy. you CAN make it spicy if you want, but traditionally, it is not. it's flavorful, maybe even saucy depending on the dish, but rarely spicy. i know the joke of white people being unable to handle spice is funny, but there's also plenty of us hispanic people who are equally terrible at it, because there's different levels of spice in the food from different regions of latin america. besides, as a friend of mine perfectly put: we are living in the 21st century now. if you can eat mild mexican food, you should be able to handle traditional venezuelan food just fine. and i'm pretty sure there's mexican food in sweden. plus, wille would probably be more used to international food-- not only does he have the means, but having traditional meals in foreign countries is kind of part of the job.

5- while i'm at it: simon is definitely half venezuelan. this is canon as of S2. there is no other place in the world where that dish is called pabellón. please keep that in mind when you're writing and researching.

5b- this, along with several of the points above, is important because it's a bit of diaspora trauma that whenever we venture outside of latin america and people learn we're latino, they immediately assume we're mexican, or that our culture and traditions are the same as those of mexican people. it happens often, and it's incredibly annoying. not that there's anything wrong with mexico or mexican people-- they're lovely, and their traditions and culture and food are fantastic-- but we are not them, and treating us like we are is reductive. the rest of latin america can be very different and incredibly diverse, and it can be dispiriting when people treat us like we're all the same. so that is why it is important when writing about simon, his family or his venezuelan roots, that you take care to actually research things as they are in venezuela, and not just pick the low-hanging fruit of latino facts you might've learned through pop cultural osmosis, which eight times out of ten will be mexican-only because most hispanic people in the US are mexican and the US exports its media all over the world. i've learned to just roll my eyes at it by now, but some people might actually feel offended or hurt, and i'm sure nobody here intends for that to happen.

6- although simon speaks spanish, neither he nor sara nor his mother nor any aspect of his mother's culture is spanish. "spanish" is what people from spain call themselves. people from spanish-speaking latin american countries are not spanish; we are hispanic, or latino/a/e. "latinx" is… let's call it controversial, at least outside of the US. most people born and raised in latin america don't like it; i personally don't get offended if people use it, but i don't use the term myself. also, you can say "latin food" or "latin music," but we usually don't refer to PEOPLE as latin, but rather latino/a/e. if in doubt, just use latin american or hispanic. they're also conveniently gender neutral.

EDIT: @andthatisnotfake also brought up a very important point: "if you spell it latinx, it makes it harder for screen readers to read (or so I've been told) and some people depend on those, so there's another reason to avoid it." (the unpronounceability of that term is at least part of the reason why hispanic people who live in latin america don't like it.)

6b- never use "the latino/a" on its own to refer to people. "latino/a/e" is an adjective, not a noun, so you would say "the latino boy" or "the latino man" but never just "the latino." kinda like it would be weird to point out the one japanese man in a room as "the japanese." there are some nationality/ethnic terms that just don't work as nouns in english.

7- spanish is not simon's one native language-- or at least not any more than swedish is. he grew up in a mixed-race household, speaking two different languages. it's pointless to call spanish his native language when comparing it to swedish. both are his native languages. also, while we're at this, wille is probably at least bilingual (i'm assuming he can speak at least english), although he only has one native language. it's hardly a competition between the two boys as to who's more of a polyglot.

7b- simon wouldn't take classes on the spanish language-- like to learn how to SPEAK the language-- since spanish is one of his native languages. he wouldn't take them at hillerska, nor in university, nor elsewhere. he wouldn't be allowed. you're literally not allowed to take classes on your native language, nor get credit for said classes. trust me, those would've been an easy extra 24 credits for me in college if that was a thing.

EDIT: have been made aware (thanks, @rightsogetthis and @plantbasedfish!) that at least in sweden and in finland one IS allowed to take classes of your non-swedish/finnish native language, in certain circumstances. i have to say, i'd be pissed if i were taking my french classes alongside a french native speaker, but hey, the system's the system, i guess. ;) so i've struck this one out.

8- dear god please don't use google translate for your spanish translations. listen, i'm not judging-- i do it with other languages, too, when i'm in a pinch. but google translate is literally The Worst (tm) so i always try to either check with someone, or stick to the stuff i already know is correct. seriously, you don't want to know the kinds of crazy stuff GT can spit out that people actually put out in the real world; some of them are quite hilarious. if you're unsure, my ask box/messages are always open and i looooove helping people with this kind of thing, hispanic language and cultural stuff. i know it seems like i'm hardly around, but i do check my messages. don't be shy, even if it's something really small.

PS: while i'm talking pet peeves, malin is wille's bodyguard, not his butler. she's nice enough to attend to him at hillerska because there's no other palace staff around and she's literally stationed outside his door, but she wouldn't do that in the actual palace. there's other staff for that. she wouldn't even guard him at the palace, i don't think, because the royal palaces in sweden are guarded by the royal guard, not SÄPO. if anything, malin might spend the time while wille is in the palace grounds at a gatehouse (like in YR 2x03 and onwards) or at some kind of security office in the palace, and then get called whenever wille needs to go anywhere. she wouldn't be giving wille messages from the queen or walking guests to wille's room or anything like that. that's not her job. (sorry, i had to get that off my chest, lol.)

#young royals #young royals netflix #netflix #simon eriksson #sara eriksson #linda eriksson #omar rudberg #carmen gloria perez #latin america #latino #hispanic #latin american culture #latin culture #latino culture #hispanic culture #spanish language #i hope this is helpful #if not feel free to ignore lol

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birds--daily · 2 months

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welcome to birds daily!!

this is my blog where i draw a bird every single day! the idea was completely ripped off from one of my best friends of all time, @fish-daily !! please go check him out :0)

my name is sunny and i'm a wildlife biology major and art minor from the eastern united states. i'm 21 years old and i use they/them pronouns!

i'm here because i love birds so much, and i'm assuming if you're following then you do too!!

IMPORTANT INFO BELOW!!

what to know before you request

please check if i've drawn a bird before you request it! if you don't want to scroll through everything, all my birds are tagged by order. don't know the order of your bird? look it up! the IOC world bird list has a great resource for this.

i tag them by name, but some birds have multiple common names.

i also have a spreadsheet of every bird i've done so far! but i can definitely see myself forgetting to update this, so it's best to double check.

any avian dinosaur archaeopteryx-and-beyond can be requested! many ornithologists consider avialae to be the cutoff for "modern" birds.

i can't guarantee full-accuracy of prehistoric birds as i'm not very well-versed in paleontology.

please keep asks to only one bird! feel free to send multiple asks though. if you include multiple birds in an ask i'll just pick one. when i answer the ask to post it, the other birds will be gone forever...

i will prioritize requests in the order i received them in, but a couple times a week i might draw a personal pick instead.

not accepting duplicate birds doesn't mean you can't request a different version of the same bird, which leads me to…

sexual dimorphism and seasonal plumage!

yes! you can request different plumages and sexes of a bird i've already done! want to see a female ruddy duck? of course! want the breeding plumage of the willow ptarmigan? absolutely!

i have sex, maturity, and plumage recorded on my spreadsheet, but i'm bound to make some mistakes on there. once again, double-checking my blog is your best bet to getting accurate bird info!

if you don't specify anything, i'm going to assume the basic mature male with breeding plumage that you come to expect from a bird.

breeding and non-breeding plumage can also be called summer and winter plumage. some birds also have special names for their plumage forms. just to keep things consistent i'll be referring to it as breeding and non-breeding!

final notes

my main blog is @eggpathy if you're interested in any of my other art! i forget to post there a lot. most of my art is on my twitter under the same name (trying to move here though)

i'm a full-time college student with a job, so some days i won't be able to get a bird out. sometimes i might even have to take a few days to a week off just to keep my sanity. this doesn't mean i'm not having fun and enjoying drawing birds! it just means i'm busy and maybe need time for other things

i'm also still human. this means i WILL MAKE MISTAKES! i have not finished my degree yet and i'm still learning! one of the big reasons i made this account was to help myself learn my birds! i take extra time out of my day to find facts to post with my birds, and sometimes those are wrong. if you see me post misinfo, please kindly correct me with a comment, dm, or tag!

any post that isn't a daily bird will be tagged #not birds. any post that is a daily bird will be tagged #birds.

please feel free to add extra fun facts, info, and generally any other silly comment in the tags. i love reading them and they make my day!

asks don't have to be request-related! feel free to ask me anything :0)

thanks for reading! peent!

#about time i made an introduction post lmao #birds daily #not birds

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matan4il · 1 year

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Good morning Alice!! If you don't mind, may I add something to the topic of antisemitism? Because in the last year, I had 2 things happen in my personal life that made it blaring to me how much subconsciously for some antisemitism was back on the rise. I am not Jewish, although I am luckily enough to be surrounded by many different Jewish communities and families. In turn, I also live in a progressive city and have always felt I am surrounded by tolerant open-minded people.

But first it was a brunch I was at with some friends. Someone I have known since high school was complaining about a bonus she got and said something like, "Dude, the owners are acting like such Jews." I was taken aback and like what did you just say?? She seemed surprised and was like well that's how people in the office describe them. I mean, I watched Schindlers List with this girl in high school, and I reminded her of everything we learned. The thing is, I know her and her family and have never heard them speak this way. So it's horrible to think she subconsciously always felt that way, or maybe never has, but the term has become mainstream enough again that people felt comfortable using it to describe owners of their company.

The second time was a movie someone recommended to me. Based on what I do for a living, they were being friendly and thought I would enjoy it. I will be sort of vague here so as not to give away spoilers and / or open up the politics of the person involved in the scene. The movie is called "You People". Let's just say I found the movie a bit off putting to start, but then came a scene where someone was bragging about Farrakhan to a Jewish couple. I almost dropped my wine and turned off the movie. In my opinion, the Jewish couple were written kind of as clueless in this scene and the people praising Farrakhan as smart. I only finished the movie because I was waiting for this attitude to be corrected or changed. I was disappointed that it never was. The Jewish couple "learned a lesson." I, of course, messaged the person back and told them what I found problematic about the movie, and again, the person was bemused by my disdain. For me, though, I was just shocked this perspective was able to make it through production. I mean, everyone involved in this movie was never like, maybe this is a bridge to far??

My major point here is that it's scary all this has again become a mainstream thought process. People seem not to notice the repeat of history. I talk to a lot of families all over from very diverse Jewish families. So maybe I am a bit more biased because I hear stories of families in New York that have to hire security to take their children to school because the hate crimes are so bad. However, you never read about it in the media.

My rule now is to not assume anyone is not hearing these things and somehow absorbing it and inadvertently pushing it on. Always be ready to correct or remind someone that yes, they are being hateful. Sorry for the essay I just wanted to point out how people can notice it even from people they least expect it from. Please feel free to correct any POV I presented. You know I always wish to learn!!

As always, stay safe, and I hope you are feeling ok. xoxo

Also, don't feel bad if you don't post this because you don't want to get political on here. I would completely understand

My darling, it is so good to hear from you, no matter what, but especially on such an important topic as antisemitism that is NOT talked about enough.

Thank you for sharing both of these incidents. The first one is just so blatant... I mean, it's clear "Jews" is being used in a negative manner, so how can there be ANY confusion about it being an antisemitic way of expressing oneself? You don't even have to know the specific bloody, hateful history of this particular antisemitic stereotype that links Jews to money hoarding to get that it's a hateful thing to say. And in the case of this stereotype, it really isn't in the past. Just the other day, I reblogged a post about Ilan Halimi, who in 2006 was kidnapped, tortured, mutilated and burned alive because of this antisemitic notion, before he passed away. I'm shocked that in her office, it's an okay thing for anyone to say, but I can't help thinking... this girl can't be stupid, right? So even if she heard it from countless people, there should have been something in her telling her that using the word "Jews" like that is antisemitic and wrong.

As for the movie You People... *sighs* I have it downloaded and waiting for me to watch it. I've tried watching it twice now, and twice I couldn't get past the second scene (when the first one is "just" the movie's opening). So I haven't gotten yet to the part you're describing, but I have no doubt you're spot on in your assessment of it, and honestly... For those who don't know, Farrakhan is a raging antisemite, and praising him to Jews would be akin to the Jewish family praising David Duke (a notorious anti-black White Supremacist) to the black family, and no one pointing out why that's wrong and offensive.

There are several American movies I'm aware of that are based on the concept of "black vs white families who would normally dislike each other have to overcome their differences because their kids wanna get married". This is a concept that works based on the tension between those whose ancestors suffered from slavery in the United States and those whose ancestors were responsible for it. The most basic issue I have with You People is that the white family from the original concept has been replaced with a Jewish one. Since presumably this is meant to work on the same kind of tension, that already implies Jews were responsible for the enslavement of black people in the US. This is not true and has even been recently addressed with historical research on this precisely due to this new antisemitic lie spreading and putting Jewish lives in danger.

I guess that brings me to an issue that's a continuation of something I brought up in my Jewish representation post: American movies and shows hardly ever show us any kind of antisemitism except for the "classic" type trafficked by the Nazis. And the problem with that is that there are so many other kinds, too! We don't represent them in our media, so people don't know to recognize them. And we are not giving young Jewish people and allies of the Jewish community the tools to identify these forms of antisemitism and the weapons to fight back against them.

At some point, I might be able to stomach getting through the movie to detail everything I think is wrong with it, because from what I've heard from you and from @geekgirl101, there's gonna be a lot I would have to rant about. But for now, maybe I'll just mention that the movie has been pretty universally rejected and condemned by the mainstream Jewish community and its allies. Here are just some of the many scathing articles criticizing it:

Critics pan ‘painful’ portrayal of Jews in race relations rom-com ‘You People’

The woke antisemitism of Netflix's 'You People' - opinion

You People's Outrageous Antisemitism

Jew People

Instead of giving us a contemporary Black Jewish story, Netflix’s ‘You People’ erases Jews of color

Netflix’s You People has a problem with Jew people

Netflix Hit 'You People' Branded 'Horribly Damaging' to Jewish People

Thank you for this ask and for caring! Thank you for helping me to still have faith in humanity. Sending you all the love! As always, here's my ask tag. xoxox

#jewish representation #jr #jewish #jewish rep #antisemitism #you people #netflix #you people netflix #jumblr #frumblr #ask #daphnesvalley

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hwanghyunjinenthusiast · 7 months

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i saw your skz hand rating(which i completely agree with btw but the pics of their hands made me–*gunshot*)

anyways!! decided to ruin myself further and ask you if you could do one for svt? i know it'll be a lot harder since they’re 13 so feel free to ignore this if you don't want to!!

I needed to supply the visual aids lol. Funnily enough, after answering the Stray Kids one, I started thinking about how I'd rank Seventeen. Thanks for reading my mind lmao.

Going to put the actual ranking under the readmore but a few things:

1. I am deeply indecisive. This was very hard lol and will likely change but, this is my very tentative ranking for now.

2. I realised with the Stray Kids one that I have two criteria I unconsciously use. The Stray Kids ones was just vibes lol and not as bad because there are only 8 members. However, I realised I based these rankings off of 1. Attractiveness and 2. Aesthetics. That's why Jeongin was so high despite me not viewing him sexually. The man has pretty ass hands.

3. I can only post 10 pictures a post so, I'll reblog this and add the last 3 members as well as visual aids for them too.

Let's get into it.

1. Joshua

I hate myself. I have nothing to say.

I'm joking. However, this is pure horniness I'm not even going to pretend. I think I'm just so viscerally attracted to his hands that it negates every other criteria and everyone elses' hands. That's really it lol.

2. Jeonghan

I think putting him this high is going to surprise a lot of people and mayhaps even be controversial. However, I think Jeonghan's hands are massively slept on. I think they're so beautiful and, I think the way his fingertips bend is fascinating. Elegant hands for a beautiful man. Very fitting.

3. Minghao

Another potentially controversial placement. Minghao is the marriage of my opinion on Josh's hands and my opinion on Jeonghan's hands. I think his hands are really pleasing to look at but, they're also very, very hot to me. Based on my Stray Kids ranking, I seem to have an affinity for long fingers/big hands generally lol and, it likely shows.

4. DK

Very strong contender for most beautiful hands in the whole group. I already knew when I thought about this that he'd be at least top 5, and I was correct lol. I honestly don't have much to say, I think his hands are gorgeous.

5. Woozi

I remember Hon (a mutual of mine) saying she was attacked by his hands and, I understand why. Another strong contender for most beautiful hands in the whole group. I honestly haven't paid much attention to his hands but, after today I definitely will.

6. S.Coups

Shoutout to my man for making it to the top 6 lol. Okay so, I actually have very similar feelings about Josh and Cheol's hands BUT I do think Josh's are a tad more aesthetically pleasing. Cheol still has that massive hands appeal that makes me want him carnally though. Oh, I've also noticed thick fingers tend to be a plus in my book so, that partly explains why he's so high too.

7. Seungkwan

I can already feel tomatoes coming because I ranked him so low. HEAR ME OUT. Another member of the most beautiful hands in the group committed but, I think where I appreciate them a tonne aesthetically, the carnal appeal isn't there as much I think? That's the best wai I can think to explain it. Still has stunning ass hands though.

8. Mingyu

Honestly don't have much to say. Very similar thoughts as Cheol actually. I like big hands lol and he had the thick fingers going for him too.

9. Wonwoo

Ngl, I think this is where my opinions on the members hands get a bit same-y so, apologies in advance for that. Wonwoo's hands are fine. They're not bad by any means but, I guess I just don't have a real reason to put him above everyone else listed so far?

10. Jun

Similar sentiments to Wonwoo. I think why I might have put Wonwoo's a little higher is because his hands look slightly bigger lol but, honestly the gap between Jun and Wonwoo is pretty minimal.

#i put far too much effort into this 💀#it's my kind of discourse though so 🤷🏾‍♀️#part 2 coming soon #bahng-chrizz #ask #rj's inbox #seventeen thoughts

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rrickgrrimes8 · 1 year

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Request Guideline (2023 Edition)

if you haven’t read my last post (i’ll link it here if you want to read) i’ve decided to revamp my page a little. i’m getting back into writing so i thought i should make another request guideline that better aligns with me and what i want to write and who i want to write for. so enjoy ;)

please make requests here. if there’s any problem with the link let me know! (the link doesn’t work at the moment i’ll add it as soon as i get my laptop back �� click the link in my bio or on my masterlist in the mean time :) )

Guidelines:

When requesting please give me the character/celebrity, the show or movie they are from, a description of what you want, whether it will be fluff, angst, smut etc and if you want to be tagged.

i may not always do smut, especially if it’s not something i’m comfortable with. this is not always the case however but if it is then i’ll let u know if i cannot complete the request.

Please specify if you would like it to be a female, gender neutral or male reader. Just as i explained in my previous post i do not write malexmale smut as it is nothing something i have any experience with - sorry. I will do threesomes (or more) where at least one woman is present :)

I wont write an imagine about a gay character being straight.

I am willing to write imagines about darker topics. Such as depression, suicide, eating disorders, etc. I will not however write in detail about rape but i am okay with it being mentioned/ hinted.

My intention is not to glorify or romantise any of these thing, especially since some of them are things i have gone through myself. In the past i haven’t always been sensitive or appropriate with the way i’ve handled them and i’m incredibly sorry if i’ve ever offended anyone or triggered them - this was never my intention. I have taken down some of the work i no longer feel comfortable being public for this reason so please do let me know if something i write bothers you and i’ll take it down.

I also dont like writing imagines where the character/celebrity is a kidnapper or murderer sorry. I also wont do incest relationships.

I dont do ships. I do reader imagines or if youd like to add a name to your request then ill more than happily do it like that.

I will do imagines on plus sizes readers. I will do imagines for family imagines as well and platonic ones too - please assure this is clear within the request.

When you request something dont expect it to be up straightaway but i will try my hardest to be as quick as possible. I know with my track record that’s not saying much but i really do intend to be better and i’ll try and be more transparent about where i’m at with requests.

In the future there may be some changes to this list based on what i am interested in at the current time. Also if a character you want to request for isnt on the list but the actor is feel free to ask if i’ll do it for that character :)

I dont consent to anyone using my work without permission and if you see anyone doing that please let me know :)

If you dont like my work then feel free to block/ ignore it but please do not sned hate (i’m too soft for that shit) I will take criticism and welcome corrections if necessary. If you like it please like the post and if possible reblog it. Thank you!!

The Last Of Us:

Joel Miller — this can be both romantic and platonic

Ellie Williams (aged up)

Tommy Miller

Tess Servopoulos

Henry Burrell

Sarah Miller (aged up)

The Walking Dead:

Rick Grimes

Daryl Dixon

Michonne

Glenn Rhee

Maggie

Carl Grimes

Negan

Doctor Who:

Tenth Doctor

Eleventh Doctor

Martha Jones

Rose Tyler

Clara Oswald

Rory Williams

Donna Noble

Ninth Doctor

Amy Pond

Pedro Pascal & Co:

Joel Miller

Frankie Morales

Javier Gutierrez

Javier Peña

Marcus Moreno

Dieter Bravo

Cillian Murphy & Co:

Tommy Shelby

Patricia Kitten Braden

Jonathan Crane

Fischer

Capa (Sunshine)

Jim (28 days later)

Neil (Watching the Detectives)

Spiderman (Homecoming-):

Peter Parker

Liz Allan

Ned

Teen Wolf:

Stiles Stilinski

Lydia Martin

Scott Mcall

Kira Yukimura

Stranger Things:

Steve Harrington

Robin Buckley

Max Mayfield (aged up)

Eddie Munson

Lucas Sinclair (aged up)

Please bear in mind that if a character isn’t on here that you can still just ask me if i do them :) You can also check out my previous request guidelines for the character list of who i write for because i may still write for some of them :))

*NONE OF THESE GIFS ARE MINE. CREDITS TO THE OWNERS*

#the walking dead #the last of us #joel miller imagine #ellie williams imagine #doctor who imagine #spiderman imagine #cillian murphy imagine #pedro pascal imagine #javier peña imagine #rick grimes x reader #teen wolf imagine #stranger things imagines

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mysmestranscripts · 1 year

Text

Hello and welcome to MysMesTranscripts!

The Ultimate Master List can be found here!

What is this?

This is a blog where I will be compiling and posting full transcripts related to Mystic Messenger, including but not limited to chat rooms, phone calls, text messages, and emails. I may also reblog various Mystic Messenger content, including translations.

Images from the game (Including CGs, title screens, and seasonal images) will be posted with image descriptions. I will do my best but since I myself don't use alt text, feel free to DM me or send an ask with tips/advice on how to improve them.

This is not a guide or walk through. Earned and broken hearts may be listed next to answer choices, but that does not automatically mean it is the "right" answer. Hearts can get you closer to a Bad Story Ending as much as a Good Ending. Emails will have the correct choice marked.

This blog is completely unofficial and is run by a fan. I couldn't find any full transcripts, just guides, so the idea wouldn't leave me alone. Everything is currently IN PROGRESS.

So who are you?

You can call me Luc, they/them. I am a very tired graduate student from the U.S. who definitely doesn't have enough free time for this. But hey, Seven makes fire-breathing robots, Jaehee watches musicals, Yoosung plays LOLOL, and I... commit to transcribing the entirety of an otome game that's almost seven years old. Listen--the hyperfixation demands tribute. My main blog is @pastelsapphy. Right now it's mostly Mystic Messenger but that can change at the drop of a hat depending on what I'm hyperfocusing on.

What do you mean by "[X] box"?

I note when special textboxes are used during chats. I try to keep the "description" as brief as possible so each post doesn't get too crazy. While most are self-explanatory ("cloud text box") others may not be as obvious ("droopy text box"). If you're unsure of what I mean, you can look at examples of each here.

What order are you posting in?

Honestly? Whatever I feel like. Route chats I'll probably do as I play them, emails and calls may come more randomly, as well as DLC content. You can probably expect Another Story content first since I unlocked it not long ago and I've been replaying both routes over and over lol.

Non-participant versions of chats are likely to come out faster than those MC participates in. I want to mark which choices give which hearts, if any, which gives me a smaller window of time to work on them.

Bro, your typos

I'm transcribing things exactly as written. This means there will be some typos, odd sentence structure, incorrect your/you're and the like, etc. that is sometimes found in the game. Blame the game not me. If you find a legitimate typo, let me know and I'll check it out.

Why is Zen orange?

Tell tumblr to add grey text.

#mystic messenger #mysme #mod luc

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dishsaop · 1 year

Note

Hello!! I want to say hi because I see you interact with Rads a lot, and he also told me you love Pokemon \ PMD :)

From your interactions that I noticed on Rads' page, you sound like a nice person to talk to in general, but also... as of late I've been slowly getting into Pokemon ^^"

I played Black last year (loved it, especially N lol), and now I'm finally getting into Mystery Dungeon too (I'm playing the DS version of EoS via homebrew). I wanted to try PMD for years, but it did not click for me until just a few days ago, so... When Rads told me you're talking to him a lot about it, I was like 'omg I could use some advice and just have fun hearing about the game!!'

so yeah, that's why I'm writing this. Have a nice day!!

hi, omg this is so sweet! i LOVE pmd2 eos and im always way too excited to talk about it. my sister and i played it together growing up - we'd do individual missions and grinding and stuff on our own but as soon as plot came we'd close the ds and wait till the other was around so we could both watch what happened. i've played it a billion times since then, i just think it's fun! it has a genuinely good story and smooth and fun, if routine, gameplay.

(i'm a fake pokemon fan though, i havent played a main pokemon game since x/y and i havent FINISHED a game since platinum. i obsess over the side games tho lol. the pmd games, the ranger games, and colosseum my beloveds)

advice-wise, i can give you a few tips without spoilers i think? if anyone wants to add more feel free though!

reviver seeds are your best friends. they are more important than any other item. hoard them. spend all your money on them. my sister always told me i was missing the 'spirit' of the game by going into dungeons with 12 reviver seeds, but when one of your missions is escorting a low-level pokemon through a dungeon and another is fighting a high-level bad guy, you will appreciate the reviver seeds then.

you will eventually encounter monster houses. always carry a petrify orb, foe-stun orb, or some other item that will affect an area of pokemon. you shouldn't get monster houses too early in the game but it doesn't hurt to be prepared.

pmd2 is a kids game, and as such you won't need to heavily grind. still, depending on your comfort level, it can be really nice to have a few extra levels. pmd2 also is a game where plot events are scheduled - meaning if you go on a certain number of missions/otherwise use up a certain amount of in-game days, plot points will automatically occur. if you want more time to complete missions and otherwise level up/goof off, you often don't actually have to go on the plot mission, even if an npc says you do. just do your own thing anyway, it's fine. they'll keep reminding you but whatever, lol

to that last point, sometimes you'll be on longer missions and will be offered two paths to take from area to area. it will be obvious which is the correct one, as the incorrect one will always be labelled as 'foggy path' 'dark path' 'rocky path', etc, ending in 'path'. that one will just send you in a loop. you can take it as many times as you want to level grind. or you can skip them entirely if you want to get on with the game!

save, idk, 3-5 blue gummis in storage if you plan on finishing the game and doing post-game stuff. it isn't game-changing, it really isn't important, but it'll save you some minor time and annoyance.

there's no shame in looking up a guide for the personality test at the very beginning that determines which pokemon you play as. if you enjoy the surprise and/or actually want to align your personality/pokemon type, hell yeah! but there's a fun list of possible pokemon and it can be fun to pick which pokemon/type you like playing best as. personally, i love being riolu, learning focus punch, beefing it up with ginsengs, and destroying all in my path. i'm also weak to eevee, skitty, and shinx, because these four were the two my sister and i played most.

don't be afraid to use your normal (non-pp) attack, but also don't be afraid to use pp attacks. max elixirs aren't hard to come by, but not endless. however, you Will Not make it if you never use pp attacks. you'll find a balance!

you can control the moves your partner uses by switching them on/off in their move menu. if they have no moves selected, theyll default to the normal attack. im pretty sure they dont use normal attack if any pp moves are selected, though? you can also edit their "battle tactics" - eg, whether they follow u, seek out battles, run away, etc. this can be really useful as the only character you yourself fully control is the main character. make sure ur partner saves their low-pp high-attack moves for important situations, etc.

this isn't a NECESSITY but it helps if you and your partner are well-balanced or at least not exactly the same type-wise. it'll be just you two a lot, and you'll save yourself a lot of trouble if you picked a partner pokemon whose type balances out yours so you're not struggling through certain dungeons.

if you're using an emulator, save states are lovely, especially since dunegons are all randomly generated, but i know some people consider it cheating and don't like it. up to you!

there will be randomly encountered shopkeeper kecleons in dungeons. unless you can get to the stairs IMMEDIATELY, do not steal from them. jesus christ do not. or at least prepare to reload the game or give up on the dungeon.

if you can, take a bunch of missions at once in the same dungeon and just blast through them all in one trip.

play with the music up if you can! it has a deceptively incredible soundtrack.

i think that's enough to be dangerous with! there's more i could add, but honestly this game is pretty straightforward. if you have any specific questions, feel free to ask! this game means a lot to me, nostalgia-wise, and i genuinely love the story and the characters. just let yourself feel out what your favorite play style is. some people like bigger exploration teams and some don't, some people use every amenity in treasure town and some don't, everyone prefers different items and moves. but in the end, it's a kids game, and i know you'll do just fine!

#m text #pmd2 #pokemon mystery dungeon #explorers of sky #eos

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fuckyeah-hetalia · 2 years

Text

Howdy!

About this blog:

This is basically a one-stop shop of all things Hetalia! I'm keeping my queue stocked with art, edits, fics, etc, and if you have stuff you'd like to promo --it can be your own creations or someone elses!-- go ahead and submit it ☺️ Or if you want to do it anonymously, tell me who or what you want to shout out in my inbox!

All ships are welcome, and gen fics are too! I will do my best to tag for things, so if you are submitting a story from like Wattpad or FFN, please add tags to help people avoid it if there's something in it they blacklist.

That said, things do slip through, and I am running this blog by myself. I will not be able to read every fic that is submitted or even all I reblog or post the link for, so if there's something in it you need tagged, let me know but don't be mean. We're all here to enjoy the country gijinka, after all.

For fic submissions, I only have a few rules:

Give appropriate warnings.

Add the fic's status! Meaning if it's complete or incomplete. If it's incomplete, please note the date it was last updated, and if the author has stated somewhere they abandoned the fic, mark it as abandoned, please. 🙏

While you can submit classics ("Gutters" or George deValier fics for example), I'd like to focus on works by fans currently creating. Still feel free to submit your favorite LJ kinkmemes and fic that was abandoned or orphaned years ago, but we keep fandoms alive by helping new creators 💞

If the fic is n//sfw, please use the "spicy" tag, since I think "n//sfw" keeps posts from showing up in searches.

General rules:

I, the Admin, am a human being. I may get tags wrong, and I have a life outside this blog. So if I need to be corrected, please be kind and also patient. I may not check this blog every day, so if you send me a message or ask, I may not see it right away.

Related: I do not have the time or energy to do background checks on every creator. If I reblog someone who is bigoted, let me know but with proof. If you want me to believe Goody Proctor danced with the Devil, you need to show me evidence.

Also related: This is not my personal blog. I will not be answering any personal questions, even who my favorite characters or ships are. That's what my main is for. This blog is only for sharing other people's work.

No ship or character bashing. There's a huge list of characters and even more ships. Make use of your tag/content filter and the block button if you can't stand seeing something.

No bashing others' interpretations on characters either. Someone portrays your blorbo in a way you don't like? Block them and filter their URL.

These are fictional characters from a comedy skit-type web series/manga/anime. I will not answer questions or take submissions relating to current events.

Lists may expand as time goes on, but mostly I just want this to be a place we all have fun 💞💞

#about #byf #admin notes

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boombox-fuckboy · 3 years

Text

2021 Canon Aspec Audio Drama Character List

NOTE: This post is no longer updating. As of 2022, it is maintained as an excel spreadsheet here. The associated Tumblr post can be found here.

Hi! For asexual awareness week 2020, I put together a list of the audio-dramas I'd heard with canonically aspec characters (here). For 2021, I've revamped it with more details, more shows, more characters. Due to the length, I've added a cut: if this causes any issues, please let me know.

Shows are in order of lead/major/minor/once-off, and then alphabetical order. This list is by no means complete, (there are a lot more out there!) just the ones that I’ve heard so far. Feel free to add your own, and I really appreciate being picked up on any mistakes I may've made, or any feedback or requests you may have.

Fully up to date as of: 24th October 2021. Last updated: 7th November 2022 [Version 8: final]. For those reading from the future, please be aware information was correct to the best of my knowledge, at the time of publishing, and may no longer be up to date. Check back to the original post for the latest version.

The Alexandria Archives

"Home of the Alexandria Archives! Broadcasting @ 12 AM twice a month on Alexandria University student radio, the WHAU Signal!"

Tune in to Alexandria University’s favourite late night radio show for all the local news, weird goings-on, and a special spooky story from The Alexandria Archives! Episode one felt tedious and drawn-out the first time I heard it, but I’m glad I kept going. Amusing, spooky, and fun, though there's a persistent instance of cultural appropriation throughout (w*ndigo) that I’m really not a big fan of. Mini episodes with Gore and The Bobs are worth their own shout-out as well.

Finished • 39 Episodes + 20 Minisodes • 20-45 mins each • Average 25-30 mins • Available on Major Podcasting Platforms and Spotify • Content Warnings Unavailable • Transcripts Unavailable

Character: “Morning Wood”/Allison Madera-Armitage, She/Her, Lead, Asexual, Explicitly Stated.

And 195

"A nonbinary magical runner with a passion for marathons who ends up crossing inter-dimensional portals when their terrible sense of direction leads them on unplanned detours. Literally. It’s such a nuisance when that happens during a race! But no worries: if they complete running those 42,195 km, they’ll come home. Of course, things are never quite as easy."

A short podcast about a marathon runner who slips realities and needs to run to get home again, conversing with the strange and curious locals and having bouts of introspection as they do. Audio quality is a little rough, but it has such an interesting concept, worldbuilding, and overall energy.

Finished? • 6 Episodes • 13-16 mins Each • Average ~15 mins • Available on Major Podcasting Platforms and Spotify • Content Warnings Unavailable • Transcripts Unavailable • @and195podcast on Tumblr

Character: The Runner, They/Them, Lead, Panromantic Asexual, Creator Confirmed.

The Antique Shop

"Maya needs a job, she find one in an old antique shop owned and run by an emigmatic woman. Reality begins to crumble and nothing is ever as it first appears."

A university student gets a job at a bizzare antique shop and find herself in a world of magic and strange items. Simplistic but clean audio with a charming narrator and very fun execution and worldbuilding.

Ongoing • 31 Episodes + 1 Bonus Episode • 12-37 mins each • Average ~27 mins • Available on Major Podcasting Platforms and Spotify • Content Warnings Unavailable • Transcripts Unavailable

Character: Maya, She/Her, Lead, Aromantic Asexual, Hinted & Creator Confirmed.

ars PARADOXICA

"When an experiment in a time much like our own goes horribly awry, Dr. Sally Grissom finds herself stranded in the past and entrenched in the activities of a clandestine branch of the US government. Grissom and her team quickly learn that there's no safety net when toying with the fundamental logic of the universe."

A modern-day physicist accidentally invents time travel and finds herself deep in government conspiracies in the 1940s. Cleverly done, really well made and acted, but if you struggle with time travel you might have some issues. People tend to find this a bit hit or miss, but I really enjoyed it; in fact, it's probably my favourite take on time travel ever.

Finished • 36 Episodes + 5 Bonus Episodes • 23-55 mins Each • Average ~30 mins • Available on Major Podcasting Platforms and Spotify • Content Warnings Unavailable • Transcripts Available on the Website • @arsparadoxica on Tumblr

Character: Dr. Sally Grissom, She/Her, Lead, Asexual, Explicitly Stated.

The Beacon Podcast

"After surviving a dangerous encounter with a monster, Bee discovers she has the magical ability to control fire. Confused and with no heroic aspirations, she reaches out online to try and find others with impossible powers like hers - but finding them is only half the battle. Getting along and learning to protect everything important to them is another challenge altogether."

Anxious university student Bee discovers she has fire powers and starts a podcast to try and find others like her. Chaos ensues when she discovers she’s not the only odd thing on campus. Funny and endearing series with a wonderful cast of characters and some of my favourite friendship dynamics. The university setting is a great pick and I’m very hungry for more lore.

Hiatus • 24 Episodes + 13 Bonus Episodes • 17-44 mins Each • Average ~20 mins • Available on Major Podcasting Platforms and Spotify • Content Warnings Listed in Episode Descriptions • Transcripts Linked in Episode Descriptions • @thebeaconpodcast on Tumblr

Character: Bee, She/Her, Lead, Lesbian Asexual, Explicitly Stated.

Girl In Space

"Nothing fancy here -- just the simple audio diary of a girl in space. Also, there’s this weird and potentially ominous light in the distance that seems to be growing steadily closer. Listen for science, guns, trust, anti-matter, truth, beauty, inner turmoil, and delicious cheeses. It’s all here. In space."

The Girl in Space spends her days alone on a space station, running science, tending the garden, making cheese, and watching Jurassic Park. It’s pretty great. Be a shame if somebody were to ruin it. Clever, funny, sweet, smart, and occasionally brutal, Girl in Space is an absolute delight.

Hiatus • 13 Episodes + 1 Bonus Episode • 26-67 mins Each • Average ~35 mins • Available on Major Podcasting Platforms and Spotify • Content Warnings Unavailable • Transcripts Linked in Episode Descriptions • @girlinspacepodcast on Tumblr

Character: X, She/Her, Lead, Asexual, Hinted/Creator Confirmed.

The Godshead Incidental

"A letter that was never answered, a city full of gods, and one million pigeons."

In a city where gods are plenty and walk among people, an ordinary woman named Em writes a life advice column. Great writing, characters, audio, and lore, this podcast is only a few episodes in but already a personal favourite, and well worth keeping an eye on!

Hiatus • 5 Episodes • 31-38 mins Each • Average ~35 mins • Available on Major Podcasting Platforms and Spotify • Content Warnings Listed in Episode Descriptions • Transcripts Linked in Episode Descriptions • @godsheadincidental on Tumblr

Character: Imogen “Em” Chandra-Phankam, She/Her, Lead, Aromantic Asexual, Explicitly Stated.

InCo

"A Sci-Fi story about a disgruntled information seller, a mysterious space boy, and an android doing her best. REMINDER: InCo is explicit and contains depictions of violence, anxiety, depression, arguing, drinking, smoking and grief."

InCo follows a cool interstellar information trader and her peppy AI as they travel to unusual and wonderful worlds. But things take a turn for the eventful when they find a strange boy floating in space, and become wrapped up in mystery and political intrigue. InCo is a fantastic space adventure and the product of a single person, who does all the voices, sound work, writing, etc, and does it all incredibly well: I thought it was a whole team at first. Stellar acting, worldbuilding, music choices, writing, and such a fun cast of characters.

Ongoing • 82 Episodes + 2 Minisodes (+ Additional Minisodes off the Feed) • 4-19 mins each • Average ~6 mins • Available on Major Podcasting Platforms and Spotify • Content Warnings Unavailable for Individual Episodes• Transcripts Linked in Episode Descriptions • @itmeblog on Tumblr

Character: Nova, She/Her, Lead, Aromantic Asexual, Alluded To & Creator Confirmed.

Jar Of Rebuke

"Join in Dr. Jared Hel's journey as he works to re-discover his forgotten past and learns about various entities and anomalies within the small farm town of Wichton for an organization called 'The Enclosure'. With creatures and stories based upon real legends and lore within the midwestern United States, follow along as Jared tries to figure out the secrets of the town as well as the secrets of their own identity."

An amnesiac scientist who is notably bad at staying dead investigates weird happenings around the town they live in, eats a lot of tasty things, and makes some friends along the way. Taking the form of his audio journal, it has a great mix of intense, sweet, and really funny scenes, with fun worldbuilding and intriguing mystery. Fun and clever writing with a charming and mysterious selection of characters, and a very good dog.

Ongoing • 20 Episodes • 8-27 mins Each • Average ~20 mins • Available on Major Podcasting Platforms and Spotify • Content Warnings Listed in Episode Descriptions of Later Episodes • Transcripts of early episodes available on the website, or full unoffical transcripts at @jarofrebuke-transcripts • @jarofrebukepodcast on Tumblr

Character: Dr. Jared Hel, They/He, Lead, Greyromantic Asexual, Stated, Creator Confirmed • Christine Torres, She/Her, Minor, Lesbian Asexual, Creator Confirmed. • Dr. Gia Castillo, She/Her, Minor. Pan/Demiromantic Pan/Demisexual, Creator Confirmed • Dr. Milo Lomax, They/Them, Minor, Aromantic Questioning, Creator Confirmed.

Less is Morgue

"Less is Morgue is an award-winning comedy fiction podcast about Riley, a paranoid ghoul, and Evelyn, a cheerful ghost who died at a Nickelback concert in 2004. Together, they host a basement talk show where paranormal chaos is par for the course. Set in an alternate Tallahassee, Florida, where monsters are mundane and the supernatural is typical, you can expect a whirlwind of absurdist horror-comedy, more eccentric characters than you can possibly imagine, and a strangely touching story about friendship, found family, and personal growth."

A peppy, nickelback-loving ghost and a skeptical, flesh-eating ghoul host a podcast in said ghoul’s mom’s basement where they talk about anything and everything they might feel like. Humorous and plenty gorey, This podcast is very original and full of energy.

Ongoing • 34 Episodes • 15-62 mins Each • Average ~25 mins • Available on Major Podcasting Platforms and Spotify • Content Warnings Unavailable • Transcripts Available on the Website • @lessismorguepod on Tumblr

Character: Riley Almanzor, They/Them, Lead, Asexual, Stated/Creator Confirmed.

Light Hearts

"A sitcom about queer people thriving in uncanny surroundings."

Light Hearts follows three friends who run a queer café/bar, and learn to live with the array of ghosts haunting it. Another wholesome, feel-good, light-hearted and fun podcast. Only a few episodes out so far but a good pick-me-up.

Hiatus? • 4 Episodes + 3 Minisodes • 18-33 mins Each • Average ~25 mins • Available on Major Podcasting Platforms and Spotify • Content Warnings Unavailable • Transcripts Linked in Episode Descriptions • @lightheartspod on Tumblr

Character: Kale, They/Them, Lead, Biromantic Asexual, Explicitly Stated.

The Magnus Archives

"Make your statement, face your fear. A weekly horror fiction podcast examining what lurks in the archives of the Magnus Institute, an organisation dedicated to researching the esoteric and the weird. Join Jonathan Sims as he explores the archive, but be be warned, as he looks into its depths something starts to look back…"

Easily the most popular podcast on this list, The Magnus Archives is a horror podcast which follows a new archivist as he tries to make sense of the strange and often horrific statements given to The Magnus Institute, an organisation which investigates the paranormal. A well written podcast, it is absolutely delightful to see all the seemingly unrelated stories connect up over time.

Finished • 200 Episodes • 17-37 mins Each • Average ~25 mins • Available on Major Podcasting Platforms and Spotify • Content Warnings Listed in Episode Descriptions • Unofficial Transcripts Available

Character: Jonathan Sims, He/Him, Lead, Biromantic Asexual, Alluded To & Creator Confirmed.

Mount Olympus University

"Pandora Wordsworth did not originally intend to go to Mount Olympus University. But when a series of unfortunate incidents make all other schools inaccessible to her, she finds herself with no other options than to go to this place she has never heard of. It is only upon arrival that she discovers MOU is the choice school for figures of mythology, legend, and lore, making her the only normal human among them. Now she must keep her secret while navigating nymphs, magic homework, and the irritating advances of Zeus. But it won't be easy. When you aren't special at Mount Olympus University, it's hard not to stand out."

A bizarre set of circumstances leads Pandora to be enrolled in a university she never applied to, and in charge of campus radio. Said university is the prestigious MOU, where the students are gods and figures of legend. Issue is, she doesn’t belong there. Cute and charming series with exciting characters and a fun take on some classic mythology.

Hiatus? • 27 Episodes • 8-15 mins Each • Average ~13 mins • Available on Major Podcasting Platforms and Spotify • Content Warnings Unavailable • Transcripts Available on the Website

Character: Pandora Wordsworth, She/Her, Lead, Demisexual, Explicitly Stated.

Murray Mysteries

"A gothic-comedy audio retelling of Bram Stoker's Dracula"

A modern, queer (nobody is straight), podcast adaptation of Dracula! The most faithful adaptation I’ve ever encountered story and character personality wise, this show takes the form of Mina’s podcast instead of her diary. The dynamics are all very fun and real, and while you don’t have to have read Dracula to hear this, having done so adds a bonus layer to an already great show.

Ongoing • 33 Episodes • 7-12 mins Each • Average ~9 mins • Available on Major Podcasting Platforms and Spotify • Content Warnings Unavailable • Transcripts Linked in Episode Descriptions • @knovesstorytelling on Tumblr

Characters: Mina Murray, She/Her, Lead (S1) Biromantic Demisexual, Creator Confirmed • Jonathan Harker, He/Him, Lead (S2) Biromantic Asexual, Explicitly Stated • Dr. Jane Seward, She/Her, Major, Lesbian Demisexual, Creator Confirmed • Professor Van Helsing, She/Her, Major, Aromantic Pansexual, Creator Confirmed.

The Sheridan Tapes

"In 2018, famed horror writer Anna Sheridan disappeared, leaving behind only a box of mysterious cassette tapes. Detective Sam Bailey is tasked with piecing together what happened to Anna Sheridan from the seemingly impossible encounters she recorded, but as the scattered pieces of the puzzle come together, Bailey discovers that the picture is even stranger – and more dangerous – than it seemed."

In 2018, famous horror writer Anna Sheridan went missing and left behind a collection of strange tapes documenting her seemingly supernatural encounters. Listen along with an equally strange young detective as he tries to figure out what happened to her, and winds up far deeper into the story than he could’ve anticipated. A really fun horror-mystery with lots of great stories and engaging twists

Hiatus • 50 Episodes + 6 Minisodes • 20-47 mins Each • Average ~30 mins • Available on Major Podcasting Platforms and Spotify • Content Warnings Listed in Episode Descriptions • Transcripts Available on the Website

Character: Samuel Bailey, He/Him, Lead, MLM Grey-Asexual, Explicitly Stated.

Sidequesting

"A fiction podcast about avoiding the main plot."

Rion is a fantasy adventurer like few others; they only do side quests! Sidequesting is fun, engaging, very queer, kid-friendly, ridiculously wholesome, and makes my heart so happy. This feel-good podcast does a new adventure every episode, making them perfect little pick-me-ups. Currently crowdfunding for it's third season.

Hiatus • 21 Episodes • 9-23 mins Each • Average ~15 mins • Available on Major Podcasting Platforms and Spotify • Content Warnings Unavailable • Transcripts Linked in Episode Descriptions • @sidequestingpod on Tumblr

Characters: Rion, They/Them, Lead, Biromantic Asexual, Explicitly Stated • Sam, He/Him, Minor, Aromantic Bisexual, Explicitly Stated.

The Silt Verses

"In this horror/fantasy serial drama, Carpenter and Faulkner, two worshippers of an outlawed god, travel up the length of their deity’s great black river, searching for holy revelations. As their pilgrimage lengthens and the river’s mysteries deepen, the two acolytes find themselves under threat from a police manhunt, but also come into conflict with the weirder gods that have flourished in these forgotten rural territories."

In a modern world where gods are both banned and commercialised, two devotees to an outlawed river god go on a pilgrimage. Beautifully written horror with great characters, tasty sound work, a healthy dose of body horror, and possibly the best worldbuilding I've heard in any podcast, rich and complex. I really like the approach to aromanticism here, which hits on so many of my own personal frustrations with how other people seem to view it.

Hiatus • 15 Episodes • 32-58 mins Each • Average ~40 mins • Available on Major Podcasting Platforms and Spotify • Content Warnings in Episode Descriptions 1-7, Unavailable After • Transcripts Available on the Patreon • @thesiltverses on Tumblr

Character: Sister Carpenter/Mallory Glass, She/Her, Lead, Aromantic, Stated/Creator Confirmed.

Starfall

"Starfall is a fantasy audio drama about the adventures of the Carouvel Traveling Acting Troupe - a theatre troupe that uses magical items to create illusions for their shows as they move around the Falstenian Empire. The story begins as the troupe is joined by Leona, a young warrior with a mysterious past and even more mysterious powers. With their new guardian in tow, the troupe traverses the continent, encountering the dangers of humans, fae, and greater forces alike, all while still trying to put on a good show."

Starfall is a very fun, character-centric fantasy with a unique premise, delightful soundwork, great lore and worldbuilding, and extremely endearing cast. It's still very new but I've enjoyed every episode of it.

Ongoing • 6 Episodes + Prologue • 17-43 mins Each • Average ~35 mins • Available on Major Podcasting Platforms and Spotify • Content Warnings in Episode Descriptions • Transcripts Linked in Episode Descriptions • @starfallpodcast on Tumblr

Characters: Leona, She/Her, Lead, Aromantic Bisexual, Creator Confirmed • Fel, He/Him, Biromantic Asexual, Creator Confirmed

Station to Station

"Dr. Miranda Quan's lab partner is MIA. But his notes, and a tape player that may contain his final words, have made it onto the research ship headed hundreds of miles into the North Pacific — along with a sinister secret that endangers everyone aboard."

After her friend and lab partner goes missing, leaving behind nothing but some strange tapes and rapidly vanishing memories, biochemist Miranda Quan tries to figure out what happened to him, and ends up drawn into a bizzare conspiracy on board a north pacific research vessel. Really well made with a fantastic cast of voices, but left off on a cliffhanger!

Ongoing • 6 Episodes + Prologue • 18-43 mins Each • Average ~27 mins • Available on Major Podcasting Platforms and Spotify • Content Warnings Unavailable • Transcripts Reportedly on the Website, Thus Far Inaccessable • @s2s-podcast on Tumblr

Character: Miranda Quan, She/Her, Lead, Asexual, Explicitly Stated.

Arden

"On December 25th, 2007, movie star and heiress Julie Capsom crashed her car into a tree in Northern California, walked into a nearby clearing, and vanished, leaving behind a male torso in her trunk. 10 years later, reporter Bea Casely and private detective Brenda Bentley are going to reopen the case. Each has a personal tie to the story. Each thinks they know what happened. And each knows the other is going to screw this whole thing up. Join Bea, Brenda, and the rest of the Good People at Wheyface Radio as they attempt to answer once and for all: what happened to Julie Capsom?"

A fictional true crime podcast where each season is based on a few Shakespeare plays. The hosts, an ex-detective and a radio journalist, have a fun dynamic with equally chaotic but very different energies. It's very funny, well made, written, and acted, and although largely comedy does also cover and address some occasionally intense and serious topics. It's plenty queer, and this podcast also includes a great conversation about what the character’s asexuality means to her in context of relations and future, which I’m mentioning as it was really well done and cathartic to hear.

Hiatus • 25 Episodes + 6 Bonus Episodes • 37-71 mins Each • Average ~50-60 mins • Available on Major Podcasting Platforms and Spotify • Most Content Warnings in Episode Descriptions • Transcripts Available on the Website • @ardenpodcast on Tumblr

Character: Rosalind Ursula, She/Her, Major, Asexual, Explicitly Stated.

The Blood Crow Stories (SS Utopia Storyline)

"Welcome, my darling. Do you like scary stories? So do we. The Blood Crow Stories is an anthology horror audio drama podcast, telling a new tale of terror every season.

Our first season highlights the story of the S.S. Utopia, a cruise ship in the early 1900's. Modern-day college student, Max, begins to do his thesis on the audio diaries of the passengers on the ship. What he doesn't expect are the horrors waiting for him among the tapes, and the true reason why the ship sank so mysteriously almost 100 years ago..."

This is the storyline for season 1, psychology Max decides to stream the interesting tapes his thesis project is about. Listen as life aboard the SS Utopia, a luxury escape from World War 1 on the open ocean, dissolves into chaos and horror. Lots of really interesting interpersonal relations and characters, enjoyable formatting, quality production, and delicious gore. The details listed below are exclusively for S1, but S4 is currently on hiatus. S2 (a religious horror western) was not my thing, but I loved the S3 storyline (cyberpunk with demons) and am curious where S4 (early cinema with ghosts, monsters, and cults) is going.

Finished • 20 Episodes + 2 Bonus Episodes • 19-38 mins Each • Average ~28 mins • Available on Major Podcasting Platforms, but not Spotify • Content Warnings Unavailable • Transcripts Unavailable (Coming Soon?) • @thebloodcrowstories on Tumblr

Character: Leo Moretti, He/Him, Major, Heteromantic Asexual, Explicitly Stated.

The Bright Sessions

"Dr. Bright provides therapy for the strange and unusual; their sessions have been recorded for research purposes"

Therapy sessions for young people with superpowers. Not superheroes, just otherwise ordinary students. The Bright Sessions is well made, written, and executed, with a great cast of characters, and has long been a part of my recommendations list. There's a few follow-up podcasts too, which are now available on the main feed, but I'm just talking about the original here.

Finished • 64 Episodes + 11 Bonus Episodes • 12-53 mins Each • Average ~20 mins • Available on Major Podcasting Platforms and Spotify • Content Warnings Unavailable • Transcripts Available on the Website • @thebrightsessions on Tumblr

Character: Chloe Turner, She/Her, Major, Panromatic Asexual, Explicitly Stated.

Campaign: Skyjacks

"Campaign is long-form actual play podcast. Our current series Campaign: Skyjacks takes place in an original setting inspired by folktales and classic adventure fiction. Join Liz Anderson, John Patrick Coan, Tyler Davis, Johnny O’Mara, and gamemaster James D’Amato as they tell a tale of daring sky pirates. … Also it’s basically an elaborate re-telling of Weekend at Bernie’s."

Skyjacks is only tabletop podcast on this list, 'cause I normally can’t focus on them, and follows a small group of sky-mercenaries (sky-pirates? Skyrates? Skyjacks.) on their various adventures. Outstanding worldbuilding, fun characters, gorgeous music, and giant birds. It’s so much fun hearing the GM and players get excited and build the world together. Additional shout-out to their kid-friendly sibling podcast Courier’s Call, which is about apprentices to an airbourne delivery service, because it’s ridiculously cute and has even more tasty lore.

Ongoing • 123 Episodes • 42 mins - 1hr 56 mins Each • Average ~1 hr • Available on Major Podcasting Platforms and Spotify • Content Warnings in Episode Descriptions • Fan-Transcripts Available for E1-19 • @campaignskyjacks on Tumblr

Character: The Broker, He/They, Major (Arc 2), Asexual, Heavily Implied & Creator Confirmed.

Hello from the Hallowoods

"Come walk between the black pines! Your nightmarish host Nikignik presents a heartfelt horror show from the beautiful (and deadly) Northern Hallowoods. Tune in for weekly updates as a cast of LGBTQ+ survivors face twisted wildlife, the Instrumentalist, and other terrors in the forest at the end of the world."

A queer horror podcast that follows many people, in varying degrees of both human and alive, in their journeys in a the strange world of The Hallowoods, both alone and as they cross and merge paths. Amazing lore and worldbuilding, delightful narration and writing, clean audio and well-used music.

Ongoing • 48 Episodes + 5 Bonus Episodes • 17-47 mins Each • Average ~30-40 mins • Available on Major Podcasting Platforms and Spotify • Content Warnings In Episode Descriptions • Transcripts Linked in Episode Desceiptions • @hellofromthehallowoods on Tumblr

Character: Walter Pensive, He/Him, Major. Heteromantic Asexual, Explicitly Stated • Winona, She/Her, Reoccuring. Asexual. Explicitly Stated Friday, She/Her, Minor, Aromantic, Creator Confirmed.

InkWyrm

"Inkwyrm Magazine is an intergalactic fashion publication, bringing readers the newest looks from all over the universe. At the head of it all is Annie Inkwyrm, and directly behind her is Mella Sonder, AI caretaker and Annie’s PA. Along for the ride is an overzealous PR director, a perpetually unimpressed physician, and an AI that really needs to learn some ethics. Putting up with her boss is hard enough, but with the cutthroat fashion industry, and whatever is trying to kill everyone today, Mella and the gang have their hands full. One part sit-com, one part space opera, Inkwyrm is an audio drama for the truly fabulous."

Mella, the new AI caretaker for intergalactic fashion magazine InkWyrm, finds herself the new assistant to it’s editor as well. A lesbian sci-fi rom-com. It's worth noting the recording quality of early episodes, and some of the SFX, are a bit rough, though it improves later (start with episode 1 (redux)). The writing quality is top notch and super funny from the start, and I want to give a special mention to this podcast, because not only do they say “aromantic asexual”, it’s not just a single offhand comment; Robert’s asexuality is frequently referenced, and the subject (but not target) of various jokes in a way I found really validating as a listener.

Finished • 27 Episodes • 12-26 mins Each • Average ~15-20 mins • Available on Major Podcasting Platforms and Spotify • Content Warnings Unavailable • Transcripts Linked in Episode Descriptions • @inkwyrmpodcastt on Tumblr

Character: Dr. Robert Alphelion, He/Him, Major, Aromantic Asexual, Explicitly stated.

Khôra Podcast

"The women from the tale of Jason and the golden fleece face space monsters, reality TV stars, and the sometimes benevolent, mostly dangerous Olympus Corp as they take on the quest to return the Fleece to Colchis. It’s got pirates, it’s got sentient spaceships, and it’s All About The Ladies! It’s also very queer."

A sci-fi adventure following four greek mythological women who deserved better (Atalanta, Echo, Medea, and Medusa) on a space adventure inspired by and loosely adapted from Greek mythology. Outside of the mythology element (which is fun, too), Khôra is a very fun piece of sci-fi, and I personally found the translation to the new context very satisfying. I’m SO fond of all the characters and it's a delight to have such a mix of accents. Mic qualities do vary somewhat, but the effort put into the soundwork is top notch. Be sure to listen to the teasers first!

Ongoing • 14 Episodes + 2 Teaser Episodes + 2 Bonus Episodes • 30-45 mins Each • Average ~35 mins • Available on Major Podcasting Platforms and Spotify • Content Warnings in Episode Descriptions • Transcripts Available on the Website • @khorapodcast on Tumblr

Character: Medusa, They/She, Major, Lesbian Asexual, Stated & Creator Confirmed.

Life With Althaar

"An epic science-fiction sitcom for your ears about an unlikely human/alien friendship in the unluckiest place in Human space. It is the mid-26th Century. John B, a humble repairman and "former human" (having lost his legal status as such), has left the Earth for mysterious reasons. He is perhaps the unluckiest being in Human space.

He has wound up at the Human Exchange Concourse, or the "HEC," once the site of Humanity's First Galactic Fair. It was the biggest flop in Human history. "The Fairgrounds" is perhaps the unluckiest place in Human space. You don't go there, you end up there.

John's luck seems to have changed when he gets a good apartment at an amazingly reasonable price only to find his roommate is Althaar, an Iltorian, who is determined to befriend a Human. (Iltorians are the kindest, nicest species in all known space, and natural diplomats, beloved by almost all, but their slightest presence causes Humans to instinctively respond with panic, fear, disgust, nausea, and loss of bodily functions).

Can a Human and Iltorian live together without one of them driving the other crazy?"

The above tells you all you need to know about the plot, but I will take a moment to praise the effort that has gone into this production. Startlingly long episodes, well-done binaural soundwork (wear headphones!), original music, unique and complex worldbuilding, full cast, subtley but consistantly queer, I could go on. It's worth noting the aspec rep is all aliens, but the frequent sentiment of "why are humans so obsessed with sex and romance?" is presented in such a way that I (and at least one other aroace) found it really relatable and cathartic.

Ongoing • 33 Episodes + 1 Musical Episode • 53 mins - 3 hrs 3 mins Each • Average ~1½-2½ hrs • Available on Major Podcasting Platforms and Spotify • Content Warnings Unavailable • Transcripts Linked in Episode Descriptions • @geminicollisionworks on Tumblr

Character: Althaar, He/Him, Major, Aromantic Asexual, Creator Confirmed.

Love and Luck

"A queer slice of life romance story, with a touch of magic."

I don't normally care for romance as a genre, but this queer Australian romance, told in voicemails, had me very taken with the leads only a few short episodes in. Set in modern-day Melbourne, it features real community places and events. It also addresses real life issues faced by the queer community, so it has it’s stressful moments, but is for the most part is a super wholesome, high-community show, with just a touch of magic. It's well-written and cleanly made, and I very much want a Best of Luck bar in my own city.

Hiatus • 100 Episodes • 5-53 mins Each • Average ~10-15 mins • Available on Major Podcasting Platforms and Spotify • Content Warnings Unavailable, Occasionally Given Prior to the Episode • Transcripts Linked in Episode Descriptions • @loveandluckpodcast on Tumblr

Characters: CJ, They/Them, and Ricardo, He/Him, Major, Alloromantic Asexual, Explicitly Stated.

Moonbase Theta, Out

"Moonbase Theta, Out – a sci-fi serial podcast by D.J. Sylvis"

Logs, updates, and messages from Moonbase Theta as they prepare for station shutdown and the return to Earth. But not everything about the situation is quite as it seems. S1 is the logs of the comms officer to his husband on earth, and from S2 it rapidly expands to an equally interesting cast of characters. This show easily delivers wholesome, hilarious, and emotionally devastating content, and it’s very fun to watch the situation reveal itself. It also has a notably compelling instance of an allo-aro character, and what her aromanticism means to her in life and relationships.

Ongoing • 42 Episodes + 15 Bonus Episodes • 6-56 mins Each • Average ~8 mins (S1), 25 mins (S2), 35 mins (S3) • Available on Major Podcasting Platforms and Spotify • Content Warnings Unavailable • Transcripts Available in Episode Descriptions • @monkeymanproductions on Tumblr

Character: Nessa Cheong, She/Her, Major. Aromantic Pansexual, Stated • Lark, She/Her, Once-Off (Before the Moon, Episode 2), WLW Asexual, Explicitly Stated.

Old Gods of Appalachia

"In the mountains of central Appalachia, blood runs as deep as these hollers and just as dark. Since before our kind knew these hills, hearts of unknowable hunger and madness have slumbered beneath them. These are the oldest mountains in the world. How dare we think we can break the skin of a god and dig out its heart without bringing forth blood and darkness? Old Gods of Appalachia is a horror-anthology podcast set in the shadows of an Alternate Appalachia, a place where digging too deep into the mines was just the first mistake."

I personally would not describe this podcast as an anthology, though it is most certainly horror and, very good. A folktaley vibe that builds to something epic and brilliant. Has an interesting tendency to treat all characters as very disposable, but never disrespectfully, which is a dynamic I’ve quite enjoyed. I also appreciate the creator's willingness to listen to feedback and try to do better in the future, especially on sensitive issues.

Hiatus? • 32 Episodes + 6 Bonus Episodes • 17-81 mins Each • Average ~30 mins • Available on Major Podcasting Platforms and Spotify • Content Warnings Unavailable • Transcripts Available on the Website • @oldgodspod on Tumblr

Character: The Witch Queen, She/Her, Major, Aromantic Asexual, Stated.

The Penumbra Podcast (Juno Steel)

"At the Penumbra, you might follow Juno Steel, a brooding, sharp-witted private eye on Mars, as he tangles with an elusive homme fatale, tracks dangerous artifacts of an ancient alien civilization, and faces his three greatest fears: heights, blood, and relationships."

The noir-style adventures of a detective on future Mars. An exciting, hilarious, and exceedingly queer podcast, it is well made and acted, and a lot of fun.

Ongoing • 50 Episodes + 5 Minisodes• 17-61 mins Each • Average ~40 mins • Available on Major Podcasting Platforms and Spotify • Content Warnings in Episode Descriptions • Later Episode Transcripts Available on the Website • @thepenumbrapodcast on Tumblr

Character: Jet Sikuliaq, He/Him, Minor/Major, Aromantic Asexual, Stated.

The Penumbra Podcast (Second Citadel)

"Or you might enter the world of the Second Citadel, where the merciless Sir Caroline must corral a team of emotionally distraught all-male knights to defend their city against mind-manipulating monsters... even the ones they’ve fallen in love with."

The proudest knights in all of The Second Citadel go on various quests to prove themselves and protect the kingdom. Amusing and exciting, and well put together.

Ongoing • 33 Episodes + 3 Minisodes • 13-59 mins Each • Average ~40 mins • Available on Major Podcasting Platforms and Spotify • Content Warnings in Episode Descriptions • Later Episode Transcripts Available on the Website • @thepenumbrapodcast on Tumblr

Character: Talfryn, He/Him, Major, Aromantic Asexual, Stated.

The Six Disappearances of Ella McCray

"On March 20th, 2014, Ella McCray disappeared. There were six witnesses to her disappearance. Six conflicting accounts of what happened to her. Who is lying? Who is telling the truth? And what really happened to Ella?"

Shortly before her wedding at a lunch with her friends and family, Ella McCray vanishes. Everyone tells the exact same story, up until the moment she vanishes, they all vary wildly, describing impossiblies on the scale of aliens, time travel, mind control, etc. The strangeness only grows as they search for her. Interesting and engaging mystery with good sound work, but be prepared for a cliffhanger.

Hiatus? • 16 Episodes • 14-28 mins Each • Average ~18 mins • Available on Major Podcasting Platforms and Spotify • Content Warnings Available on the Website • Transcripts Available on the Website

Character: Jordan McCray, He/Him, Major, Asexual, Explicitly Stated.

The Stonesinger Chronicles

"Whisper is a young street thief who’d rather read than steal; Talee is an absent minded orphan with an uncanny memory and a penchant for making trouble. These unwilling partners find themselves bound in their journey: They’re going to Iro. They’re going to be mages. But before they can even leave the confines of Lakewall, troubles rise. Never mind breaking the mold and become mages: first they need to survive.

The Stonesinger Chronicles is a serial epic fantasy story. With a combination of enthralling and dynamic narration, selective but wonderful sound design, and a sweeping score that makes you feel like your riding through fields on a horse, or battling a Sovereign in a dark cave, The Stonesinger Chronicles pulls you in from the beginning till the very end and leaves you wanting more."

A brand-new podcast, The Stonesinger Chronicles has crisp sound design, great writing, curious characters, very tasty worldbuilding, and is full of magic, mystery, and political intrigue.

Ongoing • 3 Episodes + 1 Prologue • 25-60 mins Each • Average ~30 mins • Available on Major Podcasting Platforms and Spotify • Content Warnings in Episode Descriptions • Transcripts Unavailable

Character: Talee, She/Her, Major, Aromantic Asexual, Stated.

The Strange Case of Starship Iris

"In 2189, Earth narrowly won a war against extraterrestrials. The Strange Case of Starship Iris is about what comes after. It's a story of outer space, survival, espionage, resistance, identity, friendship, found family, romance, and secrets. (Also, there’s jokes.)"

Violet Liu is the last surviving crew member of the Starship Iris, after the rest are killed in a shuttle explosion. Though probably not for much longer. After being picked up by a passing ship, she’s thrown into a high-stakes adventure, and quickly has to come to terms with who she can actually trust. Fantastic show with a fun cast and delicious found family.

Hiatus • 19 Episodes + 1 Minisode • 13-50 mins Each • Average ~35 mins • Available on Major Podcasting Platforms and Spotify • Content Warnings Linked in Episode Descriptions • Transcripts Linked in Episode Descriptions • @iriscasefiles on Tumblr

Character: Arkady Patel, She/Her, Major, WLW Grey-Asexual, Explicitly Stated.

This Planet Needs a Name

"Imagine a handful of scientists and engineers setting out to terraform a planet - a world - for the frozen people they've got in tow. Just a few people, carefully chosen, who will live out their lives building something they'll never see.

That's us. We're building a future.

A science fiction audio drama suitable for our times."

Humanity is sending ships out to terraform and colonise planets, to hopefully create better life for humanity. Here’s what might happen in a near-best-case scenario! Wholesome, thoughtful, and full of emotion and found family.

Hiatus? • 6 Episodes + 4 Prologue + 12 Minisodes • 43-60 mins Each • Average ~50 mins • Available on Major Podcasting Platforms and Spotify • Content Warnings in Episode Descriptions • Transcripts Linked in Episode Descriptions

Characters: Izley Kolian, They/Them, Major, Asexual, Stated • Cyrus Castillo Rodriguez, He/Him, Major, Demisexual, Creator Confirmed.

Tides

"Tides is the story of Dr. Winifred Eurus, a xenobiologist trapped on an unfamiliar planet with hostile tidal forces. She must use her wits, sarcasm and intellectual curiosity to survive long enough to be rescued. But there might be more to life on this planet than she expected. . ."

After being stranded on a tidal planet, xenobiologist Dr. Winifred Eurus must use all her wits and knowledge to survive, and gets a lot more work then she anticipated done along the way. Cleverly crafted, a biologically rich world to discover, and a wonderful set of characters. If you enjoy cool alien life, it is a must.

Hiatus • 12 Episodes + 7 Bonus Episodes • 20-35 mins Each • Average ~25 mins • Available on Major Podcasting Platforms and Spotify • Content Warnings Unavailable • Transcripts Available on the Website • @tidespodcast on Tumblr

Character: Dr. Robert Montague, He/Him, Major, Demisexual, Explicitly Stated • Dr. Melissa Wang, She/Her, Major, Aromantic Asexual, Implied.

The Underwood Collection

"The Underwood Collection is a 5 season, 50 episode narrative detailing the supernatural happenings of and around The Usher Foundation, Washington, DC. Lurking behind the individual statements, though, are the private affairs of Head Curator Ulysses Bamba as well as the Curatorial and Archival staff, when the personal meets the horrific.

The Underwood Collection is a derivative, non-canonical, fan-made project derived from The Magnus Archives, an original horror podcast which is created and distributed by Rusty Quill Ltd."

A Magnus Archives fanmade spinoff set in America. The audio is not nearly as high-quality as the original, but the writing is good, and if you’re craving more statements, these are a mix of more silly and more scary than the original show, and take opportunity to explore the intersections of the fears. I especially like the approach to avatars. Also, more queer rep, and actually uses the words.

Hiatus • 20 Episodes + 4 Minisodes• 7-30 mins Each • Average ~20 mins • Available on Major Podcasting Platforms and Spotify • Content Warnings In Episode Descriptions • Transcripts Unavailable • @pitchlibrary on Tumblr

Characters: Cassian Sedgwick, They/Them, Major, Aromantic Asexual, Creator Confirmed • Morgan Gaiman, They/Them, Major, Biromantic Asexual, Creator Confirmed • Lucy Murphy, She/Her, Once-off (Episode 8), Asexual, Explicitly Stated

Ungifts

"Four friends are on a sudden unexpected rescue mission - and sudden unexpected magic powers stand in their way."

Four friends take off on a journey to find their fifth after she is possessed by a magic amulet. They are given powers along the way, but they really don’t want them. Fun concept, can feel a little shaky at times, but I quite enjoyed it. The main 5 characters being voiced by just 2 people is an interesting effect. The banter is really fun.

Hiatus? • 10 Episodes • 10-45 mins Each • Average ~12 mins • Available on Major Podcasting Platforms and Spotify • Content Warnings in Episode Descriptions • Transcripts Available on the Tumblr • @ungiftspod on Tumblr

Character: Trev, He/Him, Major, Biromantic Asexual, Creator Confirmed.

VALENCE

"An urban fantasy fiction podcast"

VALENCE follows Liam, a young magic user (or muse for short) in a city where magic is shunned and people are expected to suppress it. He’s got a lot of problems in his day-to-day life, but his family is one he hoped he’d never have to deal with again. Until he receives a very intriguing offer. Slow but interesting start that moves into some of the most fun character interactions I’ve seen in a while. Very intriguing and entertaining.

Hiatus • 24 Episodes + 1 Relaxation • 24-36 mins Each • Average ~27 mins • Available on Major Podcasting Platforms and Spotify • Content Warnings In Episode Descriptions • Transcripts Available on the Website • @valencepod on Tumblr

Characters: Sarah Harris, She/Her, Major, Heteromantic Asexual, Explicitly Stated • Grace Chen, She/Her, Major, Aromantic Asexual Creator Confirmed • Nico Salvai, He/Him, Major, Arospec MLM, Explicitly Stated

The Vanishing Act

"The Vanishing Act is globetrotting farce about a German magic enthusiast, an American conman in Paris, an unfortunately-named engineer, a disappearing French magician, and a duck. A Rambling Absurdity in 12(ish) Parts."

Absolutely wild podcast about a 1930’s German set designer’s obsession with a 200 year dead magician’s last trick: making an entire room of people vanish into thin air. As he travels the world seeking answers (and trying to get laid) we encounter a whole host of wonderfully/concerningly eccentric characters including an American conman, a handsome British author, a German scientist, and a duck. Well done sound design and never a dull moment. But also, a fair amount of sexual humor.

Hiatus • 12 Episodes • 33-61 mins Each • Average ~45 mins • Available on Major Podcasting Platforms and Spotify • Content Warnings in Episode Descriptions • Transcripts Available on the Website • @vanishingpod on Tumblr

Character: Lilith von Hitzler, She/Her, Major. Aromantic Bisexual. Creator Confirmed.

Greater Boston

"Greater Boston is a bi-monthly full-cast audio drama that blends the real and the unreal, the historical and the fantastical. It all begins with the death of Leon Stamatis, a man for whom the least hint of uncertainty makes life unbearable. But by leaving the world, he has irrevocably changed it."

Set in an alternate universe Boston, a man gives up living on a rollercoaster and another attempts to turn a trainline into its own city. Watch how these events affect the people around them. Well made and entertaining, surreal yet weirdly grounded. It’s a bit slower, so my ADHD brain has trouble keeping focus sometimes, but it’s genuinely a very well made and written podcast. Worth listening just for Malory.

Hiatus • 38 Episodes + 43 Minisodes • 32-69 mins Each • Average ~38 mins • Available on Major Podcasting Platforms and Spotify • Content Warnings in Episode Desceiptions • Transcripts Available on the Website • @greaterblogston on Tumblr

Character: Melissa Weatherby, She/Her, Minor, Aromantic Asexual, Stated.

Station Arcadia

"Stories from a dystopian world where dieselpunk, steampunk, cyberpunk and solarpunk societies exist side by side, told through a radio station on a shifting island. Station Arcadia broadcasts diverse stories from across the land that together tell the story of a revolution, and hope in the face of a dying world. Also, it’s queer."

Some stories are stand-alone, some are ongoing, many are connected, all are full of good writing and amazing worldbuilding. Very queer and underrated. Shoutout to the first explicitly stated Queer Platonic relationship I’ve ever encountered in media.

Hiatus • 25 Episodes • 16-35 mins Each • Average ~25 mins • Available on Major Podcasting Platforms and Spotify • Content Warnings in Episode Descriptions • Transcripts Available on the Website • @stationarcadia on Tumblr

Character: Alice Harlow, She/Her, Minor/Reoccurring, Aromantic, Implied & Creator Confirmed.

Monstrous Agonies

"From werewolves in the doghouse to new ghouls at work, there's no problem too strange for this weekly advice segment, from the UK's only dedicated radio service for the creature community."

A supernatural/monster life and relationship advice podcast with possibly the most soothing narrator I’ve ever encountered, this podcast is an "agony aunt" radio-show style podcast which does a wonderful job exploring how creature communities might fit in to a world just like our own, and how this factors into daily life and various relationships, especially on cultural, familial, platonic and romantic levels. It really makes the most of it’s world and does some amazing worldbuilding while somehow not explicitly naming the creatures it talks about. This is the only pod on this list where the aspec characters are unnamed, but has not one but TWO episodes featuring qpp discussion. Really cleanly made and oh so comforting.

Ongoing • 43 Episodes + 3 Minisodes • 10-20 mins Each • Average ~15 mins • Available on Major Podcasting Platforms and Spotify • Content Warnings Unavailable • Transcripts Linked in Episode Descriptions • @monstrousagonies on Tumblr

Character: Unnamed Vampire-Human Couple, They/Them and unknown, Once-Off (Episode 28), Alloromantic Asexual and Aromantic Allosexual, Explicitly Stated • Unnamed Bigfoot, Unknown, Once-Off (Episode 41), Aromantic Asexual

Supernatural Sexuality with Dr. Seabrooke

"A relationship and sex advice show for humans and monsters alike!"

Dr. Seabrooke runs a radio show where people can call in to get advice on romantic, sexual, and gender related conundrums. The hook being, this is a world where magic and supernatural creatures are just a normal part of life and society. Similar to Monstrous Agonies (above), but a human host, and lean toward romantic/sexual where MA is slightly more platonic/familial/romantic. As a note, this show contains fairly frequent discussion of sex, though there is nothing actually explicit, and it’s presented in a fairly informative (but not impersonal) way. I’m quite heavily sex-repulsed, and it caused me no issues. The conversations feel really organic, it’s great fun to see how they’ve explored how supernatural elements would play into interpersonal relations and daily life, and there’s loads of advice that can be applied in real relationships as well.

Hiatus • 22 Episodes • 16-24 mins Each • Average ~20 mins • Available on Major Podcasting Platforms and Spotify • Content Warnings Unavailable • Transcripts Linked in Episode Descriptions

Character: Alford, He/Him, Once-off (Episode 10). MLW Asexual. Stated/creator confirmed. And Ava, She/Her, Once-off (Episode 11). WLW Asexual. Explicitly Stated

Special Mentions

Sometimes it works a little different to "canon" and "not canon", which is cool too. These few are not "canon", but have been expressed in the show and addressed by the creators. You'll see what I mean.

Down

"Down is a 24-part science-fiction series from Definitely Human about an expedition into a newly-discovered Antarctic trench, dubbed The Bottomless Pit. The company-backed research submarine Virgil is elegant, state-of-the-art, and capable of withstanding enormous pressures. The same cannot be said for her crew."

A horror podcast about a submarine trip down a bottomless pit. Fun cast, really well written and sound designed, creative and extremely bingeable.

Finished • 24 Episodes • 10-24 mins Each • Average ~13 mins • Available on Major Podcasting Platforms and Spotify • Content Warnings Unavailable • Transcripts Unavailable

Character: Dr Marion Straker, She/Her, Major, Aromantic. Marion states she has no interest in romance, which from the context lends to an aromantic interpretation. Creators say they will not confirm, but that it is a valid reading.

The Mistholme Museum of Mystery, Morbidity, and Mortality

"Hello, and welcome to the Mistholme Museum of Mystery, Morbidity, and Mortality. This Audio Tour Guide is aware that this is your first visit to the museum! On behalf of the Museum: Welcome! It’s a pleasure to have you with us here today. The Audio Tour Guide will be your window into the history of the museum and its exhibits today. Please note, that if you notice your version of the Audio Tour Guide behaving oddly, kindly ensure that you dispose of your Audio Device in the nearest incinerator at the earliest convenience."

The Mistholme Museum has you toured around a museum of strange artifacts by an incredibly sweet AI, who will tell you both about the item, and the story behind it. Amazing writing and narration that dips into both heartwarming and horror flawlessly, it features between 1 and 3 items an episode. Very creative and makes use of both original ideas and historic strangeness very well. Big on water, mirrors, changelings and doubles, and a healthy dose of subtle queerness.

Hiatus • 28 Episodes • 22-41 mins Each • Average ~25 mins • Available on Major Podcasting Platforms and Spotify • Content Warnings Listed at Beginning of Transcripts • Transcripts Linked in Episode Descriptions • @the-mistholme-museum on Tumblr

Character: The Audio Tour Guide. It/Its, Lead, Aromantic Asexual. When asked, creator/writer Dom has stated that this reading was known to them while writing, has their love and blessing, and the ATG would be described as ace if it were human. However, as they themself aren't ace and don't intend to delve further into this, they note that it would "feel wrong, somehow" to claim it, and that they "don't want people to come to the show specifically for that kind of representation". They have also said "It's for Ace people to decide whether or not it counts as outright representation, not me, I think", and as I am ace (and the line given expresses a clear lack of sexual attraction both as an experience and an understood concept), I would confidently say it counts, however I wish to be as transparent as possible in Dom's intentions here. An episode put out after this document was first written also heavily suggests it's aromantic.

The Pale

"Strange things are happening aboard a cruise ship in Antarctica. One reporter interviews passengers to learn the truth about these bizarre phenomena."

A very creative and fun document of individual's weird encounters and experiences about an Antarctic Cruise Ship. Delightfully written weird fiction occasionally bordering on horror with a unique, well-used setting.

Hiatus • 8 Episodes • 19-36 mins each • Average ~33 mins • Available on Major Podcasting Platforms and Spotify • Content Warnings Unavailable • Transcripts Unavailable

Character: Carson Harbor, He/Him, Lead/Once-off (Episode 4), Aromantic Asexual. Carson is a wealthy and famous gourmand, and also a very affectionate single dad who's son was born by a surrogate. He's always wanted to be a dad, but has never wanted a romantic relationship, and seems to have no (or less than no) interest in sex. Caution and a lack of overt confirmation is the only thing keeping me from listing this as canon.

Wooden Overcoats

"Rudyard Funn and his equally miserable sister Antigone run their family’s failing funeral parlour, where they get the body in the coffin in the ground on time. But one day they find everyone enjoying themselves at the funerals of a new competitor – the impossibly perfect Eric Chapman! With their dogsbody Georgie, and a mouse called Madeleine, the Funns are taking drastic steps to stay in business…"

Rudyard and Antigone Funn run a funeral home in the island village of Piffling. Not very well, mind you, but that doesn’t matter, because it’s the only one. Or, it used to be. Hilarious, high quality, and an interesting cast of characters, with a classic british comedy vibe.

Hiatus • 24 Episodes + 16 Minisodes • 31-64 mins Each • Average ~35 mins • Available on Major Podcasting Platforms and Spotify • Content Warnings Unavailable • Transcripts Unavailable • @woodenovercoats on Tumblr

Character: Rudyard Funn, He/Him, Lead, Asexual. One of the writers has said he writes Rudyard as ace, and it is fairly well suggested in the show, though it is not an established canonical fact.

I'd like to give a huge thanks to all the amazing content creators who have given not only incredible media, but the sort of representation I could never have imagined having. And a shout-out to all the amazing aro- and ace-spec folks I've met in the last two years, for being such amazing people and for enriching my life with all the different ways a person can be aspec. Y'all are amazing.

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watermelonlovershigh · 2 years

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Bisexual!Harry AU Series Information Post

All the information you'll need for this AU series I've created about a bisexual Harry's navigation through life and his growing relationship with y/n (you).

bi·sex·u·al - sexually attracted not exclusively to people of one particular gender; attracted to both men and women.

Warning: This is completely made up for entertainment purposes. This is not a real representation of real life Harry Styles' sexuality. And by no means am I glorifying the experience of coming out or being bisexual. It will show the good and bad times of Harry's journey as he navigates his sex life and current relationship with y/n as a bisexual man. Also, just because Harry enjoys anal play in this series, doesn't mean I'm saying that's what makes him bisexual. I'm very aware straight men enjoy anal play as well. Harry is literally sexually attracted to both men and women but being in a relationship with a women, still loves the aspect of having things up his bum.

............................................

This Series Will Contain: Heavy Smut (anal play such as use of dildos up ass, fingering of male ass, butt plugs, blowjobs to a fake cock, regular sex, + much more), Fluff (casual conversations, cuddles, comfort), Mild Angst (homophobia, rejection after coming out, cheating of ex partners, confusion about sexuality, depression, anxiety).

*Alot of this series will be short blurbs but i hope to write some longer pieces in the future.*

*And at any time, if you see where i got something not so accurate about bisexual identifying people, please feel free to correct me in a nice way so i can learn from that mistake.*

Bisexual Harry's Personality-

Basically has Golden Retriever energy. (term used to describe the character of young and attractive man – typically one with soft facial features and disheveled or "poofy" straight hair – who exhibit traits associated with a golden retriever dog.)

Isn't afraid to show his emotions. (cries frequently whether its happy or sad.)

Isn't much into the kinky world when it comes to sex. (doesn't care for overly rough sex and is always satisfied with some vanilla sex. though he enjoys face fucking and ass poundings on himself.)

The most trusting person you'll ever meet. (having been cheated on and lied too on many occasions, he never wants others to feel the pain that brings a person.)

^ { may add more once the story line develops a bit more}

Basic Information on Bisexual Harry-

Came out as liking girls and boys at age 15.

Came out to the world as bisexual, except a few hook-ups, at age 21.

Started dating y/n at age 24.

Got engaged to y/n at age 26.

Married y/n age 28.

Has first kid at age 30.

Very similar personality to the real life Harry we all know and love.

Is British.

His family members share real Harry's family members actual names for convenience.

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tag list: @one-sweet-gubler // @harryscherrysugar // @evanjh // @harryhoney-bee // @beachwood-cafe // @lollypopsx // @harrycanyonmoonn // @elenagilbert01 // @bohogothic // @damnasstyles // @mrsstylesthings // @peaceandloverry // @softmullet // @harryssweatcreaturee // @meetmyblondemuffins // @thegirlnextdoorssister // @stanleystyles // @spencharry // @michellekstyles // @pilgrim-harry // @stallrry

(if you don't want to be part of the tag list for this series, let me know. if you do, thank you for the support and i hope you enjoy. if you want to be added to this series tag list, also let me know and i'll do so.)

#bisexual!harry #bisexual #bisexual!harry au series #au series #harry styles fan fiction #lgbtq+#boyfriend!harry #husband!harry #dad!harry #fiance!harry #harry x reader

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fayeimara · 3 years

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Miya Osamu || Little Delights | First Meeting

SUMMARY. Osamu can't help but be intrigued when his daughter starts bringing home delicious desserts prepared by her best friend's mother.

PAIRING. You x Miya Osamu

GENRE. Fluff <3

WARNINGS. Suggestive content

Haikyuu! Anthology Series | It's Fate When Your Kids Are Friends

OSAMU | First Meeting > Second Date > Third Time's The Charm > Four Is Our Family

Osamu's made it just in time, right as the bell tolls to signal the end of his daughter's second day in her new school year. Standing back as a swarm of kids rush out of the brick building and into the arms of their waiting parents, he takes a moment to breathe and relax. Juggling his burgeoning restaurant with being a single parent isn't an easy job, but he wouldn't trade it for anything.

He stands taller than many of the other adults around him and it's evident his little girl has no problem seeking him out as a black, red, and grey blur races towards him, a thrilled, "Papa!" reaching his ears and splitting his mouth into a wide, happy grin.

His arms are already open in a silent but enthusiastic response as he crouches down and then the bite-sized impact of his daughter is rocking him back on his heels, his reaction overly exaggerated as he pretends to almost fall over from the small force of nature that's all Miya Izumi.

Standing back up, Samu catches sight of another little girl who was trailing behind, wide eyes studying him before shifting to Zumi, his daughter turning back around to wave at her, proclaiming the girl as her 'bestest friend in the whole wide world'. The girl returns Zumi's enthusiastic wave with a quick raise of her small hand before her attention is caught by a pretty young woman, her own wide smile replacing her previously hesitant expression as she's warmly enveloped into welcoming arms with kisses peppered on her cheeks and forehead.

Her delighted giggles reach Osamu and his daughter as they turn around, hand in hand, to walk back to his car, small interaction soon forgotten as his little munchkin lists off the snacks she's looking forward to having on their return to his shop. She won't be able to finish half that list, he bets to himself with a quiet chuckle at his daughter's inherited exuberance for food as he securely buckles her into car.

It's not until they reach his second pride and joy, Onigiri Miya, that he finds the first little surprise tucked away in Izumi's not so empty lunchbox. When he inquires about the remarkably delicious looking set of biscuits he certainly didn't pack for her that morning, his daughter's response is that it's a thank you gift from her bestest friend, Reina, for the lunch she'd shared with the girl on her first day.

Well, a six year old certainly didn't bake these from the looks of it. It's only confirmed by his first taste, the texture and flavour beyond even most consistent home bakers, let alone a young child. Right? But a more pressing thought flags his attention, first.

"Did your friend not have her own lunch?"

"She did! We split because hers wasn't so good, even though her mama put so much love into it. But the treats were so much better so we decided to go halfsies and have best of both!" His daughter giggles with the oblivious sweet innocence of a child.

"And what about today?"

"Mhm. Same. But I liked the chocolate brownies yesterday much much better!"

Samu chuckles at her excitement and can't help but tease his precocious daughter, "Oh, and was it better than papa's food?"

Zumi's eyes widen as she contemplates the question with all the adorable seriousness she can muster, but loyalty must break free and run because her reply is, "Almost! So close, but I love papa's cooking more than anything in the whole wide world."

It seems the whole wide world is the current standard of measurement for first graders, but he appreciates the heartfelt sentiment behind her loving words.

After another moment of consideration, Osamu settles on the thought chewing at him and decides that tomorrow his daughter won't be giving up a portion of his food which she loves so much. No, she'll have double the amount to do with whatever she may please.

So briefly, that he doesn't even ponder on the sudden image, he's reminded of the warm reunion he witnessed between the little girl and the woman who he'd assumed was her nanny, but concludes is probably the girl's young mother. Based on the number of treats Zumi brought back, Samu's certain the woman had to have thoughtfully made extras of these baked goods for her daughter to have more than enough to share with friends and then some.

Well, it's definitely no skin off his back to make his daughter even the slightest bit happier by being able to help her share her savoury little delights with her new bestest friend.

It's on the third day of your daughter's return from her new school year that you're able to confirm that something is indeed amiss. The previous two days, the small portions of her lunch left uneaten were questionable, given her voracious appetite, however, when she returns with the lunch you made for her today still sitting wholly untouched in her cute little lunchbox, you finally sit her down to ask about it.

Her response is far from what you expected, "My friend's papa made extra lunch so we could both have something yummy to eat!"

You press your lips together to hide your amusement as you teasingly inquire, "Oh? Is that so? And I guess that means mama's food isn't so yummy after all."

Her eyes widen in dismay and mouth opens in an immediate denial that you know would be a lie to soothe your feelings. Even at such a young age, your beautiful baby girl is truly a kind and compassionate soul, she would dutifully eat anything you prepared no matter how lacking the meal might be and never utter a word to tell you the obvious truth.

Before she can manage to find the right words to faithfully express how much she loves your cooking, you lean in to kiss her on the forehead and pull back with a laugh, gathering her in your arms for a warm hug. "Oh baby, I'm so sorry I can't make you the food you deserve. But please don't ever feel the need to say otherwise to spare my feeling, okay? You should always be honest about what you like or don't like."

Her little arms find their way around you as she snuggles in, voice soft and words like a wise, old soul when she denies, "But your food is made with so much love mama. Zumi says some people are just better at other things. We both think you make the best yummies."

"The best yummies, hm?" You think about the various baked goods you add in to balance out for the healthy but tasteless lunches you're able to prepare.

They are indeed good, but baking has always been something that comes more naturally to you than cooking. An interesting distinction not many people might accept, but for you the former has always been an effortless science whereas the latter is more of a difficult art.

"Well I'm really glad you like those, but we do need to figure out what to do so you're not picking at your friends' food or going hungry."

She pulls back to send a serious look your way, exclaiming, "But I'm not picking at it, I promise. Zumi said her papa made extra just for me!"

You take a moment to consider her words. She made a similar implication in her earlier statement, that her friend's dad had made extra for them both. What does that mean? Did his daughter ask him to because she was sharing her food with Reina? Or did he somehow grasp the situation and is simply being generous?

A warm burn threatens your cheeks as you consider the awkwardness of accepting such a gesture from a complete stranger. While you appreciate the kindness of Reina's friend and her dad, it still somehow feels like a terrible imposition, as if you've burdened them somehow with your lack of skills to keep your child happily fed.

It's not like you can't cook good, healthy food. You're just painfully aware how bland the food you make can be, unless you spend three times the amount of time as anyone else would need to in order to prepare similar meals. But... studying the smile that's on your daughter's face, you can't help the twinge in your heart that reminds you how much more her happiness is worth than your pride.

You won't assume this will be a daily occurrence and you'll continue to make your daughters lunches so she never goes without, however, it'll be no extra trouble for you to make double the batch of baked goods than usual. After all, you usually account for the fact that she'll be sharing with friends and classmates anyways.

However, you're now determined there will be enough delicious snacks for Reina to share not only around at school, but also some treats for her sweet friend Izumi to take home for her generous parents. Perhaps, you think, it might be prudent to include a short message, thanking the man for his thoughtful effort.

Silent gratitude isn't very much to anyone ~ (So I hope you and your family will accept these.) Thank you for your kindness, Miya-san.

Osamu blinks, unaware of the small smile that curves his lips as he reads the delicate, handwritten note carefully wrapped around one of the cupcakes Izumi brought back home today. There are only three of the original twelve left, apparently, but the one he's just bitten into is as incredible as expected.

If he's correct in his assumption from the note addressed directly to him and included with today's delightful treats, then the little girl's mother has picked up on his small action and is returning the gesture to convey her thanks. The thought is confirmed by his daughter explaining that one of each of the three cupcakes is for their family.

Three for their family? Hm. Well, it's just him and Zumi, but he's sure his brother will be all over the remaining offering when he visits tonight. If there's any left for him that is. Probably won't be, it's really just that good and anyways, he doesn't need Atsumu nosing his way into this simple exchange as it is.

The following day, Friday morning, Samu pens back his own note, assuring the woman that no thanks is necessary. There's no reason for her to express her gratitude over what's really such a simple action for him.

That evening, he and Zumi enjoy some quality mochi delivered in a white, rectangular box with a pretty decently hand-drawn background scene at a spring festival on the cover. Two little girls, one that looks remarkably like his daughter and the other like her best friend, hold hands in the centre of the street dressed in traditional yukata and sharing a box of what he assumes is mochi.

As they much into the chewy treats, he watches and listens as his daughter points out the bright colours she and her friend chose to fill into what was apparently initially a blank canvas for them to colour on. Her delight at having a pink and grey yukata, even if only in a drawing, prompting him to make a mental note about looking into the clothing and any upcoming festivals.

Osamu makes a point of saving the box, childlike scribbles over the simple sketch leaving a warm feeling in his chest and a slightly wider smile gracing his mouth.

The response he receives the Monday evening (from his penned message the Friday before) is enough to prompt a full smirk that, this time, doesn't go unnoticed by him. The woman showed an interesting sense of humour and gracious acceptance with the first cupcake note. Then, a sweet and thoughtful disposition with the drawing included as part of the soft treat for the girls Friday.

But now, Samu sees a challenging firmness in her reply to his easy brush off of her thanks, delicate lines yet again adorning the small card carefully tucked into a pretty red ribbon that's tied around and decorating another white, rectangular box.

Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it ~ So please accept this gift without concern.

Sitting inside are four differently coloured, rounded treats that look familiar but he can't place off the top of his head. A quick search identifies the delicate confections as macarons, the colorful delights an absolute wonder as the airy crunch of the top and bottom shells simultaneously give way to a firm filling with the first bite, the sweet flavour almost dissolving on his tongue.

He and Zumi finish the box off in minutes, three of each flavour included to a total of four different flavours, so both he and his daughter each get seconds of their respective favourites.

The next morning, filled with anticipation at what new surprises you might include with the goods you send today, he's fully aware of the grin that stretches his face as he writes out a note of his own for you to receive later this evening.

The macarons were inspiring. Izumi and I definitely won't turn away any gifts you'd like to send our way. I wonder... what other surprises do you have up your sleeve? I sent a little something your way to inspire you too. - M. Osamu

The neatly written note returned, once again, on the back of the small rectangular card you'd last sent, brings a warm smile to your face. The various onigiri that came along with it, apparently with specific instructions communicated from Izumi to Reina that today's additional quantity is set aside for you specifically, stretches the amused curl of your lips into a delighted grin.

You split each of the four different types of rice balls with your daughter, listening to her input on the delicious food as she points out her order of most to least favourite. Although there's not a single one you wouldn't eat on any given day if given the choice, the food is simply divine.

Your note the following day is a compliment to the chef, with a cheeky inquiry as to what deities one must pray to in order to make food like that. His response is a swift rebuttal asking what cruel gods bless some with the skills to cook but others with the skills to bake, ironically echoing your own thoughts from the previous week.

So goes the back and forth for weeks, notes getting cuter, sassier, and more personal as jokes, challenges, and encouragements alike are enclosed among the lunches of two excited little girls, their own bond strengthening with this unique camaraderie between their parents, until you feel the peculiar sense that you know the man on the other end, without ever even having actually met him.

Then, one day, three weeks into the first exchange, you receive a note that makes your heart beat in your throat at the unspoken challenge which raises the stakes of the now familiar routine. It's a simple response to your unassuming request for the onigiri recipes you initially received as the first returned delight, a meal you and Reina have been craving since the first taste.

I can do one better and teach you. xxx-xxx-xxxx. - Osamu

There's no reason to be shy or hesitant, is there? After all, it's a kind offer that will only serve you and Reina well with your future attempts at her lunches. You can't count on Miya Osamu's kindness forever.

Fingers still shaking, you dial the number enclosed within and find the call picked up before the first ring even finishes.

"I wasn't sure ya'd actually call."

Oh, wow, that's a voice to melt hearts alright. You're still smiling as you immediately reply in beat, with the easy familiarity of your shared repartee over the last few weeks, "With an offer like that, how could I not?"

He's quiet for a second and you start to lose your smile, suddenly worrying that perhaps you've acted too familiarly with a man that's all but a stranger and offended him. But his next words, slowly expelled in a lazy but thoughtful drawl, have your heart beating fast for an entirely different reason, "I had a feeling ya'd sound as pretty as ya write."

Now you're the one that's silent but it's entirely because you're at a loss for words, this quietly charming man having stolen them right from the tip of your tongue.

A low chuckle breaks what you realized was actually somehow still a remarkably comfortable silence and then his delicious voice reaches you again, "I hope I didn't scare ya voice away. It'd be a shame now that I've only just heard it."

Okay so he's maybe much more of a flirt than the subtle hints you'd noticed over the notes, but then again, they were delivered through your daughters as messengers so it would be reasonable he would have toned it down. Then again, what kind of man flirts with a woman he's never met previously? He doesn't even know what you look like. Have you captured his interest solely through your mutual correspondence?

You almost snort, catching your thoughts and feeling like you're the main character to some historical romance. Maybe during a world war era. Mutual correspondence. Right. What are you even thinking? He's got you flustered already.

"Funny. I would never have imagined you would sound so pretty from the way you write." You're tempted to arch an eyebrow with your audible smirk but then you remember that it's not like he can see it.

"Ya think my voice is pretty, do ya?" His tone is full with soft satisfaction, "Maybe ya can tell me if it's better in person."

"And here I thought the offer on the table was for learning a delicious recipe."

You swear you hear the smile in his response, "Sounds like yer in either way."

"Sounds like I am." You concede in mock resignation but you're painfully aware that your words and following sigh sound more like a promise.

You and Reina find the charming storefront quite easily from Samu's instructions. It's finally the weekend, several days since your first call with him, and your handwritten notes have now upgraded into convenient, daily text messages.

He's definitely confident and teasing but not quite the overt flirt you briefly considered he might be from a few days ago. In fact, he's more calm and grounded, even if he can be a smooth talker, but you've quickly found that what came across as flirtatious was actually just him being honestly direct. Which is both exciting and flattering enough to make you nervous for this first real meeting today.

A soft chime sounds as you open the door to usher Reina through before following her in yourself. The first thing your eyes land on is a small girl running to your daughter like a heat seeking missile and the two collide in an adorably sweet hug, somehow understanding each other while seemingly talking simultaneously.

With a small smile on your face, you take a moment to survey your surroundings and find your bearings in this unfamiliar space. It's not an overly large area, focusing more on a cozy, comfortable atmosphere emphasized by the deliciously welcoming smell of various foods that make you feel right at home.

Your eyes run over the bar with stools lined against it before you do a double take, finally noticing the dark haired man that's leaning with his arms crossed against a door frame beyond it, watching as you examined his space.

He must be able to tell he's slightly startled you as an amused smile stretches his lips and he dips his head ever so slightly in greeting. "Welcome to Onigiri Miya."

"Thank you for inviting us, Miya-san." You bite your lip at your automatic formality, already certain what he's going to say next.

And he doesn't disappoint, eyebrow arching as he uncrosses his arms and, finally, steadily makes his way towards you, "I already told ya to call me Osamu. Or Samu."

Now you're smiling again because the situation is definitely out of the ordinary, the level of familiarity you feel with a man you're seeing for the first time can only be considered unusual. You take a moment to study him as he stops just before you, tall build with broad shoulders and a handsome face that looks like it belongs on a heartbreaker not a homemaker.

Your fingers itch to push back the locks of his hair peeking out from under his dark cap and falling over on side of his forehead, if only to have an excuse to run your hands through it. But that's definitely not appropriate no matter how comfortable you might already feel with this easygoing man.

"Right... Osamu, then. And of course, you can call me Y/n."

"Yer name and looks suit ya, just like yer voice and handwriting." He's got a small smile on his own face now and you're not sure if he's aware he basically just called you pretty. He doesn't really seem to do this on purpose, from what you've gathered.

You beam at him regardless and volley back, "Well, I can say the same for you too."

And for a brief second, that small smile splits into a quick grin that stutters the already erratic beat of your heart. Oh yes, this man is certifiably lethal in all the best ways.

"I'm happy to hear it. Now, let's sit ya down with the girls while I grab some things."

Izumi has already led Reina to a table by the window and Osamu gestures their way as he moves to lock the door behind where you came in and then moves off to the kitchen behind the bar again.

You notice with a little apprehension that the girls are sitting next to each other on one side of the booth still giddily talking together (although not over each other anymore) about friends and weekend plans and such, but you're not going to be the anxious oddball that separates them for seemingly no reason. Even if you're already sure of the overthinking you'll be doing at the thought of Samu sitting next to you in the booth.

He doesn't seem to think about it at all as he easily slides in, smoothly setting a plate and a tray with cups, glasses and a couple pitchers on the table just as you feel the left side of his body line up against your right. Okay, yeah, because this is totally normal for you. Not.

You hope neither he and especially not either of the kids can tell you're flustered, even as you feel the heat creep up your neck and flirt with your cheeks. Yup, normal day, normal day. Just a regular day with a new friend.

"Here ya go." You just hold yourself back from jumping when he hands you a cup from the tray and then leans over to pour what looks and smells like tea from one of the pitchers. If you're not going crazy, he's pressed even more against you for those long seconds, completely in your space even if it's not unwelcome.

He either knows exactly what he's doing or he's just one of those people that's never paid mind to polite social norms and rules of conduct that many prefer. While you're calming yourself down, he's already poured the girls juice from the second pitcher into their glasses and set out quarter plates in front of everyone.

You finally focus enough to take in the still steaming gyoza on the plate he'd placed down in the middle with confusion and ask, "I thought we would be making onigiri and eating it for lunch?"

"Of course, but I couldn't put ya to work on an empty stomach."

"Mhm." You give him a dubious look, you might have mentioned your early breakfast in one of your texts to him this morning, but you have a feeling that this is also an effort to make you and Reina feel comfortable in this space together instead of getting right into the cooking lessons planned for the day.

It's an incredibly thoughtful effort and that warm flush is threatening you again so you choose to tease him and deflect instead, "Somehow, I feel it's more about your empty stomach but okay, let's go with your version instead."

You lose the fight with the flush and flutters when he chuckles at your sassy retort, especially since you literally feel the vibrations melt from his body and into yours with the way he's still somewhat pressed into you. Does the man not have enough space in his own booth? Actually... you notice you can move closer to the window yourself since there's quite a bit of space on your side too but, then again, it would be a little obvious to shift now.

The girls pick up the fried dumplings by hand with happy exclamations as they bite right into theirs, you and Osamu following suit but not before placing another two on the plates in front of each of them and then splitting the remaining ones between you.

With a dip into the soy and vinegar sauce (chili excluded for the girls), you quickly bite into the first one and savour the sudden burst of flavour in your mouth. Oh wow, yes, this is exactly what your cooking is missing. This addictive, tasteful quality that makes you want multiple helpings of whatever's being served.

With a glance from the corner of your eye to the right, you meet Osamu's eyes studying your reaction and decide to ask the question on your mind, "You made these yourself right?"

"I did."

"Okay, they're hands down the best gyoza I've ever had." You compliment him genuinely before giving in to the urge to tease him yet again because the flutters are back, if they ever even left, and you can't have him knowing just how much he affects you, "But who ever heard of serving gyoza in an onigiri shop?"

He must catch the light, teasing tone because he just smirks and throws right back, "Well if they're as good as ya say, maybe I should expand the menu."

"Oh no, don't do that!" You laugh with wide eyes, "Then Reina and I will never find space when we try to come back here during regular hours! Actually, I'm sure you're already always packed, hm?"

"Some days and times less than others, but there will always be space for the two of ya whenever ya want to visit again."

Oh yeah, it's a losing battle, the flutters are a full on tsunami of feelings now. Just push it away and chill. But then he adds, "And I can teach ya this recipe too. Anytime there's something ya like or want to try, just let me know. I'm sure we can make an amazing cook outta ya yet."

Your mouth drops open followed by your blurted question, "Why are you helping me so much? I'm sure this is a lot of time and effort for you too."

You hear the girls' conversation pause as they pick up on some subtle change in either your body language or demeanour, but Osamu's calm eyes just meet your wide ones, his lips sliding into a soft smile, as he simply answers, "Because I like ya."

You feel like you're back in grade school because you want to ask if he means that he 'like' likes you or just... likes you. But there's no way you're going to ask that question, not only because it feels a bit asinine but because that's not a conversation to start in front of both of your daughters.

You look over to the girls who are watching with beaming smiles, maybe happy their parents are good friends just like the two of them, and you return their wide grins with a reassuring one of your own before looking back into steady grey eyes. "Well, I really appreciate your help. Thank you, Osamu."

"I'd say no thanks needed, but I've been down that road before." Another quick, heart-stopping grin graces his face, this one almost as roguish as his tone is playful. He's definitely referring to your initial correspondence when you made a firm point against his initial brush off, as if his actions in making extra lunch for your daughter to enjoy wasn't incredibly thoughtful and certainly out of his way.

"Well you certainly catch on quick. Let's just hope I can say the same." Your playful smile turns into a grimace at the thought of how difficult it might be to actually improve your skills. Maybe it's just a question of talent? Maybe you're just never going to be able to reproduce food like him.

But he glances over to catch your frown just in time and reassures, "I know what I'm doing. Soon enough, you will too. Just say you'll keep supplying me and Zumi with yer baking every once in a while when ya don't need us anymore."

You know he's probably joking with the last part but you hadn't planned on stopping. You love to share the goodies you bake with the people in your and Reina's life, it makes the two of you pretty happy so you're sure Izumi and Osamu will be able continue enjoying your baked goods to their heart's content.

"Izumi will definitely get her share of sweets and snacks every day." You send a smile her way when she hears you and bounces excitedly in her seat but then you force yourself to drop it and face Osamu with a challenging look instead, "But you... well, I guess we'll have to wait and if you're as good as you say and maybe then you can get some too."

He places a closed hand to his chest as if he's been struck, the girls laughing at his overdramatic reaction, but his widening smile gives him away. You look at each other for a suspended moment, with shared amusement but also the teasing heat of something else reflected in his achromatic eyes, which makes you certain he picked up on the unintended double entendre in your words.

"Sounds like a promise." Then with an arched eyebrow at the empty plates and cups in front of everyone, Samu asks, "So shall we get started?"

You agree, helping him clean up the table and he takes the opportunity to help you and Reina familiarize yourselves with the kitchen. The rest of the afternoon is spent in an equally easy cadence as he does indeed walk you through the steps of making his recipes, flavours included.

He starts with the simplest option, yaki onigiri, which is just fried rice shaped in a triangle or oval, and then demonstrates how to make and add a few of your and Reina's favourite fillings in to change and enhance the flavour. The girls enjoy making their own mini rice balls alongside the two of you and the time flies until you're all back at the table and having the onigiri you've just made for lunch.

You can't deny there's an improvement already but your little rice balls are still nowhere near the level of skill and flavour of Osamu's, even though he and the girls all assure you that you've done a great job. You accept their compliments with a smile and the determination to keep at it on your own time until you improve even further because Reina deserves better than even this.

By the time you finish eating, the girls are unsurprisingly tired out and choose to stay at the table to watch a Disney movie with Izumi's iPad. You can't help but smile in amusement while watching Osamu grab the thing from behind the bar, tapping away on the clunky looking device which is perfect for Izumi with a thick, pink rubber cover protecting it from grade-schooler level damage.

After the movie's been set up for the two worn out little munchkins, you and Osamu head back into the kitchen for him to show you how to make the gyoza and the next hour slips away with more teasing jokes, increasingly heated looks, and slightly bolder touches.

You can close your eyes and now know the feel of Osamu's hands on yours, demonstrating how to properly fold and pleat the wrappers. You can still feel the heat of his chest brush your back from when he leaned around you to pick up an empty bowl to place in the sink, and you're pondering on what feels like a heated brand on your hip where he lightly curved one hand to shift you over.

You can't deny your attraction to the man, a slow fall that you should have seen coming from the excitement of receiving his words every day until you were eagerly expecting the notes, to this first meeting where he's everything you expected from reading between his lines and even more.

Since the girls are pretty much full, you and Osamu clean off the new batch of gyoza between the both of you - him more than you, which you tease him about again. All the while, you're panicking about this new realization of your feelings, given that you're seriously crushing on a man who might only mean to help as a newfound friend and maybe you're the one reading too much into his interactions.

It's not until you've helped him clean up, collected the girls, and are watching him lock up the shop that you get some semblance of an answer.

"Thank you again Osamu. This was not only very instructive but Reina and I had a great time today."

He's holding Izumi's small hand in his, similar to Reina's in yours, and his other hand stretches up to rub at the back of his head, his arm bent at the elbow. When he speaks, it's not a direct response to your gratitude but a question instead, sounding somewhat unsure himself for the first time today, "How about next time we have a date that's more fun than instructive?"

Your jaw almost drops in surprise but you quickly collect yourself because he's still looking a little worried, maybe because he thinks he's overstepping by calling this a date or maybe because he's not sure you'll want another one even if you do accept that.

Your smile is quick to light up your face and, with a light squeeze from Reina's hand to yours accompanied by her and Izumi's giggles, you happily reply, "Just let me know when and where, and it's a date."

He grins again, the third time today your heart stops at what you're sure is usually a rarer sight since bodies aren't always dropping to the ground around him (that you've heard of). "I think I might already have something in mind."

"Oh yeah?"

"Yeah, but let me look into it and get back to ya."

"Sounds like a promise."

With your final reply, a borrowed echo of his words to serve as a temporary goodbye, you and Reina split away from Izumi and Osamu. Heading for your car with once last look behind you, you're pleasantly unsurprised to find a flash of gunmetal grey also glancing back your way. Later that night, finished with your and Reina's joint skincare routine and having tucked her into bed, you find the expected message waiting for you.

A/N: Okay wow I had SO much fun with this one! I hope you all do too <3 It's not triple edited per usual so please do let me know if you catch any errors or issues. No promises but probably dropping Atsumu’s First Meeting next ;)

Taglist: @yatoatyourservice, @crayonwriting

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