re last reblog I do see fanfic culture pushing/replicating a certain model of "what trauma looks like," "how trauma works"
this is a problem across all areas of society obviously, but transformative works are, well, transformative. they're about crafting and modifying narratives where the fan-creator sees a flaw or a lack -- often for the better! don't get me wrong, I've done my fair share of "I take a hammer and I fix the canon," it's the main thing that gets my creative gears spinning -- but what happens when that "flaw" is simply a narrative not conforming to popular expectations?
some people just don't get PTSD from events that sound obviously traumatic. they're not masking, and they're not coping; they just straight-up didn't get the permanently-locked stress-response that defines PTSD. they walk away from a horrible experience going "well, that sucked, but it's over now." some people do get PTSD from events most people wouldn't find traumatic. we don't really know why some people get PTSD and others don't. but fandom has an idea of events that must be traumatizing, of a "correct" way to portray trauma. you see the problems with this lack of understanding in e.g. fans pressuring the devs of Baldur's Gate 3 to add dialogue where the player character badgers Halsin about his own feelings on his abuse -- because he must be traumatized, and his trauma must fit a certain mold and presentation of sexual trauma, under the mistaken impression that anything outside that narrow window is somehow "wrong" and disrespectful or even harmful to survivors.
take, for another example, the very common trope of a traumatized character who hates touch or sex "learning" to like touch or sex as a part of their healing process. certainly that can be healing for some people; other people will never like, or want, touch or sex, because of trauma or because they just don't. the assumption that someone who doesn't want sex or doesn't like to be touched must be traumatized, must be suffering from this perceived lack, is seriously harmful -- to asexual people, to people with sensory issues around touch, and to people for whom healing from trauma means freedom to refuse sex or touch.
and there's a secondary trope, one that's slightly more thoughtful but ultimately repeats the problem -- that once someone has learned that their boundaries will be respected, they'll feel it's safe to soften those boundaries. once they feel safe refusing touch or sex, they'll feel comfortable allowing it on their own terms. but many people don't, and many people won't! many people will simply never want to be touched, and never want sex, and they are not suffering or broken or lacking because of it. the idea that proving you'll respect someone's boundaries entitles you to test those boundaries -- the paradox is obvious, and yet this is something i've seen hurt (re-traumatize) people i care for.
people are imperfect victims. people don't heal in the ways you expect. many people have positive memories of their abuse, of their abusers. many people hurt others in the course of their trauma, in ways that can't easily be unpacked in a 5k oneshot. very few narratives of trauma and recovery actually fit the ones put forward by popular children's media and romance novels -- which are the ones I most see replicated in fandom spaces, because they provide the clearest narrative and easiest catharsis, and so they're easy and soothing to reach for.
that's not necessarily a bad thing! i am not immune to goopy romance tropes. i am not immune to teary catharsis. not every fic has to grapple with ugly realities. but there's a problem when these narratives become predominant, when people think they're accurate and realistic depictions of trauma, when the truth of trauma is unpleasant and uncomfortable, and doesn't fit any single narrative, let alone one of comforting catharsis
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babe / theres something wretched about this / something so precious about this / where to begin
babe / theres something broken about this / but i might be hoping about this / oh what a sin
hello ive been turning them over and over and over again in my mind. i might be unwell. [id under the cut | reference ]
[image description: two drawings of astarion and gale from baldurs gate 3 hugging. the one on the upper right side has gale starting the hug, with one arm visibly around astarion, leaning his head into his shoulder. astarion has one arm around gale, the other hand still hovering over his back. his eyes are open and he is not yet leaning in, somewhat aprehensive. the drawing on the lower left is similar to the first one, but this time astarion is also leaning into the hug, with his face smushed against gales shoulder and his eyes closed. next to the drawings are two crops of the lyrics to hoziers from eden, reading "babe / theres something tragic about you / something so magic about you / dont you agree" and "babe / theres something lonesome about you / something so wholesome about you / get closer to me". the whole image is colored in soft greys of yellow and blue hues. end image description]
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Gege is still recovering and goes on extended hiatus but turns out was secretly drawing and now releasing this new official art of Yuuji and Choso! 😭 they look so relax and happy, outside having picnic together! Choso is napping on the rattan mattress while smiling and Yuuji is waving at the cameraman. Between them two cans of beverage. The left one a can of tea and the other one written either Pokka or Ponka? (Pokka Sapporo is a JP's manufacturer of canned and bottled beverages)
This is an official art by Gege Akutami that will be made into lenticular bookmark as natsucomi freebie in (participating) bookstores coming July
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https://www.instagram.com/reel/C5GyS3mL9pG/?igsh=ZXMyZ2ttNXBnejMx
This is Biker!Simon to a T. Need I say more?
GOD THAT WAS SO HOT i rewatched that ten times i swear 😭
NO BECAUSE THAT IS ABSOLUTELY BIKER!SIMON LETS GOOOOO
simon would rev up to catch up with the car and absolutely smack the window i fear :(( not even to break it because he’s still a gentleman, RAHH, but fold it inwards since they (car driver) don’t seem to use it anyway :/
he’ll take the next exit, looking at the mirrors to see if you’re right behind him, before turning on his hazard lights and stopping at a safe area. you follow suit, head tilted in confusion as you watch simon dismount and walk towards you.
you flip your visor up. “what’s wrong?”
“nothing,” he says, taking his helmet off. “jus’ makin’ sure y’r alright.”
this makes your stomach clench, your cheeks filling up with warmth.
“yeah,” you reply, clearing your throat. “you?”
“i’m fine.” he knocks his knuckles on your fuel tank. “y’did good keepin’ calm.”
you giggle, your adrenaline now spiked with giddiness—it seems like no matter how long you two have been together, simon still manages to make your breath run ragged; your heart beating within your ribs as heat envelops you whole. it’s unsaid, his love for you, but it burns, bright and protective.
“thanks.” you rub at your neck, lips still tugged up in a full smile. “knew someone’s got my back, so.”
“i always will,” simon huffs, serious, before ducking his head down in his shyness. you catch the flush rising to his ears, anyway, and you bite at your bottom lip to keep down the giddy giggles.
my gorgeous, protective, boy.
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