#this is more than just friendship your honor they are gay

[ethanharmonia]

Arven!!! :D (and Dreepys in the back)

Just a silly little guy

His hair is complex

Me love him

Would smash

🕺🏻🕺🏻🕺🏻🕺🏻🕺🏻🕺🏻🕺🏻🕺🏻

What if Arven and Volo would be besties

[kingofbodyrolls]

Hoseok fic recs 2024 🥳

In honor of Hoseok’s birthday, I want to share my ultimate favorite Hobi stories, that I’ve read this past year (2023-2024) 💜 I want to thank each and every writer on this list for creating such wonderful stories and art - you are truly amazing ✨ All the fics on this list hold a dear place in my heart 🥹

❗Most of these fics are smutty as hell or contains dark themes, so minors dni.❗ 

If you read anything on this list and you like it, please leave a comment to the writer or reblog the fic, it might seem like a tiny gesture, but it really means a lot for writers and I can guarantee it will put a smile on their faces💜 Let’s share and give lots of love! Looking for more to read? Check ‘The Library’ or last years recs 🙂

[index] → jan | feb (💜) | mar (myg) | apr | may | jun | jul | aug | sep (jjk)(knj) | oct (pjm) | nov | dec (kth)(ksj) | Emoji meaning → angst = 🌩️, smut = 🥵, fluff = 🥰, comedy = 😂, yandere = 😈, thriller/dark = 👻, fantasy = 🪄.

⭐Helping Hands by @m-yg93 [6k] // jhs x f.reader // f2l // 🥵

📝 Between your boyfriend getting into bed with another girl and finals taking all your time a cold rift has emerged between the usually warm movie nights with your best friend. Thankfully exams are over and Hoseok is back on your couch where he belongs. When some shit talking gets a little too close to home and Hoseok finds out you’ve never even had an orgasm he decides to take things into his own hands, and yours. 

🗨️ This was so hot, like what 😳🥵 also a bit funny, but mostly smutty 🤭

⭐Flight 18 by @noona-la-la-la [9.5K] // jhs x f. reader // flight!au, idol!au // 🥵😂

📝 Korean Air Flight 18 leaves daily from Los Angeles traveling to Seoul.  You’ve taken this flight before, but this time you’ve got an irritating passenger in the neighboring seat.  Little did you know that he would end up giving you the ride of your life.

🗨️ This was just really really amazing; utterly funny (like I was laughing at certain points), so much sexual tension that evolves into satisfying smut 😗

⭐Ho Ho Horrible @ugh-yoongi [5.6K] // jhs x f.reader // e2l, neighbor!au, holiday!au // 🥵🥰😂

📝 (or, the one where your neighbor is a relentless christmas caroler and refuses to take a hint, but at least he's really hot.)

🗨️ No– this was just so freaking cute! 😭 Like fluffy cute and also extremely funny, just what I love. I loved this so much 💜 OC’s friendship with Tae, their banter was 💯 and then with Hobi, just so so good! It was so cute and OC’s internal dialogue is just funny 😂A really cute holiday themed Hoseok fic that I can’t recommend enough!!!! Everything was just great. Had me smiling and giggling a few times – please go read it 🥹💜

⭐Started with a Sparkle, now we’re on Fire @the-boy-meets-evil [6.5K] // jhs x f.reader // f2l // 🥵

📝 You're feeling self conscious about your recent break-up and hoseok is more than happy to teach you a thing or two.

🗨️ Really really good! I really liked it 💜 I really loved how both sweet and demanding Hoseok was, guiding oc through everything.

⭐Watch Yourself by @boymeetsweevil [7.7k] // jhs x f.reader // non idol au, pwp // 🥵

📝 It starts with an invitation from your ex. It ends with Hoseok’s hands down your pants in said ex’s kitchen.

🗨️ Oh this was hot alright 🥵

⭐In the Car @floralseokjin [14.7K]  // jhs x f.reader // mechanic!hoseok, street racer!au // 🥵🥰🌩️

📝 all you had was a dead car battery, you weren’t looking for romance, regardless if the charming mechanic had other ideas. You’ve heard stories that could put you off… Can he change your misconceptions, or will they prove correct after all…?

🗨️ oh my- really really good 💖 something about mechanic AND street racer Hoseok has me question my sanity 🥵

⭐Two in one @here2bbtstrash [12K] // jhs x f.reader x pjm // best friends!au, threesome // 🥵🥵🥵

📝 you finally have a much-needed smoke session with your best friends, just like old times. you’re also pretty sure they’re gay… right?

🗨️ the chemistry between them, how they have been friends for so long, oc’s assumptions lol, and their humor too! Priceless 👏💖 Gosh! It was pure filth, in the best way possible, so sinful and dirty— and, and—, PLEASE GO READ IT IF YOU HAVEN’T ALREADY 😭💖

⭐Floored @lavienjin [5.2K] // jhs x f.reader x pjm x jjk // idol!au, established relationship with Hobi, foursome // 🥵🥵🥵

📝 in the midst of your reunion with your boyfriend after not seeing each other for some time, you’re interrupted by two sets of eyes. not wanting to waste the opportunity, hoseok proposes a foursome and hey, “the more, the merrier”, right?

🗨️ what did I even read? 🥵 (it was good!)

⭐Good Morning @ppersonna [2.1K] // jhs x f.reader // established relationship // 🥵🥰

📝 hoseok’s methods of waking you up are … unconventional, but effective.

🗨️ omg I loved it 💖💯

⭐To the Beat of my Heart @jeonggukingdom [7.2K] // jhs x f.reader // dancer!au, sort of e2l // 🥵

📝 when you walk into the studio that Sunday afternoon, all you expect is a lonely and chill practice session but, a few hours later, your programs are shattered in thousand pieces by the unexpected presence of Jung Hoseok. And nothing could have prepared you for what he had in store for you.

🗨️ wow, this was incredibly good! Well written and it was just so freaking hot, I loved it! 💯✨

⭐Holiday Inn @bangtanintotheroom [36.6K] // jhs x f.reader // non-idol!au, rap group!au, s2e2l // 🥵😂

📝 if it’s not the loud music, it’s the constant rapping. If it’s not the constant rapping, it’s the hysterical laughter. And if it’s not the hysterical laughter, it’s the moaning and screaming women. How the hell hasn’t your neighbor been kicked out yet? Oh right; he’s a beloved rapper.  

🗨️ I’m just— WOW 🤯💯 This must be one of the best Hoseok fics I’ve ever read. Damn it was fucking amazing 👏 I loved the assertiveness of reader, and how that tension just build so fucking perfectly! Everything was so freaking good. A masterpiece!! 💜✨

⭐Make Me @violetsiren90 [16k] // jhs x f.reader // idol!au, f2fwb, BDSM lifestyle // 🥵🥵🥵

📝 You’ve been friends with Hobi for years, and he’s your comfort zone - but when he gets wind of a dark secret you drunkenly let slip, things between you take a sudden extreme change.

🗨️ Oh. My.Goodness. My soul left my body multiple times when I read this!!! It is incredible!!! Really love this one, and if you like BDSM this is definitely for you, but even if you don’t (like me, this was out of my ‘comfort zone’) you will still enjoy it ✨👏💯

And as a something a little extra, here’s a few fics that I haven’t had the time to read yet, but damn I’m buzzing to get to read them:

Sonic Rain [25k] @jungblue

The Retreat [19.6k] @ugh-yoongi

Fake Love [16.2k] @aquaminwrites

The Night Shift [11k] @prolixitae

The Treasured Thief [16k] @justimajin

Happy birthday HOBI!!!! 🥳💜✨

[foolishlovers]

CO-WORKER AUs: Below you can find a list of Good Omens AUs in which Crowley and Aziraphale are co-workers. (oh my god they were co-workers)

[Requested by anon. You can request more fic recs here.]

Hit me with your ledger by KissMyAsthma (G, 1k) Corporate accountant Aziraphale has been infatuated with his coworker Crowley for a long time, but he has done nothing about it. One day, opportunity strikes and… Sometimes, an accidental nude is all it takes to score a date.

Get Down by AppleSeeds (T, 3k) When Aziraphale calls downstairs asking them to send up someone to fix the fax machine in his office, he doesn't expect them to send the most handsome and stylish man he's ever encountered in his entire life. Hopefully he won't end up doing anything foolish to embarrass himself.

The Piano Serpent by journeytogallifrey (T, 3k) Aziraphale owns The Flaming Sword, which is one of the premier gay bars in London. Everyone knows this… except for their pianist, Crowley. While the regulars take bets over whether he's the clueless straight person he seems, Aziraphale just tries to prevent himself from falling further. But one night Crowley plays a song written specially to honor their regulars, and Aziraphale can't hold the truth in any longer. How will Crowley react? Will the truth really set them free?

Hold the Lift by CemeteryAngel725 (T, 5k) Crowley just wants to get to work on time, but when he gets stuck in a lift with new guy Aziraphale, he ends up with a lot more than he bargained for. See, Aziraphale has this list of 36 questions…

!False (It's Funny Because It's True) by MirjamOmens (E, 6k) Aziraphale drew a long breath through his nose. Crowley, of course it had to be Crowley. The new guy in the sales department, who would promise potential customers just about anything to close a deal. Arrogant, annoying – and wildly, stupidly attractive. Aziraphale hated him. Aziraphale is a stellar software architect and a project manager, who is so done with the sales department selling unrealistically scheduled and budgeted projects. And he definitely doesn't have a crush on anyone, thank you very much.

Bang This Out? by crepesandoysters (E, 9k) As far as work friendships go, Aziraphale and Crowley have won the jackpot. They work well together and know how to make each other laugh, the whole metaphorical package. They could even be called best friends. Or, at least, they could be called that until today. Today comes with a kiss, and the kiss comes with more. A lot more if it were up to them. Except that their workplace seems to have other ideas.

Cock Tales by TawnyOwl95 (E, 12k) Crowley’s love life is on the rocks so he finally swears off men. Typical that his new job places him with a co-worker who's so straight up sexy. Or in which, Aziraphale tries to mix things up, Crowley is shaken and Anathema is a right stirrer. But could a relationship be worth a shot?

I'm Beginning to See the Light by ineffabildaddy (E, 15k) There was Crowley - the paragon of cool, the overlord of apathy, breezing easily through each and every one of their exchanges and giving no fucks while doing so; then there was the anachronistic, cloying Aziraphale, trying and failing not to live life like a Thomas Hardy protagonist, and giving many fucks indeed. Or: Aziraphale has quite the pash on his colleague Crowley, who seems resolutely disinterested in him. As their annual Christmas party progresses, it appears that Crowley may not be as disinterested as Aziraphale first thought.

Wild Hearts by foolishlovers (E, 15k, WIP) In the idyllic English countryside, far from the hustle and bustle of the big city, two teachers at Willowbrook Hall set out to transform their students’ lives through the world of theatre. But for Mr. Crowley, the challenge of navigating his long hidden feelings and dear friendship with Mr. Fell may prove to be the greatest drama of all.

House Style by soft_october (M, 24k) “Since that's all settled, the real question is did he give you his number?” Anathema laughed. “He was looking at you the way you look at lunch.” “Forget lunch!” Michael declared. “He was looking at you the way you were looking at him!” Aziraphale is content in his job as an editor at Celestial Publishing, though he could go for a bit less of doing his boss' job for him. But everything goes a bit screwy when the CEO brings in a consultant with plans to build a program that will turn the entire editorial department on its head. If only he wasn't so handsome.

All Lines Are Open by TawnyOwl95, FeralTuxedo (E, 21k) Anthony Crowley, bored host of a trite call-in radio show on Tadfield FM, has very few pleasures in life beyond annoying his long-suffering producer Aziraphale. When a caller reports suspicious activity at the abandoned Tadfield Manor, Crowley is determined to investigate, dragging Aziraphale along. Both of them are going to get more than they bargained for. A local radio AU

Heavenly Wicked Cafe by WaitingToBeBroken (T, 28k, WIP) There is a terribly rude barista that makes amazing coffee and a saint of a barista, whose coffee tastes vile. And they are in love.

i've found a way (a way to make you smile) by curtaincall (T, 40k) Crowley worked in Sales. He had never intended to work in Sales. It had just sort of happened. One moment, there he’d been, a newly minted university graduate off to change the world, exquisitely useless Philosophy degree in hand, and now here he was, having sauntered vaguely downwards into a Hell that consisted mainly of cold-calling new customers and sucking up to existing ones.   AU based on The Office.

First Class (Hons) Christmas, University of Tadfield. by heloluv (M, 41k) Dr. A.Z. Fell is a renowned literature tutor at the prestigious University of Tadfield. December is upon the University, and Dr. Fell is leading the Christmas Charity Drive. He needs volunteers. Dr. A.J. Crowley is a skilled plant ecologist who recently began his tenure at UoT. He can't stand Christmas, and nothing at all could ever possibly convince him to partake in "festivities". Until a certain literary expert catches his eye. A Christmas and New Years fic, in which Aziraphale teaches Crowley how to enjoy the most wonderful time of the year.

because thinking makes it so by summerofspock, NaroMoreau (E, 41k) It's supposed to be an exchange. An arrangement. Something to make them both feel better and less lonely. But Crowley's never had the brightest ideas.

Tadfield's Finest by angelsnuffbox (E, 51k) The sleepy town of Tadfield is thoroughly shaken by the arrival of DI Crowley. Where barely anything ever happened before, there is now a bustle of low grade criminal activity, and everyone knows where to point the blame. Gabriel thinks he's a bad omen for the town, many others are quick to agree. Meanwhile, Aziraphale from SOCO just thinks he's hot. Ridiculously so.

Golden Handcuffs by seekwill (E, 70k) Far from any city, near the Scottish coast, Tadfield College has a celebrated history, an unrivaled academic reputation, and two departments at war. When the Biology and English departments are forced to share a building, Senior Lecturer and botanist Anthony Crowley finds himself drawn into the orbit of the polite but strange English professor, Dr. Aziraphale Fell. As the new term begins, two academics navigate the politics of both their offices and academia, and try to solve the puzzle of one another.

Sugar And Spice by SylWritesStuff, ladydragona (E, 95k, WIP) Queer technology giant Anthony J. Crowley is just about ready to throw in the towel after relationship after relationship has failed, but there's a new barista at the company coffee shop and he's cute and sweet and Crowley's never been able to resist blond hair and blue eyes. The tabloids will have a field day, they always do, but his assistant is getting married and a temp is needed. A temp who really isn't very good at making complicated coffees, has past experience in reception, and absolutely no idea that the latest complicated coffee order came from the owner himself. Aziraphale only knows that he's handsome, patient, and was the first person who told him he was doing well. How could he refuse the temp position? Or, he soon discovers, more.

[you can find more fic rec masterposts here]

[kazz-brekker]

hotd episode 5 thoughts

rip rhea royce, you seemed cool so even though i knew your death was coming i’m a bit sad about it. at least you got to bully daemon before the end.

loved that we got to see larys strong do a bit of scheming and i am quite excited to see where his character will go.

house velaryon and driftmark seem extremely cool, hope we do end up getting a spin-off about them someday.

corlys i am TRYING to stan you but trying to marry off your daughter at 12 and saying your gay son “will grow out of it” is not great behavior.

i do love that rhaenys and corlys are a total power couple who clearly respect and love each other a lot.

i liked the the scene of rhaenyra and laenor walking on the beach and forming their alliance/friendship very much since i’ve always interpreted them as being friends.

i’m glad we got to see some of the relationship between laenor and joffrey before things went south, they seemed really good together and i do wish they had gotten their life of a king consort and his sworn bodyguard.

of the different rumors surrounding rhaenyra and criston cole’s falling-out i have always thought the one where he suggested they run away together and she turned him down made the most sense so i’m glad they went with that one.

i also appreciated that his bitterness towards her is not just “criston’s crush doesn’t like him as much as he likes her” but also his sense of ruined honor.

i Do Not Trust grand maester mellos, something is up with that man. please stop with the leeches i swear to god.

the velaryons entering the wedding was ICONIC, they are legends, they are the moment, i love them.

it was nice seeing seasmoke and meleys but where! is! vhagar!

lyonel strong remains the only person on this show with common sense.

daemon showing up to rhaenyra’s wedding feast despite being in exile was legendary, i expected no less.

also rhaenyra being mean to him when they were dancing and throwing his words back at him was excellent.

alicent entering the feast in her green dress and calling rhaenyra “stepdaughter” was such a power move i literally cannot wait for her villain era.

that wedding was So Fucking Stressful even though i knew going in roughly what was going to happen i was on the edge of my seat.

oh joffrey, if only you were not so good at sussing out who is sleeping together and criston could be normal about his break-up things might have had a much happier ending :(

was hoping we would get more than the few harwin strong crumbs that we did buuuut it seems like he’ll be important in episode 6.

i’m going to miss milly alcock and emily carey but i cannot WAIT to see emma d’arcy and olivia cooke, they are going to absolutely kill it

[mediumgayitalian]

fic rec friday 10

hi!! welcome to fic rec friday. every week, i pick five fics i have bookmarked and rec them with a little review. check them out!

something borrowed by @rosyredlipstick

In the Solace Wedding Planning agenda, on the fifth page into their summer schedule, there are carefully scrawled out notes reading this: Bride and Groom - Hazel Levesque & Frank Zhang Best Man & Maid of Honor - Percy Jackson & Piper McLean Wedding Court - Annabeth Chase & Jason Grace Mellie & Gleeson Hedge Reyna Ramírez-Arellano & Leo Valdez Ring-bearer - Chuck Hedge Flower-boy - Nico di Angelo - Will plans wedding and now, apparently, Nico stars in one. Except...sometimes there's a bit more confusion on that last part. AKA the AU where Will plans weddings and thinks Hazel and Frank are going to have to cutest, gap-toothed ten year throwing flowers down the aisle, all while wondering why this 'Neeks' guy is always hanging around, and what business he has looking that good.

yes i am back on my rosyredlipstick (dude she's GOOD okay). however this one is my favourite i think. this is the kinda story you could use to explain to people what dramatic irony is bc LORD i wanted to SHAKE THEM 😭😭 will falling like deeply in love with nico and being intensely stressed about everything the whole time is so real and on brand. i love him and i love the fond exasperation that just bleeds from this fic its GREAT

2. Rental Love by @rosyredlipstick

*Read Terms & Conditions - Male/22/Long Island N.Y.C. Tired of showing up stag at holiday events? Want your family to stop thinking there’s something wrong with you? Just want some arm candy for a work event? Look no further. Your solution is here! I will attend holiday events with you as your paid date. Accepting all genders as applicants. Email solace.w@fastmail.com if interested. Interview & application will be set up there. - Nico di Angelo has been telling Hazel Levesque about his boyfriend for weeks. The bad part? Nico doesn’t have a boyfriend, the holidays are coming up, and not all of Jason’s ideas are horrible. They’re all a bit surprised about the last one.

THE LEVEL OF STUPID THAT THEY ARE...😭😭 kills me fr. like this whole fic is just a manifestation of truly one of the best tropes of all time…..like what if we took a hallmark movie and made it gay as all hell. iconique indeed

3. A Match in the Making by @coconutcranberries-blog

“You’re a morning person,” Nico muttered, rubbing his eyes with the heel of his palms. He ran a hand through his black hair, which stuck up in disarray, the same way it did every morning. He was a mess, and Will Solace looked annoyingly put together, and Nico didn’t even care, really, he didn’t.

friendship is the core of romance!! it is!! every time!!! and it's such a core in this fic....which is fucking??? ten years old??? im just realising?? jesus christ??? anyways. "Nico had the sudden, warm feeling that Will Solace had never bought his act." i YELLED

4. Perception by scorchedtrees

In which everyone thinks Nico and Will are together.

i love this trope i love it SO BAD. both ways. when your love is so obvious that no one misses it.....love to see it truly. and will can have one second of beingn smooth and not a dweeby loser. as a treat

5. the world is brighter than the sun now that you're here by @finalizer

It was hard, Nico eventually concluded, to maintain one’s air of spooky otherworldly detachment with a blinding ray of sunshine trailing one step behind him every minute of every day.

grouchy nico my beloved truly. honestly hes such a bitch i love him like "Seriously, give the guy a perm and a few cats and he’d be that weird aunt that everybody avoided around the holiday season." why does he ALWAYS have something vile to say 😭😭 hes a mood fr

thank you for joining me this saturday friday!! happy reading!!

[prettyboypistol]

I'm not sure if requests are open so if not feel free to delete this ask! Can you do the mercs realizing they're into men because of the reader?

Of course! By the way, this is my 100th post! lucky lucky Anon! This goes out to all of the rest of my followers! Thank you for all the support and followers! I'll always look at your messages and write for TF2! I couldn't be here without all of you! Thank you for letting me be the weird gay man who likes writing about old gay men kissing! -PrinceThomas :>

Tf2 Mercs x M!Reader || Gay Awakening! +18

Scout

Super in denial at first, compares you to actors he likes or thinks are hot and kinda shelves it. Is MAD jealous that you just somehow look great no matter what (to him hehe)

Realizes he has a crush on you when his usual spank bank material of girls isn't really doing it for him anymore. It's 4am, he's tired and horny and a little drunk... his mind just wandered, okay?!

Daydreamer 100%, but his feelings for you and his feelings for Miss Pauling kinda fuck him up ngl?? Is he a homo or not?? I mean, he likes boobs and lipstick and girls, but the rough and tumbled grease in your stubble just gets him rarin in a way girls didn't.

Bisexual struggles fr. Assuming that you're a Stonewall riot supporter, he'd probably try to roundabout ask if he can experiment with you.

What really set you apart from the other mercs is that you just look good compared to them! Yeah, there are some conventionally attractive guys, but you're h o t.

Soldier

Soldier, like Scout, assumed his attraction to you was something more akin to respect or friendliness. I mean, no other soldier he's ever met sacrificed himself to save him! That takes guts! Yeah, you respawned after, but the honor was still there for him.

Develops or at least tries to develop a friendship like what he with Demoman. He might come off like a very determined puppy, but you know he means well.

Uses you as someone to compare others too. (Ex. "SCOUT! THAT WAS HORRENDOUS TECHNIQUE! TAKE A LOOK AT THAT FINE MAN OVER THERE! DETERMINED! STRONG! TAKE NOTES, PRINCESS!")

When he does realize it's love, he is upfront and honest about his feelings with you. After all, if Jane did like men, he could find more powerful army and recreate that unbeatable ancient army of homosexuals!

Asks around about romance, probably interrogates Medic about how to court another man because let's be honest Medic looks gay as he'll and I will die on the hill that every merc just assumes that man is queer.

Pyro

In Pyroland, you're a prince on a unicorn. You're straight out of a fairy tale. They're overjoyed to have a prince in Pyroland rather than just babies! Yeah, it's fun to be childish, but a whimsical joy that are more complex are fun too!

Absolutely follows you around and talks about you to Engie non-stop. Engie jokes that Pyro might have a crush on you and they seriously consider it. They realize you're attractive when you do a party trick of spitting out Bug spray and lighting it on fire, making it look like you breathe fire.

As you cough and retch at the lingering taste of bug repellant in your mouth, Pyro applauds your trick and keeps trying to talk to you. They eventually are able to communicate to you, asking if you have any more fire tricks. You show them that you can twirl a pencil between all your fingers when the eraser tip is lit up like a candle.

You can kind of tell that they like you romantically, but you're not sure how to tell them that you know. A few chats with Engie tells you all you need to know: Pyro has never pursued a romantic interest, Pyro likes you, and that you can probably get their attention with an honest conversation.

Demoman

The most casual about their realization that they like you- and men in general. Just a peek at you in the showers after a particularly clutch victory caused a few rather dirty thoughts. It wasn't that big of a deal to him and kept his attitude of a drunken "Well, a hole's a hole, I bet he's tight."

Probably offers a little bit of fun after a long night of party, definitely a lot more drunk than usual as he leans a tad too close for friendship. That deep, gravelly, and warm voice growled in your ear with an open offer to join him in his room that night.

If you joined, he wouldn't remember the night and regret that he forgot the night in the morning when you and him snuggle awake. If you decline it's no harm no foul.

One of those types of guys who actually can balance his feelings for you along with his friendship- he keeps the ball in your court and stayed professionally friendly, maybe a tad brotherly competitive.

Heavy

This man is an iron wall to hide his feelings. He had the idea that he just wasn't the type to want a relationship- which was fine, more time to work to keep his family safe- but then you jumped out into danger to protect him. He was on the brink of death and you selflessly risked your life for him! Yeah, you both respawned, but it was the gesture that mattered!

His eyes trailed you a lot more often, like a security camera. He pretended to be read his book, but he knew exactly where you were. Medic is the first to notice this change.

Medic asks about Heavy's feelings for you, since Heavy had never ordered Medic to go heal anyone else before! Hell, the both of you tended to stay behind Heavy during battles after that, so you two had a sense of closeness.

When you all went out on a trip to the beach, Heavy loved watching you in the water, and even allowed himself to be dragged in by you to play water polo with Soldier and Demoman. He's a long game of chess, hopefully you can win him over!

Is a bit more protective of you out of battle, but that's something only the people he threatens is aware of.

Engie

Oh fucking god holy shit what the hell man's fucking gay PANICS. DELL IS HEARTSTOPPINGLY FROZEN IN FEAR WHEN HE REALIZES THAT HE LIKES MEN.

All you did was scale a chainlink fence with ease, albeit with a small growling as the metal dug into your fingers. Dell swallowed the feeling thickly. He didn't mean to stare at your ass, really! It just sorta... happened.

And then it happened again as he kneeled to construct a sentry. Then when he was sat down at the kitchen table as you walked by. The only time he didn't catch a glance was when you turned to him with a smug look and a "if you wanna look at my ass, you could just ask."

He knows a lot of gay cowboy culture, but was far too scared to go ahead with a few of the gestures. Although, you weren't as shy, giving him a grey handkerchief when he spillied oil on himself.(translation: grey handkerchief=bondage kink)

Finally- FINALLY! He offers you his hat on a very hot day with his head looking straight at the ground.(translation: if a cowboy puts his hat on your head, y'all fucking)

Sniper

In the top 3 of "chillest reactions to realizing he likes men", but barely on the podium yk?

Mick was doing some target practice and had lost track of time, his pot of coffee and snack pile had been long empty. Right as he was about to get up to stretch his legs, he saw you on the last rung to the ladder of his nest. "Oh hey Snipes! You missed lunch and dinner, 'decided to check in on our favorite sharpshooter." When you stay for a few moments and hand him the bottles of water and leftovers from dinner, he realized that nobody made him feel that loved.

You just being kind sends him into a "did he do that to hit on me? Does he do this to everyone?" Yeah he panics about everything you do, but not because you're a man- it's because a crush is a crush to him!

Sniper does genuinely try to show interest, but in a subtle way like inviting you out to take a smoke break, target practice, maybe offer to let you join him to survivalist camp for a few days.

Spy

Silver medalist of the chill reaction podium, mainly because he laments to himself about all the potential money he had lost by not seducing more men in his more freelance espionage days. He could have hooked up with Saxton Hale to swindle that oaf out of millions- if he had thought of that.

Does a full background and thorough investigation into your personal life, how you reacted to the huge news event of Stonewall, if you had ever hooked up with a man, anything to see if he had a chance to sneak into your dating pool.

He treats you a lot like how he treats the women he seduces, but has to overcome how you brush him off casually like a man. Women were a language Spy speant years studying, so much so that he seldom kept up with the more masculine way of communicating.

At his wit's end, he just asks you bluntly. "Listen, I find you hot. I've been trying to get into your pants for almost 2 months now, do you want to have sex?"

Medic

This man already knew he was gay before you pulled up, sorry. BUT BUT BUT you are the first crush he's had! Yeah, he knew he liked the idealized version of a man he made up in his head, but you are better than the fictional men in books!

Despite the stereotype for Medic, he didn't fall for you when he saw you on his operating table. You and Engie were theorycrafting about hypothetical cybernetic enhancements. Engie had said something biologically inaccurate about the immune system, and before Medic could interrupt your private conversation, you corrected Engie! Not in a demeaning way, but in a way that clearly showed that you had a love for biological science. Medic's heart skipped a beat.

Constantly offering you new enhancements for your body and coddles you about painful proedures (he actually gives you anathesia! How sweet!) and sends his experimental ideas to you for a betaread over. For Medic, that's essentially a confession in and of itself!

Has written your name in little hearts on his note margins and uses you as his anatomy sketch references when he needs to visualize the human skeleton.

[hamliet]

It's A Boys' Love Story, Your Honor: Be Gay, Do Crimes

This review is often satirical and sometimes facetious. Or is it?

Anyways I got dragged into watching HIGH&LOW, a Japanese action show full of pretty boys punching each other. Aside from me wondering how all of them don't have CTE and screaming CHEST COMPRESSIONS when one character codes and the nurse like... walks away (he's ok the power of friendship is stronger than any defibrillator), it turned out to be a surprisingly excellent, enjoyable, and even poignant watch.

The plot is vibes at best and the narrative ideas are less formed than, say, those of Kinnporsche. But, what it does have down pat is characters. Pretty much every character is compelling from their introductory scene (except for the Mighty Warriors who exist purely to suck). The characters may not necessarily be the most complex or psychologically challenging, but they come across as intriguing enough, flawed enough, to carry series on their own. Like, I would honestly watch a full series based on any one of them.

To be honest, this show does more to establish who a character is, what they want, and make them interesting within a character's first 30 seconds than some high-brow directors do with three hours of film. I would honestly recommend it to anyone trying to understand how to characterize.

Also, it's basically a yaoi but with fighting instead of f*cking. It's just dripping in homoeroticism that they infuse with just enough plausible deniability that insecure straight guys can watch it too!

Although, being straight in this 'verse is pretty much a misery sentence for everyone except Kizzy and Kaito. I haven't seen such flagrant use of bury/break up your straights since Togashi.

But:

It's not a yaoi! you say.

To which I shall respond with numerous examples of what the f*ck is this then? The power of (b)romance?

Doubt. (Heh ifkyk.)

Cobra + Murayama

The same episode we get a girl having a crush on Murayama he's shown as completely disinterested because he's too hung up on Cobra. This leads to him seeking Cobra out. And also to him having realizations about himself. He's then kind to the girl, but not romantically interested. The framing of this Cobra-Murayama realization about himself with the episodes opening with a girl pining and ending with his kindness to her is clearly to get the audience thinking about romance and the other interactions in light of that.

Murayama embarrassingly asks to join Cobra in front of all the other gangs.

Murayama calls him Cobra-chan and sides with Cobra when all the other leaders of SWORD refuse. All three others have left but Murayama still tells Cobra he has his vote, even though it's not going to do anything, just so Cobra knows Murayama's on his side.

In End of Sky Murayama literally going behind Cobra's back to get Hyuga to agree to join Cobra's alliance to protect him, at personal risk to Murayama, even though Cobra will never know what he did for him, when even those most loyal to Cobra have abandoned him, is literally a romance trope as old as time. And it's literally set to inspirational music.

Murayama calls him Cobra-chan and sides with Cobra when all the other leaders of SWORD refuse. All three others have left but Murayama still tells Cobra he has his vote, even though it's not going to do anything, just so Cobra knows Murayama's on his side.

At the end of the movies, Murayama gets a motorcycle and is implied to join Sannoh eventually with clever color symbolism as @eatprayworm points out.

As if we didn't get it, The Worst literally shows us Murayama calling Cobra-chan on his phone and tells us that he frequently drunk calls Cobra by having him say that he's not calling about bikes... this time. This phone call shows 0 narrative purpose besides reminding us that Murayama's endgame is with Cobra.

Chiharu + Yamato

Yamato saves his life and then is told he has to "take responsibility for" Chiharu, which is totally not a reference to the common idea of a guy taking responsibility for knocking a girl up--

except it is explicitly because even Yamato's mom directly asks if he knocked someone up when she hears that he has to "take responsibility" for someone.

When they finally reconcile after Chiharu confesses to drugs Tetsu tells them "you look good together."

Chiharu then takes a bullet for Yamato. I mean, not actually, because it was a blank, but no one, not even the person firing the gun, knew it was a blank.

Tetsu + Dan

Whenever Dan expresses interest in a girl Tetsu gets mad at him and when Tetsu cuts off his dreads to be more appealing to girls Dan gets mad at him. They're in love your honor.

They'll leave a gang for one another.

They exist only in proximity with each other.

Tatsuya/Kohaku/Tsukumo

These old men are so gay. They started the fall. And by old I mean they're supposed to be like 26 but they are clearly played by actors in their mid-40s and so I'll just pack off and head to the Villages then.

Smok(e)y + Hiroto

Ah yes when you're wandering around Nameless Street looking for your older brother and he's not there so you and your other brother decide to leave but then! then! a sickly man wasting away everywhere but his hair (which remains luscious) walks in front of you, barely glances at you, and you instantaneously walk away from your brother and your life to go follow the twink. Much straight.

Rocky + Koo

Here.

They also use "anata" for one another. Which means "you," but also is frequently translated as "dear" because it's what married couples often refer to each other as.

The manga also implies they live together.

Yasushi + Kiyoshi

Everyone in canon refers to them as "Yasukiyo." They exist in a state of symbiosis with weird hair and insanity.

If anyone implies Yasushi was involved with drugs Kiyoshi will fight to defend his honor.

"He sacrificed himself for me!" ?????? That's a love trope, Your Honor. Don't worry, though. They're gay, so Kiyoshi survives his sacrifice.

Odajima + Todoroki

Fellas is it gay to spot a man across a battlefield and be so in awe you run over to him right away?

Is it gay if you then ask said man "you're different from the others. Want to play with me?"

Tsukasa + Fujio

Tsukasa mopes around like Bella after Edward left after Fujio moves away for like a week.

Tsukasa takes a bus ride across the country for the chance to fight his BFF again in the rain (wet, what is symbolism) and then tells him "I'll be waiting for you." And also "I should move here because it's boring without you."

Tsukasa might be held as a hostage but he knows Fujio will come for him. In fact his relationship with Fujio is explicitly paralleled with Amagai and Suzaki's.

Amagai + Suzaki

The redemptive power of love, as beautifully written by @eatprayworm here.

I mean Suzaki literally can barely stand and limps over to protect Amagai when Amagai is experiencing the consequences of his actions and then saves Amagai from himself.

At the end of the day all he wants is to be boyfriends with Amagai.

Probably my favorite ship because it's everything I love, meaning one of them is too good for this world and one is a bastard.

Nakagoshi + Nakaoka

Nakagoshi sacrifices himself for Nakaoka even in a parallel to Yasushi and Kiyoshi (don't worry, they're gay, so they live too).

Tsuji + Shibaaan

Do I even need to comment here?

And I didn't even get into Sachio's sunset conversation with Fujio, in which you visibly see the twink fall and then they, not knowing who the other is, subsequently meet and recognized each other on the battlefield like Mr and Mrs Smith.

Themes Too!

High&Low isn't exactly an uber-deep thematic exploration of what it means to be gay and do crimes, but the themes it does do it does pretty well.

One of those is indeed the redemptive power of love, which involves being seen and known. Y'know, that mortifying ordeal. Because love itself leads to freedom. It's true for Chiharu, it's true for Noboru, it's true for Arata.

Rocky and Kizzy/Kaito's story is kind of one of the best examples of the redeeming power of (platonic) love leading to freedom, and it takes like... 3 minutes? of the story. And it's not left unexplored; it's just succinct. Kizzy and Kaito are trafficking women and Rocky comes to stop them, and when fighting, notices that Kizzy is actually a transwoman. He stops the fight and says that he doesn't fight women. That's enough for Kizzy and Kaito to follow Rocky, giving up their life of cruel crime and atoning--truly atoning--by spending the rest of their lives doing exactly the opposite of their crimes: fighting to free women from traffickers and protect them.

The significance of that moment is that by seeing Kizzy as she really was, Rocky pointed out to Kizzy that she was engaging in self-harm, keeping herself trapped (symbolically) and never able to live as she could. But for Kizzy, to be truly free to be herself means helping other women also be free. It's also, even if unintentional, a good twist on the transphobic trope and conservative talking point of a transwoman trying to harm women (cough, she who shall not be named).

Kizzy also never styles herself super feminine even after gender confirmation surgery (as implied by Rocky that she received), but she still is a woman, and her being herself leads to redemption and freedom for everyone around her. We stan Kizzy and her loyal boyfriend (husband?) Kaito in this house.

Another theme, and connected to the idea of self-discovery and freedom and love and all that, is how to handle the past, a question everyone is always asking because as long as we're alive, we're evolving. Obviously we see that with the Amamiya brothers and the Mugen backstory, and we also see that in the present with Murayama and Todoroki. But we also see this most sharply highlighted in the conflict between Cain and Smokey.

Cain is not subtly named after the first murderer in the Bible, who kills his brother. Cain, of course, kills Smokey in cold blood, with Smokey asking him "did you come here to kill me?" and Cain affirming that he did indeed because if he doesn't, he won't be able to completely erase his past.

But the thing is, you can't kill your past without killing yourself. You have to embrace it and let it live. And something as precious as a life won't be so easily destroyed. To live, you have to live with all of yourself, the past and the present and the hope of a future. It's a struggle, it's a fight--but with people beside you, it's worth it. Almost like the fights in the series are a metaphor for struggling through life or something.

And then we have gentrification. Let's just say the horrors of it are not exaggerated. Smokey's death--and life--offer poignant social commentary on what happens when people treat others like they don't deserve to live, like they are forgotten, like they don't exist. Because they do exist, because they love.

When Cain kills Smokey, Smokey tells him--in all sincerity, despite being abandoned by his parents, living in a homeless slum, and being terminally ill his entire life because the rich poisoned the people in the slum--that he lived "the best life." Why? Because the scenes flash back to him meeting his adopted sister Lala, caring for Eri, meeting his gang. He had a family, and he loved them, and they loved him. When he dies, he's buried in that same slum and Takeshi comments that "to Smokey, this [place] is heaven." And it is, because heaven is love.

(Also, the "rich poisoning people by being careless because these people don't matter" is hardly unrealistic. Bhopal would like a word with you, Dow Inc, you sh*theads.)

In Conclusion

Things you'll have to endure: multiple Mighty Warrior music videos.

Things you get to enjoy: Hyuga being a Barbie girl in a Barbie world who shows up to fights with all the Durama Ikka and planned choreography and bespoke songs.

Things you get to enjoy: multiple twinks needing rescue from being dragged into the drug trade to save their loved ones only to get whumped in true hurt/comfort fanfic fashion before sobbing in the arms of their friends who welcome them home.

Things you have to endure: Noboru trying to convince Cobra et al to join the Mojo Dojo Casa House Kuryu Group.

Things you get to enjoy: The power of friendship saving Noboru from himself, Rocky from dying alone, Smokey from having no meaning to his life, Amagai from himself, Murayama from himself, Todoroki from himself, Arata from himself, setting captives free, and rich bastards who trod all over the poor getting what they deserve.

Things you have to just not think too hard about: gangs seeing drugs as the biggest taboo which I'm pretty sure is not usually the case but hey, hoodlums have standards, and also the evil guys keeping their secrets in a folder literally stamped with the label TOP SECRET.

Things you have to endure: Smokey dying. I'm not over it. Someone fight me to bring him back. But also it's one of the most beautiful death scenes in fiction.

Things you get to enjoy: Generally no one, unless you're Smokey, straight (Takeru), or yakuza (no one cares).

Things you have to ignore: why no one ever studies at these high schools and why they all look like they're in their 30s-40s.

Things you get to enjoy: pretty great rep of a trans woman that directly counters some of the most harmful tropes.

Things you have to endure: Noboru being resurrected by the power of True Love's Handholding, because the nurse literally RAN AWAY from a coding patient to "get the doctor" but it's okay, his friends beg him to live and he does.

Things you get to enjoy: a series that founds its premise in action and violence that offers a surprisingly wholesome, kind message on relationships, humanity, redemption, and love... whether that love is platonic or romantic.

But, I mean, Final Mission literally ends with the gangs defeating the evil corporation with a rainbow-colored smoke that takes over the sky of the city. So it's gay.

[dialogue-prompts-world]

Dialogue Prompts for a Love Confession that Went Wrong

List by @dialogue-prompts-world

"I appreciate your honesty, but I don't feel the same way"

"I think you're an amazing person, but I don't have romantic feelings for you"

"I'm sorry, but I don't see us as anything more than friends"

"I hope we can still be friends"

"I respect and value our friendship too much to risk it"

"I'm not sure that I'm ready for a serious relationship"

"I'm not ready for a relationship right now"

"I don't think it's a good idea for us to date"

"I'm honored, but I don't think we should date"

"I'm flattered, but I don't think we're right for each other"

"I don't want to hurt you, but I don't feel the same way"

"I don't want to hurt you or give you false hope. I don't think we should keep being friends"

"I don't want to make things awkward between us. You sure you want to keep being my friend?"

"I can't date you. I don't think it's fair to you if I don't feel the same way"

"I think we're better off as friends"

"I appreciate your feelings, but I don't share them"

"I don't see a future for us as a couple"

"I'm sorry, I'm dating someone else"

"I need some time to think about this"

"I need more time to get to know you before I can make a decision"

"So, um... you are not gay? I really thought you were..."

"So you thought I like you? No! You're my dear friend! I was just being kind"

"So you're saying you didn't find the right time to tell me earlier? All the right times passed while I was trying to not think about you! You're too late now"

"You like me? Like, romantically? Are you telling me it's the reason you're always picking fights with me like a kid? Uh, strange movement, but obviously it's another of your mental games! We both know we hate each other!"

"You like me? Well, I can't blame you. Anyway, I don't like you"

"Uh, I knew that under all your hate was love. Do you know what's under my hate for you? MORE HATE. I'M SO FULL OF HATE. I'M COMPETITIVE AND STUBBORN, AND WHAT?! I AM AND I'M NEVER GOING TO CHANGE!!"

"So you like me? I thought you liked my best friend! I told them that! They were having some hopes you liked them for real... Gosh"

"Why are you telling me this knowing I'm already dating someone else? You didn't had the courage to confess before but you do it now? I'm sure you know my answer. You broke your own heart"

"I'm dating someone since two days ago. You already lost your chance"

"I wanted to tell you this before... I'm dating your friend. In my defense, I had no idea you liked me. I'm sorry"

Follow me for more!

[generic-anime-boy-bracket]

Round 3, Group B: Matchup 1

Shinji Ikari vs Makoto Naegi

Reasons for being generic + Propaganda below

Shinji Ikari

Reasons:

- Messy black hair - Whiny - Has a tsundere friend - "Friend" - Wears the most boring fucking clothing

Normcore king. He is just A Guy. He’s the first character I thought of when I saw your intro post. 

Most normal kid with depression and abandonment issues ever (and I say this very lovingly). His hair is brown and short with generic bangs, his eyes are brown. Literally just some guy (before the horrors (tm)) His default outfit is black shirt, white dressing shirt, black pants, white shoes (which is also his school uniform)

He just wants to go to high school, have weird feelings about girls, and brood about his relationship with his father. He does not want to get in the fucking robot

He’s a teenager with short black hair and a button up top and uniform pants. Given the iconic status of NGE, I wouldn’t be surprised if Shinji’s design served as a basis for every generic modern mecha/isekai series to come after.

Propaganda:

Your honor, he's so dislikable

He deserves a win after going through the horrors(tm). I know a lot of people don't like Shinji BECAUSE he's "too generic/depressed to be a main character" but if anything that should make him win. He's my blorbo ok? He was literally just some guy who one day got the fate of the world in his hands out of nowhere and when he reasonably is like "yo I'm like super depressed, this is only making me more mentally ill than I already was" everyone goes "ok, pussy much? Call the wambulance" and I think he deserved better. Also he's gay (or at the very least bisexual), so like diversity win. Let him win. Also if he wins we can all say "Congratulations, Shinji" like in the anime

One of the classic 90s anime everymen

Roasts of his design aside, Shinji is a genuinely great and fascinating protagonist. His struggles with depression, identity, self worth and hedgehogs dilemma are compelling to watch and, for a then socially anxious teenage me, were at times crushingly relatable. He’s not everyone’s cup of tea, but he still has a place in my heart.

Makoto Naegi

Reasons:

BOOOORING GENERGIC FLUFFY BROWN HAIR. BOOOO. BORING!

Lol he is literally normal in a group of weirdos . His only defining traits are an ahoge and green jacket. If you put him in a room of generic anime boys he would Not stand out. He would be lost :(

sorry for submitting a danganronpa character but his whole thing is that he's average. he says at the beginning of the game that even among the average, he's completely average. he's the one character in the game who doesn't have a real talent, having only have gotten into hope's peak academy because of luck, being the ultimate lucky student

Look at him. His talent is luck. Literally. Only normal person at the academy because he's literally just some guy and everyone else is "the best of the best" at something. Spends a lot of the first chapter (and a little of the next ones) being like "I'm literally just some guy"

He is a highschool student who describes himself as average in everything, liking whatever's popular, has messy brown hair and a hoodie, and is the protagonist despite only getting into the situation in-game out of luck. He gets two female love interests, he is the ultimate generic anime-style protagonist. He does become less average in the finale of danganronpa v1 and danganronpa v2, but until then he is the most generic boy one can be, and that generic boy swag is what somehow gets him women.

That's the #1 thing people know about him. His whole thing is that he's just A Guy. He's what you think of when you think of generic anime protagonist. He's got the power of friendship. He's handheld by the smarter/more powerful characters to a point where it's unnecessary but still ends up the leader because he has Hope and Believes in his Friends. He's just a decent guy! Also, my favorite character.

I mean. C'mon. His entire introduction is surrounding the fact that he's so average and boring that even among average people he'd be considered too average, his character development is the usual "With the power of friendship we can overcome anything!!!!", and his personality is that "nice mc with no backbone" type. He even has that generic anime dub voice

Propaganda:

he's pretty funky

he's so silly tbh that's all also i actually like him more than hajime

He's bisexual and a short king (who is unfazed by the fact that he is short; unlike many characterswho are short he never mentions it once and I'm 98% sure that if someone else brought it up he'd just be like "ok...?"), also a very decent guy

He acts pretty adorable, and I find it hilarious how other characters outshine him in protagonist potential, which makes him an even more fun protagonist in my opinion.

His whole thing is that he's just A Kid in a peer group of what's basically super-kids. He's the epitome of what you think of when you think of generic male anime protagonist: - He's got the power of friendship. - He's handheld by the smarter/more powerful characters to a point where it's unnecessary. - Acts as the polite straight man to the insane personalities around him in an "well... whatever you say then 😅" kinda way. - Obviously in way over his head but still ends up the leader because he has Hope and Believes. - Also because he is the main/POV character and so inexplicably gets to figure out and survive things. - He has a little sister and parents who look just as generic as him.

he is also portrayed to be clumsy and flustered easily. Which feels like a very Generic Anime Teenager trait to have.

[startledstoat]

Right Person Wrong Time

I definitely don't ship Sirius and Mary but I kinda like the idea of the two of them dating as teens and then having this mutual realization of like "omg I'm gay" "omg wait me too" "omg I'm in love with my best friend" "omfg dude. me too." and having an amusing amicable breakup and becoming each other's wingman/woman so here's this that I just wrote except its less amusing and more sad.

14-year-old Sirius black not knowing was being gay even was because merlin forbid such a topic was spoken about within the halls of the noble and most ancient house of black.

14-year-old Mary choosing random guys to pretend to have crushes on because she didn't know why she never had a real crush like all the other girls her age. She didn't have the knowledge she needed to recognize her feelings for her best friend yet.

15-year-old Sirius asking Mary out because she was a pretty girl and he thought he was supposed to date pretty girls.

15-year-old Mary saying yes because Sirius was a cute boy and she thought maybe if she dated him long enough, she would actually start to like him.

15-year-old Sirius not understanding why the room felt like it lit up whenever Remus walked in but that didn't happen with any of his other friends.

15-year-old Mary being afraid of why she got butterflies when Lily hugged her but not when Sirius kissed her.

16-year-old Sirius hating himself for hurting Remus and not being able to find the words for why his guilt was so immense and why it ached so bad that Remus would likely never speak to him again.

16-year-old Mary suddenly making sense of everything when Marlene came out to her and Lily. Realizing that she'd never grow to like Sirius romantically because she's only ever had eyes for the girl sitting next to her.

16-year-old Mary breaking up with Sirius and being honest with him about why. Not telling him about Marlene or even about Lily but telling him that she had feelings for a girl. Mary being relieved when Sirius took it well and wished her the best of luck with the girl.

16-year-old Sirius having an honest to god crisis when Mary came out to him, realizing that if girls could like girls, then boys could probably like boys too.

16-year-old Mary seeking Marlene out and asking anything and everything about how she knew and what it felt like to be gay. Marlene answering all of her questions and helping her become comfortable with her identity.

17-year-old Sirius keeping these feelings bottled up, even after Remus has forgiven him, because despite being wholly supportive of Mary, he just can't accept himself the same way. Not when his mother's voice is always at the back of his mind, telling him to be a good son, a respectable man, and pure heir. Not when Remus' words to him a year prior "Looks like you really do wear your last name well" rattle his bones every time he looks at the boy.

17-year-old Mary being crushed when Lily and James start dating. She admits her feelings to Marlene, who only gives her some sad words of comfort, unable to do anything else. Mary staying by Lily because she values their friendship above all else and if she can't have the girl she loves, she's at least going to make damn sure that that girl is happy.

18-year-old Sirius not going to James about this, because he needs someone to give him something other than blind faith and optimism. Sirius going to Peter, and for the first time admitting out loud ever, let alone to someone else, tells Peter that he's gay. That he's in love with Remus. And that he hates himself for fucking it up before he ever had a real chance. Peter telling Sirius that he knows. Because Sirius Black has never known subtlety. Peter telling Sirius that, while he has certainly made himself a considerable large obstacle to get around, he doesn't think that Sirius has completely fucked up his chances.

19-year-old Mary being Lily's maid of honor, heartbroken but somehow genuinely happy for her best friend. Mary admitting to Lily just after the wedding that she had feelings for her, not with the intention of ruining her marriage, just with the intention of finally getting the weight off her shoulders. Lily telling Mary that she loves James and wouldn't give him up for anything, but that she wishes Mary would have confessed years earlier. Because Lily had once loved her too. The two of them laughing at themselves and hugging and making a childish pinkie promise. Lily promises that Mary's feelings will never change how she acts around her. Mary silently promises to always have Lily's back and make sure she's happy.

19-year-old Sirius seeing his best friend get married and finally working up the courage to confess to Remus. He doesn't expect Remus to return his feelings, or even still be his friend afterwards. He doesn't expect Remus to cut him off mid-rant to kiss him full on the mouth. Except that's what Remus does. They're in the middle of a war, and they're young, and they're fucking terrified, but none of that seems to matter when now they're all of that together.

21-year-old Mary has failed. Her promise has been broken. The butterflies are gone, withered alongside the Lily that gave them life with each of her hugs.

21-year-old Sirius is so, so cold. There is no light in dark Azkaban cell, the one room Remus will never walk into. The war is over, and he will not be young forever, nor will they ever be together here. Sirius is left to be terrified alone.

[nightswithkookmin]

Hey it's good to write to you again 💖love your sense of humour it always hype me😄😄

I just went to Yoongi's concert, I'm telling it's magical, loud and fun. What made me even more excited is because I was traveling with my friend whom we just renewed our friendship that was broken because of misunderstandings, I introduced her to bts and as we were watching their content she suddenly said she like jikook, and in my mind I thought she is talking about them in a platonic way so when she elaborated she said she can see when people are fucking each other😁😂 I laughed then I showed her your blog she's been reading it saying you are very blunt😂😅 Anyway few day after she came and asked me if taehyung used to date Jimin or if tae has a crush on Jimin because she noticed at times tae would look at Jimin's lips and all, I said I thought the same at first. Do you think v had a crush on Jimin, Is that why Jungkook when it comes to yoongi, Rm and tae he needs to clarify that it is friendship turning down every ship moment that can be made? Because I noticed he has no problem with Jimin or jihope moments but always with the others he interrupts them.

Aahh vmin vmin vmin- the ship that could if only they would

No one knows for sure what his thing was with Jimin. It was easier to label it as a crush for kicks and giggles back then. But as grown adults that they are now its a little bit 🥴

I mean sometimes the members themselves do admit some of the things they do and say is a bit fruity 🤷🏾

With Jungkook isn't it double standards for him to feel the need to go out of his way to demystify Jimin's ships while his own ships hang in the gay balance?

Minimoni are friends he says but Namjoon and I are thirsting over eachother's bodies- boys scouts honor

Yoongi and Jimin are laughable he snorts but hey what's that in between Jins legs. time to jiggle jiggle

He's made not letting Jimin's ships breath his entire personality and instead of Jimin whooping his ass as he should he's 'oh Jungkookie" melting away at him

Not to say Jm enjoys it entirely cos clearly it gets a bit too much for him sometimes🥲

This 'double standards' is something I hear most teen same sex couples complain of so I find it interesting to see these things play out between them.

And it's definitely interesting how we the fans respond to this as well. We will praise Jungkook for being territorial but let Jimin exhibit a similar territorial streak and suddenly it's he's clingy, he's an attention seeker, and he acts like he owns Jungkook.

I'll take it a notch further and analyze this in light of Tae's reaction to this territorial behavior in both of them. If Jungkook acts territorial over Jimin with Tae, Tae backs away, acts like he's gonna cry most times and only puts up a fight on few occasions but should JM try to be territorial over Jungkook, Tae would square up with him more often than not🥴

Then there's Namjoon who used to back down and show some respect for the Maknae's feelings- and then suddenly doesn't care anymore. He legit said,

I digress.

Sigh. Am I the only one missing Jin? Where's that one Taejin shipper please send me Taejin gifs😭😭😭😭

Tae can be intense and he's able to connect to people and things on a very deep emotional almost spiritual level. When he was young he used to desire this same level of intensity from the people around him often leading to him coming across as not having emotional boundaries. I don't know much about him personally, but I can deduce from certain things he says and does that he used to get this thrown in his face a lot.

This lack of emotional boundaries is what is often misconstrued as a crush by some of us.

But I think he just wants to hold hands on the pier with Jimin and discuss their deep deep affections for one another while the sun gradually set over the water

It doesn't make them gay- may be lesbians for sure but not gay😭

And while Jimin equally wants a friendship like that and so reciprocate with Tae- he better not try that shit on Jungkook.

You're gonna caress Jungkook's hands in the dime light, over soft music, while whispering to him how much emotionally attached you are to him- better be prepared to have his children while you're at it

So to answer your question, I think Jungkook knows the difference between what's an unconventional quirky friendship and what's blatantly Gay.

And most of the time when he's reacting to these scenarios he's simply expressing his discomfort with the latter.

The day Jungkook goes cross eyed on Vmin is the day you know for sure those two are crossing some serious boundaries Friends shouldn't cross. Other than that I don't think he minds- nor should he.

The only reason he should be worried at all would be if Jimin is emotionally bonding with Tae and not JK. As it stands, that's not the case.

Minimoni are not Vmin. They are not the quirky unconventional same sex friends that Vmin are. So yea, if they start touching up on eachother and if Namjoon- NAMJOON- KIM NAMJOON- starts flirting and flashing dimples at Jimin he has every reason to be worried. I TOO WILL BE UNCOMFORTABLE AND I'M NOT EVEN DATING JIMIN.

THIS KIM NAMJOON????

Smart intelligent successful TALL KIM NAMJOON?

Look, Jungkook is even better than me. I wouldn't let my girlfriend be friends with a KIM NAMJOON. Are you kidding?! I would follow them everywhere and put surveillance on them. Reinforce social distancing rules. 5 ft apart always and never alone in one room.

You think ill let my girlfriend be friends with an Rm, Yoongi, Jk you're mad. And then they'll just tell you casually, hey babe i'm gonna hang out at Rm's place- eh? Excuse me?! PARDON!

Hanging out doing what exactly cos I know yall be not talking about your feelings with them. PRAY TELL WHAT EXACTLY YALL BE HANGING OUT FOR?

I mean I'm not threatened by Yoongi per se but Agust D? Child no. No. No no no no no. NO.

Personally I don't think Jimin is in any way romantically interested in anyone in BTS other than Jk. I will fight him on this if he denies it🤧

But doesn't mean certain people in the band don't- sexually excite him beside JK. He's a rather healthy young adventurous spirited gentleman - with raging fiery hormones JK tries to keep under control

*Insert JK screaming I DO NOT APPROVE OF THIS LEVEL OF HOTTNESS🤣

If your boyfriend had sexy sultry eyes and a Jawline that looks straight out of a hentai anime imagining you would want to police him around too.

And look, Daddy is not wood.

Sticks and stones may break his bones but dare I say, tall chiseled 8 inch biggo excites him😝

I suppose curvy wide hips big booty breastina does it for him too😭😭😭😭😭

I think he finds Namjoon and Jk's physique ideal and attractive as men. And if he's dating Jk then I see how that would be a problem for Jk.

For Suga, I think it's more of how Suga treats Jimin. He treats JM like someone would treat someone they loved. Jimin admires Suga a lot. For his intellect, for his passion- JM has a tattoo of Suga's words on his body. Let that sink in and then put yourself in JK's shoes.

Jimin may be evasive but when he admires someone he praises them a lot. He praises their physique ifm he finds that ideal or attractive or intellect if he admires their ingenuity. He keeps praising and admiring JK. He keeps admiring Namjoon for more than his physique- come to think of it he's shown considerable admiration for Suga, RM and Jk more so than the others.

The only time I've seen him admire V in any way sus is when he said Tae has a huge shlong. I suppose that's enough reason for anyone to Stan V😭 If I hadn't seen it myself I would have said my man's exaggerating but that thing is humongous😭😭😭😭

Moving on from V's shlong,

Between V and Jimin I frankly don't recall who influenced who. We know Jimin today to be the most emotionally vulnerable one who's able to connect emotionally with others but if memory serves me right, that used to be V🤔

He's the one most of the members felt emotionally honest with and comfortable with and the one they seem to suggest helped them gain confidence to be themselves emotionally.

I don't know. Sometimes I feel JM and V are the same person. Different sides of the same coin. Their soul mate shtick makes sense to me.

Talking of soulmates, I find it interesting Tae Talking about twin flames in his new song May be. He said he would release it in 10yrs but I'm itching to hear the whole thing NOW. A. It's a really deep good song. The lyrics are fire, the genre is on point

You told me you are my twin flame, Our colors shimmer the same, when the world is cold in the winter, we'll melt each other away.

I have to praise him for the emotional depth most of his sings have- it's everything I desire in a song. A song that speaks to the human condition and evoke such strong emotions and is very soulful. Bravo mate.

But isn't it interesting how he's switched from soulmate to twin flames and yet still evoke the same imageries of the moon the way he's done when writing songs inspired by Jimin?

Not only is his dick massive his voice is massive too😭

Sorry what was your question?

Ah, JK interrupting JMs ships.

I don't know what to tell ya. He's a hater🤣🤣🤣🤣

You should watch him finding all the excuses in the world as to why JM shouldn't collaborate with the members on a song but somehow had no objection when JM said he'd make a song with him😭😭😭😭

You know when he was younger and he was asked whom he would entrust his sister to out of the group he chose himself? He couldn't chose anyone even when most of them chose Jimin💀

That was his sister. Now imagine his partner 🤣

There's no over analyzing this. I think it's just his personality. And he's been consistent with it. Remember the Perilla leaf debate?

Personally I think some members deliberately avoided answering the question- or answered it the way they did bcos of Jungkook 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭🤣🤣🤣🤣

When Tae said let's take turns I knew Jk was gonna throw a bomb and Jimin was gonna stutter 😭😭😭😭

And of course Namjoon and Suga will say they don't care- of course 😌

Cos if they did care then Jungkook would be vindicated won't he🤣

Ahhh Jimin- JM and his tiny, but why should it even matter if you're eating how would you even notice these things 🥺🥺🥺🥺

Boy's been traumatized straddling the line between the hyungs and the Maknae trying to explain to JK relax we are not flirting, relax he grabbed my balls don't mean I'm cheating. Meanwhile all JK seeing is them walking down the aisle in rainbow suits🤧

If everything we've been screaming on ship street wasn't making things clear, it's obvious from this clip alone the diverse views on boundaries that exist in the group.

It's clear, as I've been saying, JK has boundaries. Boundaries some members think is childish and ridiculous and so do not respect or adhere to which used to be a major cause of tensions within the group.

And for Tae to point out in support of Jungkook that sharing a chopstick or whatever those Perilla leaves were meant to signify was a sign of crossing boundaries should answer my question about him backing down when JK instills boundaries over JM with him but not so much when JM tries to instill boundaries with him.

It's double standard on Jms part and Tae is not the one. Do unto Jk what you want done unto you. If you think JK is childish for trying to instil boundaries with your friends what gives you the right to instill boundaries over JKs friends? Gotta love him. He's a no nonsense sort of person.

Now, we also understand why Namjoon stopped respecting JK's boundaries. It goes both ways.

When I tell you BTS has more drama and is better than the Kardashians whew🤭

Jungkook was the most gaslit member of the group. They constantly made him out to be this unreasonable possessive dude who couldn't keep his relationship a secret. Personally, I don't think a person's boundaries have to be negotiable. It's not something you negotiate on with them. And ridiculing them and calling their boundaries unreasonable and childish speaks to your own inability to take no for an answer which is generally toxic.

It's a good thing JM made his emancipation proclamation himself cos JKV and I were gonna have to break him free from the mold.

Okay bye I'm gonna watch it and akeke to myself again

Oh wait, your friend. I should say something nice- ho ho ho ho ha ha ha ha may the force be with you💜

[compacflt]

I was wondering if you had thoughts about how Ice and Mav's politics don't fully align with their actions? There was a post where you said Ice's politics are more socially liberal than Mav's but Mav is also the one who goes out to La Jolla to hit on guys before Ice, and later again when he's broken up with Ice, but Ice only goes out with women out of fear for his honor or whatever. Same with their respective thoughts on feminism, with Mav's mild respect for Charlie (telling Ice not all women fit the stereotype) but later Ice is the one who sends Juno to Mav's Top Gun class without telling him she's a woman and Ice has a respectful friendship with Juno. I think you said Ice is vaguely on the ace-aro spectrum (demi-homoromantic) which is a sort of fascinating irony that he doesn't have the words for it whereas Mav is the one with the theories about Ice's sexuality. Though with their hypocrisies and inconsistencies this all just feeds into their characterizations of the fact that they keep divorcing their actions from their spoken words from their identities.

okay going to take this point by point

1. yes i have addressed their politics in relation to their actions before, so maybe read this post and this post before you read this one, just to see where my other thoughts line up

2. gay republicans and conservatives do exist (at the very least certainly republicans and conservatives who have gay sex in secret)

3. before maverick is a political actor he is a human being, and the characterization that we are primarily given for him is that he is impulsive and reckless and doesn’t think through his actions. As ive written about many times before—from a story construction standpoint, his thoughtlessness is his number one most important character trait. He is both thoughtlessly dangerous (his hero’s “fatal flaw;” he can’t stop himself from making bad decisions) and thoughtlessly brilliant (the navy’s best and most daring and heroic pilot). He does what he wants without thinking about it; and he makes excuses and hollow promises whenever that plan doesn’t work out (“I know better than that. It will never ever happen again;” [it happens again] “I’m not gonna let you down. I promise.” [goose dies shortly thereafter]). His thoughtless impulsiveness overrides everything else. Maybe the act of having gay sex (to address your “he gets fucked in La Jolla before ice” point) is politically subversive, but for Maverick’s thoughtless character that we are shown in Top Gun, the most subversive possible thing would be to LABEL the gay sex and think through the consequences of it. To call a spade a spade and call himself gay or bi or queer or whatever. That would be the most subversive (and with mav, entirely unbelievable imo) possible thing. That takes conscious effort of thought, something maverick is near-incapable of doing. As long as he can get away with it without thinking about it, he’s politically in the clear, with regards to his character & character arc. If that makes sense. “Don’t think. Just do.” That’s literally his motto lmfao. He represents thoughtless action as an archetype; his politics come secondary to his desires

4. Their “respective thoughts on feminism” are divided into two camps: 1. “Professional as required by the law” and 2. “Sex pest mode.” They’re naval officers in the 1980s. Whether republican or democrat, that’s kind of par for the course. How men treat women can be a performance to other men. Any respect i made them show towards women had broader, more metatextual “need to move the conversation/story from A to B” reasoning behind it. See the first post I linked for much more on that.

5. i never said ice was on the ace/aro spectrum, or if i did i DEFINITELY meant it sarcastically. That could not be further from what i believe. This isn’t something I’ve ever discussed on this blog before, but a MASSIVE part of the philosophical discussion I’ve been trying to moderate within this project over the last year is the question— “do labels even work with characters under these very specific and extraordinarily extreme conditions and societal pressures?” It’s a question I took from my time studying early American history—the contexts of certain environments, and I would definitely count the elite officer ranks of the navy in the 90s and 2000s as one of these certain environments, simply Are Not Conducive to the easier (path of least resistance maybe) ways we civilians handle sexuality and friendship and trauma. There are so many variables and external and internal pressures within an environment like the upper ranks of career navy officers that sexual orientation labels lose all nuance and accuracy. I don’t think Ice (as i have written him) is gay. I don’t think he’s straight. I don’t think he’s bi. I think he’s an unlabelable product of too many variables for labels to have any effect on how he is perceived. Which, in our society built around labels and categories, is admittedly difficult to wrestle with. But doesn’t make it any less worth wrestling with.

6. Yes, ice and mav’s hypocrisy is the linchpin of the entire story.

They’re both trying to have their cake (“honor” and moral superiority based on the harmful traditional subjective morals arbitrated by elite navy officership) and eat it too (a fulfilling relationship with the love of their lives). & the point is that they cant. they have to settle for one.

[r1-jw-lover]

HULLO!!!!! :P

rank your top five fav ships from the john wick series !! :3

Hi, thank you for the ask. Just wanna put a disclaimer that my first venture into the JW fandom was through the fourth film, so my ranking list will be heavily biased on that movie.

John x Caine

It's not even one year since JW4 is out and John/Caine is already on the top ten most written ships on AO3 within the John Wick fandom.

This pairing has just the right amount of bittersweetness and melancholy for me, and putting it on top of the actors' chemistry, the gay divorced vibes, the bickering, friends to reluctant enemies, the parallels, being each other's mirror, their deep trust, understanding and care for one another, you get my number one JW ship on this list.

The friendship between John & Caine is definitely one of the most developed and convincing out of all the friends John Wick had in the series, and in spite of the circumstances forcing them to be pitted against each other, they still managed to find comfort in the other's presence regardless, and I think that in itself is beautiful.

2. Koji x John x Caine

You know what else is better than putting Keanu Reeves and Donnie Yen together in the same movie? Putting Keanu Reeves, Donnie Yen AND Hiroyuki Sanada together in the same movie.

You have already seen the incredible fanart [1, 2, 3] by the wonderful @ibahibut. They are THE old men yaoi of the recent decade of cinema, period.

The dynamics between the three of them are immaculate. Not only you have John & Caine (explanation above), John & Koji are very supportive of each other, and Koji & Caine have both the closeness and the inevitable tragicness that undercurrents their brotherhood.

All in all, I desperately need a prequel series of this trio.

3. John x Helen

It's the only canon romantic relationship in the series so it has to be on the list. Other than the fact that one of them is dead, I think that John/Helen is incredibly sweet, which make the heartaches even more painful.

John's grief for Helen's passing is one of the main driving forces for the character throughout the series. His almost religious love and devotion to his wife is all the more apparent given that Helen is the reason John had fought to stay alive for as long as four movies.

At the end of the day, John only wished to die not as the Baba Yaga but as a loving husband, finally succumbing to his wounds with Helen being his last thought before dying. (TAT)

4. Akira x Mia

Gosh, I love my lesbian rarepair too much. I initially shipped them merely for the shits and giggles (i.e. Akira getting back at Caine by dating his daughter lol), but then I also come to realise their potential as a pairing story-wise.

Outside of the obvious enemies to/and lovers vibes, I could imagine both Akira and Mia inheriting a lot of angst from their respective "father problems" that they must resolve between each other. Will Akira ever tell Mia about her plan to kill Caine? Will Mia ever understand Akira's revenge against her father? Will Mia decide to step into the fold of assassins because of Akira? Will Akira leave the High Table to be with Mia like how John did for Helen?

As a conclusion... Gosh, I love my lesbian rarepair too much.

5. Marquis x Wuxia DJ

The funniest and best crack ship ever made up in the John Wick fandom, and there's just the two of us, hahahaha. They give off high-school exes who are so, so fashionable and serve cunt while talking shit about the other behind each other's backs.

It's number five on my list because it's that good.

Honorable mention: Cassian x Gianna

Before the fourth movie is released, Cassian & Gianna is the only pairing I could see happening in the background. Cassian's loyalty to Gianna even after she died is very touching, and Gianna seemed very appreciative of it from the short interaction they have in JW2.

[lutawolf]

Love In the Air Ep 3 Review & Running Commentary

I'm so excited, I just can't hide it! No seriously. My freak flag is waving and I'm here to review for the vanillas that want to be informed and my fellow kinksters. FOR the love of all that is unholy, understand that this show is for us kinksters. There will be kinks you don't like, do not hate watch and therefor hate on us kinksters, just because you don't have that kink. Would you judge someone for who they chose to love based on gender or race? Then why are you hating on something that doesn't affect you? If you have questions about the kinks please read my previous reviews, here.

Now sadly for a mother fucking disclaimer. If you want to use my reviews on other social media platforms, go right ahead. All I ask is that you give me credit. I see you TikTok people who keep stealing my shit. If I see this review anywhere on TikTok without my name, you will get blasted on there and on here and there we be more than me doing it. You can't delete all our comments.

I am not pre-watching the episode. You are getting me live with all my insanity. You've been warned! So, we start off with the two sexy men, that my in my thirties ass shouldn't thirst after buttttttt hot damn. I really can't wait to see Prapai and Sky's scene but for now he is showing up the morning after to thank Payu. You guys, Payu thirsting for Rain is gonna be my Kryptonite. "I'm still waiting Rain"

I Like Rain And I'm Not Talking About The Weather

I love an organized baby gay sub. Where can I get one?! He has a color coded calendar. This really shouldn't be so cute. Look at him being traumatized by the lack of time. Welcome to adult life. Again with friends like Sky, who needs enemies. No seriously I adore their friendship because the support is still there, he's just real with him. Rain is crazy! We here for it though and yes Sky, how ARE you? Inquiring minds want to know.

Rain tells Sky about how he needs to catch a guy in thirty days. See the support. It only took a short "guy" moment. Now note that Sky asks "You've moved on from Ple to this guy" and Rain doesn't answer. This is all the answer he needs before dishing out the advice. Because who better to ask than your gay bestie. The advice: Show Up In Front Of Him Every Day. Got to admit it's good advice. There are some "are you sure this will work" but Sky assures him that he needs to get past this step first. Because fortune favors the bold. I can't wait to see how Sky still feels about this plan when Prapai implements it.

Your honor, I love this white crayon. I can see why Payu likes him. Oh no he isn't there and another. Day two and Payu is still not around. Poor disheartened Rain. Three day four. What are you up to Payu?

Sky reminds me of @victooooorious a complete asshole best friend but there every single time you need their ass. Okay back to the show. So, Rain is obviously upset about not seeing Payu which might be Payu's plan, make him miss him. Keeping it real Sky tells him that's why he said get through step 1 before doing any other steps. I am fucking loving the knowing look that Sky side eyes. Payu sent a text saying there is an easier way to see me, think carefully. Cryptic much. I would totally do something like this and yet I'm annoyed to see it done. Hey but Rain figures it out and races out of the classroom. That eye roll from Sky was a mood. Now he is reminding me of @curiositykilledd.

Oh, it's Mr. Low Friction who gives me the shivers and not in a good way. Okay so Rain had nothing figured out, but he knows who to ask. You're growing on me Matchmaker Mechanic. Telling Rain to learn how to dial 1-800-love-connection. Clue number 2 is that some people have a soft spot for polite kids. Payu is giving a reminder. We can say a lot about him, but he recognizes that Rain is a baby sub and needs extra guidance. Now Overly Invested Engineer has to get back to work.

Ahhh, so Rain calls and while he isn't rude. He isn't polite enough. This is Payu setting and establishing guidelines. Once Rain shows proper respect, Payu talks back. He gives a command "Finally. Wait there, I'll go to you." I think your overconfident a little early Rain.

Got to give credit to Rain because he is waiting. His little brother doesn't get it. "Nobody would wait a whole day like this but me." It would damn sure take a submissive to do it but though Rain is a baby sub he is starting to get it. Ohh, little bro can dish some info. Damnit! I don't know if I can forgive you for this. Telling Rain that he isn't special to your brother! You just broke his heart telling him that shit. "My brother is far from simple; you'll get burned if you don't know how to play with fire." You just made Rain put his walls back up. What's there to worry about, I don't even like him. Dude, he was getting there, and you just had to be an ass. Apparently, it runs in the family. You basically told Rain he wasn't special. Just because you told your brother to be kind doesn't mean I like you.

At this point we need to notch Payu up from a brat tamer Dom to a Sadist one as well. Sadism isn't all about physical pain it's also emotional discomfort as well. Now he has a reason behind what he is doing besides just the emotional discomfort but that doesn't mean he won't enjoy it as well. Payu is upset at not being greeted but Rain is in his feels right now, so he speaks rudely. Payu instantly reprimands him. He's stupid if he doesn't realize something is going on. A good Dom can read their submissive, maybe not know what's going on but for sure tell when things are amiss. Rain apologizes for his vulgarity but then tells Payu he is going home. Payu grabs him and asks what's wrong. Rain lies and says that Payu looks tired, so he better be going. Payu is smarttttt, he has figured out the way to Rain is with teasing. "You're happy with seeing me only a few minutes after waiting hours. You are pretty crazy about me." And there is what Payu wanted to know, "I am different from other people." "Jealous?" "You are crazy I'm not!" "Are you sure?" "Sure!" Let's see how Payu handles this because his sub is hurting and not in the way we like. He takes Rain's hands and tells him if he doesn't want him to be with anyone else, then make him fall in love, so that he only sees him. Smooth.

Ah, not smooth enough. Rain says he is leaving. Good. Payu grabs him and Rain tells him to let go but he doesn't. "I'm hungry, come eat with me. I might fall for you faster." Aww, look at that smile on Rain's face. He didn't really want to go but he was showing HIS limits. He is saying, I will wait two hours for you but make it worth it. Don't only scold me, I need positive reinforcement as well. Show me I'm special.

Out the door they go with Payu holding Rain's hand. They get to where they are going to eat and Payu is immediately watching Rain. Okay, did you guys catch that whole dominance shift? See once Rain sat down, he immediately started looking to get an order sheet. This is a dominant move, granted it's not huge but kind of is when you're still working the kinks out. Haha, see what I did there. Thank you, I'm here every Thursday. Anyways, Payu very smoothly took over the menu sheet and won that little battle.

Easy banter back and forth. Payu flags down the waiter. Rain notices he didn't order and Payu calls him stupid once again. Rain said eyes and complains about the use of stupid. I'm not particularly a fan of someone ignoring someone else's guidelines. Let's see if Payu can change Rain's mind though. The TEASING! It's gonna kill me and Rain. Payu says "I'm curious Rain, how are you going to make me fall for you. I don't see how you can do it." "Keep your voice down, People will hear you." Is this gay panic? or something else. Need more context clues. "Come again." "Keep your voice down." "You're afraid of other people's opinions?" See, see how Payu teases Rain into revealing his feelings or pushing him where he wants to go. "It's not too late to back out." "You speak as though I'm gutless." "It's clear you are." Rain grabs the waiter's arm "Mister, I'm hitting on this guy. Please give me your support."

"Do Your Best!" I like the waiter. Also, the clapping crowd. "Shit" Payu loved it though. Look at his face, he ate it up. "Do your best stupid boy." "Quit it! It's all because of you!" Your gonna make his head swell Rain. Payu asked Rain if he is shy, but Rain assures him he isn't. Cute banter back and forth. Here we go. This is addressed as an ask but it is a command. "I wanna eat the eggs. Will someone pick them up for me?" This is actually my preferred method of commanding outside of sex or pain. "I'm thirsty, can someone get me a drink?' Rain tells him he has hands. Totally a brat moves but Payu isn't mad cause he knows Rain is shy. Instead, he taps his forehead gently in reprimand. Then shows Rain how it's done by feeding him. He is really a very good Dom. I'm really enjoying the representation here. He feeds him more and then cleans his face. Now we are seeing an annoyed Rain and an amused Payu.

Ha!!! Payu chasing after Rain. "Please don't be mad. I said I'm sorry." "I'm still mad." "You made me angry and shout on purpose. And you even laughed at me!" "Affectionate laughter and mocking laughter are two different things." Rain isn't buying it and goes to leave but Payu grabs onto him. "Talk to me." "What else do you want?" Ahh, more guidelines but good ones. "Next time call me before coming. You are already busy. I don't want you to waste your time waiting for me." Then compromise because at this point he realizes he has to give, or Rain will walk. Subs aren't doormats, you've got to balance their needs with yours. Power imbalance yes but they are still our treasures. "I'll text you when I go to the garage." Then he gently picks whatever the fuck he can see but I can't off Rain's face. "You're starting to fall for me, aren't you?" "No. It's fun to have you around, that's all." "You're teasing me again!" smack. Depends on your relationship guidelines on whether this is acceptable or not. Payu just laughs and goes on to continue the previous conversation on Rain learning to balance his time. Praising himself for being a good senior. "Do you get it stupid boy?" "Calling me stupid again." "Then how about a reward for the boy who persevered." "Try replacing my stupid with cute." Okay, truth talk. For the sake of the show, I can see the cuteness in this but it's completely unacceptable in the real world. You do not, I repeat, do not push someone to accept a degradation kink. If it's your kink, then figure out a way to talk it through until your D/s partner understands or find another partner.

Oh, we are having another existential moment. Please do not engage program is still loading. However, Payu is willing to leave him here. "That's cheating, P' Payu. You're a cheat!" pst. How is that cheating exactly? Cause your realizing your falling and that's not fair?

Rain, dude, get your shit together. Oh look, Payu is keeping his promise and letting Rain know when he'll be at the garage. Rain texts back that he basically doesn't care and that he is gonna bring Gear Grinder Guy some snacks. Brats are live wires, be prepared to get shocked. It's half the fun though, the challenge. Payu immediately texts Mr. Lube that if he doesn't want a pay cut that he better leave whatever he gets at the office.

Responsible Sky, reminding Rain about his homework and the deadline. Still Rain races out, pushing Ple aside. Our clueless baby sub gay is so cute. Even if he rushes off to the garage he is working on his homework. To which Payu gives him a complement. "I may flunk lecture classes, but I'm confident with this one." "Where are my snacks?" "Why would I give them to you, they are for P'A because he took care of my care." Payu starts listing off all the things he did to the car until Rain can't help but give up the snacks. Payu grabs Rains hand as he is taking the snack, Rain snatches his hand back, but he is smiling to which Payu notices. Payu out right calling him cute! Ahh. Okay, Okay, Gear Grinder is growing on me.

Ohhh no! Payu asks when the deadline is, and Rain asks why. Once he starts talking about buying Rain dinner, it's not looking good. Payu tells him it's fine if he doesn't want to, he can eat by himself and starts to walk off. Rain quickly grabs his arm. And I knew it.

Here is another command. "I'll wait by the bike. Pack your things quickly and follow me, okay?" Ahh that head rub! I'm melting. Like I'm a puddle right now. All the feels. Okay, I got it together, lets continue. Ha! Payu grabbing Mr. Lubes snacks. How rude. Looks like Rain finishes his homework but then he is taking a nap. Even in your dreams you get shit, lol. Mom wakes the kid up thanks to Sky, but he still doesn't make it in time. Professor is harsh but right. If everyone else can meet the deadline, why should he be the exception. Sometimes you have to learn your lessons the hard way. I was siding with you dude but now you're being a dick. There is nothing wrong with crying, it's an expression of sadness and frustration.

These are friends. Sticking around to give support. Ple puts her hand on offers Rain a listening ear, but Rain removes her hand. Which surprises Sky. He tells them that he is tired from pulling an all nighter. Then shows up at the garage to stand in the rain. Baby brother goes to grab him out of the rain and then calls his brother to tell him what happened. Payu knows something is wrong because Rain now knows to wait for him to text. He packs his shit and leaves. When a sub needs support than they need support. See they might give us control but that doesn't mean they don't get anything out of it. We are the pillar, and we know it. I will absolutely drop what I'm doing to answer my sub's call. If their calling while I'm at work, it's not for a bullshit reason.

Rain is sad and distraught and Payu knows it. He races through the rain to get to him. This is exactly how you do it. He even races to the door! Fuck yes! Ahhhhh, omg, no comments, just open arms. This is what I'm here for. Universal truth of a Dom, whether it's hitting a head space and coming down or an emotional come down, touch centers. Touch grounds and touch reconnects. It says, you are never alone. You will never handle this alone. Rain has never had this and doesn't know how to respond so Payu commands in a soft voice "Come Here." See! See! "It's okay, I'm here now." "I screwed up." "It's okay, good boy." No degrading, just unconditional support. Listen to that soft voice he is using. Rain tells him that he doesn't know what to do anymore. Payu tells him he is here for him to talk to, and he does not get pushed away like Ple did.

While in the bathroom Rain talks to himself in front of a mirror. This is actually a good trick to use when you're having a hard time being honest with yourself. He asks himself why he rejected his friend's support but cried in front of Payu. He tells himself to stop crying but admits it was nice to have Payu's support.

When he leaves the bathroom he rushes to stop Payu from looking at his work. Now comes the kick in the ass. Payu tells him the teacher was right and Rain agrees. Payu tells hime that this is the first test before he steps into the real world. That it will protect him and give him strength in the future. For some missing a deadline is no big deal but for others, it means responsibility. He offers more comfort and support that critisism.

Oh, Good Dom. You are starting to realize that your little man needs a little more tlc than most. He goes to him and hugs him to him. "What's done is done, don't dwell on it. Focus on your next works, got it, naughty boy?" Rain nods up at Payu. "Dry your hair properly. Don't get sick. I don't want to take care of you." but he is smiling as he says it. "I thought you wouldn't comfort me!"

So now we know that the wolf planned to eat the lamb all along.

Woot! We've come to the end of this episode. Once again... This is long but fuck it. By this time if you're still reading my reviews then you signed up for it. Shout out to @suga4mycoffee for the very humorous nick names. When I couldn't think of anything past Mr. Lube she delivered. If you guys would like me to stop all the commentary and just talk about the BDSM aspect, let me know. Then to top this off, this review is dedicated to @ellaspore and @dayummmdorisss for the undying support. Hope you guys enjoy! 💜💜💜 Please feel free to reblog but do not repost without my name attached. I could honestly give a fuck less about borrowing some of my words but incorrectly using them and falsely portraying yourself as part of the community makes you shit in my book.

[izzyspussy]

lately I've been thinking about young izzy in a marriage of convenience. a land marriage, legal in the eyes of the king and all. so. to a woman.

the convenience aspect being like. maybe her father is sick and probably about to die, and she knows that the shop she runs and the house she lives in will be inherited to her shitty uncle or whoever. and he probably won't close the shop or kick her out of the house, but it won't be the same.

she knows izzy from Around, and he's disreputable but he's never been after her That Way and she's seen him share food with strays (both children and dogs) so he seems like a safe enough bet. so she asks him to marry her so that he'll inherit her father's property, and functionally speaking it will still be hers.

it's an arrangement of mutual benefit: she gets to keep her house, and he gets to live in it.

so anyway they get married, and she breaks the heart and izzy wounds the pride of all the merchant boys who thought they would get this particular girl. (an added bonus to both of the newlyweds lol.)

now. we all know izzy's gay. but! turns out she's gay too.

and unlike with stede and mary, they actually both have equal desire to make this thing work.

izzy has no particular desire to run away and have a grand adventure, he just wants to keep having a roof over his head and three meals a day and a bedmate he's reasonably sure won't stab him in his sleep.

and she chose this, chose him, so really it'd just be poor follow through on her part if she didn't put in any effort to make sure neither of them is miserable with the result.

not to mention, with no particular expectation that either of them fulfill their role perfectly - not applied externally or internally - they're free to form a genuine (if unconventional) friendship.

but it can be a little lonely, if you're not built for it, to be in a necessarily fidelitous marriage without that specific kind of intimacy that comes with sex and romance. and they really do love each other, in the way that they do, so they kind of end up... missing each other, while working the same shop and eating at the same table and sleeping in the same bed.

it's her idea first, the solution they come to. it's not totally on a whim, she's been thinking about it. how to make a real marriage bed into something they could actually want together, so that they can have it.

(and. maybe. maybe she was thinking about it a little bit before that. deep down. for reasons completely unrelated to him. before she even really new him as anybody other than the local street urchin. perhaps somewhere around puberty or so.)

she cuts her hair. she borrows some of his clothes. she uses makeup to thicken her brows, give herself some sideburns and a little patch of beard. she copies his body language, practices speaking from the back of her throat to lower her voice.

and - wonder of wonders - it works.

she kind of figured she'd be taking an L with this, just making herself attractive to him while thinking of England herself, but it turns out she actually does kind of want him back, like this. or maybe it's just electrifying to be wanted by him when he hasn't wanted her like this before.

(or maybe she wants to have sex with it doesn't matter who because she feels so different in her body in such a good way, and she likes him, and he's there.)

so that becomes something of a routine. it's not all the time, not even particularly often. but every now and then, she'll disappear into their closet, and she'll emerge in his clothes with kohl on her face, and she'll gently rib the very concept of masculinity, and he'll laugh, and they'll have sex.

pretty tough not to have your egg cracked in an environment like that. especially when you can subconsciously convince yourself that you have an expectation to fill. that it's only fair if you do it too. reciprocity. it's the honorable thing.

(he's been thinking about it too, for longer than he knows. not quite as long as she has, because he had more pressing issues back then, but nearly.)

she's a little bit broad and he's a little bit slight, so it's just as easy for izzy to fit into her clothes as it is for her to fit into his.

he shaves his beard and his chest hair, and he struggles valiantly with a corset by himself because he wants to surprise her like she surprised him, but eventually he has to give up that ghost and go and ask her to help.

he's laced her up dozens of times now, hundreds, and he never realized how intimate it is when he was on the other side. it makes him feel small, delicate but supported. ...cherished.

he goes quiet, as close to meek as someone with a personality as big as his can get, while she helps him into the rest of the outfit. the underskirt, the bodice, the dress. they forego stockings and shoes. they'll just get in the way.

she tells him he looks very pretty, he tells her to fuck off, she laughs, they have sex.

so they start trading off. sometimes they'll both be men, and sometimes they'll both be women. and sometimes they don't even have sex about it, they just enjoy being gay married or go on secret little dates. sometimes they're pretending, for fun and convenience.

sometimes they're not.

[danpuff-ao3]

What a sweet Tea-Tai! Get it? Sweetie pie, but Sweet Tea-Tai? Cuz @teacup-tai? Is oh so sweet? Okay, before everyone boos me offstage: Tai is such a lovely soul! We don't know each other very well, but I see her bright presence from a mile away! She leaves such sweet comments (which I've been the lucky recipient of a time or two!) She's so supportive and beyond kind. Just this colorful, warm, comforting presence that fills me with all the good feels just to be near! I always love to see her name pop up and to see what she has to say, and how she's blessing our fandom any given day! And to honor such a gorgeous soul, I shall rec you a few excellent works of hers!

Breaking wild roses (stings like love's pain)

Hermione/Pansy. Rated: E. Words: 1,389. Stream of consciousness. Poetic angst. Hopeful ending.

l o v e l y

I feel like a scream is stuck inside my chest, creeping up in the deep dark hollow of my throat. It’s a mix of pain and agony. So to keep it down, I open my mouth and fill it with your soft, tender flesh. The bronze skin of your shoulder right against my tongue.

For God is love

Draco/Harry. Rated: M. Words: 3,145. Catholic priests. Sin. Angst. Confession. Religious guilt.

s t u n n i n g (also ouch)

1 John 4:8 But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love.

heart me (with your whole body)

Draco/Harry. Rated: E. Words: 9,028. Heartbreak. Unhealthy relationship. Open relationship gone wrong. Dub-con. Unequal power dynamics. Unequal sex drive. Ambiguous/open ending.

OUCH (I love it)

It was a sexy idea, exploring other bodies with Draco, engaging in sex with other people to spice things up. Something inside of him was excited about the prospect, but the nagging fear, the feeling of abandonment that follows each image that pops in his head is throwing him off. 

He would give it a go. See what it was like. He could always say no, right?

Nicotine/Linger

Hermione/Pansy. Rated: E. Words: 26,626. Enemies to friends to lovers. Meet-cute. Soft butch Pansy. Slice of life. Character study.

Pansy has been living a slow Muggle life in Ireland for five years now. Managing her anxiety and trauma with one too many drinks, way more anonymous fucks in loos than strictly advised, wonderful Muggle friends and a job that keeps her hands busy. Life is kinda alright -though a tad bit fucked up- until she stumbles into Hermione Granger in the Muggle Hospital. 

This is a story about childhood enemies trying a tentative friendship far from the chaotic magical world. A tale about falling in love with the cute golden lesbian and the slow, ginger path of reconnecting with things that make you feel whole.

Sacred Geography

Albus/Gellert. Rated: M. Words: 670. Lovers to Enemies.

You’ve lived a life of penance all these years because of him. And with him sitting there, across this stupid Muggle table, staring at you with a mean knowing glint in his eyes, you realise why.

Space Bodies

Draco/Harry. Rated: M. Words: 1,494. Pining. Mentions of suicidal ideation. Mentions of transphobia. Stream of consciousness. Happy ending.

She tastes like a love story.

The Truth Runs Wild

Blaise/Ron. Rated: E. Words: 3,026. Bisexual awakening. Quidditch Player Blaise. Fanboy Ron. One night stand.

HOT HOT HOT

It’s Harry’s fault and his whole ‘gay awakening’ and all the shit he had to hear Harry talk him through, in the name of friendship and supportive brotherhood. But honestly, if Zabini licking his lips can be this sensual, what could he do with a dick in his mouth? Ron flushes, because he cannot be honestly thinking about Blaise Zabini and blowjobs. Like, he’s straight, right. Right?

for an explanation about Mutuals March, or to figure out why i wrote you a thing, please check out this post.