#<< can be seen as either platonic or romantic or as enemies or whatever I was just bored LMAO

[starshapedspider]

she got in his garage

[theminecraftbee]

Just out of curiosity, do you know any alternative ways of showing types of relationships that could be used on ao3? I find the & and / method to be very constraining, especially with ambiguous or multi-dimensional relationships. & for platonic and / for romantic does not allow for a proper representation of nonstandard relationships, for example an enemy/loathing or polyamorous relationship. (Homestuck quadrants are their own thing and are not what I am asking for/about.)

answer that answers your question:

yes and no. if you just want another category of markers to exist, i know you said no homestuck quadrants, but those are probably most commonly used, although they're all synned to the / tag. i've seen some exchanges that want to differentiate use /& together, i've seen ? be used, and i've seen some invent their own tag (largely exchanges use these for matching purposes and it's rare but i HAVE seen it). however, there's no unifying convention, and ao3 will eventually syn all of these to either the / or & tag (usually the / unless the wranglers have a very good reason to think it's the & tbh). so know that even if you use your own symbol, it will show up in the relationship tag it ends up synned to.

one of the most common solutions to this is to use the symbol closest to what you want--personally i tend to just use the & unless there's fic content i think gen fans would really hate, since & is the tag that covers the much wider spectrum of relationships in my head, although some people will differ--and use freeform tags to disambiguate. for example, last days has the & tag for joe and cleo, along with a "queerplatonic relationships" tag! i believe "ambiguous relationships" is also a canonical tag, and you don't have to use canonicals if you can't find the one you like! the world is your oyster.

(here i'll also note: the & doesn't require them be like... friends. it just requires the fic be about their relationship in some way, and for this relationship to not be romantic or sexual. enemies is absolutely covered here, as is like, weird coworkers, or even tags like "hero & the public".)

(similarly, the / tag doesn't require they like each other, it just requires it to be a "ship"; enemies who have a ton of sexual tension goes under this, as do things like abusive romantic or sexual relationships; just make sure you're using your warnings and additional tags appropriately!)

the other most common solution is to tag both the / and & tag and use a tag like the "ambiguous relationships" or "this can be read as either" or "queerplatonic relationships" or whatever other disambiguating tag you think it needs. this is less common in the mcyt fandom because of the mcyt fandom's history of being SUPER WEIRD about shipping, but it's often the most common solution in fandoms that aren't this one.

"i want ao3 to have a ship tag that is neither & nor /, and is not considered synonymous with either" unfortunately this doesn't exist and isn't going to. like i'd love to say there's a way to make it exist but it Won't because of how ao3 was designed to work on a backend level and also ao3 does NOT change quickly, for better or for worse. you're going to have to pick between "make up a symbol and it will probably be synned to /", "use the tag you think you like best", or "use both". i wish there was another option too, if it helps, but the additional tags are really useful here!

"use no relationship tag" is also always an option; the relationship tag is not a required tag!

answer that answers your two examples, neither of which really fit the question as i understand it, hence me separating them out:

a fic about the relationship between two enemies is either the & tag if you just want the one that is actually meant to be used or the / tag if you mean for it to be like, the kind of enemies that have sexual tension. use additional tags to additionally disambiguate (example: just put in the tags the canonical tag "enemies" and you're good to go). the & tag is for ANY kind of platonic relationship, it does not require the two characters like each other, only that the fic is about their relationship! you can use the homestuck <3< if you REALLY wanna make it clear but that's synned to /, so like, up to you. if you're super worried someone will misunderstand the & tag you can also just not tag a relationship, relationships aren't mandatory tags.

i have no idea why you're asking about polyamory because that has a solution that's entirely unrelated to the problem you propose: you just tag the ship. ship tags with more than two names in them are legal tags, as long as it doesn't go over ao3's tag character limit you're good. if you do hit the limit, just use more than one tag! this is totally fine and follows ao3 conventions, don't worry. if it's the kind of polyamorous relationship with metamours, where not everyone is dating everyone, this is where more than one overlapping relationship tag REALLY helps. plus: you can mix / and & tags! not all of them will be canonical yet, but that's true of ANY ship tag you're originating! i have seen the form of "character/character & character" in many fandoms before, it's totally valid and will disambiguate! (also, the ensemble tags may help you here if you're doing like, a polyhermits thing; "hermitcraft ensemble/hermitcraft ensemble" is a legal tag and i think what polyhermits is probably synned to.)

so yeah, hopefully this helps some! good luck out there!

[roses-dreams-andthorns]

hi hello, r u getting tired of my requests? Because another one is here!!! May i request a They/them reader, a Herrscher of the Void reader preferably. You can see i'm going crazy with all the honkai impact readers but i have seen nobody do it, excluding you ofc. This time is genshin! May i request Aether, Kaveh and Baizhu?

Hi Hiii! I'm not getting tired of your requests at all, dw! Though I am kinda burnt out ish, so I'll try my best to get all my current requests done! This one will be first since its the most recent one~ "𝓗𝓪𝓲𝓵 𝓶𝔂 𝓹𝓻𝓸𝓾𝓭 𝓺𝓾𝓮𝓮𝓷, 𝓸𝓷 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓸𝓷, 𝓸𝓷 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓸𝓷." "𝓣𝓱𝓪𝓽 𝔀𝓪𝔁 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝔀𝓪𝓷𝓮 𝓼𝓱𝓸𝔀𝓮𝓭 𝓲𝓽𝓼 𝓮𝓫𝓫 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓯𝓵𝓸𝔀" "𝓢𝓮𝓵𝓪𝓱, 𝓢𝓮𝓵𝓪𝓱, 𝓪𝓻𝓮 𝓬𝓱𝓪𝓷𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓮𝓿𝓮𝓻𝓶𝓸𝓻𝓮" "𝓗𝓮𝓪𝓻, 𝓸𝓱 𝓱𝓮𝓪𝓻, 𝓪𝓵𝓵 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓿𝓸𝓲𝓬𝓮𝓼 𝓽𝓻𝓪𝓹𝓹𝓮𝓭 𝓲𝓷 𝓽𝓱𝓮𝓮." Genshin impact x HoV!NB!Reader. Characters included: 𝓐𝓮𝓽𝓱𝓮𝓻, 𝙆𝙖𝙫𝙚𝙝, 𝔅𝔞𝔦𝔷𝔥𝔲 Reader pronouns: They / Them

Author's notes: I was unsure if you were referring to Kiana HoV or Sirin HoV, but technically they are the same, but also different, so I'll try to reference both some how. I also don't know which Aether we're talking about either, Abyss or Traveler, but it would make some more sense if it was abyss Aether to me. Also, to make it make even more sense, I decided to make the Reader a member of the abyss order. It just made sense to me if they were a part of it, considering them being the herrscher of the void, also unsure if you wanted this to be platonic or romantic, so... its maybe a bit of both ish? Reader's dialoge color.

𝓐𝓮𝓽𝓱𝓮𝓻

For some reason, you remind him of someone... (*coughs* Unknown god *coughs*) but he shrugs off that feeling of doubt and familiarity. He believes you are as graceful as you are kind of evil, and he's all for it, especially if this is Abyss Aether we're talking about. Your powers are useful to the abyss, being able to remove almost all obstacles with just the snap of your fingers. Like the abyss heralds and mages, you're like an assistant to him, but you're closer to him than that of the rest of the abyss.

you, too, must have experienced the true nature of Teyvat through your own journey, whatever the true nature may be, just like he did. you wouldn't have joined him in the abyss order other wise, would you have? "Reader, fetch the abyss lectors for me, won't you? I require them for something." "Understood, Prince Aether."

"...Please just call me Aether, Reader. There's no need for formalities."

He sees a tiny bit of Lumine in you, hence why he's so attached to you, but he loves you just a bit more than a sibling, because though there are similarities, you are not Lumine, nor are you related by blood. and there may be a tiny bit of romance between you two, according to the rumors that circulate around the abyss order, that is, no one truly knows if they're true or not.

𝙆𝙖𝙫𝙚𝙝

At your first meeting, he was quite intimidated by your... aura. That abyssal aura that follows you around. At first, he labeled you an enemy, and, like any sane person who senses danger would, tried to fight you off, but a little later after that, he realized that maybe not all those who have committed some sin against the archons and thrive in the abyss are that bad... though humans like him can be so gullible... Despite the dark feelings in your heart that tell you "humans are worthless and pathetic." you can't help but feel the tiniest bit of sympathy when he meets with you in secret around the Ruins of Dhari, with this human substance known as... coffee, which he shares with you, and begins blabbering to you about how annoying his roommate is, and how he's in such a huge amount of debt. The urge to give him some of the mora you've stolen from other pathetic humans like himself is strong... "He never listens to any of my complaints! It's extremely annoying to deal with him everyday... You're lucky you don't have to live with the stupid acting grand sage of the academia..."

"Your life certainly sounds... interesting, mortal. Not even any of the abyss mages in which I command are as annoying as this... 'Alhaitham' sounds."

You've also grown to open up to him slightly, but you don't tell him anything of the abyss orders plans, right? ...Okay, maybe you told him some things... or maybe you told him too much... because now he might just be starting to doubt the archons and Celestia and the rest of human-kind just like how you and the rest of the abyss do.

𝔅𝔞𝔦𝔷𝔥𝔲

A human doctor who runs across a high ranked member of the abyss by chance... something no one could ever expect. not even Changsheng expected an encounter with such a high ranking abyssal being. Though despite your occupation... you couldn't help but to stop and assist the sickly human, instead of trying to actively kill him, despite knowing that what stood before you was nothing but a pathetic mortal in your eyes... something about him caused you to want to help him, so you had lead him back to Liyue Harbor discreetly, but on the way back, you continued to call him as such.

"Pathetic mortal human... I am only helping you out of my pure benevolence! I feel no sympathy for your weak and pathetic mortal self what so ever! I expect something in return for this!" "Yes, yes, I understand. I believe I have something that may satisfy your request back at Bubu Pharmacy."

"Baizhu... are you sssssure we can really trussssst this abyssssssal being?"

"Come now, Changsheng, they were kind enough to guide us back home, its the least I could do as compensation for wasting their precious time.~"

He then proceeds to give you plenty of expensive looking items and herbs and some medicine as compensation for... "wasting your precious time.", although you don't really have any use for these, you reluctantly accept them anyways, and then proceed to have even more random encounters with the human doctor and snake companion in the wilderness.

[rainwingmarvel7]

I have caved even though I am so indecisive. Please tell me about whatever platonic & romantic relationships you think would be the most interesting with your OCs & Seal Mommy Aldreda. i must know

Mwahahaha yes it’s Seal Mommy time

Kaleb x Aldreda (x Alicent)

They’re totally friends with benefits, maybe a little more. Kaleb would find her SO hot. I mean, come on, we all know he has a thing for milfs. But he would also be very intimidated. He’d seen her from afar as Master of Ships, but they wouldn’t actually meet until he accidentally walked in on her and Alicent one time. She probably threatened to kill him to keep quiet, but he swore not to say anything and Alicent would have stopped her anyway. And there’s probably a time that Aldreda has done the same with Kaleb and Alicent. Somewhere along the way the lines blur and they become an unofficial throuple. No one messes with Alicent with those two around, that’s for sure.

He would probably offer to marry her just to support her claim against her crazy relatives but wouldn’t be offended if she said no.

“Oh you’re the heir to your family’s seat but also a hot and badass milf who is love with the queen? That’s great because I too am the heir to my house and am hot and badass dilf and in love with the queen. This works out great! Wanna be allies and maybe hold hands and make out???” - something Kaleb said, probably

(Jeyne and Jessamyn art by @riotarttherite)

Aeriana x Aldreda

They would burn down the world together. Aeriana’s a little unhinged and definitely not a typical noble woman, and Aldreda certainly isn’t either. Aeriana would pull up with her dragon to destroy her gf’s enemies and that would be that. Feral women supporting feral women. That’s it. That’s the post.

Tristan + Aldreda

Tristan probably shouldn’t be going to Aldreda for advice but he so would. She is so unlike anyone else in King’s Landing that he would be drawn to her above anyone else on the council and would trust her thoughts and opinions more than most because she has an outside perspective and he at least thinks he can trust her over anyone else. Plus, he just thinks she’s really cool.

She might be one of the only people he confesses to about his affair with Helaena, and then he’d probably ask for advice on what he should do not thinking that it might not be the best idea lol.

[a-feller]

When reading a book, watching a show or a movie, or even experiencing real life, I often find, when a major character or important person dies, I mourn, not so much the person but more their loved ones, the great bond lost and the incredible damage done to them. Over time, almost subconciously I have grown to value a great bond of love, lust, friendship, romance, great platonic love, or that weird sixth thing two inseperable stray cats have, almost as much as human knowledge, something I greatly revere. This is most prominent in fantasy worlds, where for certain there is some haven beyond the barrier of death, where a person and their knowledge can go to live in harmony after whatever happened to them. Yet leaving their loved ones behind for years to come, perhaps forever. Maybe it is more amplified in the real world, or universes like the star wars one and my belief of real life, where there is no life after death. Just nothing. All bonds severed by death's scythe in one fell swoop.

I will list an example for every book/tv show/movie I can. Spoilers ahead for: The Bad Batch, The Scythe series by Neal Shusterman, Harry Potter, Trials Of Apollo, The Six of Crows duology, The Lord of The Rings

The death of Tech, a clone from the bad batch. His close, paternal bond with Omega, shattered as he sacrificed himself before her eyes, the unrequited mutual love with the pirate lady whom he promised he would come back safely and of course the rest of the bad batch, now a gaping hole within their group.

The death of Tiger, the Best friend of Rowan in the scythe series, slain by people he was played by and his body contorted into a new one for Rowan's greatest enemy. Their friendship gone and spited by the monstosity created from his headless corpse.

The death of Sirius Black and the huge damage it did to Harry and Remus Lupin. Harry losing his first ever loving paternal figure he can remember and Lupin losing a dear best friend (or more considering what half of you post about)

The death of Jason Grace. Killed slowing down an unkillable enemy to save his friends and close-ex-lover Piper McLean, leaving behind at least a dozen dear friends who fought, battle after battle together, almost dying time and time again, only for him to fall far away, after it was meant to be over. And specifically Nico Di Angelo who as anyone who read the book will know had a priceless, unique friendship with him that simply could not be created with another.

The death of Matthias Hevlar, just beggining to fit in with the people around them and his romantic relationship just springing up with Nina, those bonds once again shattered, and the last thing he asked for was a kiss (hold up just gonna go cry for a second).

Edit: The edit is here for the smoothness of the post. I cannot believe I forgot. The very ones who inspired me to make this post in the first place. David and Genya from the Grishaverse and the King Of Scars duology. Another romantic one I'm aware however they had just had a wonderful ceremony, a proper marriage at last. And then David left to go do something and the city was attacked by bomber planes. He wasn't seen throughout the following fight until Genya noticed his absence at the end. They later pulled his body out of the rubble. Some ink Genya was fussing over still there. Queue the funeral, Genya, in private afterwards reads from his notebooks containing all the little things he picked up on that make her happy (hair, skin etc). I am genuinely tearing up just thinking about it. David was also a leader and a role model to the other Grisha, especially other fabrikators. Close friends with Nikolai and Zoya. All of these bonds gone.

The leaving of Frodo Baggins. This one is a little different as he isn't dead but to all of his friends but Gandalf and Bilbo, he is. Never able to be seen or contacted again, no way to hear or feel them either. Sam, who carried him up a mountain. Refused to leave his side ever. Pippin, Merry, Legolas, Gimli, Aragorn, All his shire friends, All the people they met along the way. Those bonds were shattered as if he was dead.

This last one is very different. It takes place in the real world. This death is obviously a thousand times more important then any of the others. A real human with thoughts, feelings and of course friends. This person is Technoblade. Funny, kind, skillful, he was friends with pretty much everyone he played with, best friends with those like Philza and of course the people around him in real life. The innumerable amount of people he either just made laugh, or helped get through some really dark times. Like me. 10 million people. Bonds reasonably one way but still there. 10 million people. Bonds snapped like rubber bands. All his friends. Online and off. Those he helped, those he inspired. All grieving with that bond suddenly a gaping hole, all lost. o7 Techno. Fly high.

Edit: I cannot believe I forgot. The very ones who inspired me to make this post in the first place,

[roykleinberg]

I’ve never seen the appeal of Sam/Tronzler. Nothing wrong with the ship or anyone who enjoys it, but I’ve never understood the draw

tron confessional with moss

I am going to put a disclaimer on this first that I am a 27 year old woman with bills to pay and I do not actually care what other people ship, and the whole concept of being an anti shipper in public makes me sigh and yearn for the days of “don’t like don’t read”

that being said

god me neither 😶

the thing is though that I get it, sorta? the childhood hero worship translating into omg you’re Real translating into More. the enemies to lovers angst potential in a post Rinzler scenario. from that perspective I can see the appeal, but I also feel like it’s ignoring a lot of other things that make their dynamic potential interesting for the sake of making it a ship

I’ve never been able to get over the fact that Tron looks just like Alan who for all intents and purposes was like a surrogate father to Sam. and thus Tron/Sam is one of those aforementioned program/user ships that gives me the ick. and even discounting the lookalike factor the power dynamic that would exist between them in my head just makes it extra weird. I can’t imagine Tron being anything other than nauseatingly repentant towards Sam after everything, and I just don’t like that as a foundation for a ship. I gotta be real I don’t particularly care for Tron/Flynn either (there is actually a very very small list of Tron ships I actively enjoy lol) but at least they’re on more equal footing because they have an established dynamic before the User reveal, and I’ve never gotten the sense that Tron was super deferring or worship-y towards Flynn. whereas with Sam I just feel like the whole basis of their relationship, romantic or platonic or whatever, would be a lot of “I’m so sorry I betrayed your father and almost killed you a couple times and failed the system and all of my friends please just let me feel useful again” — which I think is more interesting than simply pairing them up

and so it’s just not a compelling ship to me, combined with the baseline of Tron looking just like Alan, and yeah mhm there’s the ick

[imjustheretomooch]

The Fall of Magic series continues to not leave my mind. I've just heard tell from Val Neil's email subscription that the next book is called Dark Whispers, and I'm shaking with excitement.

I really like how Medea and Nikolai have actually started communicating and building an odd little... friendship? Comradery? Relationship of some sort? I'm interested to see where it goes in Dark Whispers.

One aspect I can’t figure out is if they will ever become a couple or romantically involved, because I genuinely can’t intuit it. They will definitely will become close confidants/friends/something special to one another but there’s just so. much. to work through if they were to ever get together romantically.

Sex is so important/necessary to Nikolai and Medea has a horrible relationship with it. Medea and Nikolai both view love with disdain and as an illness. Medea would never again share the secret of immortality, and even if she did, Nikolai can’t achieve her form of it thus making them somewhat doomed. Nikolai is a serial non-monogamist and has expressed disdain for being tied down and also physically isn’t capable of a genuine, deep form of love (unless he is? We’re not sure just how deeply he felt for his mother) whereas Medea would likely off herself before allowing herself to fall in love and make stupid decisions again. It just doesn’t seem possible for where they are right now nor does it seem like something either would ever want. 

Then again, Medea’s character development arc will have to include coming to terms with whatever happened with Thomas and her love for him, and seeing her in a relationship could be seen as a narratively appropriate conclusion, and there’s no one else aside from Nikolai in the story that she can stand to hold conversation with. Also, were Nikolai to ever consider entering a relationship with someone, it would sort of have to be Medea, because he respects her like no one else, and he even acknowledges that she’s slowly making it onto the list of people he genuinely cares for. 

Either way I love them, so I don’t care and I’m so excited for their dynamic no matter if it takes the form of platonic or romantic attraction (or maybe they develop into enemies?? That’d also be delicious and I’d cry). I wonder if I’m just being heteronormative because they’re a male and female lead in a book together, but then again some of their conversations seemed borderline intimate, so I don’t know anymore. I forced two of my friends to read the books so we could discuss and no one knows.

[greaseonmymouth]

🍉 🍒 :D

🍉 Do you prefer to write short fics or long fics? Multichaptered works or single ones? Why?

both! I think I do prefer shorter standalones, and with the exception of this year which is dominated by one novel length wip, the past five ish years or so that's what I've been doing. shorter fics that I can crank out in a week or less in between all the other stuff I'm filling my time with. not to imply those fics are 'lesser', just that I write for fun and in recent years that fun has primarily taken the shape of short fics when inspiration strikes.

🍒 What’s your favourite character dynamic to write? (Can be romantic or platonic, specific or general!)

*looks at body of work* I suppose the evidence speaks for itself. I like writing friends-to-lovers or established relationship, for ships where the characters are deeply committed to each other. that doesn't necessarily mean their relationship is uncomplicated, just that I want to dig into the way they are with each other and delight in it. I mean, nobody in their right mind would call Daniel Larusso/Johnny Lawrence uncomplicated, it's unhinged even at the best of times, but platonic or not they are deeply committed to whatever the fuck it is they've got going on between them. Duncan/Jimmy isn't uncomplicated either, but they are committed to the partnership they've struck up over the years. Caius/Al my beloved <3 you could say they are enemies-to-lovers or enemies-to-something, but I think that is a lie, I think they are friends, and they are ride-or-die for each other from the get-go. Danny/Rusty are probably my oldest OTP as I've been obsessed with them since the Ocean's 11 reboot movies came out (I haven't seen the original and I don't care) and listen, they invented drift compatibility before we had a word for it. uncomplicated? hell no. committed? hell yes. I have only written one fic for them but still. and then of course. Carl/Assad. definitely not uncomplicated. committed? what else *would* you call it? I rewatched Journal 64 the other day because of course, and even with the shipping goggles off you have on one hand Assad desperate to get Carl to admit their partnership means something (anything, at all) and on the other hand you have Carl so upset and traumatised that Assad is leaving their partnership that he tries to push him away first, and in the background you have Rose saying things like 'he's only upset because you're getting divorced'. (fantastic Danish word that, 'skilles', which can mean split apart, separate, divorce depending on context, and grammatically the way she is using it it can only really mean divorce. I need to lie down.) you know how we talk about Venom being a romance movie because Eddie and Venom's plotline follows classic romance beats? yeah so does Journal 64. the resolution is of course, a recommitment.

so yeah. dynamic of all time. complicated commitments. with a big helping of romance on top.

fruity ask meme

[bloodweavefangnatic]

Wyll’s remarks about Astarion, such as his comment about Astarion having nice hair, come off as more platonic or neutral. While Wyll might acknowledge Astarion’s attractiveness, something the vampire doesn’t already know 😂, there’s no indication that these comments carry the same kind of sexual tension or romantic interest that Astarion expresses toward Wyll. These remarks are more likely to be seen as lighthearted compliments, something that could be said by a friend or acquaintance rather than an indication of deeper romantic feelings.

Astarion, on the other hand, makes several flirtatious comments toward Wyll, hinting at a potential romantic or sexual attraction. He openly mentions that Wyll would have been his type before he became a vampire, — which is kind of sad because I think Wyll would have loved him more as a human than a vampire and I feel like that’s a little racist because canonically (not talking about playing Wyll’s origin run, if you want to romance Astarion go for your life) but I don’t think he’d want to do anything with him because of what his kind does and the fact that he’s a monster hunter but then again this is just my theory/HC I don’t know it for a fact but I know the attraction is definitely one-side either way it’s looked at — and there are moments where Astarion expresses clear desire or admiration for Wyll’s physical appearance. This interaction is much more overt and can be interpreted as a romantic or sexual interest. (Like the question is does he just want to bed Wyll as one night stand or does he genuinely have deep-rooted feelings for him?)

Even if Wyll did harbor feelings for Astarion, it raises the question: why was he so consistently harsh toward him throughout Acts 1 and 2? Wyll’s behavior towards him only starts to shift in Act 3, after Astarion kills Cazador and chooses to remain a spawn (which is actually understandable even because I don’t exactly like Ascended Astarion either, so kudos to Wyll 😂) However, this shift doesn’t come across as a true companionship or genuine change of heart—it feels more like a reward or acknowledgment of Astarion’s “good behavior.” (Pretty much similar as to how Mizora treats Wyll with the ‘reward method’ like a dog)

By waiting until after Astarion has undergone intense personal growth to offer any kind of warmth — which is kind of manipulative on the warlock’s part — Wyll’s change in attitude feels less like a romantic development and more like belated approval.

This shift misses the mark if the intent was to create a compelling connection between them. Instead of building a relationship over time, it feels as if Wyll’s attitude change only emerges in response to Astarion’s actions, which doesn’t have the depth or complexity expected in a confession of feelings.

Self note: Don’t get me started on the whole “well it could be an enemies to lovers thing”. Yeah, you could be right but that’s what happened between Lae’zel & Shadowheart as well as Karlach & Wyll but at least they made a truce in Act 1

Wyll repeatedly “teases” (I wouldn’t even call it that considering his tone is not animated ) Astarion about his “dietary life” even though he explicitly explains to the player/leader of the group — very early on after being found out about his true nature — “I hunt deer, boar, or kobolds whatever I can get. I’m just a little slow right now” which, now that I think about it, I honestly I feel like that’s the only part Wyll heard: ‘I’m a little slow’ it would explain why he acts this way towards Astarion either that or he’s internally panicking (not for himself) but people around him because there is a “slow” vampire who hasn’t fed yet, but is too weak to go after any animal. Thats not the worst part, Wyll, who is only a short distance from Astarion’s tent — one tent away — perhaps chose to ignored his explanation, most likely not wanting to hear to excuses or manipulation (in Wyll’s eyes) because to him a bloodthirsty vampire is a bloodthirsty vampire; self control or not it didn’t matter to him

Another thing is when Astarion mentions that he’s feeling hungry, a day or so later, Wyll instantly remarks that he should settle for “vagrant chicken,” straight off the bat and absolutely no tactfulness, as if unaware or indifferent to Astarion’s efforts to avoid feeding on innocents. This could have been especially harsh for Astarion — considering how much he resents being told what to do— a reminder of his time under Cazador’s control, particularly when he had no choice having to obey his commands (lest he gets punished for not doing so 🥺)

The dynamic becomes even more complicated when the player (save for playing as Karlach) goes up to Astarion, telling him: “You can feed on me.”. Every time it comes up, Wyll doesn’t protest or intervene, despite his earlier jabs about the vampire’s source of ‘food’. There’s no protective or disapproving response from him; instead, he stands by and allows it to happen. This feels less like a typical ��enemies-to-lovers” banter and more like an ongoing pattern of unnecessary antagonism. It, to me, actually felt more like a “the ruler can do whatever they want and the person won’t interfere” thing, which isn’t far fetched to being a leader of the companions

Conclusion:

It’s important to note that Baldur’s Gate 3 is a game driven by player choice, meaning there is no definitive “canon” relationship between characters. Since each player can make different decisions and pursue different companions, any pairing, such as “Wyllstarion,” is subjective and depends on the individual player’s choices. The game doesn’t establish any specific romantic relationships as official canon, as characters do not form relationships with one another outside of the player’s actions. This flexibility allows players to experience a variety of possible relationships, and no particular outcome is considered the game’s “canon.”.

That’s like me saying “Starlach and Bloodweave are definitely canon,” but someone else might argue, “No way, it’s all about Shadowarrior — Shadowheart and Lae’zel” or “Fieryblade, Wyll x Karlach, is definitely the better option” etc. Everyone has their own interpretation of what feels right or “canon” to them. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer because the game lets you build your own story, and what feels like a natural pairing for one person might not for someone else.

More evidence that Wyll and Astarion are basically canon :p But no Wyll, no Asty kisses for you >:c Not this time.

[chocolatte-and-despair]

I've been like stalking your account and I was wondering what types of yanderes can a character be cuz I've seen so many and I was just wondering if there was like a list or something :]

There are honestly so many yandere types! You can create whatever types you want, as long as you have an imagination, but here are some of the types I usually use.

Platonic Yandere - This is an intense yandere whose feelings are as strong as a normal's yandere, but they don't have romantic feelings. This could be a friend yandere, a family yandere, or even an enemy yandere who's obsessed with keeping you by their side!

Friendly Yandere - A yandere that takes a friendship approach at the beginning to make their target become oblivious to their festering obsession and romantic feelings. When they realize the danger they are in, it's already too late.

Possessive Yandere - The usual yandere type. Someone who feels a lot of anger whenever they see their crush near other people. They believe that their crush belongs to them and that others don't have rights to them.

Manipulative Yandere - The usual yandere type. The type of yandere that seems to use a fake persona to present themselves to their loved ones. They either show a personality that the crush likes or they take the innocent route and try to trick the crush into trusting them and trapping them. They are two-faced.

Controlling yandere - The usual yandere type. This yandere loves to control every aspect of your life. They believe that they know what is best for you and will try their best to force you to follow their rules, either by forcing you or by tricking you into following them.

Submissive yandere - A yandere that is very submissive when it comes to you. They usually treat you like you are their master. They enjoy pain and seem to be pleased whenever you emotionally hurt them. Their existence is there to please you and that's all they care about.

Harmless Yandere - A yandere that will never harm you or others, but if pushed to their limit, they can lose their mind and become a different type of yandere, depending on their personality. They are usually stalkers or obsessive yanderes who would never cross a line.

Stalker Yandere - A yandere who strives to only watch you from afar and not interfere with your life. They are obsessed with the image they created for you and they are too afraid to find out who you really are, so they usually only stay as stalkers.

Kidnapper Yandere - A yandere that isn't interested in getting to know you or having a relationship with you. They are obsessed over owning you and are going to do anything to achieve that, even kidnap you if needed. They are usually controlling or delusional and have their own image of you who you should never break or you will get hurt.

Delusional Yandere - An usual yandere type. They usually don't have the courage to approach you romantically, so they delve into obsession, believing that the smallest kind act is you loving them. They could get violent towards other people if they think you are giving them too much attention.

Cheerful Yandere - A yandere that doesn't understand what they are doing wrong. They believe that they are simply in love with you and are not doing anything wrong. They are just showing you absolutely love so why would they ever need to feel ashamed for their feelings?

Self Indulgent Yandere - A yandere that only cares about their pleasure and happiness. You are just a toy to them. Most of the time, they don't see you as human nor do they love you, simply wanting to use you for their own pleasure and happiness.

Obsessive Yandere - An usual yandere type. A yandere that is completely obsessed with your existence. They are usually violent stalkers who steal from you oftentimes, and they often could be driven to madness and end up kidnapping you if they think you are slipping from their grip.

Bizarre seeking Yandere - A yandere that usually shows their love through strange acts or steals body parts or trash from you. They love anything that might be seen as disgusting by others and they show their love in the strangest way. They are usually mentally unstable or crack characters.

Clingy Yandere - A yandere that usually sticks by your side. They want to always be with you and get extremely violent whenever you aren't there or someone else is trying to take your time from them. They are prone to killing and kidnapping you if they feel like they are losing you.

Dependable Yandere - A yandere that adores it whenever you need help. They go after weak people that need them and they get a thrill from being the person that needs them. They often times will hurt you or even try to put you in a critical condition, just so you would be under their care.

Dependent Yandere - A yandere that needs you to survive. They are emotionally weak and have attached to you after you did something for them. They see you as an important part of their life and they are willing to give up their life or kill someone just to keep you by their side. A more extreme version of the clingy yandere.

Worshipper Yandere - A yandere that believes you are equal to a godly being. They worship the ground you walk on and they devote all of their time and life to serving you. They usually try to also support you monetarily if they are able.

Self Harm Yandere - A yandere who is emotionally unstable. They always threaten you with harming themselves if you ever leave them. They usually emotionally manipulate you and blackmail you into staying with them.

Violent Yandere - A yandere that doesn't shy away from murder. Murder is their first option for any problem and they are willing to end up killing you too if you try to slip away from them or if you end up betraying them.

Aggressive Yandere - A yandere that is very sweet towards you but always responds with violence when it comes to protecting you or jealousy. They don't know any other way to react and usually end up getting in a lot of fights.

Intelligent Yandere - A yandere that makes up plans to get closer to you. Either by using manipulation or blackmail or anything else, they will use their brains to bring you closer to them no matter how much they have to work for that.

Distant Yandere - A yandere who has a conflicting emotional relationship with their emotions. They are as obsessive and delusional as the others, but because they are emotionally dead, they have a hard time expressing their emotions and come across as cold or distant.

[asavt]

Another cookie squad Headcanons

Featuring Sparkling, Vampire, cellphones and the Espresso and Madeleine Story of how they came together. Consider it an AU now baby!

-As a note, when I say the squad I'm mostly referring to the adults, so no worries about Walnut or Creampuff useless I mention them too

-Each one of the squad has been in Sparkling's bar at last once. There's no need to say who has been there the most. Sparkling has a time every time someone besides Roguefort comes, because to him it's mostly like "Oh I'll finally know the continuation to the burnt toast accident or maybe the cat catastrophe? Maybe a new POV of the--"

He practically knows a lot of what happens in between the squad.

-As another note, Sparkling's bar is called Milabo (You know, like the song from Zutomayo of the same name, which, btw, I relate a lot to Latte)

-*A great part of this “AU” is kind of inspired by the song. Part of its lyrics and vibe.

-Vampire is there most of the time when the squad visits the bar (it's almost as if he never leaves the bar and this is definitely not me low-key putting sparkvamp in this oh no--) Sometimes the fakes his sleep to listen to the things others say (Which is how he knows most of Rogue's pan-ic).

-Walnut has been in Sparkling's bar too, but at day and for case-solving purposes only. Sparkling will give her some alcohol-free drink for free sometimes (mostly because he gets along pretty well with the nut family and because Almond usually pays him whatever he serves her).

-If the squad had cellphones (and probably an app like discord because.), their group chat would initially be called "Coffee mage appreciation group" and then be changed to "Coffee bean appreciation group"

Coffee Bean: Can we please change the group name and mine?

Guided by the Devine: No <3

Coffee Bean: Fuck you.

-*And they all would dedicate half their time to make fun of Almond but with love.

-Espresso has been mistaken for a dark mage before by Almond. It was how they meet actually. Almond had pulled him to interrogate him and got a long lecture on the differences between black magic and coffee magic.

-Madeleine gets along rather well with Roguefort. Rogue seems impressed by Maddie’s acting skills.

-Madeleine is currently living with Espresso. Out of his armor most of the time. He usually takes care of keeping the house clean and preparing meals (He never really had to cook before but the first dish he made wasn’t bad at all). Sometimes he will tag along Almond in the detective’s work, or Almond will ask for his help.

-I’m still unsure if I want the Almond/Roguefort/Latte to be romantic or platonic. But honestly? Both are good. Latte is pretty close to Almond and Roguefort but not in the way she is with Espresso (that makes them look like siblings jkashduawhu). Perhaps I’ll keep it platonic.

-The Espresseleine/Madespresso story of how they came together, because I seem to not be able to write it down JSHALDHUIWADWA-

--It happens after the Puppet Show mini quest. Madeleine starts to ask for Espresso's "assistance" in different mission that are given to him. Angel is there too, of course.

--During these missions is that Essy clarifies that no, they are not friends, no, he does not like Madeleine. Bringing up the knight begin too prideful and self-centered if not all then most of the time.

--Is not until one of their missions goes wrong, were Angel is knocked out and Espresso (seeing and knowing that if Madeleine is knocked down too they might not be able to go back to the kingdom ever) pretty much receives a rather big attack for Madeleine is that he kind realizes the facts given by espresso true. All while he is carrying Essy and Angel back to the kingdom, running and exhausted too.

--Clover begin kind of a mediator between the two (I want to see more of my son--)

--"Devine, protect us" Should happen too after this. An scenario like, Madeleine coming to think something like "I'm the shield, the one who goes on the front line and receives the blows for those who can't, always looking straight ahead... but if I am doing that then who watches my back? Who do I rely on and trust to take care of most enemies so the damage received is not overwhelming...?"

Power of team work baby!!!

--As a note to this, Maddie getting his cape damaged as well as his hair. So, you get short hair Maddie~

(I've been drawing him with short hair in secret now I have an excuse to show)

-- "You...cut your hair..." *Madeleine touches the points of it with one of his hands, pensive* "...pft it'll grow back!"

--There's also this "Search for your own light" thing between Angel and Maddie. Angel encouraging Madeleine to do so. Maybe Madeleine giving his best wishes to them for their wish to fly before they decide to part ways.

--Madeleine trying other ways to befriend Essy. Which at first Espresso mistaken as the knight usual attempts to befriend anyone he sees out of habit and attention seeking, but once they realize the feeling is completely genuine, Espresso is rather perplexed.

--"You can't just befriend people by buying them gifts (although I do appreciate them)" "Then what?" "hmm..."

--Said gifts used to be rather expensive things, simple though. Eventually Madeleine settles to just pass by Espresso's place, give him any food he had bought that day (which usually is glazed donuts), ask if he needs any help with something (getting a vase, materials, moving things), and if not then he just says his good byes, best wishes and silently leaves. (A note on the "silently leaves": Madeleine is pretty much used to speak loudly and enter loudly anywhere, he still does this at this point, but when it's about Espresso he is a bit more quiet, a bit showy over his entrances still, but less loud, and he actually knocks the door)

--Madeleine eventually manages to go out with Espresso to other places that aren't some place in the forest full of enemies. Probably after some more visits to his place and more calm talks between the two, Madeleine brings up that Espresso tends to act a bit cold or distant towards a lot of people, and that, although he understands his discomfort at begin in public spaces or too long out of his work, he should try and open up a bit. This reminds Essy of a certain friend he hasn't seen in some time, and from whom he keeps getting letters.

--Shenanigans.

--There's still some bickering between the two, always with a playful undertone though.

--Espresso explains Madeleine, one time the knight has gotten Espresso wrapped in a blanket burrito again and got him to bed, that sometimes, no matter how tired he might feel, he is simply unable to sleep. Part of a headcanon of mine that coffee magic has this side effect on it's users, prolonged usage of this kind of magic will induce a high caffeine kind of state, which on the long run can fuck up the user's sleep schedule. Madeleine understands this, but remains stubborn about keeping Espresso in the bed so at last he can get some rest from his work and clear his mind a little, the idiot falls asleep in the process and Espresso doesn't try to wake him up.

--This happens several times after, neither of them thinking of the implications of not begin bothered by the sudden closeness they share until it's too late.

--Espresso realizes first that he has slowly, yet nicely, fallen for Madeleine. I think I talked about this before but I'll do it again: Is in one of the times Madeleine has gotten Espresso to bed to get some rest, Espresso not begin able to fall asleep and Madeleine doing again. Is while he thinks of how he has gotten to know Madeleine for real, not the Knight Commander from a noble family or the Chosen by the Devine, but as he is, that he comes to think that "Ah.... I love him" and he remains calm about it.

--Espresso doesn't overthink it, just thinks that, if Madeleine ever got an interest in him, he would surely show it. So he waits. Even if in the end his feelings aren't mutual he knows he'll do just fine remaining friends.

--Madeleine realizes not many days after. And the realization hits him like a truck. Alone in his place and probably in bed looking at the ceiling thinking about Espresso. Once he realizes and thinks about it a bit more his face gets all red and chooses to scream in the pillow.

--He would think about telling Espresso as soon as he can, after all, he doesn't want his feelings to make their friendship weird. He values it, a lot. Maybe because his friendship with Espresso it's the first one where he genuinely wanted to become friends with someone.

--Espresso takes the confession calmly, gets all flustered after they kiss for the first time.

--As a few extras of this: Madeleine goes back to the Republic, asked to be seen by his family and Espresso goes to Parfedia, where a few students have applied to his class to his surprise. When they see each other again is at Parfedia (Madeleine sending a message to Espresso beforehand about his arrival) -there was this one drawing I did once of Maddie running to hug Espresso, something like that happens-. Madeleine gets very clingy for some reason, which they speak later and comes out as “Home doesn’t quite feel like home…” “Why is that?” “I don’t know… maybe I’ve become used to be around you”

--Espresso lets ends up letting Madeleine stay with him until he either feels like returning to the Republic or is called back, whatever happens first (though none will happen for maybe a year or a little more).

--Ends with Madeleine meeting Latte and Almond.

[commander-diomika]

[Image ID: Screenshot of a tumblr reply from user @weareallfromearth ​​ saying “Holy shit I would V much like to know what you’d do with ZolfWilde.” End ID]

This was in response to me tag rambling that if Alex “I don’t Actually Have That Much Experience in Courtship” Newall and Ben “I just Realised I’m Too Straight For This” Meredith don’t know what to do with Zolf/Wilde, they should hand the ship over to me. 

*rubs my gay little hands together.*

I initially characterized them offhandedly as Enemies-to-Lovers but that’s not quite it, is it? On reflection I would say it’s more of an Opposites Attract situation.

Oscar Wilde, as re-imagined in the RQG universe, is a homme fatale; a dangerous, attractive man, skilled in encouraging people to underestimate him, wearing different masks, never quite being able to trust or be trusted by anyone.

There is NO personal/professional line for Wilde. He lives his work, and his work is subterfuge and interpersonal manipulation. (whether or not he started this way in his field as a journalist, or was forced to become this way by the changes in his world, is another post.) He is a person who either cares very deeply what people think of him, or is has decided that manipulating what people think of him is the way to get what he wants, and from the outside it makes no difference.

Zolf Smith does not care what people think of him. He isn’t even skilled at being kind and empathetic to people he cares about; he has no time for emotional manipulation or genuine charm. He doesn’t even have a fantastic grasp on his OWN feelings, let alone other people’s. He’s grounded, disinterested in frippery or appearances. Which is why Zolf and Wilde started out so deeply at odds with one another.

Despite the differences in the interpersonal approaches, they have plenty of common ground.

They are both deeply dedicated to a cause. They care about their work to the exclusion of all else. They are both pragmatists who have their own internal moral code, and are willing to bend or break other people’s rules in order to get the job done. They are fundamentally good people. Despite their rocky beginnings, they can respect each other because of these things.

And they might have maintained their mutually disdainful, begrudgingly respectful working relationship and that could have been the sum total... Except then the world fell apart. The Meritocratic organisation was initially compromised, then disintegrated. The blue vein plague isolated everyone and made it even harder to trust supposed allies. The Cult of Hades was on everyone’s ass making their life difficult, the other PCs disappeared off the face of the planet. Zolf and Wilde ended up in a situation where they had no one else they could trust.

Familiarity breeds contempt, but maybe if the contempt is already there, it builds Something Else. Wilde was stripped of his magic in a way that made it much harder for him to keep people at a distance and (pardon the pun) project the illusion of the debonair playboy. Zolf would have had the chance to see through Wilde’s masks, and get a better understanding of what parts of Wilde were a calculated tactic, and what was his genuine self.

Whatever betrayal transpired that gave Wilde his scar and hardened him, Zolf was privy to. He was either there and saw it happen, or he was close enough in the aftermath to see Wilde properly vulnerable for the first time in their friendship. Hell, maybe Zolf was the one who rescued him and patched him up. That was a chance for Zolf to realise that this insufferable man is a friend who he cares about deeply. At this point, he’s cared for awhile, but has been too wrapped up with his own spiritual difficulties to have space to admit that to himself.

And Wilde, oh Wilde, he’s desperate to be seen and known and loved, but he’s never allowed himself. He’s never felt SAFE to. He doesn’t let people get close, treats every conversation as a battle to be won. His safety and his power lies in being admired, but never loved. So even as trust and fondness for Zolf blossoms within him, he won’t for a second allow himself to hope that the fondness is reciprocated

With all that out of the way, this is my version of events.  

Wilde is a slut (affectionate), and Zolf is gray-ace, so if there’s any bridging of that gap in terms of physical intimacy, it has to be from Zolf’s side. Giving canon a tender massage into place, that first instance of Zolf grabbing Wilde by the collar changes. (This happens on the Vengeance after Zolf has taught Wilde to steer the ship). Zolf drags Wilde down to say “I’m glad to see you perked up.” That moment now involves a whiskery kiss on Wilde’s cheek, and the man would be absolutely FLOORED by it.

I’m talking slow-mo glittering lights as Zolf stomps off blushing, unsure what just came over him; Wilde touches his cheek in bewilderment for a stretched moment before realising he’s completely agog, and he let go of the wheel for a dangerous length of time. Every interaction, every moment they’ve spent together over the last two years is flashing before Wilde’s eyes and a new context is being applied rapid fire. I’m talking the italacised oh kind of moment.

(on top of Zolf being witness to The Betrayal, throw some other moments of almost-intimacy into said flashbacks. I’m talking late nights, Zolf doing his gruff-yet-kind caretaker thing, cooking for Wilde, maybe sharing quiet and rare downtime with Zolf reading a Campbell novel on a couch in Wilde’s office)

Wilde is realising, “Oh this is allowed, oh this is reciprocated, this is possible.”

And of course they don’t talk about it, because what’s a slowburn if they immediately go and TALK about their feelings? No, the kiss goes completely unremarked upon, and Wilde continues to needle and tease and get under Zolf’s skin, except now with an added warmth in his eyes because he finally gets it. He finally understands that Zolf cares, that Zolf loves him, he’s just not the kind of dwarf that knows how to express it.

And Zolf, frustrated by feelings he can’t express but is beginning to understand, can hear the undertone of “haha, you looooove me,” shining through Wilde’s deliberate antagonism. They continue their time on the Vengeance just a little easier and closer to one another.

And we continue on to the death/resurrection arc, and Wilde’s spirit pushes for Zolf to open up about his feelings, because if not when he’s literally past death’s door, then when? When Zolf finally manages his “I need you,” it’s like a dam has broken for both of them. The second collar-grab and “We’ll go on a holiday or somethin’,” is now followed by a full kiss on the lips, not particularly erotic but passionate, (it’s the epitome of kissing someone to shut them up) and Wilde makes a surprised and delighted squeak that he would be glad he can’t quite remember when he returns to land of the living.

Once returned, Wilde might not remember everything that his spirit said or did, but he remembers the kiss. The comfort and ease that the two of them share in 179 (Eat Drink and Be Merry) is there, only instead of the two characters still being in a place of questioning their feelings for one another, it’s been answered.

Whether or not this relationship is sexual in nature is kind of up to you and what kind of fan works you like to read/write. I think there are wonderful scenes to be written an explored in many directions.

Wilde allowing himself to enjoy sex for intimacy and closeness instead of using it as a tool/ Zolf not being one for sex but Wilde’s never slept more soundly than when he’s being held in Zolf’s arms/ Zolf realising that the unfamiliar feeling he’s been struggling to express is the desire to rail Wilde til he cries/ Wilde realising that if his partner doesn’t want it from him, he’s actually quite content without sex/ The two of them being mean, antagonistic bastards to each other while fucking but Make It Kink (of the trusting and RACK kind). There really isn’t a single bad interpretation.  

So really, I’m not doing anything different with them other than reading between the lines, giving canon a little nudge, and sticking the landing. This isn’t to disparage the concept of queer platonic partners. (I’ve got one!) or to talk shit about Ben or Alex (I DO respect their craft).

It’s just to say I find these two characters , and everything they’ve been through, PAINFULLY romantic, tropey, and delightful. I’m looking forward both to how Ben and Alex play the QPP, the fanworks I’m gonna read and hopefully write, and the inevitable tragedy that you KNOW Alex is gearing up for.

[nightswithkookmin]

From Jimin: To the hyungs Jungkook is just my little brother...

I have no idea what that says. But if this is what he said, then definitely it leaves room for interpretation because it's an incomplete statement. You don't need to know the nuances of the language to understand that that statement is a sentence fragment that expresses an incomplete thought on the surface of it.

The omission of a second clause implies the opposite of what was said in the first. It's as simple as that.

The question anyone would ask upon hearing that is, so... he's more? Or, so he's not your little brother?

Makes sense...

But I've seen other translations such as, to the hyungs JK is like my little brother and in other instance, Jk is our little brother etc.

Makes you wonder if these interpretations took the context of the conversation into consideration or even why Jimin would make such a statement in the first place in their attempts to provide nuance.

"SUGA: Jungkook is good at everything

J-hope: Jungkook always surprises us. he changed his style recently!

Jimin: The hyungs all think he's like my actual little brother.

V: Jungkook is good at keeping his focus

JK: Everything about Jungkook is pretty!"

It's Jungkook from the members' lens.

When you interpret Jimin's bit within this context then it's more likely he is trying to highlight his dynamic with Jungkook more than anything, mainly to the effect that Jungkook is perhaps obedient, likeable, sweet, puppy etc.

Comparing Jungkook to his actual little brother is a compliment and perhaps has a much deeper meaning than mere friendships in my opinion. It shows just how close, more than co workers they are, how more than friends they are, how really close they are.

I don't know why shippers shy away from comparisons to family bond when in fact the bond of family is the greatest bond one could ever have.

BTS do have a habit of liking their bond to that of family- and they love to show that bond off.

It's interesting seeing Jikook through the lens of the members when most times the bond of those two are invalidated, watered down and downplayed.

Everyone would have us believe Jikook are sworn enemies from rival states. So however you wanna interpret what he said, there's value in taking things at face value. You don't need to do too too much with it to try to get its meaning across because then that would be analysis and analysis are always subjective and subject to our own confirmation biases.

To the hyungs, he's like my little brother, he is just my little brother, he's like our little brother- all have the same sentiment if taken from the perspective of that whatever JM said was intended as a compliment to Jungkook.

Perhaps Jungkook treats JM just like a younger brother would a Hyung- given the culture of respect between hyung/dongsaengs, given the way hyungs are expected to take care of their dongsaengs, given the emphasis BTS places on their bond, honorifics culture...

Perhaps he means, Jungkook treats me in such a way you'd think he were my actual younger brother- a theme which to me is in line with that whole Jimin treats me better than my own brother does or the numerous times he's compared him to his own brother or something along those lines.

They love eachother very much. Whether that is platonic or romantic is up for debate but I don't think after this anyone can invalidate their bond or gaslight is into thinking those two aren't close at all.

If the members see them as this close then it really puts an end to this whole Jungkook is uncomfortable with Jimin nonsense.

The busan bros, the busans, the sun and moon duo, the exceptionally close pair, the hyungs all think Jungkook is like my actual little brother etc

They all have a similar vibe to me.

I guess what I'm saying is, I don't care much about the nuances of the language in this context or in any context to be honest as the intention behind the text is pretty obvious💀

To me he is either providing the hyungs' perspective to affirm his dynamic with Jungkook or to affirm all that he's been saying of his dynamic with JK which is that JK is like a little brother to him just as he repeated in Festa.

To highlight and affirm their bond or to compliment Jungkook like the other's were in this instance.

This is the diagram some Karny drew to explain the nuances of the text.

And here I thought I was extra chilee.

I'm not mad at this. Love when a moment brings out the delulu in yall's eyes😭🤣🤣

I don't know why we are hung on Jimin's words out of all the statements that were made trying to dissect and over analyse it.

On one hand I feel some people are over sensationalizing while others are just plain invalidating Jikook's bonds- especially over something Jimin of all people would say.

He slick slick. I'll give him that. And he loves him some double entendres. But he's also usually the one to use dictum that makes it easier for his words and meaning to be translated- if they get translated. So it's fascinating to see the confusion his words are creating out in these streets. It really ain't that deep if you ask me chilee.

Alas, we are all adults and we all have different perspectives on these things. I'd say, find a source you trust based on their track record and stick with it. Do your own analysis or seek out others' perspectives on it. This is mine and how I take it- regardless of what any Karmy says😊

My delusions are mine and mine alone. No disrespect to Karmy. In fact, yall great people doing great holding it down for the gays🤭

Also disclaimer, I'm not a translator and any translation used here isn't mine.

In conclusion,

Hyuna screws her dongsaeng and Rain fucks his Noona. Dead that whole Jikook womb mates shit before I lay my paws on ya.

Please pls Jikook is louder than this🙄

Jeonlous counts. Keep your wokeness yo yourself please. You must be in the wrong industry if you think you have to live by a code of ethic in these ship streets.

There is no ethical nor moderate consumption of ships under shipping. There is nothing like ethical or moderate shipping for the holier than thou shippers in the back.

We all ghetto ma'am. You might as well go all out😴

My favorite line from their song though is when Hyuna sings, "I'm finna tell my father about us and pledge eternity to you. You have to be careful always though, there are lots of pretty girls out there. We have to tell the world, I can't share you with another girl."

Eventually they told the world🤭

Their careers suffered but they did it anyway.

Please no nondelusional, fake woke, moderate shipper person should tell it to me when I talk about Jungkook's frustration to come out with their relationship and come act like it's illogical hence implausible for him to want to come out etc😒

I like my delulu perspective better😌

Peace.

GOLDY

[seoafin]

Bruvvvv, nobody come after me please but i am in fact a proud virgin Gojo truther and i will stand by it! Virgin Gojo who's not innocent at all that you wouldn't actually even see it coming even after you've done it with him? The fact that he can do anything he tries... bye

Anyways, i just wanna brainrot here a bit because you're lovely and your takes are always correct. I know for a fact that that man doesn't know how to properly handle touch, he's touch starved and is cynical about intimacy, unless it just so happens to be with someone he loves and trusts, yes yes, friends that are lovers i will forever treasure this ok? I've seen your fic where he and reader did it at age of 23 and it all came crashing down on me, it makes sense??? Like this can be interpreted in so many ways and i love how you openly leave it like that unlike some fics which almost always have to mention how Gojo was fucking around 🙄 -- anyway, i love how he was playing it cool and laughing, making lighthearted atmosphere, this is Gojo afterall, he is smug, and confident and has every right to be but internally?? He's burning, and only focused on giving reader the pleasure, he just couldn't bear doing it with anyone that he didn't know properly and was finally glad to be able to do something he wanted to in like forever. Again he's confident, but he also wants to make sure she feels good no matter what, all those interal combustions are being hidden and played by his light comments, questions, jokes. So she practically could never even guess it, but even if she later found out, she wouldn't find it that surprising.

With all that said i just wanna add a mini-analysis here based on my understanding and interpretation of Gojo.

So i don't think that he would openly wanna show this side of him to just anyone, sure he appreciates beauty and all but i think he draws the line somewhere, plus, the fact that connection and love is actually important to this man, yeah no, i simply don't see him fooling around like that with anyone, he afterall doesn't do anything without a reason. If anything i think that in hs he probably explored the topic but got embarassed af and Shoko was making fun of him for trying to sound lewd on the account of his lacking experience lmaooo also there's no way Gojo could even get a girl remotely interested in anything firsthand before she turns tail and leave while Geto was scoring

So yeah, he needs a form of closeness and a bond before anything, also i briefly talked about this in the previous ask but i like to think that he and reader got back onto it a few times after aswell because why not? they do love each other after all, platonic or romantic or both? who th cares!

Conclusion: Virgin Gojo & Chad Geto <3 <3 <3

I appreciate you for leaving people to interpretate these how they want, though in truth i stand by this one the most because it makes sense to me the most heheh 🥰

FRIENDS TO LOVERS FRIENDS TO LOVERS FRIENDS TO LOVERS>>>>>> aka morgan's favorite favorite trope. it is also the reason why i neither like nor can write enemies to lovers (i can read it tho but it needs to be done excellently)

honestly as someone who slides between either he's a virgin or he probably does it once a while w/ a fwb (stress reliever + gojo's ability to detach himself from people and situations) i would rather just leave it up to whatever people want to think LOL a part of me also thinks gojo would have done it once for the novelty of it all in hs and then never again bc geto leaving crushed his heart 💔. but also i am so soft for friends to lovers and ppl having their firsts with someone they trust and love bc of the intimacy involved it's just soooooooooo *chef's kiss

shoko WOULD make fun of loser virgin gojo. shoko is getting numbers and dates. shoko is more popular than gojo AND geto combined just like she deserves.

[nospacesapparently]

SVTFOE Relationship tags in AO3

Oh boy

(for context, there are 2632 fics under Star vs. The Forces Of Evil fandom tag)

Well, because the cast of SVTFOE is big let’s focus only on the most popular characters am I right?

Marco Diaz - 1785

Star Butterfly - 1687

Tom Lucitor - 835

Janna Ordonia - 469

Moon Butterfly - 431

Jackie Lynn Thomas - 426

Toffee - 293

Eclipsa Butterfly - 283

River Butterfly - 236

Angie Diaz - 201

And since I don’t really care about Moon and the amount of written fics of the last 4 isn’t just that much when compared, we are going to focus on Marco, Star, Tom, Janna and Jackie.

But just to be fair, I am going to list the ten most written relationship tags too so we don’t miss any super popular ship by accident:

Star Butterfly / Marco Diaz - 844

Marco Diaz / Tom Lucitor - 443

Star Butterfly & Marco Diaz - 211

Star Butterfly / Tom Lucitor - 179

Marco Diaz / Jackie Lynn Thomas - 123

Tom Lucitor / Janna Ordionia - 77 + 14 (I’ll come back to this)

Moon Butterfly / River Butterfly - 74

Star Butterfly / Marco Diaz / Tom Lucitor - 71

Marco Diaz & Tom Lucitor - 66

Eclipsa Butterfly / Globgor - 66

Yet, as seen, if we ignore the platonic tags, there are only two relationship tags that don’t involve our chosen five so focusing on them is more than fine - especially since both Moon / River and Eclipsa / Globgor function as background couple pretty often. 

Before we have even really started, we can see that Star, Marco and Tom are easily the most popular characters (at least to write about). For our two beloved main characters that is no wonder but Tom appeared only in 28 segments out of 140. Which is still a considerable amount for a supporting character but the point stands. We can also see that Marco is shipped around a tad more with the difference of 387 shipping fics between him and Star in top ten relationship tags and 98 in total appearances.

(I don’t really take overlap in tags into account because it is a bitch to check and count so these numbers aren’t totally honest and reliable but whatever)

Now to go over the two person ships between the chosen five in orderly fashion.

Star Butterfly / Marco is, as stated previously, the most popular ship. Also, as stated previously, given that they are the main characters whose relationship is sort of canon (they did like one another but didn’t end up officially together until the very end (and even that was sort of unclear)) this comes as no surprise. Star’s other canon relationship with Tom (Star Butterfly / Tom Lucitor) has also a sizable amount of fanfics under it but the amount is under forth of what is written for Starco. The uncanon ships for Star / Janna and Star / Jackie have, respectively, 65 and 44 fics under their tags. Janna was prominent supporting character appearing in 31 segments and her friendship with Star was well established so no surprise there but Jackie appeared only in 17 segments and her friendship with Star wasn’t touched on much. But good for them.

Now Marco and Tom have whopping 443 fics under their relationship tag. They were never in any sort of romantic relationship but given how popular characters the two are, how their enemies-to-friends relationship is well established and how well their good chemistry shows in the later seasons, it would be weird if they weren’t a popular ship. Compared, Marco’s canon relationship with Jackie is much less popular with 123 fics. But since Jackie’s character saw overall very little development over the seasons and was ultimately pretty much put on buss at the start of season 3... Yeah. Now Janna and Marco didn’t have any sort of romantic relationship either but they still do have 59 fics under their tag.  

Now Tom and Jackie don’t interact on screen like, at all, so the amount of 9 fics of them reflects that. Janna and Tom on the other hand have 77 + 14 fics under their relationship tags. Yes, tags. Because in AO3, there are two relationship tags for the two, Janna Ordonia / Tom Lucitor and Tom Lucitor / Janna Ordonia. And the two tags don’t even show all the fics about the two automatically. They are considered by the filter as different relationship tags. Yeah. Fuck that.

There are also 18 fics under Janna Ordonia / Jackie Lynn Thomas. And they are childhood friends so that checks out.

And now for the 3+ person tags.

(sigh)

There is a fuckton of 3+ person ships that involve at least one of the five. In fact, 9 of them are just different combination of some of them. There are

Marco Diaz / Tom Lucitor / Jackie Lynn Thomas (1)

Star Butterfly / Janna Ordonia / Jackie Lynn Thomas (7)

Star Butterfly / Marco Diaz / Jackie Lynn Thomas (12)

Star Butterfly / Marco Diaz / Janna Ordonia (2)

Star Butterfly / Marco Diaz / Janna Ordonia / Jackie Lynn Thomas (5)

Star Butterfly / Marco Diaz / Tom Lucitor (71)

Star Butterfly / Marco Diaz / Tom Lucitor / Jackie Lynn Thomas (2)

Star Butterfly / Marco Diaz / Tom Lucitor / Janna Ordonia (2)

Star Butterfly / Tom Lucitor / Janna Ordonia (1)

Other than the 8th most popular relationship tag (7th most popular ship tag) between Star, Marco and Tom, none of them are all that written about on the own but the sheer number of them is surprising. All in all, there are 16 3+ person ships you can form with 5 people, so for 9 of them to be written of? That is a lot for 3+ person ships. I mean, you can find pretty much any two person ship to have at least one fic under them (as long as they come from them same series, are humanoid enough and popular enough). But 3+ ships? Those are already much more rare.

Now for the 3+ person ships that include both Marco and Star and at least one other person outside of chosen 5 (in order by how many people are in the ship):

Brunzetta / Star Butterfly / Marco Diaz (1)

Eclipsa Butterfly / Star Butterfly / Marco Diaz (1)

Moon Butterfly / Star Butterfly / Marco Diaz (1)

Star Butterfly / Angie Diaz / Marco Diaz (1)

Star Butterfly / Marco Diaz / Hekapoo (2)

Star Butterfly / Marco Diaz / Higgs (1)

Star Butterfly / Marco Diaz / Original Characters (2)

Moon Butterfly / Star Butterfly / Marco Diaz / Miss Heinous | Meteora Butterfly (1)

Star Butterfly / Chloe / Marco Diaz / Jackie Lynn Thomas (1)

Star Butterfly / Marco Diaz / Kelly / Jackie Lynn Thomas (1)

Star Butterfly / Marco Diaz / Hekapoo / Janna Ordonia / Jackie Lynn Thomas (2)

Star Butterfly / Marco Diaz / Janna Ordonia / Jackie Lynn Thomas / Brittney Wong (1)

Marco Diaz / Star Butterfly / Hekapoo / Kelly / Janna Ordonia / Jackie Lynn Thomas (3)

Star Butterfly / Marco Diaz / Hekapoo / Tom Lucitor / Janna Ordonia / Jackie Lynn Thomas (1)

Some big group things but mostly couples mashed together / couple plus additional person. Some incest. All of it expected. And fun fact! Majority of fics with 4+ person relationship tag are explicit! And judging from the other tags, not because of violence.

Now, rest of 3+ person relationship tags. We have

Star Butterfly / Janna Ordonia / StarFan13 / Jackie Lynn Thomas (1)

girl group scene (porn), 

Chloe / Marco Diaz / Jackie Lynn Thomas (1)

Marco, Marco’s ex and Marco’s ex’s new girlfriend,

Marco Diaz / Hekapoo / Jackie Lynn Thomas (2)

Chantelle / Marco Diaz / Brittney Wong (2)

More porn,

Marco Diaz / Tom Lucitor / Original Butterfly Family Character(s) (1)

Marco, Tom and what turned out to be Star’s brother,

Angie Diaz / Marco Diaz / Hekapoo (1)

Eclipsa Butterfly / Marco Diaz / Miss Heinous | Meteora Butterfly

Eclipsa Butterfly / Moon Butterfly / Marco Diaz (3)

More good old incest,

Angie Diaz / Rafael Diaz / Jackie Lynn Thomas (1)

Jackie getting busy with Marco’s parents

Marco Diaz / Everyone (6)

And, unsurprisingly, some harem stuff (out of the six fics four were teacher-student and/or age-difference, in one the “everyone” were random hook-ups and the last was multiverse, Marco’s-children-from-different-timelines-where-he-ended-up-with-different-people-suff).

[masterjedilenawrites]

Blueberries and Cowboys: Chapter 2

A choose-your-own-adventure style fic. First, 2 platonic chapters for set-up/build-up. And then, the story will split into 2 paths depending on your romantic pairing preference: You and Thrawn, or You and Eli.

Chapter Masterlist

Chapter 2: The Plan

Pairing: None...yet...

Chapter Warnings: Mentions of bullying

Length: 2k

AO3 Link (In case you like it better over there, it’s okay, no judgement)

The rest of the week saw the three of you using every bit of free time outside your classes and studies to gather information for Thrawn to build a solid plan.

Eli tailed his pesky classmate Arden everywhere, even skipping a class one day to break into his dorm, trying to learn anything about the guy that could be useful to get him involved in the plot. Thrawn analyzed the simulation software and protocols that would be used to administer the tests, mapping out every possible way Commander Burdick could hijack it. And you were the one spying on the Burdick himself. Since the commander didn't seem too interested in your grades, you were able to shadow him without suspicion, and had been able to slip a bug into his offices to eavesdrop on any potential conversations about his plans for sabotage.

Your classmates and the staff were none the wiser. That was the advantage of being social outcasts. Half of them avoided you all like the plague, and the other half already thought you were weird people doing weird things. So it wasn't long before you'd all gotten enough intel to work with.

It was late in the evening at the end of the week. You found yourself in Thrawn and Eli's shared dorm, which looked identical to your own in the opposite wing, because the Empire couldn't bother with things like individuality or comfort. Eli sat on the edge of his top bunk, his legs swinging casually, and his coat unbuttoned to reveal a wrinkled undershirt you knew he hadn't bothered to wash all week. Thrawn paced about in the middle of the room, his long strides only allowing him about four good steps before he had to turn around. He still had his uniform on, boots and badges and all.

You leaned against the railing of the bed, watching Thrawn as he went back and forth. Sometimes he sat still when he was scheming, with his fingers steepled and his gaze seemingly reaching into some unknown dimension beyond your comprehension. That usually happened when he was running through variables that didn't concern you, at least from his perspective. You and Eli had accepted long ago there would always be parts of his plans he would never share with you. He was kind of a control freak like that.

But tonight, he seemed to be more welcoming of collaboration, hence his steady rhythm of pacing in front of you.

"Only one variable remains, as I see it," he was saying. "We understand how the commander will manipulate the system to cause a redundancy in the simulation, thus rendering the test impossible to finish successfully."

You and Eli shared a glance; the only person who truly understood how that was going to happen was Thrawn. He'd tried explaining numerous times but when it came to codes and tech, the two of you weren't able to fully keep up.

"We also know through your investigating," Thrawn motioned to you with what you thought was an impressed look, causing you to feel a little pride, "that the commander plans to only sabotage my test, believing it will be too suspicious if Eli also fails. He will also manipulate his false code to originate from the computer of his former lover Eva Carroway, who currently works in HR. So if an investigation does ensue, it will be traced to her and not him."

You and Eli chuckled under your breaths. It had been a little amusing when you'd discovered Commander Burdick was using this plan to not only undermine Thrawn, but also get revenge on his ex-girlfriend. But even more hilarious was how awkward Thrawn treated the subject. He had been quite perplexed to learn people could be so vindictive after a break-up. And any time he explained that detail of the plan, like he was doing now, he hesitated over his word choice. You couldn't tell if he only pretended to be confused about romantic relations, or if that was truly an area he found himself lost in.

If Thrawn noticed your snickering, he didn't respond to it, only continued to recap the plan. "We have also determined how we will expose the altered code naturally, so it does not cast suspicion on us... What was the word you used?"

"Backfire," said Eli.

"Yes. It would not due to have anyone suspect that we altered the test ourselves, or to have our concerns disregarded altogether. Thus, arranging for the maintenance crew to get a mild case of food poisoning so their performance checks are postponed to occur right before the tests will take care of that variable. At the least, they will fix the altered code and I will take the test as normal. At the most, they will report it and the commander faces expulsion."

"So..." said Eli through a yawn as he stretched. "What's left to work out, then?"

Now it was time for you and Thrawn to share a look.

"Were you not interested in involving your classmate, Arden Fey?" asked Thrawn in his soft, contemplative voice.

Eli shrugged. "Yeah. But Burdick's already got his scapegoat, his ex. So it'll be easier to keep him out of it. Whatever."

You could tell he was trying to be nonchalant. But just this morning, he had spent the entire walk between classes ranting about some new insults Arden had come up with, and how badly he wanted to show the guy up once and for all. You knew your friend wasn't feeling "whatever" about it.

"It's not a matter of ease or difficulty," Thrawn stated plainly. He had stopped pacing and was standing with hands behind his back, highlighting the broadness of his shoulders and the height of his stance. His presence seemed to fill up the whole room, and not for the first time, you were glad to be his friend and not his enemy.

"Yeah," you added in encouragement. "We just have to get creative. Find a way to make Arden a more appealing scapegoat than Burdick's ex. In fact...."

You trailed off as an idea occurred to you. You darted out of the room, surely leaving your two friends perplexed, but you would only be a second. You sprinted down the corridor toward the lifts, where a bulletin hung against the wall with fliers and pamphlets. One notice was a bit larger than the others, a promotion of an upcoming gala event to celebrate the Academy's anniversary. You ripped it off and went racing back to the boys' dorm room.

Eli had come down from the bunk and held a concerned look, probably prepared to follow you if you hadn't returned so quickly. Thrawn was still standing composed, but there was a curiosity in his eyes that made you smile.

You held up the poster in front of your chest. "What do you think the likelihood is of us playing successful matchmakers this week?"

Thrawn understood your idea almost immediately, looking down on you with a pleased smirk. It made you flush a little, to know the Chiss was impressed. You rarely had a chance to contribute good ideas when his mind worked so much faster than yours.

Eli caught on next, and he started to grin, the happiest you'd seen him in a while. His smile was infectious and you grinned back. Happy looked good on him.

"We know Eva's not shy with younger guys," you explained. "Before Burdick, she was fooling around with some intern in the med bay."

"And Arden's vain enough," added Eli. "If he thinks anyone's interested, he'll go for 'em."

"So we get him to ask her to the gala as his date...." you said.

"Burdick sees the two of them together...." said Eli.

"And realizes he can get back at his lover in another way, by pinning the sabotage on another student...." joined Thrawn.

The three of you stood together, proud and satisfied that yet another plan had finally worked out. It was almost worth the stressful studying and petty bullying and all the other unpleasant things you had to endure at this god-forsaken school, just to have fun moments like this with trusted friends.

"We should attend this gala as well," Thrawn said eventually, holding out a hand for the poster. He inspected it thoughtfully. "It is only a few days before the tests, so I hadn't planned to pay it any mind. But now...."

"Yeah, we should make sure Burdick's as jealous as we want 'im," nodded Eli.

You were secretly pleased. The plan was already a win-win, but now you would be able to go to the event yourself, too. You hadn't mentioned your desire to go to either of them before, figuring they weren't interested and not wanting to sound silly if you suggested it. But you did love dancing, and it was so very rare you got a chance to wear something other than your Imperial uniform.

"It's a dance," you noted, in case they couldn't tell by the details on the poster. "We'll need to go in pairs."

"I suppose it would make the most sense for you and Eli to go together," said Thrawn quietly.

You looked between the two, realizing both of them were flushed slightly. Eli's cheeks were dotted with pink, standing out amongst his dark brown features, while Thrawn had more of a purple tint to his face now, a color you'd never seen there before. You could feel yourself growing warm and uncomfortable as well. It was only a dance... only a way for you to enact a much more important plan... but it was the first time your trio had had to engage in anything other than platonic friendship. The balance of your group seemed to be shifting ever so slightly in this moment, and you had no way of knowing if it was for good or ill.

You cleared your throat, pushing away any feelings that might have been brewing in your chest, and instead calling focus back to the mission at hand.

"Actually, I think I'd better go with Thrawn. Whoever doesn't go with me would have to find their own date, and no offense Thrawn, but I think Eli has the better chance of asking someone else."

You hoped they hadn't noticed how hollow your voice sounded, how hard you were trying to keep yourself emotionless.

Eli was pinker than ever. "Uh, I highly doubt that..."

"You're not completely hated around here, you know," you said quickly. "Definitely not with the girls. You're not bad looking, you can be charming if you try, and you're... you know, human." You glanced at Thrawn and added again quietly, "No offense."

Thrawn shook his head. His color and demeanor had already slipped back into his usual neutral self. "No, I agree. Those are the dynamics of our peers and we must work with it. I will take you to the gala, Eli will find his own date, and all three of us will push Arden and Eva together as well. It's a good plan."

You all nodded in agreement. But there was a knot in your stomach, a nervousness you didn't quite understand. You cared very much for both Thrawn and Eli. They were your best friends, your only friends. As a group, you were bonded by your ostracism, protecting and supporting each other on your journey out of this hell-hole.

And separately, you had something special with each, too. You and Eli came from similar backgrounds, and had the same need to disconnect from your surroundings and just have a bit of fun every once in a while. The two of you had spent many late nights together, either hopping between bars, exploring the city, making each other laugh uncontrollably, or quietly sharing the honest thoughts you both buried far too deeply inside. Some nights you'd done all of the above, and returned to your dorm feeling both exhausted and renewed.

But Eli didn't always appreciate the finer things in life, and that's where you connected with Thrawn. He wasn't necessarily an optimist, but he had this way of noticing the beauty that existed everywhere around you, even in the most simple or mundane of moments. Everything had the potential to be interesting. His calm but strong presence had kept you grounded and sane throughout your studies here so far. Sometimes you would talk, other times you would simply be in the same space. And either way, you felt better about life.

You didn't exactly want your relationship with them to change. But you couldn't help but feel this gala would do just that....

Next Chapter: The Preparation >

Blueberry Path | Thrawn x reader

Cowboy Path | Eli x reader