#[SHIP] ~I Was The Only One Who Understands~

[weirdmageddon]

why i think aradia and john work so well

(with some stuff i’ve been wanting to yap about for ages)

have you guys ever given arajohn / johnradia (idk if its popular enough to even have a standardized ship name) any thought …? i know it seems kind of out of left field. i’ve considered it and i think its. really really good. i have a bunch of thoughts to unpack. come join me. and maybe grab a snack or something because i didn’t realize how much i'd actually have to say about this

(fantastic art by skeletood)

the other day i made a tweet that did rather well where i said, “john and aradia shouldve talked more. its so simple but i like how she actually earnestly answers his questions. so many characters in this comic are so mean to john for just wanting to know more give him a break”

putting it out there now im not big about shipping for the sake of shipping. there needs to be real chemistry. i need to sense that as a reason why two characters would potentially be a good influence on each other. i never knew why i was always so obstinate about this because it’s fictional and not materially hurting anyone, but i think it might be because i’m not sure how to justify it or explain it if not.

i strongly believe john and aradia would have had it made out for them if circumstances allowed it. (what i mean by “ship” or “johnradia” extends to any kind of interpersonal dynamic, even if just a good friendship. it doesnt even have to be romantic, just some sort of dynamic with them.)

unfortunately aradia originally committed herself to staying out of trolling the kids over their timelines, so john and aradia never talked until year 3 on the ship in the dream bubbles but they never had a truly proper one-on-one without outside meddling. i think if john knew aradia better and her story beforehand, she had more time to explain herself and her history, he wouldnt have been unsettled. and also of course if his experience with the trolls didn’t suck so bad because he already had expectations for how antagonizing most of them were.

i found people’s sentiments about johnradia elsewhere too. i remembered that they were both on the song art for ascend, and searched ao3 to see how many fics have been written to gauge how substaintial it’s been in the homestuck fandom. only 17 of them turned up. but the people who do talk about it are either curious about it or really do like it, and that interested me.

clearly it’s pretty niche character relationship to be depicted in any fanwork and i can understand why. despite being so small, from what ive seen it seems universally agreed upon to be nice. i haven’t seen a single person object to it. what ive seen falls into two categories: “wow i didnt think about this before but i actually dig it” or “(starving) finally some good fucking food”

the pattern im seeing is that people think it’s “random”, but i disagree. there is something there substantiating it even if they’re unable to articulate it.

the fanfic these comments are from is chronology of wind. that fic is really, really good, and sadly unfinished. i have more abstract reasons to believe why aradia and john would be good in theory, so actually seeing someone else actually make something with them helped me read it in action, to get a more tangible feel of the dynamic beyond what we have in canon.

i wouldn’t normally make claims about a relationship with regard to homestuck canon by looking at their relationship in a fanfic, because i think you all know by now i am very nitpicky about accurate characterization, and it does not go unnoticed by me when people get it right because for some reason it feels like a one in a million thing (even though it really shouldn’t be?). so this was a special case. the tone was completely consistent with canon. this fic is so in-character i’d basically consider it an extension of canon. to me it’s like they took the same characters and plopped them into this scenario to see how they’d interact. guys… i love that stuff so much. i love fanfiction or fanworks that depict realistic extensions of canon and stays true to the energy and tone of the source, but deepens it. there isn’t enough of it imo. i want to see more of it.

anyway, what i read of their conversations in that fic basically aligned with what i was thinking in my head about what i’d expect it to be like. i was able to compare how aradia and john talked to how aradia and the other characters interacted, their comparative attitudes towards each other—how they’re treated by others compared to how they treat each other.

have you noticed john and aradia’s communication values are both based on sincerity, being in the proper know, treating people fairly, and thanklessly taking on the necessary work that “must be done” in order to have what they really want — a good time that feels meaningful? and they accomplish this without any adjustment in how they talk to each other.

john is always subtly (or not-so-subtly) asking the people around him to answer him soberly and to the point so he knows whats going on and what that means for what his options are. he needs to know to what end he will be applying his absurd energetic drive into making shit happen. aradia honors his time before john can even become uncomfortable with the amount of time being eaten up by conversation. contrast this with rose, who seems to go on for a while with prose-like conversational adornments. in dire situations that need rapid explanation and definitive answers so he knows what to do, this is really the last thing he needs. aradia doesnt waste john’s time. she answers all his questions, and does it politely to boot. his time talking to her doesn't feel wasted.

john's impatience with this sort of nonsense is also why i can’t see something like dirkjohn working out, for example. to me it feels like @entropicbias also deeply understands this on some level because i literally couldn’t have demonstrated what i mean by it any better myself than that. i'm gonna have to to hit him up about how much i genuinely respect that like tbh hes one of the few i absolutely trust to handle writing and depicting these characters in situations and their interpersonal dynamics. and also care about doing their characterization justice as much as me.

of course people are still entitled to like whatever they like, ship whatever they want to. i dont care. but i just don’t think it would work from the perspective of the minds of the canon characters, how they generally think and approach situations. and i can already tell people might ask me how do i know this? what makes me an expert? i’m not more than anyone else is (although i have been called a "characterization expert" from my friends), but i do know that i can pick up on the energetic chemistry between people, including characters, honestly precognitively, without even thinking? like if it’s stiff or tense or awkward, if people aren’t free to express themselves uninhibitedly, if they feel unsafe or uncomfortable. i can sense this almost instantly. it’s something that’s a visceral feeling in my body i cant express and i have to rationalize it after the fact. like i’m doing now in fact writing this big analysis.

> listen to me talk about my special interest boy

for the next section to make sense, you probably want to read this post. i initially started writing it within this post to explain but there was so much brewing i had to explain the context that it turned into something i wanted to post on its own terms.

> okaaaaaayyyyy i read all that

thank you, really. my main point is using the conceptual tools provided by this system to expIain why aradia and john feel nice together and why i’ve seen people positively perceive the idea of a relationship between them even if it seems “random”.

framing them in this system, it wouldn’t be random! there’s a good reason they seem to fit nicely. this is because john and aradia have complementary forms of information metabolism. information metabolism is talked about in this section.

Jung’s psychic types are the types of cognition, or intelligence. But it would probably be easiest to call them types of IM [information metabolism], since the main difference between the types of people lies in their exchange of information with the external world.

Aushra Augusta, Commentary on Jung’s Typology and Introduction to Information Metabolism

aradia megido’s type of information metabolism (otherwise known as a TIM) is LII. john egbert’s TIM is ESE.

aradia and john’s types are duals. you can read more about what that entails here. in theory, their interactions would reflect the duality dynamic. reading chronology of wind, that one really in-character fic that explored their dynamic made me excited because they do!

michael pierce gave an overview of his impression of the characteristics of this intertype dynamic. despite only rough knowledge in socionics while he wrote this, his understanding of duality was spot on to me from my experience and others and i wanted to share it here. (fittingly, i believe he is also LII.)

Now we have the famous duality relationship: in a nutshell, this role is characterized by two traits: 1) a very close psychological distance or intimacy, and 2) a great ease of interacting with each other. It is sometimes described how meeting one's dual can be the event of a lifetime, because it inspires aspects in each party's character that they had never expressed before: the pair may even drop out of society for a time in order to focus on just each other, and to explore themselves through interaction with each other. The curious thing in this relationship is that these parties are rather different in outlook, and when they are not actually interacting as potential friends it's probably more likely for them to dislike or mistrust each other because of how different they are. […] However, when they are able to interact normally, it is a strange and wonderful discovery to realize that the interaction is unexpectedly smooth and invigorating. It's hard for people to describe, but as I understand it: while both parties recognize their differences on the surface, these differences are created by a root structure that coincides perfectly with each other, so that the differences on the surface are entirely complementary and cause no friction at all.

it’s also meaningful to consider that the structure of my own psyche is LII as well. so i’ve got a bit of a bias towards aradia and john.. not in the sense that what i actually say about them is personally biased, but that the bias is moreso my personal attention to people and characters of these two types in particular to see how my own experiences are reflected in them. i really do feel of a reflection of my own thought and work process in aradia and in the more abstract sense she is like an extension of myself. when people say they like aradia as a character i get secondhand joy from that because shares certain specific traits with me. of course i am still my own person though.

these are some of the most apt profiles i've found for these types at a glance. again, think about these characters as you read these descriptions. [from here (ESE / LII)]

ESE (Ethical-sensory extrovert) - john

The trademark quality of this type is a focus on socializing and guiding social situations and interactions so that the people involved can have fun and enjoy themselves. ESEs are typically in the middle of what is happening socially and know about the latest events and what people think and feel about them. They are skilled at bringing people together in fun and interesting ways and making everyone feel actively involved. Their friends know them as people who love life and feel most at home in social situations surrounded by other fun people. In their pursuit of fun-oriented and stimulating social interactions, ESEs typically neglect to structure their own thought processes and views in a way that would help them know exactly what they think and why. They are receptive to others’ attempts to help them introduce more structure and logical consistency in their life and thinking processes. They gravitate most to people who open up to fun and emotional interaction easily, yet are also skilled at systematizing thoughts and views and explaining ideological matters.

LII (Logical-intuitive introvert) - aradia

The trademark quality of this type is a focus on logical, structured thought and generating true assertions and views. LIIs are typically strict thinkers who are concerned that everything fits together in a logical way. They are skilled at understanding, generating, and criticizing logical arguments and instilling their views in the people around them. Their friends know them as people with well-organized thoughts and opinions who know what they think and can elucidate their ideas to others. In their pursuit of logical understanding, LIIs typically neglect their external social interactions and activities that would help them lighten up and experience a connection with other people. They are receptive to others’ attempts to create these fun and lighthearted situations for them. They gravitate most to people who are interested in their opinions and understanding of things, but are also skilled at organizing social interactions and creating a sense of emotional unity.

ive recently consciously experienced the feeling of duality for the first time since i've been communicating with my mom's high school classmate, and it is definitely a real thing. i even remember mom pointing out she noticed when we were all talking on the phone over a year ago that i perked up whenever he said stuff. here is how i explained it:

its bonkers how only once i experience something for myself i’m able to explain in detail what makes it so great based on what my impressions about it were because i tend to have a peculiar way of describing the qualities of an experience. my specialty is deep precision in my analogies for what it’s like. so now i can tell you how conversations with your dual feel… heres the status report. it’s weightless. its so strange. like the topic conversation stretches into infinity that you can pick right back up at any time. it’s hazy and unfocused but still pleasant (unless you’re particularly self-conscious and need to unlearn hiding your true self). but the best parts of it come when you have a specific issue or insecurity that comes with being your most natural self that the world seems to misunderstand about you, or just not give you what you don't even know you’ve been looking for. i think you might mutually intimidate each other at first because you're lowkey both expecting to be made fun of for your inadequacy with certain types of information that the other is nuanced with (and you’re not), but it never comes. you don't feel like what your dual wants in life is wrong. your dual seems so talented in all the ways you hope to shine but you’re always unsure of. for the introvert (me) wishing they felt their own active presence as an object (Se, Ne, Te, Fe) like the extravert does. for the extravert, wishing they felt their own relationships with other objects (Si, Ni, Ti, Fi) like the introvert does. any other intertype relationship (ITR) vs. duality is like the difference between 99% and 100% totality of a solar eclipse, except it’s the level of understanding with another person, like the eclipsing of your own information metabolism with theirs. of course there are other things that influence how well your relationship with this person goes, but i am talking strictly about when it comes to basic communication, the level of understanding you share. sometimes it might feel like you dont have much to talk about or the topic is unfocused, because you two ARE opposites in many ways after all, especially at a glance (domain of interests usually come with specific macroelements. theories about thought structures—like socionics, for instance—are in the domain of intuition, while physical interests and experiences are in the domain of sensorics.) i’m LII in the NT club (researchers) and my dual ESE in the SF club (social-communicative). so they’re constantly providing you with information from their own niche in life that you may be entirely unfamiliar with, but for some reason still interests and relaxes you to hear. you might not feel like you have a lot to say about the topic since but you are fully amazed by this person’s activity. it also makes you feel more sure of yourself and more confident that people truly appreciate and need your natural abilities.

> let’s break it down

here’s some lightly modified descriptions of the information blocks in LII and ESE's information metabolism models from pyatnitsky so you can get an overarching impression of how their type contributes to the informational sphere. i added some of my own adjustments and borrowed some sentences from stratiyevskaya's descriptions. additionally, you can click on the name of the block for an explanation of the role it plays.

i put about a week’s work into these collages but my goal with them was to actually show where i think these information blocks are most pertinent in these characters specifically and where they apply so it’s not just some abstract thing, just as supplementary examples as needed. (for the meaning of these information elements individually you can refer to cysia’s document.)

LII (Logical-intuitive introvert)

EGO (-Ti? -> -Ne!). Analytical thinking. They are well aware of the interrelationships of some objects or phenomena with others, and what laws are in effect or not in effect. On the basis of a comprehensive analysis, they put forward insights about the global essence of specific objects and phenomena, their possibilities. They acutely charge the situation with potential energy. For every situation, there is an archetype.

Super-EGO (-Fi? -> -Se!). Normative ideas about relationships between people and ways to get out of unpleasant ethical situations. Understands ethics as founded on the principles of fairness; to do to one side of the equation that you do to the other. Volitional manifestations in order to protect their living space are carried out only on the basis of personal experience. Because of the limited opportunities to fight back, they react painfully to attempts of any interference in his life. Does not respond to any arbitrary crudeness or volitional pressuring. Does not compromise goals, stubbornly clings to them. Avoids direct confrontation if possible, would rather talk civilly and earnestly. Uses their naturally strong sense of the conditioning of objects over time to avoid collisions with their material interests. Due to this, they may appear as someone with very little weaknesses.

Super-ID (+Fe -> +Si?) Attracts information about a good mood, a specific positive state, or a feeling. They would like to think that they can eliminate serious inconveniences, make the environment around them more comfortable. This skill needs to be evaluated. They are unconsciously activated when there is a need to make the environment more comfortable, which should lead to a better state, raise the mood at least in the immediate environment. In friendly, comfortable, and informal company, their cool exterior thaws and they start lighting up with joviality.

ID (+Te! → +Ni?). Has developed guidelines and methods that relate to specific practical activities, technological effectiveness, and resource use. Spontaneously feels the correct allocation of resources over time, which allows them to effectively solve tasks at an unhurried pace. This pace is deeply rational in nature.

ESE (Ethical-sensory extrovert)

EGO (+Fe! -> +Si?). Perception of the world is fundamentally emotional. Feels the emotional atmosphere well in any situation, knows the relevance of the way of expression, the place and weight (importance) of the internal state in each situation. Flexible approach to solving problems of managing and expressing emotions. They show bright emotionality both negative and positive. Creatively produces around themself comfort, coziness, conveniently arranges space, surrounds others with beautiful things, changing thereby the general condition and mood. Usually opinionated about their tastes.

(wow i really went all out on that this one that tumblr wont even display it in full resolution, so here. john just has so many more lines to choose from, sorry!)

Super-EGO (+Te! -> +Ni?). Practical and technological thinking is tightly based on acquired knowledge and patterns of solving similar problems. Methods of business activity in both general and specific areas are selected based on the opinion of reputable sources, or adjusted to one of the mastered templates. Predicting specific changes in the sphere of their interests is carried out only on the basis of personal experience. He is not able to compare his own method of forecasting with others, so he is sensitive to criticism of poor timing or deadlines, does not like situations that feel like a waste of his time; he is lost in connection with negative events. Guided by purely personal experience, he chooses specific times and deadlines for various tasks with a normative understanding of business activity in general.

Super-ID (-Ti? -> -Ne!). Attracts information about the order, specific logical relationships in the field of activity or interests. Needs someone to suggest specific ways to make connections between phenomena, patterns, and rules. Tries to be reasonable himself, even though he knows that this is not characteristic of him. Sometimes he openly talks of his actions that were poorly reasoned through, as if inviting other people to laugh at his thoughtlessness. The ordering and systematization of thought opens up a new way of understanding of events that are happening around him, as well as new prospects, potential, and capabilities. He likes to think that he understands the essence of a situation and lights up with new ideas. This skill needs to be evaluated. It is unconsciously activated when it is necessary to create order, clear consistency and clarity on a particular issue, especially if their abilities are recognized.

ID (-Fi? -> -Se!). Involuntarily keeps track of communications in their social circle. Without hesitation, they use a variety of ways to establish and maintain relationships that have been developed in his personal practice. Good relationships are important for personal inner confidence in a situation. To prevent unfavorable relationships, they are inclined, often without even realizing it, to act with pressure, forcing a showdown, forcing the partner to change the relationship for the better. Frequently demonstrates his resoluteness, persistence, and purposefulness, as if proposing his behavior as a model for imitation. Usually tells in much detail what obstacles were created before him, and how he overcame them, what he was told in response, and what he replied with, and so on and in the like.

(full res)

you might be able to see already how they would complement each other's thought process nicely. here are some descriptions of what the communication between these types is like:

+Fe! : program function of ESE and dual-seeking function of LII

The ESE periodically tells emotionally charged "program" function stories, telling of how somebody has acted and what they have done. The main orientation of ESE's leading ethical program is: "No one should be offended." The LII carefully listens to these statements, and, demonstrating a full understanding of these issues, develops logical basis for them, e.g. in calm persuasive voice he explains how the ESE has acted justly and fairly. The effusion of turbulent emotions coming from the ESE is counterbalanced by their absorption by the LII, who breaks them down into fragments by asking clarifying questions of the ESE.

-Ti? : dual-seeking function of ESE and program function of LII

The ESE is tuned to accepting information when it's relayed in clear logical form. He issues requests for logical explanations delivered from a point of view of generalized rules underpinning specific life events, which he receives from the LII, who delivers clear unambiguous interpretations, places the dots over all "i's", and demonstrates good understanding of problems that are of concern to the ESE. Not receiving information of this kind, the ESE begins making demands of those around him to be "intelligent" and understand the reasons of his actions.

-Ne! : activating function of ESE and creative function of LII

The ESE feels uncomfortable if he doesn't extend his help to people who are in need of it. His subconscious orientation is: "care and guard the talented", be kind and attentive towards other people. The LII usually meets such criteria by proving in action his aptitude at uncovering hidden capabilities, winning trust, passing on the knowledge. The ESE creates supportive conditions for people who are capable but lacking in assertive "push-through" qualities, among whom the LII finds himself, and a special work regime that protects such individuals from overloads on sensing functions. Newly discovered possibilities inspire and promote the pragmatic and business-oriented activities of the ESE. He can support a new undertaking or initiative with an enormous amount of energy and enthusiasm, light up by new ideas. Only the LII is able to, even having a vague general notion about the subject, construct a developed theory or idea of any issue. This theory shows to be promising in the process of its concrete application within its field.

+Si? : creative function of ESE and activating function of LII

LII tries to take care of their well-being, but may gravitate towards demonstrative asceticism, exhaust himself with work, studies, or exercise. The ESE periodically takes care of creating an environment that "charges" the LII with pleasant sensations: a reception of guests, a good meal, a visit to a theater or a concert, an interesting trip, and so on. At the same time the ESE takes pleasure in this himself.

+Te! : role function of ESE and observing function of LII

The role function of the ESE manifests as business-oriented activity and initiative, supplying interesting information, provision with material assistance to those who are in need, general restlessness and fussy busyness. This function is normative, i.e. the ESE seeks to comply with the norms and accepted ways of doing things. The nuancing of the understanding of these norms, i.e. introduction of activities that go beyond them, is possible only by considering LII's advice and recommendations. The LII serves as a director of this function, adjusting its workings by advocating the necessity of practical application of some beneficial ideas, rejection of useless though spectacular ideas, and the need to ensure standards of life not below average by rejection of equalization.

+Ni? : vulnerable function of ESE and demonstrative function of LII

The ESE poorly feels the flow of time, both physical, which manifests as running late and poor distribution of his strengths over time, and historical, which manifests as poor ability to anticipate consequences of actions and tendency for traditional ways of solving problems. The ESE finds it difficult to make radical choices. The LII fully takes this aspect onto his shoulders. He has an unconscious ability to distribute activities in time, thereby avoiding work stress and overloads, and is capable of making a radical choice. The LII is able to calmly wait and in the necessary moment get to work when the wasteful fussiness of the ESE reaches its critical point.

-Fi? : ignoring function of ESE and role function of LII

On this function the ESE gives advice and makes demands concerning the creation of appropriate psychological distances in form of proper behavior, courtesy and politeness, denouncing rudeness and boorishness. In this manner, the ESE adjusts LII's role function, which in itself contains a set of large psychological distances: a sullen stubborn look, unsociability, etc. With such fine-tuning it becomes easier for the LII to come into contact with people, whereby he becomes more animated, resolves many of his ethical problems that previously frightened him, gains greater insight into human relationships and a more accurate understanding as to whose side to take in situations of conflict.

-Se! : demonstrative function of ESE and vulnerable function of LII

The LII finds it very difficult to exert pressure on other people from his own will and initiative, especially in cases when he needs to attain something for himself. He finds this difficult to do - to press ahead in certain situations, to gather all the required paperwork, to stand in lines and queues, to petition for his own interests, even the ones that are of vital importance to him. He finds it difficult to push a person away, to sharply refuse someone, to quarrel loudly and defend his rights, to put an end to relations that have exhausted themselves. The ESE doesn't directly affect this function, i.e. he doesn't verbally criticize and teach the LII on this aspect, but takes over its functioning completely. The ESE exerts a constant, sometimes intrusive and imposing pressure on other people if there is a need to achieve something, to defend justice and demand fair treatment, to protect interests of those who are close and dear to him. The ESE goes to the right jurisdictions, inspires people around him and directs them towards work and purposeful activity, keeps up a high pace of life himself, and breaks off relations with those who don't deserve trust.

and some miscellaneous excerpts from literature i liked a lot. (i can't remember the sources i used since i've been working on this on and off, for the past week and i was just spilling things onto the post. i think stratiyevskaya?):

Mood - that’s what matters in this dyad - emotions and feelings. Anything that suppresses and overshadows good mood is considered unethical in this dyad and is strongly condemned.

The ESE does not allow the LII to limit him in the possibilities of consuming the amount of pleasures and joys, which he considers to be necessary and sufficient. Fortunately, both partners in the dyad - LII and ESE - are obstinate and unyielding. Both are demanding, unwilling (and not allowing anyone else) to lower the bar of their requirements, unable to give in and make concessions (especially in anything that is of principle for themselves). Both know how to make their partner reckon with their interests and insist on the fulfillment of their demands.

LII is impressed by the emotional generosity of ESE and his spiritual responsiveness. All this finds the deepest understanding in LII, since he is tuned to the same priorities and values. For his part, ESE admires the ability of LII to speak clearly and definitely on every issue. ESE is struck by the harmony of the reasoning of LII, the amazing clarity, accuracy and laconicism of his statements. To ESE it seems that for LII, there is nothing incomprehensible in this world; he can give a comprehensive explanation on every issue. And everything that ESE thought about before is gradually being built into a definite and clear system of views, which he can now very freely and naturally present. Confusion and chaos in his worldview gradually gives way to a stable logical order, as if someone patient and careful was sorting all his thoughts into shelves. Such clarity inspires and activates ESE; he begins to see some prospects for himself, new opportunities. His energy and activity, in addition to emotional and ethical expression, also receives sensory realization: ESE begins to take care of LII and carefully looks after him. If LII is a colleague with whom ESE is especially pleasant to communicate with, he begins to treat him with something tasty, homemade; will make some small, but beautiful and necessary gift (for example: new cologne or a warm scarf).

> okay that's great and all but when are we talking about john and aradia specifically?

yes, that was the point of this post. i just had to build all that up first so i could walk you through my thoughts in a fully substantiated way.

considering chronology of wind again, john doesnt realize it but he needs aradias frankness and insight. even if she’s unable to explicate on vague things, she states the reason why instead of making him feel stupid (it would create a doomed timeline) but thats all john needs to hear. she is self-effacing and only tells him the truth, and we know other people can take advantage of john’s suggestibility in this way. aradia tells john who is or isnt trustworthy, what actions would be useful/necessary and which ones wont, without any selfish personal motive a la vriska or terezi.

^ (juuuust the record my nitpicky ass doesn’t agree with the truth of the classpect interpretation on behalf of the author in the last bit BUT that is beside the point here. the point is that she is answering john’s question in a way that is meaningful for him)

aradia doesnt realize it but she needs john’s friendy goofiness to brighten her up because she is surrounded by people who antagonize her when she’s literally not even trying to get under anyones skin. everybody gets frustrated at her “spooky nonsense” because theyre afraid of their own mortality, basically telling her to put a lid on it because thinking about hard truths makes THEM personally uncomfortable. but to her it’s always just been a fact of life. plugging your ears to reality is ignorance, but at the same time that doesn’t mean there’s no meaning in anything. she wants to help people see this and she dedicates herself to becoming a psychopomp for the deceased and earnestly trying to make people feel emotionally and physically comfortable in their situation through exploring their memories.

john isn’t hostile towards her. by being herself she is immediately able to earn john’s trust when they initially talk. this is also true in canon; the one time they talked when john initially comes up to her, saying “can i ask you something? seem reasonable, and pretty nice.” unfortunately he asked her the one question she didn’t have much to say about, and i can’t blame him for expecting all the troll girls to be basically insane at that point. but i don’t think aradia is insane. yes she is odd, but i think it’s evident that she has a good head on her shoulders with knowledge of the way the universe around her works, and in the end wants to simply bask in watching it play out. i think she deserves to get childishly excited about it, especially considering she was dead for most of her developmental years.

aside from getting his answers answered, john shows curiosity about her and her species and even care about her well-being and state. this naturally comes from their conversation’s ebb and flow. aradia tells this straightforwardly, without bells and whistles and without trying to trick him, unlike the other trolls who seem keen on well..trolling him.. and providing him with unclear answers to those sorts things. maybe aside from vriska, but she did have a little bit of an attitude about it wherein her and john’s dynamic felt uneven or off-rhythm, with a large psychological distance. it’s a different feeling with aradia, however. they exchange information on the same rhythm and so are able to achieve a closer psychological distance in communication.

there are no judgments coming from aradia about john being “stupid”. she doesn’t underestimate him. it’s not just that john wants to understand (although he does), but he needs to understand what he is doing. aradia compliments john about the traits he possesses that allow him to be effective. i guess in a way i’m doing the same thing with john right now.

john is so mobile and strung along by being the action hero going from place to place as a can-do deliveryboy that he never has time to reflect on his losses, think through them, and accept them.

literally who else is more qualified in all of homestuck than aradia for talking to john about these things?

on top of all of this, they have objectively significant connections beyond just mutual self-realization in a way i think could've been fleshed out. there is potential here.

for a story, i can think of a way that a conversation between them could plausibly happen using the systems established in homestuck's mythology. in canon, we see that john never met aradia until year 3 on the golden battleship in the dream bubbles when he goes to sleep.

but john still dreamt out in the furthest ring. that means during those 3 years it was possible for john to have had a dream with her in it, or at least aradiabot. i know john didn't know aradia's name beforehand but let's just explore the possibility that they could have had met before that. remember that all these aradiabots were once this person.

aradia had obtained john's crosbytop, his dads hat, and his wallet quite a while before their sgrub session. theres your entry

imagine john seeing that

memories of dear old dad get stirred up through the link of seeing those items

the dream bubble transforms

john is forced to stand in his memories and explore grief and the meaning of life with aradia

physically being in the space around him would definitely help john reflect easier i think because it will force him to actually exist within the space and talk to someone, taking some time out for this. he wanted to know if anything could've been done or if he was just too late to save them. i know aradia would be able help him slow down and introspect. don't forget the opportunities created by the properties of these spaces that are glubbed out in the furthest ring by the horrorterrors that meld the labyrinthine time and space of their surroundings to the memories of the people and finding others through common points in memory. i would imagine that objects known by multiple people would provide a common point in memory to bring them together.

The bubbles allow the players of Sburb/Sgrub who have lost a life to continue dreaming. The reality constructed in the bubbles is a combination of the memories of everyone inside the bubble accessible to any who has learned the bubble's nature. According to Aradia, it would be quite difficult to exit a bubble to get into a new one, however someone inside a bubble can travel to another one through common points in memory, taking their own memories with them to be integrated into the new bubble. These memories mix and combine, but in general, no new memories are created. Additionally, the bubbles store the consciousness of a player who has lost their dream selves and their original selves, making them double as a form of afterlife; the player is then capable of accessing the memory of anyone else who has gained access to the bubbles. Living players, who have lost or become their dream selves, appear in the dream bubbles when they are asleep. It is in this fashion that the bubbles can be used as meeting places between the dead and the living; even those from alternate universes and doomed timelines can be found in a bubble. Furthermore, in addition to memories, the bubbles can to some extent reflect the thoughts of a player. Beyond that, the bubbles can also behave similarly to Skaia's clouds, showing things that are in some way relevant to the player - such as when coin-flip Dave saw alpha Dave grieving over Bro's corpse - something he was not aware of before being shown it by a bubble.

physically reflect the thoughts of the player…… rubs hands

john and aradia share points in memory related to those objects, and to top it all of they are directly related to john's dad on the same day he died, while aradia grew up with them as bizarre alien artifacts from an archeological dig. the memories are more emotionally charged for john, and i think that distinction would probably be relevant to them both.

to be honest i think after speaking with him for a bit she would readily tell john that she regrets not talking to the kids from the universe her team created sooner before she died, but is glad that she can in the afterlife. in canon, alpha aradia told a doomed dave, "i think its absurd i never introduced myself to you in all that time i spent moping around the lab. guess i wasnt in a very good mood".

now not all the aradiabots would know who john is, because the trolls only found out about the humans once they created the genesis frog and hid out in the lab in the veil from jack who infiltrated their session. the aradiabot in the lab was the last one that survived. so if any one of them would know who john is, it would be the aradiabot that exploded. aradia's dream self ascended to god tier in jack noir's rampage on trolls' derse and took those memories with her which we can assume is what made the last aradiabot explode. its known that any original copy that dies when another rises up becomes a ghost and lives on in the dream bubbles, which would include her. a doomed aradiabot we see in the comic, which was the one that originally landed to alternia in the past, becomes more lighthearted after she dies, a bit more like her alive counterpart.

oh yeah, and the more obvious surface-level connections to top it off? ghostbusters? john ain't afraid of no ghost girl. john would be genuinely interested in what aradia living as a ghost irl on her planet and not as a gaming abstraction in the furthest ring would be like. i imagine she would be able to explain the subjective experience and that she had to prototype herself into the kernelsprite order for her server player to see her. there's also no way john hasn't seen a movie as classic as indiana jones and judging from her poster i can imagine he probably thinks it's sweet that aradia's strife specibus whipkind is a reflection of her own personal tastes, interests and hobbies.

so yeah i've just been chewing on all of this and thinking about it but i know i needed to just get this out there somehow. obviously since i spent two weeks putting this post together i'd be happy to hear your thoughts

[erinwantstowrite]

Hello!!!! Who is everyone dating in LoF (if they're dating anyone at all)?? :D

AHH good question!! I have a general idea for most characters, but for some I have plans :3

As for dating:

I honestly have no clue with Bruce, but that's just how it is all the time, isn't it?

Dick is dating Wally, because Birdflash for the win!! But he has dated Kori in the past, Babs, (and etc) and they're still good friends to this day :)

Jason I'm still debating on. I like him and Roy and I think it's a popular ship? I haven't looked too far into it. I also hear that Jay, Roy, AND Kori are a ship and that's so so so good

Tim and Kon are in their "will they won't they" where everyone else knows they're dating and they also know they're dating but they don't bring it up at all. Also might have a YJ polycule just for funsies, don't really know atp

I need to read more about Damian and Flatline (AKA Nika) but from what I've seen so far they are. ADORABLE. Like so freaking cute I can't stand it

Cass and Steph are also dating- if anyone is worried about a detail that was in a previous chapter that would make that WAY weird, I went back and edited that. My mistake, y'all, that's on me.

A lot of people asked about Lanky and Shoes and this is my formal announcement: Yes, they are in love!!

As for other characters, it's up in the air. It really depends on what I see everyone ask about the most (but final decision is left to me :3). If I see that people like a certain ship and it's good, I could go ahead and mention it in the background, etc.

And for Peter: Ned.

A lot of people have looked at me strange for this one, but I thought it would be fun to explore that dynamic. I know Ned isn't MJ, or Harry, or whatever other ship people like, but I think they're cute. Some people stopped reading because of it, but I don't want to go back on it... So I don't think I will. I understand where most come from, it's not their cup of tea, but others were just plain nasty and I had to delete their comments on the fic itself, tiktok, etc.

Right now, they're best friends!! Ned is definitely aware he has a crush and is ignoring it, but Peter has no idea. That's 'cause they're both younger in this fic and I think right now they have more important things to worry about than Love. It's more of a puppy crush thing right now, more subtext than plain text.

But later on in the story, it's going to be explored. I may or may not write them becoming a couple or putting a label on it, but it will be talked about. It really depends on where the story goes. But I am of the belief that romantic love isn't the only type of love that can be written about, and at the end of the day, LoF is about the various forms of love and grief.

I think a good way to term Peter is biromantic asexual? I'm not too sure about the terminology here, so take that with a grain of salt. I'm pretty sure bisexuality is on the ace spectrum? Like he's still 14 and he's got a lot of time to figure that out. In my head that's just how it is.

I hope to have a lot of representation in LoF! There's a lot to explore and being apart of the community, I know how important it is. And I hope I don't actually have to moderate my comments because of it, that would suck

[karaspal]

here is a reading guide for post-age up jon, including the good parts only so you guys could appreciate him more.

THE UNITY SAGA

superman (2018) #7 - 10 this is the story that started it all. jon goes on a space journey with his grandpa and comes back seven years older with enough trauma to last him for the rest of his life and more.

THE ONE WHO FELL

superman #29, action comics #1029, superman #30 - 32 during his time in the future, jon discovers his father might not have much time left in the present. worried about his dad, jon tries to warn him and prevent the inevitable. this story is cute and shows clark's love for his son and how proud he is of the man jon has become.

WARWORLD RISING

action comics #1030 - 1035 follows up the pervious story. clark and jon find refugees who escaped warworld. while clark is ready to help 100%, jon thinks it's a trap to lure his father and is vocal about his suspicions. this story lets jon have flaws, and they make complete sense for his character. while he isn't the main main character, it's a great read to help you understand his character.

SON OF KAL-EL

superman: son of kal-el #1 - 6, annual 2021, #7 - 8, nightwing (2016) #89, superman: soke #9 - 18, action comics #1050 after clark leaves for warworld to help the people there, jon is left in charge as the main superman on earth. with his dad gone, his identity being public and the weight of the world on his shoulders, jon tries to figure out the kind of hero he wants to be. this series also introduces jay nakamura, a journalist and a freedom fighter jon falls in love with. the final three issues is jon's reunion with his dad.

DARK CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS

dark crisis #1 - 7 with the whole justice leauge dead, jon tires his best to keep the world spinning and the people in it hopeful. he goes around, trying to form a new justice league. this story shows how jon truly is his father's son and that he deserves the title "superman", as well as his strengths, and his undying spirit.

RISE OF METALLO

action comics #1051 - 1056 clark comes back from warworld with twins, whom he and lois later adopt. jon struggles seeing his parents raise the kids in a way they couldn't raise him because of the time they lost. still though, jon tries his best to be there for his new siblings.

this is jon's main timeline since he came back from his space trip. those are the required stories. bellow, i'll list some comics that aren't necessary to understand him, but are nonetheless good.

THE SUPERMAN OF METROPOLIS

future state: superman of metropolis #1 - 2 this is a future state story that isn't canon. jon bottles the city of metropolis in hopes of saving it. the story follows the consequences of his choice.

OUT THERE

dark crisis: worlds without a justice league - superman #1 do you wonder what would've happened had jon grown up with his folks? do you wonder what he would've been like had he not spent his formative years in a volcano prison? well, this is a story for you. this is clark's perfect world, and in a perfect world, he gets to see his boy grow into a man.

NIGHT AT THE CIRCUS

nightwing (2016) #101 - 104 (back up story) nightwing investigates a mystery in the circus and calls jon for help. the story is a cute team-up between the two.

A HEART IN METROPOLIS

action comics #1059 - "a heart in metropolis" (back up story) jon and jay struggle to find time to spend together, with life getting in the way. finally, the boys find the time to go on a date.

MAGICAL MYSTERY CUBE

superman & robin special #1 cute jon and damian team-up. if you like the super sons, this is a story for you. it shows that their friendship can still work, even with jon being older now.

ELECTRIC

lazarus planet: assult on krypton #1 - “electric” during the lazarus planet event, a common criminal gets powers and decides to join jon in helping people. their dynamic is fun: a righteous hero and a flirty villain. even though i don't particularly ship them, i still enjoyed their interaction.

this is it, guys. this is the list. happy reading! :)

[toffeebrew]

Any errink headcanons? :D

Tumblr hates me so I had to rewrite this, anyway... [Note: all my hcs ofc nothing is canon but some may be based of canon information! Sometimes I may refer to non-canon past rps :P]

Error and ink do dumb rps with his puppets together, they've made a super dramatic soap opera plot.

I think Ink realizes Error would never change and he's content with that (sigh as much as I would love to say he would).

Ink finds error's six tongues fascinating, rather than gross. In a similar way, error is fascinated by ink's star eyes (I wonder what that hc came from).

If they ever kissed it would be the most disgusting revoltingly thing ever because error doesn't know how to kiss at all and he also has 6 tongues.

If you asked them how they became friends they would just look at you and shrug. Not even they know how to happened. All they can say is they "get eachother." Error deep down has always wanted a friend and Ink gives him that. Ink is willing to deal with error's bs and error is willing to deal with ink's. Ink can feel a little lonely in his own role and among a world that is fake and Error being an outcode like hin understands him a way others wouldn't. Not even mentioning their story parallels but I gotta stop my self before I start rambling. They're some of the only people who know some of other's deep insecurities.

Ink found Error's crashes funny before he knew how absolutely painful they were. Although not sure if he would ever trigger them on purpose even before he knew ngl.

more yapping under the cut

I would define them as whatever happens when you cross a friend an enemy and a partner.

Ink loves all of his shipkids and error... feels very conflicted about all of them.

They also think the other is a freaky than them when in reality they're both freaks.

Error still thinks about when Ink proposed to him at loveball, ink doesn't think about it at all. Ink also proposed to him with a ring pop that he found in the candy bowl in my head LOL.

Ink doesn't mention his dads to him .. maybe out of fear

Other people still make fun of Ink for proposing to error at loveball and ink always goes "IT WAS ONE TIME!"

Error and Ink are both quite short, Error is only a few inches taller than Ink.

Due to loveball, Error is always scared (in a playful way) when Ink starts drinking.

Error does feel guilty for the time he left ink in the antivoid. Not all of the time, but at times when hes sitting with Ink in the anti-void he can't help but reflect on it. If he would ever admit it? Probably not.

Error and ink's dancing at loveball was a beautiful disaster. Ink is actually an okay dancer but because Error was really nervous it threw him off and it was so off beat. It was really cute though, regardless.

Ink finds errorink ship art very amusing and he shows it to error just to freak him out sometimes.

Error always kills ink first in among us. Error also always blames ink as the imposter even if he isn't.

They have a "close but not too close" rule just close enough to feel the warmth of the other person but not enough to touch. (do skeletons give off warmth?). They do hold pinkies though fr fr. Also Error does lay his head in Ink's lap sometimes, typically when they're watching something. Ink may also give Error forehead or hand kisses.

I like to think Error runs quite hot, because he crashes all the time, so hes warm like a computer LOL. Ink who in my hc has a lessen sense of touch and runs sorta cold due to be soulless lovess sitting around him because of it.

Crack headcanon, when error's eyes glitch up or hes about to crash if you really listen you can hear the sound of computer fans going ham.

Ink will often just... walk up to error and put him a different outfit. Something about his being "too basic" and "his outfit has an ugly color palette".

If you know my pinkie sense ink hc Error doesn't know HOW it works but he fully believes him every single time. Even when ink is trolling, LOL!

Error and Ink call eachother "Ruru" and "Kiki" but only to annoy the other. Specifically if ink is pleading for something he'll do it to annoy him "please ruru :(" They also call eachother glitch and squid in a movking as well LOL.

They have friendship rings? platonic rings? idk if those are a thing made from blue string.

In my own error design, he has a big tooth. Because of it ink calls him a "big kitty" to make fun of him.

[eichan2d]

Black Widow & Hawkeye Spoilers!!!

-My opinion about the whole comic

I know I'm going to let my hopes up after this final but, they're promising me to break the cycle in favor of their relationship!!!

Of course I wanted at least a kiss (we only have 3 in the 616, THREE for the last 60 years!!!) but them holding hands it's just>>>

And I feel like this is the comic for us the stans of this ship, the action part of the plot is just the tool to made us understand them, their relationship, showing us exactly why this is THE ship. It's all about they knowing each other better than anyone.

It's about how they care about the other more than anyone, more than themselves.

(Plus one of the 2014's Hawkeye.)

It's about how they're tired of being in a cycle as much as we the readers are.

It's about how they love each other, more than anything, more than anyone but they're afraid of what that means, because of their past and lives.

And how they're going to face that fear together because of their love and all that makes me 😭😭😭😭😭

Just look at them, they're so happy 😭😭😭

I'm so scared cause this was so cute and wholesome and it could mean nothing because it's Marvel, the ones who gave us the "I would do anything for her, trust again everytime and never let her go." to then years later marry him with Bobbi, so, I'll try to keep my hopes down.

Of course this is about how they're already practically married too.

[evansboyfriend]

saltommy is a reservoir for angst. there's no happy ending with this ship and i love it. i love a totally made up, fanon, doomed ship with barely-there subtext to work off. one minor recurring character and one who's absent from canon since pre-s1 (chronologically). there's no version of events where sal deluca and tommy kinard find their happily ever after with each other. and i love it.

we're talking about two queer, closeted, rough around the edges, manly men in a macho line of work who are barely working to undo fifteen layers of guilt and repression, each saddled with their own baggage.

two people who work well together, who have each others backs, who find solace in each other, who go through all the shit life throws at them with the unspoken understanding that they'll be there for each other while simultaneously refusing to show vulnerability in front of each other. who try as they might can't tear down each other's twelve-inch steel walls, barely reaching each other through the cracks, enough that it'll matter, they'll realise it years down the line.

two people who use their words to only talk shit at each other, whose pet names for each other vary from “asshole” to “shithead” and the playful ribbing sounds a lot like things people would normally get written up for.

there is no version of events where sal deluca and tommy kinard have a healthy relationship. it's absolutely toxic. and it's delicious <3

[verosikastrikerstellaexcuser]

Soooo. The new Helluva Boss pride thing and that comment about Striker and Stella not being there. I am genuinely more and more irritated by this "Strikers Straight" horse shit as time goes on.

How in any way was this scene not homosexual in nature. Like am I just stupid or what? Striker was specifically latching onto how Blitz is strong and impressive for making his own business and gassing him up over it even before there was a need to to still carry out his assassination "Not many imps start businesses on their own... thats pretty impressive sir". There's clear admiration there. He suggests Stolas dying would be good because it would end "the one who treats you like a plaything" he implies he'd like to see Stolas dead not only for his own sake and for his hate of royals, but for Blitz's sake too. Like, HELLO!?

I'm sorry but the more I look back on it, the whole Striker's straight thing does feel like a retcon. He wasn't originally. I believe that he was changed, because he's mean about Stolas and "good ones" rich people, and we can't have that. He's an antagonist to Stolitz AND a potential "shipped with Blitz" character so he's not a pet/favoured villain or morally grey character. No, instead hes just full on MEANIE BAD!!!! Who's only purpose is creating Stolitz drama. Making him straight is a way of trying to make him boring and more laughable to the yaoi obsessed audience (if you like gay male ships YOU ARE FINE I DO TOO I'm specifically talking about the ones who take it to a fetishistic degree and are raging misogynists). The less Striker is able to be paired up with other male characters in this show, the less value he has outside of being a joke and the less interest in exploring relationships with him there will be since so often do only gay male relationships get to have any interesting depth. Note how other male characters who aren't in gay relationships are treated by this show, COUGH MOXXIE.

And you know what the saddest part of this is to me? In this one single Striker and Blitz scene, they literally had more chemistry and were a more interesting dynamic than Stolitz despite several episodes of that god awful ship. Think about it. They both have clear admiration and respect for each other, interest in each other. They've both been mistreated by royals and had rough pasts so understand each other on that level. They've both had to claw their way to success at the cost of great struggle. So now, they're conflicted. Because they're both obstacles to each other as much as they are love interests. Striker does not want to compromise slaughtering royals and wants to do his job. Blitz wants to preserve his business. They are competing over their goals in life while also attracted to each other. They are a "toxic" or complicated ship without there having to be a creepy unaddressed power dynamic and without the empowered one constantly needing to be portrayed as victimized by the narrative to try and make the relationship seem more even and less creepy.

This is so much more interesting as a kind of "relationship that never could be", to me, than "OMG my daddy bought me that imp for a day as a child then he randomly reappeared into my life again and stole from me, so now I will hold his business over his head to get sex from him and constantly demean him. All while he clearly indicates that he is repulsed by me. Then I will proceed to cry he doesn't like me romantically!"

But no. Striker doesn't get to be bi or gay. However, pan IS slapped onto several female characters... THAT NEVER GET ANY SCENES WITH WOMEN LIKE STRIKER GOT WITH BLITZ. Good fucking God man! If you're gonna make all these supposed women that like women, WHY DO NONE OF THEM BARELY EVER EXPRESS INTEREST IN WOMEN THAT WE GET TO SEE!?

Only the men's sexualities are actively shown. The women, we need to be told what their sexuality is. Because Viv hardly ever bothers with pairing them with anyone or letting them express sexual behaviors. Tiring.

[redsnowdrop]

Stolas and Blitzø

-Relationship analysis-

Just a flow of consciousness here.

Stolas and Blitzø developed their feelings not always on screen. We got hints, especially from Stolas.

We can still understand it grew gradually, from just very passionate dates to actual feelings.

It all started from Stolas, who let Blitzø use his Grimoire to access the human realm, in order to maintain his business, in exchange of se*ual activities. No problems here, just two adults demons who consented to have coitus, a do ut des!

Going on with their relationship, Stolas’ feelings changed. He realised his “first real friend” was also his first and only love.

We can tell it by his words, he stopped addressing to him and his colleagues as “imp/imps”, stopped referring to his social status and quit the “Blitzy” and started calling him by his name as his respect grew stronger. And also he bowed to him in S1 EP7, exactly like he did when they were kids. In the same episode by his reaction to the date proposal we can tell he was smitten!

Blitzø has been hiding his own feelings to us but first to himself, his actions and words were more subtle than Stolas’. He changed his behaviour towards his lover, as he changed the way he looked at him like he did in S2 EP3, when they lost Via in LA, Blitzø was lost when he saw Stolas’ human form. But while talking to everybody else he kept his mask on, like he did when he was speaking to Fizz and Striker in S2 EP6. In fact, Striker admitted Blitzø was less bad than Fizz ‘cos they “were only f*cking” while Fizz was “a dog purse” for Ozzie.

Blitzø cannot believe people love him, so he rejects everybody before, so he cannot be dumped. There is no way you can forgive people when you don’t forgive yourself first, and we can understand a lot thanks to his interaction with Verosika in S2 EP9.

He realised he loved Stolas when he lost him.

In conclusion, there is not an actual fault here. None of them ever experienced an healthy relationship so they could pretend by one another to behave correctly when they have never been in a healthy environment first. Stolas did Blitzø wrong, especially at the beginning, and Blitzø did him dirty, when things could get another chance he “ruined everything” to protect his feelings.

Anyway, I still ship them and let me know what you guys think!

xoxo

[a-very-sparkly-nerd]

Itty-bitty ficlet based on the new clip, featuring Callum pining and Stella being annoyed.

Stella wasn't stupid.

Her adorableness was a distractor, but even though she was young and fluffy, fluff did not make up the space between her eyes.

She observed. She deduced. And she wanted to kill herself over how utterly oblivious and stupid humans were.

Especially her humans. She'd decided that Callum was her human now, too, in addition to Rayla. Her papa, even though he wasn't quite aware of it yet.

He was not, in fact, sitting here on an uncomfortable, freezing hunk of ice talking endlessly at her about the stupid shipwreck in front of them.

"So sad" hung in the dry, frozen air, Stella watching him carefully as his hand moved across the page of paper in front of him.

He was talking about his relationship with Rayla (even if he didn't realize it), which had made painstakingly slow progress since she'd returned to him. They both acted as if the other weren't completely obsessed with them, as if they were treading on a frozen lake and one misstep would sink them for good. Stella didn't have to be older or even wise to understand that relationships and boats weren't the same in that aspect.

Relationships could be salvaged. Rayla had repeated it to herself like a maniac as she picked her way across the continent, almost manifesting it. Stella had come to realize it, even if Callum and Rayla hadn't. She almost wished she didn't, either, simply because it was so aggravating.

Stella only wished Ezran were here. It was their right to take things at their own pace, but by the gods, she wanted to rip her own fur out. She'd have made the young, kind king relay the message consisting mostly of profanities, the gist of which would be "Get your shit together and make out, already."

That would be the entire message, actually.

She moved to sit on the human's hand, so big compared to Rayla's, when he set it down to look at the drawing sitting on his lap. A few rough outlines of the boat, but just as she'd known, a pretty bust drawing of Rayla, head tilted slightly and a smile splitting her face framed by her wispy bangs, heart-eyeing at some invisible thing not depicted. Likely Callum, at least she was sure he was hoping.

Stella muttered to herself as she reached for the pencil in his other hand. The mage smiled softly when he realized what she wanted, gently handing it to her.

Good. He'd racked up plenty of points in his favor, but his endless cooperation--at least with her and her human--was always nice.

Stella made sure he was looking at her as she furiously pointed to Rayla.

"Okay. Rayla," Callum began, leaning forward in curiosity as he began interpreting her message.

Holding the pencil in her top two sets of arms, Stella drew a crude, lumpy heart and looked back to him.

"Heart? Love?"

She nodded.

"Rayla love- loves," Callum murmured to himself, and Stella pointed to him, jabbing a paw into his chest.

"Me?"

She nodded furiously.

Callum held her, allowing her to sit on his huge palm, and offered a scratch under the chin. "I know, Stella," he confessed. "I feel the same. It's just... scary."

Who cared? These two punched banthers for breakfast, and Callum was scared of talking to the girl who'd gone through hell and back to return to him? He was smart, but unbelievably stupid.

Stella shrugged, hoping it conveyed a million words of "who cares?" and "so what?" and "don't let it stop you." But, most importantly, "you can change things."

That had been what roped Rayla in, she'd confessed once in the darkness of a treetop, sitting back against the trunk and the sadness in her eyes reflecting off a sword she stared at. Breaking the cycle of violence and doing better, and now he was continuing it because giving up was just so impossibly, unfairly easy. He had to at least give it a shot again the way he'd convinced her to.

It worked, apparently.

Callum fisted his free hand in his lap, gazing back to the ship Rayla was still scoping out.

"I guess you're right," he said thoughtfully, eyes brightening the way Rayla's always did when she'd talked about Callum as if he'd still been hers before the high came crashing back down to reality. "Leave us alone tonight? Give us space?"

She grinned and nodded, only hoping she wouldn't have to plug her ears, too. It was about time.

[very-straight-blog]

I was always under the impression that in the show Aegon never loved Helaena it was just a forced marriage, following the traditions and customs of the Valyrians.But then came Tom and Phia's interviews and the staircase scene and I thought maybe I was wrong and they were going to develop this relationship, but there are the leaks... What do you think? What would be your analysis for their relationship? Or do they just love their children? I love your analyses, Btw :)

Hi, thank you very much! I love these two, this is my second favorite ship in this series, albeit platonic.

In general, I have two posts about them - here and here. In order not to repeat myself, I'll leave the links.

Plus, lately I've had more thoughts about these two - it breaks my heart that they're the only ones who understand each other's pain after losing their son, but they can't give each other any comfort. For example, Aegon clearly thinks that if he speaks to her, he'll just break down and cry, so he awkwardly avoids her. Plus, he doesn't have enough emotional intelligence and mental strength at the moment to give Helaena some solace. How can he save her if he can't even save himself? In this family, no one has ever supported each other properly, they have no experience in this, and this is such a tragic irony in the case of this marriage. In general, it seems to me that there are a lot of feelings in this relationship, just not romantic or sexual. I'd really like to see their development and it would be ideal to show it when Aegon is bedridden after the fourth episode. But, knowing our screenwriters, most likely he'll just be sent off-screen.

[ghouljams]

Soap is a scrapper, a man who makes his way through the world with credits clenched between his teeth. He flies whatever runs he can get, catches whatever he can hold between callused fingers, follows the gentle pull of the force from place to place. It's never steered him wrong before and it won't now. He trusts it, trusts that unseen understanding, that flow of energy through him. It takes him through the Kessel run, takes him down the back alleys of Coruscant, makes him trudge through swamps on Naboo. Christ everyone needs something out of a swamp, and he's the only pilot that can land on Dagobah and make it off alive.

He scratches his chest with a yawn, taking first watch at the crew that hired him goes off to do... whatever the fuck they're doing. Some frog with psychedelic mucus, sounded gross. Doesn't matter, they're paying him, and as long as the credits spend he doesn't really care where they come from. Chaos, yet harmony, he thinks to himself. Push and pull. What a load of bantha shit. A decade since his Master was murdered and not one Jedi come looking for their lost padawan.

One of his temporary crew members comes crashing through the surrounding trees. Their eyes are wild, their chest heaving, they point and gasp as the try to find the breath for the words the choke their chest. Soap sits upright, takes a step towards them and freezes. Something holds him tight in place, some primal fear, a disturbance in the force. Behind his companion he hears the tell tale sound of a saber igniting, then the forest is bathed in a sickly red glow. Soap barely has time to react before his companion is ripped back into the trees. He only hears them scream, hears the drop of a corpse, before the swamp is silent again. Before the red light begins to make its way towards him.

Soap scrambles towards his ship, his hand slapping the button for the door. He knows exactly what he needs, exactly where it is, the only thing that works against these fuckers. His hand shoots towards the cargo bay opening, and he pulls. Crates vibrate. The air is still. His blood rushes in his ears. A blaster shoots from the wall and into his waiting hand. He turns and shoots.

The flash of red from the Sith's saber deflects, or it would if this were a blaster. Instead the metal slug melts on impact with the bloody plasma, rivulets of it continuing their spray towards the Sith's face. The molten metal splatters against the skull-like mask. The man lowers his blade, his hand clutching at his face. Soap's breath sharpens, it's a charade. They both know it. The dark eyes of the Sith look at him, boredom etched in the deep brown, and he drops his hand. Not a good actor then.

"Not gonna fool anyone like that mate," Soap quips, leveling the slug thrower. The Sith shrugs, rolls his shoulders back.

"Where's the rest of ya?" He asks. Soap shrugs right back. Skull-face tips his head, his eyes scanning over Soap's form. Malice, but misdirected. There is no emotion, there is peace. His former Master's voice echoes. Not malice, a cool indifference. The man's posture is purposeful, poised at the edge of relaxed without loosening a muscle. "What's a Jedi doing with spice runners," He nods to the light saber still clipped to Soap's belt, and Soap winces.

"Dinnae ken what ya mean by that."

The Sith tugs a bounty puck from his pocket, and holds up the flashing beacon. He tosses it into the space between them, then pulls another, and another. Five flashing lights on the ground. Five people who had contracted Soap to take them where no one else wanted to go. "One for you too," The sith tells him, "but I don't take jobs that require live delivery."

"The fuck are you?" Soap breathes, giving the man another once over. He can feel the way the force seems to bleed out of him, uncontained, untrained, but leashed. There's an anger, a rage, just below the surface, and yet again leashed. Passion without serenity. Anger without release. Raw emotion. Yet despite the way the tendrils of the dark side seem to cling to him, despite the crackling red in his blade, this man doesn't read as Sith on closer inspection.

"Whatever pays." The man replies. He holds his hand out and the bounty pucks fly to his palm.

Another crash and flurry of motion brings yet another of the people in Soap's group into the clearing. Their feet hardly touch the bare dirt before they're lifted and thrown against a tree. Skull-face's outstretched arm hold them aloft, his saber loose at his side. The Rodian reaches for the blaster at their side and attempts to fire on the man. The shot is quickly redirected, and almost as quickly the man turns his saber over in his hand and slashes it across the Rodian's middle. The thump of Soap's form companion's legs falling to the ground is sickening.

"What did 'e ever do to you?" Soap can't think of anything else to say. The creed which had been pounded into his head fights against his own instincts.

"Nothing," The man says, letting the torso drop. He makes quick work slicing through the neck and holding the head aloft. He glances at Soap, a calmness to his posture that reminds Soap too much of the Jedi he learned from, "I just collect the bounties, don't make 'em."

"Ghost," Soap sighs, dragging a hand over his face. Ghost hums. "Cannae see how you're nae kicked oot the guild, the way ya conduct yourself."

"Can't see how you're not kicked either, when's the last time you returned your parcels alive?"

"You're really fuckin' agitatin' me, ya ken that?" Soap points at him. Ghost shrugs. "Steamin' hell, ya scared the shite ootta me with that first one." Another hum.

"You went for the slug thrower again." Ghost states it like a fact, but Soap knows what he meant by it. The saber is right there, why not use it?

"Dinnae want to steal your thunder," Soap grins, "show off what proper technique looks like." It's an excuse, they both know it, but they both know Ghost won't pry any deeper. It's for the best. The name Jedi carries more weight than actually wielding the saber does anyway.

[darylsdelts]

Am I the only one who feels a little discouraged from watching season 2 of D.D because of the whole Caryl thing?💔 I understand the ship but it would feel so strange to see them as a couple. I just hope that if they do it it's because it was really intended that way and not just because of fandom pressure...

I agree! I really hope the caryl fandom doesn’t put any pressure because I really just don’t understand. No hate to those who ship it but for me it would just ruin everything, it would make no sense and tbh would make me so uncomfortable. I just want to watch Daryl and Carol and not be actually TERRIFIED of caryl happening.

I don’t think it will and if it does I’ll be so pissed

[wordy-little-witch]

For the ship ask game:

Cross Guild Poly- Who's the more nervous flyer?

Overall depends.

Initially, Buggy is very nervous, nearly panicking. Planes are lowkey terrifying and I think he's the type to be like "if I study this and understand the components, I'll feel better", only he stumbles across all the aviation horror stories and simply Perishes.

On that note however, he's also pretty quick to calm with the right help - contact, assurance, distraction - it can be stim toys or an arm around his shoulder or a project to work on. He really enjoys math and balancing his equations and outlining experiments for certain chemicals or explosives. He's initially the most nervous, but does wind up really calm.

Unexpectedly, the longer the flight is, the more Mihawk gets nervous. He isn't a fan of relying on others, and he heard all of Buggy's panicked rambles about how things go wrong. The longer they're in the air, the tighter he's gripping the armrests and the tighter he's clenching his jaw. Doesn't even want wine.

He can be distracted, though, and Crocodile and Buggy both are very talented at getting him out if his own head - bonus points, if Croc can get Buggy INVESTED in an experiment idea, he'll infodump and that keeps Mihawk's attention because they had Autism To Autism Communication.

Crocodile quite literally doesn't care At All. Worst case scenario, plane crashes and he uses his abilities to get him and his out safe. And if there's water that crash into, then he's got one of those fancy little raft thingies. They'll be fine. He's just on Keep Partners Chill duty.

[byler4vida]

The thing about these Mileven shippers is that I truly don't believe that they are delusional, that they truly believe with their whole heart that Mike and Eleven are gonna be endgame, I feel like they know deep down that Byler is the ship that's gonna be canon but they just don't want accept it so that's why they go on a freaking rampage that "Mileven is endgame", "Mike doesn't love Will, only El" etc, I don't think they genuinely believe that Microwave is gonna be Endgame, because ain't no way they are that stupid bro, I'm mean- the truth is in the pudding bro 😭😭😭🤣🤣 it's right in front of their God damn faces lol .

Also I wanted to talk about something else,

The fact that these Mileven shippers are sooooo passionate about a ship that doesn't exist and will literally go on rampage, insulting people etc, is actually very concerning, obviously I'm not saying that all Mileven shippers are like that, pretty sure there are ones that are actually sane and have a life that doesn't revolve around a ship. Like please get some help, go to therapy or something because this is so not normal behavior. I absolutely love Byler with my whole heart and it's literally my life but that doesn't mean that I'm extreme about it like these Milevens are, if Byler wasn't canon then yes, I would be sad but I would also move on, I would still ship them obviously but that doesn't mean that I'm gonna let that define my whole life yk. But If Byler doesn't become canon in S5, then it would be understandable if we went on rampage because that would mean that they've literally just queerbaited us and it would just make no sense, imagine how the people who are still in the closet would feel? To me, it's important and it's necessary for Byler to become endgame, it has to.

God damn I went on a whole rant 🤣🤣

[bimbombimbo]

hello. going feral. if you saw me post this unfinished, no you didn't.

I watched, uh, a couple of SFMs I'll be dropping in the end of this heeheehee but... Evil Medic TF2... Oh boy... This is a translation of me rambling to my friend about Medic and Heavy's insane relationship. Maybe trigger warning for toxic or unhealthy relationships? Idk

HeavyMedic/Red Oktoberfest will always, always be a comfort ship of mine: I enjoy watching them engage in silly, cute romantic situations and also like a old married couple. I like thinking about them to make my day 100% better, the trust and love they have for eachother is simply beautiful!

However.

However.

I've been thinking on a much more realistic, maybe not so pink-and-rainbows version of this (specially, of Medic, so focusing on him).

We can surely know that Heavy canonically cares a lot about the doctor (referencing TF2 comic #6, where he fights the classic guy not because he killed a teammate, but because he killed doctor; assuming this reaction would have been different with other mercs), and trusts him wholeheartedly (referencing Meet the Medic, where he does not only allow him to perform surgery on him without knowing the reason, but also lets him guide them into the battlefield with a non-tested invention)

But does this trust, this love go both ways? I feel, definitely not. Or at least not in the same way.

Medic is a troubled man, that's for sure. I believe he has difficulty understanding empathy. Not sure if I have a canon base for it, but it's something I consider true.

Often I feel he's severely mischaracterized. And, of course, for the sake of my comfort, I really like doing that too, thinking he'd actually care about his teammates. Probably, any other of my posts about him will depict the caring, babygirl version of him. But right now I'm being an edgy 13-year-old kid so 🤷

I think feeling no empathy is a key trait on his personality: experimenting on living beings, and taking in mind that not all of them will be as compliant as his mate, it would take either a man carrying a shit ton of guilt and hating his work; OR, a man with no perception of others' suffering, a clean consciousness, not a ounce of regret, and an inmense love for his job. Medic definitely fits the second criteria, not counting that he does these kind of things willingly.

So! Going into the HeavyMedic part. Imagine you find a man that trusts you without thinking twice. You understand he's not a dumb man who can be fooled around, but you bring some sort of... safety to him. He chooses to trust you, despite the fact that the others question your methods (they're all wrong anyways). The confiance he gives you, it does funny things to your ego. Wouldn't you want to know how far he'd go for you? Would he do anything for you? What would he let you do to him? Don't you want to know?

I feel their relationship would go something like that. Not necessarily romantic actually, but I like to see it that way. Maybe one-sided, any side works. But I rather the "manipulative, egocentric Medic who desires to be worshiped and uncomfortable, but acceptant Heavy who just lets it pass".

Clearly, if there's some love at Medic's side, it probably wouldn't be healthy. But still, I don't think he doesn't care at least a bit: I do think he'd try to be sweet, at least with Heavy and for his eyes only.

I have been also thinking about Heavy's role in this dynamic, since the abused lover trope doesn't really fit (and I kinda hate it too, mostly because eh, romantization). However I haven't, uh, rotated the idea in my head properly heehee, forgive me for the rambling. Yeah he definitely knows what's going on, at some point. Fear of abandonment, maybe? (Related to the execution of his father + how he is very protective of guns and family)

But maybe it's related to, finally being taken care of instead of looking after others all the time. Makes sense to me, something like an escape, someone to go to instead of carrying so much responsability on his shoulders... So he finds this in Medic.

They look out for each other, need each other (maybe, one of them more than the other). Definitely care for one another in some way. But uh, i don't think they're ok 😇

SO YEAH! tl;dr I love heavymedic as a cute pairing but i think realistically they would NOT be like that

And here are the sfms AWGHHH

Medic's Melding Madness was fucking amazing and i'm looking.. waiting.. for the second part.

AND Dangerously Yours !! I really like this style of SFM to be honest. Medic here creeps me tf out and yeah he'd be like that.

Idk why i take so mucj time writingthis if i don't even enjoy serious heavymedic. to me they're just silly husbands LMAOO ok bye

[silenzahra]

SO MUCH LUAISY CONTENT AND INSPIRATION 🌼💚🧡✨

I'm sorry but I NEED to take this out because you guys are FEEDING me lately with content revolving around my favorite couple and I just. I CAN'T HANDLE IT.

For those who don't know, I LOVE Luaisy and I've written about them in the past and plan to continue to do so, like, FOREVER. But specifically, I'm planning two fics that are in the works and for which you guys keep FUELING my desire to sit down and write them NOW. And I'd like to include here all the sources that are inspiring me and of course, ask for your permission to include them on my fics as they're just PERFECT for our green plumber and flower princess 💚🧡✨

-Green, Gold and tons of Purple. I've talked about this one a few times now and revealed the official title here. The main source of inspiration was this lovely art I saw a while back by @ruart17 that made me immediately want to write a fic in which these two got married, as the art perfectly represents all the love and trust they have on each other. Still, I didn't have any specific ideas.

AND THEN, my dear bestie @bberetd came along with this WONDERFUL post that gave me SO MANY IDEAS and made me just want to go and narrate all of it as it really is the perfect wedding for our babies 💚🧡✨ I'm obviously adding my own ideas here and there, like the specific theme of the wedding (two specific books: Luigi's and Daisy's favorites!), as well as the vows!

I also intend to make references here and there to their first date, which you can read here if you'd like, and also, this lovely post by @maviyenot that my dear friend @vulpixfairy1985 showed me has also made me think of another date I could talk about on this fic 🥹 Hope it's okay if I take inspiration! 🌼📚✨

I cannot fail to mention this wonderful post by @kimasousparky that my dear friend @peaches2217 showed me as it totally FITS them as the amazing Flower Couple they are. I personally headcanon my boy Luigi to be an amazing gardener (a headcanon I share with my dear friend @itsavee4117), and I had him grow purple daisies for his girl on my first fic of them, so I'd also like to include this idea on the wedding fic if that's okay! And also... I intended the decorations to consist mostly of daisies (especially the purple ones), buuuuuut I might go and also add the superball flowers in, if that's okay! 🤭 I just love this idea SO MUCH! 👏👏👏

Last but not least, regarding the dances they'll do as husband and wife, I must mention two specific posts that have inspired me! The first one has to be this one by @kelbreyworshipper as I LOVE how dancing becomes something SO important for them and that they enjoy as a couple both physically and emotionally 🥹 And also, this lovely one by @artycomicfangirl may or may not have inspired me to add one more dance style into the ceremony 🤭 Hope it's okay if I take inspiration!

-So sweet. Okay, this fic is gonna be sexually explicit, so it's obviously totally fine if you'd rather don't read this one as I understand this kind of content is not for everyone, but yeah! I was first inspired by this song by Estopa, my favorite Spanish band (I'm Spanish lol), and I provided some translations here in case you'd like to read them! Of course, I have to mention again @kelbreyworshipper's wonderful post as I only had a very random idea with the song, but her post has finally provided me with some specific ideas to work with so as to give this fic context and such! Of course, whenever it's ready, I will label it appropriately as it'll be explicit, but I hope whoever gets to read it enjoys it! 🧡💚✨

I think you can easily tell that I LOVE this couple with all my heart 😂😂😂 It's actually my favorite from the Super Mario franchise! I generally enjoy all kinds of ships (except for the illegal ones obviously), but Luigi and Daisy together are just. PURE PERFECTION to me. They mean the entire world to me, and I can never thank y'all enough for feeding me with your amazing content and adding more and more inspiration to work with! 💚🧡✨

Also! In case you'd like to read it, please allow me to add here the link to the first Luaisy fic I wrote and posted on Valentine's Day! I intend the wedding one to be some sort of follow-up for this one 🥰💖 (something you can tell by the similar titles 🤭💖)

You can also read it on Tumblr if you'd like!

Sorry if this is, like, too much, but I just needed to let this all out 😅 Hope you'll enjoy the Luaisy content I'm working on whenever it's ready! 🧡💚✨