#(NO WE DO NOT KNOW WHO SHE WAS PORTRAYING THERE)

[no-blastbeat-no-applause]

A little while ago I wrote a little something about that. I just finished translating it into english. Here are my thoughts:

Wimp

Thoughts on the patriarchy and why this crap sucks for men too

Queen Energy

I mindlessly let Instagram videos wash over my mind. A sketch wakes me from my pleasant torpor:

A woman dressed in a negligee talks to her husband. She orders him to have sex with her immediately. He says he is tired, he has just come home from work. He doesn't feel like it either. She is not interested. She becomes more direct and aggressive in her statements and demands. All of this culminates in her forcibly shoving a cookie into his mouth, repeating her order and expectantly marching off towards the bedroom.

The comment column is rolling with laughter, congratulates the woman and agrees with her demands. The comments reads something like:

"Her story, her rules, her empire." "Queen energy! This is the vibe we all need!" "Taking what's hers like it was always meant to be"

She should take what she needs; her husband should be a real guy and get it for his wife if and when she wants it.

So the point is: he's a wimp if he doesn't put himself and his needs first. He's not a real man because he doesn't jump when his wife is in the mood.

Let's imagine the gender roles reversed. A man comes home and tells his wife to wait for him naked in the bedroom because he wants to have sex. Regardless of her wishes and desires. Most people would find this behavior unacceptable. And rightly so.

Here though, sexual harassment is portrayed as a joke. Neither the producers nor the recipients seem to be fazed by this.

Such scenes suggest that men always have to be ready and willing. This stereotypical expectation completely ignores the fact that men are also people with boundaries who want to say "yes" or "no". However, in our society - as the comments column impressively shows - they are often denied this choice. Men are not even given the opportunity to prioritize their own wishes because their "yes" is taken for granted. If they do try to set boundaries, they are met with a lack of understanding, rejection, ridicule or even violence. This creates a burden that is subtle but always present.

The video and its comments make fun of a man whose freedom of choice over his own body has been taken away, making him yet another victim of patriarchy and toxic masculinity.

First naked and then alone in the corridor

I was 12 when my mother drove me and my ten-year-old sister to our pediatrician. Everything started as business as usual. The doctor asked us general questions, she took our blood pressure and did what doctors do.

Then something happened that I still remember vividly today. As a burgeoning teenager, I had to get naked from the wais down and lie down on a couch to be examined. My mother and sister both stayed in the room. I was embarrassed. I found it downright agonizing.

The doctor plucked at my penis for several minutes. I didn't know where to look. My face turned bright red and my hands got wet. I was suddenly terribly aware of how my kneecaps felt under my skin.

Then it was finally over.

But now it became particularly irritating: it was my sister's turn. She was facing something similar - with one important difference. I was asked to leave.

Don't get me wrong, I had no interest in participating in my sister's gynecological exam. I just wished that the same consideration had been given to me, a little boy.

My feelings were not ignored, no. No one here had even bothered to take an interest in whether I had any. I was treated with the same respect as the couch in the treatment room. The question of my dignity was about as important as that of the desk.

But that was nothing new for a 12-year-old. After all, I learned to swallow my feelings before I even started elementary school.

"Are you a man or a mouse"?

Of course I'm a man, I'm already four! I suppress every feeling that my environment deems too much or inappropriate.

I've learned that „Indians don't cry.“* Neither do boys. I'm not supposed to make such a fuss and pull myself together.

It eats into your brain. It stays. For almost 40 years and it's still there.

How my tongue got bitten

My aunt was celebrating her sixtieth birthday. The whole thing ended in her favorite pub. We danced, sang, drank and enjoyed ourselves. I chatted with old acquaintances on the edge of the dance floor.

Suddenly, a woman snuck up on me. She started to dance at me aggressively. I found it quite flattering at first. The stranger danced very closely with me, focusing only on me. She made me feel wanted.

But after a while I became uncomfortable. She took it for granted that I would return her advances. She waited for me in front of the toilet. She gave me no opportunity to move without her. She put her arms around me and kissed me on the dance floor.

I didn't want to be seen like this by my family. It was impossible to talk to my friends, my aunt was at the other end of the pub. I told the stranger that I wanted to talk to my family, but she wouldn't let go of me. I spoke to friends, but she pushed her way in.

I could have said "No!" at any time, walked away and enjoyed my evening, sure. But I have internalized the lessons of my youth: my feelings are not important and I have to make my body available, regardless of my own wishes.

I only plucked up the courage to tear myself away when the stranger bit my tongue painfully, because: I didn't kiss her the way she wanted me to.

But even then, at the end of the night, my "No, I don't want that anymore" was met with a complete lack of understanding. She was offended that I was not responding to her wishes. She had never cared about my consensus or my needs.

I was now in a similar role to the man in the sketch: my feelings were put on the back burner in order to offer a woman what she wanted at that moment.

Neither the lady in the sketch nor the stranger at the pub inquired about the wishes of the men in question. None of them asked for consensus. None of them took what they were explicitly told seriously, because they, like all of us, have internalized these toxic patterns of thought and behaviour.

As a farewell, I got a contemptuous "wimp" shouted after me.

And why all this?

I am well aware that the people who suffer most from patriarchy are, of course, those who do not appear traditionally male to society. Women, intersex and trans people, all non-cis-hetero men, should by no means be ignored here. My perspective, however, is that of a cis-het man.

We men are taught that our feelings are not important. We have to be tough and endure instead of being vulnerable and talking openly about our needs. Our bodies are common property. We learn to accept assault and laugh it off.

• The woman in the negligee wants sex? Then go ahead! No matter what the man wants.

• The boy is ashamed to be looked at naked by three women? He shouldn't behave like that!

• A stranger decides you're her plaything this night? Fuck your wishes and your family!

If we don't conform to the norms, we are wimps. We are considered unmanly. We're not real guys.

We need to recognize the harmful influence of sexism on men.

While patriarchy generally privileges men, it also subjects us to restrictive gender roles that harm us.

Even those who are considered the most powerful in the patriarchal hierarchy suffer from it.

The supposed masters turn themselves into the oppressed.

Toxic masculinity harms us and everyone around us.

Sometimes I do wonder if men actually get sexually assaulted and abused at a similar rate that women do but a lot of them just don’t know that’s what’s happening to them

[gale-gentlepenguin]

Epic: The Musical Headcanons

(Yes I know it’s based off a homer epic that is a myth. But I got headcanons)

-Odysseus during the war was dreaming about his wife and son, and the life they would have when he got home.

-Polites was Odysseus’ best friend, and in truth was likely the one Odysseus wanted to have as his second in command but knew Polites didn’t have the stomach for it, so out of strategic know how, he gave it to Eurylochus.

-Eurylochus always harbored a bit of envy regarding Ody, and while he would never admit it, wished Odysseus would admit he was better in some way shape or form.

-Odysseus totally fell first for Penelope. But she fell just as hard and possibly even harder for him. She had 20 years and 100+ suitors desiring her and she didn’t falter.

-Athena had Several warriors of the mind candidates, but Odysseus was her favorite. (Until Telemachus). So “My Goodbye” was actually her TRYING to get Ody to shape up. If she didn’t care, she would have simply left no explanation.

-Antinous was actually going to be apart of the 600 men Odysseus took into battle. But he wanted to be in a higher position. This resulted in him challenging and then getting his butt kicked by Eurylochus (thus the scar he’s often portrayed with) and was then left behind. He holds resentment mainly to Odysseus who said he couldn’t come after the fight but Eurylochus could.

-The Suitors of Penelope were made up of two generations of nobles. Ones that were declined by Odysseus as part of the fighting force, or those too young to go fight.

-The older suitors were of Less moral character, and since most of the best men were part of Odysseus’ army. The younger men copied the behaviors of these jerks.

-Antinous acts as the leader of the suitors, but in reality, he wasn’t. He was just the most vocal. The other suitors saw him as a perfect person to blame if something went wrong. “It was his idea, not us!” Even though they would go along with the plan. We see this in the song “Odysseus” where they tried to act like Antinous was the head for mercy, yet didn’t stop trying to kill him.

-most of the suitors actually kind of sucked in combat, as they were the left overs. And that’s why they don’t fight honorably or care to do so.

-the gods are powerful in their respective domains, but they are not as powerful as they say they are. It’s how Odysseus was able to best Poseidon with a clever use of the bag of winds.

-Athena’s QuickTime or Speed of thought allows one’s perception of time to increase and has zero effect on time itself. It also doesn’t speed up people’s movements, that’s how Telemachus can still lose, even with a goddesses help.

-Ares’ is able to counter Athena’s thought speed up with his own ability that I call “Bloodlust” it messes with the target making them angry which is why Athena was so pissed when Ares interfered and couldn’t get the upper hand until she USED the rage to counter him.

[m0ssxz0mbie]

I've had the realisation that Jayvik and Merthur are Literally The Same Ship. Just in different fonts.

THE PARALLELS!! THE SIMILARITIES!! I KNEW when i was reading Jayvik fanfics that something was familiar. i'm like a crazy conspiracy theorist.

Minor disclaimer, tho Merlin is one of my favourite shows, I have not watched it in a while. I also binged Arcane a month ago, but those who know me irl (if ur reading this, hello bbygurl), know that the way I watch shows and movies is cursed. SO-- if things do not seem to be the most accurate to canon, fanfic is MY canon. also,, SPOILERS AHEAD FOR MERLIN BBC AND ARCANE.

_____________________

ARTHUR // JAYCE

- Both come from the upper class of the society within said media. Arthur is the literal prince (later king), and Jayce is sponsored by a well-standing family (and later becomes the founder of Hextech + a councillor)

- Wants to improve the lives of all people regardless of status, class, or ability. Arthur, tho wary of magic, wanted to protect druids, which he acknowledged were peaceful and not corrupt. Everyone portrays him to also care for peasants and people with lesser status when he is king. You really see this in canon with Merlin, Gwen, Knights of The Round Table, etc. Jayce wants to use Hextech to improve the lives of those in Piltover and Zaun via the use of magic.

- Experiences expectations of others within society which make them do bad things. When Arthur is the prince, you see many instances where he wants to do the reasonable, morally correct thing (for the situation in this POV), and he cannot because of Uther's demands and expectations for him. Jayce has expectations placed upon him by the council to use Hextech for their own gain rather than what he and Viktor wanted to use it for.

- HIMBO. What more needs to be said? NONE. BUT I DON'T CARE, I'll say it anyway. Arthur is literally a himbo knight who swings big sword. Jayce is a himbo engineer who swings big hammer. Both rush into danger and never listen when their sassy twink says something has bad vibes (literally any cursed magical place for Merlin, and the Hexcore for Viktor).

- Both are absolutely OBSESSED, WHIPPED and SMITTEN for their twink. Again, this doesn't need explaining, but I will. Arthur, which is established well into the first episodes of Merlin, has scared off every manservant before Merlin. All the servants were probably good at their job. Yet mans keeps Merlin for 10 YEARS. Merlin calls him thick all the time (both in the physical and mental sense) and sasses him ALL the time. Merlin gets away with so much, not only from Arthur but Uther too??? Uther for sure knows Arthur is ATTACHED. In the first year of knowing Merlin, Arthur literally tries to sacrifice his life for Merlin (Merlin does the same). Jayce did originally wanna help improve the lives of people with magic, but I don't think he even thought about the people of Zaun until Viktor mentioned it. Mans instantly agreed and INSTANTLY called it "their Hextech dream" VIKTORS has BEEN HERE FOR FIVE MINUTES. Jayce moves FAST.

- Both date an independent woman while desperately longing for their twink. We love Gwen here, she is the best. Best Queen, the best person, just The Best. Mel is a complicated character, who is badass in the ending, no denying that, just very stinky she manipulated Jayce for her own gain. Both were badass women who I think needed more screen time cause, at times, they were very much pushed to the side. Both Arthur and Jayce are such pathetic simps, longing for their men, and tbh, both Gwen and Mel knew, there was no hiding it. Especially cause in Merlin BBC, most characters have a crush on Merlin at some point in their life while knowing him.

_____________________

MERLIN // VIKTOR

- Both come from the lower class of society, which faces the brutality of those in power. Merlin is a peasant, and does get mistreated because of it, usually from other knights or nobles coming from out of Camelot. HOWEVER, mans main worry is the fact he has magic, literally is magic itself, and lives in a place where it is ILLEGAL. But he also experiences brutality by being Arthur's servant, and someone doing the Knights job better and stopping anyone from killing Arthur. Viktor comes from Zaun, which is the lower class of the society in Arcane, most of its problems are directly caused by the fact they are oppressed. Viktor not only receives discrimination because he is from Zaun but also because he is disabled.

- Both have an older mentor who provides them a home and sanctuary. Merlin has Gaius, his Uncle, the court physician, who lets him become an apprentice, teaches him more magic, and provides a home when he becomes more unsafe. Thinking about it, being in a kingdom where they kill you for having magic is probably better than being enslaved to be in an army and to use your magic as a weapon. Viktor has Heimerdinger, who is his mentor, to which Viktor is his assistant. Viktor gets provided accommodations in Piltover, presumably at the academy they are at, and is able to use his talents, especially when Jayce enters the picture.

- Both are sassy as FUCK. Merlin is the sassiest with Arthur, always teasing him, calling him a cabbagehead or a clotpole, the banter is STRONG with Merthur (i LOVE banter). Viktor is also super sassy as well, especially to those who don't appreciate him, or his and Jayce's work.

- They both would do ANYTHING for the future they have envisioned (with their bfs). Merlin would literally do anything to keep Arthur alive, even listening to THAT BASTARD KILGHARRAH, FUCK THAT DRAGON. Mans contemplated killing a child, you could even say he has betrayed his own kind in many ways. Merlin loses himself to make sure Arthur is safe, he is SO ready to die for him, to be nothing more than a servant forever, just so he could be by his side. Viktor removes free will from people so that he can create the most peaceful world, mans really just wanted a world where he could have Jayce, as it was the conflict between Piltover and Zaun that made they split apart.

- They both are Gods. This kinda ties into the last point. But Merlin IS MAGIC. He is the physical embodiment of magic. His druid name means immortal. The druids treat him as a leader, a god. Viktor becomes Jesus and performs miracles for people to better their lives, he becomes the physical host for the Hexcore.

_____________________

BOTH

- Both ships are doomed yaoi. again, what more do I need to say? Merlin has waited 1,500 years for his man to come back to him, and Jayvik is,, in the astral plane??? dead??? Hence why fanfics exists, both ships need their happy ending, fix-it fanfics.

_____________________

The parallels not only between the characters themselves and how certain people portray their character in fanfics are insane. Especially the way Arthur and Jayce simp for Merlin and Viktor.

NOW, after reading all that, you may have noticed the colour of the names, and yes, BOTH JAYVIK AND MERTHUR ARE A RED/BLUE SHIP. Which solidifies my points even more.

(I have seen Jayvik x Be More Chill fanart, I've seen Jayvik x Star Trek fanart,, has anyone considered jayvik x merlin bbc fanart???? 👀👀👀👀)

[genericgirl420]

Sang-woo/Gihun analysis based solely on the Sae byeok death scene.

As we know, in episode seven of season one, Sae byeok gets struck by a shard of glass on her waist and has to go through the whole dinner before the last game while bleeding out, trying her best to postpone her certain death.

All while Gi hun is now wary of Sang-woo for pushing a man to his death in the glass bridge (which, in context of the game, is completely understandable) and is trying to plot with Sae byeok to kill him and completely ignoring her pleas for him to swear to look after her brother, brushing them off with blind optimism.

Blind optimism is an interesting quality of Gi hun's that we see all throughout the series, it is often portrayed as a good thing, but not in this scene. When confronted with the death of someone he cares about, he refuses to look at things objectively, using his delusions of her living as a shield from the reality right in front of him, the reality that she is dying and he cannot save her. Sae byeok has accepted her death and is only thinking about the safety of her loved ones, her last wish is for the only man that she deems trustworthy in this place to look after her family and carry on. But Gi hun cannot look into her eyes and accept her death wish, because by doing so he would be admitting to himself that she is indeed dying.

So he runs away from reality, physically and mentally, by banging on the doors and calling for a doctor he knows won't come, but do you know who is not afraid of reality?

When Gi hun turns back he is faced with one of the worst sights he could possibly have, his lifelong bestfriend, Sang-woo, staring blankly at the girl he has grown to care so much about in so little time, bloody knife in hand, and a black coffin with a red bow just waiting to carry her limp body away.

And that makes Gi hun panic and rage, which is understandable. But if you were to look at this scene outside of his biased point of view of someone who was already seeing his own best friend as a cold monster, and think logically. Sang-woo took away the last minute or so of Sae byeok's life, a long and cold minute of dread and regret over all the choices she's made that brought her to this moment, wondering if her brother and mother would ever get a chance at life, in pain, as blood pools under her body in a lonely death bed.

Sang-woo did what Gi hun was too cowardly to even consider as a possibility, he doesn't care about being perceived as good, unlike his best friend who would rather let somebody he loves so much suffer alone, because facing her death head on, or even terminating her suffering himself, would be damaging to his internal image of being a good person. "Good people don't kill other people", that's Gi hun's black and white thinking, but the world isn't black and white and Sang-woo is well aware of that fact.

[sasheneskywalker]

over the two years of my involvement in the dc fandom, i've come across several fantastic stories that i still think about to this day. i'm reccing them here. please mind the tags and warnings, most of them cover dark subjects and unhealthy relationships. happy reading!

Smashing Tail Lights by CunningCrow (@redactedcrow) a mundane slice-of-life of a murdery traumatised eighteen year old getting his life absolutely fucked up and trying to fix it up a bit through more murder

M | Graphic Depictions Of Violence | Dick Grayson & Jason Todd | 87.8k words

this is without doubt my favorite jason todd fanfic ever. the characterization, the plot, the prose, the worldbuilding, the ocs, everything is perfect. i reread it at least once every three months. i recommend it in every single dc fic server i'm in. i love this fic with my whole heart <3

we show off our different scarlet letters (trust me mine is better) by lostandlonelybirds (@runnfromtheak) He gets called things, sometimes. Slut when Mirage tricks him. Cheater when Barbara tells others about her suspicions, her doubts and feelings. Whore when it’s a villain pissed he took out their goons and they’re aiming below the belt. Playboy by magazines, and bicycle by the younger generation because “everyone gets a ride”. They hurt the way most things do, and they each hurt in a different way because he’s broken and he’s tattered and he loves but not the way you’re meant to, because it’s not nature or an inferno or something out of a Greek myth. It’s not possession or jealousy or the need to lock it down.

It’s different. It’s not supposed to be.

M | Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings | Dick Grayson/Jason Todd, Dick Grayson/Other(s) | 3.1k words

beautiful descriptions of love, friendship, and intimacy and what it's like to be aromantic. it captures emotions and relationship dynamics in a gorgeous way.

These Twists and Turns of Fate by Hinn_Raven (@secretlystephaniebrown) To be born is to exist, but to live is something else entirely. Stephanie Brown falls apart, and pulls herself back together. OR Stephanie Brown is assigned a different name and gender at birth. These are the changes that result.

G | Graphic Depictions Of Violence | Stephanie Brown/Cassandra Cain, Stephanie Brown/Tim Drake, Harper Row/Carrie Kelley, Stephanie Brown & Harper Row, Stephanie Brown & Jason Todd, Stephanie Brown & Damian Wayne, Stephanie Brown & Cassandra Cain, Stephanie Brown & Crystal Brown, Stephanie Brown & Tim Drake | 39.3k words

follows stephanie brown's canon story with one change: steph is a trans woman. in my personal opinion, it depicts the trans experience perfectly. i got so emotional reading it, i cried for half an hour (which happens very, very rarely). i love it <3

A hold on me by Anonymous Damian starts thinking about self-identity. Things both are and aren’t difficult. Growing up is hard, you know.

T | No Archive Warnings Apply | No Relationships | 15.6k words

a story focused on damian and her journey of self-discovery. it also portrays the trans experience wonderfully. angsty, but with a hopeful ending. love it <3

something just broke by BeatriceEagle (@flybynightwing) With teams run by a small handful of big names, recruitment based almost entirely on who you know, and unchecked interteam dating, the superhero community is practically designed to encourage interpersonal abuse. When a former sidekick comes forward to say that she was abused by her mentor, the entire community has to reckon with the part they may have played—and with the abuses that may still be going unnoticed.

(A story of systems, told through chats, texts, and transcripts.)

M | Rape/Non-Con, Underage Sex | Clark Kent/Lois Lane, Dinah Lance/Oliver Queen, Dick Grayson & Donna Troy, Barbara Gordon & Dinah Lance, Koriand'r & Donna Troy | 10k words

i love all of BeatriceEagle's works, they're one of my favorite dc fic writers. this particular fic talks about rape, sexual assault, and abuse in the hero community and systems of power that allow it to happen. amazing writing and great portrayal of the subject matter. i also love their fanvids Oblivion Upon Us (about the existential terror of dc's cosmic reboots) and They Give It Away (about the women of dc comics)

I Left My Conscience On Your Front Doorstep by dustorange (@dustorange) "I think I'm leaving," Dick whispers. "I think I'm not coming back."

T | No Archive Warnings Apply | Dick Grayson & Bruce Wayne, Dick Grayson & Slade Wilson, Dick Grayson & Roy Harper, Background Roy Harper/Jade Nguyen | 21.4k words

dustorange has a lot of amazing dc fics. this fic in particular is one of my favorite dick grayson-centric fics of all time. it has enthralling prose and wonderful characterization <3

(you kept me like a secret) i kept you like an oath by gatheringwool Jason always knew everyone would flip out when they found out about him and Bruce.

He just always assumed it would be more along the lines of Jason, you dirty whore you. Not whatever the hell this was.

M | Rape/Non-Con, Underage | Jason Todd/Bruce Wayne | 11.4k words

the best example of the 'unreliable narrator' tag i've ever seen. bruce's actions are unequivocally terrible but because the fic is written from jason's perspective and jason doesn't believe anything is wrong with his relationship and seems convincing, you start to question your own opinion too. chilling. amazing, but chilling.

mutually assured by wingdingery (@wingdingery) Dick’s mom always told him that kissing a wound would help it heal faster.

Somehow, Dick’s not sure that’s ever really worked for him and Bruce.

E | No Archive Warnings Apply | Dick Grayson/Bruce Wayne | 5.8k words

the paper-thin line by wingdingery (@wingdingery) After Dick interferes with Slade’s job in Gotham (which, to be fair, he’d only done because Slade interfered with his first), he decides the best way to prevent future retaliation is to strike a deal: if Slade agrees to leave Gotham alone, then Dick will stay with him alone for one night, and no matter what Slade does, he won’t run.

Though that doesn’t mean Dick is going to go down without a fight.

E | Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings | Dick Grayson/Slade Wilson | 6.7k words

i could put every single of wingdingery's brudick and sladick fics here but i'm limiting myself to only one per ship. their writing and characterization is fantastic. they truly understand these characters and the relationship dynamics are captivating. those two fics are my favorites <3

daredevil cartwheel by cheju (@chejuu) “You wouldn’t,” Dick says. Slade is bluffing, but it’s a damn good bluff, because Dick’s body still hasn’t got the memo—heart racing, breath coming quick, goosebumps dancing down his arms.

Slade leans his solid weight over Dick’s back, breath hot and promising against his ear. “But it would be so easy.”

-

Slade teaches Dick a lesson in self-defense.

E | Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings | Dick Grayson/Slade Wilson | 4.3k words

i could also put every single of cheju's sladick fics here. his prose is delicious and the characterization and relationship dynamics are amazing. he just gets slade and dick. and his original works are awesome too <3

One-Way Glass by wormsin (@wormsin) Dick Grayson—husband, father, hero—is de-aged to his early days as Robin.

There are lots of different ways to look at the past. Sometimes, it's hard to know what really happened.

E | Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings, Underage | Dick Grayson/Bruce Wayne | 9.1k words

bruce and dick's relationship is so complex and has so many layers. the entwinement of the past and the present makes it a fascinating read.

You are forever in my mind by orphan_account This started off as a simple idea: Bruce installs a new set of cameras in the manor; cameras he doesn't tell anyone about. One night, he accidentally sees something that fundamentally affects him - and the way he looks at Dick.

E | Underage | Dick Grayson/Bruce Wayne | 30.1k words

one of the first brudick fics i've read. absolute classic. the prose is wonderful and the author thoroughly explores bruce and dick's relationship.

Playing with Uranium by BlameTheMachines Slade invites Dick into his study for a friendly chat about Rose’s training. It goes poorly.

M | Rape/Non-Con | Dick Grayson/Slade Wilson | 3.6k words

creepy slade wilson and dick desperately pretending he's a villain. i love their characterizations and chemistry in the fic.

Blurry by MissNaya (@herecomesnaya) Jason and Black Mask play-flirt too much. It's only natural that one day they push things too far.

E | Rape/Non-Con | Roman Sionis/Jason Todd | 98.3k words

the first chapters lull you into a false sense of security and make you think that while this is not a love story, it won't spiral into outright rape/abuse. but with each chapter, roman escalates his actions to the point where it's clear what's going on. it's so believably written, a masterful portrayal of an abusive relationship.

The View from the Ground by Gement (@gement) Batman has had it with Evil Superman AUs. Not on his watch, not in this universe. No matter what it takes. He . . . may have overcompensated.

M | Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings | Clark Kent/Bruce Wayne | 5.4k words

superbat fic with bruce who doesn't hesitate to test clark in unpleasant ways. i love the dynamic between them and how they're characterized.

A River in Egypt by withthekeyisking (@withthekeyisking-writer) Clark's always ignored Dick's crush on him; he's just a boy, after all. A child with too much hero worship. His best friend's kid. Calls him Uncle Clark for God's sake.

But then Dick grows up. And he isn't so much of a little boy anymore.

E | Underage Sex | Dick Grayson/Clark Kent, Clark Kent & Bruce Wayne | 15k words

an exploration of dick and clark's relationship. clark sleeps with dick just before he becomes nightwing. it's told from clark's perspective. deliciously twisted, fascinating fic. q also has a lot of other awesome dc fics, especially sladick ones <3

rules by dexdefyingstunts (@dexdefyingstunts) For the prompt: "Bruce is a pedophile who is sexually attracted to his kids (and probably other kids, too), but actively refrains from giving into those desires because he knows, conceptually, that it's wrong."

NR | Rape/Non-Con, Underage Sex | Dick Grayson/Bruce Wayne, Jason Todd/Bruce Wayne, Tim Drake/Bruce Wayne, Stephanie Brown/Bruce Wayne, Bruce Wayne/Damian Wayne | 2.2k words

four graves, one gun. by projectfreelancer They are his boys, and Bruce has made them this way.

a character study of Bruce Wayne and the Robins.

M | Underage Sex | Dick Grayson/Bruce Wayne, Jason Todd/Bruce Wayne, Tim Drake/Bruce Wayne | 3.8k words

both fics deal with bruce who is attracted to his robins. both are written from his perspective. he doesn't act on his attraction in the first one and does act in the second one. they have riveting prose and delve deep into bruce's mind.

i've been living six feet down (baby, i'm alive right now) by Anonymous (@necrotic-nephilim) Tim is beaten and cornered by Jason in Titans Tower.

Except this time, it goes a little differently.

E | Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings | Tim Drake/Jason Todd | 6.7k words

you cut so deep (but i always loved you deeper) by Anonymous (@necrotic-nephilim) Going after Jason was a bad idea. Putting on a Batsuit to go after Jason was an even worse idea. Tim pays the price for it, bloody and trapped under Jason with nowhere to go, and unspoken feelings to confront. He was always going to submit to Jason, sooner or later.

or

Tim confronts Jason during Battle for the Cowl, but their fight ends much differently.

E | Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings | Tim Drake/Jason Todd | 6.5k

luciferos is definitely one of the best dc dark fic writers and it was very difficult to choose which fics i should put here. in the end, i think two of my favorites are their jaytim fics set during some of jason and tim's post-crisis interactions: titans tower fight and battle for the cowl fight. the characterization is impeccable and the chemistry between jason and tim is delicious. please check out their other works too, they're a fantastic writer <3

what are y’alls “oh my god” dc fic recs. the ones that break and remake you. the ones that leave you staring at the wall after the words have ended and the story is done on the page but not in your mind.

[vesseloflukola]

Happy Valentine’s

Day!!!

Since today is a day we celebrate love, I want to talk about my love for Nicola and Luke!

Falling in love with Penelope & Colin:

I initially fell in love with Penelope in Bridgerton, because I could relate to her so well. I was the invisible wallflower who always fell for the “unattainable” attractive guy who could never see me as anything more than a friend.

I fell in love with Colin because he was sweet, caring, handsome, and SO adorably clueless. He was kind and loving to his family, and he was always there for Penelope.

Falling in love with Nicola:

From the first episode of Bridgerton I saw her in, I thought Nicola was perfect for the role of Penelope. I had not seen her in Derry Girls, and she was unknown to me as an actress.

She brings so much to the role as Penelope. I honestly can’t imagine anyone doing a better job in the role as she has done. I love the changes she has brought to the character each season to really show how Penelope matures a bit each season.

I loved discovering other projects Nic has worked on. It has been great to see her range in acting across different shows (like Derry Girls, Big Mood, the Doctor Who Christmas Special). She is just so good at bringing each character to life.

I love how funny and sweet Nic is. I applaud her for being an advocate and supporter of causes that are dear to her. I love her passion for fashion and glamour, but also how she enjoys being in comfy clothes and no makeup. I love how shrewd she is in choosing her projects and what companies to support and collaborate with. Most of all, I love that Nic is just so unapologetically herself.

Falling in love with Luke:

I thought Luke was such a cutie when I first saw him on Bridgerton as Colin. He really is the perfect counterpart to Nic’s Penelope. Just like Nicola, I had not seen Luke in anything he had been in previously.

Even though I liked Luke’s portrayal of Colin in seasons one and two of Bridgerton, I was honestly blown away with his portrayal of Colin in season three. He brought so much depth and emotion to the role; he was so nuanced. I really don’t think any other actor could have brought Colin to life the way Luke did.

I was able to see “The Shape of Things” and Luke was also wonderful in the role of Adam. He was great at showing the deep emotions Adam felt throughout the story. I also loved to hear Luke use an American accent.

I think Luke is talented in so many ways. He brings so much to each character he portrays. He has a beautiful singing voice. I believe if he wanted to, he could be a model. He just looks good in any clothes he is put in and he is so photogenic. I am also waiting for the day he is in a project where he gets to tap dance. I would love to see that.

Luke comes across as the sweetest person. He seems to really care about his family and friends. He gives thoughtful gifts and is generous to those he is close to.

Falling in love with Lukola:

As many people did, I fell in love with Lukola during the World Tour for season three last year. I saw the undeniable chemistry between Luke and Nic in all of their interviews, the bts footage that was released, and of course on the screen as Polin.

I saw how happy they were to be together doing so many interviews, but how they also enjoyed spending time together on their time off the clock. They were constantly smiling and laughing with one another. They seemed to always be touching one another and getting physically as close as possible. They also shared so many unhinged stories and comments.

Honestly, I don’t know how anyone could not love them. To me, they just emulate light and love!

[ethicstownpod]

The show seems (please correct me if I’m wrong) to have been cast pretty gender blind. Talking of gender roles in the Q&A, was it ever a possibility that January was a woman/non binary?

You are indeed (pretty much) correct! The entire show was cast gender blind aside from January*. I don’t have the exact disclaimer on me, but the casting call said something like:

“Anyone who feels comfortable playing a character who identifies as a man and uses he/him pronouns is encouraged to audition for this role.”

January was always written to be a cishet white man from England. I was very open to people who didn’t match some, or any, of those characteristics playing the part (Rhys does not in fact have a wholly English accent, but unless you’ve spent a lot of time where his family’s from you’d never be able to tell. Also, straight? My brother??), but he was written to be a really stereotypical Bad Politician From A Small English Town**.

But, you cry, that was S1 January! If he can be a little homosexual, surely he could have transed his gender?

True! Ish… January potentially being played by a trans actor was always a ‘this is a conversation to be had post-casting’ kind of thing. It would entirely depend on what the actor was comfortable with.

Say, for example, January had been played by a trans masc person. That would be a difficult thing to bring up in a later season, after January has already robbed two women of their bodily autonomy and ruined a little girl’s life… Not really the commentary I was going for! And you don’t even know what he’s going to do in S3 yet…

So in that situation I would have suggested it just doesn’t get mentioned; nothing to confirm January is a cis man, but nothing to imply he’s trans either. Of course, had someone not been comfortable with that I’d have worked with it.

If he’d been played by a trans femme/nonbinary actor the above isn’t so much an issue. Obviously I’m not saying it’s okay to imply trans women steal from other women, but it would be much easier, with the way the narrative is designed, to say, “Well, January did those things because she was written to be a cis gender man and a villain. Now that’s she’s starting to develop a sense of self she’s still a villain, just in a cool and sexy way now.” (Obviously this is paraphrasing/a joke. Cisgender man January isn’t even really a villain). And then S2/3 January could have a fun little gender arc with Noah.

But honestly, everything in this hypothetical would depend on the actor. Rhys is amazing, obviously, and while we may not be getting 🏳️‍⚧️Trans Rep🏳️‍⚧️ from this specific character I don’t feel like January having any kind of queer arc is hindered at all by him being played by a (umbrella term) bisexual actor.

Much like what I was saying about January wrt gender roles in the Q&A, Rhys likes sewing and crafts and girly pop music and kids’ cartoons and baby animals and childcare and cooking and (once every 9 months when the planets align) talking about his feelings.

He also rides a motorbike, likes to make his own electronics, and talks really, really loudly in the pub even though everyone he’s talking to is within a half metre radius. Y’know, guy stuff.

It’s great that there are so many micro labels available to people who want them, but, “I don’t really feel like a very guyish guy, and that’s because straight men have historically set the standard for what it means to be a guy. I’m still a guy, I’m just having a queer guy experience,” is still a totally valid gender take, and I feel like that’s much more where January-played-by-a-cis-man sits. So, y’know, that’s actual January that we actually have.

At least, until he commits his next crime and totally forgets about being gay.

*At this point you may be thinking, “But if January was a heterosexual man, surely his spouse would have to be played by a woman?” Mayhaps! January’s spouse would have to be played by someone who was comfortable portraying a woman for ~1 episode. But there was absolutely no reason “Al” couldn’t have transitioned in any way shape or form in S2 onwards. It just so happened L killed it ridiculously hard and also uses she/her pronouns.

**There are absolutely bad female politicians from small English towns. There are also bad politicians of colour from small English towns. And bad queer politicians, usually not from small towns but sometimes. But statistically it is cishet white men. Currently, 68% of UK mayors are men. 88% are white. 60% are white men. And that’s in the year of our lord 2025.

[wishesofeternity]

The thing about HotD is that it while it absolutely minimizes the agency and ambition of both Rhaenyra and Alicent, this is specifically used to glorify Rhaenyra and frame her as righteous while condemning Alicent and framing her lacking. That's the key difference in both their textual portrayals that has directly led to 90% of the fandom hailing Rhaenyra as the second coming of Christ while spewing the most hateful vitriol at Alicent just for existing. But y'all are not prepared for that conversation.

[bayetea]

I don't like the judo flip in moa as much as the next guy but in my eyes it's largely the result of rick not taking female violence half as seriously as male violence (a result of viewing women as weaker and inferior to men such that their acts of violence don't need to be taken as seriously) and not so much anything about annabeth herself. like I do genuinely feel that annabeth is a complex heroine and definitely one of the better ones in the realm of ya action-adventure fiction produced in the past 25 years but she is still a girl being written by a man and all I'm saying is that her writing clearly reflects that sometimes (more in tags)

[austin-friars]

It just occurred to me that we've not had an in depth portrayal of Henry VIII and Jane Seymour since the Tudors. Or just, Jane Seymour in general. So I am really curious to see how Mirror and the Light/Wolf Hall is going to handle them.

We get to know about her family, we'll learn about Elizabeth Seymour as well, and how important she is.

[faithchel]

finished hera & started lady macbeth and we have got to start blaming women for shit again for real

[xxplastic-cubexx]

seeing the scarlet witch comics made me wonder what do you think of wandavision / mcu wanda

i have legitimately like. no conscious memory i watched a movie with her in it but i did because i watched age of ultron nearly a decade ago with my bro and multiverse of madness within the last like. five years With My Bro so now what ...

[dyketennant]

oh i can already tell i’m about to have some really unpopular opinions about the edge of sleep tv show

[oceanwithinsblog]

this week's episode was freaking GOOD but i am now more confused than ever about who the actual killer(s) may be ...

x: "may i ask you who do you think the culprit is?"

my honest reaction:

[heir-of-the-chair]

Maturing is going from obsessing over on August the first go around of w4e hyperfixation, to obsessing over Marlena when the hyperfixating comes back

[monards]

sometimes teh hater agenda gets to me. and i need to reason myself away from it