#ACTUAL romance and romance-related stuff seems “ew” to me just like sex does

[bat-the-misfit]

like i really really really wanna have a boyfriend but not a "man i'm in love with" type of boyfriend but a "this guy is my best friend forever also he is so handsome and cute and pretty and hot that i love looking at him and to give him little kissies and hold his hands bc he is my bestie" type of boyfriend

[goron-king-darunia]

@hannikka Regarding a comment on this post. “i know this ask has nothing to do with me, but i will be honest with you, before you said to take this with a grain of salt i was going to fight you XD (not really, but still XD) because i definitely and actually fell in love as in real lovewhen i was very young and it lasted years, so i was horrified for a moment, but then again like you, said our experiences are not universa” Again, like I said, I have not been a child in a very long time and I am demisexual so my threshold for attraction is VERY different from the standard. I can only speak from my experiences as a child and what I’ve seen regarding other kids I’ve worked with. It’s not impossible to fall in love, real genuine love, as a kid. I just think that’s VERY rare for it to happen and it seems to be the exception rather than the rule. Obviously this is anectdotal rather than data driven and even then, in the USA, narratives involving children and romance are heavily sanitized because in the USA implying that children are people with feelings like adults is very scary strawberry territory for censors because god forbid we imply children are complex people. Even worse if we imply children and adults can be friends, good heavens. The USA tiptoes around intergenerational friendships like a plague corpse in the street because if something even remotely resembles pedophilia, it’s BAD. Like, the USA buries that shit so hard, to the point where when the Professor Layton games came out I was confused for the longest time about what relation Luke had to Layton because in the USA one does not simply just have a grown man mentoring a young boy that isn’t his son or a blood relative of some sort. Like... there were memes about Layton being a guy that kidnaps orphans because that, for some reason, seemed more probable than the actual explanation which is that Luke is the son of one of Latyon’s close friends, and he and Luke bonded over solving a mystery together in town. Hell, even Layton being adopted was kind of a revelation for me when that showed up in the narrative because the USA had a BAD track record of underrepresenting non-traditional family structures. So I’m sure my view on children is partially cultural as well. The USA doesn’t want to admit it but we’re STILL barely out of that old phase of “children should be seen and not heard” bullshit of treating kids like extensions of their parents and swung right around to some weird other extreme of “if we even acknowledge kids at all, we either make them wise beyond their years or infantalize them to hell and back because what even is a child anyway? Baby? Yeah, we know what that is. Helpless cinnamon roll that can never do anything bad ever. Teenager? Yeah we know what that is. That’s like that weird stage of development where you’re like an adult but with now power and lots of feelings and you’re terrible with everything. IDK if I just grew up overly sheltered (which is probably the case) but like... seeing all these new shows on Netflix that acknowledge that teenagers have sex feels... transgressive somehow. Like, I LIKE that we’re acknowledging it. Because we’ve known for ages it happens and clearly doing pearl-clutching and trying to pretend it doesn’t won’t stop teen pregnancy. But it feels so terribly RECENT that we’re actually not actively shoving that under the rug. The Lion King (the good animated one, not the CG one) firmly cemented in my head when I was a wee baby watching it that “friends” and “lovers” were separate categories (even though Nala and Simba are a couple, LOL) because like, yeah, thinking about getting married to my best friends was WEIRD (even at a time in my life when a lot of my friends were boys. XD) So I was totally with Simba when he was like “Ew, I can’t marry her! She’s my friend!” It’s really only been in recent years that the idea of friendship and romantic/sexual relationships aren’t mutually exclusive has become mainstream. Or at least, it’s only recently that I aged into a group where these stories were targeted. IDK, I feel like I’m getting into the weeds here and talking in circles. But the point is YES, I am totally only speaking from my own experiences here, I am 100% not an authority, I am only giving an opinion, and my opinion is largely shaped by experiences and media that are not universal by any means. XD. I was relatively sheltered, have conservative parents, was a neuroatypical child and still am neuroatypical as an adult, turned out to be demisexual which is pretty different considering most of the world is some flavor of allosexual, an I grew up in the USA where basically the only acceptable adult/child relationships are parent/child and teacher/student (and if you’re a teacher you’re on thin fucking ice, fucking YIKES) because the USA treats every other possible interaction between an adult and child as highly suspect. The only factors I have mitigating these views is that I’ve worked with kids and took developmental psychology in college. So I am aware children are a lot more complex than the culture in the USA gives them credit for being. Children aren’t some weird alien species. They’re largely just very tiny adults with very little power/little ability to act on their agency and very little experience. I have met 10 year olds I would trust more than I trust myself, honestly. Kids that are more mature than me and just... understand things I would definitely NOT have at the same age. So, like, again, I’m not saying it’s impossible for kids to fall in love. I’m just saying that usually kids aren’t concerned with that, and when they ARE, they’re usually practicing the particulars of love. but this is just from my own childhood and my limited experience working with grade school kids. Kids I worked with were far more interested in friendships than romances, and as a kid, my romantic interests were, like, Link from Ocarina of Time and I couldn’t decide if I liked fucking Knuckles the Echidna as a dad or as a boyfriend and I think I settled on dad material because I have an old old old illustrated story that I might have even uploaded here where Knuckles is my dad. XD So, like, for real, take my opinions with a FAT grain of salt because I am literally just a goofy goober and have been in exactly 2 romantic relationships and one of them only lasted a year. XD (The other is basically from college until now which is practically 10 years, but also largely long-distance so, like. Definitely not the usual experience. XD) But also, for real, if I say something controversial, weird, or just plain wrong, you can 100% feel free to fight me because I am an idiot and I say dumb shit all the time. That one debunked post that went around about the “Azhar Library bombing” is a big case in this. XD I am basically an educated adult child. I know some things, but more than anything I know enough to realized that I actually know VERY LITTLE and my whole life should be a learning experience. So I am absolutely not opposed to being wrong and getting taught things because that’s honestly half the reason I’m even remotely as good a person as I am today because I was a garbage kiddo and a garbage teenager and still probably a garbage young adult and was educated out of it. I have a lot of internalized beliefs that were changed because of college and listening to people online, and I can only learn more and grow more my having good friends throw down and fight me over stuff when I say a dumb thing. XD Literally I am probably only on the Left because good people educated me on politics when no one else would. I legit could have been one of those awful cases of a disenchanted teen that was led down the alt-right pipeline. Scary to think of but my parents weren’t teaching me so thankfully better people stepped up to do it. So, legit, you are welcome to fight me any time, man. I want to learn. I want to be inoculated against bad ideas and educated away from any bad opinions I hold.

[tisfan]

Valentine's prompt #12 with Winteriron?

@androidtwin, @fightingforcreativity, @scriptatur, @hddnone Valentine’s prompt #12 with Winteriron? Your crush givingyou advice for the night of Valentine’s Day when they think you already haveanother date

Show Me Your Ankles

“So, hypothetically,” Tony said, looking up from where he wasdoing a replacement servo on Bucky’s thumb, “if someone was to ask you out,what sort of things might you be interested in doing. As, you know, a date?”

“I know what a date is,” Bucky said, trying not to read too muchinto the conversation. Tony talked about anything and everything when he wasworking on Bucky’s arm. Although, admittedly, dating had not yet come up inthose conversations. “We had ‘em, back in the stone age, an’ all.”

“Yeah, ha ha, but back in your day, you called it courting, andheaven forfend you should see her ankle by the third date.”

“Are you offering to show off your ankles?” Bucky leaned back tolook down the length of Tony’s legs. “I could get into that.” Tony was, infact, barefoot in his shop, which seemed both a little dumb (Tony worked withheavy engines and metal shavings) and oddly cozy.

“Uh, no, no ankle showing here,” Tony said, and as if to emphasizehis point, he tucked his leg up under his thigh, sitting on it. “I was justwondering– I’m told I’m terrible at dating and you know, relating to normalpeople… not that you’re, well–”

(more below the cut)

“I ain’t normal,” Bucky said. “Yeah, I get that a lot. Must besomething I said.”

“Anyway… back to me here, this is about me.”

“Being bad at dating, which ain’t really seem likely,” Bucky said.

“Oh, sure, you want to have a night of wild, drunken monkey sexand breakfast in Paris, I’m your guy–”

Wish you were, Bucky thought, alittle resentfully.

“–but that’s just throwing money at the problem. For Christ’ssake, Justin Hammer could jet you to Paris if he wanted to.”

“Ew. I think I’ll be skipping dinner.”

“Yeah, exactly,” Tony said. “I’m not good at the… the other stuff.Dating with intent to actually… relate to someone. Have a relationship. That’sbuilt on more than just money, or fame. Someone… someone who likes me, and thatbeing there with them is part of the whole good time thing. I mean, having agood time, because I’m there. Not because I’m paying for it.”

Oh.

“You got your eye on someone?”

“It’s possible,” Tony said. “I just, you know, I don’t want toscrew this up.”

“So why are you askin’ me? I haven’t had a date since I wasbrainwashed.” Depressing. Bucky was sort of hoping Tony might, finally,be willing to consider it an option.

“You’re the most down-to-earth person I know,” Tony said. “So, ifit’s something you want to do–”

“Your crush’ll like it?”

“I’m hoping, yes,” Tony admitted.

“Well, best to stick to your basics, right? If what they want isthe Tony Stark razzle-dazzle, you’ll want to keep it on the down low. Moviesare always a good option, gives you something to talk about before, no need totalk during, and then you can discuss the movie afterward. Or… bowling. Bowlingis a good option.”

“Bowling? Really?” Tony looked dubious. “I was thinking more like,a motorcycle ride up to a nice picnic lunch. And then dancing at some littlebackwater dive bar. Nothing fancy, but nobody would know who we were. You know,white guy country line-dancing things. Silly, fun, no expectations.”

Bucky’s mouth all but dropped open. That– “That sounds amazing,really,” he admitted. Shit, shit, shit, he was going to lose Tony to whoeverTony was romancing, because Bucky would have been swept off his feet bysomething like that.

Tony shifted in his seat, looking delighted. 

Bucky tried to smile, he really did. He wanted Tony to be happy,honest. But at the same time, he couldn’t help but be disappointed. It wouldhave been nicer if Tony could be happy with him. Bucky waited until Tonyclosed up the panel in his hand, then stood up. “Well, I hope it goes well, an’if they don’t like it, well, you can always come back to the Tower and show meyour ankles.”

He couldn’t help it, he reached over and brushed one metal fingerover Tony’s ankle, where it stuck out from under his thigh. Tony shivered,hitching in a breath– Bucky looked down and there was, in fact, writing onTony’s ankle.

“What’s this, you got a tattoo? I didn’t know–” He squinted atit, a few black and blue loops were all he could make out.

Tony flushed, pulling his ankle back under his leg. “It was a longtime ago, and I was really drunk at the time. Rhodey gives me hell about it. Orhe used to.”

“Yeah? What is it? I wish– the serum, you know, I can’t get atattoo. It’d just fade out, like… in a few months.”

“Uh, no,” Tony said. “I’m not showing you my ridiculous sixteenyear old tattoo. If you got a tattoo–” he was changing the subject, which wasnot working, because now Bucky was really curious – “what would it be of? Youever think about it?”

“All the damn time,” Bucky said. “You’re gonna think it’s silly.But– I think I’d tattoo my name, right here… I am Bucky Barnes.Because… because I forgot. And I think I’d feel better if I could never, everforget that again.”

Tony sucked air. “Oh. Uh… okay, so–”

“Now I’ve told you about mine, so you can show me yours?”

“Okay, but you have to say yes.”

“To what?”

“The date, haven’t you been paying attention?”

“Wait, what? You were asking– you didn’t ask me! You just told mewhat you were takin’ someone else on–”

The look Tony gave him was dry enough to spark a fire.

Oh.

Oh.

“All right, yes, it does sound lovely,” Bucky said, teasing. “Butreally, you could just try asking, instead of getting all diabolical. I swear,you’re one lab accident away from supervillainy. Now show me your ankle.”

Tony took a breath. “Okay, this is old, remember that, I want itmade perfectly clear that I did this before there was any potential of…anything, so don’t get all freaked out, okay?” He tugged up his jeans cuff

“Never tell someone not to freak out, that never works,” Buckysaid, but he leaned in.

On Tony’s ankle, in pretty flourished script, blue andblack. 

James “Bucky” Barnes

“You– you have my name… tattooed on your ankle?”

He was beet red and his eyelashes were fluttering nervously, andit was the most gorgeous thing Bucky had ever seen. “Yeah, well, I grew up onstories of Captain America and the Commandos. Teenage boys get crushes.” 

“So do adult men,” Bucky told him, cupping his jaw. 

[ineedrelationshipadvice]

I've recently just discovered I'm demisexual and not long out of a long term relationship. I am genuinely dreading going back out there in the dating world again. I hate the idea of having to go through all sorts of people till I find someone I'm comfortable with again, after my break up my self esteem is pretty low too. I'm worried that now with my recent discovery this will make things harder for me to find a partner. I know 100% I want to be in love and find someone but at the same time I'm done with talking to numerous of different people who are more sexually driven than me, I'm worried I wont find someone who will understand what I need from them.

Do you know of anybody going through the same thing and they turned out ok or would it be best to come out straight away to a potential partner and is there a chance they will be understanding? I just can't seem to get out my own head that I'll end up alone with the I am.

Hey, hello! I don't identify as demisexual because the term isn't really for me, but it's probably the closest descriptor to how I have always approached romance personally. So hopefully my direct experiences are relatable enough.

I too hate dating in general. It's awful. It's this constant game that's played through mostly vapid people who are generally insecure with themselves and not confident enough to just be themselves. They have to turn it into this whole event, and especially these days in the time of ghosting and increasing porousness of relationship, this has only become more exacerbated. Everyone's out there wanting to hook up and expand their horizons when I'm just over here wanting to meet someone I can actually connect with before I take that next step. It really feels like nobody is really interested in stable, fulfilling relationships because they can't even be bothered.

But guess what: it turned out okay. I am currently in a 3-year long relationship with someone. It's rocky at times, especially because it's long-distance. But that's okay, because I got into this relationship prepared for the long-haul anyway, so it works out. Over time, I fell completely into trust with them, so even when the romance might feel like it's waning, I know that at the end of the day I have a trusted companion to carry any attachment through.

Now to your questions. Should you come out straight away? You don't have to, but I find it helpful. I typically treat relationships very openly: just spit it all out, throw it on the table, and let other people decide whether they're into that or not. I do this with pretty much everything to. For instance, I'm into anime. I know a lot of people - especially where I live - find that cringey or lame. I don't give a fuck, because I find people who think anime is cringey or lame are the ones who are cringey and lame. So I often outrightly speak on that thing I care about. What are you interested in Chris? "I'm really into anime." It acts as this convenient filter. People who definitely don't like that thing will be like "ew" and walk away; good, I don't need them wasting my time. People who don't mind will stick around. That's all that matters.

Sexualities, however, are a bit more intricate than that. And I think whether you should reveal it or not depends on where you live. One reason I don't care to identify with it is because it's just not useful where I live. I'm in Texas; the majority of people here, even the liberals and leftists, are VERY conservative. They don't understand what demisexual even means. So why even trouble them on that? Because I still need to approach them with that filter, because if they're not into that, they're a bad long-term bet. I explain it by asking questions during conversation - usually conversations where they've passed my barriers, and we've earned some degree of trust where these sorts of questions are acceptable to ask. "What your sex drive like? Mine is often pretty low, but I'm really only interested in doing stuff with the right person." Or something like, "I'm not really into hook-ups. I've tried it before, but it made me really sad. I'd rather do it with someone I trusted." You'll note I'm basically describing what demisexuality is to them without actually just saying it out loud; this way if they don't know what it is, they learned how I feel, not what the dictionary definition is; further, if they do know what it is, they know I fit that bill. It's also just being honest, and allows them to learn about me more.

If you're in a place where sexualities and other such stuff is spoken about openly though, I see no harm in just saying it out loud. If I was closer to the term, I'd probably tell people pretty early, "Hey, I'm bisexual and demisexual. I generally only like to be intimate with people who I really trust." No reason to beat around the bush, and it basically qualifies my stances on sexuality: I tend to seek out people on the binary, and I tend to only do it with people I really care about. It should obviously not be the first thing you say; but saying it early saves a lot of headache. If someone's only objective is to get in your pants, and they learn early you're not into that, then they'll leave of their own accord and you can move on without investing energy in someone who doesn't matter to you. Also, if you're online dating, PUT IT IN YOUR BIO. There' really just zero reason not to put it in your bio, because it makes self-selection of the other party who are swiping for you or checking your profile easier.

To your last point, will you end up alone? It might seem dower, but yes, you might. Why? Well, because people like you and I aren't interested in relationships in the same way as other people. We are a niche of many other niches; we have to try a little harder than others by default. That's okay, but it doesn't mean that we inherently limit our dating pool a little bit for our happiness. The smaller your dating pool, the higher your chances of not finding someone.

And that's okay. That's the beauty of demisexuality, frankly. Because as I've said multiple times: we're interested in people we care about, people we can trust. We need long term attachment before we want to be deeply intimate. And isn't that just NICE? We have a nonstop objective, and it has a very easy starting line: after we get to know someone. We don't have to worry about hook-ups and walks of shame, we don't have to worry about will-they-won't-they. All we have to worry about is making a cool friend to spend our time with. If it gets to the part where we want to do naughty stuff with that friend, that's just a bonus honestly.

Just be sure not to isolate yourself from the dating pool because of your preferences. Don't be afraid to enter relationships just because you don't think it will work out. If YOU are declining more than 50% of the offers you receive because you're not sure, then you become the problem. As much as your sexuality is dictated by trust and commitment, it does mean inevitably you have to try to commit. Because however things end up, you're the master of your own destiny.

[somevirtualnolife]

Not A Relationship, But Not 'Not' A Relationship

Dragon Age II 1293 words Rating: M (For sex talk, but no actual sexy times) Pairing: M!Hawke x Isabela Summary: Anders has a sit down with Isabela and Hawke about their 'not a relationship'. Notes: Happy Birthday to me~ here's a fic that I wrote when I was having writer's block from Leather & Lace Romance Week. Kenyon is my male Hawke that I've been thinking about more since I got a prompt about him awhile back. He's not a nice dude and if I ever met anyone like him in real life, I'd probably hate him. But~ sometimes jerks are really fun to write. Especially jerks who are trying to redeem themselves and be better. In my game, he romanced Isabela and had a close friendship with Fenris, so I like to think that maybe the three of them might have gotten together at some point. I've been into 3P relationships lately, lol. Maybe it's because I feel like I write a lot of heteronormative stuff and need to branch out a bit. Also, love triangle formula needs to be changed imo. I thought it would be entertaining to have Anders as the sort of 'narrator' for this because I feel he would be the only person who couldn't deal with their attitude towards their own relationship. Plus, I've never featured Anders in a fic before. Happy reading! 

“I’m sorry. I know I said that I wouldn’t say anything, but I must. I just don’t get… this,”

Anders motioned to Kenyon and Isabela across the table from him.

“Why Anders, all you have to do is ask if you want to get this. We’d be more than happy to oblige whatever fantasy you may have. As long as you don’t bring Justice along,” Isabela replied lifting her hand up and without hesitation, Kenyon gave her a high five.

“I meant your relationship,” Anders let out an annoyed sigh. Maker, it was impossible to have a serious conversation with these two about… well, anything really. But especially this topic.

“Not a relationship,” the apostate and pirate said in unison.

Anders frowned in irritation. He was not a prude by any means. He didn’t even think twice about it when he first heard they were casually bedding each other. After all, what could you expect from two incredibly vapid, self-centered and selfish individuals? It made sense that they wouldn’t be in a conventional relationship. It was fine they were just friends with benefits, or in an open relationship. But they seemed to acknowledge even that level of intimacy. That was the confusing part.

“I just am trying to understand how you feel about each other,” he continued.

“Ew, he used the F-word,” Isabela scrunched up her nose in disgust.

“We do not use that word around here Anders, unless it’s followed by someone’s body part. Mind your language,” Kenyon wrapped his arm around Isabela and pulled her close, in a sort of faux comfort. Anders just narrowed his eyes. Were they not aware how they looked to everyone else?

“This is what I’m trying to say. You two are incapable of acknowledging your feelings with each other,” he was getting exasperated by this point.

Kenyon rolled his eyes and waved his hand dismissively at the other mage. “You talk nonsense,”

“Kenyon.What kind of person lies when he’s not going to a brothel? Because that’s what you’ve been doing,”

“Hold on; You weren’t at the Blooming Rose last night?” Isabela turned and looked at Kenyon, her eyebrows raised in both surprise and suspicion.

“Ha-what? Of course, I was. I was certainly in there… banging… many women. And men. Great fun to be had all around. Clothes torn off, body parts giggling… my parts… in… various holes…yes,” he quickly took a large swig from his tankard, glaring at Anders with his blue eyes.  “It was all a very sexy time,”

She pursed her lips and continued to stare at the young man. “Anders, do you know what he was up to?”

Well, now Anders sort of regretted getting in the middle of this. Perhaps this was why everyone told him not to press the matter. He was interfering. Interfering in this… not a relationship.

“He was at home. Helping his mother, I believe,” Anders was no stranger to lying or dressing up his words, but he suddenly had difficulty in this situation. Like the man across from him, he also took a long swig from his tankard and started to trail off from what he was original saying.

“No sex and you were being nice without a reward?” Isabela continued to look over at the Kenyon as though she didn’t even know who he was anymore.

“I swear on Andraste’s voluptuous tits, Isabela that this is just a one-time occurrence. I assure you that I’m still the self-interested man that you have grown to mildly tolerate while bedding every now and then,”

“Who was the last person you slept with that wasn’t me?”

Kenyon snorted and rolled his eyes. “Isabela, I don’t keep track of every person I bed. Why I barely even remember when we last slept together. When was it? Something like oneweekthreehousandfifteenminutes? But really, who is even counting?”

The pirate shook her head and sighed before finishing the remaining of her drink and standing. “Right, well, I’m actually heading out to the Blooming Rose. Don’t wait up,”

“Of course. You’ve got it paid up for the year, don’t you? You should use it because this is something that I really do not care about,” Kenyon said, seeming to regain his composure. Isabela waved at both mages before she swaggered out of the tavern.

Anders remained silent for a moment, trying to take everything in. He wasn’t exactly sure what happened. Isabela was upset at Kenyon for… being exclusively with her? For not sleeping with other people? Maker, this was too confusing; and quite possibly stupid.

“So you don’t like her?” Anders replied.  

“Anders, of course I like her!” Kenyon leaned over and gripped at the fellow mage’s coat, his voice coarse. “What blighted idiot wouldn’t be charmed by a gorgeous, slave-hating pirate with a thirst for adventure and sex? But if by chance, you haven’t noticed, Isabela isn’t the commitment type,”

“Neither are you for that matter,”

“Right!? I told her I wasn’t going to bring feelings into this and now here I am… feeling… things,” he made a disgusted face as he finally let go of Anders. “I want to do things with her that aren’t sex related. Like take her out on a lovely dinner, or buy her presents, or just hold… her hand. Do you realize how difficult this is?”

“To want to do things that nearly every other normal person does without a second thought?”

“Don’t be smart. Also… I want to try this whole ‘being kind’ thing, but I don’t want people to start thinking I’m going soft. If Isabela catches wind of that, she’ll laugh at me for sure,”

Anders had a very hard time sympathizing with this predicament. Kenyon was essentially complaining that he was becoming a normal, decent person with normal, human emotions. Something he should have been doing all this time. Kenyon may have been helping the people in Kirkwall, but it was always so self-interested and pompous. He deserved no praise for this change.

And yet, something about Kenyon’s face made him pity him a bit. He’d never really seen the man so conflicted before. Perhaps in some cases, a change of heart could happen later in life. Maybe some people needed encouragement to do the right thing.  

“I don’t know if this helps you at all, but my understanding is that you are the only male that Isabela has slept with for a large amount of time,” Anders said, letting out a long, annoyed sigh.

Kenyon’s eyes suddenly brightened. “Really? You’re not just saying that, are you?”

“Every time Isabela has told one of her inappropriate sex adventures, they’ve all been either about women at the Blooming Rose, or you,” he really rather not know this information, but there was never any escape from Isabela’s sexcapades. “Unless you count her crude flirting with Fenris,”

“Yeah, but who wouldn’t with him? Maker knows I’ve tried,”

“You would bed a man who hates mages while also being a- you know what? Never mind, I’m not even going to get into that,” Anders took another deep breath. “All of this to say that I think Isabela might have feelings for you too. Perhaps if you’re just gradual about your attraction to her, as well as your desire to be ‘nice’, it won’t scare her off. Small steps,”

Kenyon grinned and then reached over, patting Anders firmly on the shoulder. “Thank’s mate. Looks like you’re not always a dick about things,”

“…Are you sure you’re trying to be nice?”

“Right, sorry. What I meant to say is that this is the first time I’ve ever genuinely appreciated your input and paid attention to it. I will try to do that more often in the future. Probably. No promises,”

Well, it was a start at least.

[chromemuffin]

(Captive Prince Trilogy) Prince’s Gambit Liveblogging (Chapters 1 & 2)

Time to start the second book in my Captive Prince liveblog! This was sort of delayed because I was trying to read the extra chapter at the end of book 1, couldn’t get more than a page or two in, and kept putting it off. Then I got busy. I skipped it for now.

And, looking back, I completely missed the fact that all three books have a different crest on them lol...First book was a lion, second is...actually, I have no clue what it is, something with tassels. The third has something like a crown with two griffons.

Chapter 1

Yay, finally leaving the castle! I’m guessing this is where the story really picks up.

Damen’s analyzing mind, always relating things around him to what he knows (military stuff) is quite pleasant to read through for some reason. And considering we finally get a change of scenery, I can feel some of his relief at finally getting out of that castle (though he is not exactly free, we are, for a good while it seems).

lol wait the dogs like Laurent. Are very happy to see him, in fact. I guess he does get out of the main city every now and again, this keep isn’t too far away.

“...but, not being an owl, saw almost nothing.” lol sometimes I have to sit back and wonder, because this is in third person but clearly expressing all of Damen’s thoughts so like. Yes, he actually thinks this as he’s trying to look at his own back.

The better it heals, the less your back will trouble you with stiffness, both now and later in life, so that you will be better able to swing a sword around, killing a great many people.

lol you can just feel the deadpan tone and unimpressed attitude and sort of contempt for the business of killing.

All this tender care of his back, like soothing with a kiss the reddened cheek you have slapped.

Once again, I appreciate that Damen can clearly see through these actions, unlike a lot of ‘held captive by the enemy’ stories, he knows full well that these acts of kindness really aren’t done out of the goodness of the other party’s heart. He’ll go along with it, because he must, but doesn’t mistaken it for affection or care, he may be attracted to Laurent physically but for the time being that’s all it is.

Of course, that makes the transition to actual romance a little rocky but...I guess I’ll have to be patient.

“Men find themselves in the places they put themselves.”

I like this Paschal guy. The things he says are sort of lowkey really great.

omg the trash talk is starting again. trash talk is great too. 

Damen...

You noticed things like his pretty mouth, even dripping with nosebleed.

Ew. Damen is, like, attracted to pretty people easily and it is hilarious how easily he/the narrative gets distracted when one shows up. Also, I recall he liked to sleep with guys who won brawls so like, this is the perfect combination for him I guess? To each their own...

Ah, here it is. What I’ve been waiting for.

The first real glimpse of what sort of person Laurent appears to people other than Damen. Damen is obviously biased, so we’ve had nothing to go off except Damen’s thoughts and Laurent’s actions, and since Laurent isn’t exactly the most honest straightforward character, it was hard to tell in the last book what he really was like.

I really like this scene, I won’t go quoting the whole thing, but I really like the whole exchange (Aimeric is, like, a character I can maybe get behind and not be like ‘you’re such a little shit I guess you are also endearing but a shit nonetheless’ or Erasmus, who is in a class of his own (that short story on him did not help, ok, I couldn’t finish it, it’s too depressing).

Ha. Damen is still more intimidated by keeping Laurent waiting than he is Govart, that dude I fear we will not be rid of for quite a while.

Ugh, as good as it’s written, the sort of constant trash talk about Laurent and sex is really uncomfortable at times. 

I feel like the ensuing conversation when Laurent returns at night is probably the only way it could have gone after the debacle that happened at the end of the last book.

I also feel as if they are starting to be a little more honest with each other, here. Just a little. They need to, in order to move on and sort of cooperate on this campaign.

Chapter 2

Have I mentioned I like gallows humor and find it hilarious that somehow everyone, even Laurent’s own men, seem to be on the same page about him and the no sex and being made of ice? Yeah, well, the latter is getting quite Not Okay now. Maybe because they are getting more vulgar and gross, but I’m on the same page as Damen now. The narrative seems to have succeeded in that respect.

Oh, the snake comparisons are back! I do like how creative the insults are, truly.

But Laurent actually relaxing a bit, wow, we are finally seeing that. I like the subtle (actually not subtle at all given how Damen devotes a paragraph of thought to the image of him relaxing a bit) reminder that hey, he’s just a man. Human. Not, you know, a demon prince or something.

Although he goes and pulls an all-nighter, and is ready to go in the morning. So, not helping that image, but still.

...whatever cold bitchy remarks he had made - sharpened by a night without sleep - had been enough to eject the Regent’s men out of their beds and into a semblance of lines.

I think I have no choice but to say I relate to this on a spiritual level because I, too, do not get enough sleep and subsequently am horribly grumpy and terrible to deal with in the morning. I’m trying to stop, because I really do act bitchy without enough sleep (which is like every morning) but staying up late has become a really bad habit. urgh

Damen is so prepared for this fight waiting to happen. In the meantime, he’s trying to play peacemaker.

“Getting massaged.” omg I missed you and your remarks Damen, it’s been too long (when did I finish the last book? two weeks ago maybe)

This tent is so fancy what the heck haha.

Ooh fight scene! Not the one Damen is looking out for, but.

It’s only been a month since this whole thing started? Geez, feels like longer...

omg

They are being more honest in this book. I mean, Laurent admitted Damen was better than him at swordplay, and he sort of blushed (and how good is he at shoving his emotions down, like can you even suppress being flustered).

JUST SOME FRIENDLY ADVICE HAHA did you really think he willingly did drugs before a fight or

Bailleux Keep: a broken-down structure with a fancy name = ‘fancy’ how I feel about most French words, honestly. I just. am not good at pronouncing things so French is like a nightmare to me.

Ah, Damen, you are actually quite good at this military leader thing. And, nice exchange just before the end of the chapter.

I really wanted to read more but ahaha need to pace myself.

[zdbztumble]

AshxMisty

General:

Rate the Ship -  Awful | Ew | No pics pls | I’m not comfortable | Alright | I like it! | Got Pics? | Let’s do it! | Why is this not getting more attention?! | The OTP to rule all other OTPs (shocking, I know.)How long will they last? - ‘Til death do they part. And f*ck the corporate needs of TPCi to promote whichever gen we’re on now.How quickly did/will they fall in love? - Interesting question, because you could argue that Misty’s crush on Ash began as early as the third episode, or for a later date. I maintain it was definitely there by “Ghost of Maiden’s Peak,” and that that’s the episode where Ash first shows signs of having an attraction to her. When Ash finally realizes what it is he’s feeling, however...I’d give him ‘til he’s about 14, 15. Once they’re both at the same level of emotional maturity, things would get going in a matter of weeks.How was their first kiss? - A little awkward and not the stuff of a romance movie, but very sweet.

Wedding:Who proposed? - I rather like the idea that Ash proposes on accident (they’re fighting like an old married couple, and Ash finally says something like “why don’t we just get married then?”), Misty pushes him on if he’s serious, and once she realizes that he is, they’re both over the moon.Who is the best man/men? - See, Kanto being the region most heavily influenced by Japanese culture, I kind of like the idea that theirs is a traditional Japanese wedding, which has no best men or bridesmaids.Who is the braid’s maid(s)? - See above.Who did the most planning? - Misty. Ash, planning? Hah!Who stressed the most? - Misty.How fancy was the ceremony? - Back of a pickup truck | 2 | 3 | 4 | Normal Church Wedding | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | Kate and William wish they were this big. (Normal for the culture, of course.)Who was specifically not invited to the wedding? - Well, traditional weddings apparently only involve immediate family and close relations. I can’t imagine them excluding any of Ash’s travelling companions or classmates from the reception (though whether Serena comes or not is an open question), but the TRio probably don’t land an invitation. Doesn’t stop them from showing up, of course.

Sex:Who is on top? - Eh...50/50. With the competitive streak that runs through their relationship, fighting out positions is probably a prerequisite.Who is the one to instigate things? - Same as above, though I’d guess Misty was the first one to bring it up as a thing to do.How healthy is their sex life? - Barely touch themselves let alone each other | 2 | 3 | 4 | Once a couple weeks, nothing overboard | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | They are humping each other on the couch right now How kinky are they? - Straight missionary with the lights off | 2 | 3 | 4 | Might try some butt stuff and toys | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | Don’t go into the sex dungeon without a horse’s head (the last time I had an ask that broached this topic, I think I described them as conservative in technique, excessive in frequency, and so loud that no one wants to be an overnight house guest with them.)How long do they normally last? - I ain’t touchin’ that one.Do they make sure each person gets an equal amount of orgasms? - Once again, 50/50, and they treat it like a damn match.How rough are they in bed? - Softer than a butterfly on the back of a bunny | 2 | 3 | 4 | The bed’s shaking and squeaking every time | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | Their dirty talk is so vulgar it’d make Dwayne Johnson blush. Also, the wall’s so weak it could collapse the next time they do it. (like I said, loud. Though I just can’t imagine Pokémon characters talking blue. This rating says more about volume and intensity than language.)How much cuddling/snuggling do they do? - No touching after sex | 2 | 3 | 4 | A little spooning at night, or on the couch, but not in public | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | They snuggle and kiss more often than a teen couple on their fifth date to a pillow factory.

Children:How many children will they have naturally? - Y’know, I can understand the appeal of fankids, but I just don’t have it in me to imagine a next generation for Pokémon; I like the cast we have. There’s a certain writing experiment I’ve mulled over doing where kids are at least a possibility, but in something that hews close to what the show actually is, I just don’t see kids in their future.How many children will they adopt? - None. Unless you want to think of Pokémon as their children, but that seems a bit off.Who gets stuck with the most diapers? - N/AWho is the stricter parent? - N/AWho stops the kid(s) from doing dangerous stunts after school? - N/A Who remembers to pack the lunch(es)? - N/AWho is the more loved parent? - Who asks this!?Who is more likely to attend the PTA meetings? - N/AWho cried the most at graduation? - N/AWho is more likely to bail the child(ren) out of trouble with the law? - N/A

Cooking: Who does the most cooking? - I kind of like the idea of Ash becoming a good cook, but I also like the idea that Mrs. Ketchum eventually lives with them, and in that eventuality, she’d insist on cooking.Who is the most picky in their food choice? - Misty.Who does the grocery shopping? - Misty. Would you trust Ash with a long grocery list?How often do they bake desserts? - I dunno how often they bake them, but they eat them plenty.Are they more of a meat lover or a salad eater? - I’d say meat. Just look at them both scarfing down food on the St. Anne.Who is more likely to surprise the other(s) with an anniversary dinner? - Ash. After being reminded by his mom or a close friend what day’s coming up.Who is more likely to suggest going out? - Misty.Who is more likely to burn the house down accidently while cooking? - Misty.

Chores: Who cleans the room? - Misty.Who is really against chores? - Ash.Who cleans up after the pets? - Pokémon seem pretty self-sufficient when it comes to hygiene, but they’re equally responsible about visits to Pokémon Centers.Who is more likely to sweep everything under the rug? - Ash.Who stresses the most when guests are coming over? - I don’t imagine a whole lot of stress over this, though Misty might be more particular about how things should look.Who found a dollar between the couch cushions while cleaning? - Misty.

Misc:Who takes the longer showers/baths? - Ash for showers, Misty for baths.Who takes the dog out for a walk? - If we substitute Pokémon training for dog walking, they’re both great at it.How often do they decorate the room/house for the holidays? - For all the major ones, and decorations are nice without being gaudy.What are their goals for the relationship? - Outside a broad “we’ll always love each other and be there for each other,” I don’t see them planning things out the way this question implies.Who is most likely to sleep till noon? - Ash.Who plays the most pranks? - Ash. With about a 15-20% success rate.

[recentanimenews]

Bookshelf Briefs 12/21/19

Daytime Shooting Star, Vol. 3 | By Mika Yamamori | Viz Media – There’s less humor and more romantic drama in this volume, but that’s OK as the romantic drama seems to be slightly better. It helps that the teacher rejects the student, though I’m sure that’s not the end of it, and that scene manages to be the best in the volume. That said, Suzume is not the only one Shishio’s having issues with, and a lot of this book amounts to “sometimes you really do break up for the right reasons even if it doesn’t feel like it.” Honestly, the best relationship in the series so far may be Suzume and Yuyuka, who aren’t a romantic pairing but have the potential to be great friends provided they get past the love quadrangle. This is shaping up to be decent shoujo. – Sean Gaffney

Jujutsu Kaisen, Vol. 1 | By Gege Akutami | VIZ Media – Yuji Itadori is a member of his school’s Occult Research Club and when he finds a cursed object (a mummified finger that he eventually eats – ew!) he gets involved with a group of jujutsu sorcerers aiming to collect all the fragments of a powerful demon before they fall into the wrong hands. Spurred on by his dying grandfather’s words that he should help people, and by the realization that he’s the only person who can nullify the demon fragments before they cause more harm, Yuji joins up with their cause. This first volume was intriguing, if a bit gross at times, but Yuji feels really flat as a protagonist so far. I’ll keep reading for a bit in hopes that it all becomes more compelling. – Michelle Smith

Missions of Love, Vol. 19 | By Ema Toyama | Kodansha Comics – This has always been a fairly saucy manga for Nakayoshi, and it feels appropriate that the final volume has Yukina and Shigure, now a couple (if you’re surprised perhaps you should look at the cover), snowed in and Yukina being far too forward… at least till she’s taught that sex really is a step too far for someone still brand new to her feelings of loving someone else. Elsewhere, the manga is somewhat satisfying—I just don’t like Hisame, and even though the triangle with him and Mami is left unresolved it feels like he’s going to win, which doesn’t make me happy. But Yukina is cute, and we even get a callback to the glasses/social awkwardness thing. This was VERY up and down, but worth the ride. – Sean Gaffney

Monster and the Beast, Vol. 2 | By Renji | Yen Press – I enjoyed and was greatly intrigued by the first volume of Monster and the Beast, a somewhat unusual BL manga, so I’ve been looking forward to reading the series’ second volume. As the plot continues to develop, it’s revealed that Liam’s natural charm isn’t entirely natural. He puts it to honorable use in this volume, but it seems it’s gotten him into trouble more than once in the past. While Liam and Cavo travel together, Liam softens and opens up a bit towards his companion, making it clear that he actually does care for him and isn’t just taking advantage of the demon (something Liam would be completely capable of). As for Cavo, he becomes a little more daring in expressing his feelings and desires, although he still gets delightfully flustered. Monster and the Beast has its cute moments as well as some deadly serious ones. – Ash Brown

Our Fake Marriage, Vol. 2 | By Kiwi Tokina | Kodansha Comics (digital only) – Yae Sendo is living with her chidhood friend Takumi Natsume, now a famous architect, and posing as his wife to act as a buffer for all the chicks who want to bone him. Of course, he immediately starts putting the moves on her. Where are Yae’s family and friends to question this arrangement? Nonexistent. This premise was not the best to start with, but things take a downhill turn in volume two when Takumi tells her, “Resist if you want to. But I got no intention of stopping tonight.” By this point, she’s into it, but still.. this man basically said “I am fine with raping you” and it sends up no red flags! I assume readers were supposed to find story this sexy and/or romantic, given the implication that Yae was Takumi’s first love, but I find it icky and problematic. I shan’t be reading any more. – Michelle Smith

PENGUINDRUM, Vol. 1 | By Isuzu Shibata and ikunichawder | Seven Seas – Once again, I have not seen the anime this is based on, and I get the sense that a lot of the imagery probably works better when watched rather than read. Two brothers are dealing with a sister who’s dying, only to find her corpse possessed by the spirit of… something. Now they have to find a Penguindrum… and are not told what that is. And, on top of everything else, they run into a girl who’s very, very obsessed with her teacher. There are tidbits of a very interesting story here, and the possessed Himari can be quite funny (SURVIVAL! TACTIC!), but as with a lot of Ikuhara series that aren’t named Utena, I find it very difficult to get emotionally involved with it. – Sean Gaffney

Takane & Hana, Vol. 12 | By Yuki Shiwasu | Viz Media – I asked for more of Takane and Hana smirking at each other, and instead I get to what amounts to Takane losing his mind. He finally admits his feelings to Hana, who’s a bit poleaxed, and then proceeds to be an absolute ass for almost the entire rest of the book. He still has no idea how to properly interact with a girl he likes, and I hate to break it to him, but the solution to a relationship between a rich heir and an underage schoolgirl is not “well, whatever.” Hana spends much of the book simply exhausted, and I felt like that as well. Hopefully the next volume will get back on a more even keel, as I just don’t like Takane when he’s like this, and I don’t think Hana does either. – Sean Gaffney

UQ Holder, Vol. 18 | By Ken Akamatsu | Kodansha Comics – MORE Negima flashbacks, as the author tries to sell me on a Negi/Eva romance I still really don’t want, and essentially finishes giving us the backstory related to how things got this way. Next it’s time for more romantic stuff, as Chamo wants Pactios. Kirie isn’t able to do it because of her power, but Kuromaru can… and finally works up the nerve to confess about their future gender choices. Tota, of course,l takes everything in stride, but still it feels as if, as with Negima, any romance in the series moves at the speed of a slug. We also add in Karin towards the end, who wants to pactio with Eva but is steered towards Tota, and confesses some of her past as Judas Iscariot to him. If you’ve read all of both series, this was OK. – Sean Gaffney

The Water Dragon’s Bride, Vol. 11 | By Rei Toma | VIZ Media – I never doubted for a minute that this series would have a happy ending, but man, Toma-sensei really nailed the Water Dragon’s God’s terror in the face of mortality as well as Asahi’s abject despair when she believes he has died. It’s heartbreaking (and relatable). I also loved that Subaru’s confession prompts Asahi to take the initiative and get her smooch on with the Water Dragon God, and that he cries from his happiness. I will try not to think about how they’re going to navigate their future together and just be happy that they’re together. Looking forward to more Toma-sensei in the future! – Michelle Smith

Witch Hat Atelier, Vol. 4 | By Kamome Shirahama | Kodansha Comics – Another of the quartet of young apprentices takes the spotlight: Richeh, who wants to make her own magic and hates compromising. Sadly, that makes it hard to take tests, and she’s doing the next one, along with Agott and a third apprentice, a young man who seems to be abused and belittled by his instructor, but has a wealth of knowledge once he gets over his self-hatred. As always half the reason to read this is the art, which gives us the snake-like path that the test-takers travel down. And of course there’s Coco, who may not be taking the test but still finds a way to get herself into trouble, though more accurately trouble comes to her. This is still gorgeous and compelling. – Sean Gaffney

By: Ash Brown