#I can't WAIT for this drama

[theabigailthorn]

"Good" Acting

i have a theory that a lot of people say acting is "good" when they're emotionally moved by it, and a lot of cishet white people have a lifelong habit of not listening or empathising when minoritised people speak, so minority actors get called "bad" even when they display some pretty fucking amazing technical skill

[pharawee]

—VAMP · ETERNAL DESTINY · Coming Soon

[bread-wizards]

I actually think Dorian and Orym should fight more.

Remember when their slowly building tension over and entire episode (full of passive aggressive remarks and blame throwing) led to threats? And how after, Orym thanked Dorian for handing over the crown sadly because he knew Dorian would be mad at him? And Dorian couldn't even look at him because he was legitimately hurt, thinking Orym was disappointed in him for doing what he thought was right? That was peak.

The fact they went from that to their current closeness and trust is the best part of their entire dynamic. Their relationship was hard fought and still will be. They will fight for it because they respect and care for one another deeply, and their disagreements don't change that, only improve it.

[elysabeththequeene]

And then his heart skipped a beat, because all of a sudden everything felt right.

He loved her. He didn't know how it had happened, only that it was true.

[sanvees]

Give me a chance to be in your life.

[chronoton2]

I'm a few months late but I really liked them.

[wanderlust-in-my-soul]

I won't let anyone get in our way anymore.

[thedreamerstoryteller]

💜💜💜💜

[jeeaark]

Speaking of House of Hope .. and since we have to get the Hammer to free her aaaaand unfortunately there's no way to say to the Emperor that it was only to free Hope and he instantly assumes the worst.... how did Greygold deal with it (if its OK to ask?)?

You ever read the first half of a dialogue choice and then not the other half before clicking too late? It went poorly to say the least! Terrible dialogue choices but on point for Greygold's terrible charismatic charm. Opened Greygold's eyes that Emps still has some deep-seated trust issues that still need sorting out between them.

But Greygold can't deny that they did, for all intents and purposes, grab that hammer for more than Hope. But For Love as well. And completing their quest journal.

[rin-moved]

HOLD ME TIGHT. A TALE OF THOUSAND STARS (2021)

[periodcostumefantasylover]

Milady de Winter + costume design in The Three Musketeers: D'Artagnan 2023

[vaguely-concerned]

god I hope lucanis being confirmed as a companion means that he pulls his cringe failcousin-but-more-like-brother (affectionate) illario into the narrative with him. (and also teia and viago, let's get this crow party started! viago dealing with a drunk illario in the wake for teia's sake was *chef's kiss* I'd like to see more of that dynamic.) it's not so easy to go around 'I am the night'-ing convincingly when your cousin who remembers when you were five and obsessed with wyverns is hanging around and ready to drag you in front of your new friends lest they think your edgy ass is actually cool

[pharawee]

—MONSTER NEXT DOOR · Episode 7

[miss0atae]

The anti-hero romance in Meet You at the Blossom (ep 5 & 6):

The romance finally started to kick in, in Meet You at the Blossom. At first, it was mostly Xiao Bao who was trying to court Huai En. It was love at first sight for the young man. Of course, it didn't start under favorable auspices because Xiao Bao was convinced Huai En was a woman. After learning the truth, he kept flirting with Huai En (because he is my precious little bisexual fool). They both shared the same bed several times and Huai En seems to have accepted Xiao Bao's feelings to be true. It wasn't easy for him, as the only love he witnessed was the doomed romance of his parents which wasn't exactly the healthiest comparison he could have. Since the death of his mother, his father has became obsessed with revenge. The way he is talking about her has only gave Huai En the impression that love is a dangerous poison. I've seen many people jokes about how Huai En dick's game is really powerful because Xiao Bao seems to always have trouble waking up the next day(s). However, I believe Xiao Bao's power is also really impressive because he found the way of charming someone who was unwilling to fall in love with anyone (for good reasons). Huai En is a very possessive lover and his obsession for Xiao Bao could be comparable with his father's romance with his mother. Could we say the apple does not fall far from the tree?!

After watching all the episode from 1 to 6, I would say that Huai En could be considered an anti-hero. The figure of the anti-hero is quite compelling as it challenges the traditional view of heroism and love. This type of character has moral ambiguities and when you find them in romance genre you can witness a more nuanced vision of love. Love isn't only a path to happiness when an anti-hero is involved, but it can be a journey of the darker aspects of love and human nature. It can also offer a possibility of redemption or transformation for the anti-hero as he tries to navigate the twists and turns of his love. Huai En was raised to be the armed wing of his father's revenge for the sake of his mother. He has known nothing else until he met Xiao Bao. Huai En is perceived by others as “cold as ice” and someone who “fights desperately and like a desperado he wants his opponents dead” (ep 5). He is also not talking much and doesn't smile that much. Huai En has no time to lose and only one mission to accomplish. He was beaten and treated poorly by his father making him feel like he can't escape his grasp. He can be perceived cruel and scheming. However, Huai En isn't only this person. He also has a softer side that he usually only shows to Xiao Bao.

In an anti-hero romance, the love interest serves as a counterbalance of the anti-hero’s actions. The good nature and affability of Xiao Bao has an effect on Huai En. Even if Huai En can remains sarcastic when he is with his lover, we can also see him smile more and be affectionate. It’s why I think we can say Huai En is an anti-hero: he is a man whose actions could be considered bad, but who ultimately possesses a core of goodness to redeem himself through words and actions. Even if this core is mostly for Xiao Bao. Usually the love interest in this type of romance represents a symbol of change for the anti-hero. It doesn’t mean they will make them “good” or “hero” but they will induces new change in their life. Xiao Bao’s love for him made Huai En changed his plans. Even if his father ordered the death of Xiao Bao’s family, Huai En decided to act to avoid this fate for his lover. His uncle’s henchman even confirmed that Huai En has done many bad deeds for his father and never disobeyed him before. Huai En’s enemies decide to use Xiao Bao as a bait to defeat him because they noticed how their relationship has affected his actions. The hero and anti-hero navigates in a world that isn’t just black and white and their love story with goes from conflict, growth, and love.

I also want to add some nuances. It may seem like I'm saying Huai En will become this good person through the power of healing love, but that's not exactly this. I can't deny that Huai En is also using some coercive control on Xiao Bao.

Before saying anything else, I want to say, I don't know anything about psychology and I may make mistakes in this post when using some terms. So take all of this with a grain of salt.

Huai En didn't hesitate to use a little bit of guilt trip, especially after the incident at the brothel. Let's not forget about the emotional blackmail to obtain the forgiveness of Xiao Bao if he ever does something bad too. He knows full well that he is going to need it later because Xiao Bao doesn't know every information. I would also say that the very tight hug could be considered a form of love bombing. The intimate embrace is also a way of showing what he wants to obtain from Xiao Bao. I'm not denying that Huai En has feelings for Xiao Bao, but they are tinged with a dose of unhealthy possessiveness.

I’m sure Huai En and Xiao Bao will be able to navigate their romance after a long series of ups and downs. I consider them endgame and I will have fun watching them trying to find their happy ending. It’s always interesting to get a love story with a real anti-hero almost villain who gets to be with the hero. It’s also fun to watch moral ambiguity in characters as it is reflective of the nature of most humans.

[oyeixcher]

FirstKhao as KantBison in The Heart Killers (Trailer)

"What should I do if I want to be with you?" "Then you got to find someone for my brother." "That will keep him off our backs."

[rayandgay]

Let me give you some advice.