#a late bloomer?

[hallowxiu]

if anyone is willing to listen, i'd like to vent/rant under the read more.

This is a little different from what I usually post, but it's been eating at me for a while. I'm also not good at explaining things like this, so I'm sorry in advance, I might jump around a lot.

Basically, I'm bisexual. That's not a secret, but also not really the point, more so it's just context. I'm twenty-six years old, and I'll be turning twenty-seven this month, and out of my almost twenty-seven years, I haven't felt romantic attraction towards anyone since my freshman year of high school when I was around 15/16. This is something that frustrates me as I see my friends and peers getting into romantic relationships, and I want to be in one too.

However, when I meet someone and begin talking to them (usually through dating apps) I start to feel... detached? I'll flirt, exchange numbers, even set up dates, but nearly the entire time I don't really feel anything, but I hope that I might eventually feel something down the road. I usually end up ghosting the person because I know it's wrong to string someone along and I feel bad about it.

I know realistically, somewhat shitty self-esteem aside, I'm not undesirable. There are men who are interested in me, and there are women who are interested in me too. And yet, I have never been in a serious romantic relationship. I want it, but I don't. It's such an odd feeling.

I know I'm capable of liking someone; I know this isn't something that I can't feel at all. I actually had strong romantic feelings for one of my coworkers (this was around 2021-2022) for about a year, and even tried to pursue it, but it didn't work out. But, aside from that, I haven't felt romantic feelings for anyone like that since. I'm starting to worry that something is wrong with me. Why can't I be like everyone else around me and just chose someone from a dating app, go on a few dates, and then get into a relationship with them? Why do I have to make things so complicated for myself?

I don't think my standards are too high. I used to joke about it, but the coworker I had feelings for was really not anything to write home about (I really don't mean this in an insulting way; they just didn't put a lot of effort into things). So instead, for the last few months, I've just been on dating apps, talking to only one to two guys at a time, exchanging numbers, getting to know them, and then ultimately deciding that no, despite them being cute, I'm not romantically attracted to them and it goes nowhere. But I keep repeating this in hopes it'll get me somewhere.

Currently, I'm suspicious that one of my coworkers (a different one) likes me. A few of my other coworkers hint at it, and I just hope that said coworker never makes a move or brings it up. I like them as a friend; we have a lot in common, but I'm uncomfortable thinking about them in a romantic way. Once again, this is really frustrating to me, because we have so much in common, and I don't think they're bad looking at all, that I should be excited at this possibility. But I'm not.

I'm not afraid of intimacy for the most part, and I do want to eventually be in a relationship. I know that. I don't know if I'm asking for advice, if I'm just writing this to let it all out, or a mix of both. All I know is that I'm almost twenty-seven and I'm still no closer to figuring myself out than when I was sixteen, and that's something that's extremely frustrating to me.

[khattikeri]

i like to think pidw!liu mingyan is also a fujoshi, just one who didn't awaken when she was young since (1) bingqiu obviously wasn't a thing in her universe, and (2) she was grieving her brother and focused on avenging his death.

cue shen yuan transmigrating into pidw. he can't possibly join the harem of wives, haha, he's not a woman! but he is so gentle, sincere, and mind-bogglingly selflessly faithful to luo binghe. he cares only for luo binghe, with zero ulterior motive. just unwavering devotion (simply a pure masculine bond of brotherhood, haha!) (denial and lies) (he realizes eventually dw) that slowly turns mutual and melts bingge's blackened icy vengeant heart.

and liu mingyan watches it all like a motherfucking hawk. she fills up journals faster than one can blink, intensely studious. 👁️👁 👀 ‼️ junshang,,

[whatudowhennooneseesyou]

Hi! I was wondering if you could possibly do Park Seonghwa as your late bloomer bf please?

𝐋𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐁𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐫 𝐁𝐨𝐲𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝: 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐤 𝐒𝐞𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐡𝐰𝐚

Disclaimer: This analysis is based on traditional astrology and therefore unconfirmed, think about it, write about it, be delulu but don't take it seriously. Does contain smut so 18+

Word Count: 1.7 K

It's also probably different than what you were expecting so DON'T come for me, this is just my opinion!!!

This is painful for me to write as Seonghwa is in my bias line but I gotta keep it real here, no putting idols on a pedestal on this blog.

This analysis is more difficult for me to write than the others b/c Seonghwa's natal chart reveals he has a rather *complicated* experience and view of romantic relationships.

His Cancer Moon/Aquarius Venus/Aries Mars/5th House Scorpio all have polarising values which clash against each other and can lead to Seonghwa being quite *messy* in relationships b/c his sexual and physical needs are very different to his emotional and romantic needs.

He has a high drive and can happily have copious amounts of sex with random people b/c he has the ability to detach emotionally and focus on the physical/biological pleasure of it.

That's why out of all the members, he is (imo) the biggest fuckboi in the group b/c he can participate in hook-up culture and be content with it, he might even prefer it if he's going through a bad stage in his life as he does lean on sex as a coping mechanism with his 8th House Venus.

BUT!!!

The constant hook-ups and meaningless sex doesn't satisfy him for long b/c it's not nurturing the emotional/romantic needs of his Cancer Moon/8th House Venus who does yearn for a exclusive, soul-tethering relationship. He wants a partner to give him the same level of love and care he gives to everyone else.

I think it's likely because he's a guy in his 20s that he goes through the painful cycle of abstaining whilst he waits for 'the one', becoming impatient, horny and lonely, pursues casual hook-ups and is happy for awhile, then leaves feeling empty and hollow, goes back to abstaining and then it repeats all over again.

If you are a late bloomer and are happy for Seonghwa to be your first 'serious' boyfriend, you'll have to accept that he:

a) Has A LOT (probably higher than average) of experience AND with many people and is knowing that about him going to affect your self-esteem? (particularly, your self-esteem and confidence during sex and physical intimacy)

b) Has a lot of emotional baggage from his past experiences that could be overwhelming to witness and handle b/c you're navigating your first serious relationship which is already a lot to experience emotionally.

Now, moving on a more positive level. Seonghwa has an Aquarius Venus which embodies the 'friends to lovers' trope for their love life so for Seonghwa to desire a romantic attraction towards you, you probably have been friends with him for a LONG time and he feels safe enough in revealing his feelings and background to you before he even contemplates looking for more.

This makes the relationship begin more smoothly b/c ideally, you would have told him you are a late bloomer before you become a couple and he would accept it, even be proud that he's your first boyfriend b/c it's something that ties him to you.

Even if the relationship ends, he will be in your heart permanently b/c he's your first and that gets his heart soaring, his eyes glistening, maybe even slightly turned on b/c it means he's claimed a piece of you in some way.

Yes, he's an Aquarius Venus but it is in the 8th House nonetheless so there's a strong Pluto influence in the way he loves and desires you.

He is an Aries stellium so he does bottle up all of his emotions and I feel he'd pine for awhile before he makes a decision, weighing up between whether sabotaging the friendship is worth it for something more.

I'll be honest and say the 'fwb to exclusive' pipeline is very Seonghwa coded in my mind, if I wasn't trying to be romantic here I'd say if you revealed you were a virgin to Seonghwa, he'd offer to be your first and give you the safest, most caring experience of your life and then you'd regularly have sex so he can 'teach and show you' the dynamics of it and then you both get too emotionally invested and end up together (very much like my Arrangement fic, *wink wink*).

And I say this b/c of his 5th House in Scorpio which means sexual compatibility is VERY important for him in a long-term relationship, it's the final seal before he chooses to be exclusive and monogamous to you.

But back to being romantic, he has a Cancer Moon which gives him and incredible amount of empathy and care and so I imagine him not being formal or official when he asks you out but revealing his feelings impulsively if you emotionally trigger him somehow.

For example, you were hanging out with him and you were crying or expressing your insecurities about never experiencing love, saying something like 'I just don't know if anyone will ever love me' or 'I don't think i'll ever experience that type of love, it's just not in the cards for me' etc.

I can totally imagine him being close to you with his soft, expressive eyes, clutching your hands and responding with something like 'That's not true, I'm done with hiding, I can give you this, I don't care what happens, I want to give you this'.

Not much would change once it's official, there would still be that element of friendship with Seonghwa taking you out on regular dates such as the movies, outdoors, anything involving food and of course, playing Lego.

But the tiniest seeds of intimacy would begin to grow, quality time is a strong love language for Seonghwa so he would build up the intimacy by being subtle at first, sitting knee to knee instead of separate, hand on your back as he passes you, lingering touches as he finishes hugging you- all those small but personal touches to let you know there is more between you now, that you are not 'just friends' anymore.

A huge challenge for Seonghwa would be taking it slow, waiting and holding back in terms of sex and physical intimacy b/c he's impatient and chooses to deep-dive (haha, get it?) into all of his relationships.

His flow and pacing with you could be back and forth b/c men with Aries Mars in general are not known to be gentle lovers, they prefer it fast and rough BUT he is lunar-ruled so your emotions and well-being will come first with Seonghwa and an example of this manifesting is like...

You're in his bed, making out and Seonghwa starts out gentle with light kisses and soft hands down your sides but as time goes by, he becomes more worked up, his mouth speeding up in a way that leaves you breathless and his fingers instinctively grip against your skin which causes you to wince, which checks him back to reality so he murmurs a quiet 'sorry' before slowing down and kissing you softly again.

Whilst I do believe Seonghwa would prefer experienced and 'sensual' partners, there is one type of 'inexperienced' partner he would LOVE being with and that's-

Inexperienced. Open-minded. Eager to please.

Aries in general (ie me) but ppl with Aries Mars particularly get off on BEING desired, Seonghwa has to feel like you desire him as much as he does you, that you can feel it in the tips of your fingers and all the way down to your toes, that it warms your cheeks, turns you inside out and breathless for him.

And with his Cancer Moon, it would get him hard, needy and downright BAD for you if you were inexperienced and eager to please but also slightly helpless.

Seonghwa may be a switch but he is VERY dom-leaning, like prefers to be in control 90% of the time for he is a perfectionist.

(which is why it irritates me that bottom!seonghwa is the most popular tag on matz fanfics b/c it would be the other way around, hj is way more switch-oriented than seonghwa is- you seen hj around seonghwa? man folds like laundry)

Imagine Seonghwa helping put your shoe on after a quiet dinner date and it's late at night and few people around, he's a legs (and boobs) man so the act itself is making his head fuzzy and pants tight as he stands back up and pulls you into a random alleyway, pushes you against the wall and kisses you feverishly, grinding against you.

He pulls away and stares down at you, lips slightly bruised and eyes blown out with desire, you're pulling him in and running your hands down your chest, Seonghwa knows you want this but he can see the slight trepidation in your movements, a tiniest hint of hesitation and unsurety b/c it's your first time making out spontaneously in a public place (Seonghwa is a bit of exhibitionist) and you want this but are unsure of HOW to move forward and it stroke's Seonghwa in all the right places.

It strokes Seonghwa emotionally in his need to protect and shield you but also strokes him carnally in his need to claim and corrupt you.

'Oh precious, look at you, you're becoming so naughty for me now aren't you? Don't worry, I'll cover you so no one can see us, just want to make you feel good'

And finally, I feel like having Seonghwa as your first serious boyfriend would help you grow more confident in expressing your boundaries and needs. Seonghwa is emotionally sensitive and he does require a lot of reassurance and validation, even moreso b/c being your first is just as nerve-wracking for him as it is for you.

I think if Seonghwa got carried away during sex and he got too rough and afterwards you were crying and he thought you were in pain and you didn't reassure him that you were okay, he would help settle you down and then lock himself in the bathroom and bawl his eyes out from how guilty he'd feel over hurting you- even accidentally.

So while I don't think Seonghwa is the best preference for a late bloomer boyfriend, I think the relationship he would give you would be a self-empowering one, I feel his love would help you embrace and love yourself more.

Which is accurate b/c Seonghwa always mentions how much he wants his 'little stars' to embrace and love themselves.

Taglist: @scuzmunkie @marievllr-abg @umbralhelf @starsareseen @lino-jagiyaa @mischiefsmind @mrcarrots @junieshohoho @partywithgyu @whatsk-poppinhomies @craxy-person @hologramhoneymoon @gyuhanniescarat @staytinyinmybpack @necessiteez @wooyoungmybelovedhusband @berryberrytan @sensitiveandhungry @laylasbunbunny @bangchanbabygirlx @i-love-ateez @anyamaris @krishastumblernow @hexheathen @michel-angelhoe @northerngalxy @youre-alittle-taste-of-hell @starillusion13 @justaaveragereader @jus2passtime @shroomoth @marykpoppins @leomggg @daddysspecialdollyworld @mykryptonitelight @wisejudgedragonhairdo @sanakimohara @chansfavouritetoy

This took me three hours to write so pls reblog, comment and send me your thoughts! I'm very curious b/c I know this is probably not the standard opinion most were expecting (Seonghwa does hide a lot).

[originalartblog]

does this count as angst or

companion piece for this Storm Bringer AU here

[hinata-boke]

comparing these panels im shocked at how much tinier first year bokuto looks

[darkficsyouneveraskedfor]

Late Bloomer 1

Warnings: non/dubcon, power dynamic, and other dark elements. My username actually says you never asked for any of this.

My warnings are not exhaustive but be aware this is a dark fic and may include potentially triggering topics. Please use your common sense when consuming content. I am not responsible for your decisions.

Characters: Peter Parker, Steve Rogers (Professor AU)

Summary: you start your second year of university but as the workload grows more intense, you start to feel your age. (mid-30s reader)

Part of the Bad Professors AU

Note: Please leave some feedback and reblog <3 As always, I love to chat with you all. 

You are as ever painfully early. It's a habit that often leaves you wandering or hovering awkwardly. You check your watch as you come up to the steps of the century-old building. You are in dread of your physics class but it turns out that all the easy electives fill up fast. 

Before you can start the ascent, there's a scuff of steps from the other side. The breadth of the stairs nearly spans a third of the grand facade. You glance over as a young man with a messenger bag rushes up the first few steps only to trip and sprawl over the concrete stairs with an oomph. Without hesitation, you rush over as he groans and clatters back to the bottom. 

"Oh my gosh, are you alright?" You scoop up the phone that flew from his hand, seemingly the cause of his accident.  

He grunts and struggles to turn himself over, clutching his chest as he can't even get a word out. You know exactly what's happened. You rub his back through his burgundy jacket and give a gentle lat. 

"Ah, you're fine, honey, you just got the wind knocked out of ya." 

He nods and gulps, a spiral of his reddish brown hair falling down his forehead. His dark eyes meet yours, their panicked sheen softening as his lips tremble in an attempt at a smile. 

"Thanks," he rasps at last. 

You pull your arm back and offer him your phone. 

"That was quite the tumble," you stand straight and extend your hand. He takes it and hauls himself up. 

"Yeah, this dang thing," he wiggles his cell and tucks it away in his jacket, "always getting me in trouble." 

You smile nervously and your eyes drift down as he favours one leg. There's a red splotch growing on his khakis. You pop your brows up in concern. 

"Er, think you got yourself good." You point and he looks down. 

"God! I knew I shouldn't have worn these ones. I told May, dark colours!" 

"Baking soda, maybe a bit of club soda," you assure him. "I got bandaids in my bag." 

"You-- do?" He's surprised. 

"Can never be too prepared," you smile. "Um, I guess.. 

We're in the way." 

You glance around as you sense bodies heading up the steps, a few glancing your way. 

"Uh, yeah, why don't we head inside," he takes a ginger step. "Uh, typical. My first day." 

"It'll get better," you say. 

"Hm, yeah, I guess it already has," he grins at you before he turns back up the steps. 

"You need help?" You ask. 

"No, no, I'm not a total disaster," he chuckles. "So," he clears his throat as you catch up to him, "what do you teach?" 

"Oh," you repress a strike of embarrassment. Of course he would assume you're a professor, or a TA at the very least. It's obvious you have a few years on him and most of your classmates. "I'm a student." 

"Nice," he nods, "wait, oh, gee, I didn't mean to imply-- ah, I'm sorry." 

"No, no, it's fine. It's my second year. First year all the freshmen called me mom," you shake your head. "But that might be the bandaids in my bag." 

"Maybe," he stops and squints, "right..." he points his finger around as he thinks, "this way." 

You let him guide you. You don't need to be in class for another half hour. You follow him up to the second floor. That's where your class will be. Convenient. 

When he stops at a door and digs around in his pocket, your heart drops. You look up at the room number as he takes out a set of keys and unlocks the door. You chew on your dismay. 

He lets you in ahead of him. You wait patiently and he heads up to the podium. He leans on the table next to it as he unhooks his bag from over his shoulder. He sighs and peers down at his knee. 

The pulls up the fabric and hisses. You approach as you sift through your bag. He bends his leg as he looks at the scrape. It's not that bad. 

You take out the little pack of alcohol wipe from the little emergency pouch. How many times have you played mother hen to drunk coeds? You're prepared for it all. 

"Wow, you got everything in that magic bag," he teases. 

You squat down and wipe the blood away. As you peel the bandaid wrapper away, you scoff, "I'm a pack horse. Utterly terrified of forgetting anything important." 

You cover the cut and run your fingers across the bandage to make sure it sticks. He winces. 

"Sorry," you apologise as you stand and crumple up the wipe and wrapper. 

You search around for the garbage and toss the waste. You fish again in your bag and take out your sanitizer. You squirt it onto your palm and drop it back through the open zipper. Your rub your hands together as he pulls his pantleg back down. 

"Well, since you got my blood on your hands, I guess you should get a name too," he chuckles, "I'm Peter. Er, Professor Parker. Still getting used to that." 

He offers his hand and you shake it, "Olive." 

"Olive. Pretty. Er, interesting. Oh no," he pulls back, "I went through sensitivity training. Can I say that?" 

"It's fine, professor. I'm not overly fond of the name myself," you shrug. 

"Right, well," he bends his arm and tugs up his sleeve to check his apple watch. "I hope I didn't make you late." 

"Well, actually, funny story," you scratch the side of your neck, "I'm enrolled in Physics 2." 

He tilts his head and his lips part on disbelief, "you're joking." 

"Nah, it's not exactly my favourite subject but I'll do my best," you say, "but er, if you need to get set up, I can wait in the hall." 

"What? No. You're early. Make sure you get the best seat," he insists. "I will say the front row is where you wanna be but I was a student not too long ago and I won't be insulted if you sit in the back." 

You laugh, "well, you know, I'm a late bloomer and these ears aren't so good." You kid, "front row's fine with me." 

His grin lingers, awkwardly as his forehead lines and he tries to come up with a response. You smile, "I'll go sit down." 

You give a little wave and go to find a seat. You settle in with your bag in your lap and slid out your notebook and the box of fresh pens. You tried your laptop for notes but you just find your eyes hurt from the blue light. 

You tuck your bag under your seat and unfold the small desk from the arm rest. As you peel back the cover of your notebook, your ears tingle. You glance over as Peter-- Professor Parker, peeks at you. You give a tense smile and pull out a pen, putting your focus back to your notebook. 

At least if you do crappy, you might be able to charm yourself into at least a passing grade. 

[summerwages]

splendor in the grass...

[jojo-schmo]

I'm updating my personal ref sheets and it's really hitting me just how SMOL Kirby, Bandee, and Elfilis really are compared to the rest of the cast.

[oidheadh-con-culainn]

romance novels love to tell you a character is a late bloomer because they don't meet the love of their life until they're twenty-four

[legendofzoodles]

Four: Try explaining your fight with Ganon or whatever evil was wrecking your kingdom, but without context.

Wind: Old-ass wizard kicks around some minors while the only other adult is a shapeshifting boat-man who prioritised claiming some triangles. Beat that. 

Four: I’m sorry, what?

Wind: That’s how Grandma saw it. But I get it, he did take a few pot shots at me and especially Tetra.

Time: [remembering when Ganondorf, chasing after Zelda on horseback, stopped his pursuit solely to blast a 9 year old in the face and monologue]

Time: Sounds like him.

---

Wild: Appointed knight finally fulfills his mission after waiting 100 years to reload his save.

The Chain: What?

Time: That sucks, I only waited seven. 

The Chain: What?!

---

Twilight: Local ranch-hand stops a nightmare induced apocalypse alongside an imp who’s a princess and a hermit, who’s also a princess.  

Time: [clears his throat]

Twilight: After screaming at the moon vocal coaching from a ghost stalking the entire journey, who wasn’t a princess. 

---

Sky: Local daydreamer wakes up, fights god, and wins. 

Wild: I mean...did you though?

Legend: Yeah, jury’s still out on that one.

---

Hyrule: Mute kid brutalises pigman after assembling wish granting triangles, and saves the princess. He does it again years later.

Wild: You were silent back then?

Hyrule: Well, I couldn’t speak because I didn’t know the language. After saving the first Zelda she asked members of the nobility teach me- and how to read and write.

Twilight: Did you bite them when they tried to scold you for getting an answer wrong?

Hyrule: You did that too?!

---

Warriors: Pairs of powerful fighters from across the ages band together to defeat creepy time sorceress, then conquer red-maned wizard. 

Legend: Ugh, the power of friendship. Really?

Warriors: Comradery, actually. 

Legend: [mimicking his tone] Cringe, actually. 

---

Legend: Which one?

Four: Choose your favourite.

Legend: [thinks for a moment] A scarf wearing hooded hobo breaks into my house on several occasions and stages a coup to save two worlds. 

Four: What...were you doing?

Legend: [sighing] All the hard work. 

~~~

Thanks for reading! 

Masterlist

9th place in the LU character design ranking

Character analysis posts:

Hero of the Sky, Hero of Time, Hero of Twilight, Hero of the Wild, Hero of Warriors

Parkour team - LU drabble

How each member of the chain laughs - LU headcanon

I didn't know what to do for Time since I've already made the speedrunning puberty joke and I don't know much about Four's adventures.

[billdecker]

KAREN GILLAN as Louise in LATE BLOOMERS (2023; dir. Lisa Steen)

[looney-mooney-studio]

New sonic game trailer gave me brainworms

(Congrats Shadow on the Puberty)

[nicollekidman]

i will never live up to my potential until i’m a governess to an unnervingly precocious child in an isolated manor, engaged in a complicated psychosexual game with my employer who is gone more often than not

[succulentsiren]

The perfect response when people try to pressure you or rush you, is that “My time will come.” Some people need to realize that each individual is on their own journey and path in life. No two people are meant to be the same. I don’t believe in being a late bloomer or anything because — everyone arrives to their destination when they’re ready (as long as they’re moving). We are each meant to achieve different things at different times. More people need to internalize this understand this and stop comparing and expecting everyone to be one the same timeline because life doesn’t work that way.

If you’re experiencing this from others, ignore them, remain patient and stay in your lane. You’ll arrive when you’re ready because you’re on your own divine timeline.

[blood-starved-beast]

It's wild to me that s1act1 Caitlyn looks so baby at 16 given that she's rich (unlike Vi, who looks her age and is also poorer)

Puberty came very late for Cait it seems but hit her like a train when it did like damn

[classycookiexo]