#and I mean platonically and romantically…

[paunchsalazar]

not here to sit on your shoulder

[saunteringvaguelydownwards]

#SO interested in this vibe #bc it’s like. Was it just bc Clint’s words were echoing in her head? #or does she see it? does she see smth in yelena? or does she just want to? & what does that mean when #kate wants to see it n goes looking until she finds it #does yelena like that? or does it just feel like kate is picking n choosing the parts of her that fit the Story #this doesn’t have to be angsty i just think Kate is rly young n idealistic n that’s not BAD #I think yelena would like it for this girl to think she’s better than she is #gives her the freedom to keep making good choices (via @unicyclehippo) [x]

I don't think there's anything wrong in Yelena leaning on that to begin with, changing the way she does things because she enjoys the way Kate looks at her like she's better than Yelena knows she is. Eventually if they're gonna have an honest relationship (either platonic or romantic) then Kate needs to acknowledge Yelena's history and faults without the rose-colored glasses.

What struck me about these tags, though, was Yelena's reaction to what Kate does in this scene and why. When she finds out later it was because of something Clint said. I think she would hate the Clint of it, but it might resonate with something he said later, about how Natasha loved her and always wanted her safe. That her partnership with Clint rippled across time, through Kate, down to Yelena, and in this way Natasha was still looking out for her sister even after she was gone. The universe making sure that a Widow had her Hawkeye.

Best shot you ever took? Uh, the one I didn’t take.

[luludeluluramblings]

dream team back. we’re currently yapping central again (per usual)

both of us are straight up in a tim drake brainrot spiral too!!! he’s a delightful little weirdo. a strange little gentleman if you will.

tim is such a funny little guy!!! he also makes a solid yandere. you can’t outsmart him. you can’t escape someone who can find everything about you. On the upside, I feel like he’d be happy to spoil his darling. also he’d be like, really considerate in weird ways??? I mean like you don’t get privacy (or you get the illusion of it maybe but not actual privacy.)

like yeah you’re always being watched in some way, but the man has committed every single one of your favorites and least favorites to memories. He knows what clothing you like, what specific features you look for in everything, and if he doesn’t, by god, will he learn. He knows your favorite song, and he knows the nickname you went by in elementary school.

Do you think he pretends to be normal and basically sets things up to send reader to be like a little love story?? You meet by chance, and he fell first. He fell a LONG time ago, so now it’s his mission to make you fall too. And Tim Drake ALWAYS finishes a mission. (Even as a baby daddy candidate). He makes himself the best option, even if he’s not the father.

Yandere!TimDrake x PastFriend!Reader x Aiden Cobblepot

☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️

A/N: Sooooo, I'm finally and slowly going through my ask box and you two may have sparked an idea just for Tim. I might have to do a Part Two for this. (I'm falling into the WIP trap. Help!) But, I love the thought of the Bat Family have competition when it comes to their darling. Gives them a challenge. Plus, I really wanted to use Aiden Cobblepot for this. I've been wanting to sneak him into something.

A/N: We have neglected!Sib!Reader, but what about a Neglected!Friend!Reader? Fun idea. Tim already knowing everything about you only to find you’ve changed and wants to study you all over again. Only this time he’s keeping you! (I’m very fond of Tim. I think he’s difficult to write for me, but I enjoy the little stalker so much.)

Warnings: Yandere Themes, Romantic themes, Tim can be read as kinda platonic, GN!Reader

☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️

You and Tim were once good friends. Well, he was your best friend. To him you were just a good one. High school buddies that would hang out all the time. At school only. And sometimes the rare gala you saw him at. It was rare you ever actually went to The Manor. You never asked to go. But, you had hoped to be invite.

Just like you had hoped that he might reciprocate that pesky crush you had on him back then. You had felt like it was so painfully obvious. Though it wasn't as painful when you finally figured out he was Red Robin and you waited and waited for him to tell you his secret identity. And, then you would tell him you already figured it out and you would look so cool.

Only, he never did. You both grew distant. You had put so much carful effort into keeping that distance from growing. Inviting him to hang out more. Asking him out for casual coffee. He always said the same thing.

"Oh, damn. I could really go for that right now. But, I'm just sorta busy. Next time though. For sure."

Over and over. He sounded like a broken character. Repeating the same phrase. One that you would hang around after the game was over to reminisce about all the fun adventures you both once had. However this was life not a game. You couldn't just restart and rerun the same adventures.

It made you ache when you finally moved on. When you finally pulled away. Because, Tim didn't even notice you were gone. His life to change. He didn't have to restart anything. You had lost your best friend and he didn't even care. It stung. It stung more than you realizing he'd never reciprocate your feelings.

But, like all things, time moves on and so do you. Leaving the past behind and starting a new game. One that you start to flourish in. Making new friends. Meeting new people. Building closer bonds and more healthy friendships. It had been interesting to realize how dependent you had been on Tim once upon a time. And, embarrassing. You can't help looking back on it with a wince. You almost want to reach out and apologize. But, that would be weird and you both live completely separate lives now. You hardly ever see him at galas now. Mostly because you don't go anymore.

Things, do change. You never expected your new partner would draw Tim's attention back to you. And, in such a terrible way.

You had a rough idea of what you were getting into when Aiden Cobblepot had asked you out to dinner. You figured he was only interested in you for your money or your half-decent looks or your family name and position. You had heard all the rumors about him, but still you went. Mostly, because you knew how dangerous he and his family were. And, you were… presently surprised.

He was a bit of an entitled asshole. But, he wasn't scared of getting dirty. You watched him lead you through the puddles of rain water and Gotham grim in the posh restaurant. He held more concern for you're clothing getting dirty than his, which were more expensive than yours. He paid for the date without flinching at the price. Encouraged you to try his own food from his plate. Talked about fond memories of the things he and his sister got up to as children while asking you about your own childhood.

Admittedly, you were easily seduced because after that the two of you became an item. You didn't even realize how official you were until he introduced you to his sister, Addison, and she was actually nice to you. Extremely nice. She did, however, threaten to kill you if you betrayed Aiden in any way, which was honestly fair enough.

Aiden and you were a bit on the opposite side of things, taste wise and morally wise. But, you both made it work. He continued his life of crime, but made no mention of it around you to keep you legally clean. You shared most of your life with him, letting him have a slight glimmer into normalcy. He liked to take you on fancy dates and show you a good time. You were happy to pull him inside just to spend personal time with each other. Of course, you both made compromises. Aiden had a taste for luxury, and you didn't mind indulging in it. Especially after you beat his ass multiple times in Mario cart. It was only fair you let him take you to a gala some point.

Little did you know that that was how Tim would come clawing and digging his way back into your life.

☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️

For Tim seeing you again was like finding an old precious treasure. His life had gotten so difficult and complicate lately that just a reminded of all those old times was nice.

However, seeing you on the arms of the Penguin's son was a brutal wake up call. What were you doing? Had you hit your head? Was he blackmailing you? Drugging you? Everyone in Gotham could recognize the name Cobblepot and how dangerous they are. And, he remembers how smart you were so you couldn't have willing chose to be there. It's not logical.

For your safety, he reintroduces himself to you. Long time, no see. We should hang out some time and catch up. Only he means it. He can't let this happen. He can't let you fall in with a man like that. You're his friend. He'll win you over for your own sake. Ruin Cobblepot while he's at it because how dare he use you.

Even if you changed. Even if you don't smell the same. If your hair is different. If you dress different. Even if your very laugh had changed pitch, he knows you. And, if anything, he can just re-learn you all over again. It won't take long. He's done it all before. This time he'll savor though. This time he won't let you go as he pulls you back in. You were a good friend, this time he'll make you more.

☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️

A/N: I’m starting to type up Part Three of Pregant!Reader, but I ended up coming up with another start to it with more drama that would be strictly for the BatBoys. The messed up drama in it sounds fun and challenging, but I won’t do it until I finish what I started with the blurbs I have planned included.

A/N: Smalltown!Meta!Reader Part Nine is going to take a while. I have big plans for it, but Pregnant!Reader is kinda outshining it.

A/N: I will post about the LoungeSinger!Reader and another idea I came up with that y’all might like that I’ll add to the concept list.

A/N: There’s a Tony Part Two coming, but it’s only halfway typed and still not that yandere-y. Need to fix that.

A/N: My asks box is full, so I’m gonna try to empty it, but I host Thanksgiving in my family and I’m also a Christmas nut, so I’m gonna be busy. (I have four Christmas trees in my house currently… But I’m not as bad as my in-laws! They had their trees up BEFORE Halloween.)

[vaguely-concerned]

on the one hand I think inner demons could stand to have a bit more romanced rook specific content, but on the other hand the underlying in-built implication that 'yours is the one true voice of comfort and safety in my inner world' is a sentiment and intimacy so way beyond the romantic or the platonic or any secret third thing you could care to name that it makes me lose my entire poor little mind a bit. it's so big and fundamental — near-existential — that in that exact moment at least the distinctions kind of seem irrelevant.

all the people lucanis' mind conjures up along the way are relationships he has that are unavoidably mixed and fraught in some ways even when they're also full of love (they are fraught BECAUSE they're full of love) — the good in them inseparable from things that hurt him at the same time. (it's about: the basic disorganized attachment patterns this poor guy is dragging around with him. careful with those, they're dellamorte heirlooms. what you love also inevitably hurts you and you won't be allowed to have one without the other, you have to surrender parts of your soul to hold on to what little you have left: this is the story up until now.) and the idea that rook isn't that to him — that beneath the fear of wanting them when romanced (which is more its own separate thing because within this psychology, actively wanting something and not just clinging on for dear life to even a meager status quo lest you lose it is in itself dangerous bordering on catastrophic), this is a relationship where there isn't resentment, or guilt, or shame, or dread, or rage, or self-hate, or any of the other emotions that keep him paralyzed, unable to move this way or that. no debts, nothing owed of yourself and your soul's substance except what you can freely and safely and happily give. love and freedom don't coexist — but, I mean, you're almost starting to make me think........... unless...👀👀👀. the unconditional and undramatic 'you are here and I am here with you, you can be exactly how you are right now with me and it's safe for us both even though you're afraid it won't be, I'm not going anywhere' acceptance rook shows him here that he returns to them in the big romance scene, when it's rook who needs it. the way he's just. standing there in the center of it all, like a child desperately helplessly waiting to be found, hiding in the place he hopes you'll know to look first. (rook does know. it's one of the first things they say in there.)

in short the most important room in his little mind palace for the romance is the very first room — the one where rook isn't. where, in fact, rook cannot be, because they disprove the entire structure of the place with their existence and presence in his life. with everyone else he's putting words in their mouths about what they think of him, and rook is the one who actually gets to come in to speak their own words to him — and have him listen. ('he'll listen to you, he always listens to you', 'your voice is a comfort'.) of course rook isn't present anywhere else in there — at the risk of stating the obvious to a tedious degree, they aren't one of the locks, they're bringing the key. in the very finest 'the messenger and the message' sort of way.

[whumpdreaming]

Parental caretakers is just such an amazing trope. I get why some people don't like it and I also think that romantic and platonic caretaking can be great, but consider familial caretaking..

Are they Whumpee's own parents? Do they intimately know what they were like before the whumpening, and it breaks their heart to see them like this?

Or do they not know? Were they absent, and are using this opportunity to rebuild their relationship? Are they somebody else's parents?

Found family works too!!! Some gruff loner who finds themselves attached to Whumpee by whatever means, and now they're hurt and everything is all kinds of wrong, but Caretaker steps in and is like "what the heck, I'll do it, why not" (especially if the entire time they're just like "I'm doing it to repay a debt and don't actually care, trust me" when they absolutely do care) (especially ESPECIALLY if normally they're not very close or gentle or caring with anyone, but with Whumpee it's all whispers and warm touches and giving them the type of comfort they'd never allow themselves)

I honestly think I just made myself like parental caretaking more just by making this post

Just. Consider it.

[wtf-is-a-brain]

I think the main difference in Romantic and Platonic relationships in my opinion is the commitment to being more involved and more intimate and like an understanding of how the other feels and wants to be treated and yet it's different for everyone, all platonic and romantic relationships look different to others than they do to us. I mean i don't really know either and this is like my most basic of what they mean to me????

i’m not aromantic but i believe in their beliefs

[rosakuma]

Mmm guys Im starting to sense a pattern for a trope of some sort I seem to really like.

🤔

The bully/mean person who has a soft side to them and depth X the peppy kind brunette they were mean to at first, but befriend them after they gave them a chance my beloved ❤️

EDIT: Forgot to clarify I like this trope either platonic or romantic. It’s just peak either way

[ahli-stuff]

POTENTIAL SPOILERS FOR ARCANE SEASON 2 ACT III:

League released a new Jayce skin called Arcane Survivor; I’m going to be categorizing his voice lines by how insane each batch of them makes me and doing some short thoughts and analysis

There is a LOT of reoccurring motifs over Jayce’s 8 minutes of voice lines. At least 60% of them thematically contrast, parallel, and/or directly reference Viktor, whether it’s referring to humanity, flaws, science work, and/or promises. Especially heavy on the promises.

Directly Referencing Viktor:

Pretty par of the course voice lines!! It’s nice to get a confirmation that Jayce doesn’t necessarily hate Viktor even after what he's seen, and if he does it’s tinged with a significant edge of bitter sweetness. This also confirms Viktor’s complete loss of humanity in the third act; people say that Viktor already lost his humanity the moment he stepped out of the hex core slime but. I’d argue that he simply lost the cruel side of humanity; he still had his conscience, all things considered. His development in the third act will be the loss of that too.

Jayce’s Dream Motif “Our Hextech Dream”:

I don’t actually need to go through and explain every one of these but. I want to, so, touché. Even after all the likely terrible things Jayce experienced, it’s horribly soft that he still remembers that special moment him and Viktor shared more than a decade ago. It’s still important to him.

Jayce and Viktor’s Scientific Zeal:

AGAIN. Ruminating over his work with Viktor.

Jayce’s Flaws/Humanity Motif:

These lines are in direct contrast to Viktor’s eventual ideology—to Viktor, hextech means perfecting existence, to Jayce, it will be making existence flawed. To Viktor, humanity leads to flaws but to Jayce, flaws lead to humanity.

Jayce’s Promises Motif:

Do I even need to explain this one? I think it’s so. Deeply notable that during the greatest thing you could do during a league match (kill the entire other enemy team) and arguably the worst thing you could do (dying), Jayce has the same thing on his mind. That promise. It remains to be seen if he made another important one while in the anomaly, but I heavily predict it’s his promise with viktor.

Conclusion:

There were like six voice lines each which contributes to the motifs I mentioned here that I couldn’t add, but they are all almost as equally meaningful and gut wrenching to Jayce’s character. I heavily recommend you check the skin showcase on YouTube out—I am so much softer on Jayce now because of some of his very sad lines. Not only because he’s being extremely gay for Viktor, but because this is a man standing alone burdened by knowledge, self-hatred, despair, desperation, and also… hope. He’s the protector of tomorrow, but in the most afraid sense of the title. Love this guy.

It’s shocking to me just how many lines they are refer to viktor in some sort of way. They are. They make me ill. Whether it’s romantic, platonic, something more, something in between, it’s heartening to know their relationship has the gut wrenching connection/estrangement that has the weight to stand next to silco-vander and vi-jinx.

[angieblogging]

a beginners guide to… aromanticism.

so topic covered in this post will include:

what does it mean to be aromantic?

qpr vs romantic relationship

what is the aromantic-spectrum?

aro ≠ ace

a/n + other recourses

1. what does it mean to be aromantic?

an individual that is aromantic experiences no romantic attraction. that means they feel no romantic attraction, but can feel other types of attraction such as — platonic, familial, sexual, queerplatonic, alterous, aesthetic, emotional, sensual, intellectual. (these are the types of attraction i know, for the full list and descriptions check out this wiki page!)

each aromantic person can have a certain stance on romance such as romance repulsed or favourable. if you want to learn more about this topic check out this wiki page.

some aromantic people may be in a committed romantic and/or sexual relationship or a so called qpr aka a queerplatonic relationship.

2. qpr vs romantic relationship.

so to start this off i will say that the only people defining their relationship can be the ones in said relationship.

a romantic relationship is usually considered a relationship where two individuals are romantically attracted to each other and engage with each other romantically, such as kissing, cuddling, being committed exclusively to one another.

however the actions mentioned are not exclusive to romantic relationships.

a queerplatonic relationship is a relationship out of the binary. not a romantic or a platonic one. a qpr is not a stepping stone in between a platonic relationship and a romantic one. it is not necessary in between the two, it’s simply existent on it’s own.

what exactly is a qpr is hard to define as it means different things to different people and the only ones that can define it are the people in their qpr. some people are in a qpr where they engage in romantic and/or sexual activities, but feel no romantic attraction to each other, a qpr can be a fully platonic relationship with a sexual aspect or it can be just platonic, but their relationship exceeds the “norm” such as living together temporarily or permanently, raising a child together aka co-parenting. those are just a few examples.

3. what is the aromantic-spectrum?

it’s basically a spectrum of all the aromantic identities. someone who is on the aro-spec can feel little to no romantic attraction, some people feel it under certain circumstances or their attraction fades under certain circumstances. some, but not all labels on the aro spec include: demiromantic, aegoromantic, greyromantic, apothiromantic.

if you wish to read about more labels under the aro-spec check out this page.

all the labels on the aromantic spectrum have their sexual counterparts (ex. demiromantic — demisexual).

4. aro ≠ ace

so while aro and ace (short for asexual) communities are basically one big community (a-spec), it is important to note that aromantic individuals do not have to be asexual, some aros are asexual, some are just aro, some are aplatonic, so keep that in mind. one doesn’t equal the other. just cause someone is aro doesn’t make the asexual, however they can still be on the ace-spec. one can be aromantic and demisexual, many aro/aces use the split attraction model otherwise known as SAM.

SAM is there to basically help out to distinguish between romantic and/or sexual relationship, one is not tied to the other. some may be biromantic and asexual or homosexual and aromantic.

some aros choose not to use the SAM model and in this case they identify as a non-SAM aromantic. why they choose to use it can have many reasons, however they should also be respected as they can identify themselves however they want and truly own no one an explanation.

6. a/n + other recourses

i think this post catches the basics of aromanticism to the best of my ability. this is the basics and being aromantic is so much more complex than a couple definitions.

here’s a website you may find helpful! website

however i encourage you to do further research than just my post and that website. tumblr is a great place as well, there are plenty of aromantic blogs out there, like @our-arospec-experience @arospec-culture-is !

[justagaymoth]

I agree with everything said but I have things to add as a aromantic aplatonic. Can we stop forcing the separation between romantic and platonic? Some relationships are both romantic and platonic or neither. Romance is not better than friendship but friendship is not better than romance. Stop forcing relationship labels on people who cuddle or live together or just have a "abnormal' relationship. Some people don't want labels for their relationship or no words can describe it or both. It's okay to have unlabeled relationships. Not romantic does not equal platonic. Some people can't feel platonic and or familiar love. Aplatonic and Afamiliar deserve to have their boundaries and their experiences respected. Just because it's not romantic doesn't mean it's platonic or even familiar. There are so many ways to love and care about people.

Let people do what they want stop putting labels onto people. It's okay if no label is needed or available.

Let people be affectionate without having a reason or having a reason you don't understand. Not everything is meant for you to understand and that's okay.

aro culture is hating on the "Just Roommates™" that everyone says and everyone is kinda forcing some unlabeled intimacy to to have a label but they jokingly say JUST ROOMMATES and giggle like it's a codename for "theyre romantically doing things they just dont know it".

Why should everything have a romantic implication im tired of this it literally takes my two brain cells gazillion laps to 'read between the lines' i just wanna automatically say yea this is platonic and then not give a flying fuck Like EVER

also, speaking as someone in their mid 20s? roommates getting together ends so badly like. 90+% of the time. generally, also, people living with someone they've been together with for <1 year. it's not that it can't work out, but... in the early stages of a romantic relationship, you gotta make sure you're healthy both with and without each other. living together is not conducive to that. the main two elements to that, in my brain at least are: healthy with each other = not codependent, and without each other = have an external social network to fall back on.

an alternate thought from a different alter: I also think it's interesting how domesticity is seen as romantic, and not familial by so many. I wonder what cultural elements play into that, because I'm not sure if it's part of amatonormativity, part of the nuclear family shitshow, or what. I might bring that up at an irl a-spec group we go to this week and see what the history prof who loves to tell us her knowledge on such subjects has to say about that.

[ellaspore]

High School Frenemy is taking over my brain and I cannot stop thinking about it 

I think of Saint in the past, alcoholic father, absent mother, unmoored and unrestrained, his anger festering inside himself, violence the only way to let his feelings out

And the way that Shin is his anchor, his everything, his motivation purpose and will to live, the thing most precious to him, the only person to really care about him and take care of him

And the way in the past, no matter the importance Shin had for him, how he was unable to articulate himself out loud, to share his love, his care, the way he needed to use excuses to do things for Shin

The way Saint showed his love through actions and his presence

The way his fear of Shin leaving him transformed into anger, into hurting Shine and became the biggest mistake of his life

I think of Shin in the past, absent father, a mother who left him to care for his little sister. The only person always there for him cheering his games, sharing his dream, being Saint.

How Saint was there to always take care of him in his darkest moments, to keep him from being hurt, to make him laugh

How Shin was always saying how important Saint was for him, how he was always there to save Saint from himself

And then it all went to shit and they were both left in shambles

Saint with his guilt and inability to even face Shin because of what he did 

Shin hurt and alone without his best friend there to help him

How their relationship was changed by the trauma and the absence, how it became this powerful thing they couldn’t let go of, this hurt, this yearning, this unhealed festering wound, kept deep within themselves 

The way Saint couldn’t stay away from Shin and he tried to see him but was sent away by his mother, and the way he had to just accept it because he did not deserve Shin even if it was what he wanted and needed the most and how depressed it made him and how he kept trying to find indirect ways to see Shin, because even a glance would have been better than nothing

How Saint spent three years in a half-dead state, atoning for what he did to the person who mattered the most, never resorting to violence again, being beaten and taking it because it was what he deserved

How Shin named his gang Tsunami because he hadn’t left even then, how all his friendships never reached the same level as the one with Saint, how there was always a wall between himself and the rest of the world, how nobody could take care of him but he took care of everyone

How he resorted to violence because he couldn’t take the loneliness and anger anymore

How in a way he took Saint’s worst traits and made them a part of himself

And then I think of when they meet again, under the rain, under the same umbrella, how it felt like a miracle for Saint, his dreams coming true, Shin in his reach again, how he had another chance and he would take everything if it meant being with Shin again

And how Shin felt betrayed and was angry because he couldn't trust Shin, he couldn’t believe he wouldn’t run away 

And so Saint had to prove it all, prove his resistance his willingness to bear it all and in the end Shin could do nothing but capitulate because he missed Saint more than he missed soccer, more than his lost future because Saint gives him meaning just as much as Shin gives meaning to Saint

How the tables turned and now it’s Saint declaring his love for the world to see because he bottled his feelings for 3 years and he can’t contain them anymore and if he doesn’t get another chance at least he was able to say it all.

And how after they cleared the air they feel alive, like different people, able to smile freely, using every excuse to spend time together, to touch each other, to test and see that this is real, they’re together again

And I’m in love with how they feel like platonic soulmates but there is still something more, a romantic undertone just waiting to happen when they’re on steadier ground sure of who they are, where they stand, because they are too happy to find each other again to risk it all so soon

They’re a potential just waiting for the right time to happen

[vivid-bad-brainrot]

Welcome to Vivid BAD BRAINROT!

The hit account where I’ll post all things Vivid BAD SQUAD!

Here’s what to expect from here:

★ Art & Doodles (#fanart)

☆ Occasional Headcanons (#headcanons)

★ Fanfics (from drabbles to one-shots) (#fanfic)

☆ Content for ALL pairings! Platonic AND romantic, so make sure to filter out the ones you dont like!

★ Vbs Luka Thirsting i mean what huh who said that

(General vbs nonsense will be under the #Vivid BAD BRAINROT tag)

Feel free to submit your own headcanons and/or doodle requests through the ask box!

[scheepstep]

qTubbo was the third in a ♣️ relationship with qPac and qFit, but in a ❤️ way, because qFit and qPac were romantic

qPhil and qMissa were ❤️ but in a ♦️ way because they had Platonic Love

You get what I mean?

[dracononite]

Firstly, butch =/= masculine, and femme =/= feminine. There is a large overlap of butches/femmes presenting and identifying as masculine/feminine, but that's not what butch and femme are.

Butch and femme are roles and identities within the lesbian community. Butches and femmes both express their connection to womanhood in a way that subverts the heteronormative and misogynistic ideas pushed upon women by the patriarchy. It's a rebuilding of the foundations of relationships both platonic and romantic. Those that fill the roles of give and take, serve, provide and protect, within the lesbian community, include butches and femmes. That is not to say that the goal is to mirror hetero relationships. Butches are not the 'men of the relationship' and femmes are not the 'women of the relationship'. We dismantle the expectations of traditional patriarchal values and build love, trust and strength as equals.

It's important to note that these identities are heavily entwined in the blue collar class. Butch lesbians have historically been poor women who take on men's jobs like construction work and plumbing when they were in high demand, to make a living - that rough, rugged strength, the uniforms, and the dirt and grime resulting from (or needed for) these jobs definitely lends to the masculine woman look that people typically think of when they think "butch."

I think this idea that all butches must be masculine, however, has spread both because masc butches very visibly stand out, and also at the hands of those who hate us. Especially those in power: men. Butch lesbians have historically been put down, beaten and assaulted, called dirty and manly as a means of framing us as disgusting and unwanted "women" who prey upon and steal the pretty girls and intrude upon mens' spaces. Butches who present as masculine have always been the highlights, the biggest targets. And we have always been realized as unappealing and unattractive to men because of our lesbianism, regardless of how we present it.

But here's the thing - we don't want to be attractive to men. Masculinity is a big component of the butch aesthetic as a whole and is important to a lot of butches' identities, it's what we're most known for, but that's not the totality of it. Because butch is an identity, not how we dress or style our hair, not how we do or don't work "men's" jobs, not the cars we drive or the bikes we ride or the wifebeaters and leather jackets and boots. What butch is... is chivalry, loyalty to the community, our loved ones, and in how we express that, serve and protect them. All of this and more, is a way to signal to non-men that hey, I want to be attractive to you. I want to love you. And men are so fucking mad that lesbians have a space that doesn't include them, that it has fueled decades of hate against us. Which has done nothing but make us stronger.

I'm certain someone else could explain this better, someone who knows more lesbian history than me (you wouldn't be hard-pressed to find one). But I am butch, and it is something very important to me and my identity, so, I wanted to take a crack at sharing some love for butches today, both those who identify/present as masculine and those who don't.

loving reminder that butchness comes in many different forms, and that masculinity is not a requirement or prerequisite to being butch. all the love to androgynous and feminine butches, to butches who are soft or physically weak, to butches w/ long hair <3 butch is not just an aesthetic

[ohdeerfully]

This isn't a request just a little thought I had that I needed to share

Imagine Alastor being a mentor for you when it comes to the magickal arts. From learning the basics of spells and rituals that you're allowed to do.

Him overseeing your progress and offering a head pat or two when you're doing exceptionally well.

Mentor Alastor has been a thought that refuses to leave

this is SO CUTE!!!!!! this would make for such a good fic.. platonic or romantic....

i think he would be pretty harsh in a somewhat passive aggressive way, but he doesn't mean to be discouraging. he just wants to see you excel!!! he sprinkles in enough encouragement to keep you going. i think he would also care to know you are powerful enough to protect yourself in Hell should he be unable to be around (though he never has any doubts!! he becomes very confident in you and your power) and would definitely be super thrilled to hear how you beat the shit out of some demons using the powers HE trained you to use

maybe it gets to a point where he even learns something himself, unlocking a potential in both of you that he didnt even know was possible

[fruitifrog]

I am absolutely a spirk shipper so maybe I'm biased, but my absolute favourite thing about ✨️Kirk and Spock✨️ is that regardless of how you view their relationship, even if you don't ship them, if you think theirs is platonic or familial or romantic or sexual or some combination or variation of those, it cannot be denied that their story is about devotion and loyalty and connection and love. They are soulmates, whatever that means to you. They are T'hy'la