#and be engaged in conversation but it never works!

[chrystal-ink]

Shadvent calendar Day 24

Shadow x GN Reader

Mistletoe

Shadow was never one for PDA. in fact you two barley held hands whenever other people were around if he could help it. however, tonight the cocktails were flowing and the spirit of Christmas was in the air.

The two of you had managed to miss each other all night. getting wrapped up in conversations with other people, giving out gifts, and avoiding the mistletoe hung ever so delicately in the living room for all to see. You were consciously avoiding it knowing that Shadow did not want to kiss in front of a room full of his closest friends, coworkers, acquaintances, and sonic.

Still he looked so nice in his tux and you knew that he had been eyeing you all night. but attraction or not you were going to respect his boundaries, you would just have to make up for it later.

Shadow on the other hand was craving the touch of your lips right about now. Denied their rightful place upon his earlier in the evening his distain for witnesses was thrown to the wind. You looked incredible tonight and the world needed to know that you were taken, that your lips were for his and his alone.

unfortunately he was caught up in a meaningless conversation with one of his coworker's and he could not get out of it. he had to do something and quick. signaling to Rouge he requested her to get him out of there.

Luckily they had been working together for so long that she understood immediately what he was trying to communicate. Not wasting a moment Rouge swooped into the conversation ending it with grace.

"What do you need Hon?"

"I need to get over to Y/N, I have a matter that needs addressing"

"Is this about those lips you've been staring at all night?"

"I don't see how that's any of your business bat, but yes."

"Fine, I'll help you, but you have to do it over there." She pointed to the mistletoe hanging in the center of the room.

"What? Why?"

"Why? well you two have been together for so long and yet I've never seen the two of you give each other more than a peck. I just want to make sure you're doing it right, for Y/N's sake."

"You are a pain you know that right?"

"Just looking out for you doll."

Shadow weighed his options for a moment, if he tried to make his way across the room he was sure to run into more people and have to engage in more meaningless conversations. it would take at least an hour to get to you, and even then he would have to wait for your conversation to end before he could even attempt to kiss you.

Still to kiss in a crowd was one thing, to do it with everyone watching was another.

He gritted his teeth it wasn't like him to shy away from anything and he wasn't about to start now. He needed your lips and fast so reluctantly he agreed.

"You wont regret this, I promise." Rouge responded happy her little negotiation worked. She took out her phone and texted everyone her plan, all they had to do was get you under that mistletoe by any means necessary.

❄️

You were mid conversation with Amy when her phone went off.

"That's weird who could be texting you right now? everyone we know is here."

"Don't worry about it, it's nothing." she reassured quickly putting her phone away. "Say, why don't we look for some more of those delicious crab puffs I think I saw some over there."

"umm okay, I guess we could."

But before you could actually turn to go the opposite direction Sonic interrupted your conversation.

"Hey Y/N How's it goin? Say, is that cocktail for me? Thanks!" He took your drink and bolted across the room before you even had the chance to react.

"Hey!" you whined before following after him, it was a confined space and with all the people there he couldn't have gotten too far.

You followed him almost to the center of the room before he stopped turning back to you your drink still in his hands.

"What's the big idea? you can't just do that at a party."

"I had it under control Sonic" Amy called finally catching up to the both of you.

"Yah, but I was faster."

"What's going on you two?"

"You'll see." sonic replied "Sorry about this" He gave you a gentle push. Stumbling backward you almost fell thankfully, a pair of hands steadied you before you could reach the floor.

"Hey." shadow looked down at you giving you a handsome smirk.

"Shadow? thanks, but how did you-"

"Everyone! looks like we have our first two lovebirds under the mistletoe!" Rouge announced "Why don't you give them a round of applause?"

You looked up and saw the offending branch right above where you and Shadow were standing.

"Oh no, we don't have to if you don't want. I know you don't really like this stuff." you apologized.

"Don't be ridiculous, It's tradition." Shadow said grabbing you by the chin. "And besides with the way you look tonight I want everyone here to know you're mine."

And with that he kissed you it was passionate, full of love and devotion. he was getting the touch he so craved and he didn't care who saw it.

Once your lips had parted and crowed died down a little you looked into his crimson eyes and smiled.

"You know, you could have just asked for a kiss my love."

"Yes, but I wanted to make this one special."

You giggled placing your hands on his chest.

"Well then love, You accomplished your mission"

You gave him another kiss each of you smiling against the other's lips before rejoining the party hand in hand.

[backseatsoldier]

Home for the Holiday

Pairing: Johnny "Soap" MacTavish x Reader/You CW: Mispronunciation of Gaelic words; CUTE MUH-FEKKIN' FLUFF! Author's Note: Happy holidays to ME- and all of you! Thank you for reading and engaging. I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday season <3

For Christmas I decided to send myself "home". As in Scotland, the place I'd never been but that I was always drawn to. It always felt like home, so why not treat myself for the holidays, you know?

Somehow, my gift to myself led me to Fiona - the owner of the bed and breakfast I'm staying at - inviting me to her White Elephant party. I suppose the theme of the party helps. I don't know anybody attending so I just need to get a silly gift to (hopefully) make people laugh. Everything was fine and going smoothly... until now.

"Shit! I'm so sorry!"

I'm now on my knees on a snow-covered sidewalk and trying to scoop up my White Elephant gift after running directly into...

"Alright, lass?"

Fuck me... he's a local.

"Yeah, yeah. I'm ok," I assure him and I reach for the goofy gift.

"Is this... a..."

Before he can finish his question, I'm desperately shoving the joke gift - a Highland Cow tail butt plug with a pretty Christmas bow attached to the end - back in the bag. Why couldn't it have been in a discreet box?!

"It's for a White Elephant party," I say quickly once it's back in the bag.

Finally, I look up.

Oh, he's... painfully pretty. That just makes this worse.

"What about this guy?" he asks with a lopsided smile as he holds out the Highland cow plushie I bought myself.

"He's... for me," I say quietly and gently take the plushie back, tucking him into the top of the bag.

"Got a theme going there, lass," he chuckles.

"Figured... it might make my life a bit easier to stick to some kind of theme, y'know?" I offer softly and stand, hugging the bag to my chest.

"You sure you're alright? Didn't hurt yourself or the coo when you fell? And I'm sorry too. I wasn't paying attention."

I shake my head quickly.

"No, no I'm ok. So is the, uh, cow," I tell reassure him with a small smile and brush some snow off the cow's fuzzy head. "I should, um, get going. I'm sorry, again. And... nollag kridel."

"Nollaig Chridheil, lass," he chuckles knowingly.

"Oh my god," I whisper as my head falls and my eyes go wide. I didn't even pronounce it correctly! Without another word, I turn quickly and fast-walk away.

"You made it!" Fiona exclaims and throws her arms around my shoulders. "Get in here," she says as she pulls me into her house. It's literally just a private entrance to the bed and breakfast.

Within a few moments I'm in the building, my (wrapped) gift is under Fiona's tree, and a cute elf hat has been placed on my head. Fiona gently sets me on the couch next to- oh, no. Nonononono-

"Oh, so you're the surprise guest Fi was raving about," Painfully Pretty laughs loudly as I beg whatever higher power for a black hole to swallow me up.

"Yeah," I give an awkward laugh, "that's me. I guess."

"You two know each other?" Fiona says as she hands me a hot chocolate.

"We bumped into each other yesterday in town. And the Highland coo," he chuckles.

I should have wrapped the cow. I should have wrapped the cow. I should have-

"Oh, that adorable plushie you walked in with? I was wondering where you got 'im. Cute little Christmas sweater and all," Fiona laughs - very similarly to Painfully Pretty.

Conversation shifts off of me and to other guests who are still arriving by the minute. Soon enough, Fiona's living room is packed full of people and one dog. His name is Riley and we made fast friends. I, admittedly, have been hiding in the corner hanging out with him most of the party so far.

"Time for gifts! Johnny, help me get these piled in the center of the room," Fiona demands of Painfully Pretty. Apparently his name is Johnny.

Once all of the gifts are piled where Fiona wants them, we all migrate to the surrounding furniture. She gives us the rundown for how the gift exhcange works and we all begin drawing numbers from a Santa hat. When it's my turn, I grab a random gift and begin opening it.

It's a... Highland cow in a holiday dress and crown.

"Aw! Now your other guy's got a friend," Fiona announces excitedly.

I smile softly at the plushie and smooth out her dress.

"Yeah, I guess he does," I agree and smile at her.

"You should name them," Johnny suggests with a soft look in his eyes.

"I think I will," I nod and smile at him.

When the exchanges comes to an end, Johnny lingers in the living room with me.

"I was hoping you'd be the one to choose her," he says quietly. "Was worried she would be chosen and unappreciated until Fiona dragged you in here."

"You... brought her?" I ask, looking up from the plushie in question.

Johnny nods with a gentle smile.

"Glad the lad won't be lonely this Christmas. It was nice to meet you, officially," he says softly, lopsided smile lighting up his face.

"It was nice to meet you too, Johnny. Thank you for Christy." With a small smile, I hold up the plushie and tap it's nose to the end of his.

"Nollaig Chridheil."

"Yeah, I'm not trying to say that again," I insist with a giggle.

He laughs loudly.

"Why not? It was so cute when you said it last time."

I can feel my face warm at his words and his smirk.

This year's Christmas gift to me might turn out better than I originally expected.

Scottish Gaelic Translations (per Google Translate, apologies if incorrect!)

Nollaig Chridheil - Merry Christmas

CoD Christmas (Meet) Cuties Masterlist

[reveryfics]

In Every Universe

Pairings: Stephen Strangs x Male reader

Summary: Stephen wakes up in the sanctum, his memory foggy and thoughts scattered until he spots you, a distant face he'd seen before.

A/n: I have a whole bunch of stuff in the drafts I'll be working on soon. Happy Holidays everyone, and thanks for all the support!

⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯

Stephen groaned, his head buried in his hands. A shiver wracked his body as a gust of icy air seeped through the open window, chilling his bare skin. He swung his legs over the edge of the bed, the silk sheets pooling around his waist.

Disorientation clouded his mind. Fragments of memories flitted through his consciousness, leaving gaping holes in his recollection. His gaze swept across the room, landing on the partially open door and the faint strains of music drifting in, mingling with the aroma of freshly brewed herbal tea.

Slowly, he pushed himself upright, the silk sheets trailing behind him as he searched his wardrobe for a pair of pants.

The rhythmic thud of his bare feet echoed through the ancient halls of the Sanctum Sanctorum, a weary cadence accompanying each step. The familiar surroundings seemed unchanged, untouched by any unwarranted magic, as far as he could discern.

As he rounded the corner, the grand library came into view. Several books lay scattered on the floor, and the crackling of a small fire danced in the hearth. The source of the music and the enticing scent of tea was the reading nook, where a lone figure sat ensconced in a worn armchair. His feet were propped up on the ottoman, his body draped in a luxurious velvet robe. An ancient tome obscured his face, but Stephen felt an inexplicable sense of familiarity wash over him.

The man finally lowered the book, a small smile gracing his lips as he regarded Stephen. The missing pieces of the puzzle began to fall into place. Stephen had seen this man before, countless times, across the vast expanse of the multiverse.

"Glad you're awake," he murmured, gesturing towards the armchair opposite him.

Stephen cautiously took a seat, his gaze fixed on the other man's face, a mixture of confusion and apprehension etched on his features. "You..." The words seemed to catch in his throat.

The man introduced himself, revealing that he was an old friend of Wong's, entrusted with the care of the Sanctum while Stephen embarked on his unplanned journey across the multiverse. "Seems that dark dimension had more profound effects than you anticipated," he observed, noting the lingering confusion clouding Stephen's expression.

They engaged in a lively conversation, discussing the events that transpired during Stephen's absence. Stephen recounted his bewildering experiences, explaining how in every universe he visited, this man was always present, always connected to his counterparts in some way. In each reality, this man held a position of great respect, yet their paths had never crossed in their own universe until now.

"It's not uncommon for individuals of significance to exist across multiple realities," the man explained, taking a sip of his tea. "But their roles and personalities can vary drastically. In one timeline, I might be the Sorcerer Supreme, while in another, I could be a villain as formidable as Thanos."

Stephen leaned back against the armchair, letting out a weary sigh as he pondered the implications. He recalled a poignant conversation with this man in another reality, a moment of profound connection that resonated deeply within him. "You said something to me," Stephen whispered, his voice barely audible. "I believed that in another universe, I would end up with her. But in every universe, it's you. Always has been, always will be."

The man rose from his chair, adjusting the belt of his robe as he approached Stephen. He leaned forward, his hands resting on the arms of the chair, his body angled towards Stephen in a way that revealed a glimpse of his chest through the open slit in his robe. "Perhaps the other versions of me perceive something in you that you haven't fully exposed yet," he chuckled softly.

Stephen's gaze flickered between the man's exposed chest and his face, a strange intensity growing within him. "Perhaps it's simply a matter of time," he replied, his voice barely a whisper.

The man pushed himself away from the chair, his hand lingering on Stephen's shoulder for a fleeting moment. "Time will tell, Mr. Strange," he murmured, turning to leave.

Stephen was left alone with his thoughts, the lingering warmth of the man's touch still palpable on his skin, and the unsettling realization that the boundaries between their realities might be far more permeable than he had ever imagined.

[yunwangja]

faultline | 5th shift

masterlist

“the highlight!” bokuto proclaims, his voice brimming with excitement as he dramatically gestures toward the massive roller coaster towering above the park. “finally!”

it’s clear this is the moment most of your friends have been waiting for. well, except for tobio and you.

tobio stands stiffly, his discomfort palpable as he eyes the ride with growing dread. you, on the other hand, aren’t nervous—just indifferent. you’ve never been the roller coaster enthusiast of the group, and the thought of enduring the ride drains your enthusiasm even further.

amid the chatter and laughter, shoyo’s energy is unmatched as he cheers alongside bokuto. kiyoko, ever calm, walks ahead of the group, guiding everyone closer to the looming attraction.

“alright, everyone,” she says with a clap of her hands, her usual composed voice cutting through the buzz. “group yourselves into twos.”

bokuto wastes no time, throwing an arm around akaashi in a show of exaggerated affection. akaashi, ever unbothered, simply accepts his fate with a small sigh that suggests he’s used to this by now.

meanwhile, shoyo shoots tobio a wicked grin, clearly plotting something. tobio, however, just crosses his arms and stares off in annoyance, no doubt regretting all his life choices that led him to this moment.

and then there’s you—standing off to the side, arms crossed, fully prepared to sit this one out if you could. beside you is suga, who has been stealing subtle glances your way.

everyone else is stuck in the middle of a silent debate: should they play matchmaker and risk your wrath, or leave things alone and avoid becoming casualties in the process?

since suga’s confession, things have shifted. there’s a new awareness between the two of you, but it’s surprisingly less tense than you’d feared. it’s like a weight has been lifted. still, the others don’t know how to navigate it just yet.

kiyoko, however, is deliberate as she steps in. “tsumu,” she says smoothly, her gaze sharp as she assesses him, “why don’t you come with me?”

tsumu, however, has other ideas. with a mischievous smirk, he slings an arm around your shoulders, leaning into his usual playful demeanor. “nah, i’m taking yn. right, yn?”

you narrow your eyes at him in suspicion, already sensing that he’s up to something. but with a shrug, you give in. “okay.”

out of the corner of your eye, you notice suga’s face shift slightly, but he quickly turns to kiyoko, engaging her in conversation as they pair up.

tsumu grins, satisfied with himself. “shall we, then?” he asks with mock grandeur, gesturing toward the ride like a gentleman offering his arm.

you roll your eyes but follow his lead, already bracing yourself for whatever antics he has in store. something tells you that for tsumu, this is less about the roller coaster and more about getting under someone’s skin.

tsumu had been testing your patience more than usual today.

he’d latched himself onto you from the moment you all entered the theme park, like some kind of human barnacle. it wasn’t subtle either; every overly casual arm draped across your shoulder, every little nudge or whispered comment, screamed that he had one goal in mind—to annoy the hell out of suga.

why? who knows. maybe he was bored. maybe he was trying to tease you too. you didn’t care enough to unravel the inner workings of tsumu’s chaotic brain, but one thing was crystal clear: it was working.

not on you, of course. you were too used to tsumu’s antics to take them seriously. but suga? yeah, you could see it in the way his easygoing demeanor faltered every now and then. a brief tightening of his jaw, a quick glance your way before he turned back to the group—subtle, but there.

after a long day of rides, games, and chaos, the group decided to wind down with a leisurely walk away from the noise and flashing lights. the cool night air was a welcome change, the wind brushing past you like a gentle sigh.

you were tired too. the day had been more physically demanding than you’d admit. you had the energy to terrify tobio on the roller coaster, shove shoyo off his horse on the carousel, and splash water at everyone during the log ride because “that’s the point,” but even you had your limits.

beside those, you were just chill, honestly. well. you did enjoy yourself.

bokuto, the birthday boy, was now happily demolishing a free oversized serving of nachos from a nearby food booth, with akaashi silently helping him polish it off. kiyoko and suga trailed behind them, keeping an eye on everyone to make sure no one wandered off. shoyo, jacket-less and shivering, was bickering with tobio, who was bundled up in his hoodie and refusing to share.

you were at the very back of the group with tsumu, who, to your relief, seemed to have finally tired himself out—or maybe he’d just gotten hungry. either way, he’d abandoned his mission to torment you and joined bokuto and akaashi in devouring the nachos.

it gave you a moment of peace, a chance to focus on the night sky. the stars were faint but steady, scattered across the inky expanse like tiny pinpricks of light. you let your gaze wander, letting the stillness wrap around you.

that was the cue.

without you noticing, suga slowed his pace until he was walking beside you. you didn’t see him at first, but you heard the faint sound of his camera, the strap rustling softly against his jacket as he moved.

you glanced to your left, your eyes catching the slight downward tilt of his head. his gaze was fixed on the ground, his expression unreadable in the dim light.

you didn’t say anything. instead, you turned your attention back to the path ahead, letting the silence stretch between you. it wasn’t awkward, but it wasn’t comfortable either. you just didn’t know what to say.

so you stayed quiet, the distant murmur of your friends’ laughter and banter fading into the background as you focused on the sound of his footsteps matching yours.

“i wasn’t able to talk to you today,” he said, breaking the silence.

without looking at him, you replied, “well, i was busy.”

“more like tsumu gatekept you,” he said, a pout coloring his voice.

you scoffed, rolling your eyes. “he didn’t.”

“he did. i just know he was trying to annoy the shit out of me.”

you could tell by his tone he wasn’t seriously upset, but the thought still amused you. before you could respond, shoyo’s voice cut through the air.

“look! there’s fireworks!”

everyone turned to where he was pointing, only to find the fireworks barely visible in the distance.

“it’s miles away. we can’t even see it that much,” tobio muttered, unimpressed.

“still!” shoyo insisted, already pulling out his phone to record. he slowed his pace, dragging tobio along with him until the two of them had fallen behind.

you glanced at suga, who was now looking straight ahead. but there was a quietness to him, a subtle expectation that he was still waiting for something.

you glanced at suga, who was now looking straight ahead, his posture relaxed but not entirely at ease. there was something unspoken lingering in the space between you, a quiet weight in the way he matched your pace without saying more.

“tsumu’s my best friend,” you said finally, breaking the silence. “he’s always like that.”

suga shrugged, the movement casual, but his tone betrayed him. “whatever.”

you turned to him again, and that’s when you saw it—a slight pout tugging at his lips, barely there but unmistakable. it wasn’t exaggerated or playful like tsumu’s antics; it was softer, quieter, the kind of expression that made you realize how much he must have wanted to spend time with you today.

it caught you off guard for a moment, the way he stood there, his camera dangling idly from its strap, his gaze fixed somewhere in the distance. he didn’t press you for more or try to explain himself, as if he didn’t need to.

turning back to the path ahead, you let a small chuckle escape, soft and almost hidden beneath the sound of the night.

silly, you thought. what just did i do to make him be this way?

notes

A LONGGGG UPDATE FOR YOU GUYS <3

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVE EVERYONE, PLEASE HAVE A GREAT ONE !!!!

i think next update will be within new year AHH!

bokuto has principles. free food over theme park rides. PERIOD.

poor akaashi had to help him finish everything

shobio contributed though

yns gift was an owl mug. and yes bo cried because - "YN KNOWS I LOVE OWLS :(((((" (remember at the character intros hes lowkey scared of yn and stuff)

kags gave him .... a pack of instant coffee. since he said "he needs it". bo loved it anyway because he'll use it together with yn's owl mug <3 my appreciative king

i also want to emphasize that yn WAS chaotic during that day. she doesn't tweet a lot about it but she had so many schemes.

taglist: @lvtilzs @uraviriot @adorawritesalot @nachotrash @staygoldsquatchling02 @gigiiiiislife @rowensboat @frootloopscos @ruwhimsical @mintynoo @chaotic-neutral-ig @zippymaezie @cupidsblonde

[grumfield]

Since you’ve read like…all the books why do you think that Anakin is such a polarizing character? Beyond the oblivious. I feel like there’s strongly opposing viewpoints which feels wild. But you’re pretty impartial when necessary and also well read in this world so I’m curious what you think!

wow I love it when y'all give me asks that let me flex a bit more of my top-down muscles like this. super fun, thank you!

I think it, first of all, this is a very "fandom" conversation. Popular cultural conversation is generally no more than "Vader was sympathetic but bad, Jedi cool." so these more intense debates kind of predicate on the idea of peoples' personal investment in the charactesr beyond the movies. Even though the movies do provide context--and have a very overt George Lucas messaging of "Jedi wrong, love is what saves"--the average person doesn't really think more on it or try to reconcile beyond what the movie itself shows. So TLDR this is sort of presuming the people having this discussion have delved into other works.

I think it comes down to how much and what media beyond the movies people engage and prefer with because there are so many prequels projects, all of them written by different people with different perspectives (at least in legends...i'll get to the disney POV soon), which is the beauty of multimedia works.

Legends projects in general tend to be more critical of the Jedi, majorly, I think, because George Lucas had control. Lucas was, obviously, critical of the Jedi, and his projects reflect that. Most of them are takedowns, and don't really show the Jedi in a particularly favorable light.

Disney, on the other hand, definitely skews more in favor of the Jedi. I don't think this is actually a Disney perspective, I think that this is a popular perspective that was ingratiated into their framework. IMO many people think of the Disney era as against the Jedi, but to me it's definitely "pro" in the sense that they are effortlessly cool + flashy, there's very little bureaucracy, and the characters at fault are not at fault for systemic reasons, but rather personal failure (which I feel like is seen in the Acolyte).

In Disney narratives, Jedi structures are not the issue, flawed people are. Whereas in Lucas narratives, flawed people are not the issue, Jedi structures are.

For example, I've noticed a lot of Legends books portray Anakin's relationship with Padmé as the thing that saved him, which is a very Lucas perspective to hold, since his entire thesis of Star Wars is that love is what redeems. In opposition, though, a lot of Disney books pose their relationship as what caused his downfall, because if he'd never been in a relationship with her he wouldn't have fallen because she wasn't there. Similarly I think that Jedi Quest is a very unsympathetic look at Obi-Wan that holds him responsible for Anakin's downfall, whereas Deborah Chow's Obi-Wan show is more sympathetic and frames him as generally without fault to what happened. Different strokes for different folks.

Given that Anakin is space JesusJudasSatan, makes him the ideological battleground for these perspectives, which creates a character whose various story plots and circumstances, depending on the writer/creator, is at least always a little bit in contradiction even if his actions are the same. Because he simultaneously is so many different types of things at once, and I think it just comes down to which works they're exposed to/are most drawn to.

But, building off of that: I think the main culprit, in broad strokes, comes down to which piece of media a person views as their canon: Lucas's movies, or Filoni's Clone Wars. Which, IMO, ultimately follow two completely different characters both named Anakin Skywalker, but this post is getting too long so I'll get salty about that some other time.

[queerbeverage]

Okay, i will engage with this, sure.

Firstly, yes this is absolutely an experience both transmascs and transfems and nonbinary people who don't fit into either category have. I am not saying that this is wrong in any way, i just think these people should think a little about how others they share a space with might feel about these things.

I don't think you have any right to tell me how to cope with my oppression. Basically telling me to "loosen up a little" and take it with humor does not solve my problems, and is in no way healthy for me as a way of dealing with that. It's cool that it works for you and for others, but it absolutely does not for me and i think telling me i have to is just bullshit.

I may have been not precise enough on this point: Trans femininity is a threat to the patriarchy, because we represent options. In their eyes, we are 'men' that 'choose' to become women. In their worldview that pits men above every other gender, a man seemingly abandoning this higher standing for a lower one threatens the order of the gender binary.

>The assumptions you've made about other trans people even up to this point alone are wildly inaccurate

Every single trait i have described here i have experienced in real life. The amount of conversations i had with uneducated trans people where it became clear they offer nobody that has a different experience with gender any grace or understanding (to be clear - this includes transfems aswell as transmascs) is frankly astonishing. Thankfully this is mostly a problem with newly out trans people, but i have also experienced this with older trans ppl who were out for some time already.

It's incredible how you can just brush these systemic issues aside, as if it were solely the fault of me and my friends for getting bullied out of social circles, getting lies told about us by people we considered friends, being dropped like one-time-use disposable toys after whatever we had to offer got squeezed out of us. It is not a personality issue if every transfem person i have ever spoken to can tell me atleast one anecdote where they have been harrassed by someone who is not affected by transmisogyny and has weaponised that against them.

Yes. Yes i am as passionate about transmascs being excluded from social groups and queer meet-ups, and i advocate for change when i see it happen. Yes, i talk to younger transfems about the oppression transmascs experience and how that differs and in what ways it is the same; and that we should have empathy for each other. I don't think just hating on transmascs & trans men is the answer to this problem, and i also think we can't let transmisogyny weaponised by these people slide. It's important to call out in the community, just as much as it is important to call out people who have it out for transmascs.

It's just plain bullshit that trans men and transmasc people can never have power over women. That is just plain not true and antifeminist bullshit. Neither is saying that every trans man / transmasc has power over every trans woman / transfem. Gender is of course a spectrum, and the newly out young poor not-passing nonbinary transmasc person is not really capable of oppressing the older middle-class trans woman who has been out for a decade. Yet the passing trans man with social standing can OF COURSE oppress a trans woman. This isn't some ground-breaking relevation, it's intersectionality and feminism 101.

It's cool that for you gender is just a funny little cloak you can don whenever you want to, and you don't feel as dysphoric when getting misgendered, and that you use the bathroom that has the shorter line.

However, have you maybe for one second considered all of these things are privileges people like me do not have? When i go into the women's bathroom, i might get kicked out or assaulted. My specific kind of gender will not be acknowledged, because anything feminine is immediately seen as threatening. Idk, i feel like a lot of trans people and especially transmascs never learn to respect other trans people who may have different experiences and get oppressed in different ways. It's not enough for you to be trans, that does not make you a feminist by default! It does not make you understanding & accepting of other identities! That is still work you have to do yourself!!!

And frankly i am tired of getting kicked from communities and socially murdered because a transmasc decided i was too weird/didn't fit into their transmisogynistic worldview/any combination of those two; and watching my sisters get ostracized with no support system over the most basic of differences. It gets even worse when we call this shit out, it's immediate social murder, everyone turns away and abandons you.

DO. BETTER.

Educate younger transmascs, be vocal about transfems, stop attending events where no transfems are and either work to make those spaces better or hold space and grace for the transfems in your life. I am tired of my sisters being hurt so badly in the places they're searching comfort in. DO BETTER!

Transmascs & trans men who are vocal about these issues, i love you. Your voice is important in this, and it's imperative that if you notice one of your TME friends act like this around transfems to speak up. To them, your voice carries a lot more weight than ours does (as sad and shit as that may be). Just like feminist cis men, you can help a ton by just calling out bullshit in your communities.

Please, i'm fucking tired of being hurt by the people that should be my brothers and siblings.

[monster-noises]

I love second hand book shops, I got to them frequently and always leave with Something and have a good time just peakin around

But i gotta say

It's one of the Worst spots for me in terms of imposter syndrome

I feel like everyone's uneasey with my presence as though i'm a stranger who just stumbled into their inner sanctum and they're.. they're gunna let me stay but they're gunna be weirded out the whole time and breath a sigh of relief when the Strange Unwelcome Freak Leaves

It also happens at record shops and sometimes at small antique shops or cons+festivals

Just this immediate foreboding of being Angrily Tolerated in a Space I Don't Belong

[puppyeared]

i feel like im not making any sense but does anyone else feel like there are stories that let u run with them and ones that spell everything out for you

[sendmyresignation]

i think there's really something to be said about how there has never been a record i've encountered where people wanted justification or excuse to refuse to acknowledge the intention and seriousness of the project itself like danger days by both defenders and haters. i find it so incredibly bizarre and strange and partially fascinating.

[axolotlclown]

Only press the option if you've read ALL of the books/main comics. I just don't have enough options to include those who have only read portions of the series. This season adapted many stories across multiple books and comics. So even if you've read Comet in Moominland but not Moominland Midwinter, say that you haven't read the books for this poll.

This does not include the picture books, btw. As awesome as a Who Will Comfort Toffle? adaptation would have been, it never came to be. ✊😔

Also if you're someone that's read all of the main comics but not the books, please make yourself known! I've only ever heard of people reading the books then the comics.

[bibuckleykinard]

how many times do we need to learn as people that irony and hyperbole can be harmful because 'jokes' aren't easily distinguished from genuine thoughts and feelings until we stop rewarding people for speaking or posting about violence

like even if you're joking/don't actually believe that/think whoever you are insulting is bad/immoral/fictional therefore deserves it - ad hominem attacks always do more harm to the people who share those characteristic then the individual you intend to cause harm to or discredit

[aropride]

i really dont understand studying at all like genuinely i don't know what it is . i know about "taking notes" and "reading the textbook" and that's it . quizlet doesn't do shit for me because i don't know what to. do. with the cards. look at them ? am i supposed to just look at them . No one bothered teaching me actual skills bc i got good grades when i was 8 and now i am so hopelessly lost . why did no one think to teach me this for when stuff got harder than four plus three

[opens-up-4-nobody]

...

[natjennie]

i know the plagues being obsessed with thomas was largely a joke bc alison threw her portrait of him in the basement, but I think there's actually a lot of potential for them to get along like. the plague ghosts are largely intelligent, they play games together, talk, comfort each other, the same as the upstairs ghosts. they have a working knowledge of mechanics, they're interested in art and theater. they are honestly some of the most cultured ghosts in the house. they like to learn, they just enjoy being included, they are pretty easy going. thomas likes to talk, likes to teach, likes to engage. all of thomas' exercises and ponderings would be a hit with the plagues I swear. it genuinely seems like they would get along, am I crazy?

[pynkhues]

"I honestly think both in terms of fic for the show itself and for RPF, it's about race"

Ah, I wasn't expecting this, which as a brown woman is incredibly naive of me.

There's currently discourse on X about Louis being the most "boring" character which is also, undoubtedly, driven by racism.

(x)

Oh, I'm really sorry, anon, and you shouldn't feel naive. I mean, for starters, I could be wrong, and I'm being pretty speculative, but even if I'm right, the onerous of that isn't, or at least shouldn't be, on you. I think there's a lot of really great progressive things that happen in fandom, but at the same time fandom is created by People Living in Societies, and unfortunately biases and discrimination, at least in my experience, can and do seep through in ways that are both toxic and just flat out negligent.

The idea of Louis being boring is absolutely an insane and racist rhetoric too. He is so wildly interesting as a character, with so many layers of storytelling and nuance and contradiction, which I adore in him, and it makes me wonder if the people who find him boring are the same ones who want to make him the audience insert (insane given Daniel is literally right there) or to project all this 'battered housewife' narrative onto him, which - - look.

I've tried to shrug this off, but I literally just spent the entire day at a symposium on how the Australian government child support system is weaponised by abusive men against women post-divorce, so I'm a bit of a raw nerve about this topic, but it's made me even more pissed off at the Louis-Housewife arguments than normal.

Not only is it diminishing and completely at odds with his character, but what a way to show you've never, ever engaged with real survivors of, or conversations with, patriarchal oppression.

[wild-at-mind]

Should i start a separate art sideblog? I kind of want to so anyone who happens to look doesn't have to scroll through my walls of text in between. My main reason not to is the prospect of getting no notes, which is a very real possibility. But somehow even a tiny amount of notes here is nicer than a tiny amount of likes on instagram, which is the reality of most people on there now who don't want or know how to play the fucking engagement game.