#anyways i totally see cloud on the ace spectrum

[melonimili]

self-indulgent cloud headcanon doodle 😅

[autistic-beshelar]

Hello, fellow aspec critter here!

I saw your post about Ashton being alloaro (100% agree btw) and in the tags you said you hc Molly as nebularomantic and I was just wondering, what does that mean? (I've also considered aro-spec Molly but I'm not committed to a specific hc yet)

Also, I get what you mean about sg in the "Enough-tp" post. I might just be biased 'cause it's not my fav ship but still. Also I know it's not canon but I low-key hc Caleb as ace-spec so that adds to it when it comes to sex-related stuff, be it sg or not. Like you said, it's not a bad thing, I just don't see it that way personally. I don't want to play into the "asexuality is caused by trauma" thing though.

Anyways sorry for rambling lol

hi aspec critter!! thank you for the ask and do not apologise for rambling it is NOTHING compared to this answer lmao

on molly:

nebularomantic is an orientation on the aromantic spectrum! likely it comes from the term 'nebulous', meaning cloud like, or ill-defined. it's when you have trouble differentiating between platonic and romantic feelings, due (in part or entirely) to being neurodivergent. so, it's solely a label for neurodivergent people! i headcanon molly as having a tbi, adhd, and npd, and i hc that he's a little bit in love with all his friends, but has trouble telling if it's in a platonic or romantic way, or somewhere inbetween or outside of that.

molly i think feels a lot, but has a lot of trouble working out what it is exactly he's feeling. he's the same with gender - pinpointing what it is is impossible, he just knows he's feeling a lot of it. he's more focused on just doing whatever makes him happy - if he wants to wear a dress one day he will, if he wants to sleep with someone and they want to sleep with him, he will, if he wants to give yasha 500 forehead kisses a day he will

on caleb:

as for caleb, yes i headcanon him as aspec as well, although i actually do think it's due to trauma for him! he gave me such strong asexual vibes in the beginning of the campaign, and i think he's slowly becoming more comfortable with it. especially with essek being demi, and caleb being somewhere on the bi ace spectrum (i feel like it probably goes up and down, depending on how he's doing mentally, i think he probably uses bisexual and asexual interchangeably), i think they're a great match for each other as they'll both be very understanding

(cw for sexual assault/trauma mention)

i can totally understand feeling uncomfortable with headcanoning him as ace-due-to-trauma, esp since there's such a harmful stereotype that people are only asexual because they're broken, or because we're mentally ill or have some kind of deficit. but sexuality is fluid, and mental illness and trauma can change so much about a person, so while the stereotype is bullshit, sometimes that really can be a person's experience. i think it would make a lot of sense if caleb was aspec bc of his sexual and relationship trauma from being a volstrucker and with astrid and wulf. i've talked to aces who are ace due to trauma like that, who just lose sexual attraction because of what happened to them. they might not have been 'born' that way, but their experience is still an asexual one, yknow?

especially when there's such great aro and ace rep in cr who AREN'T that way because of trauma - like caduceus, who is so kind and loving and very content with being aroace, like essek who, while traumatised, his being demisexual seems to have nothing to with that. there are so many different aspec experiences and it's nice to see that diversity portrayed.

honestly i have a long list of queer and neurodivergent headcanons for everyone (i have thoughts on cr1 as well, but i'm still early campaign for that)

also HELL YEAH aroallo ashton fanclub

[brightlotusmoon]

Dear TMNT Fandom,

I am a panromantic demisexual demigirl in my forties who 1) didn't even know those terms until recently, calling myself a bisexual who didn't want casual sex for a decade, and 2) found some memories from the late 90s of conversations with folks with ties to Mirage Studios, and I need to say this:

I cannot believe we as a fandom have to explain that the Ninja Turtles, fantasy creatures, can be headcanoned as Asexual not just because it is a real thing and not weird like some are saying, but because specifically the original Mirage Turtles were asexual, not attracted to humans, and as the series went on and they grew up, more concerned with their own unique bond as the only members of their kind over romantic relationships.

For example: Mike's fling with the Styracodon princess Seri was a manipulation, and Future Leonardo being with Raven Shadowheart was a choice. They're still asexual, even maybe gray or demi. We never got to know if Seri's eggs were Mikey's but we know he didn't have feelings for her.

In all the cartoon versions, we see various relationships happen which reflect some of the era and audience. Great example is 2012.

Actually, since Peter hated romance and Kevin was the one to sign off on the Next Mutation which was the straw that broke the camel's back for their split, we know Kevin is supportive of a lot of headcanons, even the actually weird ones, and thanks to my brain suddenly yelping "holy shell I remember that" I know how a lot of TMNT franchise crew members support inclusive headcanons even if they might not be canon. So someone saying "why are fan writers and artists making the turtles ace [or trans or NB], I think it's so weird" is absolutely one of the more bizarre things to come from the fandom. Because... they're turtles. They're mutants. Hell, to get super technical they're essentially genetically aliens, since the mutagen was created by aliens and fused with their DNA. They have more turtle in them than human. They're not human, the actual entire point of the characters, so the other entire point is how they learn to become psychologically and socially human, which rules to follow, which morals to have that don't need to be human. Thus, it extends to fans who create Alternate Universes and Canon Divergent worlds. And asexuality, the ace spectrum, is a real world thing that has always existed even if we didn't always know the words. To try to insist that these not-real fantasy creatures - ones that don't exist, have no bearing on real life except our imaginations, and should't be so restricted - cannot represent orientations and identities for fans who share with fans is, at the very least, disingenuous, controlling, upsetting, and exasperating.

I didn't spend nearly thirty years fighting oppression as both LGBTQIA and disabled to see my my favorite fandom pushed against by aphobia, transphobia, and bullying in general.

Although, really, I am a fool, I should have seen all this. I know Tumblr is completely different than other platforms, completely different from my Olde Fann favorites like Livejournal and the old Geocities forums, and online social communities are now faster than, say, my ADHD thoughts in a hyperfocus, but I still want to be Old Man Yells At Cloud and Get Off My Lawn You Kids when it comes to this very specific fandom thing and I totally see how weird that is on its face. I've been studying neuropsychology a lot, I usually notice my own weirds and faults more than usual.

Anyway. Aaanyway. Uh. So. *exhales*

Haa, panic attacks are the worst, aren't they? Also, I gotta stop believing the depression and anxiety monsters in my head, they take up too much real estate and I'm tired and getting too old for this weird AAAAAA-ness.

(One of my inner voices is like, "Woman, you are talking about ninja mutant turtle creatures that were created as a parody of gritty superheroes, who are you calling weird and AAAA?" and all I can do is shrug with a "you got me smile" and a long sigh. But I try, oh my god do I try, all the time, in this institution - *pause to break into song I said hey hey hey* - and I keep learning from my fictional sunshine child as I go so I can keep up with all the So Which Of My Identities Is Being Threatened In Society This Time discourse and especially the memes. All the memes.

I am a cautious optimist, after all. Nihilistic Optimist maybe? All I know is my entire life is multiple piles of junk cluttering a small room and everything is shiny even when it's hidden in shadows. Just smile until it feels better.

[mad-men-inc]

A hero’s best friend

Part two! Find part one here !

Summary: Drew goes to deliver some important information to Bruce Wayne about the infection a new villain gave him. Bruce is feeling... odd. 

Word count: 1513

Drew grinned, waving a little, “Figured you would be, Alf. How’ve you been?”

“I’m quite alright, sir,” the man smiled warmly and gestured first at Drew, then to Tucker, then inside, before asking, “would you like to bring Tucker in? Ace has just finished dinner.”

At hearing the man, Tucker’s head perked up from under a bush, the dog running full speed to his dad and the man, falling into a sit between the two men quickly. He glanced back at Drew, his tail wagging furiously underneath him. Drew shook his head with a smile before looking back to the other man. “He’s been so bored at the apartment, I’m sure he’s missed his crime-fighting buddy.” 

That’s answer enough for all three of them, the man stepping aside so Tucker could race inside. Within seconds, there was a bark from both Tucker and Ace, and Drew laughed a little, stepping into the mansion and smiling at the butler. 

“So, how’s Bruce doing? He ditched before he could get his blood results from Henrik- uh, Doctor Hayward,” Drew tried to keep any accusation out of his voice, fully aware that Bruce’s ego was a rather fragile thing, and he didn’t often rely on other people he didn’t know. 

“He’s managing just fine, sir. He said he trusted you to get any information he needed, and clearly he was right,” Alfred smiled warmly at Drew, the man blinking for a moment as he registered that Bruce Wayne had trusted him with something. 

Alfred led the way through the front hall and past the living room, where Tim gave him a quick wave before he threw the squeaky toy Ace and Tucker were fighting over away from him again. 

The rest of the manor was quiet, Drew realizing the rest of the occupants were down below. Sunlight filtered in through the study’s windows as Alfred led Drew in, the butler moving to the clock to fiddle with the lock and eye scan, while Drew examined the grounds. It was nice outside, nicer than it was 2 minutes ago; the clouds had let up, and it was a rare moment of peace in Gotham. 

Alfred cleared his throat, Drew looking and seeing the clock was open and the dark stairway behind it was looming. “Would you like company, Mr. Harper?” Drew smiled a little before shaking his head, patting Alfred on the shoulder before heading down. 

It didn’t register that there was a much faster elevator down to the cave until he reached the main floor, immediately spotting Barbara and her wheelchair by the large computer in the cave. Bruce was next to her. 

Grunts came from the training mat a level down, Drew walking over to the rail to see Jason and Dick sparring. Dick was laughing, the angry sounding curses coming solely from Jay as Dick avoided another headlock attempt. 

“Too slow, little wing!” 

“Eat my ass, Grayson!” 

Drew smiled and tapped his hands against the guard rail, the sound drawing the attention of both men. Dick waved over Jason’s shoulder, Jay turning around to see who was spectating their fight. At seeing Drew, Jay jutted his hip and smirked, his arms lifting in a not-so-subtle flex as his hands clasped behind his neck.

“You enjoying the view, Harper?” Jay called, his smirk widening when Drew’s face flushed. 

“A little. You blame me though?” Drew cast a helpless glance to Dick, who nodded with a mock solemness. Within moments, Dick snuck up behind a cockily boasting Jason, grabbing him around the waist and flipping him back over Dick’s shoulder, the both of them slamming into the ground. Jay spluttered angrily as soon as his breath came back, Dick and Drew both laughing at his outrage. 

“Drew!” Bruce called from the Bat-Computer, Drew turning away from the brothers to face the man. His smile faded quickly as he saw the stern look on Bruce’s face. “You have important information for me, don’t you?” 

Drew jogged the several feet between him and Bruce, giving an awkward, unsure nod while he rubbed the back of his neck. Anxiety was creeping in as he struggled to retrieve the information from his long-term. 

“Yeah, uh. So Henrik said that the infection you have is new. Something he’s never seen before. And it looks so far like it’s incurable,” Bruce nodded, looking back to the computer. 

“That’s the conclusion I’ve come to here too. The concerning part of this infection is that it looks-”

“Degenerative? That's what Hen said, anyway,” Bruce nodded, raising an eyebrow as if telling Drew to continue. “Um, right. He said it was just a theory, but it’s likely gonna eat at your cells for a while, until your blood turns totally black like the wound is,” he was almost directly quoting Henrik, and he let out a sigh of relief as he realized he had remembered correctly. 

“That’s good to know. Did the blood sample turn black, or is he guessing?” A note of uncomfortable judgment entered Bruce’s voice, and Drew stood up a little straighter. 

“It did. He doesn’t just make educated guesses, he wouldn’t have let me leave if he didn’t know what he was telling me was true,” Drew defended his friend with a slight frown on his face, and Bruce nodded once. 

“You trust him then,” it isn’t a question, but Drew nods in response anyway. “Then if I get any more information, you can pass it along to him. Considering that new villain is going to be hanging around, we need to keep on-top of figuring out what exactly he does to people. Have you encountered him before?”

It’s a test, Drew knows. Tim had been with him the first time the glitching asshole had showed up, so no doubt Bruce already knew. Still, Drew answered, “Only once. He was the guy who killed Joker. His body had turned black pretty quick, so… I’ll talk to Henrik again soon, see if he can figure out where to begin curing this shit, for your sake.” 

Bruce nodded, and sighed heavily. “Let’s hope one of us can find something. I’ll keep you updated too, Drew. Thank you.” It’s a dismissal if there ever was one, but Drew had heard those words so rarely from Bruce that he stands frozen for another moment. 

Bruce doesn’t look at him again, so Drew shakes his head before nodding in response, “You’re welcome. Uh- see you later, Bruce.” He turns and goes back to Dick and Jason, both of whom were at the rails separating the two floors. 

Drew knelt down in front of them, jerking his head towards Bruce, “Is he feeling okay?” 

Jay laughed loudly, stepping back and letting Dick take this one. Dick shakes his head and huffs, leaning forward more to whisper, “He doesn’t like not knowing things, so that whole infection thing is really ticking him off. Plus he didn’t know the doctor you brought him to. And he’s not used to people disobeying him. Basically, you kicked his ego’s ass and he doesn’t want to be an asshole to you, so he’s going to the other end of the spectrum and being super nice.” 

Drew blinks for a moment, before tilting his head and narrowing his eyes. “You’re fucking with me?” 

“Nope! You got him good, D!” He reached through the rail and ruffles Drew’s hair, before backing off and going back toward Jay. “Ride that high while it lasts, bro!” 

Drew scoffs with a steadily growing grin, before he turns to head out of the cave. The elevator catches his eye before he can start climbing the countless stairs, and he crosses the cave towards it. Barbara looks up from her part of the computer as he goes, wheeling back a foot so she catches his attention. 

She calls loudly to him, uncaring that Bruce was right next to her, “Thanks for keeping him humble, Harper!” 

Drew laughs and waves in acknowledgment, his giddy grin not fading when Bruce glances over at him. The man rolls his eyes before waving a good-bye, and the elevator’s gated door closes in front of Drew. 

As it ascends, he can faintly hear Bruce call, “I’m not that bad!” followed by a round of laughter. Drew can’t help but chuckle along with them, even as the walls of the elevator shaft drowned out the others. 

-

Drew practically skipped the whole way home, Tucker bouncing along in front of him, the puppy behaving but clearly excited, either because he got to see Ace and Tim, or because Drew was so damn giddy. 

Regardless, when he opened the apartment door, both Tucker and Drew ran inside and immediately got into a play fight, Drew ending up on his back with Tucker standing on his chest, the dog’s tail going wild, and Drew’s grin still plastered across his face. 

They had a moment of peace and happiness, no villains, no hero duties, no panic attacks, just a man and his dog, riding the high of hanging out with their good friends. For the moment, all was good in Drew’s life.