#aros season 2

[wojtekaneko]

well that was awkward

[another-random-object-show]

ANOTHER RANDOM OBJECT SHOW: SEASON 2, EPISODE 2 "It won't be Long."

Telephone nervously tapped his foot as The Losers stood around in silence. “Alright! We may have lost the FIRST challenge but…” Telephone pauses. “We can win the next one! Just.. gotta be motivated!” He says, enthusiastically. “or be more focused; I think SOME of us here are dead weight.” Hammer said, staring at Diamond and Money Bag. “…I get I made us all lose last time, but can we—” Soda Can says, apologetically before being cut off; “Nawh, you have potential; you’re fine. THOSE two however? Rich Preps. Never had to work a day in their lives..” Hammer sneers. “Why excuse you!” Money Bag scoffs.

Taco retreats into a bush, he turns to Ice Cream and Pizza. “They seem easy to infiltrate! We just have to… uh.. befriend them! ..then they'll switch!” Taco cheers. “..wait, your plan was to befriend our enemies?” Pizza asks. “Wouldn't it be easier to just manipulate them, or something?” Ice Cream adds. “…but that's really mean..!” Taco says. “Yeah, well you gotta do mean things sometimes, sweetie.” Ice Cream groans. “Besides, me and Pizza are getting bored watching The Losers, we’re gonna go find some people to talk to.” She says, now walking with Pizza. “See ya! :D” Pizza waves.

Telephone sighs as The Losers disband from the area, followed by a shrill yelp after being startled by Briefcase asking; “Telephone?! Where on Earth is Mr. Kārd, then?!” Telephone replied— “M… mister Kārd is busy, Mr. Briefcase! We just had a heated interaction in which Hammer’s interest intertwined with Mr. Kārd’s..!” Hammer scoffed. “You should tell your boss that he’s the problem with our team, subordinate!” Hammer scowls. “Uhm, er.. uhm… y-yes!” Telephone answered, running off. Soda Can began to follow, stopped by Hammer. “You, stop. Let's discuss a plan.” He said.

Pizza, Ice Cream and Taco now spotted R0BUD, Klubs Kārd, Mannequin and The Cherry Sisters— a clique to infiltrate; they immediately insert themselves into their group.

After securing a spot in the clique, The Foodies, alongside The Losers and The Winners, got brought back to their own areas, The Gourd now announced…

“CONTESTANTS! Today’s challenge will be centered around SHACKS! Teams must build SHACKS to live in! Whichever team has the WORST Shack by the end of the 2 hour period will be UP FOR ELIMINATION!” The Gourd announced.

“Cool, where are the tools?” Pizza asked. “..or boards!” Taco exclaimed.

“…OH.” The Gourd awkwardly spawned in a dozen piles of planks, screws, and construction equipment. “…go ahead!” He said, now snapping to start the 2 hour period.

“Huh– okay, where do we start?” Taco asked Burger. “Uuuuuhhhh…” Bread now got some planks and exclaimed— “I’m on it, don’t worry!!” as he began to foundate the structure.

Meanwhile, Diamond was ranting, talking about the plan until he turned his back, to which Torch said— “Sodie~! …got any plans?”

“I.. uh…” Hammer now spoke for him. “We’ll have to foundate the shack— y’know, concrete and mortar? Yeah. We have to do that, y’all.” Hammer nodded, now taking Soda Can. “Torch, can you—” Torch shrugged and went on with it before Hammer finished. “…huh. and Soda, wanna talk while we do the shack?” He asked. “..uh… y.. yeah!”

As Hammer and Soda Can built the walls, The Cherry Sisters side-eyed Torch and Money Bag, one spoke now. “Are they…?” Cherry asked. “Oh, they're TOTALLY.” Cherri replied. “Ohmygod— I know right?” Cherry accepted. “like just shut up and..!” Cherri said, the two giggled as they watched Torch talk to Money Bag who, for some reason, just couldn't stop flustering at whatever Torch was saying to him. Money Bag eventually huffed and went back to Diamond with his supplies, as did Torch with Hammer.

“See— you need to hold it CAREFULLY— here.” Hammer helped Soda Can use a circle saw but.. it was warm. So warm. So odd. The way he grabbed his hand and gently wrapped it around his waist to insure he’d be safe if anything happened— which he was right.

The Circle Saw suddenly groaned and revealed itself as Sawblade who shouted— “FUCKING HELL— JUST FUCK ALREADY!” as he now flung himself at the two, which failed as Hammer pulled both himself and Soda Can away onto the field— causing Sawblade to fling off.

“Y’GOOD?!” Hammer asked as he held Soda Can. “..aaaaHHHH YEAH.” Soda Can said, flustering to get off. “MHM! Right! Y’know, let’s just.. build this!” Soda Can pointed at the planks. “…how are we supposed to build without a saw?” Hammer asked, resulting in Soda Can to space out. “..ahh, don’t worry, I’m a Hammer! I’ll just nail them in.” He chuckled. “..r-right! Mhm!” Soda Can got up and began to build the shack with what planks they had.

Meanwhile, The Winners were ahead, per usual.

“IT IS FOR CERTAIN WE ARE SAFE.” R0BUDDY said. “Oh, er.. yeah, yep! Mhm! Keep building!” Camera said, sitting in a lawn chair. “If I knew R0BUDDY just did things without question, I would've used him for the first challenge!” Camera admitted to Hot Chocolate. “..er… R0BUDDY’s sentient. You… KNOW that ri—” Camera groans. “..where’s Clown?” He asks. “..Clown is er.. where IS Clown…?”

For The Foodies, who were struggling, things only got worse when…

“Ah.. here we go.. we’re nearly done!” Taco claimed, suddenly, Sawblade came flying through and, while missing Taco, hit Ice Cream. “OHMYGOD” Burger yelped— “STRAWBERRY!!” Pizza screamed, panicked. Bread, however, witnessing this, thought of something… leading him to rush to The Gourd just as it was announced—

“THE LOSERS ARE SAFE!” The Gourd cheered as The Losers had been first to finish their shack.

“Oh… GOOD JOB YOU GUYS!! :D” Bread cheered them on, resulting in Telephone nodding slightly to say— “er.. t.. thank you!”

“…anyways! GOURD! RECOVER ICE CREAM! D:” Bread worried.

As The Gourd recovered Ice Cream, Taco tried to finish his stack, however, Clown, hiding around the corner, shook it and—

“W— WOAHHH!” CLATTER! “FREE MATERIAL?” R0BUDDY heard the clattering and now rushed over to steal the things used in The Foodie’s Shack.

Before they knew it… “THE WINNERS ARE SAFE! FOODIES! YOU’RE UP FOR ELIMINATION!” The Gourd announced.

“..no..! ..I… I did everything right!” Taco sighed. “Don't beat yourself up over it..!” Bread patted Taco’s back. “Besides, Sawblade caused more damage today, I think…” Spade scowled. “More like Taco..! I SAW with my own eyes what you did.” Taco sighed. “or Bread! He abandoned us!” Burger argued. “You guys just wanna get rid of us!” Spade groaned as he walked away, leaving Bread, Burger and Taco.

“Sigh… maybe they're right. I.. would like to—” Taco stopped Burger. “Burgz, no. Don't finish that. You’d be letting Spade’s get the final say.” Burger sighed as Bread furthered— “Exactly! I know it's hard but… we’ve gotta show you guys can be better than him!” Bread pause. “…if he doesn't convince the others.” He sighed as he saw Spade spreading misinformation about Taco.

“AND KLUBS—” Spade was about to give a job to Klubs before Briefcase ahemed. “Mr. Kārds?” Spade recoiled. “Briefcase! Erm…!” Briefcase sighed. “Kārds, do you have any idea where we are? or why you’re spreading.. rumors?” Briefcase reminded. “…a gameshow.. and to… eliminate the competition?” Briefcase sighed at this answer. Leading to Spade being shut by Klubs. “Mr. Case, wait. I must say something.” Klubs said, stopping Briefcase as he spoke to him.

All the while, The Cherry Sisters crept up on Soda Can, lightly shocking him as he was deep in thought.

“OH— SHIT!” Soda Can recoiled upon The Cherry Sisters making a long, windy birdcall. “The.. fuck?” The Cherries giggled then said, “Sorry! We didn't know how to approach—” Cherri said, “anyways, what’s with you and Hammer?” Cherry asked. “Oh. I… I don't know.” Soda Can sighed. “In retrospect, I… don't even know what show I’m on. I didn't even agree to join.” Cherri piqued— “Wait. You didn't agree?” Soda Can seemed confused, saying: “Yeah… why?” The Sisters whisper amongst each other, which Cherry eventually says. “It’s just… that's weird. Every person we’ve talked to— albeit, that's very few— actually joined on their own behalf.” Soda Can seemed slightly intrigued now, and, out of sheer curiosity, asked “Did… you?” The Sisters paused. “…well…” Cherri looked at Cherry, who looked at Cherri. “…I… think uhm…” The Sisters mumble. “…Cherries, it's… yo.. did you or did you not get dragged into the bus by The Gourd?” Soda Can asked. “…no?” Cherry said, Cherri sighing a breath of relief. “Then no, Cherry, we’re perfectly fine! That means Hammer, Diamond and Spade, Bread and Sawblade, and Camera all joined on their own terms!” Suddenly appearing, The Clacker Brothers exclaim— “and don't forget about us!” The Sister exchanges a chuckle as Soda Can asks: “Wait. What? …I thought you guys basically spied on other teams and sometimes us? What—” The Right Brother now states “Simple! We’re both two. Obviously once we caught on, we replicated her! ^^” The Brothers point at a different sister, and begin to bicker, cut off by Cherri saying: “Wait, you were replicating us?” The Right one sheepishly admits— “I, uh… well… it was Jandro’s idea!” He points to the left. “Ay, shut up Luis.” He scowls. “We did it after R0BUDDY suggested it to us.” Soda Can sighs. “Al.. right then?” Cherry now blurts out— “HAMMERCAN—” before being covered by Cherri. “What was that?” Soda Can said. “It’s nothing, just… go spend time with Hammer! :)” Cherri suggests, dismissing Soda Can.

“…Luis, what do you want?” Cherri asks. “Oh… sorry, we—” Alejandro tugged on Luis, pulling him to the right. “HE was just curious about the plan for the next elimination. We’re both safe this time—” Cherri cuts him off. “Elimination isn't really our thing, Al. We can't just make up votes; Cherry’s a prep, I’m a gossip girl, you’re uh…” she pauses. “and Luis is soft.” Alejandro sighed. “Exactly. If we don't start playing cards, we’re gonna end up in shit.” There was silence, then Cherry asked— “sooo… is Luis single?”

Just as Alejandro scowls, and Luis is about to excitedly answer— The Gourd rings out: “FOODERS! MAKE YOUR WAY TO THE ELIMINATION AREA, AND HAVE A VOTE IN MIND.” Cherry sighs as The Clacker Brothers walk off, with Cherri saying to her, “Don't worry, I’m sure we'll reconvene with them… plus, it's not like they're up for voting!” Cherry looks over at Cherri.

With The Foodies now at the elimination zone, The Gourd speaks. “FOODPEOPLE. You are ALL up for elimination against each other.” Spade leans over to Sawblade, whispering something to him, before leaning back. Though Taco notices this, he is focused on The Gourd. “Each person will get a chance to make their vote. The person with the most votes is out of the game. Any objections or questions?” The Gourd surveys the team. “…very well.” The Gourd now snaps his fingers loudly, three times. “MAKE A VOTE.” Spade is the first of the group to get up, being confident in his vote, however ensures Sawblade follows him to the booth.

Spade whispers once again, before entering the voting booth, and complaining: “My, it smells BURNT in here! …damages not paid by who-na-now?” The Gourd corrects from outside, “Lunartic, and stay on task. Make a vote.”

Spade groans. “Fine. Whatever, I already know who's out.” He confidently picks Taco for his vote.

Surprisingly, Sawblade allows Bread and Burger to cut him in line so he can speak to everyone else in line privately, gathering the other four contestants of The Foodies into a quartet line staring at the back.

Bread enters the Voting Booth, and notes this immediately. “Wonder what they're looking at Sawblade for? Maybe he said something? …oh well! Uhm… oh… uhh…” Bread freezes up, causing The Gourd to use the booth’s PA. “What? What's wrong?” He asks. “…I don't… know who to vote for… uhm…” The Gourd sighs. “Listen. I can't help you vote. Sorry. Pick a person, just… whoever you think wouldn’t be nice to you back?” Bread thinks. “..oh! ..so.. Sawblade or Spade?” Bread pauses, sighing after realizing he just asked The Gourd to make a decision for him, which he can't do as the show’s host. “…well… what would Burger pick? He’s nice! …I think… uhm… he seems angry at Spades.. so.. Spade?” Vote counted! “..because… uhm… oh I hope I’m not eliminating someone…” Bread murmurs nervously, exiting the booth and allow Burger follows after, anticlimactically telling an exiting Bread his vote is for “Spade. He’s an asshole.” Taco join in too. “No kidding. Seriously, I don't know why— but I have a feeling he's already found a way to pull SOMEBODY’s strings.”

Sawblade enters after them, then smiles whilst voting for Taco. There is no dialogue from him as he lets the other half of the team come into the voting booth.

Ice Cream follows first. “What a creep! Seriously, time to go!” She repulsed about Taco. “Couldn't agree more. She absolutely has to get out.” Pizza voted with. Of course, came Ramen. Who paused and sighed. “…I wish it hadn't come to this.” She said, lightly tapping a vote.

With that, as Ramen exited the voting booth, The Gourd announced just as she sat down— “The votes are in! Whoever has the most votes shall leave tonight.” He nods, now reading the votes aloud.

“First vote: Spade.”

Spade shifts and sighs, believing this as inconsequential.

“Second vote: Spade.”

Spade slightly perks now, but sits back down as he allows the ceremony to continue.

“Third vote: Taco.”

Taco glares over at Spade, tension present.

“Fourth vote: Taco.”

However, she finds it inconsequential, too, as she is calmed by Burger.

“Fifth vote: Spade. Three votes, Spade.”

Spade now becomes alert, surprised now as he becomes aware of the situation’s severity.

“Sixth vote: Taco. Three votes, Taco.”

Taco is now baffled as he hears that. Now realizing some of the other Foods voted against him.

“Seventh vote: Taco. Four votes Taco, Three Votes Spade. The final vote goes to…”

Spade now gets ready to hear for a Tie, and Taco is confused as to what it was leading to her elimination.

“Taco. With five votes against you, you have been eliminated.”

Spade sits back down, with a sigh of relief. Taco, however, sits up and immediately asks—

“What the hell?!” She stares at the team, Burger coming over. “We are a TEAM?!” Pizza stands up. “That was until I learned you two want to voyage with me and Cream!” He defies. “..what?” Burger asks. “Don't play koi— first you REFUSE to let us use manipulation tatics, now you act dumb?! Do you seriously think we’re genuinely this clueless?!” Ice Cream revolts. “WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU ON ABOUT??” Taco revolts back. “GUYS! Guys! Let's calm down! We can surely settle this over something more calming—” Bread said before Ramen cut him off. “like Hot Chocolate?” Bread agreed, not realizing her hint. “Yes, yes! Such as cocoa! Oh! That's wonderful! Tac–” CLAP! “…o.” The Gourd had already eliminated Taco by the time Bread turned around.

“…I wish it didn't have to come to this.” Ramen sighs. “..come to what?” Burger asks. “YOU and HER don't want cross-team mingling.” Ramen revolts. “…WHAT?” Burger asks. “..what?” Burger groans. “…with… whom?” Ramen sighs, admitting: “Hot Chocolate of The Winners.” Burger perks up. “…in what universe do me or Taco need to make sure you and Hot Chocolate aren't meeting?” Burger asks. “…this one.” Ramen says, growing confused. “…Ramen, is this bychance a romantic relationship?” Ramen flusters. “Well, I—” Burger groans. “Ramen. The point is so long as it doesn't affect the team, I genuinely do NOT care who you're talking with. Seriously, who told you this??” Ramen pauses. “…shit. Sawblade.” Burger groans. “Who’s currently a dogwhistle for Spade, but…” Burger looks over at Spade, who is being assaulted by Sawblade, who is bored. “LET ME CARVE ART INTO YOU!!!” He’d screech. “NO! HANDS OFF ME, FILTH!” Burger turns back. “..yeah. Anyways, knowing this, I need you to gather the others to meet tomorrow. I think I know what happened.” Ramen nodded. “That sounds right. Sawblade talked to us person-by-person, and whispered so nobody else but his targets would hear. That probably means he told each of us a different story so we’d vote for a different reason.” Burger nods. “Exactly. Hence I need to tell everyone this.. and prove it. Again, thanks, and.. seriously, go talk to her if you want.” Ramen nods. “I will.” She says, walking off.

Bread then approached Burger as The Gourd began to close the episode. “Burger, I’m so sorry. I thought I could help but…” Bread pauses looking at Burger, then back at the ground. “..I… yet again failed to make things better. At all.” He says, sighing. “..hey.. it's okay! You at-least TRIED to help us eliminate Spade.” Bread paused. “…would it have made any difference?” Burger sighs. “Of course it would! If you hadn't voted with me and Taco, you’d be just as ill informed as the others.” Burger says, standing up. “…don't beat yourself up over the fact the outcome didn't come out any differently than it would've if you had done nothing. The only people who deserve to beat themselves up are people who didn't even try to do anything.” Bread looks up, confused. “…so I shouldn't feel bad, because I tried?” Burger nods. “Exactly. Here, do you wanna walk around The Plains?” He offers. “…okay.” Bread and Burger now leave the Elimination Area as The Gourd calls out the final lines of the script.

“…here, on Another Random Object Show. Hm.” He claps, causing the torches to go out, and ending the episode once and for all.

END.

Another Random Object Show was written by TheWiseGuest.

FIN.

“Visit us at 56 Takani Ln. in The 51st Today!” Marianna exclaimed.

“…hey, wait— where did the Taco and Burger we were holding just go?” Diana noted as the commercial ended. “…good question? Uhm… huh.” Marianna blinked, deciding to rewind the footage. “…weird— they just… disappeared?” Diana looked at Marianna, then the footage, and paused. “…huh. They… did uhm… huh.”

MEANWHILE, IN THE PLAINS.

“…huh…?” Taco awoke with Burger, being given life. “…what are you saying?” … “…what's going on here—” Burger got up, now interrupted by The Gourd. “Oh good, it worked! Are you two aware of what you’re doing?” He’d ask. “…no?” Taco said. “…we aren't even su—” The Gourd cuts them off again. “GREAT! You two are Taco and Burger, respectively! You hail from Diana and Marianna’s Burgers and Tacos, a… sponsor I found.” He blinks. “..and are officially two new contestants for Season 2 of ANOTHER RANDOM OBJECT SHOW!” Burger now replied— “Hold on, what? I’m sorry, we.. just uhm… wee… huh…” Taco nudged Burger. “Burgs, I’m sure if we stick together we can just like.. make a duo? I guess?” Burger thought for a while, then nodded. “..okay, I guess. Sure.” The Gourd now declared— “WONDERFUL! The show begins in a few months! For now, mind tidying the place as a pre-challenge?” Burger and Taco nod. “Sure! Okay, Taco! Help me pluck weeds!” Taco agrees and gets to work with Burger as The Gourd disappears to create more contestants.

[munsons-mutiny]

I keep seeing everyone talking about Jayce being the only person capable of saving Viktor. How in every universe Viktor chooses him.

But I don’t see anyone talking about how that means in every universe Jayce breaks his promise to destroy the hex core. In every universe Jayce can’t let him die, can’t let him go, chooses him over his morals, his integrity, his common sense.

These boys are gonna be the death of me.

[reggieslocket]

just finished season two of heartstopper and you guys have no idea how i felt when i heard the words asexual and aromantic and how i related to everything isaac went through: the confusion, the constant feeling that something is wrong with you because you don't feel the same as people your age, society's obsession with relationships and isaac's burst of anger because he felt like the group only cared about the romantic aspect of his life as if it's the most important one... i'm so so grateful to alice and the show for the aroace representation and i can't wait to see more of isaac's journey in the next seasons because this one made me feel seen and valid and i actually teared up a couple of times especially when he picked up the ace book from the library in the final episode :,) ALSO can we talk about how iconic it was to use "crush culture" by conan gray when that man was explaining the meaning behind his artwork to isaac? i was literally smiling from ear to ear

[vroomvroomwee]

This is your daily reminder that it's OK to headcanon them as ace, or even aro. They can be asexual if you want them to be. I know it can be frustrating seeing other people invalidate your headcanon and even waste their time writing entire essays about why it isn't valid (especially after the ox rib scene) but until the show says otherwise (which I dont think it will) they are what you headcanon them to be and no one is allowed to take that away from you.

[radios-universe]

by the end of heartstopper season 2, isaac picked up the ACE book from his library and openly read it and held it around his friends - as a representation of coming to terms with being aroace and even being/ready to be open about being so.

so if this is the case, the books that isaac reads in this season seem to represent the current state that his self-discovery journey is in.

for example, isaac is seen reading ‘boy erased’ briefly in one scene - a book about conversion therapy. suggesting that isaac is rejecting the idea of being aroace at this point in time.

as he gets closer to understanding his identity, he reads ‘summer bird blue’, which has an aroace mc but isn’t the entire focus of the book. this suggests he’s much more open to the idea of aroace and is looking into it, but discreetly.

and then, of course, he picks up the ACE book from the library.

but if this is the case, back in episode 3 when james and isaac were setting up the display, james says this:

as he picks up the book with ‘bi’ written in front. and isaac responds:

if the books he has read in this season represent his labels and self-discovery journey, the suggestion that he has read a book about bisexuality but disliked it, suggests that he has, in fact:

experienced the bisexual to aroace pipeline.

[thediamondarcher]

"Basically about my experience being aromantic and asexual. Like, being in a world where romance and sex are prized above everything when you don't feel those forms of attraction. Growing up feeling that something about you is different, but you don't have the words to describe what that is. But then, freedom. The euphoria of freeing yourself from those pressures and expectations."

That person describes exactly how it feels to not be a part of the allo world we live in and it's so important that this is said in a show like Heartstopper which is famous because it portrays queer joy. Having this type of representation is so important, it's shown in a beautiful way and that whole scene gives a big sense of community and comfort.

The way Isaac has his "heartstopper moment" with the green and purple leaves is also SO important. How the other characters have this type of animation when they're with their partner because they're in love, while Isaac has them because he's found out who he really is, and how those leaves instead of being there because of romantic love, are there because Isaac's "heartstopper moment" is about self love

[zevampirex]

Vampire and vampire slayer! Happy Halloween you all🎃

[reggie-gremlin]

"What's it about?"

"Basically about my experience being aromantic and asexual. Like, being in a world where romance and sex are prized above everything when you don't feel those forms of attraction. Growing up feeling that something about you is different, but you don't have the words to describe what that is. But then, freedom. The euphoria of freeing yourself from those pressures and expectations."

- Heartstopper, Season 2, Episode 7

[leafbreez]

AceAlastorWeek2024 Day 2: No Touch Tuesday

Charlie would definitely give Al air hugs whenever she can

[weaverofink]

This might be controversial bc jayvik is literally trending rn but. he is so aro to me

[moonage-nightterrors]

watching the new season of heartstopper and i feel isaac so hard… like yeah bro tf is wrong with people being so into relationships n shit like we could be going to the bookstore. bookstore over boyfriend any day of the week

[lokiiied]

i know people are shipping them & full support and respect for that but im hitting them with the aspec autistic queerplatonic polycule beam look at this dedication they do NOT have time for such things as romantic distraction they are basking in their shared brainpower

[reggieslocket]

no, i won't stop talking about him

[vroomvroomwee]

My thoughts as an aroace person in regards to some Alastor leaks

WARNING!!! MASSIVE SPOILER ALERT BELOW THE CUT!!!!

I don't know if it's just me but having Alastor without any friends at all now that Rosie turns out to be the complete opposite of his friend is kind of disheartening to watch as an aroace person.

Before, we could have overlooked Alastor’s cannibalistic, murderous, selfish tendencies and habits because he was still capable of forming meaningful relationships even if they were somewhat skewered. He had someone at least, he had a friend to gossip with, to turn to in times of need, someone who understood him and who he saw as an equal.

And now that's just... gone?

I dunno. I suppose he has (or at least had) a relationship with Mimzy, but both of them know she's only using him based on what Husk said in regards to her "visits". I'm not counting Niffty because she's more of a worker for him.

I think having him be completely and irreparably evil who can't even form friendships is kind of leaning towards that part of his character as an excuse for why he doesn't have any romantic relationships either and I just hate that. It also plays in to the aro/ace people are emotionless robots who are incapable of love trope which I am completely sick of at this point.

I could be thinking too deep into this and I might just be in a gloomy mood considering everything that happened these last few days but I'm wondering if any other aspec people feel like this

[a-confused-teen-venting]

Yeah I’m once’s again posting about Heartstopper especially about Isaac.

God last night uggghhh. I felt so called out in many scenes like you won’t even believe. The “asking your friends to ask them how does it feel to like someone” gave me a wave of embarrassment cause I did that when going through a time I felt like I had to like someone who liked me. Plus the smallest scenes and moments showing Isaac’s dilemma while noticing all the couples around him with the kind of slight doubt and unsure feelings written in his face like UGH I GET IT.

And it hurts me that only I get it.

Watching this with my friend and her boyfriend in the same room was a doozy. Of course I didn’t mind them cuddling and flirting, it’s just, looking at Isaac and seeing the isolation and inability to fall in love while being surrounded by his friends who are all participating in their own romantic journey was like having a mirror directed at me. I feeling of seeing myself play put on screen felt so alien cause I never could relate so badly to a character before. But what kinda ruined the experience was my friend who seems to not understand that Isaac was going through an AROACE story. Not just an asexual story.

Spoilers moving forward:

Ever since my friend found out that James was going to be a potential love interest for Isaac, she was stoked, while I knew very well this was going to be a “realization” story. I knew from the beginning that this was going to be an aroace experience about how even though someone likes you, you can’t like them back cause your unable to feel anything for them. Still, for some reason, my friend still pushed and wished for the potential ability of Isaac getting romantically involved with James and it made me realize she didn’t see Isaac as being aromantic. She knew he was asexual but she was doubting the fact that he was aromantic and had the mentality of “he is asexual but he can still feel romantic love.” It wasn’t until that Isaac talked to the artist in the exhibition and they explicitly said “aromantic and asexual” that she finally admitted that Isaac is aroace. Like, she really needed to be told by word that Isaac is aromantic to basically confirmed his validation. Which… hurt cause… it isn’t obvious???

Throughout Isaac’s whole journey there were so many hints and clues about him going through his aromantic and asexual identity but it seemed she kept pushing for Isaac to be at least being alloromantic because… love??

The fact that an explicitly aroace character was still getting amatonormativity pushed upon them was just… so sad…

I felt for a second erased. Misunderstood. Or like the possibility of being aromantic isn’t possible cause I mean who could reject love?

I left her house basically about to break into tears because of Isaac’s journey but I hold it in cause I didn’t wanna bother her about something that she wouldn’t understand.

It’s just… it hurts really. The one character created for us to represent the aspec community being pushed aside and have their identity be invalidated or turned around made me realize that no matter what we can’t escape the expectations of society. The need to get into a relationship cause it’s just “oh so beautiful” and “everyone will meet the one” .

Im so happy to see myself in Isaac, but just so… miserable too.