#by the way no shade to rwrb I enjoyed it

[rijl]

My most passionately-held controversial Young Royals take: Wille should absolutely abdicate the throne. (Season 2 spoilers ahead.)

"But Wille would make a good king!" There are no good cops, there are no good US presidents, there are no good kings. Monarchies are inherently unjust. The whole foundation of a monarchy is the idea that one family deserves exorbitant wealth and status at the expense of the majority just because they had the luck to be descended from some guys who probably killed and maneuvered their way into power and control. Monarchies are about the powerful dominating and exploiting the masses, and especially the already-oppressed. The writing of Young Royals isn't shy about showing how inhumane the monarchy is, and how holding power does not mean you deserve it. ALSO Wille doesn't want to be king!! He doesn't want that power, responsibility, or exposure, and he's likely becoming skeptical of the legitimacy of monarchy in general. Also "don't let Erik down" is just not a good reason, it doesn't make any sense. (Ok, the only scenario where he should be come king is if he plans to abolish the monarchy immediately afterward.)

"But then August would be king!" Well, ideally, Wille's abdication would result in a crisis that would lead to the end of the monarchy. But even if August did become king, maybe he and the monarchy deserve each other! They're both toxic. If the pressure of being prefect was tearing him up, just wait til he's king. It's not the ethical conundrum that it would be if the monarch of Sweden had any actual political power.

"But it would be cool/historical/good representation to have a queer king and prince consort." No, it wouldn't. It would be cool to have a queer couple cause the end of the monarchy. The systems of domination and exploitation that legitimize monarchies are the same ones that underlie sexism, racism, and yes, homophobia. Letting a queer person be in charge of the exploitation machine isn't justice. Ending the exploitation machine is justice. (This is also why discussions of whether Kristina is homophobic just run in circles-- her individual sympathies or lack thereof don't matter because her loyalty is to an institution that is inherently unjust and incompatible with queer liberation.) Also, Simon would never ever want to be a prince consort or involved in the monarchy in general! Lol! I think that's the clearest part of all this.

Again, I think the show is very clear about being anti-monarchy. It's critical of Sweden's class structure, and the monarchy is the pinnacle of that structure. The "welfare fraud vs. tax evasion" discussion shows the entitled and inhumane mindset of the wealthy students. The very creepy Society shows that the monarchy and the 1% are in a symbiotic relationship with the shared goal of keeping status and wealth in the hands of a few noble (i.e. been around for a long time i.e. white) families.

I do get the affinity for the Cinderella story happy ending idea! It's a compelling fairytale. And that's part of what fanfic is for. But as @communityradiointerndanielle put it: Young Royals and Red, White & Royal Blue have similarities and understandable fandom overlap, but the difference is: RWRB paints liberal aesthetics over the unjust institutions to let progressive-minded people enjoy the Cinderella fantasy without feeling guilty. Young Royals is a cautionary tale about why you don't actually want the Cinderella fantasy.

(This post brought to you by a recent poll where ~75% said Wille should not abdicate. Thankfully a few people including @tooindecisivetopickaurl, @antigorite, @emberc, eloquently disagreed or qualified this in the RBs!)

[girlinplaits]

Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: Red White & Royal Blue - Casey McQuiston Rating: Not Rated Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings Relationships: Alex Claremont-Diaz/Henry Fox-Mountchristen-Windsor, Alex Claremont-Diaz & June Claremont-Diaz, Alex Claremont-Diaz & Nora Holleran, June Claremont-Diaz/Nora Holleran/Percy "Pez" Okonjo, if you squint Characters: Alex Claremont-Diaz, Henry Fox-Mountchristen-Windsor, Nora Holleran, June Claremont-Diaz, Percy "Pez" Okonjo, Hunter (Red White & Royal Blue), David the Beagle (Red White & Royal Blue) Additional Tags: Fluff, Pining, Miscommunication, Bisexual Disaster Alex Claremont-Diaz, alex thinks david is a human, and henry's bf, Alternate Universe - Lawyers, Did I mention pining, Lots of it, Idiots in Love, Alex is Going Through It, but we love him, and david, Jealousy, Jealous!Alex Summary:

It’s been three months since Alex started working for Bankston & Shrivastava Associates, and he’s starting to think that his tiny crush on his coworker may not actually be that small. NYU School of Law may have helped him pass the bar, but it certainly didn’t prepare him for everything that is Henry fucking Fox.

What makes it worse, though, is that Alex can’t do a fucking thing about it. No matter how much banter they swap, how many times he makes Henry blush in a day, it doesn’t matter. Alex can’t do anything, because Henry already has a boyfriend.

Or, where a slight miscommunication leads Alex to believe that David is Henry's boyfriend.

[awkwardlyflustered]

Return the Favor

A/N: Okay so I didn’t think I would be back again this quickly, but some lovely anon requested a sequel-esque to my other RWRB fic, (which if you haven’t read and would like to, is right here), so I am back to write another quick one with Alex returning the favor to Henry. Hope this one is at least sort of decent, I’m still not feeling great about my writing, but we’ll get there! Anyways, please enjoy! (P.S. thank you to everyone who gave kind words about my last fic, I was really feeling not great but all of that helped me stay motivated to keep writing). 

“Wait wait wait,” Henry rushed out, trying to keep the couch in between him and Alex.

“What exactly am I waiting for?” the dark-haired boy questioned, still trying to close the gap between him and his boyfriend. Henry just sputtered, desperately trying to come up with the right words. Refusing to even give him the chance, Alex jumped over the sofa and tackled Henry, pinning him down. 

“Come on, you don’t have to do this,” he pleaded playfully, the words having no real desire behind them.

“No? Because I remember you doing this exact thing to me not more than 3 minutes ago.” Alex’s face tinted the shade of pink remembering Henry’s fingers slowly taking him apart. 

“Okay yes, fine, I did, but that doesn’t mean you need to return the favor,” Henry rambled out, not making any moves to really escape.

“You know, today is your lucky day, I’m really not all that big on ‘returning the favor,’” Alex started with a smirk. Henry narrowed his eyes, knowing Alex far too well to believe he was getting away that easily. “However, unluckily for you, I am very big on getting revenge, so you’re not getting away yet.” Alex’s smirk shifted into a big, cheeky grin, very delighted with himself for his set up. In turn, Henry rolled his eyes at the goofball keeping him stuck to the floor, but couldn't help but smile at his adorableness. Granted, the smile quickly disappeared from his face when Alex started rolling his shirt up. Before he had any chance to protest, he felt fingers skitter across his tummy. The reaction was instantaneous, he couldn’t keep the giggles from pouring out of him. 

“Ahahahalex plehehehease.”

“Ohoho, so when I plead with you, it falls upon deaf ears and you keep torturing me, but when you do it, I’m supposed to have sympathy?” He questioned, feigning offense. 

“Yehehehes! And ihihit wahahasn’t tohohorture!” Henry barely managed to giggle out, bucking his hips, trying to get the offending digits off of his sensitive tummy. 

“Good, if that wasn’t torture, then this certainly isn’t. You should be just fine.” Before Henry could even think up a reply, there were already fingers pinching away at his ribs.

“AhahahAHAHLEHEHEX NOHOHO,” Henry pleaded, the laughter only rising as Alex pinched further up.

“Mmm good spot?” Alex murmured out, a smile gracing his face as he took in just how cute his thrashing boyfriend was beneath him.

“NOHOHO!” the prince screamed out, refusing to admit in any way that Alex has an upper hand. 

“Oh, lying to me now, your royal highness? I think that deserves to be punished, doesn’t it?” Henry shook his head, grabbing on to Alex’s wrists, and trying to pry them away from his ribs. Alex relented and took his hands off Henry’s ribs, just to give him a little bit of a breather before continuing. 

“I wonder…” he thought out loud as he reached back and experimentally dug into the muscle on Henry’s thigh. The yelp he was rewarded filled him with absolute joy and a whole new level of menacing he was about to achieve. 

“Nononononono, Alex don’t you daHAHAHARE NOHOHOHO.” Henry was once again thrown into a fit of laughter as Alex started pinching at his thighs now. 

“Hmm? What was that, babe? You want me to keep going? Oh even harder you say? If you insist,” Alex teased, the smile on his face mimicking that on Henry’s. He flipped around, now sitting on Henry’s hips, facing his thighs so he could have better access to his new target.

“One would think that as the First son of the United States, you would be a lot nicer, but no, you’re an absolute menace.”

“And one would think that the Prince of England would be less sensitive, yet here we are.” Henry couldn’t even respond, just lie back as his face reddened and Alex’s hands inched closer and closer to his death spot. 

As soon as Henry felt Alex put his hands down, he sat up and started scribbling along Alex’s sides, hoping to deter him. Alex pinched his arms down against his sides, squealing and falling back.

“Hehehehey nohoho.” The two of them wrestled around on the floor, fighting each other for the upper hand of the situation. There was nothing but stray yelps as death spots were attacked, constant giggles from both parties, and clumsy pinching and poking at anything they could reach. By the end of it, they ended up right back in the same position that they started in, with Alex pinning Henry down.

“Now that we’re back where we’re supposed to be,” Alex commented, glaring back at Henry, “I will not be making this mistake again.” He grabbed Henry’s hands and shoved them under his knees, trapping him well. Henry just smirked at him, all too proud of his various shenanigans. He, of course, was promptly knocked off his high horse when Alex began squeezing his thighs and he couldn’t do anything about it, but beg.

“PLEHEHEHEHEASE!! NOHOHOHO!” Alex just gave a little hum in response as he started lightly tracing his fingers on one thigh while swiftly pinching at the other. Henry kicked his legs out and continued his begging, even though it was pointless. 

“You should really try to quiet down, people might hear you.” Henry’s face darkened another shade of red as he remembered that people outside of just him and Alex existed, and could very well be hearing him being tortured by his boyfriend.

“FUHUHUCK YOHOHOU!”

“Later, definitely. But I’m having fun with this, right now,” Alex responded, cheeky as ever, not even needing to look back to see Henry’s blush deepening, once again. The two carried on like this for a few minutes longer, only stopping because Henry’s laughter had gone silent. 

Alex carefully climbed off of him, and laid down beside him, kissing his crimson face. 

“You okay?” Henry simply nodded in return, still catching his breath. Alex smiled at the sight beside him. Henry’s eyes still scrunched up with the huge smile adorning his face, his cheeks an absolutely beautiful shade of red. He just looked amazing like this, and Alex never wanted it to end. 

“That was really mean, you know. I didn’t go that hard on you,” Henry accused, grabbing Alex’s hand.

“Yeah, I know, but I have to show you who’s top dog around here,” Alex replied in the most stereotypical, 80s douchebag voice he could conjure up. Henry just chuckled at him and leaned over and gave him another quick kiss. 

“If I wasn’t exhausted, I would be proving that statement wrong.”

“Uh huh, sure you would, babe. But there’s plenty of time for that tomorrow. For now, that bed is calling… no, yelling my name,” Alex returned, already starting to stand up. Henry just eagerly followed along happy to just cuddle beside his boyfriend for the rest of the night.

[jmagnabo92]

Happy Friday Jen 💚💚

for the holiday activity prompts plz

📚 Reading (probably under a shade) for RWRB firstprince plz

This was fun! Is 500 words still a ficlet? Hope you like it!

***

It’s different this year. 

Despite the fact that it’s a yearly trip to the Lake House, in the aftermath of last year’s trip to the Lake House and the Leak, Alex has been feeling a little off balance since he picked Henry up at the airport. 

It’s like he was just waiting for the other shoe to drop, for Henry to leave him in a lurch again, despite the fact that they’re literally moving in together in just a couple of weeks. 

He knows that things are different now, but he just kept… waiting for him to disappear on him, and as a result has been probably annoyingly clingy.  

Hence why he’s gone looking for Henry when he woke up from his nap and he wasn’t there.  He knows, logically, that Henry’s here.  His security is here, so there’s no reason to suspect he isn’t, but the second that he finds him reading in the shadows of the trees on the hammock, he smiles in relief.

Henry’s here and he’s not going anywhere. 

Alex quickly moves to join him on the hammock and Henry doesn’t hesitate to shift around opening up his arm so that Alex can lay his head on Henry’s chest and cuddle into him.  Once they’re settled, again, Henry continues his reading as if Alex is meant to be there in his arms.

It’s a nice feeling.  He could just lay here, taking in Henry’s scent – he still doesn’t whatever magic is going on for him to smell the way he does – and remind himself that they’re here together, forever.  No one’s going anywhere.

“You okay, love?” Henry whispers into his curls ten or twenty or however many minutes later, Alex isn’t too sure how long he’s been relaxing in Henry’s arms while he reads. 

Alex hums.  “Of course.  Why?  Am I annoying you?  I could leave you to your reading alone.”

“Oh, no, don’t do that.  I like cuddly Alex.  I look forward to seeing him more in our own home in two weeks.”

Alex blushes, lifting his head to look at him.  “I didn’t realize that I was being… cuddly Alex, but I do like the sound of that – our own home.”

Henry smiles at him.  “Well, it’s what I’ve been naming you in my head this weekend.  You’ve been very… cuddly and I have been enjoying it.  Although, I do wonder if it’s another one of your coping mechanisms.  As with running until your feet bleed or speeding down the 101 barely managing to stop yourself from getting painted on the pavement.”

“It might be,” Alex admits.  “I just – I know that this year things are different.  Obviously.  It’s just being here…”

Henry kisses his forehead and tightens his arms around Alex pulling him into more of a hug.  “I’m sorry that my actions last year are making this trip different for you, but I promise you, I’m not going anywhere.”

“I think I know that deep down, I just… it just … I’ve got abandonment issues.”

“I know and I am more than happy to do whatever you need to help you through them,” Henry assures him.  “And if that means super cuddly Alex well, I’m not complaining.”

“Thanks, Baby.”  Alex kisses him on the lips.  “Maybe you should read to me, then?”

“Love to.”

“Good.”

***

Thanks for the ask! :)

[stnichols]

wip wednesday

Thank you for the tag @gayhoediaz <3 sadly im still not working on my 911 wip however I do have a new rwrb au wip that im positively vibrating about so here is some nymph!henry/god!alex AND some cat dad alex!!!

nymph!henry/god!alex (greek myth girlies look away now im so serious) - slightly nsfw

Alex sits on a rock on the opposite bank of the stream, letting the water run over his legs. He's a shade more tan than the other Gods, as though blessed by the sun himself, his body hair is dark, thick in places, and as he leans back, planting his elbows in the grass to tip his face up to the sky, his chest and abdomen tighten, muscles shifting, putting emphasis on the coarse trail that begins at his navel and ends in the thatch gathered at the base of his cock. Henry gasps, suddenly affected in a way he'd never known, a squirming tightness low in his belly, heat splashes across his face, in large patches across his cheeks, sweat beading on his upper lip, his breath quickening. He doesn't stop his gaze roaming from tipped up chin down to perfect toes, and Henry, for all his prior protests, wants. "Enjoying the view, Nymph?" Alex speaks above the sound of flowing water easily.

cat dad alex

On the morning that Alex and Davit are due at the studio for the podcast, Alex discovers that Davit is more than a little reluctant to go in his carrier. So reluctant in fact that when a warning, clawless bap of his paw doesn't deter Alex from trying to get him inside it, he resorts violence. He leaves a dripping red trail down Alex's arm, letting out a wild scream that sends Alex stumbling backwards. Davit drops onto the ground tucking into himself, tail wrapped around his body, the end moving back and forth, up and down, just like it had on that first day. For a moment, a crushing disappointment settles in his stomach. He's about to let go of the idea that he's actually doing a half decent job at looking after this cat but there's a voice in his head that sounds awfully like Henry that reasons with him.

tags that mean absolutely nothing if you dont wanna: @bigassbowlingballhead @eusuntgratie @taste-thewaste @firstprincehornyramblings

[maxbegone]

wip wednesday aka i can't believe i'm actually writing again

working on a thing affectionately titled "rwrb fic or something." i hope you enjoy.

They’re on the road by one, and a little over an hour later, Alex is walking through Austin with Henry at his side. Henry’s in Alex’s Stetson, which, Alex says, is the hottest he’s ever seen him. He notes that he has to get him his own one of these days. At this point, it’s a necessity.

They make a beeline for Franklin Barbecue with one of each of their respective security teams in line with them, and Alex is nearly vibrating out of his skin as he talks about the first time he came here with his family when his mom was in the state legislature and held a fundraising event. He and June both fell asleep in the car on the way home, exhausted from the excitement and the brisket and the pulled pork. They each had to be carried inside.

“I swear I smell this place in my dreams.”

It takes a while, but it’s worth it, just like Alex expected it to be. His fingers are covered in grease and sauce, and there’s a solid mountain of thin paper napkins on the table along with several wipe packs torn open, but none of it stops him from using the heels of his hands to grab Henry’s face and kiss his own sauce-covered lips.

“No, this is the hottest I’ve ever seen you,” he announces into the little space between them.

Henry, whose hands are similar to Alex’s but suspended in mid-air, laughs. “I feel like I need a shower.”

“That can be arranged.” And, because he’s a menace to society, Alex doesn’t break eye contact as he sticks his thumb in his mouth and sucks off the excess sauce.

Henry drops his head, shaking it back and forth. “Oh, that’s not fair.”

“You can be a little messy, Your Majesty, no one gives a shit.”

“You’re a horrible influence on me.”

“You say horrible, I hear wonderful.” Alex goes to do it again, but is stopped this time by the way Henry is batting his hand away and kissing him.

Then he’s saying, “Show me messy,” in a low, sultry voice and Alex immediately makes them wrap up and get out of there.

They end up in a random bar, one that’s starting to get busy now that it’s early evening, and he drags Henry straight to the bathroom which, miraculously, turns out to be a single-person accommodation. Even if it wasn’t, Alex knows Cash is stationed a few feet away outside.

If Henry wants to see messy, then Alex will gladly show him messy. He drops to his knees with a wink, undoing his belt and turning his baseball hat around so the brim isn’t in the way. Thus marks the first Texas dive bar-based blowjob Henry’s received, cheeks flushed a beautiful shade of red and chest heaving.

“Fuck,” Alex hears above him. “I—fuck.”

“Such a way with words, sweetheart.” He stands, giving Henry a proper kiss.

“Why was that so…so mind blowing?” Henry asks. He’s still moderately panting.

Alex leans back against the sink, arms out. “It’s Texas, baby!”

Apparently that’s enough of an answer for Henry, who weakly pushes off the wall that’s covered in stickers and silver Sharpie profanity, slamming into him. He wouldn’t be surprised if his lips were a little bruised later on tonight, but he doesn’t care. Not when Henry’s on him like this.

They go at it until there’s a knock on the door and Cash’s voice carries through, saying, “You got a line forming,” forcing them to make themselves look presentable.

Alex laughs. “Shit.”

“How about you buy me a beer and show me how to line dance?” Henry suggests as they exit, his fingers hooked into one of Alex’s belt loops to keep him close. They’re met with a mostly unfazed short line of bar-goers and Cash.

“I swear if I wasn’t so fucking love with you already,” Alex trails off, guiding Henry toward an already-forming crowd.

It’s ridiculous and lovely in every single way; Henry misses the mark several times, bumps into Alex nearly every other step, barely catching himself in the process. By the time he does get the hang of it, there’s an older woman in a frilly dress and brick red lipstick grabbing Henry by the hand and spinning him around. There’s a permanent smile plastered to his face, and as Alex takes a quick breather and watches as the woman pats Henry’s left leg as a way of telling him to move it back and follow her lead, he finds himself putting this whole day on the list of his favorites when it comes to that man.

The thing is, Texas looks good on Henry; he’s already sunkissed from just two days at the lake, but it’s not only that. He’s more carefree here, more himself. Alex knows not everyone is going to recognize Henry, even if Alex’s own mother is the President and just last year he, a native Texan, was involved in an international scandal with that very Prince of England. But either that doesn’t matter or at the moment, the universe doesn’t care, because Henry is laughing and likely talking freely with more strangers now than he ever has in his life.

Henry can be shy and reserved, a natural introvert from years of Royal protocol, while Alex has a caffeine addiction and is always running a mile a minute. If given the opportunity, they’ll both have their noses in some sort of book or, if prompted, can wax poetic about their greatest passions. They’re two very different external personalities, but so similar deep down. They meld so well. If Henry’s the glue that keeps Alex from truly falling apart on his worst days, he only hopes he can be the same.

Alex is pulled out of his thoughts by Henry himself walking over with outstretched hands, a little breathless.

“Rhoda has demanded I make you join us,” he says cheerily, lacing their fingers together.

“Is she your new dance teacher?” Alex teases, watching as Henry rolls his eyes.

“Yes, she’s much better than you. Now, come on, before the song ends.”

[royal-ruin]

red, white, and royal blue (rwrb) fic recs (part 5)

other rwrb fic recs here other fic recs here personal favorites are starred, by the way. everything is complete unless stated otherwise.

this is probably going to be the last part for now. hope you enjoyed the recs!

*Déjame Ver Cómo Es Que Floreces by 14carrotgold (~12k)

Oscar gets in close and bluntly asks, “Earlier. In the bathroom. Did you do it?” Alex scoffs, “No. Don't be a perv. Why would you wanna know that anyway?” Oscar rolls his eyes. “Mind out of the gutter, chamaco. Did you propose?” Ah.    Henry is introduced to the extended Diaz side of the family at their matriarch's birthday. Shenanigans (and romance and feelings) ensue.

oh my god?? a must-read.

what we might do (if we stop keeping a secret) by indomitablelove (~8k)

'This isn't how I wanted to tell people. I thought we'd get the chance to do it right.' - Red, White and Royal Blue, Casey McQuiston, p.327 or, in another world, Alex and Henry get to do it right.

Love is indomitable [Interview] by aceofsapphics (~4k)

„It definitely stays secret until after the election. And I know it’ll be messy. But if we can get ahead of the narrative, wait for the right time and do it on our own terms, I think it could be okay.” Chapter 10, page 283 “In another universe they date long distance for a couple years and then come out with a huge piece in Vanity Fair by Ronan Farrow” – Casey McQuiston, from select annotations from Red, White and Royal Blue, accessed via pagesandpugs.blog OR the coming out Henry and Alex have always deserved and always will.

i cannot fall in love (with you) by orionseye (~22k)

"One of the many nights it’s kept her up, she imagined taking the romcom approach to this. In some alternate reality, June gives Nora the grandeur she deserves. And it’s Jane Austen worthy, it’s glitter-in-your-hair, fireworks-in-the-sky, friends-to-lovers bullshit. She’d confess, obviously. Maybe there’s a boombox involved. Maybe it’s pouring rain. The setting doesn’t matter, really, because they’re both there."  even after alex and henry get their happily ever after, there's still a story left to tell. when an ironic new year’s kiss turns triggers something much more, june finds herself stuck in a messy situation. can she find the line between her personal life and her public one? what does it mean to love someone in secret? can she ever find the guts to show it?  the nora x june rwrb sequel we are all dying for

the summary said it perfectly. june's pov had me reading around the tears in my eyes.

Heaven is You by cmere (~2k)

Alex stirs. Henry trails his hand down Alex's chest, nuzzles into his neck. A low, soft noise escapes Alex's mouth; he pushes back against Henry's hips, and Henry echoes it with a noise of his own. His mind is slowly awakening, catching up to the instinctual responses of his body. His eyes cast over the two of them, tangled up under the blankets and bathed in light. Suddenly, all the implications of what the bright sunlight means—shades thrown wide open, snipers on top of buildings, long-range lenses shooting them in their most private moments—sends icy bullets through his chest. Several years later, Henry is still working through the trauma of their forced outing. Alex helps him.

Room 1071 by MaryaDmitrievnaLikesSundays (~7k) ”No,” Henry said. “I…” He trailed off, his eyes stuck somewhere behind Alex. Alex followed his gaze and felt dread settle hard in his stomach at where it landed. Pink, purple, and blue. An eagle set between red and green lines. The flags that Alex refused to be ashamed of, taken apart by Henry’s unreadable gaze. So. It was like that. Henry was like that. Or, the college au where Alex is absolutely, positively sure his roommate is homophobic.

you’re leaving (now i’m left amongst the living) by peppermintpatties (~37k)

Six years since they've been together, Alex and Henry were now a far cry from the lovestruck couple they once were when their history began. If you ask Alex, all of it was Henry’s fault. If you ask Henry, he’d agree and say that Alex was right. But before Alex could ever find out why Henry does not seem like the man he once decided to spend the rest of his life with, he already walked away from it all. Now, Henry was alone, left to deal with whatever shattered remains he could salvage from his life. Or, the one where Henry’s sick and Alex only finds out two years after they've broken up.

Please Don't Let Me Be So Understood by chamel (~20k)

“I’m glad you both see it that way,” Dr. Chen says. Then she closes her notebook and folds her hands on top of it. “I think I’m starting to get a sense of where the issues lie. The good news is that you’re both here, and you’re both willing to work on this relationship. That’s promising. Not all of the couples I see are even at that point.” “Sorry, what?” Henry says, voicing Alex’s stuttering thoughts as well. (After one too many fights at work, Henry and Alex are assigned mandatory reconciliation therapy by their boss. Except the therapist thinks they're there for couples therapy... and surely, a bet on who will break first makes more sense than actually correcting her, right?)

a fair amount of it is just them being dumb lmao

*Nova, Baby by chamel (~67k)

Agent Henry Fox-Mountchristen is an asshole. Alex is 90% sure those exact words are going in this mission report. Yeah, they’re supposed to be objective when writing this shit up, but that isn’t his opinion. It’s a fact. (CIA agent Alex Claremont-Diaz and MI6 agent Henry Fox-Mountchristen don’t exactly get along, but that doesn’t keep their respective agencies from insisting they work together as partners. Then a mission in Colombia changes everything, and their relationship begins to shift and grow into something that neither of them ever expected… and something that could have deadly consequences.)

[henry-fox-biggest-stan]

“Oh don’t pick apart the rwrb movie and critique the fuck out of it gay people also deserve cringy movies, why can only straight people have cringy cheesy bad movies?”

The thing is than they don’t

I also criticize those movies regardless of if they’re straight or not. If it’s bad it’s bad regardless the genders involved in the romance.

I will pick apart the rwrb movie, because it’s BAD, it’s a shit movie, and you can’t change my mind about it. Not only is a horrible book adaptation, it’s also just a bad movie in itself, several plot inconsistencies than if I never read the movie I just wouldn’t get? Why does Alex make his speech before even consulting Henry and then the king tries to make Henry deny it and hide it, even tho Alex already confirmed it? Half the e-mails didn’t appear or became lines the character just say instead of write (like history huh), so what exactly is leaked? Why are there so many emails leaked when they don’t even show half of them in the whole movie? Why is the media calling them “the Waterloo letters”? Where does Waterloo come from? The complete erasure of queerness? I have a whole post about it but I really really don’t get it. Why is Alex such a shallow character in the movie??

He hates Henry for no reason other than a bad first impression, which wasn’t even that bad, he said than he needed to get out of there, while in the book he’s telling Shaan to get rid of Alex, and even then, that’s not the only reason Alex dislikes him in the book. Alex has apparently no real personality, and neither does Nora or Pez or Bea etc Henry is fine, they didn’t completely butchered him like they did with Alex but even then, well I’ll blame this one for the lack of time.

If I criticize any piece of media at all, it’s because it’s bad. I’m not a hater, I try to see things they way they are, for example there were scenes I enjoyed, like what they did with the phone calls and messages between Alex and Henry (as if they were in the same place), and the delivery of “my life is the crown and yours is politics and I will not trade one prison for another” is immaculate.

No movie is free of mistakes and bad stuff, I also critique my favorite movies, like for example dead poets society is one of my favorite movies yet it still had questionable stuff, like the whole thing with Knox and Chris and Charlie’s racism.

I feel like real reviews should have both the good and the bad, since there’s always something good, I always try to find something good to say, regardless than if I completely hated it, there must be something I enjoyed.

It just really annoys me when people act like you can’t hate on the movie because it’s queer, or the other way, when people hate on the movie because it’s queer. This also happens with the book. People love it for the wrong reasons and they hate it for the wrong reasons too.

BY THE WAY

This is no shade to the actors, I think they did an amazing job (when they casted Nicholas as Henry humanity peaked on perfect casting)

And this is criticism while having in mind the time they had to show such a character-driven story, but I think than making it a movie was the first bad choice they made, I feel like it would have worked so much better as a mini series, like Daisy jones & the six

[tubercloset]

I made a list of my fandoms/media I enjoy for personal organization and mutual obtaining purposes. It's mostly books! Comment/reblog if we have something, especially from the first list, in common ;)

Current, if you follow me there will be the most of this stuff

If We Were Villains

Six of Crows (books only)

Natasha Pulley books

Alice Oseman books/webcomic, mainly Loveless, Radio Silence, I Was Born for This, and Heartstopper

Casey McQuiston books/rwrb movie (the movie is going to be temporary I feel)

RF Kuang books

Shakespeare plays that I read recently

The House in the Cerulean Sea

Supported by the strength of the tag (not my favorites but the fan content is substantial)

King of Scars

All for the Game

These Violent Delights/Foul Lady Fortune

The Scholomance

Simon Snow

Vicious/Villains (I thought it was amazing a long time ago but I need to be reminded of it. Probably on its way to the next section soon)

Not anymore, you won't be seeing this on my blog

The Raven Cycle (supported by the strength of the tag for a long while)

Shades of Magic

Legend/The Young Elites - Marie Lu

苍兰诀 (I still rewatch it, but I'm now uninterested in engaging with the Tumblr fandom)

Media I reblog but do not have an obsessive attachment to

Barbie movie

Spiderverse movies

Everything Everywhere All at Once (I was obsessed for a bit but I'm normal about it now I think)

Media I greatly enjoy that does not have/barely has a fandom, an incomplete list. Basically any great book that either doesn't lend itself to fanart or doesn't have many readers

Emily St. John Mandel books

Light from Uncommon Stars

The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea

Last Night at the Telegraph Club

[cherrychapati]

26. Free space (have you read a book where you are not supposed to? eg school speech work etc. + How did the supervision reacted when they realised it)

39. What book that has made you cry??

43. Free rant, go ahead, we all know you want to. 

OMG READING WHERE YOURE NOT SUPPOSED TO IS MY SUPERPOWER I haven't ever got caught though shdhhjdjdjks I'm very very sneaky I did however bring a book to a family dinner (it was carry on) and everyone was like stOP REadInG we're here for fam time gaahhh one of my friends almost got one of my books taken by the school admin for reading in class (Harry Potter OoP) back in 8th grade I almost cried

Ooohhh omg so many tbh the ones I remember most vividly are: goodnight mister Tom, thug, between shades of grey (NOT 50 shades, it's a completely different book), buried beneath the baobab tree

OOOOHH OKAY SO I JUST READ. RWRB after a long long reading slump bc of exams. and IT WAS SO CUTE ik it's unrealistic and seems escapist BUT it was such a nice sweet read i genuinely enjoyed it and was never bored, not even for a second (CHAPTER THREE HAS RHE FUNNIEST TURKEY SCENE EVER I DIED) and the characters!!!! are so so well thought out, no one ever has has unfinished arc, you never think hey this character prolly did this just for the plot to move forward like you really Feel them as characters, and Alex is ADORABLE, Henry is ajdjdkdndkdjkssk, june and Nora are icons, and the way casey mcquinston writes is so free and nice and carefree it was such a fun cute exciting read I loved it the author also has Spotify playlists for each character and I DIED they're amazing it's the characters for me ajsbdjdkdjkdjdhks

thankuuuu for the askkkk <3

[sweetbitterpdf]

tag thing!!

( i was tagged by @foreheadtouch !! thank u my dear camille !! )

favourite comfort food: i’m really comforted by baked goods!! love a good cookie, a croissant, etc.

also my mother’s mac & cheese!

favourite alcohol: there’s this locally made cider here that i adore. it’s my go-to for social gatherings, and two of them get me the most perfect amount of tipsy!

if i’m going hard tho i’ll drink vodka mixed w other things until i’m drunk enough to drink it straight (i never plan for the latter it just happens) (also i’ve made a pact with myself to not drink vodka in 2020, in related news)

favourite relaxing activity: lately i’ve taken to listening to an audiobook while knitting before bed, it’s worked wonders for calming me down. painting also relaxes me quite a bit!

favourite calming scent: vanilla!!

favourite relaxing/uplifting song: as far as calming goes literally anything from the instrumental study playlist on spotify, it’s my reading playlist, my studying playlist, my everything playlist tbh

as for uplifting, my OG followers will enjoy this i think bc i plugged them all the time when i used to answer music rec asks, but it’s so hard to be sad when listening to sure sure. their newest single ‘funky galileo’ is just as wonderful (and funky obvs) as it sounds by the title!

favourite white noise: rain!!

favourite book to get lost in: ahh either rwrb or any book from the shades of magic trilogy!! w social distancing still alive and well i have a hankering to reread both

favourite chill-out tv show: community w/o a doubt, it’s been my comfort show for like nearly a decade now 

also— and this one’s a newer addition— derry girls!! i’ve watched it all the way through twice now, and it was better the second time!

best advice you’ve ever heard: i’m not sure if this is the best advice, per se, but it’s the bit i think about the most probably, and it comes with a bit of an anecdote:

when i was little (8 i think?) i had a pretty wicked bout of insomnia. for like two/three weeks i would be lucky to get like five hours of sleep a night, when i normally got like AT LEAST ten. my strife didn’t come from my lack of sleep— or, not directly— it came from not being able to fall asleep. this was something that caused me an intense amount of anxiety and to this day i still don’t know why. i remember on the isolated occasional night when i couldn’t fall asleep (’isolated’ meaning not part of this episode of insomnia), standing on the stairs and calling to my mother weeping because i couldn’t fall asleep. baby em had a lot of emotions, that’s for sure.

ANYWAY, my mother took this insomnia in as much stride as she could. she would read to me even though i had “outgrown” being read to a year or two before, she would stroke my hair to calm me down, sing to me... but nothing worked. it persisted, and again looking back i have no idea why this happened initially, but i think my overthinking (which was rampant, even back then!) was largely responsible for how long it lasted. i wanted to sleep so badly that i couldn’t, i guess.

the actual advice part of this comes in when one night my mom told me that pretending to sleep makes you just as rested as actually sleeping. now as an adult i realize that that’s probably not true (though i fo recognize the catharsis of having a good ‘ol lay down), but as a little kid that pretty much fixed my sleeplessness in one fell swoop. i’m not sure what my mother’s reasoning was, where that little tidbit came from, but i think it’s part of the reason why i’m such a firm believer in the notion of ‘fake it till you make it’.

i’m tagging: @oheliotts, @lallemants, @lepetitepeach, @tawmlinsun, @plvmour if u haven’t already done this one, and whoever else wants to!!

[bubblegumstardust]

Rules: Answer 10 questions, come up with 10 more and tag 10 people. I was tagged by two sweethearts @shellygurumi and @hms-chill xx

Sorry it’s under a read more but with 2 sets of questions this post got long. Also to you two who tagged me, feel free to consider yourself tagged to do my questions too, I’d be really interested to see your answers tbh since you’re both usually people I’d tag in this kind of thing xxx

@shellygurumi​‘s questions

WHAT is your favourite color?  pink blue and purple, all in pale pastel shades

Do you prefer to read, write or watch TV/Movies? (Or rank them in order of preference!) I love all of them! watching TV and movies is definitely the easiest and probably the one I do most since I don’t have to think about it but I still absolutely adore reading and writing

What was the last song you specifically looked up to listened to? I’m actually not sure because I usually just shuffle whatever playlist I’m feeling but potentially Don’t Lose Your Head from SIX because I frequently want to listen to that

What was your first pet growing up? What was their name? If you didn’t have one, what did you want? I actually don’t know which pet came first, I’ve had a lot in my life but the first would have either been one of the fish or one of the rabbits. The first of those I really don’t remember the names of because tbh I think some of them might have been gotten before I was born. The first whose names I remember though were a rabbit named Elmo and a Guinea Pig named Moley.

If you can only recommend watching one show, what show would you recommend? omg I really have no idea. there’s so many great shows out there, I think for sheer entertainment value though I’d pick Don’t Tell The Bride

How are you doing today? I hope you’re doing okay. Here’s a big hug! *HUUUG* I love you. thanks for the hug, I love you too! I’m not doing too bad really, definitely a heck of a lot better than yesterday

With an unlimited budget, what 10 items would you go buy from the supermarket/grocery store right now? (Let’s say there’s no one in there but you, so no need to fear the plague.) a fuck load of yeast, good hair dye, coke, can I say the entire homeware section?, new pyjamas, my favourite smoothie (which they didn’t have today :(), some more ice cream, some more fresh fruit, maybe a nice new dress or something since our supermarket has some pretty nice clothes, also some more summer shoes bc I left all mine at uni

What’s the strangest nickname you’ve ever had? no one ever gives me nicknames. at least not that I can remember.

If you started a podcast tomorrow, what would it be about? probably me chatting about one random new hyperfixation each time. Space stuff, a book I’ve read, movies, random bits of history and mythology, videogames, whatever really. It would probably be very Drunk History style except I’m not drunk, I’m just Like That

What is your favorite dessert? Oh GOD. I love a bit of chocolate fudge cake, or brownies, or just anything with chocolate in it tbh

@hms-chill​‘s questions

What’s something you’re proud of right now? uh...I managed to get through the grocery shopping without wanting to kill anyone including myself?

Are you socially isolating? If so, who’s with you? Yep. I’m with my mum and dad, both of them have to work but my dad at least gets to work from home so I’m not totally alone all day

Do you have any pets? Want to share a picture? Y’all must already know I have a dog and I will jump at whatever opportunity to share cute pictures of him so here he is asking me for food this morning

What is your favorite quarantine activity? baking and playing Animal Crossing

If you could only recommend one book, which one would it be? Hannah, why are you doing this to me? I’m torn between rwrb and Not Your Sidekick

What is your favorite thing to learn about? space and history

Do you have a favorite recipe you want to share? okay so I already shared my amazing brownie recipe but here it is again so more of you can enjoy it if you wanna try it out

What is your favorite quote? I really don’t know tbh, my memory isn’t great and I vewry rarely manage to retain anything like that but one I do like (and sorry, it’s really long but I like the whole thing) is:  “It's like in the great stories, Mr. Frodo. The ones that really mattered. Full of darkness and danger they were. And sometimes you didn't want to know the end… because how could the end be happy? How could the world go back to the way it was when so much bad had happened? But in the end, it’s only a passing thing… this shadow. Even darkness must pass.” from Lord of the Rings

Do you have any holiday traditions you really enjoy? I don’t think my family and I have any ‘just us’ holiday traditions except always going to the cinema and getting take out on Christmas eve. our holidays tend to pretty much like everyone else’s

Do you like where you live? If so, what’s your favorite part of it? If not, where would you like to live? I live 2 places at the moment I guess and I actually really like both of them. Nottingham is really different from what I’m used to at home since it’s a big city and I grew up in a village and now live in a small town. Idk what it is about it but I actually enjoy being there unlike other big cities like London. Where my I guess main home is is really nice as well. We live right by a load of woods and fields and you can go on really nice walks. We also live near the sea so that’s nice and it’s also quiet where our house is but it’s not that far to get into the town so all in all it’s a really nice place to live even if maybe the town as a whole wouldn’t be considered one of the better places to live in the UK. We’re also only a couple hours from London so that’s handy.

okay so the questions I’m giving you guys:

If you could swap places with the protagonist of any book you want, who would you pick and what would you do differently?

If you could learn one new skill instantly today, what would you pick?

What super power would you like to have and what would you use it for? would you do good or evil or just look after yourself?

What is your favourite fanfic you’ve ever read? 

What’s something you’re looking forward to?

How do you think/hope your life will be different (or the same I guess) in 10 years time?

What are you going to do once quarantine is over?

Talk a bit about love. Do you believe in it? Do you want it? Do you have it? What does it mean to you?

If you could meet anyone, real or not, alive or not, famous or not, who would you pick?

What’s your favourite time of day?

Tagging: @writingbychelle​ @wonderfilledness​ @im-definitely-hermione-granger​ @meranyth​ @yareyare-ez​ @elusive-epeeist​ @thomasscresswell​ @ideklovee​ @dog-suffrage-advocate​ @qwerty3714​ 

[potato-jem]

i would be too scared to say it, they are a power couple and i don’t want to test their power

of course you can? i will have guests in my house and they will be in my books. as if i’d want people around when i have a whole library?! books can be my friends

OH MY GOD I’M SO EXCITED!! you have to also show me your new tattoo!! it would be likely that they would do piercings or know some really good place to get piercings. (it’s also generally more hygienic to get it done in a tattoo parlour!! because they already are so strict with tattoo procedures!)

i might get a couple more ear piercings too!! i can’t get piercings or tattoos for a while yet, because of some medication i’m on (i know, the tragedy, i nearly died when they told me this) so i have some time to think about it!! but i shall sit and ponder about the second nose piercing. will it be worth being murdered by my grandmother? (yes)

aww cece 🥺🥺 i’m sad you didn’t have anyone when you were figuring things out, but i’m also glad you were able to get through it and piece it together yourself. i understand, trying to work everything out can be so so lonely. i still feel it now sometimes. i don’t know what i did in a past lifetime to be lucky enough for these two people, but i appreciate them so much (i send your hugs their way!)

RIGHT? it’s too cute not to add to my concerningly fast growing rwrb collection

okay okay, you know the quote, “if alex’s head was the storm, henry was the place lightning hits ground?” i was thinking of getting the thunderstorm right when the lightning strikes, but it strikes directly into the palm of a hand, almost like a “i’ve got you” sort of thing! the idea came to me while i was at work one time and i was like i need this. but THAT QUOTE? A MILLION SHADES IN BETWEEN? oh my god. i’m in love with this tattoo already. you have the coolest tattoo ideas. i need to come up with more!! i will be dead for three centuries and you will find my ghost weeping about this book

he’s quite cute, i’ll send a pic next time (i am in a very comfy spot and i don’t want to move) and cece 😭😭 as much as i’m sure you’re sad you can’t go and how excited you were, it’s not worth stressing so much about it. they really messed up and that’s not your fault! going abroad is supposed to be fun, not stressful. you shouldn’t still be having to worry about accommodation a week from flying out! i’m glad you decided to not put yourself through that.

in the meantime, have a little think about what you want to do instead!! because uni should have elements of fun too!! maybe this was a blessing in disguise? maybe you can use this time to think about what you want to do and where you want to go, and who knows? you could be going on exchange to somewhere even cooler and for something you enjoy more! either way, i’m sending cuddles so you can feel better <3

yes, i’ve been starting to like breakfast. i used to never eat breakfast because it made me nauseous, but now i feel like i need something in the morning (especially from my little café) the lemon poppyseed cake was delicious! it was just what i needed after class! i really hope you can find something similar in italy soon!! perhaps it will make you feel better about the whole abroad thing? i’m sending forehead kisses and a little lemon poppyseed cake (it has a cream cheese vanilla frosting on top!) <333

hello cece!!!

how are you my dear? i hope these past few days have treated you kindly. it’s been two days and i’ve missed you. as promised, here is a little recap of my trip!!

before my trip though, i took myself out on a date! i caught the tram all the way down the line and went shopping by myself. i bought a grand total of seventeen books :) (my arms were very sore) in one of the bookstores i went into, they have this thing where you can buy them wrapped, so it adds a bit of mystery. all you know about it is the hints and descriptions written on the paper. curiosity got the better of me, and i bought two. i also managed to find a lot of classics, including two works of oscar wilde, i hadn’t seen before. now i just need to buy myself a new bookshelf next time i go out…

so my trip! i went to sydney with a friend. i’ve never been before, and honestly, it’s pretty alright. i don’t think i could live there or go for any longer than i did, but it wasn’t too bad, considering all the bad things i have heard about it. we went initially for a concert on the saturday, but we were like “hey we may as well stay the friday night too.”

cece, when i say i had the best japanese i’ve ever had in my entire life on friday night, i mean it. we had gyozas, karaage chicken and a spicy pork ramen. i wished i could have finished it all, it was so delicious. we had to wait for a table for maybe half an hour, but it was sooo worth it. afterwards, we had their green tea ice cream, which was incredible. i would send you a cone!

the concert started at 7pm on the saturday, so we had the day to kill. we met up with my friend’s brother and his partner, and they took us around to their fav places. we went into the gayest cafe i have ever been to in my entire life. not one person in that building was cishet. rainbows were EVERYWHERE. the entrance was painted rainbow, little rainbow flags were hanging out the windows, they had the cute collectable spoons. it was adorable. we had paninis and tea, and i had never felt so at home.

after we ate, we went into this shopping centre into the coolest little bookstore. i bought two books and a little pin. i restrained myself, i was so proud. i was served by a person with the coolest mullet (i mustered the courage to tell them and they were so sweet). we also went to the lego store (i bought lego sunflowers for my friend’s birthday), it was just a really fun time

now the concert. i have never been to a concert before, but it was so so so fun. we had the best seats you could get without vip, and i’m talking perfect view of the stage. i was so tired after, but in a good way

well, now i am home and i’m so happy i went on that trip. i needed the break from work and uni, and i have another trip coming up too, so i should be less stressed throughout the semester :))

now, tell me how you’ve been, what you’ve been up to, i love hearing about your day :( sending you a big hug <3

Hello Nero!! <3

i’m sorry i’m late to answer, but i was on a little trip too actually!! and i’ve missed you so much in these few days!! i’ve missed out letters!!

oh my god nero!!! that date sounds amazing!!! i love that kind of me time so much!! and i mean, you got out of the shop with 17 books?? that’s literally the best way to spend a day!!! and i love those wrapped books where you can’t really know much about what’s inside, it’s so awesome when you get home and you unwrap them 🥺 and all the classics!! you’re definitely gonna need a new bookshelf but i’m guessing it’s gonna be worth it for all these new books!!

wait does sydney have a bad reputation?? i didn’t know this! but i’m really glad you liked it, even if not for more than a few days 😅 and it seems fair, i guess it’s a really big and chaotic city so it can’t be easy to live there.

but that japanese, oh my god i’m craving some too now!! it sounds sooo good!! i haven’t had japanese in so long, especially the green tea ice cream, and now i really really crave a cone, so i would gladly accept that one!!

nero i swear, every time you talk about these little cafes you go to you make me want to book a plane ticket to australia to come try all of them. and this one sounds so awesome!! gosh i wish i was there too to see all the rainbows and feel at home!!! it honestly sounds like the perfect queer cafe!!! why don’t i have something like that here too?? 😭 the urge to book a plane ticket is getting really strong, i’m not even kidding

nero i’m so proud of you, two books and a pin is so little!! i wish i had that kind of restraint. and what kind of pin did you get?? (i’m sorry i just have an obsession for pins). also, that is so sweet!! and now i’m picturing them with the coolest mullet, thank you for this mental image 😻

it really does sound like the best time!! the lego store also sounds so nice, i’ve never seen lego sunflowers but it sounds like the cutest birthday present 🥺

and the concert!!! your first concert is always the coolest experience!! definitely tiring too, but i’m so happy you had fun!! and the seats seem perfect!! i’ve never been to a concert where i had seats, i’ve always had parterre, but i’m so happy you could see the stage that well!! and who did you go see?? (if you want to say of course!)

uhh another trip? that’s great!! you deserve some little breaks like this with all that stress from uni and work!! i’m so glad you had fun and hope your next trip is as good as this one!!! <33

so as i said i was on a little trip too! i went to budapest, it was kind of a last minute holiday, but i had a lot of fun!! i’d already seen the city a few years ago but i loved it so much i was happy to go back. we just spent a few days there so we didn’t get to see the whole city, because it’s really big, but i’m still really glad i got to see some of my favorite places again!!

also, i went with my mum, who doesn’t speak english at all, so i was supposed to be in charge and talk all the time, and i was so worried because i can never talk to people, but i did it!! i managed to walk into restaurants and ask for a table or ask people for directions and stuff like that and everyone was just so nice!!

we went to the bastion which is my absolute favorite place and you can see the whole city from there, and we also did a little cruise on the danube at night so we could see all the city lit up and it was awesome!! and i got to eat some of that amazing food again!! they have a lot of fried and spicy stuff that is soooo good. i wish i could send you some of that too because honestly it’s amazing!!

i got back last night and now i’m super tired because of all the walking in the city but i’m glad i went too, it was a really nice trip!!

i’m sending you a big big hug and a forehead kiss <33