#gush:{🌹}

[merlins-strawberriesandroses]

TO be honest. I don’t understand what it means when people say Merlin was Arthur’s bane. Mayhaps I misunderstand but. Arthur was a bit of an assassination magnet (not to mention all those magical creatures and bandits... so many bandits), and Merlin actively prevented Arthur's death for years, which would have occured without him anway in the very first episode. I can see why one might argue that Merlin was just delaying the inevitable, or that he didn't succeed in keeping Arthur safe until Arthur could enact the golden age, but certainly I don’t see how he could have been Arthur’s bane.

Also, it’s implied in the last episode that the golden age does occur, but under Guinevere. Which makes sense as she knew Merlin was the sorcerer and that she was pleased about it (and I recall it was confirmed in interviews), so I also don’t follow the twin train of thought that Merlin was his own bane or even Camelot’s. Camelot was already bane-d(?) under Uther. But partly because of Merlin's steady friendship, Arthur matured into a king who was kinder than his father. He also actively sought magic's aid on multiple occasions, so he knew magic had potential for good (like healing his queen) without Merlin needing to tell him about his magic.

I don't think it's fair to say Camelot's laws on magic remaining relatively static was because no one close to Arthur came out as having magic. There was still much risk in that, and for Merlin a lot at stake, not just his life. A law change was still possible (and almost seemed to be set up that way) without Arthur needing someone he was personally close to having to do the work to humanize it for him (in the sense that the episodes with the druids, the druid boy with Elyan, and the dolma seemed like they were pointing to a law change because Arthur sees the diversity of magic and those who have it).

At worst Merlin’s efforts didn’t change the status quo, but we do have things indicating that they did. And Merlin was not single-mindedly serving Arthur at the expense of everyone else. He saved Camelot as a whole multiple times. He was also very willing to stick out his neck for many others even during the height of his anxiety and agitation in season 5. (Also only being slightly silly when I say this, but he was also THE wingman for Arthur when he was getting with Gwen, so in a way Merlin’s help led to their courting being a success and thus contributed to her being in a great position to change the laws. so personally I give points to Merlin for that). Most of the decisions centering Arthur's safety seemed to stem from the fear that Albion would crumble before it began if Arthur were to die, so he tried his best to prevent that from happening in any way he knew. (Like, when Arthur is dying, Merlin asks "So I failed?" regarding the whole golden age thing, which I think is telling that the prophesy and his role in it was still VERY much at the forefront of Merlin's mind).

And this is a digression but I know people think Merlin should have done more for Camelot, or for folks with magic (like, as a revolutionary or something akin), which I understand but no one reached out to network with him really? It'd require resources, people (always confused why there weren't a whole bunch more folks offering Merlin material/intellectual/emotional support if they thought he should be the one to bring about the golden age. all he was told was that the forseen way it actually happens succesfully is through Arthur), time (I doubt it’d have been much of a ‘quicker’ way necessarily), and incredible planning + foresight if it's meant to be something that works out effectively + long-term. Okay I think I've digressed enough now. This is a whole seperate thought that I don't think I'm gonna do any justice here lol, and I'm already rambling, so I'll stop now :,)

But anyway, in terms of being his own or Arthur’s bane, we know Arthur will return, and we don’t know how Merlin spent his years. His magic can play with time and maybe he learns how to control that, or he could have entered a stasis like in various legends, etc etc etc. And I mean it is tragic on many levels, and it’s sad we didn’t see Arthur’s arc completed, and that Merlin sacrificed so much for a goal that didn't get much acknowledgment by the show at the end, but still. I don’t think Merlin was Arthur’s bane, or Camelot’s, or his own.

[lovely-sw4n]

Sweetheart I’m disappointed you don’t say smile for the camera when you unknowingly take pictures of me. You should really plaster me all over your wall if you think I’m so pretty

[caracello]

his fugly shoulder tassels are pissing me off rn. you look like my grandmother's couch.

[wifeylyney]

I'm so in love with both of them that it's not even funny. 🥺♥️🫶

[little-miss-selfships]

VEGA SPOTTED 💖💖💖💖💖

[lupinedreaming]

If you talk to me about Bishop, this is essentially what will happen:

[aeons-domain]

Fond Memories with you 📷✨

My submission for @anikasenkujo's Valentine's Day Collab, polaroids of the throuple! 💖

What was meant to be samples for my commission sheet (lol) ended up as an excuse for me to illustrate memories the three may have, like being each other's company for a grand ball or lying down together in the peaceful flower fields of some rural town. Madison makes it a point to bring her polaroid camera with her to capture these memories with Jotaro and Noriaki for as long as they live together.

[tireddovahkiin]

🥪🎃🍝 for the asked game!

- @selfshipping-superhero

Tysm for the ask hehe :D

🥪 - picnic time! what do you guys bring? do you pick them out together, or pick them out separately and surprise each other?

OH! Hanami and I LOOOVE picnics, we have them very often! It's how our dates usually look like :3

It's both! I usually like to surprise him with some new places I found, and Hanami as well! But, I like having picnics in their Domain the most. (Sadly, we haven't got to see in in the anime, but it was revealed in the game!)

Look at how colorful, and vibrant it is...! And it's so sunny, and the ammount of flowers in this field... Oh, the air would smell so wonderful.

They would grow out a big tree, with branches thick enough to form a deep shade to protect us from the hot sun! I would bring a blanket, and some homemade stuff I baked🥺 We would make flower crowns, roll in the fields and even try to climb a tree, for the better view above, on the whole domain. It all makes it better when you realise this is all a part of YOUR LOVER.

🎃 - have you guys ever carved pumpkins together? do you visit a pumpkin patch, or buy one from the store? or maybe you grew it? what would your pumpkins look like?

Already answered here!

🍝 - you guys go to a nice fancy restaurant together! what does your f/o order? what do you order? do you guys order a dessert? perhaps, to share?

I order spaghetti! I think Hanami would probably order something like hummus XD He drinks water, while I drink a freshly squeezed fruit juice! (I let them try it, and they seemed to have liked it. But still, water is the og of the drinks for them💀)

And, at last, if I even have room left for a dessert, I order something with chocolate. Probably a Tiramissu, or Lava Cake, or Chocolate mousse. Or even pancakes! (BUT CHOCOLATE!!!!!) Hanami doesn't order for himse,f but I do offer mine for them to try! We always do that, Hanami is just curious of the 'human' food sometimes. While they sometimes dislike the ammount of "unhealthy components" in it, they like the taste! (I let them feed me...🥴 OUGHHH-)

[crybaby-shaymin]

My copperajah husband in his red suit makes me go 😍😍😍

[merlins-strawberriesandroses]

I’m not very articulate unfortunately but now that I’ve made this sideblog I wanted to get some thoughts out. I do see the logic when folks say that Arthur mostly experienced bad things in regards to magic, so it makes sense why he was wary of it/didn’t alter the laws since he didn’t know about Merlin’s guardian angel tendencies/etc. BUT. If we’re going with the magic is a queer metaphor (or just using it as one of many real life parallels) then I got to say. If you’re homophobic or your dad’s a queerphobic/bigoted politician who sanctions their murder and you haven’t explicitly said oh yeah I really don’t agree with that. Then queer people will probably not go out of their way to be kind to you while also letting you know they’re queer. They’re going to be wary and many will be antagonistic, and if there are queer people in your life they’ll probably keep mum because saying anything risks their life/security, and even freedom, in a way that’s distinct and sometimes worse than the restriction of freedom the closet imposes. 

In the same vein I feel like well if magic was banned in Camelot, and we know that even innocent people using it for, idk, healing a cut, got persecuted, then why would magic users be tripping over themselves to explicitly show Arthur how they’re using “good” magic. It’d put them in danger! Even if they were being helpful they’d not be telling Arthur they were being magically helpful (on account of the tyrant father’s laws still existing). Only sorcerers who are about to Revenge it Up (or power-grab it up) will likely be found out as sorcerers (on account of the occasional monologue and gold flashing eyes as they try to stab u).

Arthur just couldn’t have realistically seen an equivalently diverse number of people doing benevolent magic as long as all magic, no exceptions, was technically still illegal. (Though he does see some instances of ‘good’ magic!)

And about magical people close to Arthur not telling him for so long (Merlin, Morgs), I think they had many understandable reasons. At one point if you live long enough in a place where various parts of your identity can be legally prosecuted, or are liable to be socially persecuted, it’s physically hard to even get the words out. From personal experience the fear is just very encompassing, and it sucks to think that you very likely have to bear agression or worse if you want to let people you care about know. Plus, for Merlin I imagine a part of the situation was that telling Arthur would risk their closeness, which is pretty important to his ability to protect him. And Merlin believes that if he protects Arthur, the prophecy dictates at some point in the future magic will be legalized (which it does become, but it’s mentioned so briefly at the end. Could we not have had a happier ending??) :( I have a lot of other thoughts on this specific topic that I’ve tearfully jotted down over the years about how I understand why Merlin didn’t tell his friends (I’m less tearful about it now haha I was just Going Through It back then), but I fear I’ll still be incomprehensible and even more rambly, so I’ll avoid doing that right now. ANYWAY sorry for the ramble. I just made this sideblog and realized I can share some of the things that have been rolling around in my mind for years. Okay now I’m gonna go back to being in denial over the ending :) 

[chiakiselfships]

does your romantic f/os get along or not? I feel like atsushi get insecure over ash and william, they are intelligent and educated even though they doesn't finish their education and orphans also. there's awkward tension between atsushi and ash while william being wise and mature between them

[caracello]

i actually hate him so much i wish i could fan him with a big leaf and feed him grapes from the vine.

[wifeylyney]

Finished clorinde's story quest ♡

The fact the story Quest didn't have Lyney flirting or teasing made me happy. It's adorable to see him having fun with the other characters. It's so adorable ♡ it's like looking at a different side of him. I wanna see more of this. I love him more and more day by day ♥️

also this makes me happy because every time i see new Lyney content, I get nervous because I know there is going to be flirting towards traveler but they didn't do it this time. Which felt so good

Also, I'm head over heels for furina. Just her being adorable this whole time is so cute ♡

Clorinde is a great character and she is funny. Her acting is top tier and there isn't a story quest that can beat hers (not yet at least) This makes me hyped for the next region.

[little-miss-selfships]

Happy birthday to the lovely vega hehe 💕💖

[taegularities]

from what i saw here, i personally think that your personality match a lot joonie. you have words of wisdom. you give great advices. you always shared your thoughts with us. in a certain way you take care of us like him. instance : your last post regarding boundaries and self love? yes that one

also did you heard about « your bias has your personality while your bias wrecker is your ideal type ». i saw this on tiktok i think?

for me it’s pretty accurate. kookoo (or koo2 hehe), the bias : physically talking, clothing style is indeed me in him, i choose comfort over styling, everywhere i go. i am ambitious as hell, like we were build to achieved things that required a lot of determination. and we are on the verge of being perfectionists (maybe we are lol) but i think it is also the fact that we’re both earth signs. we know how to communicate and don’t struggle with that. we like helping and comfort people. jungkook is for me the most perfect humain being here. i rarely visualize someone without flaws, but despite how many time he said that he is not perfect, i still saw him like that. so i think that this aspect makes me think that i can’t find someone as perfect as him. he is like the forbidden fruit.

meanwhile, it is true that yoongs is my ideal type. i am ENTJ, and was once INTJ like him. does it explain something?😂😂 idk. i like how wise he is. he is smart, straightforward. the i-don’t-give-a-damn type of guy but obviously knows that he is also caring. he knows what he is doing with his life in general. i believe he doesn’t exist on earth just to exist. you know what i mean? i think that he is the myterious type of guy that crave us to dig deeper to know him in a way that nobody knows except his lover. he is only like this because you understand him the better.

like joon, yeah?? oh my gosh, this is such a high compliment bc i admire this man so damn much 😭 he's a literal role model.. thank you 🥺 i'm always gonna do my best to take care of y'all and let you take care of me, too🫂

and i've heard of that before!! i'm not sure how much i truly am like tae or koo, and my wrecker is yoongi which 🤔 he's one of the most amazing people ever, but i always thought of kook/joon as my ideal type. which lowkey checks out bc joon has been fighting for a spot as my wrecker hkjdshfsf :') you identifying with kookoo (koo2, i see 😌) like that is so sweet. i get the perfectionist bit.. and ugh, yeah, he truly is perfect, but also imperfect. just so gentle and kind and 🥺 ALSO PLEASE. i changed from an extrovert to an introvert!! i used to be the biggest social butterfly lol 😭

you said it so beautifully. he doesn't just exist to exist. he's like.. he wants the best out of life and works hard for it. he comforts people and is reliable and a source of inspiration and.. nobody does it like him </3

[thundercloudshipping]

OK so I'll just say I've been thinking bout Dotty a lot and how friend shaped she is, like legit she is a talking dinosaur who likes gardening and tea and she is one of my best friends hehe