#hints that mike's 'attraction' to women is a front he hides behind. one that slips away entirely when he's not actively maintaining it

[mikesbasementbeets]

I am firmly a gay mike believer, but one time I saw someone say that if we take the decorations in mike’s room as gay mike proof, then they can use the Conan the barbarian poster as bi mike proof since it has a man and a woman on it? And I was like hmm okay. But idk maybe they had a point

i think it's a fair point to bring up, but in my opinion using the presence of a small woman on a poster prominently featuring a beefy shirtless man to "prove" that mike is attracted to both men and women is a little bit weak and sort of ignores the broader context. it reminds me of the argument that this kind of juxtaposition

actually indicates mike is bi, rather than what i see as a much more nuanced and logical interpretation: the change in his demeanor, facial expressions, and words indicate that what they're implying with these shots isn't equal levels of interest in men/women/girls/boys, but rather a marked difference, shown by the contrast between the shots. he is interested and enthusiastic around men (even using "not normal" as a selling point), while uncomfortable, out of place, and arguing "bullshit media propaganda" when framed with women.

other people have talked about the actual content of Conan the Barbarian, and i have no real context on that, i haven't seen the show or anything, but my understanding is that its portrayal of women is notably misogynistic and one dimensional, and that's when they're even portrayed at all. so this poster being on mike's wall, to me, seems like a presentation of women as an afterthought, or a set piece propping up the actual focal point: the man. and this resonates with mike's s4 arc for me: he's trying desperately to maintain his relationship with el, and in effect his ability to be in a relationship with a woman at all, but, lost in the efforts of his own internal struggles, he fails to see her as a full person instead of just his "superhero girlfriend." instead, throughout the season it becomes overwhelmingly clear that, when he's not hiding behind his "straight" relationship, his true focus and priority lies with will.

it's also important to note that while i think mike has at this point taken at least the first step toward acknowledging his sexuality, he's still deeply repressed. "there's a girl on the poster too!" sounds a lot like "he literally has a girlfriend! they made out all the time." he's still trying to be normal, trying to pretend that he likes girls just fine, and if he can point to the half naked woman in the corner of the poster and say "see, i'm not GAY, there's a girl right there," then that probably feels a little like a safety net too. you can't accuse a guy with a girlfriend of being gay.

as an aside, i'm also gonna point out the posters on nancy's wall:

one of blondie, one of tom cruise (on either side of her bed and shot behind her in a very interesting way in this scene in particular). if you're using the barely visible presence of a woman on one of mike's two posters of buff men as proof that mike likes both men and women, then i hope you're also 100% convinced that nancy is canonically bisexual.

[ayatosmlktea]

Hello and welcome :) can I get Levi (if you do write for him) with a female s/o that’s the same height as him? I’m legit his height rip which makes me the shortest in my band class 😂 also I understand the school work my English honors teacher already gave us a book to read and do work on lol Good luck with work and school 😊

A/N: thank you so much for requesting anon! this took a bit of a different turn from what I originally planned but I hope you like it! Good luck to you too ❤️

𝑳𝒆𝒗𝒊 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒂𝒏 𝑺/𝑶 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒂𝒎𝒆 𝒉𝒆𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒂𝒔 𝒉𝒊𝒎

Sometimes Levi couldn’t help but stare at you in awe. He couldn’t believe he’d managed to attract someone as beautiful and kind as you. Growing up in the underground had moulded him into someone who showed very little emotion and often came off as heartless and cold towards others. However you’d seeped your way into his heart and shown him that he deserved to be loved and was capable of loving someone else. His height didn’t bother you, his crude sense of humour made you laugh and his chilly demeanour didn’t scare you or turn you away.

However there were times when he couldn’t help but feel himself doubting your feelings towards him. The fact that you were the same height was something Levi had been grateful for, not having to strain his neck in an attempt to kiss you. Your small body aided you in moving at a speed close to Levi’s with your ODM gear on the field and it made his heart clench with pride that such a capable woman was his to hold at night.

He watches as You and Mike tease each other playfully in the courtyard waiting for the cadets to gather outside for your joint training session. The blond easily towered over your small frame as he waved your clipboard just out of your reach. The little voices at the back of his mind gradually grew louder as he attempts to return his attention to the reports in front of him.

Maybe you wanted to be with something taller? After all from his knowledge that was what most women were attracted to. Levi hadn’t noticed how engrossed he became in his thoughts that the sound of you kicking on the door to his office almost startled him.

“Levi you’ll never believe what these kids-hey what’s wrong?” Another thing he loved about you was how perceptive to his emotions you were. Over the years you’d been together you’d gotten better at reading the subtle hints that he couldn’t hide behind a stoic face with.

He moved his chair back a bit so that you had space to sit on his lap, something you only did in the privacy of your shared quarters.

“Are you still happy with me?” He mumbles not making direct eye contact with you because of how uncomfortable being this vulnerable made him feel.

“Of course I am, why would you think otherwise?” Your eyes widen in surprise at his sudden question.

“It doesn’t bother you that I’m not tall like Mike?” You almost scoffed at the absurdity of his questions but had suspected that this doubt was always somewhere in the back of his mind, everyone gave Levi a hard time about his short stature and while he played it off as not caring it sometimes effected him.

Gently grabbing his face in your hands you place a small kiss on the tip of his nose.

“Levi I don’t care how tall you are, I’m with you because I love you! Your heart is so big and you care about all of your comrades even if you don’t show it. I love how dedicated you are to humanity and how compassionate you can be. Besides I’m just as short as you are, does that mean you want to date someone taller? Someone prettier?” You watch him scoff and roll his eyes.

“No, you’re the only one for me brat.” He pulls you closer to his chest.

“Exactly! I only love you, I don’t care what you look like but luckily for me you’re already incredibly handsome” Levi’s eyes soften as you card your fingers through his hair, the feelings of insecurity slowing slipping away. He didn’t know how he managed to win your heart but he wasn’t going to let it go for anything.

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