#i love when they get territorial & jealous before any true acknowledgment of even their friendship lmao

[deathsbestgirl]

3.13 syzygy

(had to include 3.13 cuz that’s my anniversary <3)

under a cut cuz ofc this is longer than it needs to be

oh right that’s ryan reynolds !!!

i love these two actresses, i think they’re so good. but i think their characters’ names should have been switched 😂

*also* am i supposed to believe they’re straight? i only see gay activity

it’s the way mulder & scully are bickering the first moment we see them. why are they on each other’s nerves already lmaooo

scully looking *so* annoyed when mulder explains her skepticism to white — top notch.

scully judging a woman for her hair?? so ooc. only acceptable in this episode because it’s the whole point.

it’s my opinion that all of the annoyances are very real & in character — but every single one of their actions & reactions regarding it is what’s out of character. they hide their feelings better when ~emotions are involved, and professional disagreements is what their entire working partnership is based on. and only when they hit boiling points do they have real arguments about their difference of opinion.

i love scully poking holes in detective white’s theories is beautiful. and she’s literally so right. like. they have no evidence of what these girls are saying?? nor have they identified anyone.

“look, we’ve been working together for what, two years now? we have differing opinions, but i didn’t expect you to ditch me.”

SCULLY IS SO RIGHT. mulder trying to claim he didn’t ditch her specifically because he was annoyed with her *correct* assessment that this isn’t the work of satanists??

it’s funny though, because it is like him to ditch her, or maybe from his perspective, to pursue his hunches, try to prove his theories. but he usually only ~ditches her when he thinks it’s necessary. and it just is not necessary here. to give her no option or heads up? also weird of him to badly defend her to det. white.

and like i know scully’s jealous BUT she just feels more in the right. unsurprising for me to think/feel that lol

what i love though is how ambiguous her reaction & emotions are. it would be very easy to believe what she said about his behavior & thinking it’s about his professionalism — but when she’s smoking in her motel room, muttering to herself?? a little more difficult. could still say that she’s professionally annoyed because he’s trusting this detective he doesn’t know & has no rapport with. meanwhile they’ve been partners more than two years now, she has proven herself an asset, gained his trust & trusted him in that time — and with det. white, she doesn’t have to do anything.

the whole scene in mulder’s motel room weirds me out. it makes me so uncomfortable. like i know he’s trying to see if she was the one wearing his “favorite perfume” but touching intimately like that, and not just standing close to her? WEIRD. drinking, slightly ooc. he’s all messed up cuz him & scully are off so i don’t think it’s out of the question.

DRIVING WHEN HE WAS DRINKING?! no. NO. nope. i hate it.

(honestly this whole episode just cracks me up but that really bothers me, cuz he’s so not inconsiderate in that way. he can be in a lot of other ways, but something that could endanger others and not because of their line of work. it’s a hard ooc moment for me to swallow.)

the ~big macho man~ and ~little feet/pedals~ comments are absolutely hilarious. mulder having white drive with scully — hysterical. and so so interesting that this is when they finally get some answers. even if those answers are scientifically unexplainable for fbi purposes.

was the doctor crossdressing out of character for him? the paranoia in the small town? believing the murders are the work of satanists? what are these people really like?

their conversation about margi & terri is hilarious. it’s the only one so far where they seem to be properly communicating and then scully says ~sure. fine. whatever.~ for the second time.

OH and the movie 😂😂😂

“hey girlfriend” queer activity !!!

all of the guns firing and the desks moving — literally how does scully explain this to herself? does she think it was like a fever dream lollll

also mulder dragging & throwing margi into a room is so fucking comical. and scully throwing terri in too? and then they just wait it out??

the paranoid town folks come with their pitchforks l, ready to exact their own justice and then as soon as they see the girls, POOF. but they still insist it was the devil 😭😭 even mulder is exasperated at that point lmao

and literally what the heck was detective white doing? opening the door with a mob right there?! she’s kind of really dumb…

scully driving like a lunatic, ignoring him, running a stop sign — hilarious. i fucking love it. “shut up mulder” “sure fine whatever”

this is a very special unhinged episode. cuz like. sure they’re a little ooc but it still very much feels like them. like the worst thing is actually their choice of substances and the disregard they show each other.

and still i just think — they’re so good at communicating about their work and i don’t understand why that doesn’t cross over into the more personal. like the way scully actually goes at mulder for his behavior with detective white is crazy, so unlike how she behaved when it was phoebe, bambi, or fowley. the differences in her behavior from p > b > f is actually kinda sweet. i think it reflects the stage of their partnership & her (internalized) recognition of her feelings. but detective white? her reactions are a little over the top for where they currently are. even if the undercurrent has been there since the beginning.

and now i’m just thinking of squeeze 😩😩 because mulder was pretty territorial but still pretty lowkey. and he’s acting surprised at this point that she feels territorial of him and protective of their trust & partnership. what an idiot

[madamhatter]

Jade/Sophie for the ship meme?

Send me a ship and I’ll tell you... | accepting

Who asks the other on dates:

These two have been on dates before realizing it could be considered dates (and really considered each other's interest in another outside of friendship). During that time, it was equally that Jade and Sophie asked the other out. A lot of outdoor excursions for the Mountain Appreciation Club on the mountain trails/woodlands and also for the Gardening Club, which was focused on working in the greenhouse and tending to several terrariums.

Once things pick up steam, they still do these things together. them getting closer but still not dating, Sophie does the initiative and asks him out to different places. Jade does ask her out too, as well, keen on reciprocating. But, he needs to rely on Sophie actually mentioning things in passing (ie: visiting somewhere in the Coral Sea). Though, still not classified as dates as their dynamic is interesting, to say the least.

When feelings are involved, and neither is really acting on it (yet), Jade actually asks her own on dates. This time, he considered the romantic implications in their movement -- and Azul and Floyd might’ve been hammering in his head to do something before they dared let Sophie getaway.

Who is the bigger cuddler:

Good lord, 100% Sophie is the cuddler. Definitely the more physically affectionate of the two and there is NO denying that. Miss 162cm looks up at Mister 190cm and decides ‘ah yes, perfect.’ She’s way stubborn to even dare be little spoon and Jade is way too amused by how determined she is and doesn’t have a complaint. He could be the cuddler, if not to pester Sophie and get her riled up because he’s cheating with his height + weight versus hers. I think he doesn’t like auto-cuddle or does it alot unless being asked. But, I feel like he would do it some nights or when he knows Sophie’s too tired and she appreciates the touch b/c touch-starved dumbass she is.

Who initiates holding hands more often:

Sophie tries once or twice because her relationship with touch is rather rocky. She needs to develop a new form of trust in herself to feel confident to reach out in her partner...which then means her trust developing between them. In the case of her relationship with Jade, she is way more reluctant and has tried, but shrinks. She grows embarrassed by it but does it mainly when they’re alone. Being less tense and less stress means she feels more comfortable in touch.

Jade does it in public randomly to embarrass the living shit out of her. She will feel his cold glove brush against her, and she’s all fine with it. It’s until she feels his fingers moving against her palm that she will whip her arm away. He has done held it once or twice in the beginning of their relationship. She still had the same reaction -- she holds her hand to her chest defensively and runs off.

You can’t blame Sophie when she’s wanting to keep their relationship on the down-low and doesn’t want people bothering her/targeting her.

Who remembers anniversaries:

Both! It’s practically an insult to either of them if someone insinuates they’d forget their anniversary.

Who is more possessive:

It isn’t possible for a Leech not to be possessive -- it’s of their nature as a moray eel that they are ridiculously territorial and watchful about their claims. Jade happens to harbor this as greatly as his brother, but the ways in which it comes up are vastly different. Anything is easy to hide behind a mask when you take as much pleasure and glee in violence and bloodshed with that same chilling smile you wear everyday. 

As to what he’d do, well, he’s as brutal as his sibling, but not as public about when it won’t be in his favor. He leaves bitemarks and scratches on Sophie that should be difficult to hide (but her make-up skills and magic help her out a lot). If he were pushed further, egged on by people who are knowingly commenting about Sophie/trying to get touchy, it’s gloves off them there and he would have all the more fun in proving his point.

Who gets more jealous:

Sophie gets way more jealous than Jade and it shows may more often from her. Her concerns stem in not feeling adequate and being in constant question about herself. It would of her nature to make blunt comments, deadpanning too, about people who are talking about Jade (while he’s not paying attention/not present in conversation). Depending on the time, she may not admit that they’re closer than most, but she will be as hard with a sharp glare and a frown directed to the person. 

Jade finds it amusing that the jealousy manifests so differently than his own, and especially better when he notices what triggers it and when it’s triggered.

Who is more protective:

Sophie 100% will not hesitate to both defend Jade’s name and literally Jade. It’s hilarious to think that one of the two infamous Leech siblings has his much shorter, if not easier to target, partner who will place herself between him and anyone who tries to get at him. It doesn’t always happen and she’s smart in stressful situations. But, mark her words, she’s not taking any crap about her partner. 

Jade isn’t used to being protected. Rather, he has been a protector ever since he was young to keep his brother, Floyd, safe and sound. It wouldn’t come as much of a surprise  then that he’s as protective over Sophie. He uses his own presence to induce terror to anyone if they ever consider harming her. He isn’t as action-oriented as Sophie (being she jumps into it immediately), but he certainly understands that sometimes all it takes is silence and a flash of his teeth to keep people in order. 

I genuinely pray for you if you ever take advantage of Sophie in anyway and Jade learns this.

Who is more likely to cheat:

Neither! Honestly, Jade would probably drop his partner if he was ever cheated on (especially with how many limited people he’s intimately connected with) AND bring down hell to the person his partner cheated on him with. It’s all a slow-cook process for him, and it’s terrifying to consider he’ll be all smiles while knowing his partner cheated (and they think he doesn’t know).

Sophie’s just more like....she isn’t the type to seek out revenge for herself, but she will give hell to anyone who hurts her loved ones like that. She’s more reserved about it and would call it off. Depending on who, she might come back, but god, is she hurting, and it is one of those very bad :tm: decisions she could make.

Who initiates sexy times the most:

Now, this one is kind of a mixed bag. Jade initiates a lot more intimate moments when their relationship was in the ‘friends with benefits’ stage but they were already emotionally taken by another and didn’t acknowledge it.  He has the prior experience and knows how to push forward with something -- and he only did because his antics with Sophie spiraled to a point of no return. These are more friskier and revealing to his true ‘bastard’ energy that his brother also has -- as Sophie seemingly has the power to flip that switch on for him.

Sophie takes on more initative for romantic approaches like making out during the same stage. Her focus is pretty much romantically backed without her realizing that it is her acting on such delicate and personal emotions -- which Jade follows with, before it leads to a deeper, physical encounter. She is also the person who’ll initiate introducing more things into their love life, which she does to ‘tease’ Jade, but it only backfires on her.

Sophie, though, does initiate it when she’s pent-up/frustrated OR she really, really wants to have a moment of vulnerability with him. It happens once or twice during that earlier stage. But, once they’re dating, she’s more outspoken, if not terribly shy and refusing to look at him (most of the time) at the suggestion. 

Who dislikes PDA the most:

Sophie, Sophie, Sophie. Good lord is she prickly and too attentive of public views to be intimate in public. She is already too nervous about how others see her and the thought of so many people looking at her, receiving any attention, makes her skin crawl and makes her want to hide. 

Jade isn’t as outwardly affectionate in general. Most of his acts (with other people) are as fake as his smile; his acts of service are only meant to be a part of his facade and maintain his identity. Though, he doesn’t shut out the possibility of PDA with Sophie. It’s just more slower, if not quiet, and takes a while for Sophie to get comfortable.

In spite of this, it would be Sophie trying to produce PDA when she feels the courage. Ir would only be smaller gestures like squeezing his fingers for a moment or leaning the side of her head against his chest when they’re standing close enough. Jade is much more using his PDA as a guide -- like keeping an arm around Sophie or putting his hand on the small of her back. 

Who kills the spider:

Neither! Sophie doesn’t see the purpose of killing spiders when they keep maintain and keep out as many other busg that she doesn’t want. Jade, meanwhile, finds them intriguing and sees it purposeless to kill a spider when it’s harmless to him. Though, he is more likely to kill a spider if someone else were to ask him to (or he’d shoo it away).

Who asks the other to marry them: 

So, this one has me kind of stumped. If the circumstances are right and, if he spends more nights thinking about how much he has literal wife material sleeping next to him, I think Jade would. It’s within his nature to concoct his own plan about how to bring up the question. It’ll be around he’s finishing his fourth year at NRC (and Sophie already graduated (and has her curse completely broken) and moves back to Ingary to reunite/catch up further with her family). 

Both of them are still in constant contact and she visits as MUCH as she can as she’s still a former NRC staff member. ..And to be honest, Crowley would want her back as much as possible for him to give her the work he doesn’t want to do. 

Listen, Jade was sorted into Octavinelle for a reason and he isn’t holding back anything to get the setting right. Hell, I could see him getting Floyd and Azul in on it as these three always seem to pull in the other into their schemes--. 

Sophie would also want to propose, but she is still hesitant and thinks she might be doing it too soon. 

Who buys the other flowers or gifts:

Both! Jade has the expenses available to him to purchase her gifts like clothing (which she has severely limited amount of thanks to him) and flowers. After all, what gentleman doesn’t routinely spoil their beloved with a surprise? Her reactions are worth it as she’s very sensitive and grateful for them -- she’ll get misty-eyed over certain ones ad she’d hug him, very sentimental over the matter. It’s those parts of Jade that he overwhelmingly appreciates, even if he doesn’t say it. It’s nothing exactly something he’s used to or he really gives.

Sophie tends to go in the same route when it comes to clothing and plants -- but she can make the clothes herself (or accessories like certain ties) and plant the flora herself. She rarely makes purchases and prefers making it herself. 

Who would bring up possibly having kids:

A point in Jade and Sophie’s relationship, even before anything developed, was the fact that neither of them would refuse a challenge. After Sophie bothers the Leech twins with purposely opening her mouth (while in her Simeon disguise), which is known as a mating gesture for moray eels. Jade enthusiastically took the opportunity to exploit the meaning. He has and will mention having children to watch everyone (including Sophie) squirm, much to his pleasure.

However, the SERIOUS thought of having kids came from Sophie. It is probably one of their many late-night conversations when she blurts it as a question. He will, no doubt, look at her and make reference to his own jokes -- before she carefully knees him in the stomach, as a sign that she’s being genuine about their future and settling down. Jade is quiet about the matter, never really considering it as a real possibility,  but quickly warms up to the idea the longer they talk about it.

They’d probably have a mix of having their own and adopting. Sophie has issues getting pregnant/carrying to term/birthing, as guess how Sophie’s late mother died, and they’ll be open to any opportunities they have.

Who is more nervous about meeting the parents:

Neither. The Leech twins’ parents, as well as Sophie’s biological parents, are all no longer in this world with us. Sophie’s stepmother, Fanny, is alive and well...but Jade wouldn’t at all be nervous. If anything, he wouldn’t break a sweat about meeting new people and leaving a good impression. That’s what his gentleman’s facade is for, after all.

In the realm of possibility that Jade and Floyd’s parents survived and were alive in the current time, Sophie would be the most nervous person in the room. She’ll go hard in rehearsing and learning as MUCH as she can about merculture as she thinks she’ll make a blunder out of everything and embarrass Jade.

Jade’s primary concern is the unspoken aspects of how Sophie’s relationship with her stepmother works. She is one who refuses to speak about things or may have even normalized certain behaviors/actions from her stepmother. The fact that (once her memory returns) most of her conversations about her family has to be forced out, it’s safe to say something is up. He is all smiles, acting as usual, but he keeps his eyes peeled.

Sophie’s nervous more about how her sisters and how Jade and Floyd are going to interact. It’s only because her sisters tease/bully her, as the Leech twins already do, and it’s literally the worst :tm: because they get on swimmingly.

Who sleeps on the couch when the other is angry:

Jade ends up sleeping on one of the many couches available in the Octavinelle dormitory whenever he’s really messed with Sophie too much. It isn’t even like they live and share that room. She got to the point where she’d take the key to his room and keep it on her while he isn’t paying attention. Though, Jade would be quickly aware of the culprit once he finds his pockets empty...and as he knows her so well, he knows she’ll come back out of guilt in the middle of the night to return the keys.

Who tries to make up first after arguments:

Jade. As much as Sophie can be mature and straightforward, she is still prideful and spiteful to the point that she will need time to separate and cool off. It affects her more easily, depending on what the topic is, and she prefers being reclusive and hiding (in the case she feels overbearingly guilty and doesn’t want to confront it). 

Jade is not at all tactiturn like this partner and speaks with a clear voice and what’s on his mind. He will need time to separate too, leaving himself to better thought. But, he’s as well very good at reading Sophie (as she can read him sometimes. but not better) and will approach her during the times she’s hurting herself way more than she should be. 

It’s a nice and quiet resolution -- where Jade approaches Sophie and they talk it out, apologies exchanged, and they go on. 

Who tells the other they love them more often:

Sophie! So much of the ‘I love yous’ are from her. She hasn’t really heard it much in her life (pre-curse included) and it’ll always be a part of her to say ‘I love you’ and show her emotions to someone she fully trusts and connects with. It isn’t like it’s super recurring and happening every minute, but I bet you that she’s the reason gets Jade comfortable about being emotionally open with others -- at least, with someone like her, who is probably the handful of people who may get as close to him like Floyd and Azul.

Jade’s ‘I love yous’ are way more based on action and quiet. Like they’re the real sentimental moments where you longingly gaze at your partner and softly smile at them when they’re not looking because, wow, I love you, how did I end up here? I feel like as he gets older, he’ll also get used to saying it as I don’t really think he heard it a lot in his life too -- but he wouldn’t find a real reason to even say it. 

[inevitably-johnlocked]

Hey! I love the "for a case" fics! I was just wondering if you had any new ones?

Hi Nonny!!

I ACTUALLY DO have new stuff to add to this list! 

For anyone interested, here are past similar posts:

For a Case Trope

Meeting the Family With a Fake Relationship

Married For a Case / Fake Husbands

Here we go! Apologies if I’m overlapping; I’m trying to remember where I left off, LOL.

FAKE RELATIONSHIP / FOR A CASE (PT 2.)

Ex by Itsallfine (T, 1,248 w. || Love Confessions, Coming Out, Exes, First Kiss) – One night, in the midst of their post-case high and on the cusp of something more, John and Sherlock run into John’s ex. His ex-boyfriend.

Christmas at Holmes Cottage by johnlockedstarkid (G, 4,295 w. || Christmas, Fake Relationship, Love Confessions, Holmes Family, Pining, Kisses, Fluff, Allusions to Mystrade) – Sherlock doesn’t want to have to deal with his mother’s wishes for him to find a partner when he goes to visit them for Christmas, so asks John to pose as his boyfriend. Little does he know he’s not the only one who wishes that the relationship could be real.

On Hiatus: Rotterdam (T, 4K+ w. || Friendship, Drama, Couple For A Case, Post-TRF, John Joins Sherlock, No Slash) – “Used them after uni a bit. Purely for research purposes, of course,“ Sherlock said tiredly, head lolling against John’s shoulder.” Sherlock goes on a mission alone, or: Two blokes in a luxury hotel in the Netherlands. Non-linear timeline. Set during the Hiatus.

The Honeymoon Suite by Salambo06 (E, 5,827 w. || Fake Relationship, Fake Marriage, Frottage, First Kiss, Cuddling/Snuggling/Sleepy Cuddles, Bed Sharing, Holidays / Hotels, Case Fic) – “You’ll see,” the receptionist smiles, handing John the key to their room, “This honeymoon suite is quite spectacular. Our hotel has won many awards, most of them for these rooms.” John nods, licking his lips and playing with the key in his hand. We’ll probably be leaving first thing in the morning, he wants to tell her. As soon as Sherlock proves who robbed the previous couple who booked a room here, we’re out of here and stopping this happily married charade. “Thank you,” he says instead.

The space between by Salambo06 (E, 6,830 w. || PWP, Friends to Lovers, Masturbation, Virgin Sherlock, First Time, Miscommunications, Bottom Sherlock, Mutual Pining, Sexual Fantasy) – “It’s for a case,” Sherlock says as soon as John looks down at his computer. John remains silent for a long moment, eyes moving from the screen to Sherlock, before saying, “You don’t have to explain.” His voice is low, too low, and Sherlock looks at the computer, putting the video on pause. “Lestrade asked me-, no, forced me to find out who’s threatening a famous porn star, and the suspect is among his co-stars, so I only need to watch out for any signs from his partners, anything that might show they’re the one sending those threats and I can move to something else.” “Right.”

Full Disclosure by Itsallfine (E, 7,032 w. || Bars & Pubs, Fake Relationship, First Kiss / Time, Love Confessions, John’s Army Mates, Three Continents Watson, Semi-Public Sex) – John’s army mates get together for the first time post-discharge and invite John “Three Continents” Watson to join them. If John shows up alone, he knows he’ll be the object of non-stop ridicule all night. Sherlock plays along. John tests the waters.

that thing you like by misspamela (E, 7,165 w. || Holmes Family, Fake Relationship, Friends to Lovers) – “Happy Christmas, etc. etc.” Sherlock and John go to the Holmes’ for Christmas, and everyone thinks they’re together.

Down with this Ship by FrostedFlame (PinkOrchid) (M, 10,862 w. || For a Case, Gay Bar, Coming Out, Slow Burn) – Sherlock drags John undercover to a gay bar - for a case, of course - looking forward to seeing John flustered by their surroundings (since you know, he’s NOT GAY). John decides that he has hidden both his orientation and his feelings for his daft flatmate for far too long. He is done hiding, time to be honest with his bloody best friend in the world. He just hopes it won’t change anything between them. And then it does.

Twelfth Night by yourdykeinshiningarmor (E, 15,139 w. || Fake Relationship, Christmas, Mutual Pining, Friends to Lovers, Angst & Fluff, BJ’s, Anal) – John is invited to his aunt’s Twelfth Night ball. Sherlock offers to attend with him as a friendly face among strangers, but John’s family force him to address his true feelings for Sherlock.

Till Death Do Us Part by prettysailorsoldier (M, 15,390 w. || Fake Relationship, Case Fic, Friends to Lovers, Fake Marriage, Christmas, Fluff) – When Sherlock links a recent spree of murder-suicides to a psychologist who specializes in marriage counseling, there’s really only one thing to do: Go undercover as a couple in hopes of drawing the killer out. Faking a relationship seems easy enough, but things take a turn when their real issues start to creep into the sessions, and, all the while, a killer is watching, waiting in the shadows for their chance to strike.

Couples Retreat by Madam_Fandom (E, 18,717 w. || Fake Relationship, Undercover Couple, Case Fic, Angst, Kidnapping, Fake Marriage, Cross Dressing) – Couples are turning up missing at a very high class couples retreat; and the only way to get to the bottom of it is for John and Sherlock to go under cover as a couple. {{Haven’t read this yet, so read at your discretion}}

Just a Kiss by emmagrant01 (E, 19,695w. || Case Fic, 5+1, For a Case) – Five times John and Sherlock kissed because of a case and one time they kissed for real. (Chapter 7 is the one you want :D)

Ghost Stories by SwissMiss (M, 22,256 w. || Pining, Holmes Family, Christmas, Friends to Lovers, Slow Burn, Bed Sharing, Fluff, Hurt/Comfort, First Time) – Sherlock’s parents think he and John are a couple. They might be onto something.

Dropping the Act by jadztone (T, 27,258 w. || Parentlock, Fake Relationship, Mary’s Family, Post-S4, Cuddling & Snuggling, Bed Sharing, Pining, Christmas) – Sherlock and John are quite happy living together with Rosie in Baker St. They might be even happier if they didn’t act towards each other like their love is only platonic. Mycroft brings troubling news in the form of Mary’s parents wanting to know just what their grandchild’s home life is like. The boys decide to spend Christmas pretending like they are in love in order to seem more like a “normal” family. It’s easy enough to pretend when all you’re doing is dropping the act.

Sherlock Holmes & The Mysterious Ex by Gatergirl79 (M, 27,942 w. || Family, Romance, Holmes Family) – Sherlock and John are forced to spend Christmas with Sherlock’s family. An unsettling idea especially when John will have to play ‘Boyfriend’ thanks to Mycroft. But why exactly does Sherlock want to avoid a family party?

“finally kiss the bloody idiot” by Salambo06 (E, 29,812 w. || Mutual Pining, Declarations of Love, First Kiss / Time, Angst, Misunderstandings, Fantasies, POV John) – Inspired by a fic idea on tumblr : “John and Sherlock know the Yard has a pool going for when they’re finally going to get together. It’s been running forever, and it’s worth thousands of pounds. It’s all fun and games, hahaha, until they find out Lestrade is in dire financial straits (dog needs emergency surgery, he’s putting his kid through gymnastics training, I don’t know, something), and they decide to fake a relationship to win the pool for him. Sherlock figures out the day and way that Lestrade thinks it’s going to happen, and they act it out. It’s all for a good cause, fake relationship style, until it’s not.” Part 1 of The Pool

Classified(s) by blueink3 (E, 36,153 w. || Wedding Date AU || Fake Relationship, Jealous, PIning, H/C, Idiots in Love, Happy Ending, Mary is not Nice, Escort Service) – Clara’s American father is the ambassador to some such territory that Great Britain probably used to own, but she (and Harry’s undying love for her) is the reason John is getting on a flight at 12:30pm, flying across the second largest ocean in the world, and pretending to be in a perfectly happy, healthy relationship with an undoubtedly perfectly coiffed stranger. See, Clara is not only American (and wealthy to boot), she’s also best friends with John’s ex-fiancée. Whom she’s placed in the wedding party. As Maid of Honor. And John just happens to be Best Man. Bloody brilliant.

A Promise Made to Be Broken by PlantsAreNeat (E, 37,018 w. || Fake Relationship, Pining, Slow Burn, RST, Eventual Relationship, POV Sherlock) – A young John makes an ‘if we’re still single at 40, we’ll get together’ pledge to a woman who ends up all wrong for him. She keeps reminding him of the promise, and won’t let go of it. John asks Sherlock to pose as his boyfriend at a family wedding, so as to dash her hopes permanently. Sherlock, who has at last acknowledged his feelings for John, reluctantly agrees despite knowing how painful it will be to ‘have’ John, but not keep him.

The Case of the Vanishing Pants by SwissMiss (E, 44,025 w. || Five and Ones, Friends to Lovers, Case Fic, Homophobia, UST, Post-TRF) – Five times John and Sherlock lost their pants in the course of a case. (Chapter 4)

John Watson’s Twelve Days of Christmas by earlgreytea68 (M, 53,464 w. || Christmas, Holmes Family, Fake Relationship, Alternate First Meeting, Falling in Love, Fluff and Angst, Hardcore Pining) – It’s the holiday season. John Watson needs money. Sherlock Holmes needs something else.

Wars We Fought, Things We’re Not by blueink3 (M, 55,204 w. || Parentlock, Fluff & Angst, Kidnapping, Whump, Post-TAB, UST, Slow Burn, Couple for a Case) –  Five months after John’s world has fallen apart, Mycroft sends the consulting detective and his doctor on a case that neither is prepared for.

Bridging the Ravine by SilentAuror (E, 58,887 w. || Post S4, Couple For a Case, Bed-Sharing, First Times, Confessions, Awkwardness, Sex Trafficking) – Sherlock and John go undercover at Ravine Valley, a therapy centre for same-sex male couples in an investigation into a possible human trafficking ring. As they pose as a couple and fake their way through the therapy sessions for the sake of the case, it quickly becomes difficult to avoid discussing their very real issues. Set roughly six nine months after series 4.

A Cure For Boredom by emmagrant01 (E, 81,665 w. || Dirty Talk, Threesomes, Light Dom/Sub, Sex Club, Experiments, Anal, Mildly Dubious Consent) – They’d never talked about sex in the year they’d known each other. Well, that wasn’t quite correct: Sherlock had never said a word about sex; John had bemoaned his personal dearth of it on many occasions.

[phaylenfairchild]

Separating Allies From The All-Lies: When Angry Friends Weaponize Your Gender Status

“Good day to you, Sir.”

That was how the email ended.

It was from a friend, a gay man, who was very much aware of my Trans status and my basic pronouns. Beyond that, it was from someone I loved very much. You see, most Trans people keep a very small circle of friends. It’s as much about personal safety, emotional steeling and simplifying an otherwise incredibly chaotic life as personal preference. When you have everyone from lawmakers to evangelists throwing bricks at you from high windows, it hurts. So, naturally, it’s important to have stability in your relationships; people you can trust to remain in your corner as you dodge those missiles. Those people can be hard to find.

It’s easy for people, typically, to feign acceptance. To smile to your face, and feebly shake your hand before turning around and spewing venom, or using you for the comedic relief of their own friends. That’s why friendship is a cautionary tale if you’re a transgender or non-conforming individual.

So often, people accuse Trans* people of being stand-offish, aloof or disinterested. Many of us don’t actively integrate ourselves into publicly social spaces like LGBT bars or nightclubs, primarily because there’s always one… whether it be by a cold stare, pointed enough to make Zoolander jealous, or hushed remarks from shadowy corners, that makes you keenly aware that you’ve crossed some territorial boarder. Thus, we tend to stay in familiar places with people who allow us to feel comfortable.

We don’t casually build friendships. Ultimately, we can be a difficult shell to break. Unexpected circumstances usually bond us with others on a more intimate level. While I can count the number of friends that I have on one hand, I can also tell you how we found each other and that the relationship developed over a period of time- I am fortunate enough to say that, despite not having an abundance of friendships, the ones I have have lasted years, in some cases, decades. Over time you inadvertently demonstrate your loyalty to each other; You find yourself there in dark periods of their lives and vice versa, which strengthens the bond. You discover true friendship isn’t contingent on any one thing; It’s not reliant on the satisfaction of one party, nor does it mean constant maintenance and high levels of expectation. True friendship is you being you, and them being them; Finding the ability to laugh, cry, argue and show yourselves at your worst- and still getting a call a few days later asking if you watched the latest episode of your favorite show. You both apologize; sometimes cry with regret… the whole: “I’m sorry…” “No, I’m more sorry…” You move forward. It is events like this, when the terrain of friendship finds itself jagged, that each individual demonstrates true intent, the quality of their character and it bonds of further… or it tears us apart. Friendship shouldn’t be hard work. If it is, call it work, not friendship… and clock out.

It’s tragic when a friend; One who you’ve trusted, built a bond with and demonstrated your loyalty to time and time again suddenly goes rogue when they’re unhappy with you. When they find themselves dissatisfied by a choice you made or a miscommunication, and instantly, as if by their sheer nature, they start climbing the the walls with rest of the primates who already perceived themselves as superior, to join them in their brick hurling.

They leverage the first opportunity to weaponize your gender against you because they have mapped where to hurt you in the most destructive way. In my case, it was because I opted out of doing a project for a friend who became combative, and although I was happy to do what I could to make him happy, I realized that collaborating was toxic to our friendship. I valued the friendship over the work, despite it being his project primarily, and one I agreed to do in effort to benefit him. I found myself at a crossroads: Resent him in the end, or walk away now and preserve the integrity of our relationship.

I chose to walk away. I’m not sixteen anymore, and I’m past the part of my life where I’ll take it on the chin and then stick around to ask for another. I don’t like conflict. I have enough of it. We, as Trans and gender non-conforming people, all do. Just open any social media and get out the popcorn as you scour the volumes of Trans hate. The moment conflict in my real life presents itself, if it’s avoidable, I spin on one heel and make tracks. That’s not selfish. That’s self respect.

I will stand up and speak out for friends. I will lock arms and defend my friends. But, I won’t dispose of them over a dispute. There are two sides to every story. It doesn’t take work to see the other side, it takes simple things like compassion, kindness and a willingness to set your pride and ego aside to accept accountability… or to ask for it. Sometimes we find the latter is not possible.

When a one-time friends assumes privilege and begins taunting you with anti-trans rhetoric once you aren’t either advantageous, an emotional crutch, offering opportunities, or able to be exploited for their gain anymore, you have to acknowledge that was never a friendship to begin with. I had to accept that. I had mistakenly presumed I had become a fantastic judge of character and could see all the signs, certainly, with decades of experience behind me, yet, I was wrong.

When I read the email that came and reached the final words, “Good day to you, Sir,” I recognized that I harbored no anger. I should have seen that coming from miles away. I had seen him do the same thing to others and turned a blind eye thinking “Well, he’s a good friend to me…” and that’s the lie you tell yourself. Why I presumed I would be exempt from the scathing, retaliatory abuse he is notorious for is my own fault.

Regardless, I still cared about him. Even as my eyes lingered over the words, I couldn’t be mad. I had no right. It was there all along, only now in black and white, on my screen. Along with a plethora of “Never in my life…” comments that people use to gaslight you into thinking you’re just absolutely the worst person imaginable. Reading between the lines, there was a lot of truth that I benefited from, things I needed to hear from an outside source and take on board for self improvement. I had to be more honest with myself and others about my limitations, and even though the email was filled with misinformed hyperbole, I understood the source and respected it for it’s truth… until the signing off.

“There you are.” I said to myself. “There it is.”

At that point, I wasn’t going to fire back another rage fueled email, but instead, thanked them for telling me things I needed to hear. In friendship, we benefit from people willing to hold us responsible, to speak to us from an outside perspective and give us the opportunity to grow. In leveraged relationships, that is usually inhibited or delivered with painful, unnecessary blows that demonstrate no intelligent or conscious action. I don’t imagine his intent was to deliver me home truths, but instead, attack my self-image; Personally degrade me. However, the truths cannot be discounted, and it would be negligent to have ignored the contents just because of the damaged box in which they were presented.

I ended it with “I love you.” Because it was true. However, there was no point in arguing facts, disputing their claimed victimhood or explaining extenuating circumstances, because I knew it wasn’t a friendship I cared to nurture anymore.

That’s when the dissolution of a friendship is a parting gift.

You can beat yourself up for not recognizing an ally from an opportunist or a liar. That’s how we thicken our skin and commit to making better choices regarding who we let through the gates of our life. Then, give yourself a break. You’re not perfect. The social conditions in which we, as gender diverse people, are thriving under are not normal. Hate and bigotry is not normal. It is not a typical life experience for most, to walk around dodging those figurative bricks slung by people from their windows. However, it is our reality and occasionally, one of those bricks will hit harder than most- especially when you look up and see it coming from someone you know and cared about.

But you will keep walking.

In a recent, highly public dispute between pop culture icon TS Madison and singer-songwriter, Khia, the very same thing happened. The two had, since this past year, collaborated on a social media show called The Queen’s Court. TS Madison is a brilliant businesswoman who, as a Transgender woman, used the opportunity of a viral vine video to launch herself into the stratosphere of celebrity. Through her touring, over the years, she met Khia and the two developed a friendship and then struck gold with their series, garnering offers from Hollywood executives and even a musical legend, Nicki Minaj to take their platform to larger audiences via other mediums. It was an unusual pairing for sure, given Madison was a rising star and an out Trans woman, and Khia has a disastrous track record with the LGBT community. One might say, all the signs were there for it’s inevitable implosion.

On the fateful night of February 5th, the show, which was to feature Oscar winning actress Mo’Nique as a guest, was beset by technical difficulties. As audiences watched the events unfold live, Khia stormed off the set, angry that Madison didn’t have things under control.

What would follow is a scenario all to familiar. Khia, in the days afterward, took to her own social media and dubbed Madison “MAN-die Manwhore” and said to her audience of Madison, “She smells like balls and testosterone.”

She launched an attack so vile that it created a divide between the bigots and the trans allies who once sat in the same stadium cheering them on. Khia has leveraged the one-sided feud and attempted to maintain relevance by starting her own web based show, Gag Order, in which she slams the LGBT community that had been previously championing her alongside Madison. She attempts to generate laughs and giggles through hate-speech.

Claiming that she owed her fans an explanation for teaming up with a Trans woman, she said;

“Cause a lot of my thugs — and like I said a lot of my ‘conscious brothers’ was like, ‘Why are you fucking with these people? They not right. They not conscious. They not living. You know, they taking in the ass; they ass is connected to the spine; the spine is connected to the brain; they all brainwashed. They doing this, they doing that. You know the queen, why-why-why?’”

And then she admitted to using Madison, and the platform that she created “…For the money, it was work.”

She has persisted in referring by TS Madison by her male name, and incorrect pronouns. Madison, however, has not bitten back. She has taken the high road, rather than getting down in the mud and trade insults, saying only, “I want her to win… I loved Khia like a sister.”

But, she also also expressed her disappointment and heartbreak over the friendship stating…

“I thought I knew her. I thought I knew Khia, who she is now, that person going on saying those hateful things; I don’t know that person. She never showed that to me about herself until now.” -TS Madison

But, she had. Just not to Madison, or toward Madison. In 2016, with their collaboration in full swing, Khia was disinvited from appearing at Rupaul’s Dragcon after referring to the LGBT community as “Sissies and Punks and Women with D*cks.” She retaliated on Instagram.

… and then on a youtube show… where she used slurs like “F*ggots,” among many other things, reference to LGBT people.

But, Madison’s desire to unearth the good in someone who she knew had a penchant for homo/trans-phobic abuse backfired. And, like myself, she doesn’t have the luxury of claiming ignorance to it. Sometimes, we deliberately reject people’s true colors, no matter how boldly and unapologetically they present them, with the naive belief… that’s not really who they are.

And that’s where we fail ourselves. We must believe people who show us their truth, especially if that’s what we ask of others. We wight be disappointed, shocked, or hurt, but it’s more valuable to us in knowing, rather than shielding ourselves from the reality.

We must stop attempting to change minds and instead improve our lives by limiting their access to us and those in our orbit. Your job is not to change the opinions or world views of other or to change yourself to accommodate it.

Your job is to live a life of quality, enjoy friendships of quality; To find and exceed your own potential and expectations; To share this journey with the people who contribute to that goal, and who allow your contribution to theirs.

If someone is discreetly holding your gender above your head and laying in wait to use it to provoke you or damage you, acknowledge that their words are a reflections of who they are, not who you are, nor do they define who you can be.

Powered by WPeMatico

from WordPress http://ift.tt/2tWahp3 via IFTTT